#if you don’t want to pay artists for their time and effort then learn to draw

[lanafofana]

lana, may i humbly request a teeny bit of rookanis please? with or without spite, up to you

Anything for you Doe! ‘In the hands of a master the simplest of weapons was transformed into an artist’s tool. When he moved, the blade acted as an extension of his very will. Light flickered off the edge like a dance echoed in the perfect choreography of an a—

“Rook.”

The quill made a wet inky smear across the page as it slipped from between Bellara’s startled fingers. Below her perch, the thunk of blade against cutting board seemed a tad more menacing when one realized Spite was on the other end of it.

“Spite. Hello.” Rook’s voice was warm and friendly as always. Privately Bellara marveled that her protagonist boss was so unflappable in the weirdest of situations. “Does Lucanis know that you’re…um. What are you doing?”

“Preparing. Food. Feed the.” Spite growled, low and guttural, as if slipping out of the range of his vocabulary and displeased by it.

“Are you making dinner for everyone?” Rook supplied, her voice slowly approaching as she drew closer to see what Spite had wrought of their provisions.

“Yes,” confirmed Spite.

“I see. That’s, well,” faltered Rook. “I think that’s potentially very nice. Well done trying to help Lucanis with meals. I do have one question though, just a thought. Feel free to not answer.”

“Ask. Question!”

“Do you have any idea what to feed, um, people?”

Spite was silent for a long moment. The sounds of a knife slicing through something and hitting the cutting board started up again, slowly at first and then gaining more speed. And then, finally, Spite said: “Cut into pieces, collect into pot, fire!”

“I see you’ve been paying attention to Lucanis’ cooking,” Rook’s voice noted, amused. “Perhaps I can answer any questions you might have on what types of things you should be cutting into pieces.”

“Types,” grunted Spite.

“Types of food,” said Rook. “Cheese. Bread. Fresh things, you know like, uh, fruits and vegetables. Fish, venison, pork…that mystery jerkey Solas left behind in the back.”

“Mystery…” Spite’s knife paused on the cutting board. “This? Not. Food?”

“No,” said Rook, sounding relieved their impromptu lesson on digestible ingredients had taken root. “No. That’s not food.”

“Start. Over?” Spite demanded, sounding torn between anger and, just detectable in the lilt of his pout, frustration.

“That’s alright. You learned a new thing anyway,” said Rook. “Tell you what, I’ll take care of dinner tonight and next time I’ll teach you something easy you can make everyone. All by yourself if you really want.”

Spite growled.

“Or we can make it a group effort. See if Manfred wants to learn a new recipe besides tea and those little sandwiches.”

“Curiosity doesn’t? Know recipe?”

“I haven’t taught them anything in the kitchen so I don’t really know. Probably not.”

“Rook teach Spite,” declared Spite suddenly. “Not Curiosity!”

“How will Curiosity, I mean Manfred, learn something new then?”

Spite nearly shouted in his excitement. “Spite! Teach! Curiosity!” Spite laughed, a hoarse dry cackle that raised the hairs on the back of Bellara’s neck.

“If you like,” said Rook gamely. “For now, if you grab me some onions from the back I can show you a couple other ways to cut up vegetables.”

The sound of the knife clattering to the table was followed by the retreat of footsteps as Spite retrieved the onions. Bellara leaned out of her hiding spot and could just barely see Rook’s profile as she cleared whatever Spite had been diligently dicing into the garbage bin.

“Rook?” Lucanis, having just emerged from the pantry, blinked sleepily as he looked from the onions in his hands to Rook, confusion bleeding into dismay.

“Spite thought you could use a break from cooking,” Rook said, taking the onions from him and returning to the kitchen. “Might have a point too, you look tired.”

“I’m fine.”

“Lucanis.”

The assassin set his jaw. “I’m fine.”

Rook’s grip on the onions tightened before her shoulders drooped and she sighed. “None of us are fine, Lucanis.” The sound of a knife slicing through onion started up and the crinkle of paper onion skin being discarded followed. “It’s alright to depend on us as much as we depend on you.”

“Are you giving me one of your famous pep talks?”

“Only if it’s working.”

“Hmm,” Lucanis joined Rook in the kitchen. His arms folded while he watched her knife work. “You should take your own advice some time.”

Rook looked at him from the corner of her eye. “What is that supposed to mean?”

“You don’t always have to be the one to pick up the slack. Let someone else cook, you’ve been going at full speed ever since—”

“I’m fine.”

“Ah,” said the assassin with a smile Bellara didn’t have to see to know was gracing the curve of his lips. “Of course.”

Rook’s hands stilled and she shot Lucanis an annoyed look. “Point taken, Dellamorte.” She hesitated, head dipping down, and then sighed as if very gently releasing a hidden pressure valve in her chest. “Sometimes I think if I stand in one place too long, my secret will be out.”

Lucanis tilted his head to one side, “And what secret is that?”

A hollow, self deprecating laugh shook loose in the silence. “What an utter fraud I am.”

“Nobody who has seen you do the things you have could think you’re a fraud.”

Rooks hair moved as she shook her head. “I wasn’t meant for this. Leadership? Me? I don’t know what I’m doing and any minute it feels like someone’s going to call my bluff.”

“Nobody questions your leadership,” said Lucanis, still staring at Rook’s face as if waiting for it to crack open and reveal the secrets hidden within.

“Maybe they should,” she retorted.

“Rook.”

“Lucanis,” she parroted.

“Are all Lords of Fortune as insufferable as you are?”

“No,” Rook laughed. “I’m one of a kind.”

“I was already aware of that.” Bellara felt her heart swell to burst and clamped her mouth shut on a squeal before it could escape.

Rook sucked in a breath and finally tilted her head to meet the assassin’s eyes. “Now who’s giving the pep talk?”

“I told you, did I not?” Lucanis closed the distance between them and nuzzled his face into her hair, hands on her hips. “When you doubted yourself, I would be here to remind you how magnificent you are.”

“Magnificent is a bit much, don’t you think?”

Lucanis was adamant. “Magnificent,” he murmured into her hair. “Magnificent,” he said against the warm freckled skin of her neck. With a deft touch he removed the knife from her hand and placed it with the onions. Tugging on her hands Lucanis drew her away from the kitchen and into a soft embrace. “Magnificent,” he promised.

“Sap,” Rook scoffed through a smile. “What are we going to do about dinner?”

Lucanis grinned. “Bellara volunteered.”

From her perch Bellara’s heart stuttered.

“She did?” Rook asked as Lucanis led her away towards the main door.

“She did,” confirmed Lucanis.

From her corner Bellara peered around the edge of her hiding spot and locked eyes with the crow. He winked before ushering Rook out of the building.

[later, in another part of the lighthouse] Emmrich: where the devil are my gloves Manfred: *innocent hiss*

[whaliiwatching]

sigh. text post

since i’ve finally finished a few requests from my inbox, i’ve received a lot of spam requests. i drew one before realizing so i’ll still post that but if you come to my blog and copy & paste a request that you’ve sent to like ten other blogs, i’m not gonna do it & i will block you if you ask me a second time. that’s fucking rude. i’m not here to make content for you. i’m here to make content for me, for practice and for joy, and you are allowed to view it as long as you are respectful.

if you want content of something, commission it or learn to make it yourself, like we did. artists, even and especially artists making/sharing their work for free, are not factories you can mass order from

[mareastrorum]

These are just initial thoughts, and perhaps I’ll learn something that changes my mind on it, but I’m glad to see Critical Role making the leap to their own subscription service with Beacon.

As a lead in: I’m an attorney that has some background in IP law, though it isn’t what I practice currently. I’ve kept in contact with several active practitioners, particularly those that represent small-time creators either in their own independent practice or via nonprofits. I do not have an extensive Rolodex of IP peers, nor do I spend the money to keep up on IP CLEs. I’m just someone who used to know a ton because I did heavy research and work in that space, and that hasn’t been the case for years.

