A Note on Daily Deviation FeaturesAt ten features into my tenure as Community Volunteer for Abstract & Surreal Photography I am noticing a certain trend in response to abstract and surreal Daily Deviations. I shall address some of the recurring themes here, and hopefully answer some questions along the way. At this point I would like to mention that I am talking about a small and vocal minority, and I sincerely thank the overwhelming majority for supporting the featured artists and their work. You're what makes this site such a great community.
With that said, let's get to the troublesome themes I am coming across.
The "This is crap!" Argument
As an observer and a critic, you're entitled to think that something isn't very good. However, exclaiming as such on the comments of a piece of work that an artist has spent time and energy creating is not only counter-productive, but rude and insulting, especially if it's not followed up with some advice about how you think they could make their

Studio GhibliA Tokyo based animation studio that needs no introduction! Studio Ghibli is best known for their traditionally animated anime films. It was originally founded by the legendary pair, Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata, back in 1985. Ghibli is named after an Italian war plane that was used for scouting, this reflected Miyazaki's love for not only airplanes but also Italy. The name itself means "hot wind blowing through the Sahara Desert".
Takahata and Miyazaki
It was formed after the great success of Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, which both Takahata and Miyazaki worked on. Their first feature film hit was Laputa, or some of you may know it as Castle in the Sky. Most of the films that Studio Ghibli produces is by Miyazaki, followed by Takahata, although they have worked with other film producers and directors as well.
Family favourite, My Neighbour Totoro
Walt Disney later acqui

Redesign a character contest!If there's something we love about fan art is how artists take artistic liberties and portray characters in their own style and different scenarios we wouldn't see otherwise. Some people will say that fan art is unoriginal, but from experience there's a lot of creativity involved when it comes to depicting your favourite characters in a different light, deviating from the way they were designed by their creators.
This is why, inspired by the Pokedesign Challenge by *CrazyRatty on Tumblr, your friendly neighborhood Fan Art CVs decided to host a fun little contest for you!
How it works:
Pick a character from any fandom you like.
Come up with at least 3 different re-designs for them and put them in a single image.
Upload to deviantART's Fan Art Gallery

Praising Life ProjectWelcome to the Praising Life Project

It's really hard for anyone to stay positive all the time. I definitely agree with that.
When things go wrong, it's so easy to forget how much you've been blessed. It's amazing that we have the internet, people who care, and hope...
Although there is a lot of bad, there is also beautiful joy.

And that makes me praise life.
The memories, the laughter, the joy, the hugs through hard times.
We only have one chance!

It would be much appreciated if you help spread the word! ( & Comment!)
Contribute to the Project (Read On) or Donate

NEW CREEPY OC CONTEST!Basically, I'm not happy with my creepy designs. :iconsadsadplz: So, I need you to come up with it for me! :3
RULES:
It can be any species. I will prefer cats but any is fine.
- Drawing OR Lineart coloring is acceptable.
- Make sure he/shes REALLY creepy.
-If you would like, make him/her a main enemy/victim as well.
- Please make sure there is NO cheeriness.NO YELLOW, PINK, LIGHT GREEN, Ect.
- Have fun.
PRIZES:
1st place: 5 points, 3 free drawings, 3 free chibi drawings
2nd place: 3 points, 2 free drawings, 1 free chibi drawing.
3rd place: 1 free drawing.

contest-design an OCso i keep seeing people hosting contests around da, and it made me want to attempt one
as the title reads, this a contest to design an OC for me uw u
now i understand that this is kinda a wrong time to host one???? with finals here and all (well for the ones that do have them)
so there has been no decided end date for right now
rules:
-you can use a base (again, i completely understand if you're busy and don't have the time)
-it can be a human submission
-it can be an animal submission
(i honestly don't really care what gender or species it is)
things that i like:
-pandas/red pandas
-monster girls
-things to be matching
-simple designs
-wings
-gore
-mixed species
-shotas
things i don't like:
-pretty much any bug thing

(and you can always ask me what i like or dislike?????)
prizes:
- 5 sketches from me
- 2 pixel arts from me
- either an animated or unanimated icon
(i know these are kinda lame prizes, but i rea

Valentine's Contest! Come Join!!//Edit// I've offered some of my points for the contest prizes ^^ and I'd like to see them given to good ideas! Come join the contest!! It ends Feb. 9th! Come join ASAP!!
First Place - 200

(journal skin or full art from ME)
2nd Place - 100

(chibi, shaded)
3rd Place - 50

Special Prize - 50

DON'T MISS OUT!!//
Are you single, taken?... Do you have dreams and funny awkward moments you think about in your head?
Well, here's your time to express your inner most awkward relationship moments!
#DergCentral is hosting a Valentine's Contest!! The group has been pretty much laid back, and it's about time we get back into the spirit of dergy love!
Don't have a derg? MAKE ONE!! Hell, ask someone if you can draw their derg! ^^
We have some amazing prizes ^^ come check it out!!

