how long does approval take for models / sprites?

[daemoth]

after reading, specifically #5, would i still count as being new?
i signed up back in 2012, and i've only started to truly use this site in 2018 (aka this year). i understand the reason entirely, im just not sure if i would be "new" or not.

It's more about the amount of sheet or models you have submitted rather than when you have created your account. If you have submitted a lot of sheet or models of good quality, the more likely the mods and staff are to trust your work.