Do you ever...?
Knittingmommy
Posts: 8,191
I know I kind of dragged you in with that hanging title. 
As an artist, and I use that term loosely with regards to myself, I love reading comments in the gallery on my images. While I have left a lot of simple 'Thank you" comments back to commenters, there are lots of times I take the time to respond back to complicated, in depth, or really expressive comments that have been left on my gallery pics. I'm just wondering this....
You find a gallery pic that really moves you, irritates you, makes you feel something and you leave a complicated or longish comment on the artist's image page. Do you ever go back to see if the artist responded back to your comment? Do you never visit that image again? Or something somewhere in between?
Just wondering what others do... Me? I go back and look if it was an image that really moved me or I left a longer than usual comment. I've even found a time or two when the artist did indeed respond back to my comment.
What do you do?
Daz 3D is part of 
Connect
DAZ Productions, Inc.
7533 S Center View Ct #4664
West Jordan, UT 84084
Licensing Agreement | Terms of Service | Privacy Policy | EULA
© 2026 Daz Productions Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Comments
I never comment on art with the intent that it get back to the artist. Well, rarely ever. I figure that if the artist needs his ego stroked he's not really an artist. And if he can't see the flaws in his art then he never will be.
I will however, sometimes but not often find a piece of art that moves me in some way and point other people to it and say simply "I like this".
However, if I find a piece of art to be a real crap fest I don't say anything at all knowing that it's not worth my time to dis it.
I only really comment on art that catches my eye because it's good. I like encouraging the artist and letting them know that their art is/was appreciated. Sometimes I go as far as including a reason as to why I like it (i.e. lighting used, technique, etc). If I see an art that is so-so or could have been better, I don't say anything, because I think the artist will get offended and or discouraged.
Well, as a somewhat artist, I can say that I don't really need my ego stroked. Some would say my ego is big enough, anyway, depending on who is talking. So, I don't upload pictures with the idea that anyone needs to help make it bigger. But, I do enjoy people commenting and telling me things they might see in my work that I didn't think of or expect. Sometimes, I get so focused on what I'm doing that I tend not to see other things in my work that could actually benefit from a closer look. Comments have been a great way of finding that out. I will never be a great artist and just do it because I enjoy it. I like the process and and sometimes put in the description what I've done and what techniques might have been trouble for me. I've gotten some great advice from commenters in those situations. However, I can certainly respect the decision to not put comments in an artist's gallery. Sheer curiosity sparked the question so any answer is welcome. No good or bad answers here.
Unless an artist explicitly asks for an opinion, then the only opinions I ever give are on pieces that I REALLY like, and they are mostly expressions of awe and appreciation. I'm not really deep enough into Daz, nor qualified to comment on anyone's art, other than I know what I like and what I'm ambivalent about, and that might be merely subjective. For instance I'm not moved at all by work that looks like the old poser figures from a decade ago, but there might be people that like that look. It's seems to me that thumbs up button is a good indication of if an artist is catching fire. I make sure I click thumbs up on all the stuff I like even if I don't leave a comment.
And here I though the question would be "...licked a lamppost in the winter?" *wonders if anyone will be geeky enough to catch that reference*
I don't often leave comments in the gallery but I do tend to revisit those I've commented, but not always. Especially not if I've just left a short comment. Just yesterday I left a comment on a render where I along with my praise stated that I didn't know what the title ment (it was in french) and when I revisited it today someone had explained it in another comment. So I learned something today too.
As for comments to my own renders, I truly appreciate getting them, especially from PA's whose products I've used or those that help me learn what I did good/bad. Still being a beginner I need all the ego boost I can get, well aware my renders are full of flaws both artisticaly and technically. That's also the reason why I usually don't respond to comments I get, as I don't really think anyone would go through the trouble of looking up my render again.
When I do leave comments, they are usually never really long especially if I don't know the artist, what they were trying to say with the image and what they want to hear. I do believe most want to hear a good word since why else do you post your work for all to see. if you didn't want critique, to feel good about your accomplishment or get your ego stroked per say, then why post it online or in a gallery. As for going back, definately. If the person posted their image for all to see, then I feel they are wanting something for sharing their vision and if it moved me enough to comment, then I am interested in what else the artist might have to say on the matter and sometimes, dialogue ensues, LOL.
Personally I don't like critiques much as they are usually worded in a less than constructive way, but I do enjoy getting comments on how, what was used, etc. since I like to use more original techniques/content and rely less on plug and play. If I have technique questions, I usually ask them outright towards someone I feel can help rather than the general public.
One thing I have been always curious about, professional post work. I say professional as I have seen lots of not so great post work and plenty of plugin examples. I have also seen plenty of before and after renders, but have never really seen any step by step posts with examples that explained the process. It's probably why I like using unbiased renderers, the result I get is based off math, coding and realistic parameters that I don't have to second guess the result unlike biased renders or using postwork where the final result is based off what "I" feel looks right, but that can then be picked aprt by others based on what they think it should look like.
Oh, well, I think they do try to keep the forums mostly PG.
Everyone here wants to get better at what they do. I tend to think this because they post their images for others to see and comment on. It could be an ego thing for some people but it seems to me that would be rare if at all. I tend to think that most people already know that art is subjective and posting online is never predictable. Just because you don’t get a lot of likes, doesn’t mean its bad art. Your timing could be bad. Your thumbnail could be easily overlooked. Sometimes I see three portraits in a row and all look pretty good then I get to the fourth and it’s either great or not, simply based on what I had just seen. Point is, you just never know.
