cc-louis's recent activity
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Comment on Where do I start if i want to draw these one day? in ~creative
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Comment on Where do I start if i want to draw these one day? in ~creative
cc-louis (edited )Link ParentDang :( Not looking forward to when it's day finally comes, it does everything I need it to do and nothing else, and has worked with anything I've plugged it in to. Bought a sack of nibs from...Dang :( Not looking forward to when it's day finally comes, it does everything I need it to do and nothing else, and has worked with anything I've plugged it in to. Bought a sack of nibs from China that have kept me trucking.
It does feel as though the market has moved towards touchscreens, and the old intuos style tablet is now just a budget option.
Edit: Just did a google and I'm glad to see that my Krita hero David Revoy is still using an Intuos that was sent to him late last year. A lot of good reasons to still go screenless (imo).
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Comment on Where do I start if i want to draw these one day? in ~creative
cc-louis Link ParentI started drawing with a tablet when I was 10, so it's been a long long time since I had to learn that muscle memory. I do remember struggling to draw as well on the tablet for a time (I was big...I started drawing with a tablet when I was 10, so it's been a long long time since I had to learn that muscle memory. I do remember struggling to draw as well on the tablet for a time (I was big doodler as a kid), but I do think you're brain clicks. I can't vouch for how long that first 'click' takes (again, been far too long).
When I've used tablets of different sizes, or even sometimes if I knock my tablet to a different angle, I can genuinely feel my brain recalculating how to move my hand to match the screen. But - it quickly settles.
At no point have I gone back to physical media and felt I had unlearnt anything , muscle memory or otherwise. Every technique I've learnt digital I've been immediately able to apply to physical. My only frustration is that I feel like my hand is in the way, and my neck hurts.
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Comment on Where do I start if i want to draw these one day? in ~creative
cc-louis Link ParentI use an almost decade old Wacom Intuos that refuses to die. Wacom has pretty much always been friendly on Linux while I've used it (to be fair I've used three tablets in my lifetime and they've...I use an almost decade old Wacom Intuos that refuses to die. Wacom has pretty much always been friendly on Linux while I've used it (to be fair I've used three tablets in my lifetime and they've all been Wacom). I reckon you could get an old Intuos or Bamboo on eBay for under $40 and see how you get on with it.
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Comment on Where do I start if i want to draw these one day? in ~creative
cc-louis Link ParentI use Krita daily as part of my freelance illustration. Krita is more than equipped to produce the example images. You can either get a tablet with a screen, or a tablet where you look up at your...I use Krita daily as part of my freelance illustration. Krita is more than equipped to produce the example images.
You can either get a tablet with a screen, or a tablet where you look up at your monitor. The latter is much cheaper, and takes some practice. Some refuse because of the 'disconnect' between where you're looking and what your hands are doing. It's what I use - and I think if you're willing to learn it's the better way to go in the long term. I still go back to physical artwork very comfortably.
There's going to be a large overlap of learning when it comes to the fundamentals of drawing. Digital art allows you to undo and transform your work, a luxury that physical media is more punishing on. There's definitely value in learning art without those tools, but I'm somewhat convinced you'll learn quicker with them, as you're able to move much more quickly through the loop of identifying an issue and addressing it.
Use your pencil and paper to churn out some figure practice (intuitive stuff, work quickly), and then use digital to figure out composition and shading. My two cents!
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Comment on I did a drawing! It sucked! Any advice on how to make it better? in ~creative
cc-louis Link ParentLove this (especially the sandals made from toes), and any jokes aside, this is probably a really good reference for things like eye size, nose positioning, expression etc. Really subtle changes...Love this (especially the sandals made from toes), and any jokes aside, this is probably a really good reference for things like eye size, nose positioning, expression etc.
Really subtle changes to the pose can make a big difference too, something I wouldn't have immediately considered. The AI character here is just leaning forward ever so slightly more, leading with his head, and that makes the character immediately look steadfast and ready to fight. Goes to show how you can probably make any composition ultimately work.
