As a newbie in photomanipulation you certainly browse the photomanipulation category on dA very often, don't you? I remember when I got started that I browsed the all-time best submissions and just marvelled at the genius that is shown there (well, I still do but I've got over that a little bit
) and I said to myself that I wanted to be as good as they are and work hard to become as good as they are.
So I got started and at first I didn't submit my photomanipulations because I was just ashamed of their poor quality. But I remember submitting one manip that I was very proud of at that time. It was a turtle with lots of different things on its back (a very popular theme as I know now) and I liked it but the very first comment I got (and I got very few comments anyway) was 'nice, but ordinary!'. This was so dishearting to me!
In order to save you unpleasant situations like that, here's a few tips that I learned over the years:
#1 Don't set your standard too high Yes, it's good to have some aims that you want to achieve and some ambition to reach your aims but it can be very disheartening as well when you don't reach your aims within a certain period of time. Some even stop creating art because they think they'll never be good enough!
Yes,
Lady-Symphonia is certainly a role-model but you won't be as good as her within a month or maybe even a year.
#2 Join newbie groups Being a moderator in different groups and a former newbie manipulator, I learned that it's very important for newbies or starters to join groups according to their level. This is very important to gain self-confidence! It makes no sense to join groups with high standards and get declined time and time again and get frustrated over comments like 'you haven't reached our standard yet'. There are tons of newbie groups on dA such as
GetWatchers or
keepers-of-dreams and many more that are suitable for your level (therefore read the group's rules).
But it's important to be honest to yourself and recognize your own level! Don't overestimate your own qualities and be disappointed when others underestimate them!
#3 Don't forget to give back I'm sure you want your art to be seen, get a few comments and favs on it. So don't just join groups, submit your works and then sit and wait for your comments and favs - give back as well!
Browse dA, look for artists of similar level as yours, comment on their artworks, give honest feedback on what you think (but be fair and friendly), fav artworks, perhaps even join a group as a contributor - you'll learn a lot about art, people... and dA. You can even make features with your journal!
You'll find that you'll make new friends soon who'll gladly fav your artworks and comment on them.
#4 Be and stay friendly This may seem obvious but believe me, it's not. This is the internet, and it brings out the worst in people. I'm usually an open and friendly person but I'm convinced I'm very different online.
But being unpopular is always the worst thing, esp. when you're new and you rely on other people. So try to remain friendly and fair even when you feel you're being treated unfair. It will happen but in 99 of 100 cases it's nothing personal. Get over it and create new art!
If you are declined by a group and you don't like the feedback you receive, ignore it but don't start a fight! It's useless and you'll risk being blocked by the group!
#5 Read tons of tutorials You can find tons of very useful tutorials and walkthroughs on dA:
browse.deviantart.com/resource…. Pick out the best and read, read, read. Don't forget to experiment with your newly found knowledge.
#6 Ask! Once in a while you'll stumble on manips where the artist used certain effects and you'll ask yourself 'how did he/she do that?'. Just ask! You may not get an answer (esp. professional artists, designers and the likes don't reply because they're usually not interested in the community on dA. They just want to get their art seen. Oh and of course, they had an expensive training and they don't want to give their secrets away for free) but you can always try, and very often they gladly share their tips and secrets.
#7 Don't (over-)use artistic brushes and filters Manips crowded with custom hearts, circles, stars, glitter and fairy dust and two plastic filters applied won't be taken seriously by anyone because they're custom-made and not really original and everyone knows that newbies use filters to blend their stock images and perhaps cover up some mistakes. Applying tons of filters usually makes your artwork look awkward. Fous on the blur and sharpen filters. That's it. You won't need any more.
The same goes for the brushes: Concentrate on a few useful ones (hair, lighting, smoke, cloud, plant) and your artwork will still look natural!
#8 Credit your resources Always credit your resources, every tiny bracelet, flower or grass brush you use has to be credited. Why? Because they're not your own. Someone else made them or took a photo of it and wants credit for it. Imagine some band used one of your artworks as a cover for their new CD but didn't give credit to you. You'd be pissed, wouldn't you?
It's best to just link to the photograph or brush (and it doesn't matter if you got it from dA or bought it at istock) in your artist's comment. You even have to credit your own resources (just say: the model and background are from my own resources).
If you don't credit, you won't get a DD and many groups will decline you artwork.
#9 Don't paint too much Artists like
AF-studios,
ElenaDudina,
Lady-Symphonia and
LuneBleu started it: Applying paint to their artworks to give them a more painting-like style, and they look absolutely great and stunning because they know how to do it! Many of their admirers have started copying their styles and started painting...fiercely, but less successfully because they don't know how to do it and it just looks awful and awkward. So, if you're uncertain, leave it. It can really ruin an already good manip and you'll find that many artists are successful without overpainting their manips.
#10 Don't buy a tablet Many artists (esp. the ones already mentioned) favour their Wacom Intuos tablets and rant that they will never create anything without it. Thus, everyone else wants it! It's around 300 € if you can afford it. Even the smaller Wacom Bamboo is around 90 €.
I once owned a Wacom Bamboo (got it on Ebay for 40 €), used it once, decided that I don't get along without, put it back into the box it came in and resold it. I only need my mouse and you do too. It takes some getting used it and it's not easy!
That's it! I really hope it's useful. If you've got questions, comments or even more tips, feel free to share them!
