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-ninth interview of this series with *VinceJay! If you have a spare moment, feel free to the news article, too.


Tell us a bit about yourself.

Well, I'm currently a student at my local college pursuing my Bachelor's Degree in the Game Arts & Design program.  In my spare time, while not working on my art, I enjoy movies, especially horror, music, and just having fun with my friends.  Other random facts would be; Freddy Kruger is my favorite horror movie villain, blue is my favorite color, and I prefer Pepsi over coke.


How did you find deviantART and what makes you stay?

I found dA while I was searching for video game images, and turned out to be a very impressive drawing.  I was more of a lurker for awhile, because I didn't have anything of substance to show.  Then, took the plunge and loved it ever since.  The friendly community and the fantastic art that is posted by its members make me stay.  There's so much creativity here!


What is the difference between constructive comments and critiques for you?

Hmm...I wouldn't say there's much of a difference.  While critiques have certain categories, "originality", "impact", etc. to help focus on where to take your critique, constructive comments can have the same, if not, a better effect, when used properly.


Do you do a lot of commenting in your spare time?

When I'm not overloaded with schoolwork, I comment as much as I can.  When I comment, I do a little three part process.  First, I put the first thought that came to mind to the piece.  Second, what I think they can improve.  And lastly, a positive about their piece.  That way, it's not just another "cool" or "awesome", but something they can actually use in the future, which is way more helpful.


Do you prefer giving and getting favourites or comments and why?

Comments by far, on all fronts.  While favorites can be flattering, comments give a more in depth view on your artwork from a different perspective.  They may help you recognize what you've missed, or help strengthen the decisions you've made with it.


What are your thoughts on the critiquing platform?

I think the platform is useful, but intimidating for some to use, me included.  I believe some have the idea that to be able to use the critique, you have to have had life long experience, took classes, been to museums, etc. to even begin to know what you're talking about, which isn't true at all.  When it is used correctly, you can receive some very, well thought out feedback that are better than some structured comments.  


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

Best part is easy.  About three weeks ago or so, I started to doubt myself as an artist.  "Would I get better?" and "Am I good enough?" went through my head so much that I started to believe it.  I reached out to my watchers and the community in the forums, and got such a helpful response.  I had people believe in me when I didn't believe in myself.  So high five to those who helped, you know who you are!   I'm fortunate to not have had a worst experience on dA for the 8 months I've been here.  But I do despise those art thieves that make an experience worse for others.


Do you have any tips for those experiencing artist's block?

If you experience artist's block, ask yourself these simple questions.  "What do I want achieve or work towards?"  "What am I weakest at?"  For example, if you want to do a fantasy world piece, what does that consist of?  Maybe perspective, creature designs and/or characters.  Great, you have three ideas to work from. Now ask "what am I weakest at?"  Maybe that's perspective.  Now, instead of having a blank canvas without a thought of a subject, you know the direction you want to go.  This also helps if you only have a half hour of time. Ctrl+Paint is a very helpful site that taught me this technique, along with others.  Definitely would recommend checking them out.


Do you have any ongoing projects?

To get over my self-doubt, I plan on creating and submitting 100 art pieces before January 1, 2013, to help strengthen my skills.  I have 97 pieces left, so there's still a long way to go   In real life, I'm working on a Tomb Raider traditional piece for a contest on their website.


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

There will always be a time someone will come up and try to say you're no good as an artist, poet, animator, etc.  Don't let them!  Take what they say, put it to the side, and prove them wrong!  Use it to fuel your desire to accomplish whatever it is you're achieving.  The greatest revenge is success.  


Thank you *VinceJay!

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_{Interview 01: Lumysaara
Interview 02: SaphyreMelodies
Interview 03: JulietCaesar
Interview 04: Iroken
Interview 05: Tanzchai
Interview 06: Greybird007
Interview 07: Willigenburg
Interview 08: namenotrequired
Interview 09: Maithiran
Interview 10: arcturus17
Interview 11: zipgirl
Interview 12: whatonearth
Interview 13: bunniangel
Interview 14: frequentmiracles
Interview 15: Christianonfire7
Interview 16: GILLIGFAN
Interview 17: aque-mizuhara
Interview 18: prismpower23
Interview 19: joshlama
Interview 20: birdf
Interview 21: leoraigarath
Interview 22: Morpheusdream
Interview 23: pursehappygal
Interview 24: Blackwitch31
Interview 25: SilkAssassin
Interview 26: Miss-TayaEmily
Interview 27: AnayaDeath
Interview 28: Evangeline-Louise
Interview 29: Zophirus
Interview 30: mild-wave
Interview 31: XxspeemotheemoxX
Interview 32: NodLupetianWolf
Interview 33: FeenaTheCute
Interview 34: TenaciousDee
Interview 35: Katara-WaterTribe-14
Interview 36: CRAM1990
Interview 37: CommanderEVE
Interview 38: DTKinetic
Interview 39: Collateral-Damage666
Interview 40: AspiredWriter
Interview 41: writeinshiningarmour
Interview 42: SanguineEpitaph
Interview 43: catie1301:
Interview 44: Marios-Tri4ce
Interview 45: CountryGirl957
Interview 46: CartoonWhore
Interview 47: SierraParagon
Interview 48: Ouijaplayer}

The aim of this project is to comment on deviations from categories you are unfamiliar with. It's ongoing, so there is no time frame for completion. As [#1], [#2] was pretty successful, we have decided to update the list by taking the past three months' requests and putting it in this list, as well as those who commented. This ensures we are as up to date as we can possibly be. If you are removed from the list, comment below to let us know!


There are two parts to this project, but everyone wins!

Receive Comments!