Building relationships with other people whose art you like and respect is helpful. As far leaving comments and responding to the same; there’s no obligation either way. I leave them, I check back occasionally – especially with friends. I also visit and leave comments in people’s galleries on older art mainly because I like their art as a whole and it’s a good way to build a relationship.
Sometimes I get tips from artists which are very helpful. Sometimes I leave tips with people, especially those who are new. Overall – comments are there for us to use. Some find them helpful other don’t bother with them. All depends on what you’re trying to achieve.
I've said before, feedback is important. Not only can it encourage a new artist, it can help point out strengths and weaknesses, which can help any artist to improve. It's when an artist puts his/her work out and recieves nothing but echoing silence that is the most discouraging.
isidorn: You should wait 'till Christmas time to make that reference!
I tend to comment when an image particularly strikes me, for whatever reason. In those cases, I will generally point out what it was that caught my attention or I found inspring. I'm a long time photographer and usually get caught by an interesting pose (that i woudln't have thought of) or interesting lighting. Sometimes I find the composition is just very well done or striking.
I won't critique unless the artist specifically asks for it or, in rare case, I see something that seems out of phase with the rest of the work.
As for my work, people can comment as they will. If it really made an impact, I'm happy to know. If something didn't work, that as well. I put my work up to get better and I generally treat Studio as a virtau portrait studio (as my gallery will attest) since that is the kind of photography I do the least (shortage of willing victims).
Greetings,
I enjoy getting comments, and so my 'homepage' on deviantArt is my Notifications page. It lets me track pictures from folks I follow and groups, but it also means that any responses to comments I've made show up there. I don't go back to the images to see, but I definitely like to keep an eye on the responses section of /notifications.
I only really comment when there's something that I really liked, or if I want to know more about how someone did a particular image. (Even if it's just 'Oh hey, what hair is that?', I'll still pay some compliment to the artist as well.) Sometimes I'm blown away by how the artists use items that I couldn't have imagined looking as good as they do. Sometimes it's just the right tinge of sexy to bring out a comment.
I have tried making constructive suggestions for some folks, and was met with mostly short, snippy responses. Even if it's someone who's seemed open to positive and negative thoughts, I'll always use the sandwich method, aka PIP, though. (Praise - Improvement - Praise. If you jump into critique, it can feel like that's the only thing you noticed, and if you end with critique, the last thing they'll remember of your comment is negative, and I don't want that.)
Honestly, though, comments tell me more than 'favorites' that folks saw my image, and took something interesting away. Don't need the ego-boo much, but definitely like the feeling of community it engenders.
-- Morgan
I love chatting. If folks feel like chatting about my art, feel free. Heh.
*sigh* Alistair <3 One of the best written NPCs in a game ever. And Steve Valentine was a perfect choice for voicing him.
OT: I comment on art to offer encouragement. I don't believe it's a matter of wanting egos stroked; more that its rather anti motivational to see pieces with dozens of comments yet you get none. Sometimes its just a great mood lifter to have someone say something nice about something you poured your heart and soul into for days to complete. Even a simple "i like this" can make someones day.
I think i am with Vhardamis here. I think the intention for the gallery aside from just putting your work out there is to find what you are doing right, and what you are doing wrong. Art is a learning process just like everything else. I look at it from this point, as a guitar player for example i know how to form chords and pluck the strings but its not really music until you make choices about what chords and how you pluck them that makes music. Its a life long process the mechanical part is the easy part. The hard part is using that skill in a meaningful way to invoke emotion.
Daniel
I tend to agree with the comments about using the comments for showing the artist what you think was good about a piece and/or what you think they might want to work on more. I, also, find the the more I get to know some people in the forums, the more I'll leave comments on their pictures instead of just liking it. I, also, like the sense of community and engaging in dialogue about what you like about an artist's style or technique. The more I know an artist, the more in depth of a comment I'll likely make. Even today, I was surprised to have a render uploaded to the gallery kind of in my honor by a friend I've made here in the forums and it was nice to see. Really made my day.
"I don't believe it's a matter of wanting egos stroked; more that its rather anti motivational to see pieces with dozens of comments yet you get none. Sometimes its just a great mood lifter to have someone say something nice about something you poured your heart and soul into for days to complete. Even a simple "i like this" can make someones day."
I have been known to go through the recent gallery and sometimes if someone has no thumbs up, or no comments or seems to be super new at this and either give them a thumbs up or comment about something I like in their render. I can usually find at least one thing to say something nice about in just about anything no matter how not great an image might be. Without any encouragement at all, people tend to give up quickly (except for the really stubborn ones, like me lol)
I personally appreciate every single thumbs up and comment that comes my way. I don't mind a critique as long as its done in a respectful and gentle way. I get notified via email if someone comments and I try and make it a point to say thank you at the very least or respond in whatever manner seems appropriate to what was said. And I am always happy to engage in dialogue be it on my art on someone elses.
Yes I am always happy with constructive critique. The key word being constructive. I have seen some *critiques* that were brutally mean and lets face it, at least here, a very large portion of us do this because it makes us happy. Do I want someone to tell me how to improve. Most definitely. Do I want someone to basically say, wow your work is so bad you should just walk away? Not so much. Its possible to give a really detailed critique while still being kind and encouraging. Having said that, I know there are people who get very offended at any kind of critique so its a fine line to walk lol.
My gallery is youtube, believe me that grows you a thicker skin fast!