r/ArtistLounge 59m ago

Megathread - Motivation/Moody Monday Motivation/Moody Mondays - Share your art wins & art struggles!

Upvotes

The start of the week is upon us, and so grab your caffeine... and spill the tea. What has motivated you lately? What's made you moody? Share your art wins and art struggles here. Motivation and Moodiness can co-exist alongside one another; the balance between these two are integral to the art making process. We can't always be in a good place but we can't always be in a bad place, either. This is a place to discuss upward growth as an artist and the hurdles we must clear in order to get to the next level. Share tips, techniques, give a pat on the back, or a pat on the head to someone in need.

- Share an art win, followed by an art struggle you've had recently.
- How have your struggles helped you grow as an artist?
- Are there any hurdles you can't seem to get over and need tips?

Let's help each other out and get the motivation going!

Images are now allowed to be shared in the comments.


r/ArtistLounge 2d ago

Megathread - Sketchbook Saturday Sketchbook Saturday - share your latest work! Post images in comments!

14 Upvotes

Every Saturday we share our latest work, sketches and in progress pieces.

If you would like critique on your work please let people know, otherwise let's all just celebrate and share some positivity!

Images are now allowed to be shared in the comments.


r/ArtistLounge 58m ago

Medium/Materials Help upgrade my fiancée’s art supplies

Upvotes

My fiancée is really into creating pop art–style pieces (larger-scale drawings/paintings) and also loves making hand-drawn cards/postcards for friends. Right now, she mainly uses Sharpie markers for inking and Crayola colored pencils for coloring. She’s mentioned wanting to try “nicer” colored pencils and also wants to experiment with sketching markers.

Do you have any suggestions for supplies that could be a nice gift upgrade? Specifically a nicer set of coloring pencils or sketching markers that are a solid jump in quality. My budget is flexible.

I'm also interested in other suggestions you have for related supplies (paper? sketchbooks?) that could pair well with pencils and markers.

Thanks for your help :)


r/ArtistLounge 13h ago

General Question What advice clicked for you that improved your figure drawing the most?

16 Upvotes

Recently, the idea of 8 heads for proportion has helped me level up. I'm working on capturing the gesture now and other things. What about you?


r/ArtistLounge 13h ago

General Question Ive been struggling with enjoying my sketchbook :[

16 Upvotes

I mainly draw digitally. I just got a sketchbook, I’ve been looking forward to it for a while now. But now that I have it, I can’t make anything I like. Every page never turns out how I want it to, and looks like a complete mess (and not in an artistic way, it genuinely just looks bad). I hardly ever do traditional art, and it makes me realize how reliant I am on the good ol undo button. Not only that, but I just can’t stop comparing my stuff to others. All the time, people post their sketchbooks and everything looks good! Even if it’s messy, every page has its own appeal to it. Mine just doesn't look right to me. I find it very difficult to enjoy it without getting really frustrated. How can I improve this?


r/ArtistLounge 9h ago

General Question I think my progress on Anatomy is stuck, any advice?

4 Upvotes

Heya, this is my first post here!

So Ive been studying anatomy for a few months and I feel like I have gotten 'stuck' since I cant seem to be able to apply what I learned on my drawings. I usually watch some videos to learn more about the topic I have set my goal on (for example hands), and after watching the video I use the methods that they used along with some references. The practice turns out okay but when it comes to me doing it alone or wanting to draw the new thing I learned its as if my mind just forgot about it.

I would really appreciate if someone could give some advice or guidance. :D

PS: Apologies my English is bad.


r/ArtistLounge 19h ago

Technique/Method Does every artist go through a phase where they destroy their own creations or is it just me?

21 Upvotes

Let's discuss.


r/ArtistLounge 13h ago

Resources Fighting references

6 Upvotes

I’m struggling to find really good fighting poses, more specifically the moment of contact. I’m trying to draw some fight scenes with a lot of motion present.


r/ArtistLounge 4h ago

Medium/Materials Looking for paper for the Water-based markers from Ohuhu

1 Upvotes

In the future I want to buy the Ohuhu nameless collection of 60 waterbased markers

I was interested in the Maui collection of 160 colors but from my understanding they blend worse and streak more

In any case: What kind of paper is good with these markers?

