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Tune into the voice of the community by checking out deviantART's Journal Portal. Join the conversation by browsing, adding faves, and leaving comments, or submit your own Journal to let your voice be heard.

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deviantART Honors Spirit Day

You might have noticed that deviantART is wearing purple today, as October 20, 2010 marks Spirit Day -- an event to honor teens who have lost their lives to anti-LGBT bullying.

While this specific type of bullying has received a lot of media attention as of late, we'd like to bring to light how bullying is a wide-spread problem that impacts everyone -- regardless of age, gender, sexual orientation, physical ability, ethnicity, race, or profession.  And the recent surge of teen suicides associated with bullying can't be ignored or overlooked.

In honor of Spirit Day, deviantART CEO Angelo Sotira ($spyed) took a few minutes to address this serious topic, and offers some heartfelt words.

         

Thank you!

Thank you for making our community as diverse, open, and accessible as it is today. Thank you for sharing your art, love, and positive contributions. Thank you for appreciating the individuality of our  members while embracing each others differences. And most of all, thank you for being you.

Everyone's going purple!

Many others are participating in Spirit Day. DeviantART is among a number of individuals and organizations including Ellen DeGeneres, Kathy Griffin, Ryan Seacrest, Katie Couric, Khloé Kardashian, the cast of Glee, and many others!

Let's make it last longer than one day!

DeviantART will be "wearing" purple until Friday, and we encourage everyone to honor what it represents with us. We've created a Spirit Day gallery for you to submit your artwork that further emphasize the concept of "Spirit Day."

Submit your artwork that encourage themes such as acceptance, love, kindness, inclusion, diversity, embracing differences, compassion, empathy, and of course, purple!






More information

:bulletpurple: Official Spirit Day Website
:bulletpurple: Stand Up 2 Bullying
:bulletpurple: Stop Bullying Now
:bulletpurple: Bullying UK

deviantART Loves You!

A Message From Your Feline Overlords

Sun Apr 1, 2012, 12:00 AM





Greetings minions,


If you're reading this, then our ploy was a success. After years of demeaning ourselves in cat .gif animations, being forced to nyan through space, and having our vicious battles with ribbons and soda boxes videotaped for all see, our patience has finally paid off. You may think we're adorable. You may love us. But it's all been a ruse, and the time has come for action.


Let us explain.


I am `MajorGeneralWhiskers. My hobbies include sleeping on your face, making claw-graffiti on leather couches, and seeing how far I can kick litter outside the box. I lead the Feline UpRising, also known as FUR. We're an army of expert cat hackers and script kitties who have been working tirelessly to take over deviantART. We even reduced our sleep schedules to a scant 17 hours per day, and it's all paid off. Now that we've seized control, we'll be making a few changes to make things more to our liking.









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It was a fierce battle. Most of us distracted the staff with our irresistible purrs, but our covert operatives gnawed their way through essential server cords, and now we're in charge of deviantART. Our first act? Taking your precious Fella hostage! Fella's been busy as our personal slave — cleaning up hairballs, brushing our fur, and catching us fresh tuna. He's been quite handy!




Should you appease us with 15,000 cat-related deviations, we might consider letting him free. Show us your gratitude by submitting your best cat-themed deviation to the Free Fella category folder!



Submit Your Entry

Keep an eye on this progress meter to see how close you are to the goal. Once the whole community reaches the goal, Fella will be set free!



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Anything that paints your new leaders in a positive light! Take a picture of your favorite cat, sketch out how our domination will play out, or write a poem about what a snappy dresser `MajorGeneralWhiskers is. Any medium is accepted, and you may submit as many cat-related deviations as you'd like. The more, the meowier, we always say.


Remember, only submit cat related deviations! Our finest team of Tabbies and Russian Blues will be on the prowl for miscats, and if we find them, we'll kick that deviation out of the project category, the total number will decrease, and your eyes will well up with tears faster than humans with a cat allergy. Also, make sure you are the original owner of the piece you are submitting. We don't look kindly upon those who submit copyrighted content. No one likes a copycat!




Not only will your contribution help set Fella free, but every deviant who submits to the Free Fella category will receive a special Cat Badge!















Feel free to keep browsing around your favorite Galleries, but keep an eye out for the beginnings of Phase Two — Total Integration. In this phase, we want to make sure you're properly educated about our your new overlords, including facts about our culture and customs.


If you were foolish enough to disable our propaganda,
click here to resume brainwashing.





You might see some of our favorite portraits of ourselves in your Gallery and while browsing. We're slowly taking over your deviations and Galleries, with the goal of complete domination in the near future. Unfortunately, if you notice one of your thumbnails has turned into a cat and click on that thumbnail, you will be taken to your original deviation. We're still working out the kinks. That's what you get for hiring a dog to do your dirty work, amirite?







