I admit it - I like mondays. It's my day to establish my goals for the week. I make lists and estimate the projects to do, and collect ideas to work toward.
As a stay-at-home artist - it is imperative to get things done! So often, it would be easy to work as the muse strikes and that means not working at all (my house needs cleaning, the beach needs a visit, there's this movie/game/place...). If you want to be sucessful, you need to figure out where you are going and start!
I have been at this long enough to understand my own work load, attention span, and the gauge of how much I can accomplish. With my lists, I can make certain I am not loosing ideas, projects, directions to keep going in. The work never ends, but it's happy challenging work that I choose to do.
Having been 'recovering' (read playing DDO and lazing around the house) for the last week, I am eager to get back to it - fresh and happy.
David Allen - Getting things done : recommended for people interested in goal setting and checking things off their to-do lists.
Brought up from the deep fathoms of my brain
Monday, June 25, 2012
Friday, June 22, 2012
Work for friends
Before AnthroCon, I was contacted by PeterCat to say that there was something special and sneaky going on. Someone wanted to propose to his lady at the art show - and they were setting aside a panel to be filled with pictures of their characters. That way, at the art reception, the lady could round the corner and be confronted with lotsa art of her character being proposed to by this character!
What fun!
I did a little picture for it. A little gold color in the background of the pencils.
It's marvelous that such a simple thing for me can help make a big impact on someone's joy. It's what I do art for! Makes me happy to be an artist
here's his LJ : http://spotweld.livejournal.com/194755.html. Go see the rest of the art.
What fun!
I did a little picture for it. A little gold color in the background of the pencils.
It's marvelous that such a simple thing for me can help make a big impact on someone's joy. It's what I do art for! Makes me happy to be an artist
here's his LJ : http://spotweld.livejournal.com/194755.html. Go see the rest of the art.
Thursday, June 21, 2012
After Con Work
I go to a lot of cons - while there; I love taking sketchbooks and doing work overnight at the con.
There are people who believe it would be easier if the artist just took the request home, and could finish it in their own time. Yes! It most certainly would - BUT... At home, I have other work to do. At home, the little $25 sketch suddenly becomes so much more - reference pictures, longer hours, better tools, rested mind, mailing costs - are just some things that come into play.
God forbid that my house decides to eat something! A sketchbook stacked on a pile of books could easily be missed for months. Not to mention that sketchbooks are often filled with other drawings that the client has paid good money to have as well. Time and deadlines will often interfere with pick-up work from a con - so who knows how long a commissioner will be waiting, and how long they expect to wait.
Taking something home from the con also means that all my commissions have to wait just a tad longer. They are usually patient people, and I do have room for sudden projects and art - but I feel a responsibility to them.
I charge more for take home art - commissions; taking on something from the con is also cheating me and the weight of all the bills I have hanging about.
I have taken things home from cons anyway - I am just way aware of what I am agreeing to.
There are people who believe it would be easier if the artist just took the request home, and could finish it in their own time. Yes! It most certainly would - BUT... At home, I have other work to do. At home, the little $25 sketch suddenly becomes so much more - reference pictures, longer hours, better tools, rested mind, mailing costs - are just some things that come into play.
God forbid that my house decides to eat something! A sketchbook stacked on a pile of books could easily be missed for months. Not to mention that sketchbooks are often filled with other drawings that the client has paid good money to have as well. Time and deadlines will often interfere with pick-up work from a con - so who knows how long a commissioner will be waiting, and how long they expect to wait.
Taking something home from the con also means that all my commissions have to wait just a tad longer. They are usually patient people, and I do have room for sudden projects and art - but I feel a responsibility to them.
I charge more for take home art - commissions; taking on something from the con is also cheating me and the weight of all the bills I have hanging about.
I have taken things home from cons anyway - I am just way aware of what I am agreeing to.
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Staying Loose
I'm back from AnthroCon and might have caught up on sleep now. I take art to do at the con, and it keeps me busy all weekend. On Sunday, any work I take at the con has to be done quickly - people are gathering the last things so they can go home.
Sunday, I try to stay loose. Sunday is quick sketch day.
