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Evilness321 In reply to Femmes-Fatales [2012-08-24 20:28:10 +0000 UTC]

I'm glad you like it, and apologize for taking so long to get back to you on this. It's been a rather busy week for me.

Now to the main topics- Yes, yes you are doing something right when you redesign characters! And I guess I misunderstood/misread the description for the original picture for this outfit. But hopefully she doesn't look much older than 17-19 anyways?

It actually took me quite a few sketches to come up with this pattern. I believe I was on sketch four by the time this version came around. And by the time I inked it, I was quite satisfied with the look and poses of the different Ravens. The only Raven that stayed the same from the get-go, in all honesty, was the Orange rude Raven. I actually started out drawing with Naoko Takeuchi's style, then sort of moved in to Winx Club, where I learned to put more detail into my psuedo-anime look, and then DC. After that, or ever since then, I should say, I've been working on trying to combine certain aspects on what I like about each style in to my own as well as I could. where am I going with this? Well, to put it simply, the limbs have always been a bit of a challenge for me, so I do appreciate the tip on making them a bit shorter. I actually find the bangles/bracelets quite fun to draw, seeing as I rarely incorporate jewelry like that into my art, so it wasn't that difficult to enjoy in this image.

I'm glad that you liked how it turned out, it took me a couple of days to complete after I finally reached the composition/position of the characters that you see here! And as always, I love your redesign!

Oh, and in regards to the crediting/etc. for your part in the featured design of Raven: I've had problems personally with art thieves off and on since a couple of years ago, and I know what a pain in the neck they can be/are personally. Some people would say that it's a compliment when others view your art as worth stealing. I think the exact opposite. So, when I can or feel inspired, I try to ask first instead of just diving right into a project without permissions or anything.

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Femmes-Fatales In reply to Evilness321 [2012-08-25 00:08:54 +0000 UTC]

You're definitely on the right track and in the right mind-set when it comes to art. I think to some degree we all appropriate elements of different drawing styles we like and we combine them to create something that is our own. My own style as an artist has shifted and changed over the years. For a fairly long period of time, I actually drew in an anime-style. As I said, you're on the right track and it'll be cool to see your style continue to evolve. You also shouldn't worry too much if there's something you have trouble with. Artists all have things they're not terribly happy about having to draw (hands always give me such problems) and it just takes practice. In some ways, you may not have to worry about proportions and such since you can make it an aesthetic decision to draw longer legs or longer arms. That's the beauty of art... it's up to you as an artist to decide what you want your style should be.

It's amazing to hear that you do so many different drafts of your drawings. I'm probably what you'd consider a hasty artist (and writer) since drafting isn't something I do a lot of. I tend to get a pose in my head and just get to work on it. It probably is smarter to do drafts and such though. I can definitely see the hard work you put into this piece and I hope you're really proud of it. I am happy that I got to comment on this... I love to comment on people's art and give them my thoughts on their art and I do hope I do so in a very constructive and positive way. I know one person made a reply to my original comment that seemed rather... snarky. It's always a little... disconcerting when I get made fun of for offering people an insightful comment. DA is littered with people who only give one-word comments or generic one-sentence comments. I really want to work against that and to let people know all their hard work is being acknowledge. You yourself said that you went through several drafts and that it took a couple of days after getting that perfect sketch to finish the piece. I'd say that deserves more than just a one-off "Nice!" or "Great job!", wouldn't you?

You've had to deal with art thieves too, huh? Do you mind elaborating a little more on it? If you feel comfortable talking about it, I would like to know what happened if only to hear from someone who's been through a similar situation as I have.

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Evilness321 In reply to Femmes-Fatales [2012-08-25 06:39:37 +0000 UTC]

I'm hoping to one day be able to illustrate my own books in a style that I'll eventually settle on in the near future, which is part of why I'm working so hard on it now. dA is proving more or less my 'battle grounds' of sorts, before I move on to the professional field. Just this last year and a half I've really made some strides, due to me having a seizure and being bed-ridden for nearly 4-5 months straight after wards. I had to find something, and studying/really WORKING at my art seemed the proper way to pass the time and keep my sanity during my recovery. There is certainly a 'before seizure' and 'after seizure' look to my art, so to speak when I was able to really study anatomy, color/shading and perception. Having a lot of time on my hands, but not being able to do much for a few months will have that affect on a person like me

I actually learned to do drafts from my Art/Comic mentor in high school, a fellow by the name of T.R. Lewis (The creator of the Over the Hedge Comic/movie). It was so neat to learn all of those steps from him (And get to hear some of the movie-making processes he was having to undergo, since at that time his movie was just getting started), and I've really tried to keep all the tools and skills he taught me over the years. Drafting was one of the big things he taught me, always do it first in pencil, then ink. Then, if I so choose to, send it over to the digital forum so to speak. To be honest, I see a lot of artists starting out here who have lots of potential, but don't really know what to do with their ideas, and wish they had a 'starting out' tutor like I had for that last year of High School.