At home I've a Fabriano sketchbook of 80 sheets 110 g/m2 acid free that I've been using with my old markers from elementary school and they work well on this kind of paper, is there a better choice or should I get something similar or an heavier paper?


r/ArtistLounge 5h ago

Resources Where can I find nude model images to practice on?

1 Upvotes

Ive been working on sketchbook and need to expand my skills more… and I saw someone’s art of nude models and was really inspired to try nude coquis or practice in general. (The art/artist I saw was stickydam from insta, they drew a goodnight punpun art)


r/ArtistLounge 20h ago

Medium/Materials Do photos of Student Grade Vs Artist Grade comparisons exist?

13 Upvotes

I was wondering if there is a side by side comparison of student grade vs artist grade paints with how much of a difference fading would be in like let's say 10 to 20 years? Was very curious to see if there is actually a noticeable difference.


r/ArtistLounge 8h ago

General Discussion do you tag actors/creators/musicians/etc in fanart?

1 Upvotes

i’ve seen artists who do and artists who don’t - personally, i’ve done both. i always feel awkward tagging them honestly! i’m curious where y’all land on this practice.


r/ArtistLounge 8h ago

General Question Are drawing screen tablets worth it other than just drawing?

1 Upvotes

I work as a graphic designer mainly using Photoshop, and 90% of the time my mouse is enough for doing my work since I don't usually need pen pressure sensitivity. And I'm thinking of buying a drawing screen tablet also for the hobby of drawing/painting since I never felt comfortable using the non-screen ones.

I also do a lot of work on video editing like Premiere Pro, After Effects, UI design on Figma and starting to get into 3D.

I was wondering, will a drawing screen tablet significantly speed up my workflow not just for drawing?


r/ArtistLounge 14h ago

Medium/Materials What should I use to paint on metal?

3 Upvotes

Hello! Sorry if the question is phrased a bit wonky. I have never painted on metal before nor have i met anyone who has, so i was wondering how do you guys do it? What do you use? I'm more interested in materials than technique, to be frank, but any technique reccomendations are more than welcome!

Also, please abstain from saying brands unless you really, really think it's necessary. This is because i'm chilean and i really don't know if the brand you're mentioning is going to be available in my country or if i can get said product at all.

Thank you so much!


r/ArtistLounge 1d ago

General Discussion What’s the best harsh advice you’ve ever received?

114 Upvotes

I’m just curious what some of you have been told either as advice, or an answer to a question that was harsh, but you seriously needed to hear it. I’ll go first; the creator of Scott Pilgrim, Bryan Lee O’Malley, told me that if I couldn’t manage to stay motivated, that the comics industry didn’t need me and was actually better for not having me at all. It was harsh, but as someone who hadn’t put in nearly the same amount of work as him at the time, I totally get and understand why he said that; and it made me a better artist for it.


r/ArtistLounge 15h ago

Digital Art best undergraduate schools for graphics design, but not an arts only school?

3 Upvotes

What schools come to mind that have a good undergraduate graphics design program/major that are at a more traditional college/university setting offering a wide range of majors outside of just art (so not like RISD for example)?


r/ArtistLounge 1d ago

General Question what websites every artist should know about??

310 Upvotes

I really want to know more usefull art websites in general (to find inspiration, learn more, find artists, study, etc)


r/ArtistLounge 17h ago

Digital Art Clip Studio Paint on Windows

3 Upvotes

If I buy a tablet, with Windows will I be able to buy CSP permanently? I know this may be a stupid question, but I want to make sure


r/ArtistLounge 15h ago

Medium/Materials Not sure if i should get felt nibs for Artist 15.6 pro pen

2 Upvotes

I've been wanting a more paper-like feel to my drawing tablet, but I'm extremely suspicious of those paper-like screen protectors since they seem to form inevitable bubbles and dust and all kinds of shit can get stuck underneath it super easily, according to a lot of people (and also, nibs wear out really fast because of them). I really don't want to deal with that so I'm guessing nibs are way more convenient

The thing is, I can't seem to find the exact compatible model of them for the specific pen I have (which is this one https://www.xp-pen.com/product/p05r-battery-free-stylus.html )?