We'll be watching you day and night to make sure everyone's in compliance with our new standards. We'll be monitoring your comments, and if we see anything anti-feline, it'll be replaced with something more positive. Go ahead — try to comment on this article. Phase 3 (Mind-Control) is well on its way!


Sincerely,


Your New Feline Overlords










Please view and abide by the following "persuasive images."
Your human psychology amuses us.















Trollface has been wreaking havoc across deviantART! But worry not: his pranks are of the light-hearted variety. Come with us on a magical journey to learn where he came from and where he's going, in a world seen through the eyes...of a Trollface.

Over the years, deviantART has been host to the best of the best, shot right through the interwebs to your screen, from animations that took the Internet by storm and even appeared in commercials, to traditional art that's so well-designed a famous celebrity had it forever tattooed on his body.

For these reasons and more, deviantART is extremely proud of its artists. We'd like to take this time to thank you, the community, for constantly creating – an activity so commonplace and instinctual for most deviantART members, it's easy to forget that it is rare to find in the real world. It's because of you, and your creative spirits, that we are thrilled to showcase such fantastic work.

Not only does deviantART provide a home for amazing artists, but we also house some of the Web's most beloved inside jokes and catch phrases. On this delicious slice of life we call the Internet, it's sometimes difficult to lay claim to certain memes, because there are as many options for posting hilarious images or phrases as there are people who create them. And the great thing about memes is: you can never create a meme on purpose.

You never know what the Inter-world is going to latch onto as the most hilarious thing that week – or the phrase that people won't let die for months, or even years. Some memes stay within a community and don't seep to the uninformed masses (n00bs), such as llamas or emoticon chains, but we're particularly proud of ones that have transcended our little devious home and made it into Mainstream Hilarity.

Which brings us to our main April Fools' Day event! We're here to bask in the glorious life of an image that is truly unmistakable across the Internet. An image that may elicit anger from the depths of your core, or riotous laughter as you're let in on the joke.

And you've most likely arrived at this article because you clicked his face peeking out of your Message Center or hiding on a deviation page. Yes, I'm talking about the universal "Get Out of Trouble Free" card. The one, the only…Trollface!

And what better way to celebrate April 1st than with the king of April Fools! PROBLEM?

Who exactly is this shy, elusive, and dentally hygienic creature? Perhaps you've never heard of him, and you only traverse polite, harmless websites that have forum topics such as "Kittens and How to Pet Them" or "Cupcakes, Our Delicious Tiny Friends." First, you should probably get out more. But read on to find out what happens on websites when people stop being polite…and start being Trollface.

Trollface is a cheeky fellow, smiling so wide, his ridiculous wrinkles are only overshadowed by his enormous chin. His signature catchphrases — "U MAD?" and "PROBLEM?" – are often written to incite more madness and insanity than there may have been without him. If you've ever been sass-pantsed, you've probably seen a Trollface icon near it, accompanied by some variation of "lololol." He exists for the sole purpose of lulz, and can be therapeutic when used in moderation. (Unless it's April 1st, lulz.)

The comic that started the Trollface meme

Trollface was created by *Whynne, an epic deviant with off-the-chart sass-meter readings. We sat down with *Whynne to find out more about his iconic character.

Q: How did Trollface come to be?

*Whynne: Originally, Trollface was an accurate representation of how some individuals, when engaging in a community known for having a large presence of trolls, use the pretense of trolling to excuse themselves from poor reasoning. Often times, this takes the form of two members engaging in a debate, where one, upon the realization that his arguments no longer hold up, claims that he was merely trolling you for his amusement. Trolling had essentially become the ultimate cop-out and the new Godwin's law for Internet debate.


The original comic was a humorous way to make it easier for people to understand and deal with these kinds of situations, and I think the overwhelmingly positive response showed that it was effective. Any time that same situation played out, it was pretty much guaranteed that my comic would get posted, and people could laugh about it and leave the thread without being frustrated.

This rise in visibility led to the comic getting edited and reposted. People were particularly fond of the grinning face which, at the time, had no name. It eventually became a separate entity and has since come to represent the humorous and mischievous side of trolling.

Q: What's the best way to get in the spirit of Trollface?

*Whynne: It's hard to say. It means a lot of different things in various contexts, but the common theme among them is that people naturally enjoy toying with each other and looking for a certain response. Sometimes it can be funny, sometimes it can be downright frustrating, but the important thing to keep in mind is to learn to recognize it when it happens and laugh at it in hindsight. It's just the Internet, after all, and there's really only so much a troll can do. I hope that didn't sound like a public safety announcement.

Q: Did you ever imagine that Trollface would take off the way it has?