Come and Join the Dergy Love!
Don't have the time to draw a picture? Well, your in luck! Thanks to founder, ~Diabolic-Acid, she's provided us with

CONTEST :DOK ready now? xD Sorry about the wait ;-;
WHAT AM I DRAWING?
You are designing my fursona for me.
REQUIREMENTS?
None really. Except has to be female and has to be a canine (you can draw a cat or something if thats your drawing preference but if I keep the design I will make it a canine)
TIPS?
-----This might be helpful for main colors and fur design: http://wildwolfgirl1187.deviantart.com/gallery/#/d5pfvsf
-----Other helpful things

-----I prefer mostly natural colored deigns but you dont have to :3
-----Id kinda like the design to be fairly simple or at least easy to draw because I cant spend five hours on drawing my sona
PRIZES?
There is only one winner and they get a free fullcolor drawing by me and a free icon by me along with 7pts
Other entries will simply get featured
FAQ?
-----What happens to the chara if I don't win?
You can keep it or if I want it you can give it to me or you can sell it or I can sell it or whatever its up to you ^^
-----Can I enter more

Valentines Day Contest -Closed--Winners Decided-Hello and Welcome! Thank you for taking the time to read this. As you know if I receive ten participant, then I will launch this contest official! This OTP Contest is for Valentines day that's coming up in about a month! The main point of this contest is the following:

Spread the love of your OTP

Practice drawing a different pose.

Celebrate Valentines!
An OTP is short for One True Pairing. An OTP is where you love a shipping to the extent where ya just "SADWFGHTJY" when you see them. You write and draw about them often and think about them a lot. An OTP is a pairing that you rarely get tired of! Everyone has one and if by some odd reason you don't then get one~ you won't regret it~ well maybe a little but whatever~!
Valentines day was started because of a Priest who married people in secret. At some point these army dudes couldn't have relationship since it'll distract their minds so St. Valentines married them all in secret which is why Valenti

Contest (extended)I haven't done these for a little while
What to draw
One of your OCs owning/controlling/dominating my dragon Igor (with Igor having a fearish look on his face)
Igor's ref: http://theangrybird122.deviantart.com/art/Igor-s-Reference-Sheet-v-5-301044146
Rules
You must post on your journal about this contest.
Deadline
February 14th, 2013
(I should get some points back in by then)
Prizes
1st place = 100

, 2 Digital/traditional drawings, 1 traditional sketch, and a llama badge (if you didn't get one)
2nd place = 50

, 1 Digital/traditional drawing of your choice, and a llama badge (if you didn't get one)
3rd place = 25[Points], 1 traditional sketch, and a llama badge (if you didn't get one)
Other entries = 5[Points] and a llama badge (if you didn't get one)
[Bullet; Yellow]Entries[Bullet; Yellow]
:iconThe-Second-Fantasy: http://fav.me/d5oil69
:iconCind

Contest!Hellu. Yes, I'm doing another contest. Comment below if you want to enter~
ENTRIES
~GlassBottleDemon; Pending
~The-Krazy-Kitten; Pending
*GrimKreaper; Pending
~saba729(?); Pending
~EvilCarbonara; Pending
~Kittyluvr69; Pending
!music-luver2; Pending
~Colors789; Pending
~Wont-Back-Down4132; Pending
~Musicismysoul14; Pending
CLOSING DATE; February 5th!
As you may know, Spring is arriving!

Spring brings Easter, adorable baby animals, beautiful flowers and much more!
Yes, that means this will be a Spring theme.
Let's discuss what I want you to do, shall we?

RULES

You must draw either Kameon or Dylan [or both] in a sort of Spring theme! [eg; Bunny costumes, playing with sheep, dressed as flowers, etc.]

Yes, nudity is perfectly fine!

Please don't rush.

