Leigh Karchner 20 May 2007

This is indeed a wonderful feature AW, but aren't there other more important "fixes" and problems that should be addressed first?? If your full intent is to create a site specifically for kids, do so but maybe make it a different site exclusively for kids and give AW.com the primary upgrades and fix the problems that would make this an professional art community and not just a place to hang out and doodle??

**** No offense to anyone who likes to doodle or use this new feature. I think it's cool but there are a lot of other more important issues at hand that should be addressed first.

Michael Cornett 21 May 2007

I like it. I wouldnt use it every day, obviously, but its a neat little gimmick. Im amazed at how many people want to fuss about it. If you dont like the way AW runs its site, then run your own site, and let everyone tell YOU how to run it. In the meantime ,I see it as an expanded service, and a positive thing for the site as a whole.

Leigh Karchner 21 May 2007

Michael, I appreciate your thoughts. However I, like a lot of older "established" members here, have been around long enough to know what features are necessities and what features are just "pretty to look at." I've been here 5 years now. There are issues with the site that have been ongoing for a number of years (i.e.: lots of downtime, slowness, timeouts, functional issues, etc.) that are far more important to the overall site performance than a new feature that really doesn't do anything for the overall appeal to attracting new paying members. I personally don't believe this is one of the upgrades that will attract paying members and there are certainly a lot of other pressing issues that would, if corrected. AW is always asking/pleading for more paying members.... it's time they performed like a professional company if they want to look like one. I'm not bashing AW or telling them how to run their site....... these are valid issues that can make or break the site as it grows. An 8-year-old server with constant issues is clear indication that upgrades are eminent to keep the site going and retain its paying membership.

Sorry if you disapprove, but many members have left because of constant problems and many who use to pay no longer do because of these issues.

21 May 2007

Renate Dartois 21 May 2007

Lol-Minerva thanks but I agree I had some fun the first day but that is is for me.

21 May 2007

DebraAnn Kasimakis 21 May 2007

Still getting the

error message..........

Brian Sherwin 21 May 2007

What is the difference between this sketchpad and the ones you can embed on sites like livejournal? And what is to prevent people from saving images that AW does not find acceptable?

I'm sorry, but it comes off as an easy feature to add that probably will not have any lasting value for the serious-minded artists on this site.

A good number of the people I've met on this site are artists who consider themselves professional. They are here in order to gain exposure for their work and to network with other artists of the same caliber.

I think the staff needs to decide if this site is a professional art site or just an run-of-the-mill art site. Is it a place to post our pretty little pictures or is it a place that can actually be used as a tool to gain exposure? Which is it going to be?

As I've stated before, I will not be a paying member until some of the censorship rules are lifted. Why not invest time in figuring out how artists can display any form of art they wish (age verified galleries or something like that) instead of trying to pass off old technology as a new feature. If this is the best AW can come up with it... well.. it is sad. That is my opinion.

Greg Summers 21 May 2007

Frankly, I think it makes the site look amateurish

Kathy Kelly 21 May 2007

Either something is wrong, or it's me, but I can't get everything to work. Photoshop is easier than this. How about some instructions--at least then I could rule out me, and know if something is wrong with it.

Renate Dartois 21 May 2007

I did not find it easy and after doing a couple of them and looking so intensly at the monitor my eyes kind of felt tired-not really something I want the kids to spent a lot of time doing.

Gayla Drummond 21 May 2007

Well...my 8 year old likes it.

http://www.artwanted.com/sketchpad/gallery.cfm?id=10850-5203

DebraAnn Kasimakis 24 May 2007

OK...

So, you can use a WACOM with it...

You can also trace an existing image with it....

Interesting....

Mike Huber 24 May 2007

How do you trace with it?

Amanda Cox 09 Jun 2007

At least you dont have to clean up and wash your brushes afterwards!!

I think its a great toy for something quick and creative that you can just delete and doesn't take up room in the studio or house.

sheila stanley-powell 23 Jun 2007

TO ANYONE WITH NEGATIVE ATTITUDES TOWARDS THE SKETCHPAD...... PULEEZ WOULD YOU ALL GET A LIFE AND STOP TAKING YOURSELVES SO DARNED SERIOUSLY. "REAL ARTISTS" AREN'T ALLOWED TO PLAY WITH SOME DOWN TIME AND JUST HAVE SOME USELESS FUN? I FOR ONE AM THOUROGHLY ENJOYING IT. IT'S COMPLETELY OUT OF MY SAFTEY ZONE AND GETS DIFFERENT CREATIVE JUICES FLOWING. I'M ALSO SEEING A LOT OF OTHER ARTISTS WORK BECAUSE I GO THERE TO SEE WHAT THEIR "REAL" ART IS LIKE.AW MORE POWER TO YOU. THANK YOU . THEN AGAIN I'M SURE ANYONE WITH THE ATTITUDE YOU GUYS HAVE WILL NEVER CONSIDER ME OR ANYNE ELSE LIKE ME AS A "SERIOUS ARTIST".

Ann Lopez13 23 Jun 2007

wayyyyyyyyy to go Sheila it is so refreshing to have a difference of oppinion. i love playing with that thing!!

Barb Leveille 24 Jun 2007

I was having fun until I realized I couldn't get the ink off my monitor screen! OHHHH You mean we are supposed to use the mouse and not my pen??? Hmmmm I never got the hang of that, maybe I should go get one of those digital pen thingies?

OF COURSE I'M TEASING YOU!

Life dear friends is too short to spend it being negative. I'm sure all your complaints have been heard many times before and they most likely have a grocery list the length of the Brooklyn Bridge eh? B'sides canned programs like this take about as much time to install as, well one of your pic uploads.

Give the folks a break, take a deep breath and laugh just a little bit louder, smile just a little bit wider and be thankful every morning that you've been graced with the opportunity to live yet another wonderful day of life :D

I won't use it, but I don't have a problem with them adding fun things that others might use :D

Ann Lopez13 24 Jun 2007

Barb I want some of what you got or better yet puh-lease rub off your way of thinking on some of our depressed stressed out members. i swear it's like a broken record, always the same song same words. i am sure glad there are other members finally speaking up. thank you for your funny about the ink on minitor- that was tooo cute!

sheila stanley-powell 02 Jul 2007

i just put this message in and it ended up on new message board sojust in case anyone is still reading these comments on sketch pad i'll try again. my mouse behaves for about the 1st 5-10 minutes and then it starts randomly floating off the pad like it has a mind of its own. if i take it off the pad and back on to the main screen its fine, back on the pad and there it goes again. it's like it's having a temper tantrum or a melt down or like a 16 year old(kid-not mouse)being defiant and doing its own thing. anyone else having this problem or is it just my own little mind bender with a sick mouse?