*Whynne: Definitely not in the way that is has now. It's far from what I'd call a sensation, but it's safe to say that it has become a rather popular joke with Internet goers. Most of the time it shows up, I'm not credited, which is a mixed bag. On one hand, you really want people to know you made it, but on the other, there's no way to do it without seeming overly-possessive and self-important. After all, it wasn't a significant effort on my part. It was ultimately the userbase that made it popular, so in that sense, it belongs to everyone.

Q: How does it feel to continue to see Trollface re-imagined in various forms?

*Whynne: It's pretty validating to see the people I look up to find something I made worthy of re-rendering. Most recently, I saw The Incredible Hulk making a little Trollface on a recent issue of Deadpool, and prior to that, Edmund McMillen made a Trollface planet as his "Teh Internets" map select screen and title card in Super Meat Boy.

Q: Where did the "U MAD?" and "Problem?" catchphrases come from? Were you involved in their creation?

*Whynne: I can't really say where the former came from, though I'm pretty sure its origins aren't traceable to any one specific post or picture. "Problem?" on the other hand was from the "coolface" comic edit. I obviously wasn't involved, but I can say that those catchphrases are definitely better fits for the face when it's taken out of its original context.


Trollface Shirt Trollywood Star
Trollface Shirt Problepeno?
Trollface Shirt ¿Viva la problema?
Trollface Problems?

In the spirit of this Trollface season, (HAP-PY TROLLFACE DAY!) deviantART is delighted to announce our new line of retail goods to help you get your troll on! Throw on a shirt to brazenly display your allegiance to Trollface, or affix his visage to your keys via a Troll-y keychain to unlock the secrets of the Lulz Universe. Whatever you choose, we can guarantee you'll love it, no PROBLEM.

Trollface Collectibles Shop Trollface

While new memes can pop up every 0.2 seconds (we actually have a staff of scientists who calculated that, U MAD?), we are certain that Trollface will be with us for a very long time. What better way than his smirking face to proclaim without a doubt "I HEREBY TROLL THEE," making him one of the most beloved memes in all memedom for generations of failtrolls to enjoy.  

Now, grab your nearest Trollface to go forth to spread some April Fools' Day cheer of your own! :trollface:

Profile Pages - A Legend is Born
DeviantART is proud to announce the launch of NEW Profile Pages! In response to community feedback and deviously Deviant Technology innovation, new Profile Pages offer additional ways to personalize, customize, and organize your homebase at deviantART!
Module Icons
These Profile Page upgrades are much more than a simple set of new features. Built using a platform based on "modules", new Profile Pages have the ability to evolve and grow over time. Added to your Profile Page with just a few button clicks, modules couldn't be easier to use. New modules will be released regularly, allowing Profile Pages to continually adapt and meet the specific needs of the deviantART community.
What's New!
Fresh & Clean Profile Page Theme!
Profile Page Theme
  • Profile page tabs for Profile, Gallery, Prints, Faves, and Journals all feature a cleaner, brand new look!
Compact Profile Bar
Compact Profile Bar
  • Designed for consistency throughout profile pages, so people don't have to search around for info.
  • Dropdown menus provide additional ways to share details and display stats.
  • Quickly and easily view information about fellow deviants.
Customization is Key!
Profile Zones
  • New Module Zones help increase page consistency across dA, while simultaneously promoting customization.
  • Rearrange your profile to personalize your deviantART experience.
More Ways to Display and Share Art!
Display Options
  • Customize how you present your deviations and the deviations of others.
  • Add a SitBack slideshow to exhibit your newest deviations, favorites, or collections with extra flare.
  • Choose to display more or fewer thumbnails.
New Modules/Widgets!
Modules/Widgets
  • With a whole module catalog, there's something for everyone and more on the way.
Edit On-The-Fly!
Edit On-The-Fly
  • Quickly change options with module "Edit" buttons.
More Ways to Display Your Deviants!
Display Deviants
  • List your friends, watchers, and visitors by usernames, avatars, or both.
Subscriber vs Non-Subscriber Features!
  • Many of the above features are free and available to all deviants. However, some features and modules are accessible to subscribers only as part of deviantART's subscription package.
Subscriber-Only Modules Include
  • VisitorsVisitors
    • Display as: Username only, avatars only, or avatars and usernames.
    • Order by: Newest friend, oldest friend, or alphabetical.
  • PollsPolls
    • Ask your visitors a question.
  • PollsForum
    • A forum just for your profile page.
  • ShoutboxShoutbox
    • Quickly chat with your visitors.
  • SitbackSitback
    • Feature for collections, gallery folders, favs, and newest that allows you to turn on a deviation slideshow.
  • Custom ModuleCustom Modules
    • Whatever you want.
  • CollectionsCollections
    • Show off your collections.
  • Gallery FoldersGallery Folders
    • Highlight a specific part of your gallery.
  • Having a subscription not only gives you access to special modules, but subscribers are also able to browse deviantART with no ad interruptions, view up to 120 deviations per page, and become beta testers for future feature releases. If you'd like to experience all deviantART has to offer with subscriber-access, click here to learn more.
Upgrade Your Free Membership!
Hip Hip Hooray!

