I feel the same way about the old Otaku. And like you, theO was the first art site that I joined. I didn't care too much for dA back then because I didn't know a lot about it and my computer got bombarded with viruses from visiting that site. But after a while the viruses stopped, and I started browsing through dA more often. And about a year ago, I finally decided to make my own account, though I didn't submit much until this past summer. Now I check my dA several times a day when I'm bored.
The fact that dA is so big makes it very competitive, but at the same time, you have a better opportunity of getting commissions and whatnot. While here on theO, the artists are mostly kids who can't buy art (or they don't want to buy art).
u know me, join a site go inactive, make another account, become inactive yet again, yadda yadda....
on dA i feel like i can't just post anything, and ive noticed that i become more unhappy with my work much quicker when i go to dA.... but that makes me improve so much and makes me put a whole lot of effort into what i draw
i like theO a lot because it has worlds and because of that its easier to see someone's personality where at dA its a lot harder to see what a person is like....
but thats because im a social person and i like talking to people... i know dA is an art site not built for socializing purposes D:
i wish dA had guest books sometimes tho lol....
I'm sure people understand that one artist can't reply every single comment, especially when they get over 100. Sometimes it's tough enough to even read them all.
As for back stabbing I really don't see how it can happen. Not even poor flamers get the job done when there's beautiful art in front of them. It's useless for anyone to say 'yuck, ugly' when it's obviously not true, those people get 'eaten' by the fans XD I'm sure it's not your dream to have a drama fight in the comments, but rest assured, trolls can't get to you.
Competition is tight on dA, indeed. I'm so amazed by everything I see there, but just as you look up to other people's art, I'm sure there are plenty who look up to yours and use you as a model to draw better. I think it's a beautiful way of improving oneself, as long as it doesn't get out of hand and the style of the 'teacher' is completely copied.
There are so many artbooks on dA with pieces from many young mangaka. It's amazing, but I don't have a credit card so I can't buy them D':
Anyway, it's nice to get sucked up in an activity, especially when it's productive, like drawing. Who knows when the right someone will notice you and you may become a well payed illustrator. It may start with your obsession for dA. I'm like this too, I check all the sites I post walls on every hour or so, depends on what I'm doing.
Not to mention that I must check my dA at least 2 times a day, because if I leave it unchecked for 2-3 days, I have over 300 deviations to look at D:
Your walls were ripped? That's horrible, I'm sorry to hear it. :( My artwork was stolen only once so I'm quite glad that that was over with. >_<
I understand about trying to keep personal space but sometimes I just want to talk to them. I feel bad if I don't comment.
Probably that's why some popular artists don't comment back because some people might want to stab them in the back. I see a lot of that happens on dA... which is why dA seems quite intimidating to me.
Odd that you said about forming a small group. I've been thinking about having a circle of mangakas that draw comics but I know I would never have time to manage. XD Hm... my only worry when on dA is it's a rat race over there. Everyone competes and you'd feel pressured to draw better each time and when you don't, it's quite disappointing. I know I have a weakness of wanting feedbacks on dA which is why I'm quite consumed there and I realized that it's not a good thing. So I sometimes revert back to theO because it's more quiet here and gives me time to compose myself.
Ah, I talk too long, you have no idea how great to get this all off my chest. I'm sorry to bother you but you seem like a nice person. I always see you around the site commenting when I'm browsing. ;) *hug*
Devart is huge indeed, because it has so many categories of art (which are often abused like the Artistic Nudes one), but you don't have to feel odd about it, just find a bunch of fanartists you really like and form a small group. Your art is great so I'm sure there are people who try to approach you, but you can just ignore them. It's not mean or anything it's just personal space.
I don't post anything on dA, because I've already seen my humble walls ripped there countless times, so I don't want to make them even more rippable, but I have so many people in my watchlist, over 400 for sure. And the very talented artists keep a polite distance from the ones they have no plans to become friends with. That's how they manage to get by in that jungle XD
Hope you can do the same, it's a pity for dA folk to not see your arts <3
Last edited by SakuraDust at 10:25:39 AM CST on February 22, 2011.
Kaijin89
Otaku Legend | Posted 02/23/11 | Reply
I feel the same way about the old Otaku. And like you, theO was the first art site that I joined. I didn't care too much for dA back then because I didn't know a lot about it and my computer got bombarded with viruses from visiting that site. But after a while the viruses stopped, and I started browsing through dA more often. And about a year ago, I finally decided to make my own account, though I didn't submit much until this past summer. Now I check my dA several times a day when I'm bored.
