#ProjectComment is a Group of many projects centred around comments, but, more importantly, constructive comments. We offer Members of deviantART a lot of opportunities to get comments, give comments, participate in comment projects, win points, get featured and much, much more!

Every two weeks, we will be interviewing commenters and volunteers at #ProjectComment, specifically revolving around their life on deviantART and, the purpose of #ProjectComment, constructive comments.

We sincerely hope you enjoy reading the forty-second interview of this series with `SanguineEpitaph!




Tell us a bit about yourself.

Well, I'm a freshman in college, majoring in Linguistics with a minor in Global Visual Arts, and I study Mandarin Chinese! I have drawn for as long as I can remember, and drawing has basically made me interested more in many kinds of art. I enjoy trying out new media, going to galleries, and hunting around museums for awesome pieces that I think are interesting!


How did you discover deviantART and what makes you stay?

I made my account the night after my birthday one year because I was suddenly inspired to show the world my pencil sketches! When I first joined, I thought I would become so popular because of my silly pencil sketches, and I didn't even think of other forms of art that were here. I gradually became introduced to the emoticonist community, and then to the greater community, and now I'm here to stay! I first came here looking for random pictures to put on my desktop, but ended up liking the community and decided to submit some stuff of my own. Now I am literally addicted to dA and I'm online from early morning to late at night.


Do you do a lot of commenting?

Yes and no. Admittedly I comment mostly on friends' pieces or on Daily Deviations, but I would like to start commenting like I used to, on all sorts of things. Unfortunately college professors don't take pity on dA commenting.


What is the difference between constructive comments and critiques?

Fundamentally, I don't think there should be a large difference between the content of a constructive comment and the content of a critique. I think they both necessarily should have your thoughts about the piece, suggestions, and things of that sort. I think the main difference is that constructive comments are able to be given by anyone to anyone, and only premium members can request formal critiques.


What do you comment on first, usually? Is there something specific you look for in a piece?

Typically when I give a constructive comment, I always comment first on what I like most in a piece. What I'm familiar with is usually what I look for, like balance, color choice, contrast, etc. I believe every piece I comment on has something that I like in it, which is the logic I use when deciding how to begin. <:


What do you think of the critique platform here on deviantART?

I think the best thing about the critique platform is that it's polished and neat, and it makes it a LOT easier to track constructive critiques than when you use the comments section. If you have access to the critique platform, I would suggest asking for a critique -- you never know who will give you their thoughts! I don't think the fair/unfair rankings are really useful because they don't do much other than look pretty. o_O One thing I will say is that I think the categories for the star ratings in the critique system could be updated or maybe more...variable? Adaptable! To fit the piece that you are critiquing. c:


What has been the best and worst experience that has happened to you here?

The best thing on dA...I would have to say that discovering the emoticon community is the best thing that's happened to me! If you treat it like a chain reaction, that experience has led to everything else, including the deviantART Staff Appreciation Week, getting to know a ton of people, and being involved in groups!

The worst thing is always getting involved in drama drama drama.
Skip it if you can. :L


How can an artist become more known on this site?

Apart from having amazing art that connects with everyone and draws a lot of attention to you, I think you can participate more in community happenings, interact with your watchers, and generally be amiable. You don't need to be da Vinci to be popular on dA, which is really a benefit, because deviantART extends beyond just art and combines community in with it. If you host or participate in contests, make friends, and explore you can really get noticed!


Do you have any projects and such?

At the moment on dA, not really. Planning the Staff Appreciation Week 2012 hasn't begun, and I have to admit that I'm very busy with college. I used to host contests and try to be involved in a lot of projects here, but I simply need to keep my personal life as a clear priority now. I would like to host some projects in the future.

In real life, I'm working on binding some books for family and friends, but mostly I'm just trying to survive.
c:


Finally, is there anything else you would like to add?

Thank you for interviewing me! Keep up the great work in #ProjectComment. <3

Thank you `SanguineEpitaph!


If you would like to be interviewed, please do not hesitate to contact us!

Thank you for reading.
^3wyl, posting on behalf of #ProjectComment