And I completely agree with how annoying generic "Nice!" or "Great job!" comments can get. While I know some of my dA regulars who comment on my works, that's just how it flows with them and they just aren't that chatty, others it gets kind of annoying after a while. I kind of made just as snarky of a response to that person who made fun of you, because I was on the receiving end in a much more obvious way while growing up in high school due to my learning disabilities, and troubles socializing. I don't put up with that stuff when it happens to people I like, or consider my friends. To me, a longer comment like what you gave shows intelligence and caring enough that I certainly appreciate and enjoy. I like having conversations with those who like my art and want to give me tips/critique on how to improve. (I also think hands can be a nightmare. That and feet. Out of hands, feet and limbs, the most obvious of the three evils for me are limbs )

I shall note you on the details of my little art thievery incident, since I don't want them knowing that yes, I still recall them and I'm still on the look out for them if they should ever strike again. It's a nasty business, a lot of it since it stems from a long history.

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Femmes-Fatales In reply to Evilness321 [2012-08-25 22:09:14 +0000 UTC]

I'm sorry to hear that you had a seizure forcing you into bed-rest for that many months. I honestly cannot begin to imagine what that must have been like but it is inspiring that you were able to dedicate yourself to something like art and use that as a tool in your recovery. I really applaud you for that. I do think it's rather cool that your goal with your art is to eventually use it to illustrate your stories. I know there are quite a few literary agents who do look for people who do graphic novels and it seems that many are interested in publishing illustrated works in an upscale market.

With my process, I do a basic sketch doing poses or whatever else I'd like to do. After I'm 100% satisfied with it (or as close to 100% as I can be), I go ahead and ink it... going on from there.

Tell me about it! I also have quite a few people who will come and comment on my work but they're always be those very generic comments. Some people don't even bother to change the wording of each comment and instead I'll have the same comment from the same person on all of my art. I'd actually made a guide to commenting a little while back and posted it to DA... it seems it didn't do much good in the long run. It's ridiculous. Something that is also a minor pet peeve of mine is when people don't bother to read what I had to say in my comment box because it sometimes makes it seem like people aren't even paying attention to me and my work. It's just like they show up, drop a "Great job!" and go on their merry way. I find it slightly disrespectful. It's also frustrating to me because sometimes when I get confronted about my desire for more insightful comments people will call me needy or they'll say "Oh what do you want? A novel?"

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Evilness321 In reply to Femmes-Fatales [2012-08-25 23:11:37 +0000 UTC]

Well, I'd been sick a lot while I was growing up. The first time I spent a lengthy stretch immobile was when I had pneumonia at the 4th grade, and that was when I found writing/drawing to be a good outlet for me. After that, ear and sinus infections. So I just continued to work at my art as a result. And for about 4 or 5 years I've had to deal with vertigo, where I would be so dizzy and unstable that I couldn't stand, let alone walk. So yeah, I'm pretty much used to it. But each time in between my illnesses, I tend to forget and am reminded how grateful I am to have such hobbies that I've adopted. So sickness/etc. isn't a new thing for me, but being so sick that I had a seizure WAS a new experience. I'm not complaining though, each time I've been ill, it's been a new chance for me to experiment, and learn more about my art in ways that I didn't before hand.

I still think it's interesting, reading/hearing about how other artists go about their process of creation, even if they don't do 10+ drafts before the final steps (Metaphorically speaking, of course, with the 10+ drafts comment) or just a few. It's still interesting, takes time, and talent to go through all that.

I dunno, I think if we just lead by example, maybe a few people might catch on with the whole comments issue. Half of the people on here don't read journal entries or blogs, even if they're made by well known individuals on the site. (At least in my personal experience). I mean, sad to say, but very few people will read something for 'self improvement' on internet manners these days. Just because it's anonymous most of the time, and they feel they can do whatever the heck they want. Even just a 'hit and run' comment that you're talking about. A lot of people don't think about how that makes the person on the receiving end feel.

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Femmes-Fatales In reply to Evilness321 [2012-08-27 18:12:55 +0000 UTC]

At least you're able to spin all of that into something positive. I can't really imagine being sick that much and having to be immobile. I'm a very physical person by nature and need to be able to go for walks and to be able to dance. Without that I'm not sure what I'd do.