So here’s my thoughts a bit on the IP angle:

The primary reason I’m happy to see this leap is that CR is taking active steps to keep control over its IP. It’s a boring thing to most people, but when I start paying attention to a specific creator (authors, directors, companies, etc.), I tend to be very attentive to how they use their IP. How freely do they license their marks to partner with other creators to make merch? How often do they allow others to make adaptations or derivatives of their copyrights? What is the quality of those products? What is the supply chain like? Are those third parties objectionable in some way? Were the other parties faithful to the original works or marks? Was this a cash grab or an earnest effort to make something worth the price tag?

Honestly, I like how CR run their business. They have a history of tapping fans and fellow small businesses when making new merch or spinoffs. They embrace the culture of fan-made derivative works, both by featuring fanart/cosplay and by sharing their success. Do you know how rare it is for a company to pay fan artists for their already-made and freely posted work and then sell books of it? Let me be clear: CR bought a limited license from each artist so they could print and sell each work in a physical book, then paid the cost of publishing that book with no guarantee that CR would make that money back, let alone profit. I have a copy of the collector’s edition art books: they’re actually very well made and the packaging definitely cost a pretty penny. That’s not a rainmaker idea, that’s genuinely risking financial loss to sell something people could access for free if they wanted to.

The art books aren’t a one-off either. Darrington Press is CR’s separate LLC for tabletop games. (It’s good business practice to split off companies that handle products in different industries.) CR has also made shows based on those games, and the Candela Obscura series has quite a dedicated audience. Everything about Candela belongs to them: the game itself, the rule book, all the art in the book, the web series based on the game, and merch. It’s so successful that they invested in scheduling a live show for Candela later this month. That’s HUGE.

Contrast that with the distribution of Campaign 1 and the first 19 episodes of Campaign 2. CR cannot host those videos themselves; Geek & Sundry still exists and still holds what I presume to be distribution rights (but I don’t have the contract to review). So G&S gets to host those videos on YouTube and reaps the advertising. I can’t speak to whatever share CR gets from that, but considering that CR is locked out of hosting their own copies of those videos, I doubt it’s much, if any, revenue. (If you’re wondering why CR just didn’t buy those rights back, I ask: what incentive does G&S have to sell something that’s making them money for no cost?)

Knowing that background about G&S, I was wary of CR choosing Amazon to host and distribute The Legend of Vox Machina. Originally, TLOVM was not the plan; CR had a kickstarter for an animated special based on C1. It was only because they blew past the goal that CR was able to make an entire season. The reasonable assumption is that choosing Amazon had to have secured CR additional funding for future seasons of the show, which seems evident from how quickly season 2 was announced, Mighty Nein Animated is also going to be a thing, and that season 3 of TLVOM is scheduled for fall 2024. CR had the option of just doing 1 season and keeping it purely in their control, but going with Amazon meant they could animate more of their works. Animation is expensive. I cannot stress enough how doubtful I am that CR would have been able to afford this many episodes and both campaigns if they had not gone this route. As wary as I was in the start, it paid off, and it’s going well—so far. Hopefully CR doesn’t regret that decision if Amazon tries something sleazy. But, as before, we don’t have the contracts and can’t know how secure CR’s position is if any dispute came up.

CR also partnered with Dark Horse Comics to make Vox Machina comics and Might Nein Origins comics. What’s especially surprising is that each of the cast had a hand in writing the MNO comics for their characters, with Matt listed for multiple. That isn’t very common with comic adaptations. Often times, IP owners let comic companies go ham with minimal oversight. Being listed as one of the authors comes with IP rights that have to be negotiated. That means that Dark Horse had to talk with CR about whether that warrants more or less revenue going to which party in exchange for that—or, alternatively, whether the comic gets made at all. That’s a ballsy move. You think people can just demand to write the comics that a publishing company is going to pay to print? Pffft. CR wanted some creative control, and that is a big ask. However, Dark Horse still has the distribution rights, both digitally and for physical copies. You couldn’t buy the comics from CR until they came out with the library edition, a book bound compilation of 4/8 comics. But the publisher is still Dark Horse; CR is just allowed to sell the book directly from their own site as well.

Contrast that with the novels about CR characters. CR partnered with Penguin Random House to publish novels about Vex and Vax (Kith & Kin), Lucien (The Nine Eyes of Lucien), and Laudna (What Doesn’t Break). Liam and Laura were vocal about having some say in K&K, whereas Madeline Roux said in an interview that she had full control over TNEOL. Both of those novels were narrated with CR voices, but narrating a book doesn’t come with IP rights, it just brings in a paycheck. There’s a lot less IP control in there compared to the comics, but this isn’t abnormal for book publishing. To be blunt, I doubt PRH would have agreed to publish the novels if anyone from CR had been a co-author or had heavy oversight over the author or the editing. I don’t think PRH even considered that as an option. Either an author that has already managed to sell X number of copies or nothing. Creative control over a book a huge ask, asks come with reduced revenue, and switching to books from a web series is already a leap. The fact that Laura and Liam had any say is surprising, really.

That was a long meandering tour of what we’ve seen CR do with its IP. The reason I bring up each of these things is that navigating the way to protect an IP in this space is rife with challenges. Different types of IP warrant different strategies because of the cost involved in creating each medium and the challenges placed by industries that have already sprung up around them. Any time that a third party is tapped to create an IP, it’s usually because they already have the funds and resources to create the work, and CR has to negotiate for revenue, creative control, distribution, and—the big one—who gets to be the owner. These are not easy, quick, or fun conversations, and CR is always going to be the smaller company at the table.

Knowing that, I’m not surprised or worried that CR is creating its own independent subscription service with Beacon. It tells me that they’re being careful with their IP whenever they can. A subscription service means they don’t have to trade away distribution rights or give up ad revenue to a third party. They’re in this for a long term investment, and that requires solid income not tied to third parties that can definitely outspend them in litigation in the event of a dispute. A subscription for bonus content is one of many parts in a diverse revenue stream.

(All that said, this isn’t meant to criticize creators that cant afford to do this type of thing. It took 9 years for CR to get to the point where Beacon is financially feasible and a desirable business decision. They have enough ongoing, popular content to warrant paying for a subscription, and they’ve built sufficient trust with their audience that more will be added. That takes time and an awful lot of money.)

As a final note, I take this step as a sign that CR definitely intends to stick around. This isn’t a move people make when they plan on ending the business after the current campaign. I’m glad to see CR is taking steps to secure their foundation and keep making new content.

I’m sure people will chime in on other issues (cost, content exclusivity, etc.), but I hope my perspective gives an idea of why this sort of thing is good for business generally and why it would be good for CR.

[ffc1cb]

new art blog

the short version:

1. i made a new art blog: @cbge;

2. @ffc1cb will stay up as an archive.

the long version:

hi everyone. this announcement is somewhat late, since the blog in question has been up for a few months now, and i’ve already started posting art on it. the reason it took me so long to “reveal” it is because i’ve been trying to figure out whether a new blog is something i actually want, or if it's just me throwing darts at a board, trying to make myself feel better somehow.

i don’t know when precisely it all started, but ever since sometime last year i’ve been going through a hard time, both emotionally and creatively. i’m not sure whether being depressed is what made art harder, or art becoming harder is what made me depressed (a bit of both, i think), but lately, drawing has been a struggle. 

i’ve found myself having less and less energy for art, and this lack of energy resulted in poorer quality of drawings, which resulted in me feeling like i’m getting worse at it, despite my efforts. i knew i could make good art, art that i’m proud of - i’ve done so countless times before, - but somehow it felt like i just couldn’t anymore, like my hands forgot how to. nothing looked right. 

i’ve been trying to experiment. i’ve learned some new things, tried this and that - it was enlightening, to say the least, and even though i kind of liked how it looked, it made me feel a sense of displacement. i was at odds with myself, my art, and how i felt about it, when previously i was always in sync. i was making art, yes, and it looked nice, but it felt like it wasn’t mine.

i suppose part of it was also the growing lack of engagement, and i don’t mean likes and reblogs - i never particularly cared about those. they are all just numbers to me; dry and impersonal. what i’m talking about is actual, human interactions: personal thoughts in tags, asks, replies, etc. a conversation. 