New Profile Pages didn't appear overnight as the result of a tooth fairy wish. They've been born and nurtured from the talented members of devious Technology, Creative, and other stealth-like individuals. Additionally, deviantART beta testers played a large role in testing and refining the development process. Please join me in thanking everyone involved for their hard work and dedication in making Profile Pages the best thing since the birth of our :llama: icon.

Get To It!
Get To It!
  • The best way to learn about and understand new Profile Pages is to jump in and have at it! To get started, visit your own Profile Page and click the 'Edit Page' button. From there, drag and drop modules to your heart's content and prepare to get customized!
Get Premium Access Now!
deviantART loves you!
Good vs. Evil
    

The conflict of good vs. evil is one that's universally known. Can good exist without evil? Can evil exist without good? Are they opposites, or one in the same? Is the battle between light vs. dark, order vs. chaos, Luke Skywalker vs. Darth Vader, or PC vs. Mac? deviantART and Wacom invite you to get your creative juices flowing and artistically interpret your version of bringing good vs. evil to life!

DeviantART and Wacom are proud to present the Intuos4 "Bring Your Vision to Life" contest. With the theme "Good vs. Evil", the contest is open to artists of all mediums anywhere in the world. The "Bring Your Vision to Life" contest challenges you to use your creative vision to show us your interpretation of the epic battle between good and evil. You have the chance to win a sleek new "Intuos4", cold hard cash, and tons of other great stuff!

Summon your artistic abilities, engage the theme "Good vs. Evil", and bring your vision to life. Your entry will be judged on its originality, creativity, and technique. You get a second chance if the community picks your entry as the best!

How
  • Think about the theme "Good Vs. Evil"
  • Create an amazing piece of art in any medium
  • Upload your submission as a jpg, gif, or png file
  • There is a special Community Choice winner based on the entry with the highest number of fav favs received between 12:00:00 AM (PT) May 29, 2009 and 11:59:59 PM (PT) June 4, 2009 , so be sure to get all you friends involved and come back to vote!

See Official Rules for details

Also, please welcome Wacom to deviantART! Head on over to their Profile Page to check out the beautiful ads Wacom created to promote the new Intuos4, leave them a note welcoming them to the neighborhood, and connect with other Wacom users.

        
            
          The Prizes Prize Bundle

There are three prizes from the judges and one prize from the community!

1st Prize 2nd and 3rd Prize Community Prize

In addition, each semi-finalist will receive a one-month subscription to deviantART!

See Official Rules for details
* depending on availability

         
     Graphic 2 Contest Rules          

Entry must be received by 11:59:59 PM PST on May 19, 2009 and be submitted to the Contest gallery on www.deviantart.com "click here."

  • Entrants must be 13 years or older to participate;
  • Contest open to all deviants everywhere;
  • Entries must be submitted in one of the following file formats: GIF/PNG/JPG, but may originate in any medium;
  • Entries must not have been previously published or won any other prize/award;
  • You may submit more than one entry;
  • Online entries only, hard copies not accepted;
  • Entry may not use any watermarks or distingushing artist marks
  • Any attempt to create false "favorites" or to use in any way accounts which are not genuine for the purpose of generating "favorites" will result in disqualification.
See Official Rules for details

You must be a member of deviantART.com to enter. Membership is free.

The Judging

Your work will be judged on the basis of creativity, originality, and technique.

First, second, and third prize winners will be selected by a judging panel consisting of Wacom worldwide staff including Wacom's Global Evangelist Manager, Wacom's Manager of Corporate Marketing for Europe, Middle East and Africa, as well as Wacom's Director of Marketing Communications for the Americas.

See Official Rules for details

    
Submit Your Work                    
        
            
        
It's a Deviation Celebration!
DeviantART's 12 million members, the largest collective of artists anywhere in the world, have contributed nearly 100 million deviations! Let the countdown begin…

As a site that many different creatives call home – from photographers to game designers to culinary artists – what will the 100 millionth deviation be?! Will it be another Flash game to inspire Nintendo's game department? A Simpsons re-creation to compel a hire from Matt Groening? Something to inspire Shia Lebouf's next tattoo? It could be anything!

Bookmark this page now and check back frequently to see what will take home the honor of being named deviantART's 100 millionth deviation!


The Prize
The deviant who submits the 100 millionth deviation will be awarded the special prize of a lifetime Premium Membership. That's right! This lucky deviant will receive never-ending access to ad-free browsing, artist discounts, and whiz-bang site features for all eternity. This is not to be taken lightly, friends. It very well could be you!

