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Milestone Shattered -1,000 Watchers + Ask Me stuff

Journal Entry: Tue May 7, 2013, 8:16 PM


So I learned :iconveggie55: was the person responsible for melting my deviantart page down to a puddle.  I've said it a bunch of times but again, I'm totally humbled to receive so many watches and kind words.  I draw to make people smile so I'm hoping I'll be able to make all you new watchers smile down the road!  Speaking of watchers...

I smashed through 1,000 watchers!!!!!! I had set an "ambitious" personal goal to try to grow my deviantart watchers to 1,000 by the end of this year... I guess I completed that a little early.  That was my only goal too!  What am I to do with no goals now...  ACTUALLY I have a few more.

I'll be attending San Diego Comic Con this year and have to work up a portfolio for the event.  It'll be tough, work doesn't leave me much energy or time at night but I'm going to try to make this happen!

Finally,

I will try to get back to ALL the amazing comments, however; if anyone should have any questions that you'd like to ask me please feel free to ask them here.  I'll make time to answer all your questions :).

Again thank you all for the love... this "adrenaline" shot of love was unexpected but greatly needed.  Thanks to ALL my watchers for being awesome; you guys are the real magic! :)


Wow!

Journal Entry: Tue May 7, 2013, 3:13 PM


So I turn on my iPad and i see my site here is flooded with new followers and fav's! :faint:

Where are you guys coming from!!!

Wow all I have to say is I'm humbled... Tis truly a pleasant and humbling surprise.

Thank you all to both new and old watchers; as always I'm humbled... more so then I can say in words.

Keep rocking it gang!!!


PRACTICE!

Journal Entry: Wed Apr 24, 2013, 1:13 PM


So you want to be a "insert profession here" and to have cool things like "insert professional accomplishments here" under your belt but you're afraid you're not good enough, you don't have the skills, or you're inept at it?

I'm just going to say this.

Practice... 

Practice... 

Practice. Practice. Practice. Practice. Practice. Practice. Practice. Practice. Practice. Practice. Practice. Practice.

Practice until it hurts.

Practice until it bleeds.

Practice even if you don't want to.

Practice even if you feel like it's pointless.

Practice with friends.

Practice with reading material and references.

Practice until you're tired of practicing and then push through that and practice some more!

Practice and don't give up.  

Practice until you see your goals come true then set new goals and keep practicing!

You need patience

Seriously I can't say it enough.  For some reason people think I'm a good artist; truthfully I feel like I have a ways to go before I can achieve that status.   The only reason I'm at where I am now is because I stayed patient and practiced.

I feel that anyone can do anything they like BUT they have to be willing to practice to obtain those skills and practice HARD at it.  

When I was little I never thought I'd be drawing like I am today... simply because I thought I was no good at it because I couldn't sit down and crank out something amazing after only one attempt.  I thought "Well geeze I can't draw this in one attempt, with no references, or clues to how it should be drawn... I must suck!"  I had no drive to see it through because I thought that if I can't do it right the first time then I must be no good at it; period.

Practice takes determination and patience.   Most people aren't born with amazing skills they get it with years of training and tons of practice.

If you have a dream or passion that you want to follow but you're afraid that you're no good... all I can say is... PRACTICE!  For me?  It literally took me tons of practice... most often only having time during the late night/wee early hours to practice but I did it and i'll continue doing it.

When the horse bucks


With that said, there's nothing wrong with taking a short break to relax here and there.  Sometimes life gets down on you or things are just moving to fast and you need to take a break to recharge the juices.  

We all fall off the horse now and then; what matters is we eventually get back up on that horse called "practice" and keep on riding towards our goal.

Now get out there and practice!



Drawing From Life

Journal Entry: Tue Mar 12, 2013, 10:11 AM


HA, See What I Did There?



Just a quick note this little topic only covers using materials for character development.  There are also reasons and purposes for duplicating something you see (photos, landscapes, etc) to further your artistic skills, however; that's not  what this post is about.  This post will mainly focus on using materials for reference and guides when developing original characters.

Define "Reference"?



I can't stress enough how important reference material is!  I've found myself using it more and more when trying to draw new characters that I've never drawn before or have found difficulty with items that I never thought about referencing before.

What's been a big boon to me lately is studying anatomy; especially the skeleton.  Long ago I thought it not necessary "I  draw super exaggerated characters; why would I care about proper skeleton design?" is what I often said to myself.  Turns out I should care a lot about it!  

I'm finding that studying a skeleton can help you see how weights carry and propagate naturally through a character (even super toony ones).  I find that once I figure out a characters skeleton (be it rat, lizard, dragon, pony, or person) I can begin to push the characters look to be more toony and zanny.   It's true eventually you won't need reference material that much once you have your character design down pat but for us beginners and first timers it's important not to miss this step.

