My first thread :)

[Epectasis]

I just joined this forum and thus far i've seen lots of high quality work! I'm happy i did :D So i figured that i would put up my latest piece. It serves no other purpose then to diversify my Portfolio. I've taken an original picture and redrew it in illustrator, stylizing it in the process. Hope you like it :)

http://img156.imageshack.us/img156/9332/retraced1nq.jpg

[Jriddim]

Wow very nice! I really like the color choices and the highlights/shadows. and welcome to the forum! (im a semi-noob myself)

[EC]

Welcome to the GDF! I love this illustration, nice work.

[Epectasis]

thanx guys :p

[typographics]

epectasis,

i like the circles in the background. very calming and relaxing. nice choice!

matthew~

[rockem]

http://img276.imageshack.us/img276/3905/retraced1nq6ga.jpg

Not bad fairly good Tracing job, the few things that are a little of the circles are cool and have a nice feel to them except the top left corner of the it takes away from the focus of the piece the woman. The focus should not be on the circles. The other spots I have circled seem a little wierd like her right shoulderand upper arm just kind of get lost. Her eye looks like she has a black eye. The shadowing dsown by the leg and in other places kind of look like blobs than actual highlights and shadows. I like the hair but the two very distinct values throw it off

[rockem]

As for a portfolio piece, not sure if I would throw it in there or not, any designer can trace a photo, looks more just like a filler piece and only your best work should be in your book

[Epectasis]

Not bad fairly good Tracing job, the few things that are a little of the circles are cool and have a nice feel to them except the top left corner of the it takes away from the focus of the piece the woman. The focus should not be on the circles. The other spots I have circled seem a little wierd like her right shoulderand upper arm just kind of get lost. Her eye looks like she has a black eye. The shadowing dsown by the leg and in other places kind of look like blobs than actual highlights and shadows. I like the hair but the two very distinct values throw it off

sound advice that is. Ill fix the circle. As for the eye, well the original image had shadowing that was very dark around her eyes. I do understand where you're coming from though. As for the hair, should i remove the red tint? I'll see what i can do for the "blobs". thanx :)

[Epectasis]

As for a portfolio piece, not sure if I would throw it in there or not, any designer can trace a photo, looks more just like a filler piece and only your best work should be in your book

well it's not quite a filler piece. It's more to show some technical understanding of the software. And i think you'd be quite surprised at a LOT of designer's lack of "retracing" skills. There's a lot of intuition involved in something like this i think. Not sure i agree with the filler part. Granted it's not a mind blowing piece, but still...

[D-Zine]

This is a nice piece. Personally, I like the hair. I really like the stylistic approach that you took with this piece.

Nice work Epectasis and welcome to GDF :)

[typographics]

epectasis,

well, i do agree with rockem. this is a filler piece if you add it. employeers want to see design, not art. if your portfolio contains great design, then that will tell the employeer that you have a handle on the software. ive never met anyone requesting proof of "retracing skills".

as a fun side project, i like it. but if you want to show a potential employeer this, i would wisely rethink it.

matthew~

[D-Zine]

is there something wrong with showing illustration skills in your book? Depending on the job that you are seeking it could be benificial IMO.

[Epectasis]

epectasis,

well, i do agree with rockem. this is a filler piece if you add it. employeers want to see design, not art. if your portfolio contains great design, then that will tell the employeer that you have a handle on the software. ive never met anyone requesting proof of "retracing skills".

as a fun side project, i like it. but if you want to show a potential employeer this, i would wisely rethink it.

matthew~

it's actually to get into a a certain program at school. I would'nt include much art when applying for a job because it's not "real life" work. I know what employers look for and i actually have little of it at the moment.

