HOME | DD

Description

And we are DONE!

After 107 days (with only 3 days off), I have completed my largest art project to date!

Comfort zone who? I don't know her.

And as with any large project completion, I have to be dramatic and do overly wordy wrap-up post.

Highlights:

So to say this was a dream come true isn’t necessarily true, but it wouldn’t be an exaggeration. I’ve adored the artwork in TTRPG books for as long as I’ve played and used them as inspiration for trying to improve my own art. The only reason this wasn’t an actual dream of mine because whenever I dared to consider it, I figured it was so far out of reach it was unobtainable. So being asked to come aboard onto this project was a HUGE ego boost – and the ultimate kick-in-the-teeth to imposter syndrome was that I didn’t even have to apply. They sought ME out. So I’m sure imposter syndrome will still creep back in here and there, but I have some decent ammo to fight it off now.

Additionally, character design (particularly fantasy) is my favourite artwork to do. I know y’all like when my commissions are open, but if I could go the rest of my “art career” just doing TTRPG books I would be a very happy Birdseed. On top of that, having these character representing groups of people who are often not represented or misrepresented in fantasy – and having people in those groups being a part of the decision process to say what they want included, don’t want included, and get to ask for changes if things aren’t quite how they want them? Being a part of that is something I’m always going to look back on fondly.

The final major highlight would be something that also made the project difficult but so rewarding: I was yeeted so far from my comfort zone I can’t see it anymore. Normally I wouldn’t be comfortable with my skill for doing animal heads on humans (lizardfolk, minotaur), anything mecha (vertotile, prosthetics on the cyborg), or lots of other things that were included (bug humanoids, energy for body, etc.), and would tell the commissioner I wasn’t comfortable taking their money for an area I’m not confident in. But for this project, I figured I’d give it my all, and I’m so glad I did. I’ve learned so much and I’m seeing new areas I can branch into!

Downsides:

As much as I loved working on this, as with any job, it wasn’t just sunshine and rainbows. I’ve had projects before that took over my entire life and I did NOT want to do that again, so when I signed on I had about a dozen contingency plans in place so that if I lost a week or two due to any unforeseen event (injury, illness, funeral, etc.) I’d still be able to complete it on time with minimal stress. When our deadline was cut (by 40% at that), I ended up putting every contingency plan I had in place and, after 107 days with only 3 days off, I managed to pull it all together one day later than the new deadline. While I did complete the task, I have had absolutely no mental space for the past 4 months, and I am burned out.

If I ever get an opportunity like this again, I’m still going to jump at it. If any of you ever get an opportunity like this, I absolutely encourage you to take it! But know what you’re getting into. When you prepare for the unexpected, the universe will find what you missed. It’s a very rewarding experience, but it is hard work, and you need to know what you’re getting into and that problems will arise that you have to deal with on the fly. I absolutely do not regret taking on this project – but I am absolutely taking a break now that it’s done.

Favourite:

Perhaps unexpectedly, I think the Ogre ended up being my favourite. I had paid no real thought to ogres before this project so was expecting that one to just be a “drawn and done” situation, but they just ended up having so much personality I can’t help but love them. The first nine are definitely the ones I think I did the best work on, because I was still young and full of energy. After that, even though I was still giving it my all, burnout had started to set in, so I think they’re just a touch less full of life. That could just be my perception, though.

Least Favourite:

Eh, I don’t think I really have any I dislike here? I do wish I’d done a better job representing scoliosis with the troll, and I find the proportions of the minotaur a bit off, like I should have committed fully to chibi or to-scale instead of sitting in the middle, but there genuinely aren’t any I look at and seethe with rage. So that’s improvement – normally at the end of a large series there are a handful I’d prefer to bury in the back woods and forget ever happened.

Going Forward:

I am taking time for myself. I’m taking a vacation from my day job next week, and afterwards my days off will be spent for my own art and other hobbies (believe it or not I have those ) until I’m ready to get back into doing commissions again (March at the earliest). I have a pile of projects I want to do – paintings, screenshot redraws, testing new supplies, all of it. I have areas I want to improve on to make my next set of paid and personal work even better. I have colour mixing charts I’ve had prepped for about six months I want to finally put together. I do want to do Mermay again this year. And mostly, I want to rest. I think I’ve earned it.

AND IF ANYONE SO MUCH AS BREATHES THE WORD 'COMMISSION' TO ME FOR THE NEXT TWO MONTHS THEY’LL BE CLOSED UNTIL NEXT YEAR.

Jokes aside, guys, I like being able to do commissions, but seriously. I NEED a mental break. So PLEASE: do NOT ask me about commissions until March. Not even for bouncing ideas or quotes or whatnot. I cannot stress enough how burnt out my brain is for doing art for other people. I need some time for me. Thank you for your understanding. (When commissions do open again prices are going up quite a bit because I can’t keep giving away all of my free time for $3/hour, but I’ll post about that later on when I have the headspace for it.)

All in all, this was a fantastic project I’m so thrilled to have been a part of. There will be future pieces for this game again, but it won’t be until I’ve rested up and had some me-time, and the launch party is February 4th. If you’re in the area (Halifax) please check out the tickets! It will be taking place in the form of a drag show themed around the game and we’ll have prints of all of the art (plus shirts of one of them) available for sale as well!

In the meantime, I’m going to paint until I pass out and then sleep for a month. XD

Birdseed out!

