Polls

What is the most important part of the creative process?

31%

35,888 deviants said Brainstorming: coming up with the brilliant idea

10%

11,463 deviants said Outlining: sketching out the bare bones to save you editing later

28%

33,051 deviants said Diving In: can’t finish if you never start

5,893 deviants said Editing: the draft is out of your system, but now it's time for the polish

13%

14,774 deviants said Finishing: the satisfaction of a finished product you’ve poured yourself into

14%

16,603 deviants said Sharing: getting feedback from others, gaining praise, and learning lessons

Devious Comments

*Azael17 Mar 25, 2013 Hobbyist

I say it's a loose tie between outlining and sharing.

It's important to have good structure to any piece of work; without it the idea can fall apart and become impossible to understand (which is admittedly the point of some pieces). But at the same time, sharing, for me, is very important. The feedback, suggestions, the notion that what you've created is being enjoyed or discussed by other people. It can change them and how they look at the world and everything in it. Even negative responses are useful. They can help you improve on technique and drive you to better your craft.

All the other steps listed are very important as well, but I put these two at the top.

~Hellstroem Mar 6, 2013 Professional General Artist

This is impossible, as every step is equally important - from conception to finished product.

~Neko-Kiona Mar 4, 2013 Hobbyist Digital Artist

GAH! I feel conflicted about this. I want to show my picture and such to make others happy, but /I/ have the most fun working on them... *Sigh* To me the making my viewer happy is what I want. ... But I also just want to draw.... As far as actual importance goes I can't decided on that either. I can't show off something I haven't worked on, but I also don't want to show off every doodle... Maybe 'finishing' is my best option....?
GAH!!! So hard! Why so hard...?!!

~glazios Feb 14, 2013

I'm not the type for prolonged planning, or brainstorming. I often find myself beginning with something simple; a single idea, a conversation between two characters, anything, and the story grows from there, shaping itself as it plays out. 'Past' sets itself in-stone; 'Today' is ever in-flux with the whims of the characters; 'Tomorrow' is a pipe-dream. Fingers dance on keys, the story writes itself, and in the morning, I wake up wondering where in the nine hells it all came from.

~7Demented Jan 14, 2013 Hobbyist General Artist

Feedback can help you improve, but only the creator themselves can determine if the artwork is good.

=selftaughtartist1 Dec 29, 2012 Student General Artist

driving in is what i have trouble with. i may have a brilliant idea in my head but i don't think it will come out good so i don't bother starting. sigh