ArtSpots Forum Group - Would this be a good portfolio piece?

Application Submission Regret - Ashkitty

Wed, 07 May 2008 08:08:52 -0000

Yeah. Like the title says, I regret my choice in pieces for submission. So, thinking I may be rejected, I'd like to get some advice. Could anyone tell me if this picture would be a good one for an app? Oh, and I did submit full background ones, too.

possible application - Seth Desmoen

Sat, 03 May 2008 07:54:54 -0000

bump

Advise on current works and style. Is it better than amateur? - Albino-Kitsune

Tue, 29 Apr 2008 00:34:17 -0000

Truth be told, I applied a few weeks back but I haven't heard anything in response. I'm not sure if the e-mail was lost in my spam filter or if it just never came. Regardless, I'm at a stage where I can't seem to enjoy my style. As a result I tend to think my pieces are amateur, lifeless, drab and dull. Though others beg to differ. I suppose I'll leave the decision to you, whomever wishes to give their two pennies worth. My gallery with the most is on deviantART. ( http://albino-kitsune.deviantart.com/ ) Though, the pieces I submitted with my application are as follows. http://albino-kitsune.deviantart.com/art/Something-In-My-Front-Pocket-82318253 http://albino-kitsune.deviantart.com/art/Badge-Sott-Rot-77794568 http://albino-kitsune.deviantart.com/art/Badge-Typhoon-74056663 http://albino-kitsune.deviantart.com/art/Bubblegum-Kisses-72076406 Although, I haven't posted much if any sketches to my gallery, I have one right now I'd really like some feedback on. Thank you for reading and/or commenting.

possible application - Seth Desmoen

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 06:43:24 -0000

I submitted another image to this thread a while back that was very well received, but I'm trying to figure out if I have enough good, recent color anthro work to apply successfully to artspots. I've been working mostly with sketches lately and I don't think thats a concern, but I think this piece (below) would have to be quite strong to get me in. Though I like it, it does have some minor issues and I'd like an opinion as to whether this will cut it or if I need another strong color piece to round it out (making the total three full color pieces and two sketches). Any thoughts are appreciated. Feel free to visit my gallery to see my other pieces if you so desire.

Hesitant about Applying - Purpleweeble

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 04:18:34 -0000

All great Artist's learn from the best

Working on character interaction - KoOkY!

Wed, 05 Mar 2008 15:42:18 -0000

Hmmms yeah that upturned hand you mentioned seems kinda small and flattened out, same with the left character's foot. Another thing that jumped out at me is the left character's muzzle seems rather large in proportion to the head I think? I know that's a tough angle though. A lot of good detail in there though!

Working on character interaction - Jillness

Wed, 05 Mar 2008 06:56:02 -0000

I understand completely what you're saying. I just may not use this piece though, seeing as I -really- don't want to re-ink the whole thing. It took me a few hours to get all the details in. Maybe I'll lightboard a new foot and use photoshop to magically fix it. X_x Now that I look at it, I think the right characters upturned hand looks a bit wonky.

Working on character interaction - legathin

Wed, 05 Mar 2008 00:09:17 -0000

If you have a copyer copy it then you can do whatever you want with out messing up the ferst drawing.

Working on character interaction - Jillness

Tue, 04 Mar 2008 21:13:12 -0000

Its been a LONG time since I made an attempt to get an artspots account because Iam determined not to be rejected again. I was thinking about using this piece because of the detailing and interactive qualities. Can I get some thoughts and opinions. I know theres a perspective problem with the left characters foot, but is it -that- noticable? Should I add some color or a background? Iam afraid of losing detail in color and ruining the picture altogether with a background. X_x HALP?!

A bit bland but... - linacrow

Tue, 04 Mar 2008 13:11:50 -0000

Thanks! Yeah, I'm pretty much a tard' when it comes to backgrounds and shading, so I had absolutly no idea if I got the shading right...apparently not. XD

lazy lazy - atsaki

Mon, 03 Mar 2008 20:46:49 -0000

thanks a lot c: ive been waiting for any kind of opinion for days haha i actually like when people is hard with me when critiques, it encourages me a lot to work harder, and always ends up having good benefits, ive been working on some stuff lately and wanted to makes sure i didnt miss anything, plus getting opinions from other artists is helpful c: thanks again for the advice, i shall now work on moar stuffs

I'd rather not be rejected again, so.... - Sidney Eileen

Fri, 29 Feb 2008 19:41:42 -0000

Mauricia said: Just a note... It's generally a waste of time, and not esthetically pleasing, to place large watermarks over your images. Watermarks are easily removed with 10 minutes on Photoshop with the clone stamp tool, and you'll notice that most big-name artists don't bother with them, and if anyone, they're the ones to be worried about art being stolen! :D Putting art on the internet is always a gamble, but watermarking it won't save it from stealing, and it's hard for us to compliment that gorgeous drapery in the second image when it's covered in an embossed name.

