How have you progressed as an artist?

[Lila]

This is a thread to showcase your improvement as an artist. Whether you make graphics, paintings, sketches, resources, or anything other creative masterpiece, it's important to look back on your old work and take note of everything you've learned since then. Even if you are new to your medium, please don't be shy to show your progression.

I have been making graphics since the end of 2005 (tentatively). I started in Paint and now I use Photoshop Elements 6. I recently found one of my old banners (from 2006) and "re-made" it (see below).

 

[fernshirehobbit]

thats so gorgeous lila!!!! you have improved superbly! I love your work, its so beautiful!

I would love to show some before and afters... at the moment i am doing a lab though... so perhaps later?

 

[fernshirehobbit]

2006: (my first banner?)

Today, 2010: (last thing I made)

 

[GondorGirl]

ooh, I'll work on some before and afters as well

 

[Lucy but Taller]

Me too!!! Let me find an old one..

 

[Lucy but Taller]

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[GondorGirl]

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oooh, I like it

and I was working on it but it's on the other computer

 

[GondorGirl]

I looked for the earliest banner on my thread where I could actually find all the right pictures to make a new version, Peter's is slightly different.

 

[Frodosgurl]

I'll show mine too... do it tomorrow

 

[Red Roses]

Oooh, I can definitely see improvement in everybody's work. =)

Ok, I made mine last night...or early this morning. 0.o I dunno but it was 4am. I made an avvie the first time but didn't feel like making it again. I remember when I made that avvie it took me hours! The one I made last night probably didn't take more than 10 minutes.

 

[fernshirehobbit]

great improvement, aurora!

lol this thread reminds me of some sort of alcohalics anonymous... "i used to be like this... now i've been doing much better!" But seriously, its so cool to see how the differences in people's work

 

[Lady Chloe]

Some amazing progress from everyone!

Kudos to every one of you! <3

 

[SammylovesNarnia1]

Oooh, I can definitely see improvement in everybody's work. =)

Ok, I made mine last night...or early this morning. 0.o I dunno but it was 4am. I made an avvie the first time but didn't feel like making it again. I remember when I made that avvie it took me hours! The one I made last night probably didn't take more than 10 minutes.

I love your new siggy with the icicle

 

[Red Roses]

^ Thanks.

So I was looking through this thread again, and I began wondering how did everyone improve? Did you just make more graphics? Look through tutorials? I'm just curious.

 

[Eärendil the Mariner]

So I was looking through this thread again, and I began wondering how did everyone improve? Did you just make more graphics? Look through tutorials? I'm just curious.

For me, I used tutorials a lot for a little while, but it was mostly so that I could learn more about GIMP's features. Now that I have a pretty good grasp on that, I improve by just making more graphics...Although, I do look through LJ every now and then for new tutorials.

My comparison...

 

[fernshirehobbit]

amazing, kevin!
i remember when you made the green one. for a beginner, it was really good... then you just kept getting better... and better! :O

ive hardly ever used tutorials. maybe once or twice?
I just keep making them and look at things other people have made and be like, "oh, thats cool. i wonder if i could make something sorta like that." and then wait around till i accidently do lol

 

[GondorGirl]

^ Thanks.

So I was looking through this thread again, and I began wondering how did everyone improve? Did you just make more graphics? Look through tutorials? I'm just curious.

I only ever once attempted a tutorial, I just play around and mainly I've got new graphic programs and I learn from other people's work

For me, I used tutorials a lot for a little while, but it was mostly so that I could learn more about GIMP's features. Now that I have a pretty good grasp on that, I improve by just making more graphics...Although, I do look through LJ every now and then for new tutorials.

My comparison...

you were amazing to begin with

 

[Lucy but Taller]

Before

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After

 

[NarnianofGryffindor]

Here's the first one I made in '07

and the one I made just a few minutes ago...

Not my best, I just threw together in a few minutes, but oh well... haha

I learned a lot through tutorials and just doing it all the time. Practice makes perfect...

 

[fernshirehobbit]

wow! thats an amazing first banner :O