Going back to school (university) is my objective at the moment anyways. But thanx for the advice nonetheless :)

[typographics]

epectasis,

understood. in that case, it makes sense.

matthew~

[Logo-Mechanix]

I would not mind seeing something like this as a portfolio piece it shows you know the program and are good with color, the exact reasons it makes a good piece. I would fix a few small things the circle behind the right shoulder is interfering with the shape of the shoulder itself. Her ear also needs a little refining, remember things in the foreground especially but also hands, noses and ears have to be done right or they will be noticed. I like your style though its pretty cool.

[Epectasis]

so thank you all for your advice :D :D!! Here's a revised edition:

1) Redid the ear
2) Fixed the nails
3) fixed the "blob" on her left leg
4) Fixed the circle behind her left shoulder
5) The top left small circle is now a shade of blue instead of white

http://img139.imageshack.us/img139/8461/retraced6it.jpg
(http://img139.imageshack.us/img139/8461/retraced6it.jpg)

[Logo-Mechanix]

Definitely improved, its got a nice feel to it now.

[mar1300]

good job it looks a lot better

[rockem]

Showing Illustration in a portfolio is fine, but I dont consider this Illustration, if you did it by hand and then redrew it in Illy that would be illustration. This is just tracing a photo anyone that know how to use the pen tool can do it, or live trace for that matter.
The second on is a slight improvement but there are a few things that I still think need to be addressed, like the circle thing, the blobs throughout her body, the eye, etc. just because the eye thing was in the photo you traced doesnt mean it should be on your final art.

[Jriddim]

Ok I agree with Epecsais and rockem, I belive that not just any designer can retrace a photo, AND MAKE IT LOOK GOOD. you can trace a photo, but their is some intuitive stylization going on. But i do agree with rockem when he says that it may be a filler peice.. don't worry epectsais, you obviously have some talent, and I think that the people looking at your work will know so. tell them that it is a peice that mainly focuses on color combination, not on how to illustrate the female figure, thats when life-studies come into play.

[Epectasis]

Showing Illustration in a portfolio is fine, but I dont consider this Illustration, if you did it by hand and then redrew it in Illy that would be illustration. This is just tracing a photo anyone that know how to use the pen tool can do it, or live trace for that matter.
The second on is a slight improvement but there are a few things that I still think need to be addressed, like the circle thing, the blobs throughout her body, the eye, etc. just because the eye thing was in the photo you traced doesnt mean it should be on your final art.

like i said earlier, this piece will be going into my portfolio as i apply for school. Not for a job. I do believe that makes a huge difference.

I guess you could use live trace but i doubt it would be easy. There's like 80 layers in this picture.

As for the things you describe as blobs, well that's done on purpose...i wanted to make it "raw" if you will. I wasnt looking to make a perfect replica of the image.

As for illustrations that i do by hand and then redo in photoshop/illustrator, that i do as well...this was something i hadnt done yet and felt i could add to my portfolio, in terms of diversfying techniques.

I still have to do some work with Typography amongst other things; although im mainly working right now on a flash interactive portfolio.

[Jriddim]

sounds good, i cant wait to see more of your stuff!

[lkw]

good work Epectasis

[lkw]

Showing Illustration in a portfolio is fine, but I dont consider this Illustration, if you did it by hand and then redrew it in Illy that would be illustration. This is just tracing a photo anyone that know how to use the pen tool can do it, or live trace for that matter.


This is definitely an illustration to me. It requires the artistic skills to transfer ORIGINAL photo concept to Epectasis stylistic vision.

[rockem]

Oh yah by the way is it your own photography, honestly?

[Epectasis]

Oh yah by the way is it your own photography, honestly?

i never declared that it was a picture i had taken. i hardly see how that's relevant...

[rockem]

i never declared that it was a picture i had taken. i hardly see how that's relevant...

I was just asking relax, cuz lkw was stating it was an original photo concept

[D-Zine]

I was just asking relax, cuz lkw was stating it was an original photo concept

lkw didn't say it requires the artistic skills to transfer Epectasis ORIGINAL photo concept to Epectasis stylistic vision...did they?

