Fantastic article.

I often have trouble with commenting on dA, though I sincerely want to give good, inciteful feedback beyond the arbitrary "absolutely stunning", "simply beautiful", and all the other "I have nothing all that useful to say, but feel obligated to say something, so here's a pretty phrase" comments (which I am very prone to doing, ashamedly). A lot of times I have trouble figuring out how to say what I want to say, or how to say it right, or just what to say at all. This helps, it really does.


On a side note, I hate that I'm just now seeing this. I'm just starting on catching up. ;^; Really shows how far behind I am. Sometimes, I disgust myself.

Y ME NO SEE THIS SOONER?

Great Article as usual~ I try my best, I do, and this helps!
Now I can go off and make MOAR comments

Here's a tip for all who see this comment: (Yes, Comment Lurkers. I'm talking about you. )
For those outstanding pieces you can't seem to find any need of improvements:
When I comment on a piece I like that I don't think needs any improvements (because I really do find amazing pieces a lot), I don't use the one worded comment excuse. I try to tell them what I like about it exactly. I comment how great their use of certain colors, the atmosphere the piece gives me, the details... I try to tell them what they should keep up the good work. Sure, it's not as helpful as a comment that can help you improve, but it's a comment that can tell you what you should keep up.
Commenting on an art form you're not familiar with:
I happen to go through this a lot. But here are things I do when I'm stuck in one of the greatest pitfalls in giving feedback:
1. Research the basics of that art form - Try searching through other related pieces and groups. What do people admire when it comes to art like that? What do they frown upon? Is the piece you're commenting on follow the rules of the art form in question? Ask yourself these questions when you see other pieces under the category. What do the experts of this art form say?
Searching is your friend. It's kind of like taking a survey.
2. Focus on the message or the concept. - This is the easiest one. Not only is it easy to do, it's also one of the most helpful as the creativity of the message/concept and how it was conveyed is something universal in the arts. "What is the message/concept here?", "How did the art piece explain this?", "Did they convey it well enough?", "How did this make me feel?" are great questions to ask yourself. Whether it's Photography, Poetry, or even an Artisan Craft, you can ask these and still get a great answer.
3. If you're not familiar in doing the art form, are you familiar in seeing it? -
--Commenting on Photography: Do you read magazines? If so, what kind? Do you like looking at the photos? I, myself read travel magazines and they've helped me established what are great Urban and Rural photos, and what are not. While not all magazines get the best photographers, all of them know what's excellent. If they didn't how could they sell?
But this also applies to every form of media, be it TV, Newspapers, Blogs, anywhere a great photo can pop up!
--Commenting On Animations: Please, we've all seen one form of animation. In fact, just seeing things move is animation enough! But when you watch animated things on TV, you'll agree that the best series are always filled with uber-smooth animation. How smooth is the animation in that Flash movie? You may not know what goes behind the scenes, but as a viewer, you know how good it looks. // Like how you know when the acting is bad //
3. Find tutorials and articles on how to critique that exact art form. - This can help a whole lot! They happen to be teach you the basics too. (but I still recommend 1. as you can see it from different views of different people) Not only does it teach you what's good and what's bad, it also teaches you a little bit of the art form itself. I learned quite a bit about Photography when I read a Photography Critiquing tutorial. If you don't know what they're talking about, don't fret! You can do additional searches for the terms being used (and you can use these newly learned words in your comment ). Kinda like studying, I admit, but it's long term and you may not have to return to the tutorial or remember the terms again as they're stuck in your head.
For tutorials and articles that have helped you a lot (such as this one ) and/or Tutorials and articles in general:
Compliment and thank the creator for being kind enough to take time and make a tutorial. It's common decency in doing so, and you know it. But that's not all! Sometimes tutorials and articles could use extra input, or they may not be correct in some parts.
-- If you have a tip, or a simpler way of applying that same effect (such as keyboard shortcuts or shorter ways of getting to a certain effect- like a filter or a code or whatever), put it in your comment! It can be seen by everyone, including the creator! Comment lurkers may find your tip, and they can use it. The creator of the tutorial can update it too! It's beneficial for everyone!
-- Is there a more proper way of doing something in the tutorial? Does the technique defy a law or theory (such as shading and coloring)? If it does and you can see it, then add it! If you can suggest on how they can improve the tutorial, then put it in there too! The more, the merrier.
-- Talk about the actual tutorial itself. Is the text visible? Is the color scheme fine? Do they use blinding colors (as in OMFG MY EYES BURNNN )? Does it answer all those questions in your head? How about the layout? Were the terms understandable? Any grammatical errors or typographic errors? How helpful was it, overall? This is very helpful to the creator of the tutorial. It's even more appreciated if the creator is planning on making a lot of tutorials in the future.

-- As for articles, input is also much, much appreciated! Like I said, if you have a tip in general, or you have a certain way of doing things (which of course, is related to the article in question), it will be helpful to all!
--Is it readable? How is the formatting? A certain word used to many times? Does it look like a wall of text that ends up driving you away? Presentation of an article is really important, so if you see an issue, don't be afraid to spout it out.
-- How useful is it? Does it cover that certain topic well? Are any methods mentioned effective? Is it concise? How well does it explain, or how much of it did you understand? If the writer needs to improve on one of these areas, or if you don't understand, feel free to ask and express your opinion.
-- Is it hurtful in anyway? Offending to a certain group? Or how about how respectful the article writer was to the audience? If the article was related to behavior on the site, do you agree with the methods? Do you think there are better ways to react? If so, then you, as a person, have a right to express this. Be very respectful though, and even if the writer may have had a more disrespectful/ less helpful/ less positive way of doing things, remember, they have their own beliefs and ideals, and opinion. You can say they were hurtful, you can say what you think on the matter, and you can suggest a better way, but you can never force your opinion down their throat, you can never insult them, and you can never flame them. If you do so, then you're no better than they are. In any case, you're much, much worse.

//shot for wall of text