i don’t mean to sound “old” or anything, but i remember when talking to artists online was more commonplace. my wife tells me it’s because the internet culture has changed over the years, that people have become more reclusive, less willing to be open with their thoughts, and she's probably right, but in my slump i find it hard to believe. somehow it feels like it’s my fault for being less “engaging”, for seeming unapproachable or perhaps intimidating. maybe it’s “just a skill issue”, maybe it’s because i have stopped churning out fanart for popular fandoms, maybe it’s because i refuse to torture myself emotionally by having an art account on twitter (i can’t fucking stand the place anymore; i still post nsfw art there, but only because it’s literally one of the only places on the internet that allows you to do so. i miss when you could post female presenting tits on tumblr).

i have always, ever since i started posting art on the internet back in 2012, done it for human connection. i wanted to talk to people, and have people talk to me. i wanted to inspire people with my art, and i wanted to bring them comfort. i wanted to elicit an emotional response, and have people tell me about it. it was one of the main reasons i drew in the first place; having lost that, i’ve been struggling to stay passionate about making art.

i miss being a small artist on the internet during the 2010s. i remember when i could make a post going, “hey everyone, how are you all doing today?” and it would not seem weird to people in the slightest. it is just me? does anyone else feel that way? am i too deep in my own head? the internet feels so unwelcoming nowadays, especially to artists. we are all just content machines; people scroll by our stuff, or maybe look at it for half a second and leave a like before scrolling away. i know it’s unfair to demand people’s attention, especially now when our lives are already so overwhelmed by everything - no one has the energy to pay closer attention; i myself am not immune to mindless scrolling. but it feels bad. i wish we were all sincere and enthusiastic again.

anyway (sorry for rambling. i hope i haven’t bored you to death), you might want to say, okay, but how is making a new art blog on a “dying” social platform going to help with any of that? the truth is, i don’t know. i just felt like i needed a change. 

i’ve been running this blog since 2016 (that’s almost 8 full years!). i feel incredibly attached to it, but at the same time, i feel it weighing me down. 

there are people who followed me years ago for one specific thing, still expecting me to post about said thing (i still find it mindboggling that some people follow artists for a specific fandom only, but that is a whole other matter for a whole other post that i will never write). a third, if not half, of my following are probably dead blogs. and with my current struggle with trying to regain the joy i once felt for making art, looking back at all the art i’ve done over the years makes me feel tired. i still love it all; it’s all very dear to me. i’m proud of it; looking at it makes me mourn my younger and more passionate self.

so i’ve decided to make a new blog, where i will let myself post whatever i want, in whatever stage of donness i feel like. maybe it will help me, somehow. maybe it won’t. but if you care about my art, if you want to keep following me on my artistic journey, i welcome you to join me there. similarly, feel free not to - no hard feelings.

thank you everyone for your support over the years; it matters a lot to me. i’m not planning to delete or private this blog; it will stay up, and i will still be reachable on here. i will still answer asks, if there will be any. i’m just not planning to post any art here anymore. this is it for my dear old friend ffc1cb.

i can be found in other places:

@cbge, as mentioned earlier,

@k0nstanta, an art blog dedicated solely to my wife and i’s ocs,

@inquisimail, a dragon age ask blog that has become my dragon age sideblog in general,

and multiple other blogs, none of which are art related, but feel free to ask, if you’re curious.

thank you very much for reading all of this. i hope you have a wonderful day.

[gilverrwrites]

i’ve sent this request to river-rat69, but wanted to see how you would potentially interpret it >_>

exploring interests with jack and finding a common one? like art? perhaps?

just a cute idea idk

Finding common interests with Jack

Author note: That is super cute! I'm note sure if this is what you had in mind, but I hope you enjoy it nonetheless.

I will also note, I know a common opinion is that Jack is like a child in an adult body, but I always read him more as like an adult with minimal world or social skills.

Can be read as romantic or platonic.

Rating: General

Genre: Pure fluff

Please be kind to your mind ❤︎

I feel like if Jack wants to make a connection with someone, he will try anything at least once.

He's a 20-year-old who has never had to make friends before. Cas and the Winchesters are family, thats different. Friends he has to make an effort for. (At least in his head.)

If he thinks you really enjoy something that he doesn't, he won’t want to hurt your feelings. He wants you to like him.

So even if he doesn’t enjoy something that much, he’ll try to pretend.

It’s up to you to figure that out and stop him from torturing himself.

He’s too nice, loyal to a fault.

Although, the many sceptical questions and the suspicious looks are a dead giveaway.

“Is it supposed to smell this strong?” Yep “And I can’t eat it?” No, Jack, it’s soap! “And we’re wearing gloves because? It’s dangerous, yep, got it.” “Is this what a headache feels like? NO! It’s fun! If you like it, I like it.” “It takes HOW LONG to cure?”

Probably stay away from things like candle and soap making.

He likes stability, so I think having a set day each week, or a couple of hours each night to do stuff together, would be ideal for him.

He’d love bonding over shared interests in films and TV.

He doesn’t have to eat, but I think he would enjoy trying new foods.

So: having a weekly film night would be awesome. Where you can both veg out on the couch together, eat whatever new or different foods you find at the supermarket, and watch horror (primarily zombie) and/or sci-fi films together. 

Or spend the weekend binge-watching The Walking Dead or The Cornetto Trilogy (+ Paul, non negotiable).

Video games too: Left 4 Dead, Fallout etc

Then fall asleep where you're lounging, talking about your faves and your fan theories. 

I don’t know that he would be into making art, per se, but I think he would like crafts.

I feel like Jack would really like those diamond painting thingies. Or just like, bedazzling things in general.

Like, I can see him contracting some weird cosmic-being version of the flu, being quarantined with an Angel!Reader and it being like that one episode of Malcolm in the Middle. 

Also legos. Just things that take a lot of attention to detail, something that can take his mind off of the constant pressure he is under, that you can really focus on, but that has a cool pay off at the end.

Animation as well, both watching (more 2D stuff like Batman, Invincible, Nimona)

And doing– probably more like stop motion, with again, legos, or claymodels. 

(I’m totally not projecting because I am an animation nerd)

He would, however, enjoy art galleries and museums.

Being able to admire and learn about things created by humans throughout history would be so astounding.

Would like to have you with him so you can observe, learn, and discuss together.

If you’re interested but unable to go with him, he’ll memorise everything so he can relay it all to you later, or pick up a bunch of leaflets for you to read. Or he’ll make a note of all his favourite parts so he can take you there another time.

He would have a similar sentiment if you are an artistic person. 

He doesn’t want to draw or paint stuff with you, but he would like watching you and your creative process (if you don’t mind being watched)

Like absolutely fascinated by your ability to create something from nothing. Something that evokes emotion or tells a story – wow!!

Your number one supporter. Gift him your art, and he’ll put it on his bedroom wall.

Those galleries I mentioned earlier, he’s buying you both tickets to go see your inspirations shows or displays.

Wants to look through all your old works, he doesn’t care if that horse you drew when you were 12 is the wrong shape and has wonky eyes, he thinks its so cool that you tried, and practiced, and learned. That’s human ingenuity.

You’re so cool.

[unpredictable-probabilities]

Immortalized

Summary:

During a museum visit, Dream tells Hob the story of two star-crossed lovers in a painting and what it means to him.

Word Count: 3,055

Notes:

For Dreamling Week Day 3: Painting

[Read on AO3]

---

“Would you recognize everything in here?” Hob asked as they leisurely walked around the gallery. “Do you somehow sense every artwork before they’re made?”

“Not always,” Dream replied, looking at the paintings they passed by. “If I do not make a conscious effort to see into a daydream, I do not perceive them unless they are particularly vivid.”

Hob had chosen a museum this week for their meeting, remembering what Dream said last time about wanting to see more of the city as a human would. Not much in museums could surprise Hob, and he was curious to know how Dream would feel about the place.

