#other than commissions and patreon owed art

[shisei11]

study

#landscape #art study #clouds #artists on tumblr #shi draws #i haven't been drawing much at all lately #other than commissions and patreon owed art #been busy with other stuff + wrist has been giving me problems #ah well

[asklilmissrarity]

The Future of Lil Miss Rarity

Hello everyone, this is Jay Tonique (formerly known as Lil Miss Jay), the writer, artist, everything other than the music in the Lil Miss Rarity animation for the blog "Lil Miss Rarity."

As some of you know, Lil Miss Rarity was an ongoing outlet for my physical, verbal and emotional abuse I was suffering prior to and leading up to Lil Miss Rarity's release, October 11th 2011.

The blog took off so heavily that my entire artistic career became a viable future for me, allowing me to profit from my art, build a huge loving fanbase, and even allowing me to become something of a celebrity in the Brony community (even very much hated by a large portion of the community).

It's needless for me to say that Lil Miss Rarity not only changed but saved my life. I was on the verge of taking my own life around the time the blog was started, due to the abuse I was going through, and if it weren't for the success of the blog that fateful October week, I would certainly not be here, typing this right now. I owe my life to you all, and the support you've given me for this blog.

However, it's time for the news I know very few people want to hear. In fact, I'm sure just reading this line right here has people's hearts sinking, but please, don't be anxious, please read the full post.

I would like to say: Please read the full post, I am going to be very clear about the future.

Moving forward, Lil Miss Rarity will no longer be updated, and the blog is officially entirely over, as of this post.

I am still looking for a musician to commission a new song for the remake of the Lil Miss Rarity animation on YouTube, which will be my final major update involving the blog, and then I will be putting the blog entirely to rest. The animation will serve as a fond emotional farewell to Lil Miss Rarity.

However, that's not the end of the twisted grimdark storytelling. I have decided to make a spiritual successor, a new IP, entirely my own and not using My Little Pony as a crutch.

I won't get too into it, but I left the Brony fandom long ago. It was both the greatest thing to ever happen in my life, and the absolute worst thing to ever happen in my life. I met great friends, but also met unbelievably horrible sick people, many of which I literally got FBI involvement to deal with and many of which are literally in prison now.

Due to this, and many many more reasons I'm leaving out, I cannot and will not continue to be a part of the fandom. This is just a few reasons, as well, that continuing to have Lil Miss Rarity exist as a My Little Pony blog just doesn't make any sense to me.

So what am I doing moving forward?

A brand new IP called "Melodi." It's about a magic school student who is part of a wealthy family who goes on a magical twisted adventure in a horrifying grimdark world.

It will have characters either very slightly or very heavily inspired by the characters of Lil Miss Rarity, with Melodi of course being inspired by Rarity.

It will also be an ongoing web comic, similar to LMR, and will encourage fan feedback just as much as LMR did, but will not be an Ask Blog like LMR.

I plan to release character concepts for the cast of Melodi soon.

Now, there's probably a lot of questions moving forward, so I'll try to answer them now, as well as in asks on this blog, though I'd prefer you send the asks about Melodi to my main blog at http://www.jayisbutts.com/ask

Here's some questions I think will be asked, and I'll answer them here:

"Will this blog be on Tumblr?" - Yes, and on Patreon. Each update will be on Patreon first. When an update comes out on Patreon, the previous update will go public at the same time on Tumblr.

"Don't you think the LMR fanbase you've garnered for 12 years are gonna be upset about this?" - I'm 100% certain they will be, yes. However, I hope that most people who hear this news are excited to see Melodi in the future. I'm very proud of what I've created with LMR, and happy about how many lives I've changed and how many people have told me how much they love LMR. People with the heart-brand tattoo, people with LMR tattoos, people who cosplay as LMR, LMR fanart still being made regularly to this date, real-life Opal dolls, fan-dubs of the comic, fan animations, Anime Music Videos, etc etc etc. I love each and every one of you and I hope that I can one day garner the same amount of love for Melodi as I received for LMR. Thank you all so much for your support.

"What if someone else wants to carry on the LMR blog or use the characters to make their own?" - Please, do. LMR is officially Public Domain as of this post, and I strongly encourage LMR fan-fiction, fan-blogs, etc. I would love if someone could do LMR better than I did. I will very happily use this blog going forward to showcase new LMR blogs and fan-content that I like, and I will very gladly be a guest artist from time to time on an update or two to those blogs. You all have my blessing to take LMR and do with her whatever you want.

"Are you still remaking the LMR animation?" - Yes, I'm still actively seeking a musician to make an official LMR theme that will play in the background of it. It will be a glorious farewell to LMR.

"Is the heart-brand still a thing in Melodi?" - Absolutely, yes. The one incredibly major staple being carried over to Melodi is the heart brand. That symbol has become synonymous with LMR.

"What about the eye scars?" - Probably not. There will be facial scarring of some kind, yes, but considering the new story will not involve killing a cat (not yet anyway), she probably won't have the eye scars.

"Black eye with white pupil?" - We'll see! (It is a sign of Malice's corruption to have a black left eye, so almost certainly yes, but we'll see!)

"Ponies? Humans? Furries?" - I haven't fully decided. In my head, Melodi is a human, but I could also see her being a cat. I'm not sure what I wanna do just yet. However, she will not be a pony. She's gonna be far more human shaped. With boobies.

"Is this one gonna have porn?" - Nope! Not directly as part of the blog, no. Sexual encounters are going to happen in a very fade-to-black way, or a cropped-off-screen sort of way, yes. And there will be sexy characters, like monster girls or demon girls, and I'm sure people will find Melodi herself sexy, too. However, the blog is not going to contain actual porn. No full nudity. It will have what some would refer to as "fetish content," as with LMR, but it's not porn.

"Final question, so... LMR is just... dead? As of now?" - In terms of receiving updates from me, all that will be made is the LMR animation. But no, I certainly hope LMR is not dead. I would love to see the blog live on through other artists I've inspired. You all have my blessing to keep her alive forever.

Thank you all so much for your support.

More news involving Melodi and her twisted adventures coming soon.

I love you all, and I want you all to know how much your support of Lil Miss Rarity has changed my life.

I know it's cringe to type this, but, "I'm literally crying right now."

Mommy will always be pretty.

~Jay Tonique (Formerly Lil Miss Jay)

#lil miss rarity

[rexxdjarin]

Now Introducing Art Commissions!

Details below the cut!

A little more info about each:

Basic Sketch (left photo) is just line work and color (if desired). This will be no rendering, so just flat colors without shading or highlights.

Partial Body (middle photo) will be from the hips/waist up with full rendering (shading and highlights included.)

Full Body, Rendered (right photo) will include the entire body or at least to the knee area. This will have full rendering highlights and shading included.

All pricing is for one character. Additional characters will be $10 each per added character.

OCs are absolutely welcome! I just ask you provide me with a reference, so I can best match what your oc looks like to you ☺️. I can work with you to find a match if you don’t have one.

I love drawing Star Wars most, so that is my preference for now. Again, I can work with you if you have another fandom you’d like me to do work for. I will need references if this is the case.

I can also design fic headers or other blog graphics. These will be in the $5-$10 range depending on how complex the graphic is.

Pricing will most likely be through ko-fi, patreon or PayPal. I can work with you if you have another preferred payment site!

At this time I will not yet be offering any NSFW art.

Other things I will not draw are mentioned above. For additional info please reference the DNIs on my masterlist. I maintain the right to refuse any commission.