Description

And we are DONE!

After 107 days (with only 3 days off), I have completed my largest art project to date!

Comfort zone who? I don't know her.

And as with any large project completion, I have to be dramatic and do overly wordy wrap-up post.

Highlights:

So to say this was a dream come true isn’t necessarily true, but it wouldn’t be an exaggeration. I’ve adored the artwork in TTRPG books for as long as I’ve played and used them as inspiration for trying to improve my own art. The only reason this wasn’t an actual dream of mine because whenever I dared to consider it, I figured it was so far out of reach it was unobtainable. So being asked to come aboard onto this project was a HUGE ego boost – and the ultimate kick-in-the-teeth to imposter syndrome was that I didn’t even have to apply. They sought ME out. So I’m sure imposter syndrome will still creep back in here and there, but I have some decent ammo to fight it off now.

Additionally, character design (particularly fantasy) is my favourite artwork to do. I know y’all like when my commissions are open, but if I could go the rest of my “art career” just doing TTRPG books I would be a very happy Birdseed. On top of that, having these character representing groups of people who are often not represented or misrepresented in fantasy – and having people in those groups being a part of the decision process to say what they want included, don’t want included, and get to ask for changes if things aren’t quite how they want them? Being a part of that is something I’m always going to look back on fondly.

The final major highlight would be something that also made the project difficult but so rewarding: I was yeeted so far from my comfort zone I can’t see it anymore. Normally I wouldn’t be comfortable with my skill for doing animal heads on humans (lizardfolk, minotaur), anything mecha (vertotile, prosthetics on the cyborg), or lots of other things that were included (bug humanoids, energy for body, etc.), and would tell the commissioner I wasn’t comfortable taking their money for an area I’m not confident in. But for this project, I figured I’d give it my all, and I’m so glad I did. I’ve learned so much and I’m seeing new areas I can branch into!

Downsides:

As much as I loved working on this, as with any job, it wasn’t just sunshine and rainbows. I’ve had projects before that took over my entire life and I did NOT want to do that again, so when I signed on I had about a dozen contingency plans in place so that if I lost a week or two due to any unforeseen event (injury, illness, funeral, etc.) I’d still be able to complete it on time with minimal stress. When our deadline was cut (by 40% at that), I ended up putting every contingency plan I had in place and, after 107 days with only 3 days off, I managed to pull it all together one day later than the new deadline. While I did complete the task, I have had absolutely no mental space for the past 4 months, and I am burned out.

If I ever get an opportunity like this again, I’m still going to jump at it. If any of you ever get an opportunity like this, I absolutely encourage you to take it! But know what you’re getting into. When you prepare for the unexpected, the universe will find what you missed. It’s a very rewarding experience, but it is hard work, and you need to know what you’re getting into and that problems will arise that you have to deal with on the fly. I absolutely do not regret taking on this project – but I am absolutely taking a break now that it’s done.

Favourite:

Perhaps unexpectedly, I think the Ogre ended up being my favourite. I had paid no real thought to ogres before this project so was expecting that one to just be a “drawn and done” situation, but they just ended up having so much personality I can’t help but love them. The first nine are definitely the ones I think I did the best work on, because I was still young and full of energy. After that, even though I was still giving it my all, burnout had started to set in, so I think they’re just a touch less full of life. That could just be my perception, though.

Least Favourite:

Eh, I don’t think I really have any I dislike here? I do wish I’d done a better job representing scoliosis with the troll, and I find the proportions of the minotaur a bit off, like I should have committed fully to chibi or to-scale instead of sitting in the middle, but there genuinely aren’t any I look at and seethe with rage. So that’s improvement – normally at the end of a large series there are a handful I’d prefer to bury in the back woods and forget ever happened.

Going Forward:

I am taking time for myself. I’m taking a vacation from my day job next week, and afterwards my days off will be spent for my own art and other hobbies (believe it or not I have those ) until I’m ready to get back into doing commissions again (March at the earliest). I have a pile of projects I want to do – paintings, screenshot redraws, testing new supplies, all of it. I have areas I want to improve on to make my next set of paid and personal work even better. I have colour mixing charts I’ve had prepped for about six months I want to finally put together. I do want to do Mermay again this year. And mostly, I want to rest. I think I’ve earned it.

AND IF ANYONE SO MUCH AS BREATHES THE WORD 'COMMISSION' TO ME FOR THE NEXT TWO MONTHS THEY’LL BE CLOSED UNTIL NEXT YEAR.

Jokes aside, guys, I like being able to do commissions, but seriously. I NEED a mental break. So PLEASE: do NOT ask me about commissions until March. Not even for bouncing ideas or quotes or whatnot. I cannot stress enough how burnt out my brain is for doing art for other people. I need some time for me. Thank you for your understanding. (When commissions do open again prices are going up quite a bit because I can’t keep giving away all of my free time for $3/hour, but I’ll post about that later on when I have the headspace for it.)

All in all, this was a fantastic project I’m so thrilled to have been a part of. There will be future pieces for this game again, but it won’t be until I’ve rested up and had some me-time, and the launch party is February 4th. If you’re in the area (Halifax) please check out the tickets! It will be taking place in the form of a drag show themed around the game and we’ll have prints of all of the art (plus shirts of one of them) available for sale as well!

In the meantime, I’m going to paint until I pass out and then sleep for a month. XD

Birdseed out!