“Oh good, I was afraid you’d find it boring here,” Hob said playfully. He didn’t really think Dream would get bored in a museum; he knew that his friend was more interested in learning about humans now than back then. Still, it was always a little intimidating when it was his turn to choose a meeting place. He had seen the Dreaming, and it was hard to think of what could match up to the things that Dream created regularly.

“Museums are never a bore; humans are unceasingly interesting. You have taught me that.” Dream said the words with such casual sincerity, and Hob couldn't help but smile at how comfortable his friend was now at expressing sentiments.

“In addition, it is fascinating to see works of art gathered in one place. One creation can inspire another, which can transcend mediums. This painting, for example.” Dream stopped in front of a painting that depicted a man stabbed through with a sword lying under a tree. A woman was standing above him and appeared to fall on the sword herself.

“This is only one version of the many paintings that are derived from the original written tale. Apart from the visual works, plays and other stories have also been adapted from it.”

Hob read the caption beside it, indicating that the title of the piece was Pyramus and Thisbe and it was made by an Italian artist named Pietro Bianchi in the 18th century.

“What’s the original story about? I don’t think I’d been paying attention to art much during that time.” Hob kept his tone casual, but he never liked remembering what he was like in that century, and Dream must have sensed his discomfort somehow.

“You are not that man anymore, Hob Gadling,” Dream said gently.

Hob nodded and gave a small smile. He wanted to kick himself for potentially bringing the mood down during what was supposed to be a fun day, but Dream didn’t seem to mind as he turned to look at the painting again.

Dream began the story in his even baritone.

“Pyramus and Thisbe were lovers, but their families had a bitter rivalry. Despite their circumstances, they found a way to communicate through a crack in the wall. One day, they decided to elope, and arranged to meet at the base of a mulberry tree. Thisbe arrived first. While she waited, a lioness approached to get a drink from the nearby source of water. The beast looked fearsome, as it still had blood on its jaws from a fresh hunt, and Thisbe ran away to hide in a cave, dropping her veil in her haste.

The lioness came across the veil, and chewed on it for a time before leaving it mangled and bloody. Then Pyramus arrived. He recognized the veil as belonging to his lover, and fell into despair as he mistook the sight to mean that Thisbe had been killed. He cursed himself for not arriving sooner to protect her. He kissed the veil, before drawing his sword and plunging it into his body and drawing it back out. Thisbe returned from her hiding place, hoping to warn her lover of the lioness. She saw his dying form and called out his name. Pyramus opened his eyes and saw his beloved just before the last of his breath left him.

Thisbe tore at her hair and cried and embraced the body, but there was nothing to be done. She saw the bloody veil and sword, and understood what had happened. She spoke a vehement wish to the gods and their feuding parents to have them lie in the same tomb, for not even death could part them. She kissed her lover’s cold lips, and felled herself on the same sword that took his life, still warm with his blood.

The gods felt moved by her prayers, and honoured their memory by permanently making the fruits of the mulberry tree a shade of crimson, which had been previously white but had been coloured by the spray of their blood. Thisbe’s wish of their remains being together was granted, and their ashes were laid to rest in the same urn.”

Hob kept staring at Dream for several seconds before realising that the story was over. Dream’s voice was calm for the entire retelling, and held an engaging timber that kept Hob entranced even when he was done speaking.

Hob blinked a few times and turned to look at the painting again. “Bloody hell. I mean, I know the classics are chock-full of tragedies but… Wait, were they real?” he asked Dream. “Pyramus and Thisbe. Because you’ve told me that some people in the myths actually existed back then.”

Dream shook his head. “They are entirely fictional, though their circumstances are far from unheard of. Humans have had rivalries countless times throughout the ages, and have experienced love and its complications even more often. That is why such stories are timeless. From what I gather, such tragic misunderstandings are a prevalent theme in the most well-known stories in this century.”

“Yeah, like Romeo and Juliet,” Hob said without thinking. “Hang on, Shakespeare’s play is derived from this story?”

“Indeed.”

“Well, no wonder you picked this painting to explain. Your favourite playwright adapted it.” Hob narrowed his eyes in mock distaste.

Dream frowned. “I have never said that he is my favourite playwright.”

“Oh, so you personally visit and talk to every artist you like and Shaxberd wasn't an exception?” Hob wasn't really upset about the whole thing anymore, but it had become a sort of inside joke for them and it was always endearing to see Dream’s reactions whenever he brought it up.

Dream gave him a look that was probably meant to look unimpressed but Hob recognized as fond. “I do not understand why you are still—how would today's children say it—salty about him.”

Hob loved it whenever Dream deliberately used modern slang in their banters—hearing his velvet voice was impossibly endearing—but he suppressed a smile. “Maybe if you didn’t ditch me to go hang out with that guy, I wouldn’t be,”

Dream glanced at the ceiling in his version of an eyeroll, matching Hob’s playfulness. “You are the guy I am hanging out with now, are you not?”

Hob grinned. “Damn right, I am. Every week for the past three months. Are you saying I’m your favourite, after all?” he teased.

Dream stared at him for several seconds before answering. “Yes.”

Hob’s grin slowly melted off his face. He had expected a vague response or maybe a proper eyeroll, not Dream looking at him with a gaze that pinned him to place and made something flutter in his chest.

“It is because of you, Hob Gadling, that you and I avoided a tragedy similar to that of Pyramus and Thisbe. Unlike Pyramus, you did not assume the worst of my absence. You waited for me. Even when my own subjects did not.” Dream’s voice grew quieter. “Even after I had been cruel to you.”

“Hey, none of that,” Hob quickly said. “You’ve already apologised about 1889 and more than made up for it. You’re not that man anymore, Dream,” he said pointedly, repeating his friend’s words from earlier.

The soft smile that lifted the corners of Dream’s lips outshone everything else in that gallery, and Hob felt himself smiling back.

“You are a good friend, Hob Gadling. I can only hope to deserve such loyalty.”

“You already deserve it, Dream. And you’ll always have it.”

“As you shall have mine.” Dream stepped closer, his voice a soft rumble that sent goosebumps across Hob’s skin. He glanced at the painting again. “They had arranged to meet at the base of the mulberry tree, and when one of them arrived later, it spelled the end for them.” He returned his gaze to Hob. “But you, Hob Gadling…”

Hob swallowed, unable to look away from the intensity of Dream’s eyes.

“Nothing would deter you. Our place of meeting had closed down, and you simply built another. Even without knowing whether I would still come back.”

“I always knew you would come back,” Hob said softly. “And I wanted to be there when you did.”

Dream took another step closer, and Hob could feel his heart race in anticipation. “There have been countless stories of people torn apart by time and misunderstandings. But because of you, such a fate did not befall us. I needed you to know how important that is to me. How important you are. To me.”

“Dream…” Hob breathed. He felt like he could topple over at any moment. When Dream first showed up at the Inn, it felt like the sun coming out after a harsh winter. When Dream kept showing up, week after week, Hob felt much more alive than he ever did before, and he didn’t dare ask for anything else.

And now Dream was just saying all these things to him, on a random Saturday afternoon, reaching into his most secret hopes and lighting him up from the inside.

“That is why I chose this painting to talk about. Why I am choosing you. Now. If you will have me.”

“If— Wh— Dream—” Hob stuttered, six centuries of emotions rising up within him all at once.

“My heart is yours, Hob Gadling. To do with as you wish.” Dream spoke quietly, his expression soft and open and with an adoration that Hob never thought would be directed at him.

“You…” Hob grabbed the front of Dream’s coat with both hands and leaned his forehead against Dream’s shoulder, taking deep breaths to calm himself. “How could you do this to me right now…”

He had been so careful, keeping a hold on his self-control every week after the next. But now everything came rushing back to the forefront of his mind. Everything he had ever wanted with Dream, what he wanted to do with Dream—

“Hob. I am afraid I cannot hold you here as you wish for me to do.”

Hob's eyes widened and he jumped back, letting go of Dreams' coat. “Shit, I forgot you can see daydreams. Sorry, I…” he trailed off when he saw Dream’s playful smile.