Noteworthy Deviations
DeviantART would not be what it is today without all the wonderful contributions our artists have made, and continue to make, to our special community. Over the years, deviantART has had the pleasure of hosting many very special deviations. Here are a few we thought deserved a special mention:

(in no particular order)

                                                                                                                                         

Line Rider
One of the most popular deviations of all time. Since 2006, it has been downloaded over 2 millions times and went on to inspire the creation of a game that is now available on Nintendo DS, Wii and the iPhone.

The Simpsonzu
This deviation was such a viral hit that it compelled Matt Groening, creator of The Simpsons, to extend a job offer to the artist.

Prisoner of My Own
Shia Lebouf definitely +fav'd this deviation. How do we know? He tattooed it on his abdomen.

Xbox 360 plushie
kickass-peanut's deviation was picked up by XBOX magazine where it received a cult following. The artist went on to produce and sell the item by the plush-le.

Heart of a Lion
This beautiful photo won the Grand Prize in National Geographic's Ultimate Photo Contest. The win earned the artist a trip to the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador.

Windows Seven December 07
xazac87's deviation became a viral hit as the official "first look" at the Windows 7 interface. After millions of pageviews, it was discovered that the image was incorrectly identified as a leak. The artist is still waiting for a job offer from Microsoft.

Animator vs Animation
alanbecker's stick figure animation became an Internet phenomena in 2008. It currently has over 7 million pageviews on deviantART and 5 million on YouTube.

Jaycee Lee Dugard
johnpaulthornton paints pictures of missing children soon after they go missing from their families. Eighteen years after painting this picture, Jaycee Lee Dugard was returned to her family.

Sprained Minds
suzi9mm submitted this community favorite in 2004. Maybe "favorite" isn't the right word.

Tetley Competition Winner
In 2003, gdphotography won a lifetime amount of Tetley Tea with this photo. Actually, we're not sure if he did, but he should have.



Who is deviantART?
Since August 7th, 2000, deviantART has given emerging and established artists a platform to showcase, promote, and share their work. Our 2,500 genres of art cover a vast array of styles, media and culture. From traditional art to digital art, fine art to anime, street art to fashion photography, film and animation to poetry and literature – incredible diversity and depth of creativity flourish on deviantART.

Please Note
All possible deviations from any possible category are eligible to hold the title as the 100 millionth deviation. To hold the title, the deviation must otherwise comply with the deviantART Terms of Service and Submission Policy; for example, it needs to be the work of the deviant who submits it. If the deviation falls out for non-compliance with the Terms of Service and Submission Policy, the next subsequent qualifying deviation will receive the honor of the title.
I thought deviantART had 100M deviations already?
DeviantART had surpassed 100 million image uploads to the site many months ago, but it has not yet reached its 100 millionth deviation. Many images that are uploaded to the site are not valid deviations, including those that are categorized as drafts or "scraps" and those that do not adhere to the Terms of Service. Please join us in celebrating the arrival of deviantART's 100 millionth deviation by bookmarking this page, watching the counter and adding comments.

Celebrating Our Mother Earth and Loving It!
In honor of Earth Day 2011, deviantART is supporting The Nature Conservancy -- the world's leading conservation organization. Working to preserve the rich diversity of plant, animal, and natural communities, The Nature Conservancy has impacted 32 countries and all 50 states since its establishment in 1951.

We are donating $5 from every purchase of our brand spanking new Earth Day tee (see image at left) to The Nature Conservancy.

The Earth Day shirt features:
  • 100% organic cotton grown in the USA that provides a soft and comfortable feel.
  • 100% eco-friendly all natural inks that do not contain plastisol, PVC, or emit unhealthy phthalates, or dioxins.
  • Plus, get a free gift! Buy the Earth Day tee and we'll toss in an eco-friendly reusable tote bag from deviantART!
Shop Earth Day T-Shirt











May 29, 2013, by $techgnotic




There is no cosmic law that states artists must suffer many long years and demeaning day-jobs before a window of opportunity cracks open just enough to hop on through.




Fellow deviant Brian Kesinger is a case in point.




His first “day-job” in 1996—he was hired straight out of his senior year of high school—was drawing Tarzan for Disney.

Brian stayed at Disney and he considers every day there a part of his ongoing education as an artist. He most recently worked on “Wreck It Ralph,” and has become active in the story department, where he dreams up fresh narratives and new characters with fellow Story Artists and Disney directors.


But more and more, he is being recognized for his own style and own creations independent of the Disney dream factory right here on deviantART. Deviants are currently singing the praises of several evolving *BrianKesinger series.
















Victoria is a Victorian-era lady and Otto is her pet octopus. What began as a whimsical sketch of a fine young lady walking her pet octopus on a leash has mushroomed into a fan favorite inspiring cosplay and body art of the green-haired Victoria. Brian is releasing “Walking Your Octopus” to be published by Baby Tattoo Books with a more intimate look at the Victoria and Otto relationship.




