That's awesome to hear, Mari! I'm happy for you. ^^

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My art was better with cartoonish style, then I changed toward semi-realistic and kinda got my hands stuck that way(it SUCKED) so then I went baby-crying to a good friend of mine (Demyx) and he helped improve the style and showed me samples, then I improved on that, up to this day, I hate reference images :'D

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Amazing progress here, everyone!

Here is one I've picked out from my piles of lazy doodles. Granted, it isn't much, and I didn't draw actively between the two time frames, but I think it's safe to say I've improved in form and shading, even if it's just a wee bit?

June 2015:


November 2015:


I'm still struggling to find a style that is really mine, as well as start drawing humans more. Luckily, various fandoms have inspired me to start doodling two-legged monstrosities.
I've been drawing for around 10 years now, although my time available for art is dwindling due to school.

Honestly, it always makes me twitch a bit when people say I have "talent." What many don't understand is that drawing is mostly hard work, persistence, and practice. It's not exactly a compliment when you say a person's got talent. Respect their efforts instead.

(I apologize if my opinions upsets anyone. I mean no personal offense. I'm just a rather candid person.)

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Engima - Thank you for wording it like that. I can't explain it that well, and I feel the exact same way. I understand that it's meant as a compliment and I do appreciate it but it's just kinda telling me that I didn't work hard, it was just luck and a shortcut because of "talent".

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It's hard when you're surrounded by 'more experienced ' people to look at your art in a good way If I had a word to say in this .3.

Recently I've been finding myself needing to destroy art tablet's of my classmate's (I'm not, but Inknow just thinking about it bad... But. I. Just. Fucking. Cannnnn't >.>) despite them not exactly being... On the same level?p I guess you can say? The problem with me would probably be the level of competition and the constant need to stay afloat compells me to compare and try to improve and sometimes that footing cracks and you fall lower and get stuck there without help...

Same. I vote my art as shit even though I know Feather would disagree (course she would) and it's just you wanna move faster, but like damn time. :'( I can't explain it outside of that and then people call me talented. I just happen to be the one who has a lotta contacts and plans in terms of improving, not talent.

I'm mostly fearing my classmates catching up to me though... Digital art is literally the only spotlight I get XD so I gotta float above everyone else in terms of that if I don't wanna go insane

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@Shaska
Agreed! I'm glad I'm not alone in this veiwpoint. ^^
(And yes, I know their intentions are good as well. Even if I don't always interpret it as that.)

@XIO
I understand what it feels like to be competitive. So it would sound a bit hypocritical coming from me, but art should be created purely for your own enjoyment. Stressing about being the best could help you improve, but probably isn't the best mindset to start from.
(But honestly, I can relate so much. I'd stalk my favorite artists on DA and compare my own progress to theirs when they were my age.) x'D

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Yee, I know, it's just nice being able to have private lessons/special projects with media arts because I'm far ahead. Just when that space is getting threatened I guess is whenI have problems :P

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This is amazing, Feather. As a natural pessimist, I tend to dislike my drawings, but this just proves that practice does indeed make you much better at art. I can't remember where the saying comes from, but, "Don't practice until you make perfect, practice until you can't get it wrong." This makes me feel a lot better about the things I draw. <3

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I can completely understand that competitive streak! I've lost it a little in art as I've gotten older, which has allowed me to practise because I want to improve by my own standards; not to beat someone else. <3 :3

Thank you, Saeginko! I'm glad you like the thread! That's a very nice saying you've posted, I'll keep it in mind next time I'm being too perfectionist! :3

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Everyones' art is absolutely wonderful ^^
If there's one thing I love it's before and after comparisons. I love being able to see the effort and hard work people have put into their art. It's always surprising going back to stuff you've done in the past and wondering "Did I really draw that?"

Anyway, I thought I'd put mine up here too (links because the pictures are HUUUGE) :D

2013

2016

I'm so glad this thread is here so we can continue to share and inspire each other ^^

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After being inspired by this board, I decided to go ahead and redraw an old piece, and truck through it. I've had a hard time finishing pieces due to my lack of satisfaction with coloring, or shading. I need to properly tackle shading, but the main thing is practicing it, so I can't keep avoiding it.

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Amazing improvement, Doodly! I love the newest one ^^ <3

Emrys I love how much more realistic your style is now, the improvement is so awesome and obvious now you've redrawn it! ^^ Great job!

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This isn't a full year old, drawn somewhere in September of 2015 I think (One of my first digital drawings)


And this is my newest drawing of the same person (my OC) c:


And everyone here has improved so much! It's really inspiring and makes me wanna work harder! and I love your coloring style Emrys <3

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Thanks for posting annabeth! You can definitely tell you're improving! :) I like how you've paid attention to the detail in the hair on your most recent piece! ^^

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I'm really tempted to post some art on here as well... You are all amazing artists om

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