This was a very well thought-out and detailed take, thank you for posting it. I didn't really think about it while creating this topic, but you make a good point about the difference between commentary and critique. Personally, I wouldn't mind getting a true critique "out of the blue". But, as your post made me realize, not everyone might feel the same way. Different strokes for different folks, which is why I think that the "opt-into" model as you put is a good rule of thumb to follow on this site, whether you wish to give or receive critiques.

(I also recognize that writing actual critique is something that takes time, and most artists don't want to dedicate that time giving you detailed unsolicited feedback just so you could improve when they have work of their own to be done - nor should you expect them too. This just makes another convincing case for the "opt-into" model.)

Also completely agree on your final point. When I ask people in my art thread to give me feedback on my stuff, I want to hear what they actually think about it, not get a congratulatory pat on the back. Making art is a very personal process and most of the time I'm living with it inside my head, so getting feedback gives me an outside perspective and shows me if my own opinions of my works allign with those of my peers. If they do - great, I can keep doing [thing] this way for now. If they don't, also great - back to the drawing board for me.

nothing.

As long as it's not just calling my creations shit without reasoning I like comments. When it's a good constructive comment on what I did good and what I could do better it's really nice.

I like getting comments for pretty much the same reasons everyone else has already given. It's always neat when something you've done gets such an engagement.

i like when people like my art and comment how they like it or sending me some feedback to improve , personally i dont get bothered about coments, but some comment i receive wich was the bad one like "ur art sucks" or "is bad" i ignored it (i got my reasons)

1- ok, is bad, so, what i need to do to improve? -no response

2- you just randomly say that dont like my art but you cant say what's wrong in the drawing to improve? , get off

but it was in weird occasion, i dont receive that comment to often (like 1 or 2 comments like that per 6 months or 1 year)

still trying my best with art and being proud when people comment how they like my art and sometimes send me feedback

i absolutely adore them. i gobble them up. i love getting feedback on my brain mush

It feels good to be noticed for my creative works and to see what people think about it. I don't get tired of it.

i'm a fairly small artist so i don't get too many comments, but when i do i always super appreciate it because it makes me know that people have noticed my art

Feedback is important in general regardless of what it is, and nothing is more discouraging than silent indifference. So yeah, I really appreciate it when people take some time out of their day to voice their opinion on my stuff. I post things online to leave an impression and see people react to it after all, if I didn't care about this stuff then I would not be posting anything in the first place.

Well, most people give me a great critique. Others just watch it without voting it or even commenting on my craft.

I basically give up on the expectation of getting anything good or bad in the comments.

Since little amount of people reallly noticed my work in the progression I have made.

But I embrace the lack of having any spotlight.

It gives me peace, and I have no sentiment of emergency in that.

Sometimes I just think it's better that way.

There is a risk of coming across as irritating, overly enthusiastic, or even slightly stalker-y when repeatedly commenting on an artist's work, even if it comes from a genuine appreciation of it.

That's definitely true, and I've been on both sides of it at least once before. I think in any case, good intentions are a safe thing to bet on. Too often these days people feel more comfortable being malicious than friendly online, anonymous or not. If you have something nice to say, say it. You never know who needs to hear it.

I personally love comments. I like meeting people with similar interests, especially if they're also an artist. However, since I stopped doing commissions and started drawing for myself, most of the comments I receive are straight up negative. I've been told to stop drawing altogether multiple times now. I used to get excited to see comment notifications online, but these days not so much. I usually just keep to my small corner of art-buddies as a result. I've become hesitant to reach out and meet new people as a result. I'm not even sure if I sure post this, that's weird.

I actually have a goofy little meme board of the "best" comments I've gotten pinned on my Twitter. It keeps me going.

I don't find recurring reviewers irritating at all, I've had some in the past and I thought it was really cool to see I had recurring fans.

Uh i do not have any problem with same people commenting or chatting. Especially when the person is a fan of same thing as I am and we delve into chatting this and that.

I sometimes even post weekly comments on my blog. I like comments that make me laugh and are humorous, so i often copy and share them in the 'main social' of mine which is Tumblr (all rest are just sorry copies of that)

most of the time i open newgrounds is just to see if theres any new notification, i LOVE seeing the same guy (specially if its something related to what i do) commenting on my stuff

and about the stalker thing, yeah i get that, sometimes i think about that, its like uhhhhh ''man this guy got some cool art uhhh hey look at this one so cool lemme uhhhh comment on it, oh oh!! another yeah what if i comment on it too!!.. no no it may be weird ermmmm uhhhhhhhhhhh'' y'know?

To me, I see comments like finding water in the middle of a desert, I rarely get them on my stuff, and when I do it's a glory worth rejoicing over, even if it's something mean. Constructive criticism on the other hand is even more of a rarity, when I post a work in progress it usually gets drowned out by other people's stuff or whatever so for me it's like tweak and build as you go and hope the end result is good.