Thank you to everyone who has supported me through this tough time. Purchasing a commission from me will go a long way toward helping me pay for groceries and any student loans I owe. Helping me stay sane and make ends meet will mean more to me than you could ever know and I am so lucky to have a community who cares and believes in me.

Love you all💙

#rexxdjarin art #rexxdjarin #art commisions #art commissions open #art comms open #fan art #fan art commissions #commissions #star wars fanart #star wars fan art #the clone wars fanart #the clone wars fan art #Star Wars #star wars: the clone wars #the clone wars #the bad batch

[bearlyfunctioning]

Don’t panic ‘The Bear Minimum’ will still show up every now and again, just a lot less than it used to. This is a continuation of my thoughts on the comic I posted here last. I’m just not enjoying making art anymore, like -not at all- & it’s really getting me down. Art is an intrinsic part of my identity, so not wanting to do it feels awful. This reticence has been building for at least 4 years now & as of last year I have been acting on my desire to leave art as a career, before I burn out to a crisp. Please note this is the first time in a long time I am feeling mentally healthy & have the resources to go without my portion of our income for some time (while I try to get IRL work). So, I really need to seize this moment of security to make big life changes. Even if it means we’re going to have to tighten our budget a lot while I try to find work. Some of you may remember that I am attending school full-time for an assistant administration diploma, ideally to have a broad skillset to bring with me while job hunting. I’ll be graduating from that course at the end of May if everything goes as planned. I have been on a commission hiatus since the start of this year to put schooling in action, continuing only with the weekly comic & monthly Patreon exclusive work. This brought my monthly income down to 1/3rdof what it usually is, but that was all I could manage alongside fulltime school. Doing so much less drawing has been incredibly beneficial to my RSI hand pain! For the first time in years, I can go to sleep without restrictive arm braces & I don’t need maintenance from the physiotherapist. I honestly thought that was permanent so I can’t even convey my relief there! However, despite drawing a lot less, my love for making art did not return. I enjoy making comics, but they are a whole lotta line-art & that can be a very repetitive process. Being a comic artist has been extremely good for my growth online; to the point where I owe half or more of my current following to it. Some people don’t even know I draw other things, that’s how good their reach is compared to my other art. Despite that I am going to be taking the comic off schedule. Even if it means sacrificing most or all my Patreon income and kneecapping my reach on every platform. I’ve been making the comic 4 times a month, with little break for 6 years. It started as a good outlet for my thoughts & an exercise in consistency, as I had never had a schedule of any sort prior. Doing the comic weekly was a great lesson in self motivation, but no one is forcing me to continue with it other than me. Plenty of times the deadline came I didn’t have a good idea & just made something I wasn’t proud of, because it was income and because I had just done it every week for so long. If you don’t enjoy my non bear/comic art, then I suppose we’ll part ways. In the end I must do right by me though & I feel like this is the best choice right now. Patrons have been notified on what will be happening over there in their own post.

#notacomic #announcement #The Bear Minimum #artist problems

[godbirdart]

any tips/reassurance for when u have lots of owed art (comms, trades, etc)? i get stressed over making people wait too long sometimes with just a few things on my list. u manage to make SO MUCH stuff for patreon and personal work combined each year?? must be magic no other way /pos

let me start with saying:

people are [generally] more than okay waiting for art!

you are one person. you can get sick, have emergencies, and you also need personal time as well! you're not a company, and most clients are very understanding of that. there will always be the one odd client that's impatient, yes. it does happen. but as long as you are transparent, communicate, and [as a bonus] have a public queue - you really have no reason to fret.

i have commissioned artists that took three days to finish art. i have commissioned artists that took three months to finish art. there is no "standard" turnaround time when it comes to commissions. every artist works at different paces, not every artist is self-employed. some have school or jobs that take away time from their art, and that’s fine! it is okay to take a long time to finish your work! just be honest.

let me elaborate [i’m gonna say client a lot but these can also apply to trades]

be transparent: if you know it'll take you a while to finish the art, write that in your commission post and/or order form when you open. make that the very first thing the client knows before any payment is exchanged. i like to write it in my order form and in my first email back when i'm taking on a commission, as it covers my butt and keeps the client in the know.

public queue: set up a trello or make a post/journal somewhere [such as furaffinity or deviantart] where your clients can go and see the progress of their work. if they can go check where they’re at in the queue there, they won’t have to stress you out by having to send you an email every week for updates.

answer in a timely manner: i have an autoresponder set up for my email. it lets clients know that a) i got their message and b) i’ll respond to them within a couple business days [if there are no other delays / holidays]. it takes away the stress of having to drop everything and answer my client right then in there, as much as my adhd brain panics and wants to do that. it also reassures the client that their messages are getting through and that they aren’t getting ghosted if i don’t respond for a day or two.

if there’s going to be a delay, tell your client asap! if you have an emergency that’ll impact your work, tell your client as soon as possible. you do not have to go into personal details, just be honest and say “hey, there’s been an unexpected event that’ll cause a delay in updates. i will try and get an update to you as soon as i’m able. thank you for your patience!” and leave it at that. the majority of your clients will be understanding and grateful for the update.

be professional. a little professionalism goes a long way. you can be more lax with trades as usually you're doing that with friends, but if a client checks in to see the status of their commission maybe write "thanks for checking in! here's what i've got so far" and attach a WIP or "thank you for checking in! i don't have an update for you yet but will try and get one to you soon! thank you for your patience!". some artists merely say "i don't have an update sorry", and sure that does work, but it may come off dismissive to your client and they're not going to feel great about waiting. it's okay to not have an update yet when messaging people back! just be honest about it.

if you’ve bitten off more than you can chew: refund them. it's not bad business if you have to refund a client. if you find you've taken on more work than you can handle, or just cannot fulfill a client's commission - you absolutely have the option to simply refund them. be sincere, apologize for their time, thank them for considering you, and tell them you hope they'll consider commissioning you again in the future.

i hope this reassures you a bit! i 100000% understand the stress from making people wait in the queue for a long time. i’m the exact same way!! but rest assured they’re not going to get mad at you for having to wait. like i’ve already said multiple times; just communicate and be transparent and you’ll be fine!

#and ye nightmare clients sadly DO Happen #but they aren't that common #good clients know you're only human just trying to live

[bellybiologist]

April 2023 Patreon Announcements

April is here, and for what it's worth, i don't participate in april 1st shenanigans (at least this year ;D )

April's Theme is Somnophilia/Sleeping! I will go into this a bit more in the coming poll post.

January 2023's fills will be going into the Access to the Past Tiers!

April 2021's fills will be going up on my pixiv and social medias! As per usual, I'll bulk upload everything onto my drive and pixiv, and spread them out individually over the course of the week on twitter/tumblr.

Commission Status: Probably not gonna be open for a bit! I still owe a handful, and I don't want to reopen til they are done (unless there's an emergency).

Now for the rambly bits! Despite the nice vacation i went on with my grandpa at the start, march has been sorta rough. Had to get my tablet replaced (which was done easily thanks to a friend), which ended up in a lot of missed opportunities for work.

Also have to deal with other happenings, such as the boyfriend having to deal with health stuff that we still have fingers crossed for... so not a great month for the art front!

The time unable to draw has definitely had me thinking, because the past couple years i've been very dissatisfied with certain things, such as the state of social media. Engagement definitely helps keep me going, but it feels like im not getting enough of that to keep my spark going. As a result, it always feels like an unrewarding energy sink to even use my social media accounts, hence why i'm rarely on them these days.

