This week I didn’t produce much in the way of art. While I did start this project and finished another, that’s not why I’m happy right now.
Although I should be, lol.
I got to hang out with some friends at All Star Comic Con this past weekend! I had a really great time and saw some excellent cosplays.
It was an awesome time and I got a lot of inspiration and energy from it. So look forward to seeing a few of these in the near future!
I’m back from LA. I did not have a great time. Suffice to say, fewer co-workers would have resulted in more fun.
It took some effort, but I managed to make time for some art. It was a huge challenge and it definitely cut into some much needed sleep; but I really wanted to stay active.
After a Miserable week, I finally flew home in time for the last day of NOVAcon!! A friend of mine had a booth their to sell copies of his book. We had an awesome time, even though I was running on fumes by then!
Of course I gave Chris the custom piece of art that I made of one of his characters. Which led to me sitting in his booth drawing Cosplay of some people! Everyone was awesome and encouraging. It was a great experience.
Sorry, booth lighting wasn’t the best, lol
The entire thing made up for a really lackluster trip. I’m glad I went.
Well, it’s Thanksgiving week. Or as some are calling it, last holiday until Christmas. Even though my workload is four times what it was last year, I’m still taking a break.
I don’t celebrate Christmas. So this is the one time a year I make it home to see my mom. Usually I don’t promise her anything; I just pop in for a day or so, then leave. In a way I’m her Santa Claus, except she gave birth to me, lol.
That didn’t sound quite right, did it?
So before I get on the road, here’s a picture of a friend of mine, who goes by the moniker “Callie Cosplay”. As thename would suggest, she’s a model for fictional characters.
The first I’d heard of her was about three years ago, through a friend. She was about to do a really cool rendition of Wonder Woman and I asked if I could draw her. At the time I was doing digital art exclusively(which reminds me I need to start again) so her cosplay was a learning experience for me.
She was ecstatic with it. You can find it here if you go through my archives. Since then I’ve drawn her several times. Her friendliness and openness gave me the courage to approach other people about their cosplays, which lead me to where I am today.
This picture of her really doesn’t do her full justice. But it’s my small token of thanks for someone who helped me get started. 😊
I can’t help but notice that the more content I make the less supportive certain people in my life become. Not you guys; you’ve been aces!
I’m hearing a lot of negativity about bad economy, bad timing, bad decision, etc. So I started the week by announcing that I was going to have to drop individuals based on their level of negativity.
I’m down two people.
Two whole people that told me I wasn’t good enough to charge people yet, that I didn’t have a degree and that I was being stupid. One actually uses one of my pictures as his banner. Really?
Now don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying that they can’t disagree with me. I have a diverse support system and honestly if all you’re hearing is your own opinions parroted back at you?
You have issues.
But anytime you try to improve your position, your real friends should cheer you on, not actively try to stop you.
So… business plan in hand. Various price points set. Ideal customers found and targeted. Branding beginning and set….
Here I go.
I recently discovered that doing military presses with 200lbs can injure you, the hard way. I guess I’m getting old. It required a few X-ray images, but luckily it’s just a ligament strain. But it’s my drawing arm, so…
Doing this picture made me very happy for a few reasons. The first is that I was worried about how the fur would turn out, but it came out aces. Second, she was so excited about it that she told ALL of her cosplay friends! So I have a ton of projects lined up, if my arm doesn’t fall off first…
I’m not sure why, but I took a little time to visit family down south. It’s not a regular habit; I’m there maybe twice a year. This trip though seemed… fun.
So this picture is of a particularly fabulous cosplayer named mazikeen mornstar. If you ever read Vertigo’s “Lucifer” series, you’ll get it. She was EXTREMELY happy about it.
I usually get two or three people asking me to do this for them. Honestly I have to be motivated as well, so it rarely happens.
But this time I’m glad I did, because her reaction made it worthwhile. Again, I don’t do it often, but I think now I’ll offer it more freely.
Because the character has one side of her face ruined, I kept the theme. It was risky because you never know how some people will take something like that. She was a real trooper! Next time, let’s REALLY push the envelope….
Good news everyone! My client apparently would be “much happier” with the actual digital file. I get to work on it a little longer to fine tune things I wasn’t happy with.
Of course I intend to take advantage of this. But no sooner did I begin than work became hectic. I mean REALLY busy, to the point of me having to be in three places at once.
Anyway, her face isn’t the challenge with this image; I’m okay with those. It’s the overall look. I’m still not sure who this character is. I haven’t decided how to present her or what way to tie in her background.
Help?
It’s been an interesting week so far.I’m responsible for hiring a guy to do a one day job. In the interim, I learned that all of the companies that I freelance with charge a LOT. But they don’t pay it. Hmmmm…
I guess I shouldn’t be surprised. However, the search has hurt my attempt at finishing anything this week! Commissions based on cosplay is a slow process. Bodybuilders actually pay better, which is funny because everyone in cosplay think they’re models and no one in bodybuilding does. So it ends up making me lopsided in my work. However, the cosplay set WILL let you take a photo or even pose them. Very helpful.
Contemplating art over a beer. And Bar be Que
We had an awesome Otaku convention in Baltimore this year! Unfortunately, I couldn’t go until Sunday, so all my friends laughed at me for taking so long to make it. Sorry, but I work full time jerks!
I love going to these. It’s always awesome to see so many creative people. To me they are fellow artists; expressing themselves with needle and thread. They are always happy to pose for a picture and talk about their characters…
It’s almost the exact opposite of my bodybuilding contest experience.
Personally, I think both could use a bit of cross breeding. Most fitness competitors are imminently posable; just give them a pose and most can hit it in a graceful way, with the truly experienced able to make it their own. Cosplay could use a lot of help here. To work that hard on your design then give no work or practice to how to properly present yourself is a little sad.
However, the attitude of the cosplay crowd is phenomenal! I always leave these events so cheerful. Even the competitive side is fun to be involved in. Of course there’s no calorie hungry ultra emotional issues, but let me ask you this; how long do you think those figures in the above photo stayed in character on an 87 degree day?
It's already difficult to get in
With fitness athletes, I’ve heard no to photo requests a lot. Family and friends are pretty aggressive about screening out anyone who isn’t already in the inner circle. And don’t get me started on the ladies. Perverts do exists, but if I’m a fan and asking for a picture, where’s the harm?
Psylocke didn't mind...
Marveling was fine with her picture as well. Not bad for a 120008 year-old vampire!
So to those involved in these two physical arts, always remember that you can definitely learn from each other. Believe me, it’d make my job much easier!
My supervisor seems to have a small issue with my screendisplay. He thought it was from Pandora, the movie. After I stopped laughing, I explained that it was actually a friend whose image I altered in Corell Draw some years ago. When asked why, I told him that she reminded me of the Lady Dorma, a character in the old Submariner comics.
Sometimes it’s easy to see where the journey with a character will take you. You’re just looking for a person to fit the theme. Other times, I’ll see someone and start fantasizing a complete backstory…
I guess what I’m trying to say is that this is going to be a shut-in type of weekend.
Howly Time! 