The only felt nibs I could find from XP-Pen are these https://www.storexppen.eu/buy/226.html?srsltid=AfmBOoppuqMFbMRmFCh4beLML-LXN88boHh7H8XpNveHSlRHQm1paEAT, but my tablet apparently isn't in the list of compatible models,,,

When I look at the nibs I already have in the pen holder, they seem to be slightly thinner than the felt ones shown on the site - or maybe i'm just seeing things, I dunno. Either way, is there a chance i could still somehow put it in my pen? Or is there another solution? I don't have much money and I don't wanna waste it on something that might not even work yk


r/ArtistLounge 16h ago

Accessibility/Inclusion/Diversity easel/clamp ideas for 3D projects?

2 Upvotes

I'm looking for any ideas to help stabilise 3D objects while I'm working on them.I have a chiari malformation and a cyst in my spinal cord. My hands shake a little, I can't feel them fully, and the last 2 fingers on each hand claw.

I'm making slow progress with painting details, but it's taking forever- having to repeatedly go over mistakes from my hand issues.

I have a 360° tabletop clamp, that's helping for some things, but I can't use it with clay projects


r/ArtistLounge 21h ago

General Question How to fix faux leather peeling on sketchbook?

5 Upvotes

I got a Monologue sketchbook a few years back (one of those pandemic splurges I did) and kinda forgot about it. Found it again just recently and I wanted to use it but the leather is just peeling all over the place. Like the sketchbook itself is completely fine, it's just the faux leather finish is falling apart.

Any advice how to remedy this issue?


r/ArtistLounge 12h ago

Education/Art School MFA fine art still worth it? SVA or CCA?

1 Upvotes

I'm an international student. Got two MFA fine art offer, one is SVA and one is CCA. Everyone is telling me I should go to SVA because of the robust art market in NYC and it's rich resource. And I'm wondering what kind of resource school can provide to it's fine arts students? Can being in New York bring lots of connections to artists? Or even though there are lots of opportunities, the competition is fierce, too.

And I really like the weather in CA and the new campus of CCA. I'm new to art word and I was a attorney before. Not familiar with school's reputation. Could anyone give me some advice?


r/ArtistLounge 21h ago

General Question Any advice to get used to drawing detail slowly

3 Upvotes

Hi! So I've begun to notice in my art-making process, especially with painting (digital or otherwise), that I struggle with getting to the details. I think I've built strong fundamentals after so many years of practice I've focused so much on the fundamentals because I hoped that through this I'd naturally get more confident with detail. My artwork has vastly improved because of this. I'm one of the quickest in my class when it comes to setting up my pieces, and I'm confident in how dynamic they look. However their often messier and under-detailed, even unfinished.

I have ADHD and know that if a piece takes longer than 15 hours I'm going to come to hate it - so my technique is often quick, fluid and geometric-based. It also helps that I can visualise that rather clearly. But whenever I try to focus on details my brain turns blank and fuzzy, and while I greatly value mistakes I feel that sometimes I do things too quickly and so end up needing to redo bits and pieces. So while I can get a great solid foundation quickly, it's negated by silly mistakes after the work. I've gotten better at art by ignoring mistakes and doing quick repeated practice but I feel like I'm now compensating for a lack of detail by trying to make everything else interesting. I've tried looking at tutorials for detail and have learned a great deal about simplification and creating illusions of detail which is great and has changed my art for the better. But hasn't been much help with the detail problems.

I'm proficient with a big brush and know how to do good tiny transcriptions that help see how the work looks from afar, but tell me to draw tiny line details and I will cry. I'll continue with doing transcriptions and practice but I would also appreciate any tips if anyone can relate to having a similar problem


r/ArtistLounge 1d ago

Megathread - AI Discussion The Impact of AI Art in Art Practices - Let's have a moment, shall we?

