The Best Online Art Communities (Good Art Sites Like Deviantart)

In this article we explore the best online art communities that have revolutionized the way artists connect, share, and flourish in the digital world. The emergence of online art communities has been akin to a digital renaissance, breathing new life into the art world. Let’s journey through some of these influential platforms.

The Best Online Art Communities

1. DeviantArt: Arguably one of the pioneers in online art communities, DeviantArt offers a diverse spectrum of artworks ranging from digital art and illustrations to photography and literature. With its intricate system of groups and forums, artists can find their niche and grow with like-minded creators.
2. ArtStation: Tailored for professional artists, ArtStation provides a sleek platform to showcase portfolios. It’s become a go-to for recruiters in gaming, film, media, and other industries seeking top-tier talent.
3. Doodle Addicts: Doodle Addicts is a platform that celebrates the spontaneous act of doodling.
4. Behance: Adobe’s Behance is a haven for designers and illustrators, presenting a curated selection of creative projects. The platform’s integration with Adobe’s suite of tools makes it seamless for artists to share their process and final creations.
5. Dribbble: A playground for designers, Dribbble is an invite-only community where creatives share their best work, iterate on ideas, and even land job opportunities.
6. Reddit’s Art Communities: Platforms like r/Art, r/learnart, and r/ArtCrit provide spaces for artists to discuss techniques, share works-in-progress, and seek constructive feedback from a global audience.
7. Instagram: While primarily a social media platform, Instagram has evolved into a significant art community. Artists utilize the platform’s visual-centric nature to showcase their portfolios, engage with fans, and even sell their work directly.
8. Patreon: Beyond a mere showcase, Patreon allows artists to monetize their craft by offering exclusive content to subscribers or ‘patrons.’ It’s a revolutionary way for artists to gain financial support directly from their community.
9. Twitch Creative: Streaming isn’t just for gamers. Twitch Creative invites artists to livestream their process, allowing real-time interaction with viewers, fostering an intimate and immersive experience.
10. CGSociety: For those delving into the realms of 3D art, visual effects, and digital matte painting, CGSociety offers tutorials, forums, and challenges to engage and upskill.
11. PixelJoint: Pixel art enthusiasts flock to PixelJoint to celebrate this unique form. With challenges and a vibrant community forum, it’s a pixel artist’s digital utopia.

1. DeviantArt (Best & Biggest Online Art Community)

Started as one of the first platforms in the online art world, DeviantArt is known as a mixed bag of different art styles. From detailed digital drawings to touching photos and emotional writings, the platform gives a broad range of options. Its easy-to-use grouping, which includes lots of groups and forums, is like a treasure chest for artists looking to find their special area. Something really good about it is the friendship and common growth that the platform encourages, letting artists meet, exchange ideas, and grow together with others who like the same type of art. Because of its long history and many users, it’s a place full of creative ideas, making it really important for any art fan.

2. ArtStation (Great Art Community for Gaming & Media)

ArtStation is a top-notch and very professional site in the digital art world. Made especially for the best of the best in the art scene, this platform offers a smooth, gallery-like space for showing off portfolios. The quality of the work displayed is really amazing, serving as both an inspiration and a standard for new artists. Mainly visited by big names from the gaming, movie, and other digital media industries, ArtStation has also become a popular place for finding new talent. For any artist hoping to become well-known in the professional digital art scene, this platform is a guiding light.

3. Doodle Addicts (Art Community with Playful Take on Art)

Supporting the beauty of simple and unplanned, Doodle Addicts shows the happiness found in quick and casual drawing. In a world that often wants everything to be perfect, this platform is a nice break, celebrating the pure joy of doodling. It shows that art doesn’t always have to be exact or complicated; sometimes, it’s about drawing a quick moment or feeling with a few lines. The community is lively, friendly, and helps artists to accept their unique styles and personalities. For anyone looking for a fun yet very loving art place, Doodle Addicts is a great haven.

4. Behance (Online Art Community Powered by Adobe)

Behance, run by Adobe, is all about showing off fancy design and great artistic skill. It is not only a place to show the final pieces, but often artists share their journey, giving a peek into how they make things, making it a learning goldmine for new artists. What makes Behance special is its smooth connection with Adobe tools, letting artists use the latest tools to polish and show their work. This well-organized place features top-notch projects, encouraging a setting of high quality. Any designer or drawer, whether a beginner or an expert, can get a lot from this platform, both as a place to find new ideas and to get helpful feedback.

5. Dribbble (Invite-only digital Art Community)

Dribbble is a special, invitation-only online place where design ideas really come to life. It’s more than just a spot to show finished designs; it’s a lively place where ideas are created, changed, and made better. It’s not just for showing off; it’s for growing. People give close and helpful feedback, making it a great place for designers to improve and come up with new things. Also, it’s really good for meeting others, with many designers finding good chances through the platform. For people working in design, Dribbble is not just a choice; it’s a must-have.

6. Reddit’s Art Communities (Unfiltered Forum)

7. Instagram (Photo-Sharing App)

Mainly a place to share photos, the way Instagram has changed into a big art community is really amazing. The platform’s focus on pictures matches well with artists, letting them organize their work, connect with people all over the world, and even start their own businesses. Using hashtags helps to create small groups within the platform, serving all possible art interests. However, the way it’s set up can sometimes hide new artists. But with smart interaction and regular posting, it’s a place where artists can really stand out and even make money from what they love to do.

8. Patreon (Subscription-Based Art Community)

Patreon stands out as a new and different way in the art world, doing more than just showing art, it creates a real connection between creators and their fans. What makes Patreon special is its smart subscription-based plan, giving artists a steady way to earn money directly from their faithful followers. Artists can set up different levels, offering fans special content, early access, or even physical things. This not only helps them make money from their work but also makes the community feel closer, giving fans a behind-the-scenes look at the artist’s journey. It’s a win-win setup where creators get direct money support, and fans get a closer relationship with the artist and how they work. For those wanting to turn their love for art into a job, Patreon is a groundbreaking place.

9. Twitch Creative (Interactive Art Community)

Usually linked with gaming, Twitch did a great job expanding with its ‘Creative’ section. Artists can show their process of making art live, making the act of creating art a two-way experience. People watching can see how the art is made, the methods used, and even the small mistakes that happen sometimes, all as it happens live. The chat option lets people give immediate responses, ask questions, and build friendships, making it a very engaging experience. It’s a wonderful mix of learning, fun, and making a community, giving artists a chance to increase their followers and even get help through donations and subscriptions.

10. CGSociety (3D and Digital Art Community)

Going deep into the special area of 3D art and digital effects, CGSociety is a big and complete platform for learning and talking with others. It has selected content that goes from amazing collections of work from professionals to very useful lessons that help artists learn different methods and deal with challenges. The forums are lively centers for talks, feedback, and working together. Whether someone is an experienced 3D artist or a keen beginner wanting to try out the complex world of digital art, CGSociety is a really important tool and community.

11. PixelJoint (Pixel Retro Art Community)

Pixel art, with its old-school coolness and careful detail, has a special place at PixelJoint. This platform is more than just a display area; it’s a lively community that encourages development, learning, and working together. Regular contests encourage creativity, making artists think beyond the usual pixel art styles. The forum areas are full of conversations, lessons, and feedback, making sure that artists, whether they are experienced or beginners, have a place to learn and grow. For anyone really into the pixel style of art, PixelJoint is an awesome online home.