"If you have something nice to say, say it - you never know who needs to hear it" is a perfect distillation of the reasoning for commenting on other people's work I'd say. Some variation of that is what I always come back to when I'm reluctant to post feedback on someone's work.

Sorry to hear about your experience with comments lately. While it's true that any engagement is engagement, negative comments coming out of the blue are guaranteed to leave a bitter taste in your mouth - especially if there is no reasoning given as to why the user doesn't like your art. Having said that, I'm glad that you didn't let your insecurity get the best of you and decided to contribute to this thread.

And yeah, I always remember the good comments my work got on Tapas/Reddit/wherever. I don't keep them in one place, but sometimes when I need a pick-me-up I'll re-read them to remind myself that there are actual people who liked something I made.

Any positive comment I get makes me giggle and kick my feet like a little child

I like positive comments. I prefer these.

Negative comments fuel my ego, though.

I don't really care for comments either way. If one person comments on my posts often, I really appreciate them because it tells me they're a fan. But if they're one-time commenters, it's just another comment.

I don't like critiques. But I'll consider them if they're related to how I can improve my colouring, assuming I asked for it.

Otherwise, it just seems kinda pointless because I'm just going to ignore it.

You mean to tell me that someone took a little time of their day to give me feedback? Heck, I love comments!

I mostly love when people say WHY they liked my piece. I think the most thrill I feel on feedback is when someone says I'm an inspiration for them.

Overall, the work, effort and love put in a piece resulting in someone feeling compelled enough to say they liked it is kind of the circle that closes itself. It feels that I accomplished something.

In my experience, being scouted (at least in the audio portal) doesn't make much of a difference.

They're like crack to me. The fact that somebody would take the time out of their day to not only look at my art but also comment on it is an instant dopamine hit. Can't get enough of em, definitely not annoying, especially if the commenter goes further than "cool art!" and actually says what they like about that specific piece. Even if the comment is critical, if it's constructive criticism I see it as an act of generosity on the commenter's part. Hell, even outright negative are better than none. Any attention is better than being ignored. (Hmm, I wonder what that says about me?) ;p

...That said, unless someone explicitly says they're asking for critique/want help troubleshooting a piece, I myself tend to avoid critiquing. Art can be a really personal thing, and being unprepared for someone to point out the flaws in what might be a vulnerable act of self expression can feel really bad.

Positive comments, though? I try to be generous with, for the same reason you do--I know how good it feels. I never say things which I don't believe, and if I don't like an artwork I won't give it any false praise. I like to think that the people commenting on my stuff also take a similarly truthful approach.

I think the only time a large number of comments could begin to grate me is if they were all extremely generic, stuff like "cool art!" which anybody could comment on anything. But only because in that case they could start to feel hollow after a while, like the commenter was doing it for attention rather than actually enjoying anything about my art. I'd take one in-depth comment over a dozen generic ones, you feel me? But it's not like I've ever had that problem lol. They're all still good--even the generic comments have a positive effect on me.

I say comment as much as you want. Generally speaking, I think artists all have at least a little bit of a thirst for attention and engagement, otherwise we wouldn't be posting this stuff in the first place ;)

I only really care about them when they are tips or advice on how to improve.

Hey, thanks for the compliment!

comments always make me happy. i constantly think about the comments i get, even the really simple ones, they genuinely just make my day :3!

Thanks for commenting my works. :D

I really don't value online comments all that much. I'd still make things even if there wasn't a comment section and I don't think it would impede me much if comments vanished overnight.

I understand the value of comments, but personally I don't need or value them very much.

I love receiving comments ! Either memes, constructive criticism, or just people writing their thoughts about my art, it's always fun. I mostly look forward interacting with people who share similar interests as mine or meeting cool strangers online when I post here.

I don't think I would ever be annoyed by someone frequently commenting on my art. This is a way to build a community & to meet new friends. Plus it would remind me that people do see my stuff ( even though I'm not always proud of it, lol ).

However, I'm sort of neutral when it comes to negative comments wrote for the sake of shitting on my efforts. I mostly laugh at them & turn them into a joke, or just ignore them. I tend to avoid being online when I feel down, I'm mostly here for being meme-y & troll-y. I wouldn't want hate to affect my mood & to send all of my hatred to someone who is outside of it in the swing of anger ( it would be negative for both parties ).

Always remember to have fun online, everyone. You're here to avoid negativity & to spend a fun moment, so make sure to enjoy it & not to let negativity impact your mood.

Oh yea i absolutely enjoy comments!

Just positive comments are quite nice and the bestest ones are the ones that go in-depth and give feedback/critique/advice on what ive made, absolutely starving for those.

I like comments! If you don't comment, how would I know what you think about my art?

I absolutely love getting comments/replies on my art, it's a great feeling when you know that people are interested enough in your work to take the time to say something nice or otherwise engage with the post

I don't mind when someone consistently replies, it just means they really like my work. I don't think it's stalker-y at all