Should I Join FAC?

[lulie]

Hi,

I've been looking for a new art site and forum for a long time, but haven't run across any that really fit my needs. I've been searching for something basically since MediaMiner.org went sucky, and have been using DeviantArt in the mean time. (Just for graphical art rather than writings.)

From my brief looking around, this place seems exactly what I've been looking for. One thing about dA that really bothered me was the categorisation system, which is sorted more by media than what the picture is actually of. This place has categorisation similar to MM.org, which I love. This place also has lots of nice features -- good forum (phpBB FTW), interesting potentially useful filters, optional resizing, etc.

But I am not without my concerns, and that's why I'm here with questions.

I know there aren't as many people on here than dA, so... How active are the users in FAC? How much do people comment on other people's work?

What is the atmosphere here like?

Do people generally post short comments ("Nice work!", "omg kawaii <333", etc.), or more detailed? Is it criticism-friendly here?

What is the skill level of the artists here? Will it be difficult to find the more professional-quality artists, or is does it have more varied skill levels from beginners to advanced?

How long does it take art to show up (the time between when one submits it and when the moderators get to it)? (I'm wondering if it takes ages like Elfwood.)

Another thing I'm hesitant about is that I sort of have roots in dA that are hard to sever. Maybe I'll just use both for a while before I make a full transition. Does FAC allow cross-posting? (I should really check the FAQ -- I'll probably do that after this post, but I figure I'd ask while I'm here.)


Thanks in advance!


-Lulie
PS: I posted another version of this post to Introduce Yourself, but I figure this would be a better place to post it to. Let me know if it's the wrong place.

[firehead]

You already have replys on your first one.

[Benk]

Sadly, it isn't very criticism friendly. I learned that the hardway, then I was an asshat and kept criticising anyways; my commenting privelages were removed for a short time.

However, the critique panel is a good place to find criticism.

There are a lot of beginner artists, but there are also a lot of good ones.

I believe that art shows up in a day or two

Cross posting?

[Benk]

Sadly, it isn't very criticism friendly. I learned that the hardway, then I was an asshat and kept criticising anyways; my commenting privelages were removed for a short time.

However, the critique panel is a good place to find criticism.

There are a lot of beginner artists, but there are also a lot of good ones.

I believe that art shows up in a day or two

Cross posting?


EDIT: Sorry about the double post

[bowiegranap]

[quote="lulie"]...since MediaMiner.org went sucky[/quote]

Mediaminer has always been sucky.

[quote] (Just for graphical art rather than writings.)[/quote]

For writing, I'd suggest Fanfiction.net. The quality varies wildly, but it _is_ the biggest repository of fanfiction. The comments you'll receive will vary wildly from "ZOMG MOAR!" to a 3 page tirade on why an author should kill himself for writing such crap.

You can also try the specific fandom sites, such as fukufic.com for Sailor moon and Ranma, or Twisting the Hellmouth for Buffy, or 7th Dimension for Highlander. Specific fandom sites will be your best bet for getting more than moronic one-liners.

[quote]
I know there aren't as many people on here than dA, so... How active are the users in FAC? How much do people comment on other people's work? [/quote]

Not as much.
1) sheer number of people means les criticism
2) A lot less prima donnas here at FAC than DA.
2.1) Remember than some artists/writers detest fanart and fanfiction (especially on DA), so its likely you won't get a post on how fanfiction and fanart are scourges of the earth and anyone who makes them idiots
2.2) fanart usually means a younger audience, hence you will likely get less professional criticism and more of the "kawaii" variety.
3) Not all forms of art allowed on DA are allowed here, which means you won't get the random comment from a photographer about your anime character.


[quote]
How long does it take art to show up (the time between when one submits it and when the moderators get to it)? (I'm wondering if it takes ages like Elfwood.)[/quote]

The longest wait I've had was a little over a week. Oddly enough, art that I submitted during that waiting period got approved faster.

[bowiegranap]

edit: sorry, double post

[DragonGirl1136]

Of course you should join! This place is great. It has friendly people, a good staff, and lots of awesome artists! (Like myself! ...not.)