Epectasis took thier own stylistic vision of a photograph - who cares whose photograph it was? Does it really matter at this point? Not really.

[DeleteYourself]

fine, i admit it. i took the photo, okay?

[Logo-Mechanix]

I want proof man, proof!

[rockem]

lkw didn't say it requires the artistic skills to transfer Epectasis ORIGINAL photo concept to Epectasis stylistic vision...did they?

Epectasis took thier own stylistic vision of a photograph - who cares whose photograph it was? Does it really matter at this point? Not really.

go and tell a photographer that and see what they say to you
some may not care but I bet a majority of them would not want you using there work. Its just like taking someones design layout copying it and changing a few colors

[D-Zine]

I do understand that, I am a photographer as well as a designer - but this is a piece for her book to help her with school so its a little different don't you think? That is why I said "does it matter at this point?"

[DeleteYourself]

it's cool, man. i gave permission. now quit harshin my mellow.

[rockem]

Yes i said it would be ok for school shows you have beginner knowledge of software and are a little ahead of the game. ...ahh fvfdghfghjut

[morea]

rockem, chill the hell out.

[rockem]

what? I am just stating a fact why does everything I think I am arguing when I am just stating something

[D-Zine]

feels kinda stuffy in here. I may need another break :)

[Epectasis]

I do understand that, I am a photographer as well as a designer - but this is a piece for her book to help her with school so its a little different don't you think? That is why I said "does it matter at this point?"

errrrr...who's HER ????

i hope that you're not refering to me...as im a guy :P

[D-Zine]

LOL yeah most parts I tried to say "their" but sometimes you forget...my bad Epectasis

[Epectasis]

what? I am just stating a fact why does everything I think I am arguing when I am just stating something

it's fine that you feel that it's a newb thing to do. I have no problem with that. But you seem frustrated with something nonetheless. As if it eats you inside that i did this. Maybe not me in general, perhaps you've seen a lot of people do this and it bugs you for some reason.

But hear me out then: does that mean that when you retrace a vegetable, a car, a building, or whatever else and stylize it you dont actually have any real skills? That it's a beginner's work? Because i suggest you check out that tutorial on the mesh work posted in the "techniques" forum. And if after you checked out the girl's site, and feel that it's still a n00b technique and that just about anyone can do this from a photograph or whatever, then we'll just have to agree that we disagree.

As for the picture, id give credit where credit is due if it were to actually matter.

[reuber1]

what? I am just stating a fact why does everything I think I am arguing when I am just stating somethingBecause most of your comments tend to be short and flippant. When I read some of them, they come off as extremely abrasive and uncalled for.

[defjoe]

It's illustration, plain and simple with a reference from a photos. it's a fine piece to show off for school.

[Logo-Mechanix]

I use photo reference for every illustration I do and if you don't you either have one hell of a photographic memory or your illustrations will not be realistic. I am currently working on a t-shirt design of a snowboarder, now I know what someone riding a snowboard looks like but in order to make it look accurate I need photo reference of snowboarders in action.

[typographics]

agree to disagree!?! thats my line!! lol :)

[Jriddim]

so so true I use photos for almost all my work. illustrators use photos all the freckin time .. Trace on brotha trace on!

[EC]

what? I am just stating a fact why does everything I think I am arguing when I am just stating something

... said the guy with zero social skills.

[reuber1]

Anyways, I really like what you've done here. The only thing that bugs me is the hand, otherwise the rest looks good.

[jimintn]

... said the guy with zero social skills.

You're my hero!!

[Logo-Mechanix]

Is it me or does it seem that the people who are most critical of others are the people who post no work of their own, hmmm.

