Good News, Bad News...

[Stratadrake]

This may seem like fodder for Critique panel members, but it's actually a bit broader.

Feedback. We all know what it is, and how much value it has to one as an artist. Good feedback encourages an artist to improve, while negative feedback can drive an artist to seclusion.

So what is the best way to give feedback on another person's art?

There are many ways, but I'll summarize my favorite method and propose it for discussion.

- [b]The "Good News, Bad News" method[/b] -

Simply put, I believe the best mix of feedback includes a little bit of both sides. Positive reinforcement and advice, tempered with a slight mix of gripes and points for the artist to improve upon.

For example, snagging a random comment from my gallery, how often do you receive a positive comment like this?

[quote]WOW! That is SOOOO cool!!! It would have taken me WAY!!! more than 9 hours to do, and it wouldn't have turned out this well![/quote]

The problem with this type of comment is that it's all "good news", all positive reinforcement, a bunch of head-nodding and yes-saying. There is no commendation for skills well executed, it's all reaction. In extreme cases, this can morph into swooning of the sort normally embodied by fangirls raving about their oh-so-unrequited loves.

If the artist genuinely does something well about a drawing, just tell them what it is so they can keep at it!

But, on the other hand, feedback shouldn't necessarily be ALL about the praising. No artist is perfect, we all grow and improve, and when we try something new, we tend to mess it up. Hence arrives the "bad news" aspect: If there's a flaw, point it out and give the artist some tip to fix it with -- not necessarily for the drawing itself, but also with respect to future art.

However, and this is the important part, just like you shouldn't be too focused on giving positive reinforcement, don't get too caught up in pointing out flaws and nit-picking.

Take, for example, a comment like this (also from my gallery -- no offense to the preson who left it)

[quote]About the pic the guy's right leg is too short and his other leg is on top of the fire, the fire is coming out of the dragons chin not his mouth maybe you should open the mouth more ... I really like the colors on evreything.[/quote]

The only problem with something like this, is that the bulk of it focuses on the negatives. It's true, this isn't TOTALLY negative, but the positive note at the end of the comment isn't much compensation when it is merely a tail end to a dose of nits and gripes -- "scouring", if you may.

So then, back to the "Good News, Bad News" method. Start on a high note, point out what worked out well. Then, wherever you notice an issue or problem they should work out, point it out in a respectful manner. Don't get too caught up in one or (especially) the other, and don't leave the artist on that low note.

Of course, this method isn't always easy; some artists aren't mentally prepared to take criticism of their efforts. What do you do then, if the artist takes offense when you are trying to help?

That... is a subject for another time. I'm no good at making 'speeches' (), so all I can do for now is leave this where it is and see how the discussion leads.

What say you guys?
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[SilentSoul92]

true, although for the most time, the people going "OMG, that's sooo good" either mean it, or they're a fangirl. If someone doesn't like a pic, in my opinion, I think they just don't comment. I think helpful crtisism is good. Flamingisn't though.