Sta.sh
It's been almost a year since I contributed a blog post to this lovely group so I want to say hi I'm back folks! I have a lot of artsy things to share with you all that I've learned (and am still learning) so hang on tight! While I was thinking what to write as my first topic, I decided to kind of go back to the beginning as far as our thinking as artists goes in the creation process. I've come up with a short series called "Common Misconceptions" just to debunk some myths and misguided trends that are so often part of what we experience as we grow. This first "Common Misconceptions" topic will focus on traditional art.
I am a photographer, currently just a hobbyist. On dA, I am involved in projects such as #FeedbackFrenzy and of course #projecteducate! I'm really happy to be involved in #projecteducate because I love providing help, education, and assistance to others. I aim to do this in my articles and tutorials (whether or not they are ones submitted to #projecteducate).
A Daily Deviation is an award
Answer: Elements are the parts of a design, and the Principles are ways to use the parts.</b>
I’ve seen far too many people on dA who post exercise after exercise, writing in the artist comments that once again they’ve failed, they’ve read hundreds of books, studied the masters for so many years, and they still cannot draw a photorealist rending of a man’s head. First of all let me say that I highly respect “self taught” artists and I’m not discouraging anyone who chooses (or must) go that route. However, setting realistic goals and finding your niche is extremely important. Let me say this: not everyone will be able to paint like a Baroque period artist! But that doesn't mean you can't be a painter, it just means that your work will be different. For example, I learned how to throw about a year ago. I initially thought "oh yeah, this will be easy for me." Psch, yeah right. It took nearly a year for me to get decent at making coffee mugs and jars. Now if I had stayed feeling bad about my lopsided teacups, I probably wouldn't have been able to make this:
Second, jealously against other artists who work in the way that you want to won’t do any good either. Sure, we've all done it. That little green eyed guy pops out from under bed and plops himself in your lap while you browse the dA galleries. Listen, being a tad envious from time to time is a fabulous motivator to up the ante in your own work...but if you're reduced to a pile of ashes or in the shower with a half gallon of ice cream when that green eyed guy comes around you may just have a problem.
So now you may be asking, well then what do I do? First of all, be honest. If you notice yourself making invitations for a pity party STOP DROP AND ROLL. I'm serious. Step 1, stop it; debasing your work, skills, materials, education, ect. Step 2, drop what you're doing; sometimes the thing that isn't working should be walked away from. You want to draw a photorealistic head? Focus on getting the features in the correct proportion before you even begin to get that far. You need a foundation to grow from first (no matter what medium you're working with). Step 3, roll. Once you've identified your issue make a DOABLE plan to begin either reconfiguring your learning process, or start making work you actually enjoy.
It's highly important to be at least 75% satisfied with your work as a whole. The other 25% should be open for critique, alterations and growth. Still on the fence? Think about this: if you are truly interested in "getting better" at being an artist, you should have a more optimistic approach to your initial skill set. So put away those invitations and decorations, I'm not coming to your pity party. Instead, celebrate what gains you've made since you began your growth as an artist.
A rather perplexing point-of-view, given that her intention is to sell her jewellery, but she refuses to work on marketing her product. No marketing = no views = no interest = no sales. She's kind of a permanent wet-blanket, in that regard, and it's actually depressing to listen to her when she goes into these spiels.
This is clearly not about those who are trying to get feedback for their work, or really interested in improvement. This is for the folk that allow their own negative feelings toward their work it jealously of other artists impede their progress. I did not mention professionals because most of the people on DA are not using art as their career choice. I have come across people coming to this group for help saying they've studied for this many years and still cannot draw like DaVinci. The odd thing about those types is that they are usually do wrapped up in their perceived inabilities they become stuck and occasionally regress and atrophy. 