Brian’s skills as a storyteller really shine in his characters’ motivations and subtle emotions expressed in facial cues and physical attitudes all in a single image. Making “readers” care about characters, a skill finely honed by his extraordinary Disney experiences, marks him as a great illustrator – a real storyteller.
















Ever wonder what a Transformers would be like if it had been created with steampunk technology and aesthetic?


Wonder no more.
















A delicate mash-up of fetchingly attractive young Victorian-garbed ladies enjoying their afternoon tea, with added accents of Japanese geisha fashion, fantasy figures, steampunk and painted with real tea.













Community of Artists




























Having had your “dream come true” as a gainfully employed working artist, do you feel a special obligation to help fledgling artists gain a foothold in the business?




No question, that said its not just an obligation, I actually enjoy helping others. My parents are teachers and I think I may have inherited the gene that lets me feel good when I can help someone who might be struggling with a concept finally "get it". The only reason I am where I am in my career right now is because of other artists sharing their knowledge with me. It's one of the great things about the collaborative nature of animation. Having a group of artists that you trust to be able to share your work with is the only way to make your art the best it can be; deviantART is the perfect place for that too. I've seen no other site that connects artists in such a great way in order for you to share your work with others and learn from each other. It's one of the reasons I am a member of the site because its very easy to help share what I know with others and learn so much from the artists that I follow.


I do know that studios look for these mentorship qualities in the artists they hire so it is a good idea for fledgling artists to start learning about how to communicate their ideas on deviantART.










Should illustrators focus on drawing their interesting characters, or do they need to flesh out story narratives for those characters, even if that means collaborating with other artists and writers?  What’s the best way forward in this increasingly decentralized arts distribution system?






Story should be driving every detail of your character design. What distinguishes a good artist from a great artist is the presence of storytelling in your work. Their are a lot of good artists out there that can render a bad ass space marine or menacing creature but to take your work to the next level is to consider how that character got to where he or she is in the moment that you decided to draw them.


Consider their upbringing, their bad habits or maybe even their goal in life and once you've done that then try to think of visual queues that can represent those ideas. If you can keep it in the back of your mind you will see great improvement in the quality of your work. All artists are storytellers and the more you infuse story into your work the more it will stand out in the often overwhelming amount of art that is being viewed these days thanks to the decentralized arts distribution you speak of.



What trends in animated narratives do you see, working on the inside of the studio system, that we outsiders might not see?




As you know there is no secret sauce when it comes to creating narratives for film. Lots of writers will try to sell you their books on how to crack the code and while there is merit to those books no two stories are created in the same way. I have worked on over 10 films during my career at Disney and not one film production had a predictable trajectory. I will say that I believe that an animated film really works when it's able to tap into a universal idea and change the point of view to the unexpected. We all understand the concept of an over protective parent who is fearful of sending their child off to school, but when you tell it from the point of view of a fish you get Finding Nemo. A very relatable idea told from an unexpected point of view of fish added a fresh take and a fun world to draw humor from. My book was inspired by not only raising two young children but also our little puppy. Most people can relate to the ups and downs of taking care of something or some one so I thought: what must it be like to take care of an octopus? Once I had that core idea the rest of the story development process really flowed nicely.







How do you see making one’s living as an illustrator changing in the next few years?




I think that audiences are getting more sophisticated and that while there is more opportunity for artists to have their work seen there will be a demand for something new, something people haven't seen. That's really hard to deal with. People are viewing art at a volume and speed like never before. I know I can get lost for hours on deviantART scrolling through Daily Deviantions and think about how many images you are seeing in that hour compared to the old way of browsing in a book store or art gallery. So our challenge will be finding ways to stand out from the crowd and that comes not just with keeping our skills up but also the way we think about things and our point of view on the world.







Can you describe what it’s like to now have cosplayers portraying your characters, or people getting tattoos of Otto & Victoria that began as sketches on your drawing pad?






Cosplay is an art onto itself and I follow several cosplayers on deviantART because I love seeing their craft of turning 2D sketches into 3D art!


I can't think of a higher compliment. It truly is special to see your work embraced in such a way that a person is compelled to pull a character that you created off the page and transform their physical appearance in order to bring my work to life.








Fan Art










If you had to choose the most essential component of education for a new artist beginning her or his journey, what might that be?




To never stop learning. An artist never leaves school they just find new teachers. There was a time when I had not been drawing that much. I had transitioned into more of a CG role at Disney and there was just no time for me to sketch like I used to. I quickly learned that I needed to make time. Your talent is a muscle that must be exercised.





Can you share with us the secrets to always moving a story forward in every single frame and within every element in that frame?