This is an interesting subject for debate, and I think most people have differing opinions on the subject. I am not going to stop watermarking my images, and in this case I put my name across it embossed because the usual watermark (the acorns) was too distracting. With very realistic art, it isn't a simple matter of using the clone tool to obliterate the watermark. If someone is skilled enough with Photoshop to completely remove watermarks from very detailed, textured art, then they are most likely good enough to be able to make their own art. Your average art thief online (I believe) is not so skilled. I have actually had people tell me about thefts, based in part on poorly obliterated watermark, where it was obvious that the poster had removed some sort of watermark. I am not under the delusion that the watermark will eliminate art theft. When I started posting my art online, I did it with the assumption that dumb-asses could and would steal the art and repost it as their own. No matter how good or bad a piece of art is, it can be stolen very easily, and I have seen artists with rather unskilled art complain of theft. I view watermarks as a deterrent, and they are one I will continue to use. It is not a difficult thing to look at the digital and be able to say whether or not the drapery is well done, even if there is a watermark over it. If you choose not to fave something because of the watermark, that is your choice. If someone would rather look at this piece (and many others) without the watermark, they can purchase the original or a print. I may not be a big name, but I put a lot of time and effort into my art. If a watermark prevents just one theft, or identifies the piece if it is reposted (often the watermark isn't even removed), then I consider it worthwhile. Just my opinion. :)

I'd rather not be rejected again, so.... - Mauricia

Fri, 29 Feb 2008 18:33:41 -0000

Just a note... It's generally a waste of time, and not esthetically pleasing, to place large watermarks over your images. Watermarks are easily removed with 10 minutes on Photoshop with the clone stamp tool, and you'll notice that most big-name artists don't bother with them, and if anyone, they're the ones to be worried about art being stolen! :D Putting art on the internet is always a gamble, but watermarking it won't save it from stealing, and it's hard for us to compliment that gorgeous drapery in the second image when it's covered in an embossed name.

I'd rather not be rejected again, so.... - Sidney Eileen

Thu, 28 Feb 2008 07:20:28 -0000

Thanks for the feedback, Thornwolf. Much of what you mention about the second piece are things I was concerned about as well. Most of the shading on the sleeve, dress, and face were lost in the scan, so I agree that she blends into the paper too much in the digital copy. Part of the wall-eyed look is also due to loss of shading, but she still does have some of that on the original. That's the one part of the drawing that truly bothers me, and I wish had come out better. Thanks for pointing out that the head is too large. I've been having a horribly hard time getting the head size right in comparison to the body. Usually it's too small, but either way I have a hard time telling for myself if the size is right. I'm glad you like the first piece. I'm very proud of that one, and it's one of my personal favorites that I have drawn so far.

A bit bland but... - Thornwolf

Thu, 28 Feb 2008 02:39:14 -0000

Actually it looks like you have some pretty good structure going on here, I love the musculature and the wrists especially, but one thing I could see being a hinderance (although I can't speak officially on behalf of artspots) is lighting and atmosphere. Its a good character, no doubt, but there's nothing really drawing the viewer in. The lighting on the character seems to come from all directions instead of one (or two) defined sources. Maybe to go along with your cool characters play around with some settings (even just basic background elements, we're not talking huge epic murals here) and maybe some cool lighting, maybe even some different angles? Just hoping to help a little :)

App Forgotten, Thoughts Wanted - Thornwolf

Thu, 28 Feb 2008 02:37:04 -0000

I /really/ love that pic of Esk you did, in fact, I think if you did more pieces like that you'd be in, but that's just me going by predetermined standards when I worked over at Yerf, so I couldn't speak officially. I'm sure they haven't forgotten you, from what I hear there's a big backlog and a lot of the volunteers well....life happened XD Admittedly your icons, I'm not too crazy about. On the lion the eyes are too high up on the head and kind of "float" on top of the face instead of looking like they're embedded within the skull, there's no real depth there. And the fox, the head is very bulbous which looks like it has more of a human braincase but with everything else being feral. I'm not sure if that's the look you were going for but shortening the forehead would be a good start on that one :) Sorry if I don't help much! Just figured I'd put in my 2 cents.

