Questions and Answers
General Questions
What is a recognized work?
Most artwork never makes it past the available release page. A photograph, for example, is placed on the available release page when it is submitted. This is the "Review Period". The reviewers hold the precious stars that determine if this post will have life. That "life" is "recognized".
Recognized means it will appear on all the appropriate listings and also the site search engine. Artwork will only be placed on our for sale listings if it is recognized. Artists may still place a work for sale but it will only be listed in their private gallery, and it will not show up in our search engine and listings, unless it is recognized. This ensures buyers that they are viewing quality work for sale.
A work is considered for this status after it has received fifteen reviews. Once eligible, it is considered at the end of each day.
When recognized, the work is moved onto the category listings and the for sale listing. It is picked up by the search engines and the ribbon shown here is displayed by the work in the artist's profile. The artist will be notified by a private message.
The site picks artwork for this status by looking at the ratings and the members that commented. All comments count, but good ratings from members that have earned blue stars (the more the better) carry more weight.
Most artwork never makes it past the available release page. A photograph, for example, is placed on the available release page when it is submitted. This is the "Review Period". The reviewers hold the precious stars that determine if this post will have life. That "life" is "recognized".
Recognized means it will appear on all the appropriate listings and also the site search engine. Artwork will only be placed on our for sale listings if it is recognized. Artists may still place a work for sale but it will only be listed in their private gallery, and it will not show up in our search engine and listings, unless it is recognized. This ensures buyers that they are viewing quality work for sale.
A work is considered for this status after it has received fifteen reviews. Once eligible, it is considered at the end of each day.
When recognized, the work is moved onto the category listings and the for sale listing. It is picked up by the search engines and the ribbon shown here is displayed by the work in the artist's profile. The artist will be notified by a private message.
The site picks artwork for this status by looking at the ratings and the members that commented. All comments count, but good ratings from members that have earned blue stars (the more the better) carry more weight.
How many stars should I give something I view?
Artists are generally interested in improving their skills and impressing the audience. You, as a reviewer, should try to write an unbiased review of the work while keeping in mind that there is a person on the other end. You are encouraged to be critical but should also state what you enjoyed in the work. Compare the artwork to the top artists you have viewed when making a judgement of how many stars to award.
Here's a guideline for star usage:
When writing a review we encourage you to give feedback to the artist. Try telling the artist both what you liked and what you didn't like. If you simply write what you did not like the review may come across as an attack
Consider the following when reviewing:
Artists are generally interested in improving their skills and impressing the audience. You, as a reviewer, should try to write an unbiased review of the work while keeping in mind that there is a person on the other end. You are encouraged to be critical but should also state what you enjoyed in the work. Compare the artwork to the top artists you have viewed when making a judgement of how many stars to award.
Here's a guideline for star usage:
 | Six Stars (Exceptional: Simply Outstanding) |
| Five Stars (Excellent: Enjoyable and no revisions needed) |
| Four Stars (Good: Adjustments needed) |
| Three Stars (Below average) |
| Two Stars (Below Average: Needs lots of work) |
| One Star (Poor: Major revision required) |
When writing a review we encourage you to give feedback to the artist. Try telling the artist both what you liked and what you didn't like. If you simply write what you did not like the review may come across as an attack
Consider the following when reviewing:
- Initial impact
- Creativity of presentation.
- Color Harmony
- Center of Interest
- Technical Excellence
- Technique
- Story Telling Ability.
- Lighting
| Note: | The categories above may not be appropriate for a specific work you are viewing. These are general guidelines to follow. |
What is a "Six Star"
Premier members of FanArtReview.com can rate a work with six stars. Six stars are reserved for exceptional posts. There are limitations to "Six Star" use.
Premier members of FanArtReview.com can rate a work with six stars. Six stars are reserved for exceptional posts. There are limitations to "Six Star" use.
- Each week you have six "Six Stars" that can be used.
- You can reward a "Six Star" to an individual artist twice in a thirty day period.
| The "Six Star" rating is reserved for exceptional work. If a work maintains a rating that averages over "Five Stars" the work will be shown with a Five Star plus rating (shown to the right). |
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What is Mixed Media Photography
A Traditional Photograph is a photo that closely resembles the original photographed subject. A Mixed Media photograph is creating something new from a photograph.
A Traditional Photograph is a photo that closely resembles the original photographed subject. A Mixed Media photograph is creating something new from a photograph.
