Since I think you deserve a comment.

There's a saying out there about everyone having 50 000 crappy pictures or so before you're satisfied with what you create. Many people never are. It's what keeps us looking to get better, you know?

Sometimes looking at your art next to other people's can be discouraging. I think that's one of the downsides of dA - there are so many great artists here that you can feel like you're a drop of sewer water in an otherwise gloriously clean fountain of talent. You look like shit in comparison and you don't matter at all. But it's not like that, really; because there's likely not one of them who can claim they weren't at the same level at some stage. Maybe it's earlier than you, maybe later - it really doesn't matter when you started, just that you learned.

You said earlier that you feel there isn't a point in it - well, no, there isn't. We do it to satisfy ourselves (in the better cases, at least) and have fun while showing what's in our heads, what we enjoy. Sometimes it's to teach people. You don't have to worry if no one else really likes what you're doing right now. That's the way it should be - and by that, I mean that you shouldn't draw things just to get the praise of others. There was a writer who once said that you should not ask for money for a piece, but wait until someone offers it. That tells you that it really is something they like and want, and you know that it's something you want, too.

So, view it as a learning experience. I'm sure the Big Cat Club didn't fav you in order to hurt your feelings. View it as a compliment and encouragement - I actually think your jaguar is pretty nice. Of course there are things that could be improved, but that goes for everyone, not just you. Nobody's perfect. You just do your thing and enjoy it, even if you look back at your pictures later and think, 'wow, that was crap.' Besides, that's a wonderful thing, because you know how much better you can do it now.

... in short, don't give up on things you enjoy just because you're not as good at them as other people. We learn to crawl before we can walk. If you give up, you never will be as good as them, neh? I hope this helps at least a little.

...

Also, thanks for the fav.

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_{One man's meat is another man's poison.}

Thanks for that; pep-talks are nice sometimes.

But, in this particular entry, I wasn't feeling too down about it, just a little embarrassed. I'm not going to stop drawing--maybe stop posting it here, but not stop drawing. I like my art, flawed as it is, and I like trying to improve.

...I just felt a little embarrassed that that picture looked so bad--all the wonky shadows and bizarre, lazy background--and then it got favourited next to a whole bunch of really nice pictures that people must have taken much more time on and put more work into...

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Watch Death Note Abridged at [link]

FOR I AM THE LORD!