06-04-2014, 07:14 PM
Hmm I see, didn't know that you were already working so versatile in your studio job before, that kind of makes my advice redundant. Except for 'going back to studies from life/photo maybe, trying to grow your visual library in an attempt to find new or different ways of simplifying things, to hopefully find ways that make you more happy than your current art. You say you're not artsy enough for surreal or good enough for realism, even if that is not your end goal, I think some explorative practice it could still be worth the effort. You never know what you might take away from it (even if it's just a "ok that 'really' is no fun").
Concerning the edges, don't forget that every feedback is just a suggestion, and everybody enjoys a different style/level of realism. What might be too painterly for one might be too realistic for others. It's not always about right or wrong, especially at your skill level. No matter how good or professional someone is, there will always be a person who would prefer it softer, sharper, different. Same with the people telling you what to practice or to get out of your comfort zone (like me :p), take it as a suggestion or a reminder to not fall into a habit of mindless practice - but also keep in mind that nobody knows better than you do what exactly your study schedule or battle plan is. Most of the time it is just a note along the lines of "I see that you are doing a lot of subject matter x at the moment, don't forget to mix things up". In the end it is you who has to decide which route to take and which exercises feel most useful to you at which point. I feel like sticking to a subject until you grow bored of it or hit an unbreakable wall and then do something different, and come back later is a good way to go.
Also, you're not stupid, some things just take time to fall into place in the brain. Different people grasp different things quicker or slower, nobody can get everything at the same rate. I know very well how frustrating that is from my own problem areas though. Don't let this get you down though, just give your subconsccious mind the time to work through it.
It certainly is hard to get meaningful feedback at your skill level without a school environment with similar minded people ... I think it also matters where you post, CD seems like the right place to let off steam or spark a discussion, while I can see how dA or similar might get you offended reactions. Although it always depends on how you frame it, a in-deopth explanation like you posted is a huge difference to a generic "lol my art is shit" combined with a lovely (even if not perfect) portrait or so. Best way to get feedback is to ask specific questions I think, or say what you wanted to achieve with a painting or study. Not much sense to nitpick over a displaced hair if the aim was.. colors. Other than that, putting together a portfolio of a few selected pieces and asking people/individuals/professionals for a general critique (stating what you are aiming for) comes to mind. Do you have any real life art friends with similar goals, which you can discuss those things that bother you with (not meant as a mean question - I myself don't)? Could help, too, and less of a danger of being accused of attention whoring than online. Or a circle of online people you trust and can exchange thoughts and fears with, similar to what's happening in your SB right now. (I'll gladly listen to whatever is bugging you at any time, although someone closer to your level or better than you would probably be of more help, as they might have figured out how to deal with some of those things already).
The portrait is cute, the brownish colors you used this time around the eyes work well I think :)
Concerning the edges, don't forget that every feedback is just a suggestion, and everybody enjoys a different style/level of realism. What might be too painterly for one might be too realistic for others. It's not always about right or wrong, especially at your skill level. No matter how good or professional someone is, there will always be a person who would prefer it softer, sharper, different. Same with the people telling you what to practice or to get out of your comfort zone (like me :p), take it as a suggestion or a reminder to not fall into a habit of mindless practice - but also keep in mind that nobody knows better than you do what exactly your study schedule or battle plan is. Most of the time it is just a note along the lines of "I see that you are doing a lot of subject matter x at the moment, don't forget to mix things up". In the end it is you who has to decide which route to take and which exercises feel most useful to you at which point. I feel like sticking to a subject until you grow bored of it or hit an unbreakable wall and then do something different, and come back later is a good way to go.
Also, you're not stupid, some things just take time to fall into place in the brain. Different people grasp different things quicker or slower, nobody can get everything at the same rate. I know very well how frustrating that is from my own problem areas though. Don't let this get you down though, just give your subconsccious mind the time to work through it.
It certainly is hard to get meaningful feedback at your skill level without a school environment with similar minded people ... I think it also matters where you post, CD seems like the right place to let off steam or spark a discussion, while I can see how dA or similar might get you offended reactions. Although it always depends on how you frame it, a in-deopth explanation like you posted is a huge difference to a generic "lol my art is shit" combined with a lovely (even if not perfect) portrait or so. Best way to get feedback is to ask specific questions I think, or say what you wanted to achieve with a painting or study. Not much sense to nitpick over a displaced hair if the aim was.. colors. Other than that, putting together a portfolio of a few selected pieces and asking people/individuals/professionals for a general critique (stating what you are aiming for) comes to mind. Do you have any real life art friends with similar goals, which you can discuss those things that bother you with (not meant as a mean question - I myself don't)? Could help, too, and less of a danger of being accused of attention whoring than online. Or a circle of online people you trust and can exchange thoughts and fears with, similar to what's happening in your SB right now. (I'll gladly listen to whatever is bugging you at any time, although someone closer to your level or better than you would probably be of more help, as they might have figured out how to deal with some of those things already).
The portrait is cute, the brownish colors you used this time around the eyes work well I think :)