I'd rather not be rejected again, so.... - Thornwolf

Thu, 28 Feb 2008 02:32:58 -0000

I /love/ your black and white piece and I think that would be a shoe-in but personally I'm not too fond of that second piece you posted. The eyes are too far apart and create a wall-eyed look, not to mention the head is /very/ large in comparison to the rest of the body. Also, the character blends in too much with the background, particularly on the sleeve where its hard to discern where she begins and the paper eds. Its very nice details, but a lot of that is lost by not letting the character stand out enough from the paper.

lazy lazy - Thornwolf

Thu, 28 Feb 2008 02:30:22 -0000

Personally I think they would be, but you might benefit from at least one fully finished drawing that's not part of a composite and not just a sketch/pencil drawing. I know I'm not official ArtSpots staff but I used to work over at Yerf and we had pretty high standards and to my knowledge, a similar system. I think you have a good range! Just, yanno, a lot of those images you have in the composite could be "stand-alone". :)

lazy lazy - atsaki

Wed, 20 Feb 2008 16:57:12 -0000

ive been working a lot lately with school and my job and...life...yes i has one >u> and havent got much time to do decent work lately, all i do is sketch, and leave the sketches in the will-finish-and-color-and-make-them-all-cool-and-stuff carpet :l... however ive also planned on applying again, since my skill has digivolved :O i dunno what pictures i should apply yet...but ive been thinking on these ones: http://atsaki.deviantart.com/art/penguin-power-76911657 http://atsaki.deviantart.com/art/sketch-spam-revenge-77006302 (warning, big file) yes...i know this stuffs not worth it :l but i guess my inner self needs to know so go ahead and judge

Looking for suggestions - Efig

Thu, 07 Feb 2008 05:23:46 -0000

Sidney Eileen said: I would assume that the staff is very busy post FC08. They might also be trying to get through some of the backlog of applications already submitted. I believe they are all volunteers with day jobs. ;)

I see, I was unawares of such, thank you for clarifying that for me. :>

Looking for suggestions - Sidney Eileen

Tue, 05 Feb 2008 08:25:20 -0000

I would assume that the staff is very busy post FC08. They might also be trying to get through some of the backlog of applications already submitted. I believe they are all volunteers with day jobs. ;)

Looking for suggestions - Efig

Tue, 05 Feb 2008 01:49:00 -0000

Is the portfolio thread dead? I've noticed a serious lack in activity from the sites staff in this area.

I'd rather not be rejected again, so.... - Sidney Eileen

Tue, 29 Jan 2008 06:04:19 -0000

This one was also a bit mangled by my scanner. It lost a lot of the lighter shading details, particularly on the white part of the dress. I am also concerned that it doesn't have enough sense of place, since the ground shading also got munched.

I'd rather not be rejected again, so.... - Sidney Eileen

Tue, 29 Jan 2008 05:54:19 -0000

I was hoping for some feedback before applying again. I seem to be having issues figuring out what to submit in order to be successfully admitted to the site, so I am hoping for some pointers on whether or not some pieces would be good for my submission portfolio. Two of my better, current pieces were somewhat scanner-mangled, so please let me know if the scanner ghosting on this one would prevent it from being good for my portfolio.

App Forgotten, Thoughts Wanted - Valdyr

Mon, 21 Jan 2008 18:32:06 -0000

Yeah, I originally sent in my app in October, and it was forgotten about, apparently. So, since I had included some fursuits as well as some artwork, and now that I have some more artwork, I thought I would post here in hopes that maybe my first app will be reviewed, or my app will be removed for updating. Anyways, on with the links: Finished Artwork: http://valdyrfenrisdottir.deviantart.com/art/In-Twilight-73559203 http://valdyrfenrisdottir.deviantart.com/art/LJ-Icon-Kamaria-74074795 http://valdyrfenrisdottir.deviantart.com/art/LJ-Icon-Tyr-Fox-72757808 http://valdyrfenrisdottir.deviantart.com/art/WH-Pose-Raine-74095549 http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w96/ValdyrFenrisdottir/thepictures.jpg <-- This image, and images related to it (like a puppy and a Native American Fetish drawing), were stolen by my college roommate and used to start up a PonyIsland pet shop during the summer. I post this screencap instead of the actual artwork to show that I am 1) The REAL Valdyr Fenrisdottir, 2) The ORIGINAL creator of the image, 3) Both forms of the image, finished and uncolored. Sketchy Stuff/WIPs/Unfinisheds: http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w96/ValdyrFenrisdottir/kimie-nita-wip.jpg http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w96/ValdyrFenrisdottir/eskwip.jpg http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w96/ValdyrFenrisdottir/beastiebeast.jpg http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w96/ValdyrFenrisdottir/caribouscared.jpg Fursuits: http://valdyrfenrisdottir.deviantart.com/art/Fursuit-Valdyr-71242121 http://valdyrfenrisdottir.deviantart.com/art/Fursuit-Mittens-71242371 http://valdyrfenrisdottir.deviantart.com/art/Superbeast-71242459 Thank you much.

