Critiquing

K... While looking at artwork on DA, it's come to my attention that a lot of people seem to not know the difference between critique and rudeness. So here it is.

Rudeness:
The fact that you are commenting on a piece does not mean that everything that comes out of your mouth is fair criticism. Remarks like these are not criticism:

This sucks!
It looks like shit!
You need to draw/paint/write/design better!
This art is shitty!
You need to get better!

These remarks, and others to their effect, do nothing for the person receiving them. They offer no reasons, and no suggestions on how to improve. Face it, these are not helpful on their own, they're rude.

Furthermore, if you cannot comment on artwork without disrespecting the piece and/or the artist, then you should not comment at all, as you are not providing criticism, you are just being rude. There is absolutely NEVER any reason to call something like 'shitty' or 'ugly'.


Criticism:
When you comment on a piece, you need to back up any statements you make as to its flaws. How do you expect someone to improve if you don't tell them what it is you think is wrong in the first place? Here are a few examples:

The fingers are a bit crooked... Perhaps you could try using a different model?
The skin tone's unrealistically pale... I'd recommend getting a picture of someone with the skin color you're looking for, then matching it on a test strip before doing the coloring.
The shadows are odd... The way you've drawn them, it looks like the light's coming from multiple angles. Perhaps you could try drawing faint lines to have a better reference for which way the light is coming from.

The important thing here is to at least try to be tactful (would you accept advice from someone who's being a total ass to you?), and to give a reason for qualitative statements. On a semi-related note, the fact that someone doesn't say, "Yes, you're absolutely right! I'll do it like that from now on!", does not mean they weren't listening. It means they don't think it will help. As weird as it may seem, the most important part of critiquing, just like any other advice, is to listen when the person you're critiquing speaks, and respect their decisions on the matter. You're not some superhero swooping in to save someone. You're a person giving advice. The person giving your advice is in no way obligated to follow it, and is obligated only by courtesy to listen.

Well, I hope this has been helpful. If not, then at least it's out there.