I think I'm ready to join this group, can you add me to the list too please?

Welcome new-comers! I am adding you as fast as I can , what a sudden surge:)
Appologies to all - busy painting watercolors, so I look at the new images, but critiques will have to wait a bit.
B creative meanwhile

OK you newbies are both in :-)

I think from now on I'm going to have to stick to updating this once a week, probably on a Sunday. The file is just getting really awkward now and the editor is having difficulty handling it. I'll try to think of an alternate solution.

On another note, I'll be going through soon and just checking that people are actively commenting, and if they are not active, I'll be asking them to delist.

Count me in too. Some constructive feedback would be helpful especially if it leads to greater skill.

Okay, so... (at the risk of being a major pest) I have another thing I'm pondering out loud...  Who gets to critique the critics? 
Lot of times I wonder if what I say made sense...

[who, me, worry? Never..... says the fidgety cat]

Your comments seem fine to me?  Are you worried more about your English (which is fine) or something else?

I'm worried about being full of it, and not having a clue!

Okay, that's an exaggeration, but a thought has occured to me that probably a lot of us have room to grow in our critiquing skills too.   
I fully expect that if I repeatedly say or do something that makes no sense, or can be expressed or described in a better way, and I don't appear to be catching on, on my own, someone will speak up.

My English?  :blink:   Is my accent that noticeable?

No, I just was trying to figure out what you're worried about, and the main thing people worry about in that context is language...  :)

Nice to see we are still growing :)

Hi all!

Sorry not to comment much these days, but i'm having troubles with my CPU, and i have to reinstall all the stuff.

I take that to mean you got a new PC :)  Looking forward to you shaking the pillars of heaven with it!

LOL!
I hoped so, but it's still my old one that broke!

I have to wait for few days for a new one.

 I hope it's appropriate to mention it here for critique group heads up, I posted couple things of mine to critique in the art theory forum: http://www.renderosity.com/mod/forumpro/showthread.php?thread_id=2697576

@PJZ99

Quote - No, I just was trying to figure out what you're worried about, and the main thing people worry about in that context is language...  :)

LOL, PJZ, thanks for being concerned :)
I should give you a hint, half the times I don't know myself what it is I'm worrying about. 

I would like some input on my work.

Things I want to improve>

Lighting (*I create my own, but need polish)

Adding effects such as shaders and Gels (*Trying to get shaped shadows on my renders)

Improving in the mat room, for skin and specularity (*looking for more Pop! in the textures)

Ariana

Can I add a little request? I notice that in some threads there are no links to either post location/pics and I can't tell myself what is being referred to.   The post was by MissNancy on page two... I did not see a link, and have no idea of where to look or what the image is.

Comment:

"o.k., it appears plenty of folks are interested in our very helpful opinions, so let the fun begun!
I already spotted one good image for criticism. it was actually linked as an example
of what the artist would like to emulate, but the linked image in question had a number of
problems IMVHO:

no facial expression
pasted over a blurred generic photoshop background
a flat render with no depth
stiff pose
poor or no shadows
kinky poser hair in desperate need of retouching
no background props or scene composition
edge-framing detracts from image, makes it appear even flatter
identical reflection map in both eyes
headband filigree prop appears pasted over render
appears to use nostril-plug props or dark nostril colour (but I could be wrong)

however, the render in question is far better than most of the poser stuff there IMVHO.
I like it meself. the technical details are not gonna be of any interest to the casual
viewers, hence any criticism of this type will have little effect in real terms."

Was this meant to be retorical or did  the link disappear? Sorry I just became a bit confused. I also see that if the image link was posted, it would be easier than going to each and every person's gallery on the list. So that being said, if there is an image you want input on, you post it here (*the link) and then it is easier to track the info. IMHO

Karen do you suggest the critique be in this thread or on the image comment section? I am a bit unclear on that too.

ThanX!

Ariana 

hopefully to clarify:

this thread is for "joining" the club.  and technically only that.  joining means you get your name added to a list, you favorite the other people in the list, and when new critique group images are uploaded, you can comment.  you don't have to comment if you have no time and/or nothing to say about that particular work.  it's just nice if you do have something to say to post it ;D.

if all you want is help on one picture, or if you want to converse about specific images, go to the Art Theory forum and start a thread. you can post images, links to images, etc.

this thread is not for commenting on images, but for "group" business which drifts to include when and how to critique, how the group should work, and other sundry topics.

in that vein....

drifterlee - i know i didn't say so before, but i was very saddened to hear about your loss and your troubles.  i hope that you recover quickly, and that the memories of your horse shine brighter than the sorrows of his loss.