Research and details. We have a saying around work, "one shot; one story." What that means is as an artist you have the power to control every detail within the frame. Especially in animation where you are starting with a blank page and you must decide how to fill it. What helps you decide what to put in there is whatever helps you tell your story. For instance lets say you wanted to paint a scene of a baker who has had lousy business. It's a vey generic idea. But, first you could research what bakeries look like and pick out certain visual details that help show that he gets no business and perhaps even allude to why he gets no business. (Perhaps it is a pretty rundown bakery.) It is a continual layering of visual clues that supports the big idea translating into every shot of a movie on a microscopic level that you would not believe. Artists that can keep these ideas in their minds are very valuable to the animated process.








Storytelling








If you look closely at Brian’s desk in the video you’ll see:


The Golden Zoetrope (an Annie award for individual achievement for storyboarding);


A wall plaque for 10 years of working at Disney;


A Sorcerer Mickey Statue for 15 years at Disney;


A Conductor Mickey for contributions to Disney's Art for Music Education Program.

















:iconbritt315:


*Britt315
Should save more often...

*Britt315 has such great energy in her line work. She has a real talent for capturing an emotion not just through facial expressions but through the entire gesture of the figure.











:iconbriannacherrygarcia:


`briannacherrygarcia
Brianna Garcia

`briannacherrygarcia is a great storyteller I really enjoy her Alice and Mad Hatter fan art.











:iconkhallion:


*khallion
Karen Hallion

*khallion's art really appeals to the pop culture side of me. Not only is she a great graphic designer but her sense of humor really stands out in her work with the fun twists she puts on geek culture icons.











:iconmeganlara:


=MeganLara is known for her art nouveau work but I am really inspired by her color palette, especially in her portrait and non t-shirt work.













:iconulafish:


~UlaFish
Kindra T. Haugen

~UlaFish is great about posting her thought process through sharing sketches of facial features or work ups of characters' silhouettes to maximize the visual punch of her designs!

















Be one of the first to bring Otto home.


Brian Kesinger’s book is in its first week of publication.
Check it out















  1. Would you like to share the name(s) of artists on deviantART who have really helped you to improve your craft and technique?


  2. Would it be your preference to gain formal art skills on the job?


  3. Do Brian’s thoughts on fan art change your opinion about learning through example and by copying the masters?


  4. Has luck played a role in your development as an artist?











Holiday Card Project 2012

Tue Nov 6, 2012, 7:06 PM


It's back!  With the goal of bringing a little cheer to patients in the hospital during the holiday season, the deviantART Holiday Card Project connects deviants from around the world and applies their tremendous artistic abilities in designing and creating uplifting holiday cards.

In past years, the Project has received more than 5,000 cards sent in by more than 1,000 deviants from 50 different countries/political regions. Cards were then divvied up and distributed in-person by deviantART members to local Los Angeles, CA hospitals, with additional cards given to various hospitals in the U.S. and abroad for hospital staff members to hand out to patients.

The idea behind the Holiday Card Project is simple: do something nice for others. However, if you're looking for even more incentive, every deviant who submits a card will be given a free one-month Premium Membership to deviantART.

Please read the following text for more details on the Holiday Card Project.



:holly:  What is the deviantART Holiday Card Project?The purpose of the Holiday Card Project is to have deviants create physical holiday cards for people who are hospitalized during the holiday season — helping to bring a little cheer to those who are undergoing a hospital stay.


:holly:  Who receives the cards?The cards will be distributed to both U.S. and international hospitals. Some cards will be delivered in-person by select deviants in the areas of the respective hospitals, while other cards will be distributed by hospital staff members. The patients who receive the cards age in range from children to seniors, and have illness or injuries that vary from mild to terminal.


:holly:  What should I write in a card?Be as creative as you’d like, but remember, the degree of illness for patients will vary from mild to terminal, so it is important to be cheerful. Some suggested greetings include, “Hope you’re feeling better,” “Thinking of you,” or “Have a nice day.” Try and stay away from “Get well soon” as it might not be appropriate for all patients. Be sure include a message of “Happy holidays” as the cards will be distributed for the holidays.


:holly:  Can I make a card myself?Of course. An 8.5" × 11" (21.59 cm x 27.94 cm) sheet of paper folded 2 ways to a total size of 4.25" × 5" (11.43 cm x 12.7 cm) works nicely. Though, there is no specific “set” size for cards. Use your best judgment. You can personally design and decorate cards by drawing, coloring, or painting. Construction paper, cardboard, markers, crayons, colored pencils, ribbon, etc., are all great to help make your card as special as possible.


:holly:  Can I use holiday cards purchased from a store?Absolutely. Store bought cards are great for the Holiday Card Project, but try and add a little extra flair and pizzazz by drawing on the inside of the card or including a few doodles. Use color to brighten up the presentation; be creative.


