Our Discord community is free to join! Chat with our staff, connect with other artists, and get answers to your questions on a wide range of topics.
We are self-taught artists, beginners, hobbyists, students, teachers, professionals, and more!
“Art Prof promotes a very civil, kind, and encouraging culture.”
Public areas
Join ~ Mods ~ Critiques ~Critique Sheet ~
Critique Rules ~ Critique Tips ~ Sample Critiques
Membership & Learning
“The biggest plus is a large and supportive community. It’s wonderful to see other artist’s work and to join enthusiastic conversations about art and art related topics.”
“I really appreciate that the Discord is family welcoming. It seems to get rid of a lot of the random or crass junk and there is so many more people motivated in learning art.”
Join our Discord
2. click on our Invite link
If you have never used Discord, don’t worry! We have a fabulous mod team who are present to welcome you.
People who join and are rude and disrespectful get kicked out very fast, please @ moderator if you see behavior like this.
3. Welcome!
When you click on our invite link, you’ll see this welcome message.
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Tap on “Get introduced to the Art Prof Community”
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4. Introductions
Now you’re in the #introductions channel.
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To introduce yourself, type a message at the bottom, where there is a + and cursor.
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If you’re lost, type @ moderator here we’ll help you!
5. FAQ
Please review #faq to see our server guidelines.
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Scroll on the left menu bar until you see #faq.
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Click on #faq and you’ll see our guidelines.
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Naturally we don’t expect anyone (including staff) to know every single part of our #faq.
You’ll make mistakes in the server, that’s okay! We’ll provide gentle reminders – just don’t be a jerk and you’ll be fine.
“My most recent posts in the art dares channels have had such great feedback from the staff and it always is so encouraging.
The community interaction is way easier to get into than most other art communities too, because there are such clear ways to get involved.”
Our Mod Team
Our Discord is a moderated server! We have a fabulous mod team who are present to welcome you.
The mods will answer your questions, direct you to the channels and topics you’re looking for, and show you how to use Art Prof’s resources.
Simply @moderator in any channel for assistance!
“Unlike other online art communities, the Art Prof team is compassionate enough to give tons of free content.
I know that I have grown as an artist because of this community.“
Critique Channels
Critique is a great way to learn and push yourself to improve and is a fundamental part of the creative process.
Many artists are learning on their own, and have zero experience with critiques.
That’s why we see the critique channels as not just a place to receive critique, but where you can learn about how the critique process works.
“I love giving and receiving critiques. I feel like I learn a lot, even when I’m just reading messages in the critique channels.“
Don’t worry if you have never written a critique, or feel like you have no idea what to say, we have all been there!
Share your artwork and get a fresh pair of eyes on your progress!
None of us can look at our own artwork objectively, and often the parts that we are really worried about are not as big of a deal as we initially thought.
Often a critique will point out an area that needs work that you didn’t even think about on your own!
Critique Guidelines
The critique channels are a two way street, to ensure that people are providing critique to others.
Unlike other art communities, this is not a “post and run” group. We ensure that everyone is seen and gets substantial feedback.
“I appreciate the 3:1 critiques rule, which keeps the critique channels active. It also challenges me to find the vocabulary to help someone else with their artwork.
Which in turn helps mine, because I have the eyes to see potential improvements.“
We require you to leave 3 substantial critique comments on another artist’s artwork no longer than 1 week before posting your own.
If you don’t comply, we will lock your post until you have done your 3 critiques.
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Above is an example of what we expect when you are writing a critique.
We have more details in each critique channel. Read this post below before you post anything so you’re aware of the requirements.
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“How supportive and informative all the professors are is most significant to me. How deep and diverse the amount of knowledge ya’ll have combined is a goldmine.“
Critique sheet
We understand that if you don’t have experience with critiques, that it can tough to know exactly what to talk about.
Our critique sheet below is a great prompt for what you can talk about.
If you’re still stuck on how to write a critique, that’s okay! We are here to help and support you with this process.
You can @ moderator or ask questions in the #crit-chat channel.
Critique Tips
Moderator
There are more benefits to critiques than may be apparent.
The most useful benefit is that you are training your eyes and mind. With each critique, you are learning how to look at art and see things you like and things that you don’t like so much.
You are working your “art brain muscle” to be able to identify areas in your own art that may need a little more work or attention. Critique of someone else’s art makes your art better.
The other benefit that you can realize from exercising your crit muscle is being able to separate your product from yourself.
The first few times someone critiques your work, it may be difficult for you.
It may take time, but you eventually realize that the critique is not judging your artwork, but suggesting ways it can be improved.
“The generosity and transparency and abundance of information you’re willing to share to students, artists, teachers – it’s amazing.”
Sample critiques
“The Discord feels more like a community. I actually know other people. It isn’t all one sided people who don’t reply back.“