You can draw one of your char

50 UP Contest - Winners FoundWhat to do:
All you need to do is draw a picture that is warrior cats related. This picture must somehow contain the number 50, to celebrate our 50th member! The warrior cat can be an OC, one from the book, or even an anthro/human cat.
Rules:

No lineart

No bases

Must be your own artwork

Must be made specifically for this contest

Must be a member of this group or an affiliate
Prizes
1st

A digital commission with shading and animation by ~Sunlark

A simple drawing by ~Nashi-Hime

A drawing of your Cat/Wolf/Dog OC + Shading by ~snakeshine

An animated icon by ~Sunlark

A Llama from ~Sunlark
[Bullet; Green] A Llama from *dragonwolf98765
[Bullet; Green] A Llama from ~thenightlesscastle
[Bullet; Green] A feature of the winning work in the Group.
2nd
[Bullet; Green] A digital commission with shading by :d

This contest is all about supporting (RED), the cause known for fighting for an AIDS free generation by 2015.
The contest is split into three (3) categories: Deviant Stamps, Journal or Gallery Skins, and DeviantIDs. Each category will have one Major Prize winner.

Deviant Stamps

Create a Deviant Stamp that supports the (RED) organization.
(RULES)

The stamps message must support/promote (RED).

Your entry must be submitted on or after December 1st, 2012.

Your entry must be submitted into the category: Contests > 2012 > dArelated RED Contest > Devian

CSS Snippets: Fantasy Header:iconikue:
CSS { Snippets : Fantasy Header }
I've noticed a lot of users being simply amazed at the beautiful header for the recent Realm of Fantasy article posted by $techgnotic. It really is a sight to behold, if you haven't already please go do so immediately and inform $marioluevanos how amazing he is as a designer. Anyway, would you believe that the header is something anyone on dA could do with a few simple CSS tricks? It's true! There is only one element in the header you cannot accomplish with the current CSS rules provided by dA but that is hardly necessary and can easily be rectified with a tweak to the images themselves.
I thought since it was so popular I would take a moment to break it down for you all and show you just how it's done. Here goes…
:iconikue:
Realm of Fantasy Article Header
This particular skin is fairly complex but not overly so. I would recommen

WIN POINTS contest draw vixy my OChey guys
i finally decided to hold a contest .ill try to keep it short
the objective will be to drawn my OC vixy who is a magical fox like animal from a magic world (so she isnt not just a normal fox or doglike being

)
reference (you may draw her difrent too but this might help for people without ideas)

rules

-each contestant may put up 3 designs (thats the max amount designs you can put up this is to increase you chances )
-post youre desing that you drawned for the contest here in a comment.
-when you submit youre design be sure to put the following thing in the description (that the design is for the contest hold by me and a link to my contest ) so in fact this has to be in the description of youre drawing done for this contest
drawing-design for contest hold by:iconyuukiXakira:
link to contest and info http://yuukixakira.deviantart.com/journal/#/d5s0ko3
what am i looking for
-each contestant may put up 3 designs
-collored drawings
-creative designs
-s

Browse More Like This

Featured in Groups

Show all (17)

1,000 Point - Contest

by =mangasockattack, Dec 12, 2012, 9:34:47 AM
Journals / Personal

IF YOU OPEN ABBY'S WEBSITE AND IT DOES NOT LOAD, THAT IS BECAUSE SOMETHING AMAZING MIGHT BE HAPPENING. FOR PICTURE REFERENCE GO TO HER FACEBOOK [link]

Dear Watchers, Readers and Random Viewers,

I have an exciting announcement, I am hosting a contest!

If you are an artist of any kind (digital, traditional, pixel, etc.) this is the contest for you!! I am currently working on a project called
Paws for Abby (<-link) to help a 7-year-old girl get the service dog she desperately needs!

The contest is fairly simple, draw Abby with her soon-to-be dog. Images of Abby can be found on her website ([link] as well as her story. Please draw her smiling, NO DEPRESSING OR DEGRADING PICTURES!! I can not make that clear enough! Also, please keep in mind she is 7 years old , keep the picture age-appropriate!

HOW TO ENTER:
FAV THIS JOURNAL
WRITE A JOURNAL ABOUT THIS CONTEST! DON'T JUST LINK THIS JOURNAL! HAVE SOME ACTUAL WRITING DESCRIBING IT! MUST BE AT LEAST 3 SENTENCES! MUST HAVE A LINK TO ABBY'S WEBSITE AND THIS CONTEST!
DRAW ABBY AND HER SOON-TO-BE DOG AND PUT A LINK TO THIS CONTEST IN THE DESCRIPTION!

