doubting your art? - DON'T!

There are a few questions that seem to be going around dA a lot these last few weeks
Is my art even improving?
Have I lost my style?
Does anybody like what I do?
Among other questions similar to these... the answer is, really, WHO CARES? I know that sounds harsh, but your art is for you, not for them. This is what makes you happy, what you like to do, and what you've fallen in love with. Don't let others deter you from what you do.

Let me explain, we'll start with oh, have I lost my style?. The real question is, have you lost it, or have you added some variety to it. Being an artist isn't about keeping yourself in the same bubble of art forever. If you do horror photography and love it, great... if you side track to some people and portraits of non-horror related styles, that's perfectly fine. It's called broadening what you're already aware of. There is nothing wrong with it. And from what I've heard, as well as what I believe... it's good!

But, what if people don't like it? If people don't like it, too damn bad. Why should you stop your evolution just to please some people? Would you have stopped going to school just because people thought you were too smart? No, what you should do in that case is finish school, go to college/university and get an even better education and be something more than what you would have been if you had quit. That's exactly what art is like. Despite being a passion, you learn.

Or if you're a photographer dabbling in writing, I'm sure nobody's going to mind a few poems here and there, or vice versa. If they don't like it, they can simply delete it.

As for dA itself, what if people stop watching you? From what I've done, heard and known, a lot of people will continue watching you for some time to see what you come up with. Especially if you mix what you do, and what you're learning in together, then you'll keep watchers and gain watchers at the same time.

Summed up, don't take change as you've lost your style, take it as you are broadening your style, your knowledge and your talent into different spectrum of art.

This often brings, does anybody like what I do? In this case, I'm sure. You've probably seen a few artists around dA that you think 'how the frick did that even get a single fave?'... there's your answer. There's someone on this site that likes everything. Guaranteed, yes, you may not get as many favorites, but if you completely change what you are doing, that's possible, as they didn't watch you for what you're doing, they watched you for what you did. However, you will obtain more watchers who are seeing what you now do, and will appreciate it like those that did. The nice thing is, if you don't like the response you're getting, you can always go back to what you did, make it a do, and what you're doing becomes a did.

In this case, it's not bad to go back to what you originally were doing. You broadened your work, which is great. When you learn something new you almost always carry at least a little of what you learned with you. This brings in is my art even improving? The answre to that is most likely yes. It may not be in a way YOU can see so much as others. There are a few aspects to this question...

You don't see much improvement > you won't as much as an  outside viewer will. If I go into your gallery right now, look at the first thing you uploaded and something recent... I'm sure I could find improvements. You may not see them, because you see everything you've ever done. Improvement is a progress, it's like weight loss... when you lose 10 pounds, you may not notice as much as someone  who hasn't seen you since you started working out. They may say "you look great, have you been working out", you don't notice the difference, so you'll deflect it and wonder why they would say that? Is it just to make you feel better? No, it's because you really have gotten better, and despite you not seeing it, someone who doesn't see every scrap your process into your camera, or scribble across a piece of paper or doodle.

You've changed styles > of course that this point is may seem your over all appearance and talent have diminished at least a little bit. You're dong something new. It takes new techniques. It takes new abilities, it's NEW. Think of the first time you tried riding a bike... say at 5 years old, were you ready for the Tour de France? I doubt it, you probably fell, scrapped your knee a few times, maybe even your chin. With learning something new, there's always an injury. Let it be phsyical, emotional, or just a minor downfall. The good thing, did you learn to ride that bike? I bet you did. Kids don't have it in them to just give up most of the time. They keep trying until they get it right... and that's what you need to do. Keep going, keep learning, and keep improving. Nobody's perfect. Nobody can grab onto everything and be a pro. No, you have to learn, and that's not just art or riding a bike, that's life. Art is part of your life. Accept it, go with it, and broaden yourself. It's a great thing to do.

You're too arrogant > yes, I am adding this to a list of why you aren't improving. If you think you are just the diamond in the rough with everything you touch, you were screwed from the beginning. Having confidence, that is a great thing to have! Thinking you've mastered art with your first finger painting, not so much. Are you this person? That depends, can you take critique? If not, you're 50/50 at this point... next question if you can't take critique is it because the person critiquing is always wrong and doesn't know what you're talking about? or is it because you're sensitive and don't like people being mean to your work? If it's the first one, you have a problem. If it's the second one, it's not a problem, it's just who you are, and the second one is totally and completely fine!

In this case, if you are the second of the two, I want to point out, you don't want critique on your work because you're sensitive to it, which is fine, but if you want tips on how to improve, there are a few tips I want to give you...
read others critiques.
if you're gutsy enough, write critiques! Yes! Write them... when you're looking at say a photomanipulation from a viewers prospective, you may learn a few things when you're pointing out some suggestions on someone else's work. it's a win win for you and the artist you're critiquing.!
tutorials, books, articles, and the like. These things can provide you with just as much information as a critique, however, you may not see things you can improve on on your own, so I still suggest prehaps asking for a gentle constructive comment if you'd like some feedback from a viewer. This is your choice however, nothing wrong with yes or no. Just an option you have.

Now, that we have all that covered, let's cover just dA and your watchers.
You've started something new, and people aren't exactly enthused.
The first thing you need to remember is that everybody isn't going to like every single thing you produce. Are you just trying it out, say so. You have artists comments when you submit, instead of '...', why don't you say 'trying out some new styles right now... what do you think?', if they don't like it, they don't. If they do, great. Perhaps they can even give you some tips to ponder over to improve and learn some more on what you're trying out. Do you intend to keep this change without ever reverting, well, only time will tell. You most likely can't determine what you will or will not go to with your art. Most people will keep you on their watch to see what you're coming up with. At least for quite a while. If they remove you, you've probably gained a watcher or two since then... it's their decision. Do not feel discouraged if people leave you, it's not the end of the world and this isn't about them! There are plenty of ways to find people on dA that have the same tastes as you. If you'd like to know some of those, there is a list at the end of this.


You joined 5 years ago, you think you've improved, however, you just don't seem to get as much attention.
5 years ago, you probably had at least a fave or two within a few minutes... NOW, it seems like if it's not the first minute it doesn't happen. THIS IS NOT ABOUT YOUR TALENTS! This is about the mass of people that have joined over the years. In this case, there is nothing you can do, but it's most likely not you. Your watchers may seem inactive. If they're not recent, that is completely possible. Your first watcher, probably has gone away. This is common, this is not you. People are lucky if they make it 2 years on here it seems. Many make it past that, but not all. People come and go on this site daily... it's not about you. It's not about your art. It's just a fact of life... all things must come to an end. Good or bad.

Now, I think I've pretty much covered the self-doubt you may be feeling here on dA with your art and with improvement in general.
If you have any questions, you are more than welcome to ask.

If you are looking for how to get more recognition on your work because you are an unknown artist OR you've recently changed direction with your craft, unknown---artists has a blog about getting known and finding your way through dA.... >>> unknown---artists.deviantart.c… >>> this was originally written for unknown artists, but it works for everyone

Best of luck, and keep doing what you love.
Remember, this isn't about them, it's about you!


Stay tuned for Dr.Tori's breaking artists block.