Dream leaned closer and spoke in a low voice. “I am not allowed to touch you. The sign at the door clearly prohibits touching the masterpieces.”

Hob's face burned. Thoughts raced through his head faster than he could track. “Take me somewhere else, then,” he managed to choke out.

The mirth on Dream's face disappeared, replaced by an expression of want so palpable that Hob wanted to dive in and taste it.

Dream’s eyes turned into galaxies. He grabbed Hob's wrist and in the next instant Hob felt himself pressed back against a tree, Dream’s mouth descending on his.

Hob could only arch into the touch, his hands finding their way into Dream’s hair, pulling him closer.

Their kisses burned with centuries of longing, the yearning to be even closer with every passing second, chasing after the heat of finally being together, and Hob was all too happy to let it consume him.

Dream’s tongue slid against his and he groaned, gripping the back of Dream’s neck to keep him in place, not intending to let him go for as long as humanly possible.

Time stopped making sense. Hob didn't know or care how long he'd been pressed against Dream, and when he broke the kiss it was only because words began rushing out of him beyond his control.

“I'm yours, Dream,” he panted. “My heart. Everything. Anything you want.”

Dream pressed his forehead against Hob’s, catching his breath. And it nearly drove Hob mad to realise that he was the reason for it, that he affected Dream enough to the point of breathing.  “You are…. everything I want.”

They held each other like that, in the warm quiet moment when words were no longer needed.

Then Hob noticed that the leaves of the tree that shaded them were gold, and the clouds passing by were a glimmering silver against a backdrop of a pale indigo sky.

“Are we in the Dreaming?” Hob asked in surprise, only now recognizing the familiar feeling of being in Dream’s realm.

“Indeed. I did not want to be interrupted.”

“Wait, then where's my body? I'm not passed out in the museum, am I?” Though Hob wouldn't really mind either way. It'd be well worth it.

“Your body is safe in your own bedroom. We took a short detour before coming here.”

Hob blinked. “I'd say you move fast, but I'd been waiting for this for a long time.” He smiled and caressed Dream’s face, running his thumb over a pale cheekbone.

“Then wait no longer, my beloved. You have me now.”

Those words seemed to spark something inside Hob, and heat pooled low in his gut. His hands held firm on Dream's shoulders.

“You know, I have no rules in my bedroom against touching me.”

There was a rumble in Dream’s chest that only stoked the fires threatening to consume Hob, and he could practically feel his own pupils dilating.

“Hob Gadling.” Dream said the words like a promise.

Hob felt himself return to his body, and he only had time to register the feel of his mattress against his back before Dream was upon him again.

***

“How're the crêpes?” Hob asked after taking a bite of his waffle.

“The flavour of the fruit mixed with the chocolate syrup is a good combination; I can understand the appeal. Though I still prefer the food at The New Inn.”

Hob chuckled. “I think you might be biased, love.”

The corner of Dream’s mouth lifted. “Perhaps.”

Hob grinned and allowed himself to feel smug about that. “But seriously, though, this is a good place,” he looked around.

Dream had chosen a café this week. Nothing fancy, but it had a very homey feel, and there was currently an art exhibit going on as part of their marketing. Paintings hung on the walls, and small sculptures lined the tables on one side.

“Since we looked at well-known classics last time, I thought it would be fitting to view works by today's artists. These are the new stories.”

Hob smiled. There was such high regard in Dream's voice, and he hoped those artists could somehow sense how proud the Prince of Stories was of them.

Hob paid more attention to the artworks, which was easier now that there were fewer people than when they first came in. A particular piece on the wall across from their table caught his attention; it was an oil painting of a sunny park where people were lounging in, but the trees had gold leaves, and the sky was a pale indigo with silver clouds.

Hob frowned and went over to the painting, his eyes landing on two people on the left. They were painted from the side, one was leaning against a tree and the other stood pressed against him, wearing a long black coat. They were definitely snogging.

“Dream—” Hob turned around to see Dream standing right behind him with a knowing smile. “Did you transport us to some poor bloke's dream last week?” he asked incredulously, keeping his voice down.

“Not exactly. At the time, I did not have a specific area of the Dreaming in mind. I simply wanted us to be somewhere private. But dreamers roam around my realm with a certain degree of freedom, and a handful of them were in the same place as we were. Most of them forget the details of their dreams upon waking up, but this particular artist had been hoping for inspiration, an idea to paint for this event. And I believed it would be a kindness to help him remember the details of his particular dream a little more vividly than the others.”

“A kindness, really?” Hob raised an eyebrow, trying to suppress a smile from the ridiculous stunt that his deity of a boyfriend just pulled.

“Yes.” Dream spoke evenly, but there was a gleam in his eye that Hob knew all too well.

Hob looked back at the painting and made a face at how his figure was drawn from such an awkward angle.

“I look terrible,” he complained.

“I look worse.”

Hob turned to him and was about to say that Dream didn't look bad in the painting at all, but something about the tone of Dream’s voice and his playful smirk sparked a memory.

“Is that meant to be me?” Hob looked down at the drawing that Lady Constantine placed at their table. “I look terrible.” He glanced at Dream. “You look worse.”

Hob chuckled and shook his head in disbelief. “Finally realised I was flirting then? Took you long enough.”

“Hm.” Dream hummed and stepped closer. “Shall we make up for lost time? I would be more than happy to provide you with two centuries’ worth of… experience,” he looked at Hob from under his eyelashes. “And then some.”

Hob swallowed as he felt a familiar heat roil in his gut. “That's not fair. Why do you always try to seduce me in public?”

“Because I know I can always take you somewhere private.”

Hob narrowed his eyes, but he wasn’t nearly prideful enough to decline a proposition from Dream. “Just to my flat this time. I don't wanna be appearing in any more paintings.”

Dream’s lips turned up in a smile. “As you wish. I am not opposed to keeping you all to myself.”

Dream pressed a soft kiss to Hob's lips, and Hob leaned into the touch as he felt the familiar sensation of being transported away.

---

Notes:

The premise of this fic is inspired by this Tumblr post. I saw it years ago and my brain conjured it up again for this fic~

Big thanks to @patchyegg87 for her idea of Hob and Dream teleporting to an artist's dream and being painted <3

And to my brother as well for being an art geek and telling me various stories of lovers in classic paintings and such~

---

(Dreamling Week Masterpost)

(Masterlist)

[33max]

Thank you to everyone that participated, we managed to bring twenty two wonderful pieces of fic/art into the world!

Please show the authors/artists some love for all of their efforts, comments and kudos make everyone’s day ♥️

All you need is love and some cats by Astron03

“I think Teddy is finally getting used to the flat.”

One sentences was enough to completely break Daniel's world.

A story of misunderstandings and some olympic level jumping to conclusions.

Comfortable in chaos by winhighmaintenancemachines

Max and Lewis know the terms that they both deal in, the choices they make every day. Their whole world is walking on a spider’s thread.

Or, the NICU doctor/nurse au.

De Sebly (Part 2) by @miesgaga

Most people only meet one soulmate goose with a connection to them. Soulmates were sometimes romantic and sometimes platonic. Family bonds happen too, but those were rare.

Max met his goose, fell in love and felt like his life couldn't get better.

This is not that story.

Max meets his second goose, this is that story.

GBB Server Exchange by anangelwillfly

Headspins by @albertparks

“I do have feelings for someone else though.” Max’s comment breaks Daniel from his thoughts. “I broke up with her because of it.”

Daniel’s gobsmacked at first, before saying, “Who is she, Maxy?”

It’s a poor attempt at a joke, but now it’s his turn to be nosey, to put his beak in business that isn’t his. Max has never been single for long, he can’t imagine now would be any different.

Except Max says, “It’s a man. And it doesn’t matter.”

I don’t get much sleep most nights (I’m seeing you in every dream) by @enjoythebutterflies

In the real world, Max is well-versed in breaking more than just records.