PRIZES:
FIRST PLACE WILL WIN:
1,000 POINTS
A LLAMA FROM ME (if I haven't already given you one)
A LLAMA FROM
COMMENTS (or critiques) ON FOUR PIECES FROM HIS/HER GALLERY
A FEATURE IN MY JOURNAL

SECOND PLACE WILL WIN:
500 POINTS
A LLAMA FROM ME (if I haven't already given you one)
A LLAMA FROM
COMMENTS (or critiques) ON THREE PIECES FROM HIS/HER GALLERY
A FEATURE IN MY JOURNAL

THIRD PLACE WILL WIN:
200 POINTS
A LLAMA FROM ME (if I haven't already given you one)
A LLAMA FROM
A COMMENT (or critique) ON TWO PIECES FROM HIS/HER GALLERY
A FEATURE IN MY JOURNAL

ABBY'S FAVORITE WILL WIN:
50 POINTS
A LLAMA FROM ME (if I haven't already given you one)
A LLAMA FROM
A FEATURE IN MY JOURNAL

I AM JUDGING BASED ON:
OVERALL SKILL
CREATIVITY
CONCEPT
HAPPINESS

EVERYONE WHO ENTERS WILL GET 5 POINTS ONCE THE CONTEST IS OVER
YOU MAY SUBMIT MULTIPLE ENTRIES
THE DEADLINE IS JANUARY 25th

You MAY USE A BASE! Repeat, YOU MAY USE A BASE! You may also colour LINEART
If you entry is TWO DAYS LATE OR LESS, I will STILL ACCEPT IT but NOT GIVE YOU FIVE POINTS.
One contestant (who will be chosen from random.org) will receive an ADDITIONAL 10 POINTS!

If you have any prizes you are willing to donate (points/feature/etc.) please note me!

If you have finished your drawing, please put a link in the comments (with the journal link) so I can see it!

If you have any questions, note me or comment below and I will get back to you ASAP.

XOXO,
MSA

116 Comments

Mood: Eager
Listening to: my points disappear...
Reading: my journal!
Watching: the number of feedback messages increase.

2,261

29 116 0

1,000 Point - Contestby =mangasockattack

Favourite

Description Details Share

Details

Stats

Submitted on: December 12, 2012

Views: 2,261
Favourites: 29 (who?)
Comments: 116

love 1 1

joy 3 3

wow 2 2

~~mad 0 0~~

~~sad 0 0~~

~~fear 0 0~~

~~neutral 0 0~~

~momonpata Feb 1, 2013

her dog is a poodle right? i used to have a poodle,her name was abby

=mangasockattack Feb 1, 2013 Hobbyist Digital Artist

Yup~

~momonpata Feb 1, 2013

sorrry for thew late link [link]

~Smilyfreak Jan 26, 2013

Just in time.. here

[link]
[link]

~RAMENmanga-ka Jan 26, 2013 Student Filmographer

Here's my journal! [link]

~RAMENmanga-ka Jan 26, 2013 Student Filmographer

Did I make it in time? [link]

I'll write the journal entry right now

~Smilyfreak Jan 25, 2013

Am I to late??? D:

=mangasockattack Jan 25, 2013 Hobbyist Digital Artist

You have two remaining days ('till the 27th) to submit and be eligible to win, but you won't get five points

~Smilyfreak Jan 25, 2013

thank you

~Smilyfreak Jan 25, 2013

too late*

Featured in Groups

1,000 Point - Contest

2,261

1,000 Point - Contestby =mangasockattack

Details

Stats

The Journal Portal

Polls

What is your preferred drawing software?

deviantART [dee·vee·un'nt·ART]

Keep in Touch!

Deviousness

Add Media

Style

URL	Thumb
Share Share on Facebook Share on Tumblr Share on Twitter Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share on Google+ Share on StumbleUpon Share on LiveJournal

Featured in Groups

1,000 Point - Contest

2,261

1,000 Point - Contestby =mangasockattack

Details

Stats

URL

Thumb

Share

The Journal Portal

Polls

What is your preferred drawing software?

deviantART [dee·vee·un'nt·ART]

Keep in Touch!

Deviousness

Add Media

Style