Ok so yep I'm definitely going to rant just for a moment. It's just something that's been bothering me for a while, and I continuously see it happen and it makes me worry at times.
First off I'm going to touch on the idea of when you leave people comments. It's one thing to leave constructive criticism because hey that can be cool (if the person is truly asking for it) otherwise, to just randomly click on someone's art and says it's a big bunch of shit, is completely uncalled for. It's not needed or want, and it's just making you look horrible.
People put themselves out there when they post their work, and not everyone is saying they are a professional or trying to be one. There is such a thing as just doing something because you like to and love to.
It's also just irritating to see people comment on things and say things like "This is just sick and super disturbing, you're going to hell, blah blah blah" and on. SERIOUSLY. You can see the thumbnail right there of the image. If you don't like stuff like that, then don't click on it. There's a great little red 'x' at the top of the page that will click you right out if you do happen to click on it! It's not a must to have to click on it and then leave comments like that. It just makes you look stupid and truly childish. Its common sense that if you don't like something to not look. If you're curious by all means look, but if you don't like it that DOES NOT give you the right to just go bashing on that persons artwork, photo, whatever it may be.
The same thing goes for newer artists. If a newer artist is posting things and maybe their art is well a masterpiece it doesn't give you the right to go ripping on them, and just tearing them down. Their trying and doing it because they want to! Not for you to be an ass and say things like that. Like I said constructive criticism is one thing, but some of the things I've seen is just extremely irritating. Seriously what gives you the right to say what is and isn't art anyways? Anything can be art. As an art/film/animation student I see all sorts of things, and just because something may not be my cup of tea doesn't' mean that it's not art. Not in fact I'll still hold a great appreciation for it, because someone just spent a lot of time, doing something that they LOVE.
Everyone is going to have different opinions of what is and isn't' art, but that doesn't give you any right to go telling people, "That's not art; get your crap off here." If you're going to be like that and be immature, then you shouldn't be on sites like these or any other site. Since anyone else would learn to hold their tongue, give correct critique or just not even click on it.
Concerning Art theft.
This is extremely upsetting. I haven't happened to me but it's happened to plenty of people that I know, artists I watch, and friends.
PEOPLE. IF IT'S NOT YOURS, YOU DO NOT GET TO TAKE IT AND CLAIM IT AS YOURS, TRY TO SELL IT, MAKE MORE, TRACE IT, OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT WITHOUT PERMISSION!
It pisses me off to no end when I see this happen, and sadly most of the thieves do come from DA. It's just really irritating to see some cases in how much people try and get away with stealing. Even more deny stealing when NONE of the work in their galleries is the same style, and proof has been provided.
I get it people's art are really good, but it's theirs. They spent, hours, days, months, and even years on their work. You can't just take it and claim it as yours. Its beyond wrong. If you like a piece of art, try complimenting a person and saying you enjoy it and their work. DONT' STEAL IT.
Even more so it's and so irritating to see adoptable's get stolen which I've seen A LOT of. Again people it's not yours! Even more so when someone buys that adoptable and then a person goes and steals all the styles and tries to resell them for a quick buck. So wrong. If you need money trying making your own! Or oh my god how about GET A JOB. Seriously.
Its different if you get permission from the artist to use the picture as a reference, or a pose, or to use, but to outright steal it, claim it as your own, or try to resell it....it's just beyond wrong.
On another note with that, artists protect your work. I know a lot of artists don't like to put their signatures or watermark it but really please do so. Just put a sig or something on it that claims it as your work, that way if someone tries to steal it, it's going to make it really hard for the thief to take it and remove the mark, even more if it's on the piece and colors. It's just another way to protect your stuff. The same goes for people that buy an adoptable. After you make your changes and what not, watermark it! Leave the artist that made its watermark on it or something.
Just by doing this it's going to make it more difficult for people to steal and if they do then you have the watermark/signature as proof. Same thing goes for live streams. Save them. Even more proof. You can never be too careful.
This is the one thing that worries me with sites is I don't want people stealing my stuff. I'm not saying I'm the most amazing artist, and seriously you don't have to be to have your stuff stolen, but it just a worry I have. This is why if I can make a download option off I do.
And to the people that do steal art really think about it before you do. Think about what you're doing. If it's something you want to borrow or would like to reference or just something I don't even know, how about try to ask the artist? We're not all savage dogs, trying to rip your throat out of you try to speak to us. Really. The worst that can happen to you is to be told no. The best case you get told yes, or even better, that if you get to know the artist, they may even do a drawing or make something for you.
It's just upsetting to see this happen to people that really work on their stuff and even worse when MODS don't believe them, and don't do anything. And please people if you do think something of yours has been stolen, REPORT IT. Get your proof and report it. Even more if you see someone stealing others artwork. REPORT IT and make it known to that artist that their work is being stolen.
Sorry for the long rant. Just needed to get that off my chest.
~Lily