To see and to really "see"



At first I didn't reference anything because I felt like it was cheating.  When I was little (in age; not stature... I've always been short :B) I used to draw Dragon Ball Z, Digimon, Pokemon, and other popular characters BUT I would only redraw what I saw.  I didn't trace I would sit there and painstakingly redraw what I saw to look exactly like the original picture.  At first I thought it was awesome but then I realized it wasn't what I wanted to do; I wanted to create things not just reproduce others works.  So I stopped and I put myself in a mind set of "drawing off another image is BAD" and really for a long time refused to look at characters or real life images for fear of "copying" them.

In actuality that was a mistake on my part, I had good intentions but I took it to far.  There's a difference from drawing what you see to drawing what you "see".  

I've learned now why people referenced real life photos and other art; it wasn't so they could "copy" that artwork; it was to use it to get a better feeling of what they were trying to draw.  

For example,



I looked at photography of rats and rat skeletons.  I wasn't looking at them with the mindset of "how can I make a perfect reproductions of these images?" but with the mindset of "Where is a rats rib-cage typically located?  Where is it's guts located and how does that affect the overall look?  If I want to keep the rat more ratty looking then where is a rats typical center of gravity at; how does it bend?  How does a typical rats face look and how could I push that look?" so forth and so on.

Looking at real life examples and other artwork with this eye helped show me that there is value in looking at things in the world.  How can one expect to reproduce something that another can comprehend if you yourself don't know how it works or even looks?

It's not cheating



Referencing material isn't wrong or cheating when using it to develop new characters.  Using the images as a educational basis to help you better develop your characters is a perfectly respectable way of growing and developing your artistic skills.  Also, there are times credit should and/or must be given for certain referencing of photos/characters BUT I'll leave that for another day as it's an entirely different post on that matter.  

In the end looking at things in our world is how we naturally grow and develop; if you want to grow to be a better artist then don't be afraid to explore your surroundings.

San Diego Comic Con Updates - Portfolio

Journal Entry: Fri Mar 1, 2013, 6:27 AM


Someday I need to build myself a better journal skin, but for now I'll just go around borrowing others awesome css layouts! :B

I have my hotel reservation at the "Horton Grand" finalized and have my tickets for Friday-Sunday in place.  All I need to do is get a Thursday ticket and I'll be set.  The Horton Grand Hotel is three blocks from the convention center so I should be able to hang with artists and any other peeps that I may want to visit.  Also hoping to connect up and say hi to =DeevElliott and =Fyuvix (if she can attend).

I was currently planning on traveling to SDCC this year with another, however; certain situations arose which may mean this individual may not be attending... effectively doubling my costs to the con.  I think I'll still have enough saved up by then to attend... so long as I'm money conscious.

I'm also positive I'll try to see if I can get a few slots at the "Portfolio Review" that SDCC does each year.  =Fyuvix gently prodded me into giving it a go.  I won't lie I'm really nervous and feel totally inadequate/ill prepared for something like this lol.  I just never thought in my wildest dreams I'd have people come forward saying I should try cause they think I have the skills.  It'd be awesome to get in and get some good feedback... so I'm going to give it a go!

With that said though I know I also need to start working on some new human designs and layouts as they'll want to see more of those then cutesy little animals.  It's hard trying to come up with human designs especially since I spent so many years saying I "can't do it" and now I have that mental block whenever I try.  When I draw animals I don't have that fear of messing up or making it look off... when it comes to drawing humans I have that fear constantly.  I need to find the confidence soon to break that wall though as I want to make the most of this attempt as this may be my last trip to SDCC for quite a few years.

These two great artists:

:iconmelodic-death-ookami: and :iconwretneck:

Need some love.  They both have a terrific art style and no where NEAR the size of followers that they should be having.  Here are two examples; one of ookamis' and one of wretnecks':

(click to enlargenate to see shear awesome)


Now tell me that's not some awesome talent!
Yup I'll be there; got tickets for friday-sunday.  Anyone else going?

Going to try to make it a little more of a professorial trip this year instead of "run, GAWK, run GAWK, run..." of last years. XD
I mean wherever I look people are tearing their hearts out and giving them to loved one for something called "valentines" day. :S

Well whatever the case may be; if you celebrate this day I hope you make it a special one for your loved one.  If you don't have a loved one (like me) then just treat yourself to something special to give yourself a smile!

In other news?  Well there really isn't any other news.  Still meandering around with my drawings trying to find my mojo... need to get back into finishing up a few of my sketches as well.

Anyway catch you all later & keep on smiling!

Seriously check out and welcome my friend :iconcappuccinofrosting:.  She does some amazing latte art:



I seriously need to drive on over there and try me one of those latte's!
Just a quick pop to say thanks gang for 40,000 page views!  When I started this account I figured I'd flip if I hit 10,000 page-views but 40,000... shazam; you guys rock!

