I think the comments are far more important. Sometimes I'll give a high rating because the idea is great, even if there's some flaws in the picture. If a picture is done to death (fems in skimpy clothes) then I'm going to expect a lot more to give that high rating. I also look at the artist in question. If they are new, I'll post a higher rating as encouragement. As time progresses, I'll be more picky about the score I give that person. I'll still comment on what I see, regardless of the score I give. Even though this is an art forum, the message can be more important than the technical skill. Dilbert is hilarious and I rate it a 5 even though the art is poor. Mary Worth is superior in skill, but boooring, so I rate it a 3. Since we can get comments without a rating now, (thanks to Wonder Roy) I'm much more inclined to ask for just comments. Ratings are too subjective. (Besides, my ego couldn't handle the 2's that I'd get for my work.) Comments I can work with, literally. Comments help me improve, not number ratings.