I agree that you should paint for yourself, even when you get paid for it or do a request, you should do it for yourself to some degree.

If you get into a cycle of using comments to boost your ego and still want to draw for yourself, you're going to be disappointed. I think many 2Draw members have experienced this at some level, I know I have. I think that's what has happened to you and at it's worst. If you truly draw for yourself, like you say you do, comments or no comments won't affect you but it appears that they have, in a big way.

I agree the internet can be a box and limit your growth but no one forced you to experience this, you did it, it was your choice. Some of the comments you've received on 2Draw or DA may not be helpful but bashing others for not giving you the feedback you desired is really weak and insulting. That's a very pretentious attitude to have and makes you come off very selfish. And taking a hit at Dave isn't going to help you either, his comments might not satisfy you but he doesn't deserve to be insulted like that.

If you're looking to improve your skills, you get back what you put in, I know this much. Whether it's comments you want, improving your skills, the sake of creation or whatever your goal might be, ultimately, it's your own personal discipline that makes the difference, not others. Although, I highly recommend having your work critiqued by other artists, it can be critical to your development. Without feedback or influence, progress will be harder to achieve, especially in regards to personal style, which appears to be very important to you.

There are plenty of outside resources to help you improve on your art but don't dismiss the internet completely, especially in regards to digital art. I would even say the best resources for digital art will come from the internet. If you apologize for this crap you've written here and ask me nicely, I can hook you up with some helpful internet resources. If not, good luck with your pursuits.

Your stuff was really cool, though. And I'll miss seeing it here, but if that's what you want to do I won't stop you.

good luck with your endeavors :)

You're very welcome, hel, I enjoyed painting Tako. if you lost the photos you had of him when your computer crashed, I still have them, let me know if you need me to e-mail them to you so you can get them back

cute

Miss you DBA :)

Neat perspective. I like the addition of shadows, they work.

Very cool , could stare at this for ages , the well done shadows bring it to life

Spiffy stuff.

really cool, it look easy-ish to make cos you used boxed didnt ya? well anyways I couldnt do that, it aint bad my friend

it looks wicked easy, but actually, this thing was starting to piss me off.
i did the outline, then did box over on layer 2. the proportions were hard to get right. but anyways, thanks! :)

Thanks Miss DJ!!

BOOBS!

Yesh, boobs.

Beautiful, like looking through someones sketch book.

this is very pretty

oh I really like this I love how you made her hair flow

very nice! great mouth and eyes!

Very nice Stacy :)

look look its Staci! Welcome back and nice face :)

THis has a vaguely Japanese print feel....I like it for the simplicity.

Great piece, it has a sort of dark and grotesque feel to it. That's how I interpret it anyway. =)

i'm in love with those colors.

Axil: Yes but no but yes. ;)

*sings* ? ?? ? ? ? When a man loves a woman, can't keep his mind on nothin' else...? ?? ?? *walks away humming* :)

I love when you draw like sticks instead of bricks!!!!!!!!!

I hope you Draw like straw soon!!!!!!!!!!!