- Traditional Photography As long as the image presented is the same or similar to the original subject of the photo it is classified as a traditional photograph. Adding a border to a photo, for example, would be a Traditional Photograph because the image in the border remains the same. Adjusting the colors would not make it a Mixed Media Photograph unless the color changes altered it to the point where the photo became something different. Slight or even major touch ups with software will not necessarily make a photo a Mixed Media Photograph. As shown on the scale displayed here
(this scale is available when you post your photo), there is room to make changes where the image will still be classified as a Traditional Photo. For a work to be classified as mixed media the changes to the photograph must alter it from the original to the point where the photo becomes something different.
- Mixed Media Photography A Mixed Media photograph is a photo that is edited to make it something different. Using computer software or other means the photo becomes a different form of artwork.
Here is a visual example.
This is the original photograph. Since there are no edits it clearly is a traditional photograph. So we set the level to traditional. Tight cropping and the image has been sharpened with software. We've also adjusted exposure, colors and contrast. In addition, we added slight vignette. So we have made many changes using software but the number of changes is not what impacts the mixed media level. When we compare the original photographed subject to the edited image, it is not something that different. So this is still a traditional photograph. But we do change the level. The final product. All the adjustments noted previously. But now we have made something different. The image is slightly rotated. We've changed the background and the colors. We have made other adjustments that have made this something different when compared to the original photo. We post this as a mixed media photography by adjusting the level.
A special thanks to avmurray, 2011 Mixed Media Photographer of the Year, for providing the images used in the sample.
How do I become a ranked reviewer?
On FanArtReview.com every qualifying reviewer is ranked. The top five reviewers are recognized with special icons. To become a reviewer you just need to write comments and earn points which are used to calculate your rank.
A three month rolling window is used so all members - even new ones - have a chance for the top spot.
Top reviewer signature icons.
The next question, What are blue stars?, contains additional information on points and reviewing.
On FanArtReview.com every qualifying reviewer is ranked. The top five reviewers are recognized with special icons. To become a reviewer you just need to write comments and earn points which are used to calculate your rank.
A three month rolling window is used so all members - even new ones - have a chance for the top spot.
Top reviewer signature icons.
 | The hawk awarded to the fifth ranked reviewer |
 | The owl awarded to the fourth ranked reviewer |
 | The raven awarded to the third ranked reviewer |
 | The bat awarded to the second ranked reviewer |
 | The #1 ranked reviewer |
The next question, What are blue stars?, contains additional information on points and reviewing.
What are blue stars?
Each time you comment on a work posted you earn points and member cents. The number of points you have earned is shown in your profile.
Most work rewards one point but posts with certificates (explained in detail here) may give out more. Points go towards the number of blue stars you that are shown in your signature.
The more you comment on the more blue stars you will earn. In addition, you are ranked as a reviewer based on the number of points you earn when commenting.
Points required to earn blue stars:
Each time you comment on a work posted you earn points and member cents. The number of points you have earned is shown in your profile.
Most work rewards one point but posts with certificates (explained in detail here) may give out more. Points go towards the number of blue stars you that are shown in your signature.
The more you comment on the more blue stars you will earn. In addition, you are ranked as a reviewer based on the number of points you earn when commenting.
Points required to earn blue stars:
 | = 10 points |
| = 100 points |
| = 250 points |
| = 600 points |
 | |
| When five blue stars are earned your stars are upgraded. | |
| |
 | = 1500 points |
| = 2500 points |
| = 5000 points |
| = 10,000 points |
| |
| Nine stars are earned when a member earns 20,000 points. At this point a members name is surrounded by the stars earned.
Additional stars are earned around the ring for each 10,000 milestone. | |
| |
What are certificates and how do I use them?
First, let's look at the base question.
What Are Certificates
Certificates are used to encourage FanArtReview reviewers to review your work. The first certificate you will place on your work is called a "Base Certificate". A base certificate places your post on the available release page. It also offers a base amount of member cents and points to reviewers.
That leads to the question: what are member cents? They are the FanArtReview currency that is used to buy these certificates. So if you write reviews you can earn member cents. You can use those member cents to buy a certificate for your own work.
The available release page is sorted by member cents rewarded. The posts that offer the most member cents to reviewers are listed higher on the page. So the work rewarding the most amount of member cents is in the first position. The work that is offering the next most is listed second - and so on.
Now your base certificate does reward member cents. But not much. So you will likely want to reward more. To reward more member cents you use a "Member Cent Pump Certificate" This certificate simply increases the amount of member cents your work rewards. Each use will normally move it higher up the listing bringing it to the attention of more viewers.
That's really all there is to it. First, add a base certificate, next use bonus certificates (normally the member cent pump) to raise that position to a level where it will receive notice.
And how do I use them?
First, get one with member dollars. Write reviews to earn member dollars or buy them here.
Next, use the certificate. Simply view your post and click the "Promote It" button on that page. It looks like this:
.