Also a quick shout out to all the new followers; thanks for the follow-ship (fellow-ship?) gang, hopefully you'll continue to like what you see and I'll be able to keep you smiling.  I've been very down these last few months and all your kind posts and comments have given me a much needed smile.  

Finally a special thanks to :icongreykitty: for being an all around awesome friend.  Keep churning out the churro of awesomeness GK!  If you haven't followed her yet then you should as she her work is amazing!

Chow!
I'm not looking to stir up gender wars or evil among good people... although I'm sure this is going to... it's just that I have a serious question.  Do you think the animation industry is gender biased?

Now why would I say that?  Well from my travels online and in the real world nearly every animation artist, storyboard artist, character developer, etc. that is "famous" or at least well known is male.  The only artist that I've meet whom is well known is Lauren Faust.

Does the animation industry in general like to put a male figure in the spotlight more so then female OR is it that there are not that many female artists in said industry?

That last part I find hard to believe as a LOT of my artist friends (whom are amazingly talented) are female not male.  From what I see there are more female artists my age and younger that are as good if not better then a lot of male artists my age and younger.  So I find it hard to believe that there are not that many female artists in the animation industry.

This has been gnawing on me for the past few days as I find it hard to believe that this industry could be biased.
Dang guys!  I see I've popped past 600 watchers, that's about 599 more then I deserve!  

I've seen and read all of your comments and I've been wanting to reply to them and to thank each and everyone of you for the watches and comments... it's just... I'm still in a rather dark place and even though I want to thank you all I kinda close up and shut down when I try to do it.  It's actually pretty hard writing this journal but I want you all to know how awesome YOU are.  I'm not the talented one ... it's you guys!

Thanks for making me feel a... I dunno... a little special. :)

I'll keep pushing and prodding... hopefully I can escape this dark funk... heh... I kinda have to.  I owe my niece her yearly Christmas drawing... been doing it for her since she was two or three (she's 7 almost 8 now); she has them all framed and on her walls.  I wouldn't want to let her down, now would I?
Have any of you heard of this site? [link]

Is so any thoughts or words on it?  They've got some interesting character design classes I'm somewhat tempted at looking into or maybe even taking.

Thanks!

Have some real ghost stories!

Journal Entry: Tue Oct 30, 2012, 8:18 PM
These stories are based off of my life encounters with the unexplained.  I've shared them here on the site before but thought I would share them again for those that may have missed it.  If you want to read them through-out the day then be sure to follow my tumblr account as I'll be doling these stories out slowly tomorrow.

Later!

5 Nights of Halloween - Part 1: [link]
5 Nights of Halloween - Part 2: [link]
5 Nights of Halloween - Part 3: [link]
5 Nights of Halloween - Part 4: [link]
5 Nights of Halloween - Part 5: [link]

Sometimes it's hard to do what you love... sometimes it really sucks doing what you love.  Maybe it depresses you to no end when you work on it... maybe you hate yourself for doing it... that doesn't matter though; sometimes it sucks doing what you love but it beats not doing it at all.

My drawings have been nothing but a boxing match lately with my emotions.  Everyday lately I've been telling myself I'm done drawing, I'm taking at least a week off maybe longer.  I end the night upset at what I drew and I get up and spend the day fuming that I wasted my time drawing but day in and day out I find myself inexplicable drawn back to my drawing station only to rinse and repeat.

I don't know if it's a bad habit I developed or what but even though I'm ticked off and grumpy lately for drawing I end up being lured back to it after work.  I hope this is kind of like a cleansing ritual of some kind lol.

Oh and one other tip, don't start drawing expecting an amazing drawing or this award winning pose; 9 out of 10 times you'll just fall on your sword and feel defeated.  Go into without that attitude, it actually helps.
Did I get your attention? Good!

Just a quickie of an update tonight, more or less to give you a quick "State of the union" address.... I feel so POTUS! XD

Things still aren't to great lately, took some time to go through 7yrs of life rubbish (pile up of un-used items) to sort and throw them out... helped some but still feeling extremely depleted both physically and mentally.  My current life conditions, while no were near bad, are not where I would have wanted them to be at this age in my life.  Realizing that each day of my life is slowly going more and more in the wrong direction has been greatly demoralizing.  Also having a job that doesn't really utilize ones talents anymore is also greatly demoralizing.  I've been trying to find work outside of this area and more into the realm of art and entertainment (even if it's programming in those sectors) BUT I haven't had any luck (yet).  I don't know if it's because I'm so far away (geographically) from where I'm applying, my resume is messed up or if I'm just not good enough.