The one where Max and Daniel dream.

in paper rings by @thewindowatkirkland

"Maxy I would fly to Vegas with you tomorrow and pay some guy dressed as Elvis to marry us. I don't care about any of this crap, I don’t care about anything other than you being happy and us being married. I thought you wanted all this, but if you don’t, then fuck it all."

And Max just has to kiss him, hard and fast and certain before he says "okay, let's fucking do it. Let's go, tomorrow. just me and you and a fake Elvis."

OR: after a ten year engagement and with an extravagant wedding all planned out, they decide to elope to vegas instead.

It was written in the stars, but you erased it by @formula-maxiel

Max was twelve when his father had his soul mark removed. He had no idea how much anguish it would cause him.

Let me guide you by @waddlingpenguin

Max learns something about himself.

Daniel is more than happy to indulge.

listen to the slow parts by winhighmaintenancemachines

Neither Max or Daniel are the one to find the baby. That honor belongs to Christian, and Christian alone.

lock it up by @33max

Max is in their bed frantically humping a pillow that he’s folded in half. He’s shoved his little dick into the crease of it and he’s rabbiting his hips, he’s not got the equipment to properly thrust – if he pulled his hips back too far his cock would slip out of the fold.

the meaning of a flower by @meecamille

silly cute fluffy stuff led me to flowershop and hopeless romantic boys.

of angels and demons by @shitferraristrategy

Daniel loves to corrupt his little angel~ <3

platinum trophy by togenkyo

Fame, fortune, fortitude: For the man who has everything, what's left?

postcards from the past by @thatsapodium

I’ll send you another postcard soon. Miss you, love Max

A selection of postcards from the time Max backpacks across Australia.

Punch it! by @stardust-speedway6

An animatic of Lando and Max.

Max admonishes a punching bag.

Static by @chaoticzoomies

Walking into the Red Bull garage that Friday something felt off but Max couldn't put his finger on it. It wasn't necessarily a bad feeling but just slightly off kilter, like someone had shifted things a few centimetres to the left. As he rounded the corner to the operations desk it clicked.

stay in for the summer (it's quiet, i'm trying) by @33and3

Take me to the Water by @fricative-pharyngiale

Still, he yearned for more, for everything Daniel could give him and then the rest too, his greediness all-consuming until it was all he could feel. He wanted to be the muse of every song Daniel wrote, so that they would be immortalised together. He wanted to take his poet to the river and drown him in his waters, keeping him close forever. He wanted to let his body liquefy so Daniel could drink him entirely, not a single drop left behind. He wanted to drain him of his blood and replace it with water from his river so they’d be the same, always.

A series of vignettes about nymph Max and his poet

The Tale of Max Verstappen by @danielfuckingricciardo

During the summer break, Max and Daniel take a trip to the Lake District to spend some time together alone.

When Max suggests they visit the Beatrix Potter museum, Daniel is only happy to take him on a date and treat him to a gift.

until I hear it from you by @fourmula1

DeuxMoi (also stylized Deuxmoi or @/deuxmoi) is a pseudonymous Instagram account which publishes celebrity gossip.

with the right amount of sugar by flyingkageyama

Max only wanted to find solace in one of the coffee shops he knew was a few miles away from campus, he didn’t expect one of the employees with a crappy drawing of a honey badger on his name tag to come try and get him to talk about his problems.

[natimiles]

That is completely fine! I’m grateful that you took the time to respond! Thank you so much!!

I was wondering if you could do an African reader (maybe Jamaican) who is very hippie, is vegetarian, maybe does psychedelics or marijuana (but if you don’t want to include that, you don’t have to, for I do respect your requirements and your writing). They can also listen to reggae and artists like The Who, The Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane, Jimi Hendrix, etc. They can also have dreadlocks as well. Is Le Comte an easy character for you? If not, that is completely fine! Again, I sincerely apologize if this is too much! You don’t have to do this if you don’t want to.😅💕

First of all, I’m sorry it took so long! It was very difficult for me, HSIUEHUASIHEA. But I wanted to try to get out of my comfort zone. It’s in HC format, because it was easier. I’m sorry if it’s not for your liking, but I tried! 🥹

I couldn’t use all the characteristics, because they were really specific, HAIUEHAISUHEAS. And I didn’t want to write something stereotypical with the characteristics I’m not familiar with, so what I used: hippie (I hope I went to the right path with this), vegetarian and uses marijuana (let’s all thanks my husband for providing me what are the effects in an almost daily basis, HASIUEHAS), with Comte.

LESGO! 🤍

A hippie, vegetarian and marijuana-user reader | Comte

Tags: title is self-explanatory, but... reader smokes weed (do you consider it as drug abuse or nsfw?); gn! reader

You can’t tell me the weed wasn’t the main reason you ended up there. Your high-distracted mind thought it was a good idea to follow a handsome stranger.

You smell funny, but he doesn’t pry. The thought that you’re a smoker crosses his mind, but he can't figure out why it smells different from Leonardo. You have a scent more like herbs, and— oh… Oh!

“Ma chérie, why would you do that?” He's fine with cigarettes, but he doesn’t like that you smoke weed. However, he has an open mind and is willing to learn more when you tell him it’s not what he thinks. He'll be okay with it after you explain everything you’ve learned about it—how you use it for leisure, but in the future, it could have medical uses. I don’t think he’d try it, though; this is a moment you can share with Leonardo.

You try not to disturb him or anyone else though. You’re usually in your room or outside while smoking. He only knows you did it when sees you with a smile in your face and a lot of snacks in your hands.

You know how you wake up on the first night with a nightmare? Yeah, you were so drowsy that you didn’t even get up, so no one attacked you :D 

You might have some trouble finding weed when you arrive, as it's illegal and not well seen. However, you manage to make some friends downtown, so you can buy it more easily now.

You tell him you’ll sleep on the couch on your first night. Comte practically drags you to the bedroom, insisting so much that you should sleep there. It's too fancy for your liking, and you might need to change some things.

He offers to pay for everything you need to redecorate. You scold him fiercely. Didn’t he think about the consequences of spending all his money on futile things? He didn’t. I mean, look at this mansion! Does he look like someone who cares about money and what it can cause?

Cue you starting your TED Talk about capitalism and sustainability. You still try to make him stop burning his money with you or futile things. He’s trying very hard not to buy you a new purse he saw downtown… It’s a work in progress.

You probably won’t even step a foot into a ballroom. Instead, you're outside with the rest of the townspeople, protesting about the nobles' lifestyle and how it’s the rotten core of the system. The whole protest was your idea.

He finds your lifestyle amusing. He always had anything he wanted without any effort, so he’ll try doing things your way. You start a garden in the backyard, saying you like having your seasonings and herbs in hand. “Oh, that’s nice! Sebastian will appreciate it!” He might even try to help you. Wait, that’s not— “Chérie, that’s not basil, is it?” It wasn’t.

The first night when he offered you dinner, you politely refused and said you didn’t eat meat. (Cue Mozart gasping). “Oh…” And then he didn’t know how to explain to you that they were all vampires… He has to do it though, and he’s relieved that you’re not as uncomfortable as he thought you would. 

He’s probably the one who understands you better, being a vegetarian. I mean, he never directly drinks blood from a human, so it’s a start… right? … Right? You tell him it’s not the same, but it’s fine. You appreciate him not biting you or others (not without their contract with him, at least). He makes an effort to drink only blanc or eat human food when you’re around, not to make you uncomfortable — even though you’re okay with it. “Comte, I don’t eat meat, it doesn’t mean that you won’t eat it too.”

He has a refined taste, but I don’t think he’s a picky eater. He will try anything you like to eat, from plant-based alternatives to tofu.

I’m not encouraging anyone to use weed! BUT be responsible if you want to try it, okay? Some studies suggest using it only when you’re 25 or older. And even though it’s legal in some countries, remember that it’s still smoke being blown into your lungs.

Masterlists

[vvenuspng]

vvenuspng FAQ

Main: @vvenushalo

I’m also vvenushalo on insta/twitter/bluesky (on twt/bsky i also have a priv that’s vvenuspng) but im only active on tumblr :) maybe bluesky soon too idk (social media scares me lol)

About me

I’m Venus! i go by they/them but any pronouns are ok tbh. i’m a 21yr old american-peruvian lesbian in EST. me olvide muchísimo español, solo hablaba cuando era pequeño :( I’ve been drawing all my life, but it’s mostly a hobby atp.

