I am sure a lot of people have read articles similar to this, but this is really aggravating me on here.

I am not trying to be a dA Drama Queen, which half the people on here seem to call each other now a day. Which is flat out disrespectful. If you don't want to hear them talk about it, DON'T READ IT. Period.

Not to the point.

What is Deviantart.com really about anymore? People on here are so rude to each other, whether it is because one artist, isn't perfect. Or when one person turns to their friends that are on here to listen, just to get called over-dramatic or told they are over reacting.

I came to Deviantart for the community, and of course the art. But the only reason i am here for art is to admire, and to improve. To me deviantart provides great friends, great inspiration, and a good opportunity to improve.

Another thing is. Are people here just to get popular? Can i ask you all something? Do you write what you want to write about? Do you draw what YOU want to draw? Or do you draw and write these things because you know people will flock to your page over them.

Deviantart was one of the better artist community sites, but now all i ever read about, and i bet you guys do to, is about how people are leaving dA and joining some other site, and half of them have good reason.

My advice to people who have a lot of drama on their hands is to JUST IGNORE IT. Honestly. I'm sixteen, i still have all the high school drama, all the work drama, family drama, dA drama. But do i let it get to me? Rarely. I can understand if it's something huge, but if you are making a huge deal out of how someone gave you a bad critique or about how your watchers don't comment or fave you enough. Then maybe you shouldn't be here. Because whining gets you nowhere, and beggars can never be choosers.

Another huge thing i am noticing now, ART THEFT. The golden disappointment, and biggest threat on here anymore. Tracing someone elses art work, OR EVER POSTING THEIR PICTURE AS YOUR OWN, (without permission or credit given) Is indeed, art theft people. I do not mind seeing people who use reference images from here or google, with permission granted, but i know a lot of people who say, tracing is not art, (which i will get into later) or, You looked at a reference, so this is not your artwork. Without reference pictures, not a single artist of realism, or even most cartoon work would be on here today. You would not have known what a dog was without seeing pictures, or a live one. YOU USED A REFERENCE. You did not know what dragons were till you read about them in myths and saw them in movies. STILL REFERENCES. Inspiration, is caused by seeing a reference picture. You see a fire breathing dragon with curled horns and spikes down his back with tiny flightless wings, and you say, hey! I want to draw something like that, THAT REFERENCE JUST GAVE YOU THE INSPIRATION. Even if your picture is a purple magic dragon using some sort of magic staff attack with feathers and huge wings! You were inspired by someone elses work and still had the reference image in your head while you drew it, most guaranteed.

I am not criticizing anyone here. I am just saying, you yell at "amateur" artists on here because they looks at a source to draw, as long as they give credit, why does it matter? (unless they did not ask)

Flaming people is not the way to go with art theft. I mean sure, its fun, and helps get the anger out about it. Just go, leave a comment stating the problem, be nice about it, THEN if they refuse to listen to the rules. Report them and the image or anything of the sort.

A lot of you might read this and say, "Deviantarts staff doesn't give a damn! They just want the site to look good!". But hey guys, if you had MILLIONS of reports to file through AN HOUR, how would you like to sit there and get insulted like that, I mean sure, some of you may get thousands of messages that you have to sort through, but even i, a not so popular artist, get about 5,000 messages a day, (journals, deviations, comments, faves, replies, news articles, all that put together etc.) But i still have no problem with it, it is easier for some people than others. When you flame them, and send hundreds of people to report them, it takes longer! Because then the staff still has to go through and read every message you send! I myself have dealt with dozens of art thefts already, and haven't even been here a full year yet. Do i whine about it? Do i tell my watchers, oh so-and-so did this, go report them! No. I handle it maturely and pray that the deviantart staff will take care of it properly.

So ask yourself, What is Deviantart really about anymore.

Do people come on here because they want to show off? Or do even these good artists, FANTASTIC ones, at that. Come one here to make friends, and communicate with people.

Or do people only come on here for the attention, stealing peoples works, claiming them as their own, Drawing what will make them popular, lying about stuff for attention.

Or are there still a few decent people here for the fun of it, not to complain, not to steal, just to admire and network.


I joined deviantart because i wanted the experience. The comments, the favorites, the watchers, i love them all, BUT they are NOT what i am here for. Having these people here to thank me, to talk to, to admire my own works, makes me happy, and brings loads of joy, but i care about more important things than that.

Now onto the tracing is or is not art topic. I myself was a tracer at one point. I used to go to the library and get the HOW TO DRAW SO-AND-SO books, and trace the anatomy lines, and trace the final image, but did i call the work my own? No. I traced it. In fact i rarely ever showed them to people. I traced to improve my knowledge of anatomy, to the the hang of drawing certain things, to get used to the flow of art. I haven't traced anything other than my own works (as in lining them, etc.) since i was about 8. But if i had not done that. I do not think i would have gone anywhere. I would have stayed drawing those HUGE headed dogs with the 200ft long tails, and 500ft long necks and legs etc, references help some people, but not all. Now, in all honesty, i cant even trace my own work half the time, my hands are so shaky, no lie, i give a lot of my pencil works to my younger cousin, because she has a steady hand. And i am not ashamed to say that.

As for the dA drama queen finger pointers. If it is not something you want to deal with, Ignore the journal they post, ignore the vent arts, ignore the rants. You are not FORCED to read these things, and pointing fingers at them calling them names, usually ends bad for you. It is extremely disrespectful, a lot of people who are called drama queens on here actually have really good friends here as well, that WANT to read about their days, how bad they were, who want to help with money and family problems, WHO WANT TO BE THERE FOR THEIR FRIENDS! You don't have to read the vent journals. You don't have to point fingers either. I may come off as a ('scuse my language) Bitch for saying all this. But in all honesty? If a 16 year old girl, has to tell you to grow up, when you are like 20 some odd years old, then there is a problem.

And people, come on now. If you draw bears really good, and love the species, and they are your favorite thing to draw? Don't draw wolves/disney fan art/anime fan art, just because it will get you page views. Draw what your drawing because you like to draw it. Or because you want to improve on drawing that particular thing. Popularity isn't anything people. And it sure a heck is not everything.

Just a few more things to pick at people.

In my 9months or so of being on here, i have heard/seen a lot of people putting down others work, telling them to leave the site because they are not good enough for it, because they don't post enough, or what people want to see. People come to deviantart to network, or so they should. For those of you telling someone to leave because they are not good enough, what does it really matter to you? Don't look at their work or something, the last thing you should EVER do is flame them.


This was not supposed to be so long, sorry for those of you who read it ^^

Thank you for listening! Be sure to tell me you thoughts!

No flaming... please? XD