I might get flamed here. But I need to steam off.

When people accuse artists that they can't take criticism and that they are the reason that aids exist is just bullshit. Before you criticize someones work, you need to think before you write. Oddly enough talking goes faster while writing you can read it over again to check if it's alright. Yes, I've been here before. I've gotten better in art. But it was not because people downrated me and told me that the art is bad. It's because I've grown personally and got used to the software that I am using. I have still more to learn though. So a few days ago I sold my first artpiece. It encouraged me to work even more.

Some people, and even people that want them free stuffs handed to them, have too far fetched dream of every single art being their perfect style. I say perfectionists. Screw your style, just say something to do in detail but don't hang over my personal brushing style. It's what makes me. Art is personal. And I am a person. If you don't want it, good luck, there are plenty others that might like it or take it as it is because they are not playing the art director.

/rant off

P.S. You gotta have a real interesting game going if you want me to work for free. Work is money. I could do something else to get income instead of working for a mega boss with his own ambitious.

What I'm saying is people have to play nice with eachother. And if you don't appreciate someones art don't say it harshly. If you had a bad day keep it to yourself, don't let innocent people who want to help be your puppet.

I don't think it is such a bad thing that people want an artist to make stuff the way they want. That's kind of the point of most artist jobs. You don't get to make things in your style all the time, especially when you're working for someone else.

It sounds more to me like you are just refusing to draw a certain way. Which seems more like a bad trait for an artist to have, than it does a noble and righteous thing.

Also it is not unreasonable to expect an artist to make something the way you want it... even if the artist is doing it for free. It isn't one of those beggars can't be choosers situations... because really, they *can* be choosers. There are enough artists out there that eventually anyone can find someone that can make some free art in the style they are wanting.

It's especially annoying when an artist wants to work in their own style when the project manager has a very distinct idea of the look they want for a game. If you can't work in that style, just say so and move on. Don't challenge the project manager's authority and demand that you do things your own way just because you're volunteering to help.

Honestly if you are wanting to be an artist and just draw what you want to draw, then you shouldn't be working with people unless they want your exact style. Otherwise you're just going to keep having these conflicts of interest. It also sounds like you really can't take criticism. You *can't* take comments too personally or else you will let your emotions effect your reaction. When someone says "I don't like this linework, it makes the character look ugly" you can't just tell them to screw off because that's the way you draw. That isn't taking criticism well at all.

Huh? My job as producer is exactly that - to produce, to criticize when something is wrong for that particular product, and to tell them what to fix. How is up to the artist - why is between me and the lead artist or the art director.

I won't say "that looks like shit coming out of a horses arse!" - if I thought so I'd'nt have hired/contracted that artist - but I will say: "hey, look, what you've done is cool but I need it to be a bit more like this - could you do that?" - all part of a very standard and simple process. If the work required is major enough to require compensation beyond what I've already given I expect to be told so - or if I suspect it is so I will ask. But the artist does not set the style I am going for - that'd be ridiculous; he gets a certain amount of creative freedom, sure, but not complete and utter control over the art direction!

Art direction is important if you're going to have any hope of internal consistency in any game. I don't know about you but I prefer my games with some kind of consistency in all things...

Yep pretty much what Konidias said. Giving what the customer wants should be part of the job. You are hired for your design skills, not necessarily for directing the creative aspect of the project. Interestingly enough, the same is applicable for coding.

If I am paying you to do a job then it's the way I want it. My money my rules end of story. Sure I don't care if you make suggestions or toss out ideas, but to say "screw your style" is way out of bounds. I understand that art is personal, but don't you think programming is too? I see programming as art and it is very personal to me. However, you don't see me telling my customers, "Look... Screw your plans because this is how it needs to be and this is how it's going to be. My style!" It doesn't work that way. I am there to provide my knowledge and expertise for something they need; not me. I get crappy jobs that I can't wait to be over like everyone else, but you just shut your mouth and do it. I also get a lot of fun jobs as well and those are what I live for. You get the bad with the good; welcome to life.

UltimaX hit it home. The one giving out the money makes the rules. As an artist you have to have the diversity to change your style to fit their needs. I'd have to do the same with my programming.

When people accuse artists that they are the reason that aids exist...

Pretty sure that's called "insult", not "critique".

...unless you created aids, then it's ok, I guess.

[quote name='Oxin' timestamp='1312401620' post='4844193']When people accuse artists that they are the reason that aids exist...

Pretty sure that's called "insult", not "critique".

...unless you created aids,[size="5"] then it's ok, I guess.
[/quote]


Haha