I def feel like I need to return to doing things that are just Fun For Me. But that's also very difficult without running into problems that make those energy sinks too. And it always feels like I'm being told to "do more work" to fix my problems when "doing more work" is exactly the thing I can't do at this point of my life.

What's the solution to this? No idea. It always feels like a lot of it is outside my control or scope of influence, and i'm too emotionally unavailable to dp anything fancy other than hang on til something cool happens.

Granted, winter is still going, so this might just be the culmination of winter depression, as is my yearly to-do, so i might bounce back once it stops raining all the damn time. But we'll see! Anyway, thanks you guys for your support and patience! Hopefully April is kind to all of us.

#patreon announcements

[theabstruseone]

As we slowly head into tax season for the United States, I want to remind everyone who works in content creation - be it live streaming, edited videos, podcasts, art commissions, or anything else that pays you money...

YOU HAVE TO REPORT THE INCOME ON YOUR TAXES.

Especially with new reporting laws, the IRS is far more likely than ever to know. However, there is something else to remember...

YOUR WORK EXPENSES ARE DEDUCTABLE EVEN IF YOU TAKE THE STANDARD DEDUCTION!!

You will be filing Schedule C for your income as a "sole proprietor" aka self-employed worker. Your business expenses deduct directly from your income BEFORE your tax owed is calculated.

Again: THIS IS DIFFERENT FROM OTHER DEDUCTIONS!!

Some creators haven't thought to deduct business expenses because they don't add up to more than the Standard Deduction, and thus have been over-paying taxes.

Depending on how much you make, it can be well worth the money to consult with a professional accountant (and I would recommend doing so rather than simply taking anyone's advice off the internet including mine), but things that you can deduct...

Internet service

Video games you purchased to live stream

Computer upgrades

Consoles you purchased to stream from

Cameras/microphones/lights/audio mixers/drawing tablets/etc.

Subscription services related to work (Xbox Live/PS+ if you're a console streamer/reviewer, Adobe subscriptions, Humble Choice if you stream games you get from there, cloud storage like Dropbox or Google Drive, etc.)

Office furniture (desk, chair, etc.)

"Set dressing" (all the books, figures, plushies, signs, posters, and other items in the background of your scene)

Hosting fees for websites, podcasts, etc.

Travel expenses for conventions (specifically this is for ones where you "worked" ie. shot footage for a video, attended seminars, ran a booth selling merch, hosted panels, networking with other creators) including airfare, hotel, food, "entertainment" (aka booze)

A portion of your rent, power, water, etc. if you use a dedicated home office (be careful on this one as it's common to get an audit, but if you have a separate room that's used specifically for work rather than just working out of your bedroom/living room, you may be able to claim this)

Again, speaking with an accountant will be very helpful in determining precisely what you can and cannot deduct. And if you're used to the whole "Did you save your receipts?" thing, you probably did and don't know it. Bought something online? You got emailed a receipt. It should also be available on your "Past Orders" on the site you ordered from. Same goes with your subscriptions, travel expenses, and anything else you've purchased. No more keeping little scraps of paper in a shoebox!

If you're suddenly VERY MAD because you've been paying taxes on income from Twitch/YouTube/Patreon/sponsorships/etc. and didn't know you could deduct all this AND claim your Standard Deduction? You can file what's called an Amended Return. It's basically a do-over on past taxes and the IRS will send you a refund if you've over-paid!

I know this is the third time but PLEASE TALK TO A CERTIFIED ACCOUNTANT! This is extra important for those living in states with a separate state income tax as what deductibles are allowed can be different between state and federal taxes, and sometimes states have programs for deductions (and even credits!) for the arts. Accountants exist to hold your hand and help you through understanding all this mess.

#content creators #content creation #streaming #podcasting #youtube #youtuber #taxes #This whole thing is complicated on purpose so it's okay if you don't understand

[maneaterwithtail]

Building off AU from my newest fanart by generous accommodating artist who gave me extra for my Patreon reward, @rickleone

I was frustrated by how Fangbone and Bill never "grow" when old on fanart. The point is often "hot and old enough for muscles or sex now."

Sometimes a fanboy wants more.

So asked, "What if Fangbone became an artist?" and figured most ostensible way to convey this was....well hipster visual clichés

Bill, the one actually more concerned with appearance and masculine display, being a Mus-Cu-lar fan, and even whining about being mighty to his mom, or snotting his spirit animal might use the post-series finale portals to go all extreme badass with combination of latent wizardry, shadowstepper techniques, and kick-ass barbarian learning from The Mighty Lizard Clan to stamp the name Bill the Beast into the mythology of Skullbania

Rick worked well with me and I owe him for taking in loads of pictures and criticism at once.

Thus The Art-barian and the GlobeBeast were born

Headcanons been developing for this variation in addition to the aforementioned Bill being a multiclassing twink (gamer-meaning)

Fangbone does have a coffee job and side business using website with snarl wolves plus portal abuse for delivery of goods. He also has commissions and displays of local and regional artworks

Fangbone works in many mediums and always seeking to expand to more. Paint, sculptures, pottery, weaving, etc

Fangbone does have warehouse space for his official works and apartment for mingling but still avoids just staying at house if not need a project. But has outgrown cavebania.

He buys thrift clothes and resews or modifies them for his own use and comfort. While his old cape is his kilt, he will also take pants and shorts, undo the inseam and crotch, then take the pant legs to sew them for inner space and such for himself

If Bill isn't buying from a catalogue or some aesthetic or quality questionable, in his battle brother's mind, equipment or retailer Fangbone supplies his brother his gear and tools, even tests out any Earth equivalent to Skullbanian.

Though Fangbone prefers DYI and has many ties and friendships and mentoring from such he has become the little entrepeneur and tradesman. And buys and sells gear, clothing, and more. But insists, especially if Bill is to use it in Skullbania, to examine for quality what used by 'his clanmates'

Naturally anything farther from him is never quite up to snuff, by his assessment. A 3 star rating from Fangbone weighs more than any other professional endorsement.

Bill has managed to convince him to at least not steal and destroy what his battle brother judges as unworthy without replacing it..and telling him.

"At least leave a note."

Also if it has a quality he feels is beneficial, much like with art, Fangbone learns to integrate it in his own craftsmanship, life, pmanufacturing or provisions

Fangbone likes providing quality eating experiences. So packs rations for known folks setting out or makes repast when he or his class clan, Mrs. Goodwin, teaching woman, or others reunite.

Most celebrated for his Iron sculptures which are on public display. But he worksin many mediums aside from non highly assisted digital (can read and calculate decently but no hope of coding. Hires someone though some into traditional MLC expert capturing. But act weird if kept longer than 6 months)

Bill tends to hunt big game. Seeking combination of challenge in him overcoming them and benefit for their removal or what they grant from scouring it so his hunting helps those in need and gains praise or peace across clans. He sets out solo but may get local help.

A sojourn can last for months out of contact.

Fangbone can, if anxious, catch up and check in, he is not that much better than his battle brother but has not been slouching if not accomplished to the level of his childhood heroes.

Bill does try to keep a sat phone or radio. But Skullbania is still unsettled and something- magic, portals, three sun rads, or something more- just make communication difficult and he still wants to go all lone badass if in a mood to do so.