ThanX cobaltdream..as I read further I saw that the place to go was the 'Art Theory' Forum. So I neglected to yank this post quirying the particulars.  I had to wade thru lots of posts to finally understand how to work in this. In fact i am still reading. But your help is timely and appreciated!!! :)

drifterlee...I hope your times go better and the loss fades to be replaced by better memories.

HuggerZ!

Ariana

Welcome Ariana :)

ThaX pjz99! I am looking forward to learning new techniques and methods! Also expanding ideas...I would say I am intermediate in expertise, maybe more in some areas...a lot less in others.  This idea was a long time comming.

Ariana

          "I would say I am intermediate in expertise, maybe more in some areas...a lot less in others.  This idea was a long time comming."

Yep, like me. But not in the areas i wanted... ;)

LOL! w vincebagna! Yep ain't that the way it always goes!? ;)

Ariana

Sure it is!
But i'm always wondering where i go. And when i got a brilliant idea, exited and nervous i see exactly what to do, and just after trying to achieve it, and looking at my work i say: "Well, my little nephew could do better than that poo poo!"

OK vincebagna...having just looked at your gallery, I will accept no false claims of 'PooPoo'! Your work is awesome and if i could ever figure out how to use Carrara and get an awesome render like your Jessie I would be ecstatic! You IM me sometime if you feel like giving me pointers on how to do Carrara, cause I must admit it is baffling to me just opening it! LOL! :) Vue is much easier to work in. I notice the use of HDRI in Vue is very simuliar to another person's work. I wonder if it is a regional style? Cause he is from Italy. Yet his work was very much like yours (*lighting and overall style). Hmm...I need to read more on this. I am in USA, west coast. I am off to bed now, but I would love to exchange thoughts on carrara and your style. Very beutiful. i liked "Sous Le Soleil" for the Outstanding Body! and "Alone" for the incredible lighting!

HuggerZ!

Ariana

Vince is very very good, yeah. :)

Yeah, maybe in my next life I'll be as good as Vince 
Now that I've taken a closer look at his gallert and I'm trying to pick my jaw off the floor.

I'd like to join in

Currently adding each artist one at a time as favorites.... would be so much easier if everyone in the critique group was included in a batch so we could choose "this group of artists is my favorites (which happens to be the critique group)" so even newcomers next week and next month and next year will be automatically added to the 'group' of favs which would augment the growth of this group by making it easier to join and use.

Of course if such a thing already exists may I humbly say... DOH!

Gads I have to add those artists too! Welcome Finister!

Hey Vince! Talk this eve?

HuggerZ!

Ariana

Finister: Well justified comment. The ineffeciency and annoying way adding critique group to  the favorites is set up, was discussed several times before in this thread.  All sensible suggestions are met with 'We can discuss this in our next Rendo meeting but it  will probably take too much time to program'.  And then we hear nothing else from the powers that be. I would have thought it will be embarassing to Renderosity that they are using such antiquated/primitive techniques that this cannot be done in a better way - but I guess not.
In all other respects, tI see the critique group  as a great success. I learnt a lot from critiques I and others  recieved, and also from from the process of giving critiques.
Welcome.

Just for the records:
I think founding the critique group was a great thing. I want to thank everyone who provided helpfull comments, it helps me a lot. In fact it's the only reason I post pictures here. I really appreciate the time and efford people put here.

That said I see there is much more to comment than I can manage. I only have so much time, and we have a lot of members, and a lot of pictures to see. I did plan to see them all, and comment them all, but the heap grows faster than I can work it up. I have about 200 images on my to-do list, I will see how much I can manage.

That said I must say that I really was impressed my many pictures I have seen. Seeing the pictures and trying to give usefull advice helps me a lot creating my own pictures. I have never really concidered me to be an artist, but seeing the ideas and techniques here makes me want to grow.

Well said bantha! I have yet to do any critiquing, but I have benifitted enormously from feedback and tips!

Ariana

Quote - That said I must say that I really was impressed my many pictures I have seen. Seeing the pictures and trying to give usefull advice helps me a lot creating my own pictures. I have never really concidered me to be an artist, but seeing the ideas and techniques here makes me want to grow.

