Painting

[RJDiogenes]

I'm definitely going to check out deviantArt and cafe press, thanks, RJ. I hope people will want to buy them!

You're welcome. I'm sure many people will.

You should include Comics publishers, such as Dark Horse, on your list; you would make a great Comic artist.

 

[FPAlpha]

I paint miniatures as part of my hobby but that's more like paint by numbers because you have predefined areas you need to paint though I suck at free-hand painting but some top painters are doing stuff on flat surfaces like cloaks or vehicles which is just amazing.

I have the highest respect for such talent.. i never had the determination and patience to delve into that.

 

[melancholymecha]

^Wow, thanks! All of you are very kind. The truth is, I never thought of making money off my art until my Senior year of college, when we had an assignment to create an educational (math) children's book. People were impressed with my book and told me I ought to get it published. But devotion to my work coupled with a fear of rejection has prevented me from ever trying to sell my art. Recently, though, as I've come to realize that bipolar disorder may prevent me from holding a full-time job for a while to come, and that part-time won't ever pay the bills, I've decided now is the time to try to make my art work for me. If I could work from home, as an artist, I wouldn't have to worry about my mental illness affecting my job.

yeah I have Aspergers & social anxiety disorder so if I ever go back to work the most I could ever handle is a partime job too, so I also have thought of supplementing myself financially with my crafts-I also make fashion doll clothes, but I still need a lot of improvement in that area, too many sewing mistakes!

Ive also thought of writing/illustrating my own kids book or graphic novel...its so intimidating though.

btw, is your avatar your work too?

 

[Emher]

I seriously gotta follow this thread more, lots of fantastic stuff in here!

[

I have to say this is one of the best self portraits I've seen (even though it wasn't quite intentional). It's recognisable as you but not going overboard with it, actually rather like the focus being on the hat and then the eyes at the bottom half of the frame. Loving the hair caught in a breeze

I'm reminded a lot in this thread about my grandfathers paintings. He had it as a hobby for a long time and as he neared retirement he spent more and more time on it. He's turned half his old barn into a proper gallery since about twenty years back and did a huge sort of painting autobiography when I was a little kid. He did a show with the paintings (ranging in sizes from 5x5 feet to 15x15 feet big!) and sold a few of them for decent money.

He's also very active in international trade projects that have a goal of making shipping and trading more effective, more friendly to enviroment and most importantly make food more accessible to the people with lesser living standards. He uses his art as a part of this, to show concepts and ideas. He's honestly one of the smartest men I know.

Sadly I can't find any of his art though :/

 

[blablover5]

^Wow, thanks! All of you are very kind. The truth is, I never thought of making money off my art until my Senior year of college, when we had an assignment to create an educational (math) children's book. People were impressed with my book and told me I ought to get it published. But devotion to my work coupled with a fear of rejection has prevented me from ever trying to sell my art. Recently, though, as I've come to realize that bipolar disorder may prevent me from holding a full-time job for a while to come, and that part-time won't ever pay the bills, I've decided now is the time to try to make my art work for me. If I could work from home, as an artist, I wouldn't have to worry about my mental illness affecting my job.

I've written and illustrated a children's book that I really want to get out there. I'm creating a dummy this week to start sending to agents and publishers, but it's a tough market to break into. In the meantime, I'm going to start making prints and postcards to sell online. I'm definitely going to check out deviantArt and cafe press, thanks, RJ. I hope people will want to buy them!

I'd suggest looking into etsy as well. It costs 20 cents to put something up for 4 months on their site. I've only been on for a little under 4 months and I just made my 20th sale.

There's a ton of illustration categories.

 

[RJDiogenes]

^^ Wow, that's great. Congratulations.

 

[thestrangequark]

yeah I have Aspergers & social anxiety disorder so if I ever go back to work the most I could ever handle is a partime job too, so I also have thought of supplementing myself financially with my crafts-I also make fashion doll clothes, but I still need a lot of improvement in that area, too many sewing mistakes!

Ive also thought of writing/illustrating my own kids book or graphic novel...its so intimidating though.

It's hard when you come to the realization that you mightn't be able to participate in the normal working world. And I thank my lucky stars that I have art as an opportunity to support myself and maintain my independence. I'm sure you know the feeling.
You ought to post pictures of your work! -- this could be extended to an arts and crafts thread, I'm sure blab wouldn't mind, and I'll bet I'm not the only one interested in seeing what you do!

btw, is your avatar your work too?

Oh, not at all. He is the Pointed Man, from the terribly sadly under-known movie The Point. It was my favorite movie as a child. The story and music were all by Harry Nilsson, and it was narrated by Ringo Starr!

I have to say this is one of the best self portraits I've seen (even though it wasn't quite intentional). It's recognisable as you but not going overboard with it, actually rather like the focus being on the hat and then the eyes at the bottom half of the frame. Loving the hair caught in a breeze

I'm reminded a lot in this thread about my grandfathers paintings. He had it as a hobby for a long time and as he neared retirement he spent more and more time on it. He's turned half his old barn into a proper gallery since about twenty years back and did a huge sort of painting autobiography when I was a little kid. He did a show with the paintings (ranging in sizes from 5x5 feet to 15x15 feet big!) and sold a few of them for decent money.