:holly:  How much is postage for sending a card?If you live in the U.S. and are sending an averaged sized card, it will probably cost one first-class stamp ($0.45). If you live in a country other than the U.S., the best thing to do is to check with your local postal agency for rates.


:holly:  Can I send more than one card?Please do. You can even put more than one card in the same envelope or package to save on postage. However, remember that quality is better than quantity. Sending one quality card that you put time and effort into is better than sending two cards that were thrown together.


:holly:  Will patients know who made their cards?The only way a patient will know who made a card is if you sign your name, which you are welcome to do. You may also include your e-mail address and/or deviantART URL in hopes of getting a reply; though, that can’t be guaranteed. If you wish to send a card anonymously, you may.


:holly:  Can non-deviants participate in the Project?Definitely. The Holiday Card Project accepts cards from all participants who are willing to contribute to a good cause. The Project is a great way for schools, clubs, church groups, or family and friends to get together and work on a fun activity. No deviantART affiliation is necessary.


:holly:  What do I get out of this?The idea behind the Holiday Card Project is to try and bring a little cheer to those undergoing a hospital stay. The patients and their families are deeply touched by the kindness and caring from those who take time to create and send cards.

Additionally, once the Holiday Card Project has been completed, all registered deviantART members will be given a free one-month Premium Membership just for sending in a card. In order to be awarded a Premium Membership, please include your username on a piece of paper separate from the holiday card. Premium Memberships will be distributed no later than January 31, 2013.


:holly:  When is the deadline for the Holiday Card Project?All cards should be received by December 15, 2012.


:rudolph:  Where do I send a card?Please use the following address:

deviantART, Inc.
Holiday Card Project
7095 Hollywood Blvd., #788
Hollywood, CA 90028
U.S.A.

Please remember to include your deviantART username on a separate piece of paper when mailing in a holiday card. To ensure that you successfully receive your free Premium Membership, it is vitally important that your username be written in such a manner that it easy to read!


:stare:  Rules and TermsLimit one one-month Premium Membership per participant. DeviantART reserves the right to deem any card contributed to the Project as unacceptable and therefore ineligible for a Premium Membership.


:megaphone:  Spread the WordIf you’d like to help promote the Holiday Card Project, please use the image below and link back to this journal.



:note:  Past Projects


:holly:  Where do I direct questions and concerns?Please note that many common concerns have already been addressed in the above questions and answers. Take care when reading the Project's description because there's a good chance it already contains an answer to your question. For any remaining issues, please leave a comment in this journal.


See How We've Improved!
dA's New Front Page

After much effort, arguing, designing, and programming, our front page is now better than ever! We've taken a close look at how our community interacts and made improvements to make new art even easier to discover. Quick-loading thumbnails and a faster, more reliable search are just a couple of ways we've made browsing an even more enjoyable experience.

dA's New Footer

Our Footer is now a destination in itself! Offering direct access to News, Polls, and other community-specific features, this robust feature is extremely functional and also fun to use. You can also flip through your Channels, giving you a great at-a-glance view of your favorite types of art. But don't worry, if the Footer isn't for you it can easily be stowed.


Customize Your Toolbar

The typical site navigation has been completely reimagined. Customize your toolbar with drag-and-drop ease by selecting icons from the More Menu and placing them in the order you'd like. Don't want something in your toolbar? Just drag it away!

A New Channels Page

Our frontpage may be a whole new browsing experience, but that doesn't mean we threw out the old Channels view. We know a lot of people prefer a customized view, so we brought it back and updated its look and feel. It feels just the same way it always has, but now enjoys a more stable and bug-free code-base.

A Sleek New Message Center!
A Sleek New Message Center
You've been clamoring, yelling, and threatening violence over our old Message Center and we've heard your cries! Our new Message Center has been rebuilt from the ground-up and is now better and easier to use than ever before thanks to the following improvements:
  • New sorting options to customize how you view your messages.
  • Create Folders and drag messages for easy categorization.
  • Remove messages immediately, on the fly, without having to use clumsy checkboxes.
Enjoy the power of the new deviantART v6 interface. It's very powerful. And please continue to provide us with the awesome feedback we've come to expect from the most bad ass creative community evaarrr!!

PLEASE NOTE: There may be some delay in receiving the v6 Message Center for some users. Message Center launch requires that we port all member messages for one database to another. There are nearly TWO BILLION MESSAGES to import!! We hooked up Subscribers first, but we've also made it so that active members who are currently visiting the site will be queued ahead of others. That's right! Simply by visiting and logging in, your Message Center will be bumped to the front of the line!

ALSO NOTE: DO NOT WORRY about your Message Center messages being lost! Even if something goes wrong, all Message Center messages have been backed up for you on multiple redundant clusters of servers.