Newbie in need of some serious help.

[timnrz]

Welp, here I am, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. I was on DeviantArt today, and it just hit me. All the recoloring, editing, effortless crap, and anime-obsessed weirdos....thats not art. Deviant Art has become a lost hope to me for becoming a better artist, so now I turn to you all. I joined but a minute ago, and have no idea what I am doing. Can someone explain this website to me? How do I show off my art for critiques? How do I give help to other members? I have no idea what to do, so can someone help me get started?

[Maledict]

Hello there, welcome to CA.org =),

The site is basically maintained by Professionals, and caters to them alike, as well as the serious art student/newbie. Congratulations on taking a first step into a larger world.

If you'd like to put up your art for critiques, start a "Sketchbook" thread in the forum with the same title. I wouldn't recommend putting work into the "IT'S FINALLY FINISHED!!" section, unless you're good and have a few years under your belt (Hell, I've been here since 2003, and I still don't post my work there - but then again, I registered in 2003, but didn't become active in the community until 06/07).

A way to help others is by generally looking at their works, either it be in the sketchbook forum, or elsewhere, and C&C'ing.

You can also join or start up a "Sketchbook Support Group" (The thread's somewhere in the lounge, either search or look back a few pages), which is basically a group consisting of several people (Usualy 4-6) who critique each others' sketchbooks and help them improve. Also, remember - Quid Pro Quo: The best way to people to comment and critique your work is to usualy C&C in their sketchbook threads first.

Always good to see fresh blood in the community. A word of wisdom: If you're still new to art, or not that good yet - try to enjoy the process/journey of making art. If you're too focused on the end result of what you make (Like I was a few years back), you'll just be beating yourself up over something that's not worth it. Just keep practicing, day by day, you'll improve (Try to spend at least several hours per day on drawing, if you can - you'll improve in no time).

Also, if you have a PayPal account, and some money in it, I would recommend picking up a few videos from Massive Black/CA.

[Elwell]

http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=175454

[DeadlyFreeze]

Man your off to a bad start.

[pretentieuse]

Welp, here I am, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. I was on DeviantArt today, and it just hit me. All the recoloring, editing, effortless crap, and anime-obsessed weirdos....thats not art. Deviant Art has become a lost hope to me for becoming a better artist, so now I turn to you all. I joined but a minute ago, and have no idea what I am doing. Can someone explain this website to me? How do I show off my art for critiques? How do I give help to other members? I have no idea what to do, so can someone help me get started?

Follow your gut. Be polite. (I always remember the "sandwich rule" from my English classes--two compliments for every critique.) Keep an open mind. Think about why you draw every time you do it. Understand all of the labor you put in WILL eventually pay. Don't be discouraged artists better than you. Draw from life. Do what you want to do and do what you think matters. You're not going to become a master artist in even a year, and you're always going to go back to study the foundations. Sometimes it helps if you stop everything and just focus on your art. Sometimes it helps if you stop your art and just focus on everything else. Never, ever be discouraged.

Hi and welcome.

[Auslander]

I have no idea what to do, so can someone help me get started?

Here's a piece of advice that will take you as far as your dreams, desires and gumption will allow you, if you heed its essential message and commit it to memory on a daily basis, sufficient that it becomes second nature and reflexive. Meditate on it long hours, and make it your life's mantra.

Ready? Here it is:

"Don't be a weiner, be a winner."

You're welcome in advance. Send me a PM, and I'll relate the necessary personal details so that you might name your firstborn male child after me.

:patriot:

[JayBL]

Follow your gut. Be polite. (I always remember the "sandwich rule" from my English classes--two compliments for every critique.) Keep an open mind. Think about why you draw every time you do it. Understand all of the labor you put in WILL eventually pay. Don't be discouraged artists better than you. Draw from life. Do what you want to do and do what you think matters. You're not going to become a master artist in even a year, and you're always going to go back to study the foundations. Sometimes it helps if you stop everything and just focus on your art. Sometimes it helps if you stop your art and just focus on everything else. Never, ever be discouraged.

Hi and welcome.

This was really nice written. I'm also new here, so this thread and all other inspiring threads helps me :)

[timnrz]

The whole Deviant Art debacle? Yeah, I came to the realization that while it is possible to be a true artist on Deviant Art, for every actually artist, there are 5 weeaboos and furries clogging up the search.

[Arshes Nei]

The whole Deviant Art debacle? Yeah, I came to the realization that while it is possible to be a true artist on Deviant Art, for every actually artist, there are 5 weeaboos and furries clogging up the search.

While I'm no real fan of DA, a lot of people keep blaming DA for their problems with art instead of themselves.

It's just a website, this is just a website. The biggest person that makes a difference in creating art is yourself.

Stop using a DA as a scapegoat, be humble and just work on your art.

[ArtZealot]

yea, just make a sketchbook over in the sketchbook forums and most importantly stick with it. I've had mine for at least 3 or 4 years now and the thing i like most about it is being able to flip through the pages and track my progress. I've learned a ton from all the comments and continue to get great criticisms.
People might not comment right away, but keep with it, cause if your commenting on others, critiquing others, etc. they'll start coming to yours, then u just gotta stick with it.
Good luck!