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Comment on I did a drawing! It sucked! Any advice on how to make it better? in ~creative
cc-louis Link ParentSorry, I just did a google image search to get an example! I did a search of the text and it returned 'The Head' by Andrew LoomisSorry, I just did a google image search to get an example! I did a search of the text and it returned 'The Head' by Andrew Loomis
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Comment on I did a drawing! It sucked! Any advice on how to make it better? in ~creative
cc-louis Link ParentI'm a big proponent of drawing what looks 'good' vs what looks 'right'. Those head guides are just about the only guide I use because they are so helpful - but don't stress yourself over redrawing...I'm a big proponent of drawing what looks 'good' vs what looks 'right'. Those head guides are just about the only guide I use because they are so helpful - but don't stress yourself over redrawing something until it's right - unless that's what you enjoy!
If you do want to go back, maybe try two passes this time and see if that works for you - do one sketch where you just plot where everything should go, spending no more time on one thing than another, then do the line art over that. If you're using pencil, you could use two different colours.
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Comment on I did a drawing! It sucked! Any advice on how to make it better? in ~creative
cc-louis LinkIt's a fun drawing! I think you're right about darker tones, but it might not necessarily be where you want to focus your improvement next. It's quite common for those who practice a certain style...It's a fun drawing! I think you're right about darker tones, but it might not necessarily be where you want to focus your improvement next.
It's quite common for those who practice a certain style to enjoy drawing one thing and start to neglect how it all pieces together - focusing too much in one place and rushing elsewhere (because, let's face it, a lot of things are boring to draw).
It's clear here you've practised drawing eyes - it's possible you drew the eyes first and the rest of the head around it? If you like drawing eyes, it's definitely worth practising drawing head shapes - just starting with circles and bringing in the two lines to align the direction the head is facing. From there you can detail as much as you want, but just those guides are a great foundation.
Similarly, I think this causes a kind of imbalance of detail. Little simple hands like that can look really cute, but seem a little off when you've gone to the trouble to render the reflection in the eyes and each eyelash. I think you can go either way - either pull back the detail of the eyes, or spend some more time on the hands.
And a never forget the neck! I remember going far too long drawing characters without necks. Just imagine it coming down from the ear behind the head and draw some shoulders from there, then the body should form more intuitively.
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Comment on Any visual artists here who do commissions? in ~creative
cc-louis Link ParentThanks for the shout-out @kfwyre! I'm definitely more in the camp of 'comfy' illustration, typically commissioned for children's stories and gifts. I am happy to work in different styles, and...Thanks for the shout-out @kfwyre!
I'm definitely more in the camp of 'comfy' illustration, typically commissioned for children's stories and gifts.
I am happy to work in different styles, and often do a lot of back-and-forth with clients, but in this case I suspect an artist more familiar with horror and realism would be a better fit.
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Comment on Godot Engine in ~games
cc-louis Link ParentThank you! And yes, I reached out to a publisher in 2021 who helped run the Kickstarter. I've been spending much of my time this year optimising the game for the Switch.Thank you! And yes, I reached out to a publisher in 2021 who helped run the Kickstarter. I've been spending much of my time this year optimising the game for the Switch.
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Comment on Godot Engine in ~games
cc-louis LinkI've been developing a game called 'The Garden Path' in Godot since 2018 and inching slowly toward release. It started as a passion project and has now become something of a full time job (moreso...I've been developing a game called 'The Garden Path' in Godot since 2018 and inching slowly toward release. It started as a passion project and has now become something of a full time job (moreso in terms of hours than pay!)
I come from an art background and Godot was my first toe dip into games programming. For simple 2D games I couldn't recommend it enough, and GDScript has been a great language to learn. If anyone wants to try Godot to start game dev as a hobby then I wouldn't hesitate, it has a great community surrounding it.
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Comment on Any experience with making a board game? in ~games.tabletop
cc-louis Link ParentYes! I didn't work on logos or type, but otherwise produced all the 2D art assets. Not my typical style but they let me have fun with the theme, which I really appreciated.Yes! I didn't work on logos or type, but otherwise produced all the 2D art assets. Not my typical style but they let me have fun with the theme, which I really appreciated.
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Comment on Any experience with making a board game? in ~games.tabletop
cc-louis Link ParentFor what's reached market, I've worked on a game called 'Dead and Breakfast' which is receiving an expansion soon. It's quite surreal as a lot of the base game I worked on while still studying...For what's reached market, I've worked on a game called 'Dead and Breakfast' which is receiving an expansion soon. It's quite surreal as a lot of the base game I worked on while still studying design many years ago, so it was a lot of fun coming back for the expansion with everything I've learnt since. And then before and after that, a number of games that for one reason or another never quite worked out. But hey, it happens! It unfortunate a good deal of work I'm quite proud of will probably never see the light.
