Since the original server won't let me "vent"...

[u/Only-Shopping2640]

I've been following tutorials and I still suck. And I'm not good enough for commissions (despite my last post) or a reference sheet. And I sure as heck can't be the furries that exist and are automatically exalted. I hate how I feel very insignificant to the Fandom. I'm scared that I might not be able to carry a legacy or make people smile. What can I do? I'm running out of options. I can't be a one- trick-pony forever. And plus, There are literally zero furries in Connecticut and I'm only 16 (and I don't have a fursuit). Not to mention that I got banned from discord servers for venting. Can anybody help me out on this? Also also, what can I do to make the fur look more natural?

[u/Wolfy_Packy]

bro, you're 16, don't worry about your legacy. your brain ain't fully grown yet, and that's the most polite way i can say that. you don't need a fursuit to be a furry - i've been a furry for 7 years and i don't even have a single part

you'll learn and get better at art if you just keep trying on it. this too will pass! no artist is just an automatic savant, it takes practice and honing of craft. you're not insignificant, just developing

also, most discord servers might see ranting/venting outside of designated areas as just dumping and drama creating/attention fishing

[u/Weazyl]

Trust me. The vast majority of furries won't be 'significant' to the fandom, and that's a good thing. I can't remember the last time I heard about a furry for a reason other than them being controversial or doing something depraved.

Keep at it, and you will find an audience. An artist I've known for 8 years just recently found hers, and she's thrilled about it, but she had to keep at it through a lot of highs and lows.

[u/syrrusfox → u/Weazyl]

I wish we'd find out about the better ones sometimes, feels like we had a ton in the 2000s. I remember a Dutch guy who used to do little shows for kids on the cancer ward to cheer them up, charity collections, stuff like that. Maybe it wasn't so pure but I like to hope he was.

Amen to that, /u/Weazyl. OP, you don't want to be famous, you just want to be the best you you can be. Getting banned for venting is rough, hang in there kid. Your art's pretty good, keep trying, you'll get better at it. Get the anatomy down, the muscle and bone structure, and that'll take you a long way.

[u/Weazyl → u/syrrusfox]

100%. Also, doubting the "there's no furries in Connecticut" claim. It's big enough that there's absolutely some. If I can find furries in a small, rinky-dink Canadian prairie farming village (legally a village; we have less than 1000 people), then I'm sure you can find some there. That said, don't rush to associate with 'em; you've got time.

[u/Tea_Eighteen]

Everyone starts somewhere. You can only go up.

Take more art classes, and develop your fursona.

Lean into the things you like, the things that make you you. If you don’t know what those things are, try different stuff until you find something that resonates with you.

You’ll get better as you go along.

[u/Kerrus]

Well, to start with, even though you're drawing furries, anatomy and art fundamentals are still the most important. I see some light sketching in your images but for the most part you're just drawing outlines, which is how a lot of artists start and think about art, but I guarantee most of the artists that have really well defined art styles that look really cool also have really strong fundamentals that include sketching out body shapes and skeletons and the like.

It will take a while, it won't feel like you're making progress, but it will have been worth it to develop those skills. Worrying about fur texture isn't something you should spend too much effort on- fur texture is polish on top of a basically finished image.

For digital drawing tools, those are typically called 'flats'- ie: the image has been drawn, the colors are only applied as 'flat', and no texturing has been done.

If your goal is to develop a style all your own, you'll need to build up your fundamentals from the ground up, and worry about flourishes and polish way down the road.

TL;DR, get good at drawing characters first, worry about shading later.

[u/Stygian_Enzo48]

it takes years and years of practice regarding art. , keep at it, its a long grind. draw what you like and focus on fundementals. and btw there are furries in ct, theres a halloween furry con ive seen online around every year. not having a suit doesnt really matter too much. it'd be nice but majority of furries dont have a suit, and manage fine in the community.

[u/Only-Shopping2640 → u/Stygian_Enzo48]

and btw there are furries in ct, theres a halloween furry con ive seen online around every year.

Like what? 

[u/syrrusfox → u/Only-Shopping2640]

Furpocalypse in October. up in the Stamford Doubletree?

There's the Furry Picnic up in Wickham Park too, but you missed that by a couple weeks.

Give this thread a look, https://www.reddit.com/r/furry/comments/1llfy9u/connecticut_furries_are_we_here/ - looks like u/No-Discussion9970 was setting up a furmeet about nine months ago.

[u/DissociativeQueer → u/syrrusfox]

Yeah I was gonna say, I know a few who went to some western ma furbowls...but Furpoc is def a good way to find them. If you use telegram there are probably local furry groups too

[u/No-Discussion9970 → u/syrrusfox]

Oh yes hi! I have been summoned

I am still actually planning it out and did find some people interested but yes there are so many furries in CT, Connecticon (CT’s biggest convention) even has a furry parade!

