There are 3 sections to this journal. Feel free to skip ahead.
>Definition - What is a DA Group?
>>My group situation
>>>Group share! Tell me your groups


Definition

Judging from my poll, quite a few of you do not know what DA groups are. So here's a brief explanation.

Here's a link to the groups main page [link]

Group are accounts on DA created by DA members, where people can join or be invited to become a member. Once you are a member you can submit artwork to the group gallery.
You can watch a group to receive messages about new submissions, but you cannot submit your own artwork.

Groups focus on a specific topic like a fandom [ex: Bleach or A specific character or pairing], or an art style [ex: digital artists] or anything that deviants have in common.
You think it and you can create it.
The group can also artwork, so they can showcase non-members.

You may have noticed, when art is submitted to a group, the group avatar shows up in the deviation information panel on the right-hand side.

In short, it's a topic focused community within DA where you can interact with deviants with similar interests.


My Group Situation

So far I am part of 5 groups.


Sword Sanctuary - Group focused on swordmaking, run by my friend *chioky


Zanpakuto-club - Club about the swords in Bleach


Clamp-Club - Club about fans of the artists in Clamp. They created Tsubasa Chronicles, Cardcaptors, Magic Knight Rayearth etc.


All-for-cosplay - general cosplay club


Kuroshitsuji-club - Black Butler fanclub.

I really like the groups concept. It's a good way to get your work out there to new people, who definitely share a similar interest.


Here are my few qualms.

Group overlap:
1. There are already quite a few groups that cover the same topic. Understandably because people have different visions for a group, and they were probably created before the group system.

2. Double submissions - by that I mean if you watch someone as an individual and you watch a group they are part of, you'll get the deviation twice in your inbox.

Deviation overload.
Luckily I check my inbox everyday because if I didn't it would be overrun with deviations from groups.
Many group have a limit on submissions but when you have hundreds of members it doesn't make much difference.

A solution, kind of, is to unsubscribe from getting notices for every submission. But it defeats the purpose of being involved, unless you regularly catch up on the group gallery.

A question to ponder:
Do you think people won't watch individual deviants as much as they used to?


Group Share

Tell me what groups you are a watcher or member of?

Any recommendations for me?
I'm considering joining more cosplay groups but I'm not sure which to choose.
And if I do join another, I'll try not to submit the same deviations between the groups.

Happy new year everyone. I hope this year was a good one for you all, and hopefully the next will be even better.

Any resolutions? DA, art related or others?

My cosplay related ones are
1. Complete Shiva - lol it's such a task, and I want it to look perfect
2. Finish my mask collection - although it may be impossible if Kubo suddenly introduces a bunch of new characters. At the very least finish the vizards, Hachi and Rose, and whichever ones catch my interest.
3.Open up an artist alley table. I have enough merchandise now to have one. We'll see if I can set it up.

Drawing related
Get more sketching done.
Do more anatomy work.
Draw more OCs.

Happy holidays and Merry Christmas everyone
I hope you are all having a good time.

Since I can't give actual gifts to all my watchers I figure we can do a comments exchange

Do you have any deviations with no comments?
Post 1-3 links in your comment and I’ll comment on at least one.
Help me out watchers and go check out each other's work. It's the season of giving after all.

Rules:
1. I won’t comment on a deviation with comments. If someone else beat me to it then that’s good news!
2. I won't comment if you post more than 3.

Here are mine
*They have been commneted on. Thank you Go out and comment on everyone elses


Have fun everyone

Coming Soon: Progress shots of Shiva and Beast and the complete Espada collection

Cold
I know I said winter has officially arrived in my last journal but I say it again.
It is bitterly cold outside now. -20C which is below average. I can't wait for the cold front passes.

Ewww ... Bleach ch 386
No spoilers, just ranting again.
~
I though the first mask was bad.
Well, it was just plain.
The second one is just plain ugly!
the end.

What's next
I have some PVC so my Beast cosplay should be completed before the new year.
I'm almost done my Granado boots. They are so much trouble!
Shiva is coming along. It's taking more time than expected.
I've taken a few pics of Halliibel with the new mask.
Masks: I'll be posting an Ichigo mask I was commissioned soon. And I'll start working on Hachi's then Rose [which I am not looking forward to]. I will also post my Espada mask composite soon.