Am I really that bad?

[keyodie]

Well I was talking to a friend tonight... I really liked him too. (as a friend)

And well I was talking about how I messed up and accidentally drew this girl without a neck... I spent a lot of time and effort on the picture and at first I was like "Wow it looks awesome!" and really proud of it, but then I started feeling worse and worse about it once I looked at it. And then I logged onto MSN saying all this and showed it to him, right? Then our convo went like this:

Eric: hmmm... nice
Melissa: *sigh*
Eric: no offense but...
Eric: you should stick to graphics

I just logged off without saying anything. I'm actually crying right now because drawing has always been a big part of my life. It sucks. I've always thought his drawings were worth crap but I knew that if I kept encouraging him and giving him constructive criticism he would improve and get a lot better. But then...

Here's the drawing of the neckless girl.

http://img510.imageshack.us/img510/9349/necklessry9.jpg

Be honest... And also, just wanted to say that the scanner makes it look a lot worse than it is.

 

[keyodie]

AND I've always thought that making graphics is something you can get better at once you've practiced, but with drawing to truly be good you have to have some kind of skill. I've always thought of myself as an artist too... And... Ugg...

 

[Mayasmydobe]

That is really good!

The only thing I could see, is that her cheek looks like she's got a big wad of chewing tobacco in it. like chipmunk like.
But all together, it is really impressive.
That guy is just being a jerk

 

[LilyoftheValley]

Umm... I dont see the problem... Its beatiful and you clearly have talent. I know this sounds really cliche, but maybe he's jelouse? you said he could not draw for crap? Some people put other down to build them selves up. I think your drawing is beautiful

 

[Paige]

It's good. I think his comment was rather rude. I could understand if it was a blob but you can tell what it is and it's drawn well.

 

[SarahFish]

I wouldn't have noticed no neck unless I'd read this!
You're brilliant at art! I honestly am crap, I try but then I rush and...
Your stuff is amazing, don't listen to what he said!

 

[GlassOnion]

Meh just say that she pulled her hair over her neck, that's what it looks like anyways. Had you not said she didn't have a neck that's what I would have assumed.

 

[~Tucker&Me~]

I think it's awesome! Better then I could have ever done!

~Tucker

 

[Laurelin]

Meh just say that she pulled her hair over her neck, that's what it looks like anyways. Had you not said she didn't have a neck that's what I would have assumed.

That's what I would have thought too.

I really like it. I like the emotions especially.

What I've found that with art and anything else is there are some people that just cannot say anything nice or constructive about anything. I always learned that you give 2 compliments for every negative but apparently some people don't believe in manners. I know how you feel, I've had lots of times with good friends too where they say something about my art that just stings. And it really hurts because I've sat there and helped and tried my hardest to be positive and helpful with their art. It never helps to hear things that are just negative and that do not help. It's one thing to post constructive criticism and another to just say something 'looks wrong' or 'looks bad'.

I also think a lot of people just don't realize the amount of effort artists put into their work. I'm very protective of my work. It's like my babies. I put so much time an effort and a little bit of me into each one of them that it's hard not to take it personally,

So I guess what I'm saying is, A- don't listen to him, B- just focus on getting better every picture. (I am working on this right now. Instead of comparing my stuff to everyone else's I compare my art to my art and just try to do one thing better each time. It's really helped) . And C- don't let idiots stop you from doing what you enjoy and are good at.

Also, if you're going to critique, please be specific and pinpoint what needs work. Also, try to give at least one positive for every negative....

 

[puppydog]

Ok, why is he a jerk for being honest? Personally, I think you are over reacting. (my opinion of course). Did you ask his opinion? If so, you must learn to take it.

 

[noludoru]

It's lovely Keyo, and you have some talent--no doubt about that. Keep working on it.

I know how you feel..... Sadly I have an art teacher like that. Not looking forward to seeing her when my classes change. *sigh* Laurelin expressed the feelings when people needlessly insult your work and can't pinpoint what they find wrong with it much better than I ever could. Sometimes they make me want to slap them. It becomes a good incentive to keep your art to yourself.

 

[RD]

I for one like the drawing. Art doesn't always have to be anatomically perfect, sometimes its the emotion and intent expressed in the picture that make it powerful. Not everything is about realism!

I disagree with his opinion -- don't just stick to graphics. People get better at drawing with practice, too. I think artists learn and improve with every attempt, even failed ones. I think I've truly completed maybe 2-3 drawings EVER, but I get a little bit better every time I even start a sketch. I might not notice at the time, but when I save all my old sketches I realize that things fall into place better (like anatomy, for example) when I've been drawing a lot. When I stop drawing for a while, I kinda revert back into my usual state of suckiness.

You might also be comfortable with rendering pictures digitally, Keyo, since I know you're very familiar with photoshop.

 

[mrose_s]

I think it looks great.
I'm really.. quite a crap drawer myself. All I can draw half well is sometimes horses, try as I might to tone and shade and draws curves,m bones and veins into their faces it just always lookes terrible. You have realy talent Keyodie

 

[keyodie]

Thanks guys... That makes me feel a lot better. *sigh*

Ok, why is he a jerk for being honest? Personally, I think you are over reacting. (my opinion of course). Did you ask his opinion? If so, you must learn to take it.

I've been asking for his opinion on stuff for quite a while... And he's a really good friend of mine. It just hurts when I think of myself as an artist for my whole life and then someone tells me that I should stop drawing.

I know how to take criticism, just not the whole "you should stop drawing" thing.

 

[mrose_s]

If he's a close friend, he shoudln't be saying things that could hurt you. common courtesy.
If its soemthing that means a lot to you then ofcourse it will hurt, I hate times when I feel stupid, I honeslty feel like my brain is the only thing going for me and when I can't understand things it really upsets me.

 

[iluvdogs]

I wouldn't notice no neck either, it does just look like her hair is covering it. Keep drawing

 

[Mindy Miller]

I think the drawing is really good. i think the no neck is fine. makes it look like she's scrunched up her shoulders which matches her emotion.

just throwing this out there. is it possible that you misread his comment? the internet is notorious for making things come out different than we mean them. maybe he intended that as a backwards compliment? i'm a really sarcastic/cynical person and lots of times, people take what i type in the wrong way. (i'm learning, though)

but if that's what he really meant, what a jerk! and i'm sorry he hurt your feelings.

 

[Melissa_W]

I think that is just mean, and not constructive at all! I really like the drawing, you should definitely keep doing it!

 

[keyodie]

I think the drawing is really good. i think the no neck is fine. makes it look like she's scrunched up her shoulders which matches her emotion.

just throwing this out there. is it possible that you misread his comment? the internet is notorious for making things come out different than we mean them. maybe he intended that as a backwards compliment? i'm a really sarcastic/cynical person and lots of times, people take what i type in the wrong way. (i'm learning, though)

but if that's what he really meant, what a jerk! and i'm sorry he hurt your feelings.

No, I'm sure. I don't think he would've said "no offense" otherwise. And while I was offline he said "sorry really sorry".

Anyway thanks everyone so much for the tips/compliments. I'll keep them in mind.

 

[GipsyQueen]

((Hugs)) I really like your drawing! Heck its much better than I could do anyday! I can't draw people for beans... Landscapes OK... but People and faces... oh no!