The fact that dA is so big makes it very competitive, but at the same time, you have a better opportunity of getting commissions and whatnot. While here on theO, the artists are mostly kids who can't buy art (or they don't want to buy art).
Wakusei Aoshi
Otaku Eternal | Posted 02/22/11 | Reply
I feel the same way...'orz And, yeah, thinking back on the old theO is soooo nostalgic~! X3
Lizinator03
Otaku Legend | Posted 02/22/11 | Reply
u know me, join a site go inactive, make another account, become inactive yet again, yadda yadda....
on dA i feel like i can't just post anything, and ive noticed that i become more unhappy with my work much quicker when i go to dA.... but that makes me improve so much and makes me put a whole lot of effort into what i draw
i like theO a lot because it has worlds and because of that its easier to see someone's personality where at dA its a lot harder to see what a person is like....
but thats because im a social person and i like talking to people... i know dA is an art site not built for socializing purposes D:
i wish dA had guest books sometimes tho lol....
SakuraDust
Moderator | Posted 02/22/11 | Reply
@Gadriann:
I'm sure people understand that one artist can't reply every single comment, especially when they get over 100. Sometimes it's tough enough to even read them all.
As for back stabbing I really don't see how it can happen. Not even poor flamers get the job done when there's beautiful art in front of them. It's useless for anyone to say 'yuck, ugly' when it's obviously not true, those people get 'eaten' by the fans XD I'm sure it's not your dream to have a drama fight in the comments, but rest assured, trolls can't get to you.
Competition is tight on dA, indeed. I'm so amazed by everything I see there, but just as you look up to other people's art, I'm sure there are plenty who look up to yours and use you as a model to draw better. I think it's a beautiful way of improving oneself, as long as it doesn't get out of hand and the style of the 'teacher' is completely copied.
There are so many artbooks on dA with pieces from many young mangaka. It's amazing, but I don't have a credit card so I can't buy them D':
Anyway, it's nice to get sucked up in an activity, especially when it's productive, like drawing. Who knows when the right someone will notice you and you may become a well payed illustrator. It may start with your obsession for dA. I'm like this too, I check all the sites I post walls on every hour or so, depends on what I'm doing.
Not to mention that I must check my dA at least 2 times a day, because if I leave it unchecked for 2-3 days, I have over 300 deviations to look at D:
Gadriann
Otaku Eternal | Posted 02/22/11 | Reply
@SakuraDust:
Your walls were ripped? That's horrible, I'm sorry to hear it. :( My artwork was stolen only once so I'm quite glad that that was over with. >_<
I understand about trying to keep personal space but sometimes I just want to talk to them. I feel bad if I don't comment.
Probably that's why some popular artists don't comment back because some people might want to stab them in the back. I see a lot of that happens on dA... which is why dA seems quite intimidating to me.
Odd that you said about forming a small group. I've been thinking about having a circle of mangakas that draw comics but I know I would never have time to manage. XD Hm... my only worry when on dA is it's a rat race over there. Everyone competes and you'd feel pressured to draw better each time and when you don't, it's quite disappointing. I know I have a weakness of wanting feedbacks on dA which is why I'm quite consumed there and I realized that it's not a good thing. So I sometimes revert back to theO because it's more quiet here and gives me time to compose myself.
Ah, I talk too long, you have no idea how great to get this all off my chest. I'm sorry to bother you but you seem like a nice person. I always see you around the site commenting when I'm browsing. ;) *hug*
SakuraDust
Moderator | Posted 02/22/11 | Reply
Devart is huge indeed, because it has so many categories of art (which are often abused like the Artistic Nudes one), but you don't have to feel odd about it, just find a bunch of fanartists you really like and form a small group. Your art is great so I'm sure there are people who try to approach you, but you can just ignore them. It's not mean or anything it's just personal space.
I don't post anything on dA, because I've already seen my humble walls ripped there countless times, so I don't want to make them even more rippable, but I have so many people in my watchlist, over 400 for sure. And the very talented artists keep a polite distance from the ones they have no plans to become friends with. That's how they manage to get by in that jungle XD
Hope you can do the same, it's a pity for dA folk to not see your arts <3
Last edited by SakuraDust at 10:25:39 AM CST on February 22, 2011.