Technically Bill is 'clanless' but has association with all Red Waste Clans, brother bond with Fangbone, and still Hero of Skullbania for his actions with Drool as a child and knight errant heroism since, even having lapse diplomatic status or at least been key at diplomatic gatherings for intra and interplanetary policy and events. He changes what being clan less means and respected distinctly from but exceptionally like Hammerscab

Bill is a baby daddy with a rolling stone status more or less accepted by lovers and mothers. Due to nature of conception considered acceptably so, none but immature condemn his offspring or thw bravest ostracize his partners. If aware or during post heroing sojourn Bill usually portions any rewards or honors to his byblows which follows to birthers and caretakers.

Despite it all, and because of his lifestyle, Bill has the less stable and amount of wealth of the two Drool Slayers. Fangbone is sending the "support checks" for his battle brother. And if still about as frequent a presence as a trucker with them likely more patriarchal with Bill's non-family than the Globe Beast.

Some believe Bill is beginning a great crosstribe "clan of bill"

at the least the snarlwolves under his battle brother's command gives him massive resources in terms of reach to make it a possibility, as to a fancy. Even if both not exert much control or might

Fangbone is oddly the more savvy politician here. He maintains the Foundation of Good Winds. Which is intentionally vague but as much a coda, organization, business/foundation, and possible foundation for a said hypothetical tribe. It is necessary for the face and authority required in Skullbania to be more than one, however praised, individual.

Through this Fangbone shares his believed benefits of Earth and Bill operates with accepted authority and honor and standing in Skullbania

Good Winds is also the easiest route for Earth authorities to interface with Skullbanian. So often employed, used, and sponsored for such :)

Anyone want to run with this, revise it be encouraged to converse and post

#fangbone #alternate universe #use this in a fanfiction #character speculation #bill goodwin #fangbone!

[bubblyernie]

MORE dnd ocs hehehe I’m so excited to share these two bc i just really love their designs and concepts lol (and yes, another elf-based magic user. Look at me go)

art tag // commission info // design notes on patreon

Here's some bios (under the cut)

GENERAL: They both work at the resource library in the Hovering Points district of Thal’s city (refer to this map if you’d like, #28). Fhadrii is a lorekeeper, he basically puts together like, encyclopedias and stuff, specializing in illusory magic, and world history/conjuration magic on the side. Dahma is a historian, he left the monastery (#19) to dedicate himself to academic study instead. They’re both secretly studying like, idk how to put this, “dark magic” on the side, just a little cultish. The dark arts is what caused Dahma to lose his hand and Fhadrii’s just drawn to it bc....well, he’s a “you owe me your firstborn” witch baby.

FHADRII: Fhadrii (he/him/they/them) is a Half-Elf (other half is ??? Genasi? probably) and Hexblood, meaning he’s got some occult stuff going on. Again, witch-baby; Fhadrii’s father (no mother yet) made a deal in the woods and as payment, the djinn he made a deal with "owns” his only child. His last name is a sort of mix of the French words for tailor and darkness, his father is a tailor and works in the noble tailorshop in Thal’s city (on the map, #30). He’s kinda got a stiff upper lip, young for an elf, trying to act way more mature than he actually is. He’s definitely a buzzkill, not arrogant but like, a rules-only fella, but once you get to talking to him he’s really just a disaster man who’s like “oh no i sounded so stupid :(” Mostly bc he’s living in like the noble/rich-kid neighbourhood and he’s this privately-tutored nobody from a far East village who only got his position bc he excelled in the last 10 education which was the fancy rich-kid school (that thal, dharton, and arbiter ALL attended). So he’s just a little self conscious. Tries his best.

DAHMA: Dahma (he/him) is a firbolg, AND he’s a monk!! The whole city is very moon-oriented, as the names on the map might suggest bc...moon, tides, its a coastal city, ANYWAY, his monastery is very moon-based as well so he’s a shadow monk (ninja). His family is from some forest in the middle of the continent, a lot of typically “evil” adjacent races are from there (Drow, Duergar, Minotaurs, etc.) so he’s got that kinda complexion to him (plus its goth). He’s super duper intimidating, but 100% the gentle giant type. He rarely speaks unless spoken to, and is voice is really low so it doesn’t help the friendliness factor but he’s just a tired dad fella looking out for everyone. During his time in the monastery, he dabbled in dark magic eventually losing his forearm and hand. After that, he decided to leave and start helping the embassy/city instead. He uses like a mossy-bark lookin mage hand for simple tasks but it cant lift more than 5 pounds so....welp. He’s a monk tho, monks are super cool and kickass even with missing limbs.

VOICES: Okay okay so here’s just a mind map for you. The country/continent is divided like a compass. Erril/Winnie/Ollia is from the south, Thal/Dharton is from the North, Thal’s parents are from the middle, Arbiter is from the North-East, for reference. The South-West has a LOT of English accents, moving upwards to the middle, you get more Welsh/German/American, and the North-East has heavy heavy French accents. That’s why Thal’s accent is French but like, a little off, bc it’s got some Welsh in there. Right anyway, Fhadrii sounds French as hell, Dahma sounds a little Welsh-American.

DAY-TO-DAY: Welp, they both work at the library, and I want them to probably share an apartment together just cuz its fun. Between helping the people who come in, escorting them around, studying, they’re like, 100% studying cult magic stuff on the side. Not with like, malicious intent, they just want to know what the fuck is up.

#sunshan draws #Illustration #Character Design #dungeons and dragons #concept art #dnd #fantasy #half elf #genasi #firbolg #monk #wizard #art #sketch #doodles #digital art #character illustration #original character #oc #ocs #dahma #fhadrii tail'fonce

[iamespecter]

nekkon do you happen to have a sona? :))

Yes I do~ I have 3, but I rarely use other sonas, so much so that I think they've been demoted to OC ranks-

but anyways, here are the full list :D

Main sona: Specter [it/they/them]

- A demon object-head with an eel tongue. Usually found through forest areas, simply lodging and minding it's business. However, they will not hesitate to attack and eat trespassers when in bitter mood, but if you're in luck, it will simply watch you from afar with amusement as your trek it's territory or just mildly perform a prank/jumpscare on you.

Has two forms it primarily takes on, but can shapeshift into other forms as well:

- Pocket size

- Humanoid form

[I also have a bf, this was our 1 year anniversary painting that I did]

Sonas that may have been demoted to OC ranks due to how rarely I use them nowadays:

2nd sona: Nekkon [she/they]

- A Sierian [original open species of mine] with an unknown motives. Incredibly mysterious, and secretive. Prefers solitude more than any other.

[Nekkon was still the main sona during this time.]

ehem, you'll have to excuse the poor quality of phone art. It's been a while since I've drawn Nekkon nowadays.

3rd sona: DJ-Rashka [she/it/them]

- A music-based mercenary and hacker, Rashka is usually hired to get the job done in a not-so obvious way, slick and clean of evidence. However, she serves as a part-time DJ at parties, and she's pretty good at it, too.

[Heavily inspired by The Musical Ghost's remix of Pokemon Gym trainer theme]

[AT by @ /DeAniSketchbook on twitter!]

Now, admittedly I don't do a lot of OC arts nowadays. I've been so focused on drawing commissions and fanarts, that I barely have time for these kinds of stuff. Which, I am trying to change. Once all my pending comms are done, I'm gonna be opening patreon, so that I can devote most of my time into drawing my personal projects and working on them again after such a long hiatus.

that way, I can still earn without the stress of pending owed art and the deadlines, and draw what I like, leaving me to enjoy doing art once again. Because honestly? Lately I've been feeling burntout and unmotivated with the amount of comms I've been doing. Honestly feels like I've lost my passion in art.

I say it's time for me to take a loooooooooong break from it.