Sometimes, reminding myself to stay loose is the key to getting a really nice sketch. I've been drawing all weekend, I am loose and practiced and hopefully in the groove. I worry about only having a short time to produce - but I was pleased with everything I did.
Keeping the sketches fast and loose is an excellent way of getting something going.
Sunday, I try to stay loose. Sunday is quick sketch day.
Sometimes, reminding myself to stay loose is the key to getting a really nice sketch. I've been drawing all weekend, I am loose and practiced and hopefully in the groove. I worry about only having a short time to produce - but I was pleased with everything I did.
Keeping the sketches fast and loose is an excellent way of getting something going.
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Catch up
Today is my birthday, and I'm spending it getting some last minute pictures done for the art show at AnthroCon. It's interesting that as a working artist, there are no days off. Not that I mind drawing - I certainly would have done some of that today.
I laid out space in the living room and put down all the finished originals I have ready for the show. I had one more 2 x 4 space left - and it's in the naughty section, so I have no lying around art to fill it.
Life is in the details - take advantage of them.
I laid out space in the living room and put down all the finished originals I have ready for the show. I had one more 2 x 4 space left - and it's in the naughty section, so I have no lying around art to fill it.
Life is in the details - take advantage of them.
Monday, June 11, 2012
Little Sketch Books
When at cons, I like to pick up little collected books of the artist's pencil works. I always feel like I am included in their circle of friends - like I am going through their sketchbooks. It's a personal space sort of thing, and I love that look behind the scenes.
I like 'em - so I made one. Then, I looked twice and made one for the furries and one of just fantasy work.
Hopefully, more people will think of doing these.
I like 'em - so I made one. Then, I looked twice and made one for the furries and one of just fantasy work.
Hopefully, more people will think of doing these.
Sunday, June 10, 2012
IMC missing you.
drat it! The IMC is this weekend till next weekend - and I could not go because Anthrocon was moved up a week (due to Sports draft). I thought I could be okay with this - but wow, do I miss it.
The Illustration Master Class is a week long intensive art session by leaders in the SF and F art field. They have lectures filled with fabulous information and great artists who will come by your painting and be glad to give you input or help.
I miss the discussion of my sketches, the interpretation of my chosen assignment - being pushed to the better ideas; using the feedback to understand what the industry is looking for, and how it relates to my work.
I miss the lectures, picking out new tidbits of information that relate to my level of learning. Heck, even the safety class reminds me of the materials I am working with every day. The names of the artist there this year is amazing, and I wish I could come and say hi.
The interplay with other people of my profession - when I am so use to be working alone in my studio. Seeing friends also touched with the wonderful spirit of inspiration for the long week. Being able to talk to artists who's work I admire, and watch them work (if I have the time).
Not to mention the food - and so much of it. The cafeteria style eating was always great to find new friends to sit with and learn about.
All the work, work, work... Inspiring, The work of the other students, the faculty's work set up, and even mine - pushed to be better through the help and input of others.
Next year for sure!
The Illustration Master Class is a week long intensive art session by leaders in the SF and F art field. They have lectures filled with fabulous information and great artists who will come by your painting and be glad to give you input or help.
I miss the discussion of my sketches, the interpretation of my chosen assignment - being pushed to the better ideas; using the feedback to understand what the industry is looking for, and how it relates to my work.
I miss the lectures, picking out new tidbits of information that relate to my level of learning. Heck, even the safety class reminds me of the materials I am working with every day. The names of the artist there this year is amazing, and I wish I could come and say hi.
The interplay with other people of my profession - when I am so use to be working alone in my studio. Seeing friends also touched with the wonderful spirit of inspiration for the long week. Being able to talk to artists who's work I admire, and watch them work (if I have the time).
Not to mention the food - and so much of it. The cafeteria style eating was always great to find new friends to sit with and learn about.
All the work, work, work... Inspiring, The work of the other students, the faculty's work set up, and even mine - pushed to be better through the help and input of others.
Next year for sure!
Friday, June 8, 2012
colored sketchbook
I have used sketchbooks for years. They refine my drawing, are a great space for generating ideas, and a place I draw friends.