I may be able to find another local job here if I want it... but I'm terrified that if I do that then I'll end up staying in this area.  A ton of friends are telling me that any change in jobs even if local for a little while will do me good... it probably will... but for some reason it feels like the wrong thing.  We'll eventually I have to find something because I need something that stimulates me more then troubleshooting computer problems and handling customer issues.  I miss programming and art...

ANYWAY!

So yeah when I'm down like this my art has a tendency to implode; that's one main reason why I haven't started on the last batch of commissions yet.  I feel I'd be doing people an injustice trying to do their work while I'm down.

Eventually I'll stuff all my worries back into that little proverbial  bottle... it just seems to take a little longer to do each time. ^^;

Peace!

Not only do I do art BUT

Journal Entry: Fri Oct 19, 2012, 9:47 PM
I also make stupid voice overs to make me laugh!  Have some silly voice acting attempts with "Statued Discord Replies"

[link]

That is all :B

Well gang it's been fun but all good things must come to an end.  I feel a bit of a depressive stupor coming on and so to try to not overwhelm myself I'm going to be closing commissions for now.  I've got a couple people to still get in contact, don't worry; you guys are still on the list.  Be patient I'll be in touch with you soon.

I'll try not to let my depression build to much but it's hard sometimes not to let it.  Having a job whose reward/satisfaction level is dwindling by the day... working for a place that sucks the fun out of you is very trying.  Been trying to fix that situation for a while now... but sadly haven't been able to find work.  If I could quite and do art for a living I would but that's not an option.  If I could do programming and art like I used to ... wow that would be pretty slick too.  A'well at least I have something and I need to be thankful for that... hopefully one day I can improve that situation... before it drives me batty!!!! :B

So yeah I'm closed for now till I feel my spirits pick up.  Don't worry I won't go far or do anything stupid, I promise. :)

Commission's Updates

Journal Entry: Sat Oct 6, 2012, 9:07 PM
Okay so I've got a few more then five wanting commissions lol not a ton but wow wasn't expecting this many!  Tis humbled I am!  

I've got a handful in my waiting list... I'll try to get to you guys as soon as I can; all I can ask is for your patience. :)

If you want on the waiting list send me a note.  Eventually I'll cut the line off and turn people away/close commissions but so far I'm going to let it keep going.  I'll try to get everyone's artwork done in a timely manner but please remember that drawing is not my job but only a hobby.  I only have a few hours a night to draw, right now I'm doing good keeping up with them but I need to be careful.  Working for a crappy job and then coming home to eat and go straight to work on commissions without a break can be stressful... FUN... but stressful XD

So yeah slow and steady wins the race; so hang in there and I'll get back to your notes.  Cool? :)

$20 Sketch Commisions

Journal Entry: Wed Oct 3, 2012, 1:29 PM
Note me if interested, I'll accept a total of five commissions for now.  What you'll get is basic inking and colors for your sketch.  No hi-lights, shadows or background.  I'll send a link to where you can download a hi-res version of the image.

Payments through paypal preferred and payment must be sent before I'll start working on the commission.

I'll leave this open till I either get five or I get bored and close the commissions :B

Stamps

:thumb93870724::thumb130700279:

Shoutbox

=secoh2000:iconsecoh2000:
LOL I always love you're humor steven! ;)
Wed Apr 24, 2013, 1:14 PM
*StevenRoy:iconstevenroy:
We interrupt this two-year-long awkward silence to bring you... more silence!
Sat Feb 23, 2013, 3:43 PM
~KodyBoy555:iconkodyboy555:
Try drawing your beaver character Bucky in scuba gear wearing a wetsuit, air tank, flippers and lifejacket.
Sat Feb 5, 2011, 7:38 PM
*StevenRoy:iconstevenroy:
Because that's what it's fooooooor!
Mon Mar 29, 2010, 9:10 PM
=secoh2000:iconsecoh2000:
Oh nothing this shoutbox is just full of the crazies!
Tue Jan 19, 2010, 2:14 PM
!Android-Squirrel:iconandroid-squirrel:
LoLwut.
Thu Dec 24, 2009, 10:38 PM
=secoh2000:iconsecoh2000:
Blue and explode would be interesting!
Mon Dec 21, 2009, 8:06 PM
*StevenRoy:iconstevenroy:
It'll sizzle, then fizzle, and then mope... either that or it'll turn blue and explode!
Mon Nov 2, 2009, 2:15 PM
=secoh2000:iconsecoh2000:
Would it be called a "Fizzle Sizzle" then?
Wed Sep 30, 2009, 12:43 PM
*StevenRoy:iconstevenroy:
Named after what it would do if we lit it on fire?
Sat Sep 26, 2009, 11:53 PM
Nobody

What do you post to DA? 

31%
33 deviants said I enjoy posting all my work; even the bad. I like to show people that I'm human as well.
27%
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22%
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12%
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1 deviant said I enjoy posting a tutorial style upload (posts from a sketch to the finished product)

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