#thanks for the ask! #my ask box is open! #sonas #my sonas #I don't like making a ton of sonas #feels like too much #three is enough #but OCs though #hohohooohohohohohohohohohohohohoh *evil laugh* #I have WAYYYY too many :] #my brain goes brrrr when designing OCs #designing characters is my passion

[hillnerd-art]

bummer of an announcement

So! I got an anon asking ‘it's been a while since you posted art. are you still making art?’ Honestly? No, I’m not. Not really. Not right now.

TLDR; I can’t make art right now due to medical reasons. I do not know when this will change. 

I’m still in the Potter fandom. I’ll still post art here when it is made- 

 @hillnerd​ I will be still be doing tons of the other fandom stuff.

I’ll still continue hosting fandom events as well.

If you still want to support my work/creative stuff/medical stuff with money, I have a ko-fi you can always send 'tips' to. ko-fi.com/P5P2841I

WAY more detailed information under the cut

For the past few months I’ve not been able to make art because stylus/pen-holding has been nearly impossible for me. I have a few medical conditions that sometimes make it very difficult for me to do art. Recently it's gotten worse and worse.

I have about 8+/- sketches and drawings queued up to post (need to get around to posting them!) and have a line up of commissions I am trying to get done.

After that... I honestly don’t know how much art I can guarantee I’ll make. I will always be an artist of the heart, but my body simply won’t let me continue right now. Well obviously I'm going to push through and finish all my obligations- including last commissions- but after that it's up to my body.

When/If I am making art again after this last push (and I'm certain I will eventually! I mean, this CAN'T last forever, I hope!) it'll be fandom, or working on my pride and prejudice comic etc.

I am honoring all my commission commitments!

If I still owe you one and you are concerned pm me or email me.

I am shutting down my patreon,

and won’t be taking sketch requests or commissions for the foreseeable future.

Patrons there’s a special announcement there for you.

If you still want to support my work/creative stuff/medical stuff with money

I have a ko-fi account you can always send 'tips' to.  https://ko-fi.com/P5P2841I

Wait, aren't I a full-time artist???

I was, but I'm not anymore. I started working with kids back in november. I'm now going to graduate school to get a master's degree in teaching. My medical issues are part of why I'm becoming a teacher instead of remaining a full-time artist. I can't do my work anymore like I did (plus I hated so much of the non-fanon work I did! :P graphic design is the devil.)  I am very excited about teaching and genuinely love it- and hopefully my medical situation will improve and I'll be able to do art on the regular for fun/my own projects! But I can't do it on command in a timely manner anymore.

Am I staying in the fandom?

YES!  I can still type, I can still talk, I can actually do a ton of things (RP, chats, meta, fic writing etc- none of them are deeply affected by this).  I just can't hold my pen/stylus for longer than like 5-10 minutes at a time.

What's my medical situation?

I have a LOT of stuff- but the main one interfering right now is my fibromyalgia. My hands get super sensitive a lot of the time and get easily fatigued. When they are bad they go pins and needs or literally feel like I have a bad sunburn all over my hand, and any pressure for more a minute or so feels like someone grinding a knuckle into a bruise, or like you brushed a sunburn up against sandpaper. It's really intense and hurts a ton. Pushing through this pain is very hard on me.

How come I can do makeup but can't do art?

Makeup changes the brush/tool, pressure on the fingers/hand and angle of the movement a LOT. I'm very fast and it requires only a short spurt of energy to finish each part and i'm in minimal pain. Digitally drawing does not do this- the fingers/hand are stuck in the same general shape, the same muscle groups are enacted continuously, and it required much more dexterous control of the tool in my hand for a longer amount of time. That constant pressure on my hands/fingers is incredibly painful.  I am sure that with time I could relearn how to draw in a different way so this is not an issue- but I'm not going to put pressure on myself about this so I can do fan art.

THANK YOU SO MUCH TO EVERYONE WHO HAS SUPPORTED ME, WHETHER FOR A LONG TIME, OR A SHORT TIME. I REALLY DO APPRECIATE IT!

Again, I’m not ‘retiring from all art ever’- I’m just letting y’all know the situation- that I can’t draw much right now- and you’ll see a slower output of new work. I’m still in the Potter fandom. I’ll still post art here when it is made- it just might be a while after this last push until you see new work.

And honestly, reblogs have been drying up.

I’ve never been that popular of an artist.

People rarely reblog my stuff, and if I’m going to literally push through tons of physical pain to make stuff, I’d like to have an audience that engages with it. Likes don’t spread my art out, and don’t encourage engagement. So there’s that. :P  Anyways that’s it! Bummer of an announcement to have to make but... yuuup.

Stay safe, and keep it magical

-Hilly

#for all 4 of you who care about my art

[meruz]

some asks - sorry some of these are kind of old. I only get around to answering stuff once in a blue moon.

I do not! Nothing against it but I just don’t personally enjoy the process so I don’t use it in my personal work. Too much transforming and filtering.. too little actual drawing. I have however used it for professional work and sometimes I will sketch things individually and collage them together to make it easier for me to work depending on the scale. But yeah, no photobashing normally.

Thank you! (post in reference) I didn’t use any perspective grids for that drawing but occasionally for bigger pieces that require a stronger adherence to perspective I’ll use the Perspective Tools extension by Sergey Kritsky which is ABSOULTELY worth the price here on gumroad if you’re a photoshop-user - makes grids very easy to set up. You can actually see some of the grids in my process work if you’re looking for it lol

I used to be such a square abt it like “bluh perspective is just a bunch of lines i dont need a tool to do it for me like a DUMB BABY. I can just draw the grids myself and itll be good enough!!! :\” dont be like that LOL, I started using perspective tools for work last year and ported it over to my personal work so damn fast its like one of the best artistic decisions ive made. If you can make less work for yourself, PLEASE make less work for yourself.

I don’t remember what post this is but I’m like 90% its these brushes because these are like all the brushes I use LOL

hi yes thank you i LOVE grookey.

Thank you! They’re the best family!! KAROL IS MY FAVE........

you’re SO welcome. I recently watched Last Evolution Kizuna and [spoiler] WILLIS WAS IN ONE (1) SHOT...  [/spoiler] so whoever was in my comments section telling me toei would never bring willis back, I think you owe me like $20

Yep! My Instagram, Twitter... I don’t have a patreon because I’m too lazy to set up tiers but I have a ko-fi if you want to drop a lil tip in my metaphorical buskers hat

You’re probably done by the game by now given how old this ask is but I’m flattered my art got you to play!! And I’m glad you love Akechi though I’m curious to know if your feelings on him have changed since sending this LOL. His latter act character stuff is one of those things that can really turn an opinion one way or another.

Thank you! Though I want to preface this by saying I don’t take requests but you can always contact me for commissions at [email protected].

I will probably draw naruto again because like every 4 years of my life I go through a naruto phase. I have drawn dangan ronpa before many many years ago and I gotta say the only time I will ever draw it again will be if I’m commissioned to lol...Nothing against it personally, it’s just not really my thing. Kiritetsu+Colossus.... I would but honestly I don’t even know what I’d draw, I feel like I covered it with that one drawing. But if you’ve got an idea... you can always commission me!!! And I’d be happy to.

Uhhhh they’re good! I like them! Yusuke’s character arc is maybe like my favorite or second favorite in the game and I love Ryuji first and foremost for max mittlemans voice acting and secondly because he is just so...so much better than P4 Yosuke who I truly could not stand.

