Welcome to Principles of Darkness

Pull up a chair, and join us in the darkness for a while...

Featured Member of the Week

Crucified Majesty - dark artist extrodinaire, and creative to boot.

News and Happenings

Children of Bodom and Iced Earth are making tour stops in Toronto on the 26th Montreal on the 28th.

A Perfect Circle plays in Toronto the 28th of this month.

Want to have a news article here? Note this account with the article, with the subject line "News"

Members List

Fallen Angel
The administration. Hell's door guards. Whatever
~petermdodge and his better half, ~rudha

Children of Darkness
All the members that are fully-fledged and recognized members of our little group ...
~silverfeathers, *crucifiedmajesty, ~belle-de-la-nuit

The Lost
As well, the following people are in cognito for various reasons; not enough time at the moment, family troubles, etc. etc.
*thurisaz

What Is Principles of Darkness?

Principles of Darkness is a deviant group founded by Peter Dodge (~petermdodge) for gothic artists, of words and image alike, to come together and share their knowledege, whatever level it may be at. We can all learn from each other, and Principles of Darkness facilitates that learning by acting as a medium.

Principles of Darkness is also put forward to dispell the negative prejudices that exist against the gothic "genre", and to find not just the evil and darkness in the world, but to ponder the deeper thoughts of it's purpose and causes.

Finally, we at Principles of Darkness try to help improve the community of DeviantArt, insofar as we are able. We work not only to support each other, but to support other growing artists and the community as a whole.

How do I join Principles of Darkness?

It is really quite simple.

All you have to do is send a note to this account with you account name and URL as well as a selection of 2-4 of your "best" deviations. We use best in quotation marks because it does not neccessarily depend on the quality of the drawing or prose, but also other criteria, detailed below. It is not required, but greatly helps, if you explain what you were trying to express witth these deviations, so that we are on the same base. Use your discresion.

We also ask for a short and clear explanation of *why* you would like to join. It doesn't have to be long and complicated, just tell us why you want to join our ranks.

Once we have recieved your application, we will send you a note to your account telling you so. We will then take time to decide whether you are right and ready to join our ranks. When we have made a descision, you will be informed of what it is.

If you do not receive a note, get in contact with us, because sometimes DeviantArt does act up, and other times things get overlooked.

What criteria do Principles of Darkness use to judge my entry?

The quality of the comments you have posted recently to other artists' work. We appreciate artists who give thoughtful and constructive criticism.

The nature of the favourites you have selected. Although we are fairly lenient with this, sometimes this can be a sign of someone who just isn't right to join us.

The nature of the deviations you have submitted. Just as above, but we also look at the deviations as well. However, these are far more critical, for you can like an image or writing expressing joy and happiness but still feel dark and downtrodden. The message is the point here, and the clarity of how the image or writing expresses this opinion is tantamount to your application. It doesn't have to be good, just clear. We do appreciate subtley, as long as we're able to figure out what the message is

Also, if you're a stock artist, there is definetely a certain leeway in what is considered in tune with the group's overall feel. The rule of thumb in this case is that we ask ourselves just how hard it would be for an artist of 1/2-1 year of experience to change the stock photo into something gothic; whether the message of the images are a huge stretch when trying to use them in a gothic or dark image.

What is expected of me in Principles of Darkness?

Not much, really

All we ask is that you try to view our member's deviations and give constructive criticism on his or her work. It's really that simple. However, there are plenty of ways to remain active in the community and maintain a high profile:

Participate in collaborations or projects we facilitate. We will from time to time try to get the group together to work on projects, such as getting a collection of themed images or writings. Participating in these projects is an excellent way to contribute while at the same time meeting new members and learning new techniques.

Communicate and keep in touch with the members and the staff. After all, if we never hear from you, we probably won't remember you!

Contribute works for the group itself, such as new deviantIDs, avatars, and the such. That's a really good way to leave your mark on the group in a tangiable way.

A Note on the Favourites Gallery for Members, Staff, and DA Administration

The point of the favourites gallery of the Principles of Darkness is to highlight what we believe to be the best works of the membership. Thus, the favourites in the favourites gallery are those of members and staff, naturally. This is not just to "give out favourites", as that would be abusing a system we want to work to improve. Rather, this is to act as a single place to find what we believe to be the best works of our members.

We reserve the right to pick and choose what favourites we like among our members, although the members can always refuse to have their work shown in the favourites gallery and have them removed, should they wish.

We do not entertain any requests for us to display a work. To look at a work - sure. However, WE shall decide if and when we shall display it.

What is going on if my piece was removed from the gallery?
First of all, as an attempt at self-regulation, we will have no more than two pieces from a single artist (although pictures, writing, and stock are considered different categories for this). Under no circumstances will we have more than four pieces of art from an artist - if we went any higher than that than the gallery would become flooded and most likely a select few artists would have many favourites, drowning other good works.

Please Note
The administration has approved of this policy, so long as we are not indiscriminately adding favourites from our members.