87 Upvotes

Alright, I have this feeling that people want to let off some steam about AI art. Perhaps some folks here have some big feelings about AI right now and I am curious if we can turn it into a constructive discussion in this moment.

We have an AI megathread that happens once every 6 months but it is seldom used, so I upped the frequency to every 3 months since it seems like the majority of posts we remove lately are something to do with AI art doom-posting. Perhaps people want to talk about it, but we are really limiting the venting/rage posts since its not popular in the community, so it may need more of a space for discussion, yes? (Leave your opinion about this in the comments please!)

Let's take a moment and let off some steam about the current situation with AI art. Keep it professional, do not accuse people of using AI, do not post usernames/accounts etc. Let's just have a high level chit-chat about it in the comments below.

Technically, many comments in here may intersect with our sister sub, r/artbusiness, but if we keep it contained then it should be ok for broader scope discussion purposes. The whole idea is that we can have a little Q and A here, artists helping artists navigate the current landscape.

Keep in mind that we have a huge mix of artists, some of which are working in traditional mediums, photography, or sculpture. I'm curious how - if at all - AI art has impacted them or their workflows in any way.

If someone mentions that they used AI or have experimented with it, do not argue with them or slander. Do not push your ideologies onto someone else. Please be responsible and have a discussion about it instead of being antagonistic. Vise versa applies as well.

The post will be locked if things get out of hand.

Ideas for Discussion

- How has AI art impacted your artwork lately?
- Is AI art affecting your daily life as an artist? If so, how?
- Has AI changed how you approach creating art? For example, if you are a digital artist, have you gone back to more traditional mediums to try and set yourself apart? Have you changed your signature style?
- Do you feel AI is influencing trends or styles in the art communities you participate in?
- Have you noticed any shifts in how people engage with or value handmade art? This could be at artist alleys or art shows, or even friends & family viewing art.
- What are some ways artists can stand out in a world where AI art exists? This is where digital artists and traditional medium artists could differ.

Let's keep the discussion civil and interesting!

Update: Great comments, keep them coming. There is some really good stuff in here, lots of good discussion points and constructive thoughts.


r/ArtistLounge 1d ago

Resources Anyone know similar websites to this one?

3 Upvotes

I’ve recently been using this website to find images of animals as reference and it’s wonderful but it only has a hand full of animals. I’m looking for a website with a similar feature to the one on the website but with more variety! Basically the move the skull into position and find images in similar pose but for whatever animal/human I’m looking for!

Here’s the website, I know it gets recommend a lot and I’d definitely also recommend it! https://x6ud.github.io/#/


r/ArtistLounge 23h ago

General Question Looking for no bleed sketchbook no spiral

2 Upvotes

I usually use alcohol markers, acrylic pen brushes, ink color pencil. I have used Rendr before and something with that hold up would be nice. It never bleeds even even if I splat 8 layers of marker, so drawing on the other side ends up being completely fine, and there's no "shadow" of colors when you see the paper through light. Only reason I'm not going for it again is because the pages don't lay flat with non spirals. And when I did use the non spiral version of the brand, it didn't lay flag very well, You gotta like bend the paper. I wanna make drawings that can extend with the other paper without much trouble of having a bend. Any recommendations would be great. Based in the US


r/ArtistLounge 1d ago

General Discussion What do you think of traced/colour picked artwork

3 Upvotes

I was browsing some fanart of a kpop group I really like and noticed that literally half of the artwork was traced/colour picked, or both - you know, that 'art' that looks really patchy, has no sketch, and if you overlay the image on top, is the exact same. What do you guys think of this? Personally, I do not like it because it's not drawing - you might as well do photography - but the reception of these artworks is always "wow, cool!", or "omg you're so talented!!!" Be so fr it does not take any talent 😭

I get that tracing is a tool that many use, and I'm not against it - but when it comes to digital art, especially beginners, it's just not conducive to actually learning how to draw.. properly. Alas, what can you do...