Last Updated: January 23, 2003 by Lorelai

Frequently Asked Questions

Please read this FAQ carefully before e-mailing us! Due to the large volumes of e-mail we receive, we may not answer e-mails that deal with the questions below! Thanks for your understanding!

Q: What is The Art Corner all about?

A: The Art Corner (TAC) is a site operated by a team of artist friends who have made a committment to offer critiques in the flavor of their own styles of art. Amateur/interested artists who wish to seek advice on their artwork may visit our site and submit an artwork to be critiqued by three of our 10+ TAC REFFs. Among the many things one can specify are such aspects of art like shading, rendering, CGing, action posting, and figure drawing...after three REFFs have critiqued your artwork, you will be able to see the results sorted by month and posted in our archives!

Q: Is the Art Corner an art gallery too? Can I submit my work for display, and not a critique?

A: No, sorry. Everyone who gets their work shown here - excluding REFF biographies - have submitted their artwork for a critique. We do not currently showcase galleries.

Q: What are all these acronyms, like TAC and REFF?

A: TAC stands for The Art Corner, which is this site. REFF is an affectionate nickname for those who critique the artwork submitted to TAC. The former name was voted on by the REFFS and all the early subscribers to TAC's newsletter; the latter was coined when Lorelai began using the term "Fanart Forces Elite" to congratulate those who were featured as RPGamer's Artist of the Week. The actual words no longer apply, but the acronym itself stuck!

Q: What happened to the TAC chatroom on IRC?

A: Please note that #artcorner on esper.net (IRC) is no longer officially affiliated with The Art Corner website. The REFFs simply ran out of time to properly maintain the channel - it will continue to exist, however we can't make any guarantees regarding moderation of the channel.

Q: Where can I report broken links?

A: E-mail TAC the REFF, making sure to tell us exactly where the link didn't work (what page, the URL of the page, what you were trying to access, etc.) Remember, the more specific you are, the easier it is to replicate and thus fix the problem. We may not return your e-mail, but rest assured that the repairs will be made as soon as possible.

Q: How can I get my art critiqued if I don't have a scanner?

A: Unfortunately, we cannot view your art over the web if you do not have a scanned picture! Bother, beg, or bribe a friend to scan your picture for you, borrow someone's scanner, buy yourself a scanner (they're not that expensive nowadays!) or else wait until you have access to one. (the TAC REFF do not recommend stealing or killing, however.) Don't worry, we're not going anywhere anytime soon...you have plenty of time to get your art on the web!

Q: How can you critique artwork if you're not a qualified professional?

A: We don't claim to be professionals, though (1) some of the REFFs here ARE or could be; and (2) There really is no meaning to the word "qualified" in this sense. We have gathered a lot of real-world experience and knowledge through our artistic endeavors, and every REFF here loves what they do. We have also learned that many who see our work appreciate it and wish to learn from it. These are the people we serve. It's the same principle of your classmates participating in your critiques at school...we are here for suggesting, and providing opinions and feedback.

Q: How do I submit my work for a critique at TAC?

A: We have a very easy but very specific process of submission for those who wish to get a critique from The Art Corner. Please click here to get started.

Q: When will my artwork be critiqued? Will you tell me when you do?

A: Our Critique Queue is often full of critique requests, and because we're only human, everyone will have to wait their turn. Your artwork WILL be critiqued in the order it was received. You can check your status in the TAC Queue at all times. When your work is critiqued, we will NOT contact you personally...you will be able to find it updated on the main Critique page the moment it goes live, and we make announceents on the front page when we clear the queue for the most recent month.

Q: Why is the application form closed?

A:EVERYONE was tired of an overfull queue and month-long wait periods. Therefore, we only accept the first 30 critique requests every month, then we close the queue/applications and use the rest of the month to (hopefully) finish critiquing all thirty submissions. On the first of the next month, we re-open the queue, so your best bet is to check back on the first few days of the month and see if we're open!

Q: Why wasn't my artwork approved for the queue?? Should I resubmit?

A: If your work is not approved for critique, we will remove it from our Critique Queue and post a notification in our Deletion Queue. If you notice that your art is gone from the Critique Queue, check the Deletion Queue for it - we give reasons whenever an artwork is removed. If you feel the artwork removal is an error, please contact us and explain why! We really appreciate your help!

Q: How do I know which critiques are new?

A: The 10 newest critiques are posted automatically on the Critiques page, which can be clicked to via our menu on the left sidebar or by the pulldown menu labelled 'Quick Navigation.'

Q: What are the little gray dates underneath the picture thumbnails (or any part of the Critique Page)?

A:Here's a mini graphic of a typical page of critiques. We hope it clarifies everything!

Q: How do I view all the critiques for a given month?

A: Every critique archive page displays 9 thumbnail graphics of the latest critiques submitted and completed by REFFs. The total amount of pages is written at the bottom of the page. To view previous ones of that month, click on the black arrows. (Right arrow = Previous and Left arrow = latest or next).

Q: How can become a REFF?

A: When The Art Corner is looking for REFFs, we will make it very clearly known on our main page and elsewhere (BBS, chatroom, etc)! Other than those times, however, we usually don't accept REFF applications unless we actively seek you out for a reason.

Q: How did So-and-so become a REFF? My art is better than his/hers.

A: First..."better" is a matter of opinion. Second...we're not always looking for great art. Being a great artist won't automatically make you REFFified! You have to be a great critiquer, an art enthusiast, and really enjoy helping other people! Being a great artist is just a helpful thing ^_^

Q: Are the REFFs limited to critiquing only fanart from RPG games?

A: No! We critique anything that you care to submit. Despite our name 'REFF' we do accept works of all mediums and styles for critique. The ONLY type of artwork we don't critique is the type called 'half-@$$' artwork.... ^_^v

Q: Why you calling yourselfs 'elite?' You think you so high and mighty? All your works are crappy!

A: First of all we don't call ourselves Elite. we got rid of the acronym in REFF, remember? But anyway, for those who still want an answer...we're not claiming to be elite. Lorelai stuck that the acronym when she used it in RPGamer's Fanart Gallery, and the name stuck. We proclaim the whole 'elite fanart forces' to be a joking title, and nothing more. Besides, we like saying 'REFF.' ^_^ Second, if you think our artwork is crappy, that's fine. We respect your opinion and won't force a critique on you or anything. But keep in mind that there are some people who would like a critique from us, despite your opinion. And our duty is to give them a critique! =)

Q: Can I post an artwork from your page on my website?

A: NOT IMMEDIATELY. You have to contact THE ARTIST OF THE WORK. I must stress, you HAVE TO contact them! We can't give you permission to post someone's artwork, ONLY the artist can give that permission. If you are unable to obtain permission, then do NOT use it. Don't post the artwork and THEN ask the artist, either. That's sorta rude, don't you think?

Q: Can I link to your site? Will you link mine?

A: Absolutely. This site is link free! Please note we have a variety of graphical banners for your linking use in our 'Miscellanous' Section. As for linking your site, if you know of, or own, a site that is at least partially dedicated to promoting online artist communities, art tutorials, and artist supplies/support, then please drop us a line (and URL)! Thanks! Please forgive us, we do not like personal art sites and galleries.

Q: My question hasn't been answered by this FAQ.

A: If your question is still hanging in there air, then please do contact TAC. Someone will answer your e-mail as soon as possible...and possibly, it will be added to this FAQ as well!