A bit bland but... - linacrow

Thu, 17 Jan 2008 03:01:44 -0000

Would this be a good porfolio peice? I'm not yet ready to submit one, but I want to see if I'm getting close. http://linacrow.deviantart.com/art/Clarissa-74660710

Hesitant about Applying - Rainblossom

Tue, 08 Jan 2008 16:29:34 -0000

I'd like to thank Chlorophyta and Gauguin for being polite and kind, but Sudan Red and Emerald Sage were right. It was dishonest of me to use Chlorophyta's picture without asking her first, it would still be wrong even if I did ask her. It was wrong of me to post it without giving her credit, and I acknowledge that. I'd like to make a formal apology to Chlorophyta, and let you all know the image has been deleted and I will not be posting it anywhere again, nor will I be tracing/using other artists' pictures as references. On a side note, however, I'd like to say that all of the other pictures in my galleries were my original creations. As I stated before, I'd been working on this particular picture for some time, and I couldn't get the right feel for it. It was a very personal image and I wanted the cat's pose to reflect my own feelings. I came across Chlorophyta's picture and I saw it was exactly what I wanted, so I copied it. This was wrong of me, and it won't happen again. Also, Gauguin, I believe this post is in the wrong forum, because I was not asking if my picture would be a good portfolio piece, but rather if the fact that I used textures from stock websites in the background would be okay for portfolio pieces, because in the sample portfolio guidelines it says: "Photographic and altered photographic backgrounds are a big negative." I had no intention of submitting this image in my portfolio, it was the background I was worried about. Again, I'd like to apologize to everyone, especially Chlorophyta, for the drama this has caused. It won't happen again. I'd also like to thank everyone for dealing with this in a mature manner.

Hesitant about Applying - Sudan Red

Tue, 08 Jan 2008 07:47:37 -0000

I am amazingly chill. As Emerald Sage rightly said, if I had wanted a chew-out-fest, it would have been a lot worse than this. I merely made an observation and backed it up. Again agreeing with Emerald Sage that if traced pictures were deleted, I am not sorry to see them go. I won't apologise for disapproving of shady practices. Aaaaand, moving on! :)

Hesitant about Applying - chlorophyta

Tue, 08 Jan 2008 01:18:25 -0000

Thanks, Gauguin! You've said it much better than I could. ^______^

Hesitant about Applying - Gauguin Cheetah

Tue, 08 Jan 2008 01:09:42 -0000

Calm down, everyone. If something like this ever happens again, it would be a lot more constructive to email the ArtSpots staff and let them know about the situation, so that they can help the artist's in question discuss what's happened. :) Let's move on! Rainblossom, your art is good, and I see no reason for you to copy existing artist's poses! Why not draw some animals from real life? Even drawing from photos of real animals can help you adapt to a style all your own, and drawing from life improves your art hundredfold. I would like to mention something as an aside, and with no intention to scold. Keep in mind that if the ArtSpots reviewers see an image in your application that they recognize as a copy of an existing artist's piece, even if just the pose as in this piece, your application would get an automatic decline. We strive for originality at ArtSpots! We want every part of your picture to be from your mind and your pen. :) I would love to see some more work from you. Please feel free to post your other art here for further critique.

Hesitant about Applying - Emerald Sage

Tue, 08 Jan 2008 00:08:42 -0000

I didn't chew her out. Just gave her important info for the future and a scold. Believe me I can chew out much more angrily then that XD Though I must say I do not feel sorry that she is deleting pictures if they are ones she traced.

Hesitant about Applying - chlorophyta

Mon, 07 Jan 2008 23:53:46 -0000

Guys. Chill. I go to work for 9 hours and this as what I come home to? Come on. You don't have to chew her out. Maybe she did things a little backwards, but it should have been between me and her. Yes, she should have emailed me first, but I feel bad that she's now going through her galleries and deleting stuff. =(

Hesitant about Applying - Sudan Red

Mon, 07 Jan 2008 21:32:39 -0000

Naryu / 成美 said: Silly question, but I hope you asked Nevar/Chlorophyta's permission to do such :3 (as with any artist)
Sudan Red said: PS I find it worrying that I found this on your DA page --> http://rainblossom.deviantart.com/art/i-can-has-maturity-73060892
O_o im a bit confused as to whom you are addressing this to..?