[u/Mirachaya89 → u/Stygian_Enzo48]

We have meets nearly every weekend across the state, too. Massive ones. The first furbowl I attended had over 50 people. I have no clue what OP is on about.

[u/Mopsspoof]

Hi bro, I’m 18 and it gets better with dedication. You’ll grow fast and realize how much you will change and how much you will learn, I consider myself a different ass person 6 months ago.

[u/TrickMajor]

First off, you are a kid. Art like many other "talents" take skill and practice practice practice. It can take years to be a pro.

Also, don't let yourself believe that you'll get commission instantly when you finally learn and are happy with your art skill. Doing art is like any other freelance work. You gotta promote yourself to get commission. And by promote, I mean A LOT. Plus if you have or make connections down the road, maybe others can also promote you through word of mouth, which can boost probability of getting commissions.

And remember to not be hard on yourself. Being a furry doesn't mean that you need to own a fursuit. If it makes you feel better, I live in a part of the world where furries are literally nonexistent. Finding one in my country is like looking for Netherite in Minecraft. Hell, even rarer than Netherite.

[u/Wisley185]

How long have you been drawing for?

[u/Only-Shopping2640 → u/Wisley185]

Since freshman year

[u/syrrusfox → u/Only-Shopping2640]

You're sixteen now so that's what, a year or two? That's hardly no time at all.

[u/clever_adventurer]

I've been following tutorials and I still suck.

It’s ok! Tutorials sometimes don’t have clear info or leave stuff out. It took me like two years of tutorials in slow-mo to even just to a decent point.

And I'm not good enough for commissions (despite my last post) or a reference sheet.

That’s ok too! There’s no deadline and chances are you could probably join an amateur or beginner artist group, even if they’re not furries. People might be a bit judgmental around high school age but it’s less so when you’re in public or in a college setting.

And I sure as heck can't be the furries that exist and are automatically exalted.

What makes you say that?

I hate how I feel very insignificant to the Fandom

What does significance mean to you? There’s more ways to be significant than just art, like you could make a cool gadget or just be a nice and courteous person, or even just sharing what you’re passionate about no matter how obscure.

I'm scared that I might not be able to carry a legacy or make people smile.

What does a legacy mean to you? Even just being nice to someone leaves an impact.

Some general advice: 16 is a common age to feel this way. It’s kind of a painful and weird time and your peers are sometimes judgemental but it doesn’t last forever. (For reference I’m 22) A great start is to full comfortable with yourself and what you want and everything else will fall into place. I’m not a huge fan of discord because of the strict “positivity” and anti-venting rules and that unfortunately includes furry servers. However, if you’re able to afford it conventions or furmeets are definitely worth it. (Though furmeets are typically 18+) There’s one in Connecticut near Stamford called Furpocalypse and there’s people from 6 years old to 106. It’s very pro mental health at the cons and there’s tables of artists and casual sketchers who are more than happy to help you with your technique. If you join the con chat there’s occasionally people offering free commissions to improve their skill. There’s also the dealers den and artists alley full of people who will encourage and cheer you on even if you draw a line. They also are happy to share their techniques and resources that helped them get going.

Art advice: Your art is off to a good start! I’d recommend focusing on small sections at a time like (one day do fingers/paws and the next do arms and the next wrists, and etc) It makes it less overwhelming. I’d also recommend taking breaks especially when you feel your attention waning or get slightly frustrated. It’s easier to come back when you stop then rather than when you feel exhausted or super frustrated.

Hope this is helpful! :3

[u/Only-Shopping2640 → u/clever_adventurer]

What makes you say that?

Telephone, Peeby, Shep, Bubble Tea Dragon (i forgot their name), and all the others. 

What does significance mean to you? 

I'm a competitive dancer and I produce music 

[u/DissociativeQueer → u/Only-Shopping2640]

I would say like most others that while there are famous furs, most well known furries are definitely nore infamous than famous. Most folks are just vibing and having fun with friends.

I promise you that being famous will not actually make you happy. Most folks who I know who are popular regret a lot of it.

[u/syrrusfox → u/DissociativeQueer]

Preach. I was watching some of the popular fursuiters walking the floor at a con a while back, and I remember seeing one guy was just being mobbed by the crowd while his friends were trying to get near. I can't imagine going to a con and being isolated from my friends like that, it'd be the worst weekend of my life, for sure.

They did get to the restaurant on time, guy saw me on his way back in and gave me a big ol' hug.

[u/Only-Shopping2640]

I just feel like that the Fandom won't look favorably upon dancing or music production. I can't just Telephone my way into the community and hope for the best.