Sign up to receive comments on your pieces! You are not guaranteed comments, as such, but you have a chance to have deviations commented on.

Just reply to this blog with the category of art that your deviations belong in that you would want more comments on.

Example: Your gallery consists of literature and photography, but you want more comments on literature, so...

^3wyl - Literature

...would be your reply to this blog.


Give Comments!

Below is a list of deviants whose gallery you can go to to give comments.

After you have commented constructively on three deviations from categories that you are unfamiliar with, paste the links here and you will receive:

1. 2 for the first three deviations.
2. 2 and 2 constructive comments from the Admins of #ProjectComment for the next three deviations posted after #1.
3. Mystery gift. (This does not mean that you will get the gift if you post another three deviations that you have commented on. If you carry on with this project, however, you are guaranteed this)


Galleries of the Deviants

~Aimyee -> Digital Art
~DarkForce82 -> Digital Art
~DTKinetic -> Digital Art
~glasscoloredsnow -> Digital Art
~magicwingsforever -> Digital Art
*MirrorandImage -> Digital Art
~requiemist -> Digital Art
=SierraParagon -> Digital Art
=Zardi -> Digital Art

~austinblan -> Literature, Fantasy Stories
~BlackNailpolishDays -> Literature
*DramiraTyRual -> Literature
~EnyaAmbrose -> Literature
*helice93 -> Literature
~horsefarm123 -> Literature
`innocencedied2nite -> Literature
*Sandstar12 -> Literature
*violetmoon57 -> Literature

!Biatra132 -> Traditional Art, Watercolour
~EyesLikeAbsinthe -> Traditional Art
~Frenchy287 -> Traditional Art
~HikaruIzumi -> Traditional Art
~Jburns272 -> Traditional Art
=jeanawei1234  -> Traditional Art
~LilianSK -> Traditional Art
~Ouijaplayer -> Traditional Art
~satohikaru -> Traditional Art
~toxkillfraex -> Traditional Art
*Venesauroar -> Traditional Art


We would just like to encourage you to explore the categories of art that you are not familiar with and to build confidence by commenting on those that have specifically signed up for this project!

If you have any questions at all, please do not hesitate to contact us!

It's been a while, but to those interested, to get 3 , all you have to do is go to this folder filled with suggestions made by you, our great commenters, members and watchers. Next, you choose your top three favourite pieces, send us a note with the subject Vote!, copy and paste your top three choices in its title form.

Example:

1. Fragile
2. Hospital
3. Gangrene

...in which "Fragile", "Hospital" and "Gangrene" are the titles of the deviations themselves.

That's all you have to do!

The person who suggested the piece that gets the most votes will get 10 , which is a pretty good incentive for anyone and everyone to suggest deviations into that folder!

This opportunity ends this time, tomorrow, so get voting!

N.B. will be given out on Sunday at the earliest.

Voting has ended!

#deviantChange and #ProjectComment are now into the second part of the initiative! A new tutorial will be posted focusing on constructive comments. We need people to gather comments or tutorials on giving constructive comments. Points will be given out for this! So if you find 3 comments, with us using 2 of them, you will get 40 . 20 for every piece that will be featured in the resultant tutorial!

Additionally, if you would like to take part in an interview, please just comment here.

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Update! `The-Lantiis from #deviantChange has written a tutorial about how not to communicate! Leave some awesome comments, let them know you learned it from #deviantChange and #ProjectComment, post a comment here linking to said comments and get 5 !

They have also featured a tutorial on Protecting Your Art and they have conducted an interview with three people on the 'Price of Comments'

Go check it out!

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We have struck a collaboration with #deviantChange in which you can receive , be included in tutorials and more! We are specifically focusing on how to express ourselves the right way, with the need for any advice that you may have on 'How Not to Respond'. If you have any, please do comment under this blog!

"We want you to find deviations, comments, ideas, tutorials, and anything else that shows examples or steps to good communication! And if you find a place where improvement is needed, we will take that too provided you include what the improvement is."

If we use what you guys find, you will get 20 for each piece... "if you submit 3 deviations and 2 screencapped comments and we use 4 out of the 5, you get 80 points!"

If that isn't a good deal, we don't know what is!

#deviantChange's goal is all about showcasing the effectiveness of communication in terms of people's wants and needs. There will be focus on critiques, problems, and why change, especially, is important.

If you can help us in any way, that would be brilliant!

We'll be keeping you up to date with this too!

Hello! First of all, we wish you all a very happy new year, and may 2012 be prosperous for you all!

Once again, we are looking for Volunteers in helping us out. There are two teams with different purposes, but they are both connected together, if you'd like to read the below for more information:

One team will be acting as 'the middle man' (or 'men', in this case) and will be sending notes to Commenters for deviations that need to be commented on. Some deviations just need one or two comments, and we have a spreadsheet for it all so it should be pretty straight-forward.

The other team will help check those deviations to see whether they are commented, inputting the data (in the spreadsheet) if it's not and helping us wrap it all up.

They're not exactly admirable positions to be in, I know, but even if you do five deviations a week, that would help us out immensely. If you have a spare bit of time... Anyway, please send a note and let us know if you're up for it and why you are interested!

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Please don't forget to keep suggesting deviations! As we haven't received many, we will be skipping voting for this month and will resume it in February, or the end of this month.

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Finally, we'd just like to ask for your opinion on what we could do better at #ProjectComment and what you expect from us that we may not be doing or we may be falling short on.

If there is anything that you would like us to do more, whether that is projects, contests, chat events or more, please say so!

Additionally, if you are disgruntled about anything, throw that in there as well and we'll give it some serious attention.

Thank you!