What's the point of this sideblog?

Well, really I just wanted to post abt helluva boss (idc abt hazbin btw) without it being connected to my main blog. I don't rlly care for vivzie & ppl are quick to judge so I’d rather keep a separate blog, especially given the adult nature of the show. I also want to hoard my aesthetic shit here and anything funny that won’t fit in my main’s queue.

Art info

I use procreate on ipad with an apple pencil (btw if ur thinking of getting a second gen pencil—do not LMAO this shit is annoying and i miss my first gen one).

Recently I’ve been using procreate’s ‘shale brush’ to line my works, but in my older drawings you’ll see me using a modified ‘HB pencil’. I have various brushes from packs and bundles I’ve saved that I sometimes use, such as Retro Supply, Joes set, clem’s brushes, feast’s pencils, and LP’s painting set, but I mainly stick to a few favorites and modify them.

Top ships?

Stolitz & Verbie are my top faves, followed by Fizzmodeous, M&M, and HoneyMoon. I like blitzfizz and stolitzarozzie (?) as well.

Fave characters?

My faves are Verosika, Stolas, Blitz, Barbie, Fizz, Millie, and Beelzebub! Anything including them will make me happy emote :)

I’m new to tumblr and I want to reblog, but don’t want to be annoying. What can I do?

Tumblr lives off reblogs! reblog anything and everything u like! all the time! that’s the point of a blog! u can use tags to essentially whisper ur thoughts, u can directly add on to a post by reblogging with ur opinions, and u can comment within the post itself! Do not be afraid to leave tags especially, bitches (me, along with many others) LOVE seeing peoples tags on stuff. It’s also pretty widely accepted that spam is super cool too btw, but if ur REALLY worried about that, there’s an option to queue ur reblogs or schedule it for a later time :) but again, don’t stress! <3

REQ FAQ

keep in mind these are requests, and not commissions. I do reqs for fun and because ideas are hard for me to come up with, I do not owe you any type of drawing because u are not paying me. effort given to each req varies purely on my own whims lol (as in, some will be sketches, others may end up full drawn)

What would you not draw?

as my pinned states, i’m not into stereotypical freak proship stuff. By that I mean what proship has come to be defined as of recently with extreme gross tropes, I do not mean silly little crackships that ultimately do no harm. this applies to all reqs and everything I draw.

I’ll do most (helluva) ship reqs but as a lesbian i’m obligated to heavily favour any sapphic pairs LMAO. for nsfw reqs ill only do that with stolitz and verbie and just use common sense for these types of reqs, yknow? kink is alright but please know im not personally active in the community, im more passively interacting n learning so I won’t be accurate in my depictions. I’m also not gonna get into my whole hard/soft limits list—if i don’t like what u req i’m just gonna delete the ask lol.

Would you draw multi panel comics?

yes! but please keep in mind I am not a comic artist, therefore it will be choppy and possibly rushed. I’m less likely to do these types of reqs simply because of the effort it takes to complete these (no matter how much i want to) :(

Do you do commissions?

Not really, but if you sincerely want a comm from me, feel free to reach out and we can negotiate! I will not do any fully rendered art, but I am open to sketches and/or lined flat colored works (example)

[newhologram]

what if I argued that ai is a tool that you can use, and be better with considering you already have an artists eye, and hopefully as it gets better you regain the ability to make money by making AI art. There are people putting in some real time and effort into making extraordinary work

Uh, no. Clown ass take, anon. A tool is something used by the hand of a human, not dictating to a baby brain and seeing what it spits out when it’s swallowed existing art made by humans and is making guesses. AI art is founded upon theft of human art and to make money off of it is actively devaluing art as a part of human culture and expression (and a means by which people make a living) further.

"You already have an artists eye" --yeah, because I'm an artist. I studied it, spent time with it, have created something from nothing. AI art is creating something from what already exists because it's theft. It wouldn’t be ME making the art. Because I am an artist, I know what it actually feels like, what it actually means to work hard at art with my own ability. Art isn't just putting in keywords and tweaking things. That's not "real time and effort."

The years and effort AND dedication (and MONEY to learn how to do their craft efficiently) human artists put into their skill and expression is being stolen by talentless opportunistic troglodytes who do not actually value art because they don’t know true creation— Art is not a thing for glancing, for “ooh pretty” or jacking off and moving on— art is expression, statements, interpreting the world uniquely, twisting and studying, and sharing that lens. It makes us feel, it shows us reflections of the inside that we can't put words to. When we see a piece of art that speaks to us, it's the definition of beauty, of what it means to see a precious, invisible, unnamable part of ourselves reflected that we may not even have known existed. That is the problem with how the world has devalued art and the humans who make it. You consume and guzzle, you want a cheap price, an easy hit, a quick nut, without any consideration of the person who spent a lifetime learning their craft. And so no one wants to pay artists, no one thinks artists deserve to be paid and that they should just make art for arts sake--as an artist, I will always be making art in some form just because it makes me happy and because being an artist is just a part of how I engage with the world, but that doesn't mean artists should not be able to afford to eat.

I will always support human artists, no matter if disability has taken drawing from me, no matter how much I miss it. “Regaining the ability to make money with AI art” is horseshit, that's just theft, it wouldn't be my art. I would be making money off of other artists. We wouldn’t have AI “art” without the humans who make art to begin with.

AI “art” was funny in the beginning to play with and see how a simulated mind interpreted concepts, or to make unhinged memes. I had a lot of fun making weird things at first.

Now we have AI stealing voice actors’ actual voices—And we’re going down a dark timeline if that continues. Artists deserve rights and protections.

So miss me with that shit. Miss me by galaxies. Life’s fucking hard, disability has stolen so much, I miss drawing, but life also goes on and the answer isn’t to stick my dick in an algorithm and pretend I’m actually creating something worthwhile or ethical to begin with.

[lv-iceprince]

🦴...written ship...🪷

@horanghaejamjam

my lovely katt, it is and will always be a pleasure doing ships for you. i hope you are having a brilliant day and as always... i love you so damn much 😭

~ateez~ yeosang 🪷

Well, my darling Katt I’m starting this ship off strong by shipping you with the iconic fellow Gemini Yeosang! Before I get into this, I just want to let you know that I actually see the entire group finding something incredibly attractive about you and your personality. However, it feels intrinsically right to at least somewhat explore the possibility of you and Yeosang being an item. You managed to say everything by saying nothing, at least when it comes to how Yeosang perceives you. There was just so much that appealed to him even when you were nervous about expressing yourself, his dedication to getting you to open up to him is admirable. He would go out of his way to move outside of his own comfort zone so he could show you that nothing bad could come of it. He wanted you to know that you had a partner in crime, someone who would support you to the ends of the earth regardless of whether you were dating or not. Luckily for him you acknowledged his efforts and slowly inched closer to expressing your true feelings, even if you didn’t do it in a “normal” or “conventional” way Yeosang was sure that he wouldn’t be letting you go anytime soon.

Now, Yeosang comes across as a very private person in terms of his emotions, he has them but he is quite selective about who gets to see his more intimate or vulnerable side. But in the time, he has known you Yeosang has become as clingy and lovesick as you, after some time of being single he had come to underestimate just how much he loved love, he was begging for someone to fall in love with him so he had an excuse to show them just how fluffy and gentle he could be.

 Yeosang can’t help but be at least somewhat sentimental when it comes to you, your value exceeds that of the most expensive jewel. Mostly because in loving you he has become a truer version of himself, in learning how to expand his horizons and venture out into the world he has managed to find an ounce of self-love that he then shares with you. You made him feel on top of the world by cherishing him for who he was. That being said both of you work so well together in the way that you both come together when you want to express yourselves or appear more confident. You have each other’s backs and even if you’re both so quiet you both find a way to really grow into a brighter more exciting version of yourselves.