I’m not big on Mishima but I think he’s an incredibly well written depiction of like. that dude in class who you didn’t really mean to talk to but ended up talking to and now its a little weird. I really like that event where you run into shinya while hanging out with mishima and shinyas like “whos this your friend” and ren is like “no, king, hes no one” LOL this is mostly because I just really like shinya. 

ships.... I like yusuke/ryuji a lot, just aesthetically and personality wise its an interesting dynamic. I like ryuji/ann bc theyre good friends. I like ann/yusuke if I close my eyes to all the early plot stuff and just pretend theyre like.....fujiko and goemon from lupin III LMAO. ryuji/makoto? kinda woke?? I mean I feel lesbian makoto deep in my bones but also their showtime opened my eyes a lil. I think they could bond over action movies. mishima/protag is kind of fun in like a sad pathetic way.. I’m a little interested in mishima/JOKER actually bc i like identity porn plotlines lol.

YEP GO AHEAD I’ve been getting a lot of messages like this lately so I want to lay it out here and I’ll probably copy paste it into a FAQ later lol.

8Tracks and Spotify Playlists: Go ahead! please credit me either meruz.tumblr.com twitter@automeru or ig@automeruz -  AND SEND ME THE PLAYLIST this is not a requirement really but I would love to listen to it.

Twitter/Tumblr Layouts/Headers: Good by me! but again PLEASE credit me somewhere VISIBLE on the layout. If it’s a twitter header/icon credit my twitter @automeru and if its tumblr credit my tumblr @meruz​

Phone BGs, Desktop Wallpapers: definitely ok!! Any personal and non-commercial use of this nature, I’m cool with. If you ask me, I may even send you a hi-res version of the file but you have to promise to not scam me and sell it lol...

Instagram Reposts: A lot of artists would say no but I’m gonna say go ahead as long as you credit and tag me in the post, again my ig is @automeruz - if you don’t, and I find it, I will bug you about it in the comments and possibly even report you. Nothing personal, its just standard procedure.

Twitter/Tumblr Re-posts: Don’t?? Just RT or RB it from me?? whats wrong with you? I will report this.

Other site re-posts: I’ll probably say yes but again please credit and for this one PLEASE ask me first. It’s nothing personal really, I just want to know where my work shows up.

Video edits/fancams/comic dubs: Yes! Absolutely go ahead! And please send me a link I especially love to see this stuff!!

I also reserve all rights have you take it down if I do not agree with the usage or context, especially association with politics on the webpage/app/etc. 

Thank you!!!!!!!! ;-; These are all so nice.. tucks them into a little pocket near my heart. I love drawing and I will keep trying my best to make art...! Hope you guys can look forward to it...!

#ask #asks #anonymous #looneystoo #gentlemangeek #greatasoyeah #oilux #noeggets

[bittybattybunny]

Bun’s To-Do

this is more for me so just ignore (I’m having focus issues rn so I need to put this somewhere I can easily get it via any of my devices) Order of Priority down:

(also this looks big but it’s not really that different than my normal to-do list; the commissions basically take the spot of where I’d put my day job tasks)

(also just saying don’t reblog this. It’s literally so I can grab this list via my ipad, phone or laptop. it’s only on my artblog because it’s art related!)

Commissions

1. 5 emotes/Speedpaint -FINISHED-

2. 2 fullbodies -FINISHED- (need to edit speedpaint)

3. Monster girl bust/Speedpaint  -FINISHED-

4. 2 Fullbody (SKETCHED) PAID

5. 1 fullbody  -FINISHED-

6. Sketch/Color Palette Page -FINISHED-

7. Background two character fullbody (not started) PAID

8. 2 fullbody (not started) NOT PAID

9. 2 fullbody(meme) (not started) NOT PAID

Other owed work:

Patreon:

Rye- Dergon with Chocolates

Gin- Surprise her (Aiden)

Riolu- ??

Pupper- ??

Pokemon DnD (for @/yeeshastone) Serperior line:

Fighter Snivy- Sketched Partially

Wizard Snivy- Not Started

Servine Rouge- Finished

Serving Bard- Sketched Partially

Barbarian Serperior- Sketched Partially

Ranger Serperior- Not Started

Snivy Banner- Finished

Servine banner- Finished

Serperior banner- not started

Personal Work:

Finish cover for TLC

Finish Cover art for “The ‘Ghost’ and the Recluse”

Buri Hamachi Animation Meme finish (Sketched base)

Cut out Snuppet 2 Electric Boogaloo’s Skin; test mouth lights

#bun rambles #not art #it looks like a lot but this is about average for my todo lists #I'm trying to focus so I can get the comms done sooner than later I hate taking more than a week on orders #I really prefer a day or two turn around but I oversized my canvas for one order so it lags and I have to go a bit slower whoops

[rjalker]

Related I don't understand why people get SO MAD about people liking art but not reblogging it.

Like??? Take the compliment??? Sometimes I walk past cool clothes it doesn't mean I'd actuslly wear them.

Reblogging art can be a lot more than simply hitting the reblog button. What is your art of?? Something that will require trigger warnings? Something the viewer doesn't fully understand the context of? I know I'm always hesitant to reblog art for fandom I'm not in, because I have NO context for the character. For all I know I could be reblogging cutesy art of the protagonist's abuser!!!

Like!!! There are so many reasons people might not want to reblog art! Someone liking your art is a compliment! It means they LIKE YOUR ART. Just because they don't reblog it doesn't mean they don't like it!

No one owes you reblogs! They don't even owe you likes! It doesn't matter if you slaved over that peice for ten hours straight--unless it was literally a comission, no one owes you anything for it.

Not likes, not reblogs.

If you choose create fan art or writing for free, you need to accept the fact that you are doing it for free.

Unless it's a commission, or you literally put it on patreon, or something else that requires that people pay you before they get to see the art, literally nobody owes you anything. They don't owe likes, they don't owe you reblogs, they don't owe you reviews or comments.

People liking your art but not reblogging it does not mean they hate you. And furthermore, it is not the job of random strangers to bolster your self esteem by reblogging your art.

Yeah, of course people like it when their stuff gets comments or reblogs or whatever. But you are not owed them. You are choosing to do this for free, you are choosing to put this into the world for free, you don't suddenly get to turn around and start demanding that people pay for it afterward. That's not how this works. If you demand payment for your art, then say that up front. Put it only on patreon. Only draw for commissions.

I'm just really tired of people acting like people not commenting on their fix or reblogging their art is a fucking crime against humanity and something that they are owed. Let you know that fucking stupid strike on Archive of Our Own because people weren't getting fucking reviews??

Literally what is the difference between that and people on Tumblr moaning and complaining that everybody hates them and wants them to stop drawing forever because there aren't only gets likes? There is no fucking difference.

I love it when people like my art. I also love it when they read love it. But I'm not going to be offended when people only like it. I draw for me. By the time I post it, I've already had my fun. I am choosing to share it with other people, because they might also enjoy it.

I don't remember where I'm going this but stop basing your self-worth on how many comments you get on your fix or how many reblogs you get on your art.

Stop acting like getting likes on your art is the same thing as people fucking ... I don't even know. Throwing fucking rotten tomatoes at you.

If you demand payment for your art, as in, you require money, reblogs, or reviews, then put your stuff on patreon or do something else. If you want to be paid, then make that clear up front and get payment before you even create the art.

If you want to create art for free, then accept the fact that you are doing it for free. It isn't your choice. Nobody is forcing you to spend your free time drawing or writing. That is something you choose to do. You are doing it for free. You don't get to demand payment.

If drawing and writing doesn't make you happy, then find something else. Stop demanding that random strangers on the internet be held personally responsible for your self-worth and confidence.