Recently, I have come across a couple of my favorite artists who use a sketchbook with brown paper-bag colored pages. The work inside is done with black and white. This gives a more color ready sketch.
By working with the white tones as well as the structure lines - the artist would be more aware of the use of light in the composition. By using a sketchbook, you would become more aware and familiar of structures and blocks of light against the dark. Brilliant! The artist is suppose to command the viewer's eyes, their experience of the work - and lighting is a great way to do it. It's something I want to become more aware of. I always tell people I work on toned paper so that I am highlighting up and shading down. I understand!
So, I ran out and bought a colored paper sketchbook. Lovely. My size.
pbpbpbpptttt!
I haven't got the hang of it. I go back to the white books where I can see the lines of my composition more. I am still sketching in black and white in my head.
Either I need to force myself more into the color book, go and find a grey paper book (since I am use to grey and not brown), or re-work the idea that it's a place to refine the light work - and not the line work of a painting.
working on it. I will not give up!
Recently, I have come across a couple of my favorite artists who use a sketchbook with brown paper-bag colored pages. The work inside is done with black and white. This gives a more color ready sketch.
By working with the white tones as well as the structure lines - the artist would be more aware of the use of light in the composition. By using a sketchbook, you would become more aware and familiar of structures and blocks of light against the dark. Brilliant! The artist is suppose to command the viewer's eyes, their experience of the work - and lighting is a great way to do it. It's something I want to become more aware of. I always tell people I work on toned paper so that I am highlighting up and shading down. I understand!
So, I ran out and bought a colored paper sketchbook. Lovely. My size.
pbpbpbpptttt!
I haven't got the hang of it. I go back to the white books where I can see the lines of my composition more. I am still sketching in black and white in my head.
Either I need to force myself more into the color book, go and find a grey paper book (since I am use to grey and not brown), or re-work the idea that it's a place to refine the light work - and not the line work of a painting.
working on it. I will not give up!
Thursday, June 7, 2012
Equipment
Epson 4800!
A good color printer. This one lets me print 17 inches across and I can get 2 8.5 x 11 prints at one time.
It's got the huge ink cartridges so I don't have to change them out all the time.
A real workhorse.
$2K
Mounted on the wall downstairs (near by gaming/cutting table). Cuts board straight and true. Cuts plexiglass and glass.
No more struggles, no more sore back - no more messed up not-square mat.
I worked at a framing place for a short while, and fell in love with this tool. Just measure and pull. ahhhh.
$1.5K
Rototrim
A cutter, 24inches wide.
Pendulum blade cutters do a different job, but I love this paper cutter. It'll do a few sheets of prints easy, and it long and fabulous. It'll take mat board, bristol and other useful art papers.
It's constantly cluttered with little strips of edges and ends.
$200
Invest in the tools of your trade.
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Mat
Pretty soon, I must slip into the basement and start mating the originals. I've got a series of gold frames from Dad's attic clean-out - so I think I'll be framing a buncha stuff. My count is currently 11, and there's some pieces already mated.
I like the mating process, but there are times I want to go all out - double mats, embellishments or even elements painted on the mats. But then I pull back. A lot of times the mats get changed when they get up on the final walls. So, a lot of time - it's a simple black mat to set the elements off.
With framing - I like to do a bit more.
Now that I'm thinking about it - maybe I'll see about a pretty illustrated piece with illustrated mat. OOOOooo. Yeah. I'll get on it.
recently updated by Fur Affinity Account: http://www.furaffinity.net/user/dhstein/
recently updated Deviant Art: http://dhstein.deviantart.com/
I like the mating process, but there are times I want to go all out - double mats, embellishments or even elements painted on the mats. But then I pull back. A lot of times the mats get changed when they get up on the final walls. So, a lot of time - it's a simple black mat to set the elements off.
With framing - I like to do a bit more.
Now that I'm thinking about it - maybe I'll see about a pretty illustrated piece with illustrated mat. OOOOooo. Yeah. I'll get on it.
recently updated by Fur Affinity Account: http://www.furaffinity.net/user/dhstein/
recently updated Deviant Art: http://dhstein.deviantart.com/
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
CD Collections
I've got enough art for 3 CD collections. 100 images each - color, inked and sketches amongst them.