[morea]

who, me? I posted something. :p

[reuber1]

Is it me or does it seem that the people who are most critical of others are the people who post no work of their own, hmmm.
In light of Pixel8's post from last month and how that spun out of control, I didn't want to say anything; that's nothing against Pixel, who has contributed rather well here. But I can understand the point greatly; for some uber-critical people I have yet to see any work. I don't care if it's good, bad, whatever, I'm not interested in a pissing contest. It's just the fact that those who DO post in the showcase are nutting up and putting their work out there to be critiqued, which can be scary as hell, while the critics have nothing to show.

I'm not in the Showcase that much, and the lack of work I have is the reason why. When I do show up though, I try to be as courteous as possible.

[EC]

In light of Pixel8's post from last month and how that spun out of control, I didn't want to say anything; nothing against Pixel, who has contributed rather well here. But I can understand the point greatly; for some uber-critical people I have yet to see any work. I don't care if it's good, bad, whatever, I'm not interested in a pissing contest. It's just the fact that those who DO post in the showcase are nutting up and putting their work out there to be critiqued, which can be scary as hell, while the critics have nothing to show.

I'm not in the Showcase that much, and the lack of work I have is the reason why. When I do show up though, I try to be as courteous as possible.

Not only that, but it pisses me off when people don't READ the post, take into consideration what stage that person is at, what the piece is for, and frame their critique accordingly.

[Epectasis]

i was actually going to ask Rockem if he had anything to show as well...just cuz i wanted to see what kind of superman skills he posesses....

Nice to see that people stick up for each other here :)

[Jriddim]

I have been thinking this as well. ^ I would love to see some superman skills

[rockem]

You wanna see some work no problem Ill post some, this weekend some time, as it is 7pm on friday and I am still at work cuz were busy as hell.
This may have gotten out of control or people taking my crit the wrong way, alof of other people that crit I have never seen work from either, but if you wanna see some of mine thats fine I will post some. I never said you picture was bad or anything, I pointed out what I thought might need some work and it evolved into this. I know of a bunch of threads where I have gotten people to agree with me and what not, and posted some helpfull threads, but that goes unnoticed.
When I think Illustration I think an original drawing, Ok I may have went overboard saying this is not illustration, but if everything like this is considered illustration, Illustrators would be a dime a dozen. The work on life in vector website is amazing, and they also have a bunch of original sketches to what I am sure they start from. Im not saying your work is bad your learning and that is good. I sorry if I pissed you off didnt try to do that, just tried to give an honest crit.
I was just trying to state a person with the knowledge of a pen tool in Illustrator could grab any photo, and trace over it, I agree with what they do with color and what not takes some skill, but that got taken out of hand when I said that. I am not interested in a pissing context either, but everyone needing to see my work is kinda starting one. Most of the work I have seen on here is from fairly new people and havent seen much work from anyone else, but like I said I will post some work this weekend and feel free to lay it on me, I have had my share of harsh crits.

[rockem]

Because most of your comments tend to be short and flippant. When I read some of them, they come off as extremely abrasive and uncalled for.

I would like to see some of these, so I know what you are taking the wrong way point em out to me please

[rockem]

I use photo reference for every illustration I do and if you don't you either have one hell of a photographic memory or your illustrations will not be realistic. I am currently working on a t-shirt design of a snowboarder, now I know what someone riding a snowboard looks like but in order to make it look accurate I need photo reference of snowboarders in action.

Thats what I was trying to get across using something for reference and tracing something is two different things. I use reference all the time to, but if it comes down to tracing a photo, I buy the rights the photgraphy work, take the pic myself, or do whatever to not break any copyrights.

I know he is just using this for school and what not and that is fine, this just got way spun out of control

[reuber1]

I would like to see some of these, so I know what you are taking the wrong way point em out to me pleaseFirst of all, I'm not the only one taking them the "wrong" way. Lot's of us apparently are. Then again, maybe it's just you.

Secondly, if you want to see some of your comments like this, just click your profile name and go to View More Posts By Rockem and you'll see a whole bunch.

Honestly, if you can't tell by now that your posts make you come across as rude, then there's no reason to explain it to you.