Yeah I don't remember where I'm going with this besides, I see you everybody liking my art for Charley and the Eighth Doctor, and I love you.

[altoclefgirl]

Dwell Within Chapter 32

Last Man in Thedas

Live on AO3

This chapter has been in the works for two months as has seen many revisions (and has been in my mind for much longer). I owe it to you, to the story, and to myself to do this right. Thank you for waiting as I left you with a major cliffhanger.

I am so happy to share this with you. 💗

I do have a new goal on Ko-Fi to fund a couples commission for Mara and Cullen. I will also gratefully accept coffee to fuel my writing flow.

Dareth Shiral 🖤

✨ Patreon: Altoclefgirl | Ko-Fi: Altoclefgirl

✨ AO3: Altoclefgirl

✨ Insta: Alto.Writes | Twitter: AltoWrites

...

Mara offered her right hand across the war table, palm up anticipating his touch. Her gaze was focused yet soft, a kindness that would never yield. “It’ll be easier to join you,” she explained.

The Inner Circle had returned to the table in the war room after the intermission. Solas on Mara’s left, Cullen directly across from Mara, and Cassandra and Leliana filling in the other chairs at the table.

The table was now topped with warm tea among the vials of potions. Solas sat closely to Mara’s left, ready to direct guidance and supply lyrium or elfroot should she grow faint from the art of legilimency.

Without a glance to anyone else in the war room, Cullen met her eyes and her hand with his own, softly kneading his thumb to her open palm before taking her hand in his left.

Mara’s affect and tone did not change by his touch, aware of the peering eyes in the room. “The tea will help you relax, but without falling asleep.” Mara paused, feeling the buzz and warmth of magic from his gold band in her fingers. “Your willpower and experience as a Templar may make this very difficult. That’s okay. We can go slow and you can ask me to stop at any time.”

His honeyed eyes were trusting even with the task. Cullen nodded, ready to proceed.

Mara paused again, inhaling before she began.

“Close your eyes with me.”Mara instructed, watching as Cullen closed his eyes, his face softening in the rest. “Think of your home...Focus on one distinct feature.”

Mara closed her own, concentrating on the touch of his warm hand. “Think of it. Describe it to me.”

Cullen searched his mind and the month he spent there. There was pain and the entirety of the home weighed and spun in his mind.

One thing.

Cullen inhaled deeply, sighing as the antique writing desk came to mind.

There was a writing desk. Your letter was left on the surface, folded into thirds and addressed to me. Cullen stiffened, his upper back tensing as he recalled the letter. She had composed and left a letter explaining the home--a letter she prepared as she did not have the same optimism Cullen held for the fate of the world.

The desk is blue. Light blue, with brass knobs. And frankly, a little snug for me to fit into.

Mara waited in silence until a morsel of a thought found her. Blue. Except that it was abstract and without meaning, without form.

“Something blue,” Mara softly spoke. “What is around the blue?”

Cullen inhaled, trying to think of anything other than the letter penned to him. His name was written in soft and flowing cursive. He had memorized her letter word for word and recited it each night in her absence until he fell asleep.

There’s a velvet armchair. In the backdrop of bay windows. Cullen sighed, heaviness weighing in his chest. I used to imagine you curled up there, the sunlight dancing on your skin. There was a blanket on the armchair. Something to keep you warm as you read your favorite story as if it were new again.

The feeling, not the words itself, were warm and brimming from their joined hands and coursed up to her mind.

“Invite me,” Mara asked softly, a whisper that almost begged intimacy.

Cullen softly smiled to himself at her words. I want you here with me, Mara.

...

Continue Reading on AO3:

#dragon age fanfiction #dragon age fanfic #solavellan #solavellanhell #cullavellan #cullen x lavellan #solas x lavellan #solasmance #Solas #dread Wolf #may the dread wolf take you #the dread wolf rises #fen’harel #dragon age inquisition #dragon age 4 #trespasserdlc #tevinter nights #dwellwithin #mara lavellan #solas x mara lavellan #Cullen x Mara Lavellan #dragon age fluff #dragon age smut #ao3writer #dwell within

[artandhuddle]

Artist Interview with Daphne Hutcheson

Last week I had the opportunity to speak with Daphne Hutcheson, an artist I’ve admired for quite some time. Her work and knowledge in the arts has helped me, along with many other artists in the online community.

Daphne Hutcheson, also known as @paperwick on social media, has been creating artwork from a very young age, with works in both traditional and digital media. Her work covers a broad range of fandoms, original content, and client based works along with some very useful and resourceful tutorials. 

K: I wanted to first ask about your experience attending SCAD (Savannah College of Art & Design)?

D: My experience at SCAD was tepid at best. The teachers were good, but I mean very specifically the professors who were teaching in my major, which was sequential art. SCAD is really not a great institute for anyone who isn't rich enough for their parents' to cover the cost. That's my biggest issue with it, they will cripple you with debt, so if anyone is lower-income, I would highly suggest learning via some of great online courses or using a state college's art program to sort of direct you if you need direction and deadlines. I know I need them. SCAD's loans are no joke. The college itself was very good my first year, they do a lot to make sure incoming students feel heard and welcomed, and then after that they really don't try for you. As soon as you're a sophomore, they could care less about how you feel to be there. Their class attendance requirements are grueling and there's no room for accidents--you miss four class sessions and you fail the course. It's wild, and even if you're in the hospital, those absences will not be forgiven. If you're late, it counts as an absence.I don't recommend it. At all. All the learning I garnered there is online accessible these days, one just has to hunker down, find it, and put it to practice. My professors were great, but no education is worth that price tag. Depending on your major there, you will be treated differently by the school. For example, their fashion and fibers majors are doted on, whereas a major like animation is ground hard into the dirt. There were unrealisitc deadlines to meet for class projects and kids would be in the school buildings overnight trying to meet them. Some fell asleep in their chairs and Paula Wallace (the owner) saw that one day and had them replace the chairs with far less comfortable chairs. Some kids had heart attacks from staying up to meet deadlines. Such a bad work culture of "all-nighters". In part the students' fault, but none of the faculty really stopped it or discouraged it, save one teacher in a different major, and that being said, that teacher still gave ridiculous deadlines so we'd "be prepared for the industry". That's not at all what the industry is like (discluding the game industry right now). It is truly a hard place to thrive and everyone I've known who has graduated had months to years of burnout after finishing, including myself. I'd hazard real caution when choosing to go to a private art college, art institutes included.No education is worth that amount of debt.

K: Wow, that’s unfortunate to hear. I wonder if students are having similar experiences at colleges such as CAD or RISD?

D: I have heard very similar things about places like RISD and CAD where it’s all about the money, but I can’t point you towards any of the specifics. I really just want people to go into it with a clear head and know it’s going to be hard exiting. They really don’t prepare you for business.

K: What would you have done differently? Would you have signed up for online courses?

D: If I was to do it over, I would have liked to dive straight into developing personal projects, just making the work. Watching and reading free youtube videos and blog posts by artists. That would not have flown with my parents, they’re very by the book “go to college or get a job” type people. With than in mind, I would’ve gone to the local college I was within biking distance of as a sort of clean, and done fairly half assed studies by full assed my artwork.

K: That sounds like what a lot of artists, particularly those interested in digital art are doing. But, have you ever considered going back to school, or enrolling in a program or an atelier that you think would be beneficial to your art career?