You know, that's a great observation :)
I'm noticing that when trying to critique other peoples work, I'm forcing myself to take a closer look at things, and put more thought into it (and at times need to look up things) which is in turn making me think and push my own limits.  The way I see it, it's to the benefit of both, the critic and the critiqued.

Going back to page one to sign onto you'all's pages.  This is the reason I started putting images up here to finally get real critiques.  Thank you for this wonderful thread!!!

Sincerely
~  Boni  ~

OK the latest batch of adds is on the list, and speed44 has dropped out, so please remove him from your faves, folks.

Have a good week :-)

ThanX Karen, don't work too hard! :)

Ariana

I would love to join the group. I have begun to create images/animations, and will soon be posting some and would love to receive critiques and give critiques. So sign me up 8)

Guys, I have been a big supporter of this effort from the beginning, but I am looking at the enormous plate I have in front of me:

• Learn Adobe CS3 (complete noob to Photoshop in the first place, and now I have InDesign to learn as well)
• Learn Vue 6i (complete noob)
• Learn Zbrush 3 (complete noob)
• Finish writing a script (70 pages in, maybe 30 to go, with at least one full rewrite)

I can't keep up with this much activity.  I haven't touched my script in weeks, frankly because I've been critiquing various gallery pieces here.  I've greatly enjoyed this and have learned a lot, and hopefully I've helped a few of you at least a little bit here and there.  Thanks so much for all your valuable feedback and suggestions and tips.  This has been a very positive experience for me in lots of ways.  Please take me out of the list.  Thanks!

Your critiques were very thoughtfull, I really appreciated them  ( mostly on the pictures of other artist, since I do not post that much.) If you want to get out, so be it, but I really hope you reconcider, maybe just reduce the number of pictures you critique. I already asked myself how you find the time for all your comments. Commenting on a fewer amount of pictures is no option for you?

I agree with bantha. You're one of those who are ALWAYS here. I'm definitely sure you helped a lot of people to improve their work, including me ;)

I personaly don't have the time to make half of the comments you did. But you always gave useful advices and tips, that i don't know how a lot of folks here could do without your comments.

So try to keep on, pjz99, i don't want to see you disappear, or i'll miss you a lot!!

I really hate to be unfair to anybody, so the only way I can really feel good about myself is to bow out entirely.  I'll still be around on the site and I'll certainly look around in the galleries from time to time :)  I just can't spare the time to do it right, so rather than do it badly, I feel I should drop out.  Everybody has been great and I have learned many things, I really appreciate the experience :)

I don't think you do it badly if you only comment a certain amount of pictures. It's the quality of the comment which is good or bad. Judging all pictures in the critique group is impossible for nearly all of us. We need good critique, and you provided a lot. I would be really happy if you would change your mind, but it sounds as if you made your decision. I just hope you re-decide at some point in the future.

OK pjz I'll take you out when I update the list this weekend.

Don't forget guys, you can always come back to the group at a later date, it's not a "Begone! and never darken our door again!" kind of deal :laugh:

yeah, and i can say that since i find your work completely inspiring, i'm keeping you on my favorites. 

why photoshop & indesign?  i ask because both are huge programs and it's not really useful to try to "learn" them so much as "learn to do x,y, and z" in them. 

it's great fun learning photoshop et al. I've been learning it for at least a decade. just when I think I know what's what, they spring a new version on us.

Well right now, I don't know how to do very much of anything with any of those tools - that's mostly why I work so hard on the render itself, because that's all I know (and not so much of that!)  I only know the most basic things in Photoshop, and Indesign is completely new to me.  Zbrush has a very heavy learning curve too, along with the import/export tricks needed.  It's all taking a lot of time and focus.  :)
Feedback is still very welcome, just not expected, that's all.

but wait.  why indesign?  what do you want to make?

A graphic novel :)  A good friend of mine who has a great deal of comics and commercial art experience gave me some strong encouragement to learn Indesign to do the layout and typesetting in, rather than Photoshop all by itself, and I'm going to give it a try his way.

Oooh, PJZ, I'm so bummed you're leaving the crit group :(  I was looking forward to getting to know you better!
In Design is great :), You'll probably find yourself dabbling in Illustrator and page maker... Yeah, certainly don't wanna do typesetting in photoshop. At the minimum illustrator :)

You want to make a graphic novel? Try this http://www.mycomicbookcreator.com/