[EC]

Rockem,

I've seen you offer some really helpful, insightful advice. I think the issue here is that you cut to the chase; often provide "drive by" negative commentary with little explanation or personality.

An internet forum is not like face-to-face or voice communication, so it's harder to communicate that you're not trying to be a jerk when you say something negative.

Unless you're saying something negative and PURELY constructive, especially -- which isn't always the case.

I think sometimes, some people just don't know how to take you. I don't need to see your portfolio to know that you have some good things to contribute. But maybe you can remember that this is the internet, and people will interpret your words much differently than you may intend.

[Jriddim]

Very well said...^ Rockem you do give sum insightful input. The posting of your work wont lead into a harsh crit. I would just love to see some wonderfull work:)

[EC]

Oh Jriddim if that's all you need, just take a gander at my portfolio.

(I'm kidding lol)

[rockem]

An internet forum is not like face-to-face or voice communication, so it's harder to communicate that you're not trying to be a jerk when you say something negative.


exactly I though I could atleast get the benefit of the doubt, but I guess not. I am not trying to be rude at all, my comments are taken in a rude way I guess, I have had a few rude comments thrown my way, but I dont take itpersonally cuz it is the internet. Yes I admit I do cut to the chase on some things I post, I am not trying just trying to help and have a little fun at the same time, sometimes when I post I dont have all the time in the world to explain every detail.

[rockem]

Very well said...^ Rockem you do give sum insightful input. The posting of your work wont lead into a harsh crit. I would just love to see some wonderfull work:)

Posting my work I could care less if it becomes harsh or not, Ive had my share of harsh crits and take the good with the bad, you cant be in this business and never get a harsh crit. As long as it is honest thats all I need
and this lamp thats all I need, and this stapler, thats all I need, and this chair..

[rockem]

First of all, I'm not the only one taking them the "wrong" way. Lot's of us apparently are. Then again, maybe it's just you.

Secondly, if you want to see some of your comments like this, just click your profile name and go to View More Posts By Rockem and you'll see a whole bunch.

Honestly, if you can't tell by now that your posts make you come across as rude, then there's no reason to explain it to you.

Thats why i am asking you to show me the posts that are so rude, I dont think they are, may have been taken the wrong way but never tried to be rude as I have stated before. I would need to know what you think is rude and then I can explain a little better possibly than the way things are sometimes taken on the net

[EC]

exactly I though I could atleast get the benefit of the doubt, but I guess not. I am not trying to be rude at all, my comments are taken in a rude way I guess, I have had a few rude comments thrown my way, but I dont take itpersonally cuz it is the internet. Yes I admit I do cut to the chase on some things I post, I am not trying just trying to help and have a little fun at the same time, sometimes when I post I dont have all the time in the world to explain every detail.

Rockem, trust me, if I wasn't giving you the benefit of the doubt, I wouldn't have bothered to say anything at all. :)

[EC]

As long as it is honest thats all I need
and this lamp thats all I need, and this stapler, thats all I need, and this chair..

He hates these cans!

[rockem]

Rockem, trust me, if I wasn't giving you the benefit of the doubt, I wouldn't have bothered to say anything at all. :)



... said the guy with zero social skills.

^ yah just stuff like this,
now whats rude, disagreing on what is Illustration or that

LOL

:D

:::::WARNING SARCASM INTENDED::::::NOT BEING RUDE:::::

[EC]

Dude. Touche.

[Epectasis]

actually see, i wasnt sure if at some point you were being rude or just brutally honest. I got the feeling that you were trying to be a jerk but then again, i was giving you the benefit of the doubt. Somehow your posts both had jerk and non-jerk feelings to them. I dont have a problem at all with critisism (mainly if it's contrustive at least) so it would actually take a lot for me to get angry at something. I mean if it becomes dumb, then i'd just ignore it. There's nothing to prove in the end, really.

Cutting to the chase can be okay, but in this case, id rather have a detailed explanation for the critisism then just "change this cuz it sucks".