D: Not genuinely. If I had time, I wouldn't mind enrolling in something that would teach me puppet animation, but between freelance and my day job, it's hard to find time to produce personal work and then also learn. I am pro-learning, always learning because that keeps your work fresh, keeps your mind sharp and ready to switch up on a dime. But course work is something I'm not super fond of, to be honest.

K: I understand. So, you've graduated and are currently doing freelance work along with your other day job. In your freelance work, what kind of work are you taking from clients?

D: Mostly I do storyboard animatics for a few advertising agencies, but I do some card art for games here and there, like Companion's Tale. I just signed on to do some tarot card artwork for a company called Legacy: Fables. I'll take anything that sounds interesting and that I have time for. It's all digital; traditional art is way more personal for me so I almost exclusively make traditional artwork as gifts for friends.

K: Are there any particular fandoms or genres that you tend to work more in?

D: As far as fandom work and commissions, it's Dragon Age all the way BABY! It's a good community and I owe a lot to them. I'm planning on reopening my tarot commissions here soon once I finish up a few of my freelance projects. I am an old hat with fantasy stuff and most comfortable there, but I really want to start working on robots and mechanics and cities. All that sci-fi goodness.

K: Wow, that's great to hear you've got very steady work, and they’re with industries and agencies! I hope you'll get to share that work once it's gone down the production pipeline. Have you ever considered applying for work with a company like EA/Bioware?

D: Yeah! I've lucked out a lot, it feels like all of this sort of dumped itself in my lap. My biggest resistance to applying to Bioware or any gaming industry position right is rooted in how they treat their workers. Bioware, specifically back when Anthem was released, had a nasty report come out on how management had run their workers to the point of many having mental breakdowns, and several just leaving and never coming back. They refer to those who have breakdowns while working during their months and months of crunch as "stress casualties", and I'm honestly quite disgusted by what I hear. I think once the gaming industry unionizes I'll consider applying, but the things I hear, not just about Bioware and EA... It's horrifying. Riot, Blizzard, Activision, Treyarch, Rockstar... the list could go on. Not to like tank the conversation into a dark place, I just have such strong feelings about it.

K: That's ok! It's good to hear different perspectives, especially when talking about the industry. Alright, on to the next question. Looking at your work, from sequential narrative to tarot artwork, I’m really impressed by your storytelling. When you’re creating stories and characters, do you pull a lot from your own experiences and emotions, or more from other sources such as music, film, or literature?

D: Ahh that's a hard one. I think I pull far more from outside of me than inside of me.The way things are shaped comes from my own experience, but I think a lot of my content comes from outside influences, like movies, books, music, and art.Howls Moving Castle, the book not the film, had a huge affect on me and how light I want the stories I tell to be, but I think I have a long way to go when putting stories together.I am super empathetic so it's easy to take outside influences and really feel them, but also it's hard to tell where I start and those influences ends.

K: Very well said, and the comment about the novel, I can really feel that in your personal work, especially your recent animated landscape piece.

D: Thanks!

K: The first time I came across your work was one of your Dragon Age tarot works, but also the tutorial on how you created them. It was incredibly helpful to me and I know to lots more artists. Your tutorials and words of advice have proven very successful, but have you ever received any advice or tutorials that really switched gears or level upped your techniques?

D: The answer is yes, absolutely. Let me see, I don't seek out tutorials anymore, but there was something I saw recently that was good. Sinix's head from any angle is a great approach to drawing faces at crazy angles. Also, check out Bunabi on Tumblr. Bunabi is so fast and her work is beautiful, and has great tutorials also, just incredible. 

I unfortunately can’t link to any specifics, but tutorials like this one do me a lot of good.  

People can just screenshot process stuff that reminds me that there are a million ways to approach art, like sketch up, grids, freehanding. I think I benefit from understanding that there are a million approaches more than following the tutorials super hard.

K: Great,thank you! I wanted to ask a few more questions, one about your Patreon. It seems like the next big wave for digital artists. How has it been creating one and keeping on top of the awards, and is there anything you would want to do differently with yours?

D: So Patreon is kind of a basket you can fill with prizes, maybe some of the prizes for money (probably prizes for money), and that works for a lot of people. I have a more of a "here's content I don't put elsewhere if you'd like it" approach to it cause I'm inconsistent with patron pay-outs. Patreon for artists with chronic mental illness is a struggle. Hands down. I started one hoping it would iron out my discipline issues a year or two back, and it didn't. It made me feel hella guilty cause I could not keep up with what I said I'd keep up with, and then I felt worse. It was disastrous. I refunded most of the pledges I got during the three months I had it open. Then I closed it for a year and brought it back online recently. Now all my content is free, it's still inconsistent, but if people want to support me I welcome it. I think Patreon is a good platform, but I will never be able to use it is intended. I respect the people who can keep up with it all, that kind of discipline takes a crazy amount of strength of character, but I don't motivate with money very well. In the end, I motivate through helping others as best I can, so it'll always be free content. I have very few plans for it, other than I want to put together a brush pack and share it there with brushes I made. I just need a moment to sit down and make that happen. I've got a tutorial for using photos to make quick painted backgrounds too, and I just have to organize that sucker.

K: Thank you for being so open about it. I think what you're doing is so insightful and helpful in what you're offering to your followers, especially those who may also be struggling with anxiety and depression.

K: Can you share what your process is like from a sketch to a finished piece? Do you thumbnail a lot before, use references to build from, and so on?

D: I like to do throw away thumbnails on notepaper.

And then I take those thumbnails and do a more thought out version digitally.

K: Wow, these are both beautiful. If you don't share these with patrons already, I would! I also like that you've given each one their own color, a good way to organize!

D: Thank you! I'll make sure to share these, I forget about them genuinely. I'll diverge in two directions from here depending on need. If what I'm working on is simple, I hop straight into color. If it's going to be complicated, ie crazy armor, specific architecture, I will do a line pass first and then launch into color. Either way, this is where most of my references come into play. Once that is solid I add detail work.

K: Reference can be so important in art; it really can bring work to a new level if used properly!

D: Yeah reference is king. I use it constantly, even when doing the most stylized thing, cause there's always stuff you forget. The waves I did for my last card, I had reference of barrel waves up constantly, and it helps a ton.

K: My last question is where do you see yourself in five years? I know this can be a challenging question, but if you had any goals or plans you’d like to see come into fruition, what would they be?

D: Five years? These questions are always a struggle for me. I try not to look past a week at a time because it's all so BIG. And my life has undergone so many huge changes in such a short period of time SO MANY times that it's hard to make long term plans. Especially when dealing with mental illness. So I try to think less about where I'll be in any amount of time, and more about what I want to progress towards achieving, it's a little easier and sets up less expectation. So this is not necessarily a five year plan, and more an eventual future plan. I want to have enough tutorial work to put together an art resources book/pdf online. I want to develop my freelance work further and create my own studio, ideally for illustrative style work, smaller animations, and maybe some classes for people interested in color and storytelling. I want to put together a small guide of sorts also for artists and people who need healing, since there's so many of us. That one is harder because it's an amorphous subject, but I think there's a lot of room for commentary there and a lot of people wanting to hear it, and I think it'll have to come from all those hurting. It's just a matter of how we'll organize that.I am a huge sap. That's my way. So in 5 years I'm hoping I'll be a better and more helpful sap.

K: Well, I hope you're able to make a lot of this happen, we need more empathy and help in the world. Thank you again Daphne for your time, this was really informative and an honest interview which I know others will appreciate.

D: Thank you, Kallie!

You can find more of Daphne’s beautiful works (and tutorials) here:

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