He's also very active in international trade projects that have a goal of making shipping and trading more effective, more friendly to enviroment and most importantly make food more accessible to the people with lesser living standards. He uses his art as a part of this, to show concepts and ideas. He's honestly one of the smartest men I know.

Sadly I can't find any of his art though :/

Thanks! What a wonderful story about your grandfather. It's a shame you can't find his work.

I'd suggest looking into etsy as well. It costs 20 cents to put something up for 4 months on their site. I've only been on for a little under 4 months and I just made my 20th sale.

There's a ton of illustration categories.

That's wonderful! I'm not surprised you've done so well, though, your work is very charming. I am surprised that you've made so many paintings in such a small amount of time, though! I can't imagine such a level of productivity. Perhaps it's the nature of my illness, but my work comes in fits and lulls, I'll produce a half a dozen pictures in a week, and then nothing for months.

I'm still aiming at setting up the site this week, but I've been depressed lately and I'm having trouble getting things done.

 

[blablover5]

I'd suggest looking into etsy as well. It costs 20 cents to put something up for 4 months on their site. I've only been on for a little under 4 months and I just made my 20th sale.

There's a ton of illustration categories.

That's wonderful! I'm not surprised you've done so well, though, your work is very charming. I am surprised that you've made so many paintings in such a small amount of time, though! I can't imagine such a level of productivity. Perhaps it's the nature of my illness, but my work comes in fits and lulls, I'll produce a half a dozen pictures in a week, and then nothing for months.

I'm still aiming at setting up the site this week, but I've been depressed lately and I'm having trouble getting things done.

Well to anti defend myself it's mostly been wedding dresses because I lucked out in getting a few more popular blogs to mention the weird things I do, but when you do get the store set up TSQ you'll have tot tell me so I can advertise it like crazy.

 

[melancholymecha]

It's hard when you come to the realization that you mightn't be able to participate in the normal working world. And I thank my lucky stars that I have art as an opportunity to support myself and maintain my independence. I'm sure you know the feeling.
You ought to post pictures of your work! -- this could be extended to an arts and crafts thread, I'm sure blab wouldn't mind, and I'll bet I'm not the only one interested in seeing what you do!

thanks! well here's a Halloween dress I made a couple years ago... and this is my Deviantart account for my fashion doll clothing and custom dolls...

 

[RJDiogenes]

^^ Cool-- I especially like Halloween Plaid and Burgundy Night. I also like the Pocahontas outfit on the right.

 

[melancholymecha]

^thanks! do you mean the Pocahontas jewelry? I didnt make any of her outfits...

 

[thestrangequark]

Well to anti defend myself it's mostly been wedding dresses because I lucked out in getting a few more popular blogs to mention the weird things I do

Your stuff is still wonderful, it wouldn't sell if it weren't!

but when you do get the store set up TSQ you'll have tot tell me so I can advertise it like crazy.

Wow! That would be AWESOME! My goal is to get it up this week...hopefully.

It's hard when you come to the realization that you mightn't be able to participate in the normal working world. And I thank my lucky stars that I have art as an opportunity to support myself and maintain my independence. I'm sure you know the feeling.
You ought to post pictures of your work! -- this could be extended to an arts and crafts thread, I'm sure blab wouldn't mind, and I'll bet I'm not the only one interested in seeing what you do!

thanks! well here's a Halloween dress I made a couple years ago... and this is my Deviantart account for my fashion doll clothing and custom dolls...

Those are wonderful. I've never had a talent for sewing and I'm so impressed by those who do!

 

[melancholymecha]

thanks!

 

[RJDiogenes]

^thanks! do you mean the Pocahontas jewelry? I didnt make any of her outfits...

Yes, I like the blue jewelry; although I do like the outfit as well.

 

[thestrangequark]

All the support in this thread has really motivated me. I'm becoming quite excited about the prospect of opening my own Etsy and DeviantArt pages! But first and foremost, I've been spurred on towards finishing my book. In fact, I was on such a roll last night that I completed two pages in 5 hours (usually takes 5 hours for one). And I'm very happy with them. Unfortunately, I opted out of taking my medicine because I was one such a roll, which I know was a stupid thing to do. But hey, if I have to suffer through a mental illness I might as well take advantage of it!

Anyway. I thoroughly storyboarded my book this evening, and found I have 8 pages left to do, including the cover. That's about 45 hours of work, and my goal is to finish it this week. Hell, this is a full-time job!

But tonight I have to do the smart and responsible thing and take my meds -- apparently sleeping is a good thing.

Thanks for the motivation everyone, and as soon as I've put up my pages I'll link them here!

 

[Kestra]

Glad to hear you found some motivation. Looking forward to seeing your pages once they're up!

 

[Venardhi]

Preparing for Anime Expo in LA next weekend with a little project. Anyone recognize them?

Edit: Updated with a better picture.

 

[RJDiogenes]

^^ No idea.

tsq, I can't wait to see your pages, but don't neglect your health.

 

[Emher]

Preparing for Anime Expo in LA next weekend with a little project. Anyone recognize them?

Edit: Thats right, I gots purple sheets, whatcha gonna do about it suckas?

Nooo....you're not! That's awesome, I thought about myself going as him sometime in the future to a con and bro would be Arucard.

 

[Venardhi]

Yeup. I comissioned the costume from some friends in China, but unfortunately there are some issues with it so it wont be up to my usual anal-retentive standards. AX will be a 'demo' run and I'll send it back to get the details figured out.