I'm rather new to all of this, but I've been having a blast with it so far. My one big problem is that I think I'm my own worst critic, because I feel whatever I make is never good enough as all the other wonderful patterns I see. How can I be a better artist and make things people will appreciate?

My advice would be: in order to become a better artist, the best thing you can do is stop worrying about whether other people appreciate what you create. True art comes from creating based on a need in your heart and soul rather than creating based on what you think others may want. :)

Yup. Most people start off creating their own the D: what the hell am i creating? then they try to copy the palettes they like, either the style of something, but eventually you'll feel better equipped enough to do your own thing and not worry about what other people's palettes look like, how they compare to yours, and people will follow you because they like ur style.

I think both of you have made great points. I get so self-conscious about showing off my work, and I've had this mentality that if I show anything, it has to be amazing right from the get-go or it's a disaster, and I apply that thame attitude to my own person. I think the more I play around with color and design, the more I will develop my own style. Thanks very much.

I feel the same way. I hate showing anything I create, regardless of the medium, for fear I'll just embarrass myself. But the web is all about sharing, and I'm certain most of us view dozens, if not hundreds, of creations every day. We remember the ones we like and quickly forget the ones we don't. The worst that can happen is that someone will simply skip over your work—which isn't very different from not having shown it in the first place!

There's only one real way to improve in anything you do—practice. I know, I know. It sounds cliche, and I'll throw in here a few other cliche phrases to drive the point home ;) It's a never-ending process, it's all about the journey, the point is to have fun, etc. But they're all true. So why not share your work along the way? There will surely be plenty of people who enjoy it.

PhoenixHarte wrote:

I'm rather new to all of this, but I've been having a blast with it so far. My one big problem is that I think I'm my own worst critic, because I feel whatever I make is never good enough as all the other wonderful patterns I see. How can I be a better artist and make things people will appreciate?

I think if you browse with attention on the internet on what exactly you are interested will be pretty helpful. Also, there are lots of helping books that you can find online! Good luck!