All critisism is welcomed, i wouldnt post my stuff here if i did'nt expect it to be sorta flammed.

[rockem]

Dude. Touche.

http://www.emerchandise.com/images/p/FGY/pdSUFGY0001.jpg

indeed

[rockem]

actually see, i wasnt sure if at some point you were being rude or just brutally honest. I got the feeling that you were trying to be a jerk but then again, i was giving you the benefit of the doubt. Somehow your posts both had jerk and non-jerk feelings to them. I dont have a problem at all with critisism (mainly if it's contrustive at least) so it would actually take a lot for me to get angry at something. I mean if it becomes dumb, then i'd just ignore it. There's nothing to prove in the end, really.

Cutting to the chase can be okay, but in this case, id rather have a detailed explanation for the critisism then just "change this cuz it sucks".

All critisism is welcomed, i wouldnt post my stuff here if i did'nt expect it to be sorta flammed.

and never did I say change this cuz it sucks, I beleive I was the only person to point out what I thought needed improvement...everything else was good job, nice, great, etc. Which is fine, but just as unconstructive as saying something sucks

[Epectasis]

and never did I say change this cuz it sucks, I beleive I was the only person to point out what I thought needed improvement...everything else was good job, nice, great, etc. Which is fine, but just as unconstructive as saying something sucks

i agree on that last part.

It's just that i was confused. Cuz they're def was constructive critism. And then things that sent me the wrong signal. That's all im saying. And i like the "punched in the eye" look! :p

[reuber1]

Fact of the matter is, this isn't the first time that you've been called out for talking this way.

[rockem]

Fact of the matter is, this isn't the first time that you've been called out for talking this way.

and the fact that I have stated I wasnt trying to blatantly be rude, just the internet lingo being taken the wrong way....but I guess Im not gonna get to see what you thought was so rude

[Epectasis]

and the fact that I have stated I wasnt trying to blatantly be rude, just the internet lingo being taken the wrong way....but I guess Im not gonna get to see what you thought was so rude

Oh yah by the way is it your own photography, honestly?


go and tell a photographer that and see what they say to you
some may not care but I bet a majority of them would not want you using there work. Its just like taking someones design layout copying it and changing a few colors


Yes i said it would be ok for school shows you have beginner knowledge of software and are a little ahead of the game. ...ahh fvfdghfghjut

what? I am just stating a fact why does everything I think I am arguing when I am just stating something (in reference to the above comment)

here's a few of them Rockem....especially the bold part....

[rockem]

Oh yah by the way is it your own photography, honestly?

Just wanted on honest opinion if the photography was yours, nothing wrong with that


go and tell a photographer that and see what they say to you
some may not care but I bet a majority of them would not want you using there work. Its just like taking someones design layout copying it and changing a few colors

Its the truth, if your using some ones photography without there consent=not good, law suit, copyright inringment etc.




Yes i said it would be ok for school shows you have beginner knowledge of software and are a little ahead of the game. ...ahh fvfdghfghjut

I said it would be ok for school, so did alot of other people, and being that it was for school I took it as you learning the software beginning an education in design which is why I thought you were a begginer, hence "you would be a little ahead of the game when going into school", some kids dont know the first thing about the software when they go to school you took it a wrong way sorry didnt mean it like that meant it like "way to go your ahead of the game"....and the ahhhhdfhjdfhdf was just a little tired of the argument as a whole

what? I am just stating a fact why does everything I think I am arguing when I am just stating something (in reference to the above comment)
"What?" was refered to chill the hell out and having an explanation to it instead of just saying chill out

[rockem]

Quote:



Originally Posted by D-Zine

lkw didn't say it requires the artistic skills to transfer Epectasis ORIGINAL photo concept to Epectasis stylistic vision...did they?