One of the things I think a lot of writers and artists figure out is that the process of their creativity varies and that they never quite have to imitate someone else's. There are so many how-to-draw books out there and I find that I tend to draw in a way that is opposite to how so many of them say to do it. I don't bother with doing any "skeleton" parts where I draw the figure in a stick-figure manner first before fleshing it over. With writing, I also find that I'm not as... obsessive as some writers are. I don't obsess over how to say a certain sentence for an hour and I don't do draft after draft after draft.

We happen to live in a very selfish and lazy society. People want what they want without ever having to do anything for it and without really ever showing their gratitude for what they get. I don't really think they ever really think about how their comments will make other people feel and the anonymity the internet provides doesn't help much either. It sometimes surprises me how lazy and selfish people can be. I'll get all kinds of comments from people asking me if I take requests or telling me I should draw a certain character and then when I tell them they can enter a contest to win a request drawing from me or they can commission me, I never hear from them again. I also have a handful of people who will comment on my art and they're always those generic comments we've discussed. It just seems they don't pay attention at all because I have other people who DO give great comments and those people who give them get preferential treatment from me. You would think they would clue in... "Hey, this guy writes really great comments and he got a free art piece. I want a drawing too! I'm going to step up my commenting!" Hell, I even held a "commenter of the month" contest two months in a row to encourage better commenting by offering prizes for those who gave me the best comments. Needless to say, by the second month there was only one person who even deserved to get a prize (and he ended up being the only one who got one).

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Evilness321 In reply to Femmes-Fatales [2012-08-27 19:29:05 +0000 UTC]

While it was admittedly a lonely childhood/teen years growing up, being sick so much, and then all the other stuff happening that we've been discussing via notes, at the same time, I'm glad that I was able to develop the skills that I now have. Because without all the hobbies (I'm also a pianist, apart from being a starting writer/artist) I wouldn't be the same person I am today. I just believe that if I hold on to those negative feelings towards the people who made my life miserable while growing up, that would make me no better than they. And my life is probably a lot better than theirs, even with all current situations taken in to consideration.

I guess in all senses and purposes, the phrase 'each to their own' would really apply to artists and their process of 'creation' so to speak. I think it's neat how, while it's all art, as you've said, each path to the final product is different. I only like doing the 'skeleton' step if it's a really difficult, or unusual pose for me, like some of my 'in-action' images it helps me out quite a bit.

I've had to nearly come to the point of stop giving out free requests and all that. Now I just give out five during 'holiday' months, and that's it. It's been next to impossible for me to get any commissions, points or cash because people just don't wanna pay for anything from me I guess. That's the problem with a lot of people these days, either they want something free, or they don't give a crap. It seems you're running in to that same problem with your own watchers. I remember seeing that 'commenter of the month' thing a while back, but at that time my Dad's health started taking a down-turn, so I had to spend a lot more time helping him. But I'd expect a lot more from other viewers, especially with your art and skills that you have (I'd love to be able to draw men/boys as well as you do, for instance. But the anatomy is something I have issues with).

I think it's sad how a lot of people these days (Especially in the younger generations- that makes me sound old o.O ) can't spare a few minutes for an actual conversation with the artist/author online unless they get something else in return for free. One of the many things that urks me about this site, honestly

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Femmes-Fatales In reply to Evilness321 [2012-08-28 22:32:33 +0000 UTC]

Like I've said, it's good that you're able to turn such negative experiences into positive and constructive experiences. Not everyone can do that and more often than not people will throw pity parties for themselves looking for sympathy and attention.

What I've found in terms of commissions is that many people have said they would like to commission me but they just don't have the funds to do so. Times are tough and not everyone has the luxury of spending money on something like art. I can sympathize with and understand that. However, I'm sure there are others who just plain don't want to pay and want things for free (because they're THAT cheap). It's unfortunate really. I have been lucky enough to get a few commissions but they've been spread so far apart it feels like I've hardly done any. The contests I've done have really just been in an effort to generate more interest in my art and to try and at least forge more bonds with the people who watch me. Unfortunately, the commenting contest was really a bust and it seemed that no one wanted to put in the effort. The colouring contest did marginally better but I've noticed fewer entrants this time around. I guess people decided my art isn't incentive enough to enter for a free prize.

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Azarathian-Mage In reply to Femmes-Fatales [2012-08-23 16:48:53 +0000 UTC]

write a critique, why don't you?
lol.

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Evilness321 In reply to Azarathian-Mage [2012-08-24 20:19:35 +0000 UTC]

I don't mind, it gives me something more to respond to than a simple four letter compliment.

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