Click here for a full listing of certificates.
First, let's look at the base question.
What Are Certificates
Certificates are used to encourage FanArtReview reviewers to review your work. The first certificate you will place on your work is called a "Base Certificate". A base certificate places your post on the available release page. It also offers a base amount of member cents and points to reviewers.
That leads to the question: what are member cents? They are the FanArtReview currency that is used to buy these certificates. So if you write reviews you can earn member cents. You can use those member cents to buy a certificate for your own work.
The available release page is sorted by member cents rewarded. The posts that offer the most member cents to reviewers are listed higher on the page. So the work rewarding the most amount of member cents is in the first position. The work that is offering the next most is listed second - and so on.
Now your base certificate does reward member cents. But not much. So you will likely want to reward more. To reward more member cents you use a "Member Cent Pump Certificate" This certificate simply increases the amount of member cents your work rewards. Each use will normally move it higher up the listing bringing it to the attention of more viewers.
That's really all there is to it. First, add a base certificate, next use bonus certificates (normally the member cent pump) to raise that position to a level where it will receive notice.
And how do I use them?
First, get one with member dollars. Write reviews to earn member dollars or buy them here.
Next, use the certificate. Simply view your post and click the "Promote It" button on that page. It looks like this:
.
Click here for a full listing of certificates.
How do I know if I'm doing well?
| Your Rating |
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Your Rank |
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| Recognized |
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All-Time Best Recognition  |
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Diamond Seal  |
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What is the FanArtReview Registered Copyright?
For any FanArtReview post an artist can receive a registered copyright certificate identifying the artist as the copyright owner of the work. In addition, FanArtReview provides date and time stamp protection as well as other means to secure the copyright personally to the artist. The FanArtReview copyright symbol
demonstrates that this protection is in place.
For any FanArtReview post an artist can receive a registered copyright certificate identifying the artist as the copyright owner of the work. In addition, FanArtReview provides date and time stamp protection as well as other means to secure the copyright personally to the artist. The FanArtReview copyright symbol
demonstrates that this protection is in place.
How do I get ranked?
The site ranks all photographers and artists that have posted six works. The rank is based on the ratings of the work posted.
On FanArtReview.com every qualifying photographer, traditional artist, and digital artist is ranked. The top five for each category receive special recognition.
To be ranked, an artist needs to post six works (in the proper category) that do well. Rank is primarily determined by looking at the artists overall rating (based on the reviews on his or her work). How well an artists work is received is also considered. For this the site looks at the number of reviews an artist is receiving although the primary factor is the quality of the ratings with six stars being an important part of the rankings.
At the end of the year the top five ranked photographers, traditional artists, and digital artists are rewarded plaques based on their position for the year. One way for an artist to measure his or her skills is to compare their placement on the listings to other artists.
The Top Five Photographers signature icons
Top Traditional Artist signature icons.
Top Digital Artist signature icons.
Tradtional Photographer Rankings | Traditional Artist Rankings | Mixed Media Photographers Rankings | Digital Artist Rankings
For details on your ranking check your status.
 The final top five artists and photographers from each of the four rankings for this year will receive a customized plaque. |
To be ranked, an artist needs to post six works (in the proper category) that do well. Rank is primarily determined by looking at the artists overall rating (based on the reviews on his or her work). How well an artists work is received is also considered. For this the site looks at the number of reviews an artist is receiving although the primary factor is the quality of the ratings with six stars being an important part of the rankings.
At the end of the year the top five ranked photographers, traditional artists, and digital artists are rewarded plaques based on their position for the year. One way for an artist to measure his or her skills is to compare their placement on the listings to other artists.
The Top Five Photographers signature icons
 | The fifth ranked photographer bear. |
 | The bear awarded to the fourth ranked photographer |
 | The third ranked photographer bear |
 | The second ranked photographer bear |
 | The #1 ranked photographer bear |
Top Traditional Artist signature icons.
 | The Panther awarded to the fifth ranked artist |
 | The Tiger awarded to the fourth ranked artist |
 | The Cougar awarded to the third ranked artist |
 | The Lion awarded to the second ranked artist |
 | The #1 ranked artist lion |
Top Digital Artist signature icons.
 | The dog awarded to the fifth ranked digital artist |
 | The Labrador retriever awarded to the fourth ranked digital artist |
 | The Bulldog awarded to the third ranked digital artist |
 | The German Shepard awarded to the second ranked digital artist |
 | The #1 ranked digital artist |
Tradtional Photographer Rankings | Traditional Artist Rankings | Mixed Media Photographers Rankings | Digital Artist Rankings
For details on your ranking check your status.