The original post was deleted, as well it should be. To Rainblossom: My dear, I don't know what game you think you are playing, but I will join Emerald Sage in severe crossing of arms and shaking of head. I did in fact check your DA page, and you did in fact NOT have a link to Nevar/Chlorophyta's page at that time. You only added it once you got "caught". I know I am risking a rant here, but let me just say that there is a huge difference between "referencing" and "tracing" that you still have to learn. If you think artistic plagiarism isn't a big deal, think again.

Hesitant about Applying - Rainblossom

Mon, 07 Jan 2008 20:36:46 -0000

Emerald Sage said: I will say one thing because it is a good point and not just a rant. If you are going to copy/"reference" a picture...ask first THEN draw...not the other way around.

Right, thanks. I see the drama it's caused and I'm going to heed your advice. Thanks for not making a huge ranty deal out of it, I do appreciate that. I emailed Chlorophyta and am awaiting her response, just for anyone else who wants to make a huge deal out of this.

Hesitant about Applying - Emerald Sage

Mon, 07 Jan 2008 20:29:53 -0000

I will say one thing because it is a good point and not just a rant. If you are going to copy/"reference" a picture...ask first THEN draw...not the other way around.

Hesitant about Applying - Emerald Sage

Mon, 07 Jan 2008 20:25:40 -0000

*wants to go into some big rant about tracing, but decided just to cross her arms and shake her head at you*

Hesitant about Applying - Rainblossom

Mon, 07 Jan 2008 18:31:53 -0000

Naryu / 成美 said: Silly question, but I hope you asked Nevar/Chlorophyta's permission to do such :3 (as with any artist) O_o im a bit confused as to whom you are addressing this to..?

She was talking to me; the colored image is mine. Funny, looks like my original post is gone. Must be a bug. O_o

Hesitant about Applying - Rainblossom

Mon, 07 Jan 2008 18:30:03 -0000

Sudan Red said: Oh I don't know about photomanipulation, but I did some myself (refer below). Methinks originality counts for a lot more than textures. PS I find it worrying that I found this on your DA page --> http://rainblossom.deviantart.com/art/i-can-has-maturity-73060892

I'm not trying to be rude or anything, but did you even read the description I wrote to go with that image? I clearly stated that I used Nevar's image as a reference. http://rainblossom.jaxpad.com/image/14109 http://rainblossom.deviantart.com/art/My-Holy-Hell-73149313 I didn't trace it, if that's what you are trying to accuse me of in your "photomanipulation." I've been working on this picture for some time, and I couldn't get the right feel for it. I came across Nevar!'s sketch and used it as a reference. (I have the pencil thumbnail sketches if you "need proof".) I didn't say I was using this picture IN my portfolio, I was merely using it as an example for what I do with backgrounds, nor am I making profit off this picture in any way. It's an entirely personal image that I posted here because I had a question about what kind of backgrounds were okay to use. I also find it ironic that you would bring up that stamp I made, but I won't say why here because I'm not trying to be rude. I can see your concern, and I appreciate it, and I also know that I posted this thread under "Would this be a good portfolio piece" when it clearly should go somewhere else. I'm sorry that I didn't state that it was referenced in the post above, and I'm sorry that you feel the need to be immature about it. Like I said, I'm NOT using this as a portfolio piece and I'm NOT making any profit off of the image. If Nevar! has a problem with me posting it, (and believe me, I will ask her) then I will of course take it down, but so long as I give credit I don't see what the problem is.

Hesitant about Applying - Naryu / 成美

Mon, 07 Jan 2008 18:19:56 -0000

Silly question, but I hope you asked Nevar/Chlorophyta's permission to do such :3 (as with any artist)

Sudan Red said: PS I find it worrying that I found this on your DA page --> http://rainblossom.deviantart.com/art/i-can-has-maturity-73060892

O_o im a bit confused as to whom you are addressing this to..?

Hesitant about Applying - Sudan Red

Mon, 07 Jan 2008 16:10:42 -0000

Oh I don't know about photomanipulation, but I did some myself (refer below). Methinks originality counts for a lot more than textures. PS I find it worrying that I found this on your DA page --> http://rainblossom.deviantart.com/art/i-can-has-maturity-73060892