Yep, that's what I tend to get stuck at most of the time: the direction to go to. I know what "feeling" I'd like the end result to have, and I'd like to draw it all myself, so I can learn as much from it. But I get stuck plenty of times along the way, especially in the earlier stages. I guess those parts are mostly a matter of experience and having an artist's eye (both of which I lack). It's stuff like finding ways of turning a bland-looking piece good, or finding out why something looks crappy (like the very first post in that menu thread), or a composition issue (which I got right now). If I didn't get the feedback I got in the menu thread, I probably would have given up. The result would be that I'd be "yet another noob not putting any effort in it" to people like Innomin.

If you'd like another example of people in the WIP just needing that push in the right direction, this thread is a good example as well. I still feel like that guy could've been helped out better than how I did, but if nobody even bothers taking a look... I must say that the end result is great, though! So that one's saved. 

Can't imagine how many have given up because nobody takes the effort to help them out, though.

He had no feedback until I commented kicking him in the right direction which is what a lot of people using the WIP section need. Had I not taken my time to comment, it could have possibly gone no where. A person shouldn't need to have almost completely done art, and it shouldn't be expected of beginners using the WIP section in the first place.

Fair enough, I didn't see that one. But I think my argument still stands - he got a lot more feedback after some major changes and updates were made.

And I really didn't mean to imply that he was one of the newbs looking for hand-holding. Just that the effort put into feedback is comparable to the effort put into the piece.

Sometimes an artist will become stuck not knowing the direction to go in. I have experienced this myself. Then they go to the WIP section for some opinions. Raf's menu thread is a great example. He was stuck. I gave him an example and suggestion. He took it and rolled with it ending up with some good results. I at no point held his hand, and he put in a lot of effort.

WIP threads die for a variety of reasons. Lack of interest on the side of potential help is a big one.