Sounds like you've got a good duo! And yes, so many of these things you intuit. It's amazing what you don't catch yourself or even within a bigger team - there's an infinite number of perspectives it'd be impossible to account for them all. Sounds as though you've got a fun game, keep playing an have fun with it!
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Comment on Any experience with making a board game? in ~games.tabletop
cc-louis LinkI've illustrated a handful of board games, a couple of which that have gone to market (or are on their way). I'm also designing the rulebook for one currently. I've certainly learnt a great deal...I've illustrated a handful of board games, a couple of which that have gone to market (or are on their way). I'm also designing the rulebook for one currently.
I've certainly learnt a great deal from each about readability, silhouettes, colour palettes, printing, accessibility and so on. I think there's a big emphasis on those when it comes to video games (except printing), but almost every board game I own falls short somewhere in some crucial way (certainly not excluding the games I've worked on). Maybe expectations are lower, maybe we're still in early phases of the hobby's uptick in interest.
Often game designers don't seek the help of an artist or designer and tackle it themselves, but also, when they do, the artist has less experience working on the format. So many artists at the moment want to work on video game assets, I hardly ever see a board game portfolio.
I really like the idea of print & play, especially as you're able to update the source files as issues might arise and feedback comes in. Giving a game as much to change and grow is always going to lead to a better game.
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Comment on What's your favorite theme to see explored in art? in ~arts
cc-louis Link'Sense of place' is something I find myself often coming back to. I think how strong the 'geography' of a piece is can be a huge determining factor of how successful it is. Themes are interesting,...'Sense of place' is something I find myself often coming back to. I think how strong the 'geography' of a piece is can be a huge determining factor of how successful it is. Themes are interesting, but I'm starting to think they live and die by how well they are tied to being a product of a time and a place.
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Comment on Where do you share your art with the world? in ~creative
cc-louis Link ParentI believe it's still running on invites, although I haven't been following it as closely lately. They did a few rounds of open registration, and last I saw the admin was sending invites to anyone...I believe it's still running on invites, although I haven't been following it as closely lately. They did a few rounds of open registration, and last I saw the admin was sending invites to anyone who messaged and asked.
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Comment on Where do you share your art with the world? in ~creative
cc-louis LinkI'm on the hunt for a decent place to host a portfolio, but I'm not sure the perfect one exists yet. When I redid my website I wanted it to be as low maintenance as possible, providing a link to...I'm on the hunt for a decent place to host a portfolio, but I'm not sure the perfect one exists yet. When I redid my website I wanted it to be as low maintenance as possible, providing a link to an external portfolio. I currently have my ArtStation, but I'm planning on gradually migrating everything to Pixelfed.art, which has promise, but hasn't yet taken-off as much as I'd hoped.
I generally prefer posting works-in-progress, which microblogging works best for. Since the Musk takeover my engagement on Twitter seems to have dwindled, but fortunately Mastodon is ever supportive, and a great place for artists.
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Comment on Pokemon Pride Team: A commissioned artwork in ~creative
cc-louis Link ParentMuch appreciated! Really enjoyed reading the write-up - this was such a fun piece to work on.Much appreciated! Really enjoyed reading the write-up - this was such a fun piece to work on.
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Comment on Where is a good place to get commissioned artwork? in ~creative
cc-louis LinkHope it's okay to self-promote here as it's being explicitly sought after - I'm a digital artist that browses Tildes. Some examples of my work here: https://portfolio.pixelfed.social/ldurrant My...Hope it's okay to self-promote here as it's being explicitly sought after - I'm a digital artist that browses Tildes.
Some examples of my work here: https://portfolio.pixelfed.social/ldurrant
My work is quite stylized, and I've made custom cards designs and memorabilia for gifts in the past, but I might fall short if you're after something more detailed or more akin to the ArtStation standard.
I would also suggest browsing mastodon.art. I'm a member there, and there's a large handful of talented artists who accept commissions that are doing good work. If you're interested I can certainly recommend some folks!
Sorry for missing this - I think the benefits are