Epectasis took thier own stylistic vision of a photograph - who cares whose photograph it was? Does it really matter at this point? Not really.




go and tell a photographer that and see what they say to you
some may not care but I bet a majority of them would not want you using there work. Its just like taking someones design layout copying it and changing a few colors

having the quote that it was meant towards shows what I was talking about,
If you were to take a phtographers work and use it to whatever you wanted to use it towards without there consent, is the same thing as taking someones design and changing the colors and calling it yours, thats the point I was trying to get across.

In your first post you said it was an original photograph, then when I asked if it was yours it was not, for school fine no problem, but I was talking more in business lines of doing something like this

[rockem]

and now im tired and need to go have a drink with some freinds, 10:04 pm and just leaving work again...uuggghhh

[Epectasis]

Quote:



Originally Posted by D-Zine

lkw didn't say it requires the artistic skills to transfer Epectasis ORIGINAL photo concept to Epectasis stylistic vision...did they?

Epectasis took thier own stylistic vision of a photograph - who cares whose photograph it was? Does it really matter at this point? Not really.




go and tell a photographer that and see what they say to you
some may not care but I bet a majority of them would not want you using there work. Its just like taking someones design layout copying it and changing a few colors

having the quote that it was meant towards shows what I was talking about,
If you were to take a phtographers work and use it to whatever you wanted to use it towards without there consent, is the same thing as taking someones design and changing the colors and calling it yours, thats the point I was trying to get across.

In your first post you said it was an original photograph, then when I asked if it was yours it was not, for school fine no problem, but I was talking more in business lines of doing something like this

meh. i dont want to argue this anymore. It's not like there's a point in it. Just re-read twice before you post something and ask yourself "would this potentially offend someone?" Making use of diplomacy has it's benefits...dont make me start criticizing your grammar :rolleyes:

[rockem]

agggh 15 hour day I'll make all the grammar mistakes I want LOL

[Epectasis]

agggh 15 hour day I'll make all the grammar mistakes I want LOL

HA! Excuses are for the faint of heart!

15 hours 15 schmawars!

I've been sitting in front of my computer since 10 am this morning! (and it's 1am right now) i worked on a flash thingy for 10 straight hours! (that's pretty sick actually....).

And im going to pass out now. spank you very much!

(on another note, my first thread spanned over 9 pages...and most of it was bitching lol)

[EC]

(on another note, my first thread spanned over 9 pages...and most of it was bitching lol)

So. You gonna stick around awhile after all that?

[Neuro]

Epectasis, thank you for handling this with grace and professionalism. Unfortunately this type of criticism scares off new members and makes it so that many others don't want to post there work. That's to bad since that is what this area is supposed to be for. Many of the long term members are watching this happen over and over again. We want GDF to grow. Not turn away new members because they are disgusted with how they are treated. You handled it a lot better than some have. However, this behavior is not acceptable. So realize that the treatment you receive from certain members is not something that we condone. GDF is not about that.

Rockem - It's as simple as respect. If you don't like the way GDF members critique work, then this isn't the place for you. Your methods are harsh and unneeded. We want members to stay. You may not care but mods and admins on this board DO care. There is a reason why people do not take well to your criticism. Many mods and others have tried to point it out. If you don't like that we are asking you to tone it down and be more respectable of someone who has worked on something then maybe GDF isn't for you. It's really that simple. GDF is a place for people to feel welcome. We want it to stay that way and it WILL stay that way.

[Epectasis]

So. You gonna stick around awhile after all that?

no worries :) im not going anywhere, i've seen lots of things that make me want to stay a lot more than make me want to leave! There's a ton of a talented artists on this board and i love looking at other people's work! Plus i've already learned new things with the help people provided (along with links to tutorials on the illy mesh!!).

So all in all, it would take a lot more for me to jet it out of here, i want my work to be criticized (as long as it's constructive!) as it will help me further develop my skills!

So thanx for your support guys, it's appreciated!!

(considering that i fell on this message board purely by fluke and im rather glad that i did!)