Cat Girls - domestic cats, Tigers, Cheetahs, Snow Leopards and more.
Girls - skunks, bunnies, bats, foxes, wolves and more
Guys - well, this has got everything, including a few couples pics because I obviously need to draw more guys.
I've got the labels and hard cases for them - but I still have to make up the design for the labels and get them made.
I've collected the files, but have to sort through them just one more time. Have you ever got something done, and then feel like you have to go over it again - just because?
Cat Girls - domestic cats, Tigers, Cheetahs, Snow Leopards and more.
Girls - skunks, bunnies, bats, foxes, wolves and more
Guys - well, this has got everything, including a few couples pics because I obviously need to draw more guys.
I've got the labels and hard cases for them - but I still have to make up the design for the labels and get them made.
I've collected the files, but have to sort through them just one more time. Have you ever got something done, and then feel like you have to go over it again - just because?
Monday, June 4, 2012
Sunday, June 3, 2012
Gaming
My campaign is DarkFawn - it's a D&D game, and it's run most every Sunday possible since 1978.
I've been looking over the 5th edition play test notes, and they look very nice. I am excited to go there. Right now, I am interested in ditching 3.5 (ish) and moving on. 4 and I are not on speaking terms.
Been working on my next fanzine for the campaign (FawnZine), and am up to over 100 pages. Half of it is art. I will be hitting up the players for their contribution and setting a deadline soon. While I've got art to do for it, AC comes first. I love InDesign to help me do all the layout work - I have the hang of it now.
I think it's important to have a creative game outlet. It gives me creative energy that I use to approach my work. It gives me subjects to practice my poses on, and ideas to doodle up in my sketchbooks. A drive to get the characters looking good. I talked to someone who didn't have this sort of outlet, and they just didn't do a lot of sketching. I go through at least two sketchbooks a year.
I've been looking over the 5th edition play test notes, and they look very nice. I am excited to go there. Right now, I am interested in ditching 3.5 (ish) and moving on. 4 and I are not on speaking terms.
Been working on my next fanzine for the campaign (FawnZine), and am up to over 100 pages. Half of it is art. I will be hitting up the players for their contribution and setting a deadline soon. While I've got art to do for it, AC comes first. I love InDesign to help me do all the layout work - I have the hang of it now.
I think it's important to have a creative game outlet. It gives me creative energy that I use to approach my work. It gives me subjects to practice my poses on, and ideas to doodle up in my sketchbooks. A drive to get the characters looking good. I talked to someone who didn't have this sort of outlet, and they just didn't do a lot of sketching. I go through at least two sketchbooks a year.
Saturday, June 2, 2012
Workin' - it never ends.
As an full time artist - the work never ends
I've heard people say it must be glorious, and certainly part of it is - but the work never ends. There's always something to be working on - always something waiting in the wings. With one of the big cons coming up, and all sorts of things I want to do - I feel swamped!
I guess I am just excited about all the opportunities I have been looking into. There is so much to enjoy and get my fingers into. Just not enough hours in the day.
I've got a backyard fantasy book to work on, painting ideas with Iain, Fanzine, clients, my own sketchbook, CD?, and so much more to think about. And the summer is almost on me so the convention season is almost upon me.
I've heard people say it must be glorious, and certainly part of it is - but the work never ends. There's always something to be working on - always something waiting in the wings. With one of the big cons coming up, and all sorts of things I want to do - I feel swamped!
I guess I am just excited about all the opportunities I have been looking into. There is so much to enjoy and get my fingers into. Just not enough hours in the day.
I've got a backyard fantasy book to work on, painting ideas with Iain, Fanzine, clients, my own sketchbook, CD?, and so much more to think about. And the summer is almost on me so the convention season is almost upon me.
Friday, June 1, 2012
I am big into lists, and I get a lot done that way. I found this on-line free software that is a project manager. I haven't gotten it to work correctly yet probably because I am not using other people on the projects. (Asana). Do I take time to fiddle or get back to work? Don't answer that - I'll get back to work....
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