Sorry to put you guys through a big old rant, as I'm sure the last thing anyone really wants to read when they log into their Deviant Art account to catch up on their watch list is someone complaining, but I'm feeling a little irritated due to a couple of comments I found in my box this morning, and I do get some really bonehead comments sometimes from people that seem to think they are "critiquing" my art by leaving them. I don't think they came from anyone who is watching me, so I hope no one reading this considers it a personal attack on them, but certain types of people on this site in general really need to be told what constitutes a critique and what doesn't.

A critique is something that actually helps the person you are commenting to grow as an artist. In my opinion, a proper critique not only points out specifically what isn't working in a piece, but it also says why and gives the person suggestions on how they can go about fixing it. It isn't any of the following, all of which I have seen drift through my inbox from time to time.

- "I don't like the way you did her hair."</b> or "I would like this a whole lot more if her dress wasn't purple. I don't like purple."</b>

Well, you know? I probably do, or I wouldn't have done it that way. Style the hair and the outfits on your characters any way you like, but don't force your personal preferences on other artists. It will only irritate them, and you can bet they won't consider your comment a critique or anything close to it.

- "You need to reduce this model's thighs and stomach. She looks fat/pregnant/gross."</b>

Well guess what. Chances are I picked the model I did because I thought she was beautiful just the way she is, and if I didn't?</i> My Photoshop skills are definitely good enough to where I know how to alter stock images to my liking. However, I do not find the stick-skinny,  just-out-of-the-concentration camp look attractive by a long shot. I personally like women who actually have figures the way nature intended, and you can see that reflected in my artwork. Don't like it? Don't look at it, and definitely don't bother commenting on it.

- "Why have you done so many gloomy pieces in a row? Where are all the fairies and princesses and angels?"</b>

How am I supposed to respond to something like that? It isn't a critique by a long shot. I'm glad you like some of my pieces so much, but why do you have to insult others of mine for not being something else? The subject matter I choose for my artwork varies. It's as simple as that. Sometimes it will be fairies playing in your tea or Rapunzel in the tower, but other times you will be getting Jack the Ripper or creepy ladies covered in cobwebs. That's all there is to it. Just look at the pieces in my gallery that interest you and leave the others alone. Insulting me isn't going to change what I do or don't choose for the subject of my next piece.

- "You know what? I don't like it. I don't know why."</b>

If that's the way you feel, just keep browsing. I'm not doing my art to impress anyone. You don't have to like it, and you certainly don't have to let me know you don't like it. I could care less. If you're not going to offer some kind of constructive critique telling me why you don't like it with an actual reason outside of your personal preference, I honestly don't want to hear it.

There are a lot more examples I could add, but I think I've probably made my point and gotten it out of my system. I don't expect people to kiss my ass and offer nothing but raves by any stretch of the imagination, but I'm tired of getting comments like the ones I listed above. They are not critiques. They're just irritating and insulting. If that's all someone has to say about a piece of art that I've done, I'd rather they not say anything at all.