It has to be said, even if Yeosang wasn’t ever explicit on what he wanted in a partner there is something about your artistic side that would have him in awe. Yeosang is very perceptive and finds himself searching for a deeper meaning in your writing, hell, if you really pay attention to him, you’ll notice how he stares at you deep in thought when you show him your costume designs. He is contemplating your entirety; he loves that he gets to see everything that you are through your art. Also, I just have to mention it now, he may draw lines between him and the other guys but if you wanted to dress him up in any costumes, he would lose all shame and parade around as your living mannequin.  Your relationship may seem straightforward and, in some ways, it is, but the best love stories are like that. The ones where you don’t ask yourself who, what, when, where and why, you just fall into the feeling of true love, your hand in his.

~txt~ yeonjun 🦴

It is so hard to not become a cliché and give into your needs, but damn it I just have to ship you with Yeonjun. Besides the fact that you would honestly be the cutest pairing known to man, I am totally convinced that Yeonjun needs a bit of you in his life. Based on your description one would expect you to be the one falling hard and losing all their inhibitions, but Choi the forever-defying-stereotypes Yeonjun would fall victim to such a passionate crush. For someone who is normally quite vocal about how cool and handsome he is, he worries a lot leading up to his confession.

It would actually scare him how willing he was to fall in love with you but he went with it, and of course you couldn’t reject him. It was unlike him to smile so nervously and stutter during a confession but he was the happiest guy in the world when you agreed to go on at least a half date with him. From that day forward Yeonjun felt partially obliged to play the part of the loving, handsome boyfriend from your dreams and he definitely succeeded. It is obvious to those around him that Yeonjun found his other half in you, even when he isn’t pulling you up to dance with him, showing off how cool it is that he even has a girlfriend, which is rare.

There is literally no other way to describe your relationship with Yeonjun other than “a modern love story.” It’s literally the type of relationship that gives the energy of Rush featuring Hyunjin and PinkPantheress. There really isn’t another good analogy I can give you, both of you manage to have a relationship that is so passionate, romantic and heated. Yeonjun is the outgoing boy in love with the lights and the fast life, but you slowed him down enough for him to fall in love.

No matter how excitable Yeonjun is he is always prepared to have a grounded relationship, and maybe he is thinking too far ahead but he is sure that he would be the one to have the privilege of marrying you. And though he seems aloof at times he takes everything so serious if it involves you, he will protect you, kiss you enough and have the deepest most meaningful conversations to ever exist. He is so intimate and loving I can’t state this enough. He knows you get shy about pda and he respects that boundary but expect him to pull you to bed so he could cuddle with you while brushing your hair to the side to kiss your neck.

Another reason why this is the best pairing ever is the fact that you are both so artistic and curious but in different ways. Yeonjun has a deep appreciation for unique fashion and self-expression while you express yourself through costume design and writing. It’s a typical case where two creative souls meet, and beautiful chaos ensures. Another thing I just have to mention is the way that Yeonjun uses his confidence and way with words to clear a pathway for you to express yourself, he is possessive but he isn’t selfish. He wants everyone else to see just how beautiful a couple you are, even if he knows they no one can have you. Yeonjun loves how you have duality. Especially when it comes to your niche interests such as horror, painting, interior design and the fall season. I can vouch for you as a couple right now, you may steal his shirts and his clothing in general, but you also steal his heart and he doesn’t want it back. Yeonjun is so devoted to you and will never hesitate to explain all the ways he adores you; no one will ever make him feel this sensitive but he allows it, he finally allows himself to have the life he has always dreamt of having.

[goongiveusnothing]

i think he wanted to be seen as a genuine rock and roller, a genuine new freddie mercury, a genuinely new bowie. but nobody really buys that about him anymore.

I think ultimately building an older audience takes some work and doesn’t happen overnight in the way One Direction did. They got lucky because they were a) on a reality show and b) were coming out at the onset of Twitter. I am in no way trying to imply they didn’t have to work or that it wasn’t hard, just that they had a kind of instant success that a lot of bands do not have and especially bands that tend to skew toward older fans. Those artists he wants to emulate didn’t have teenage girls tweeting about them the same day as their performance in front of millions of people on television. They built their fanbase slowly as they were figuring out who they were as artists. That’s why they still resonate with people. But that takes time and effort and work, and I don’t think Harry was willing to do it. Because he’s never really had to before. He was in a boyband that got famous on a reality show. He was picked out and pushed to the front ahead of his objectively more talented bandmates, who were doing things like actually paying attention to the vocal coaches and learning to sing properly and fighting to have a say in the bands music, primarily because he was the adorable cute one. And he was essentially handed a solo career on a silver platter. In his mind he probably thought he’d done all the work. That he could just show up in the studio, make an album with a more rock oriented sound, and he’d ditch his boyband background forevermore. But then the album didn’t go multi platinum on the day of release, and people were expecting him to prove he was a rocker, so he gave up and ran back to pop where he’d be heralded as a god. Because at his heart Harry is lazy. He wants maximum praise for minimum effort. And yes, there is a lot of white mediocrity in rock music too, but those aren’t the ones he’s trying to emulate. He wants to be the second coming of the man who wrote Bohemian Rhapsody, a song on Queen’s fourth album by the way. Even Freddie wasn’t writing masterpieces from day one or even the icon he became in the early days. It took time, it took effort, it took work. But Harry wants to be a legend now. And it doesn’t work that way.

agreed on all of this.

Because at his heart Harry is lazy. He wants maximum praise for minimum effort.

and this is why he's doomed. i think the whole way he got his first shot at fame, the whole way he sustained his fame, won an album of the year grammy, got acting parts, a marvel part, coachella, is because he was just handed it. he's never had to work for any of it.

so why would he start now? why would he start ever?

could you imagine starting already at the top and then having to work out how the hell you got there and work as hard as the people at the bottom would to get to where you are? he does not have the ethics or the mentality or the intellectual curiosity for it.

he will always aim for the easiest route and the thing that feeds his ego and gives him a high as quickly.

freddie mercury and everyone else had to start in lower clubs, bars. they had to fail first. get booed. they had to figure out what worked and didn't. who they really were. i think a lot of that is missing in modern artists who have entire corporations working on making sure they come across in certain ways, tweaking them, making sure they're as palatable and marketable as possible. harry is very eager for that. he wants to fit into every algorithm and use it to jank up his fame and net worth with the least amount of effort.

i think he's going to try something else with his music/performances in about 5 years because he'll realize all of this and will desperately want to try and affirm some legendary status, but by then it'll be too late. he'll be too old, his voice will be too destroyed, he'll be forced into saying dumb things every other week, he'll be on his 19th olivia/camille hybrid, and even the idea he has charisma will start looking embarrassing, like looking at your highschool crushes.

[meda-cat]

Lost files and the future of my online creative endeavors

Morning, gamers. Yesterday I was devastated to learn that over 20 years worth of my art projects, music projects, YouTube videos, writing, journaling, photos, videos, and more, were lost to a hard drive malfunction. I am in the process of finding out if I can restore even some of the files, but until then, we have to assume they’re gone forever.

A good handful of those files were works in progress for things like upcoming music albums and YouTube videos. This is an enormous setback for me as the projects I was so excited to share in the near future now have to be scrapped completely or I must start over from scratch. It’s incredibly frustrating as I put in a lot of time and effort into these projects and some of them were near completion.

So what does this mean for me, for my online presence, and for future creative projects?

Well, on a personal level, this experience was a huge wake up call for me. I need to learn to back up my files and not rely solely on physical hardware to store things on. I was born in the 90’s, so suffice to say I’m a little old school when it comes to computers. I don’t enjoy using or paying for cloud services and I don’t trust that they’ll be able to keep my numerous files safe and secure. But I might just have to get over myself and use a cloud service to back up my files so that this doesn’t happen again in the future.

On an artistic level, this experience made me want to double down and work even harder to establish myself as an online artist and creator. No more switching back and forth between projects, leaving most of them unfinished. I want them to be finished and ready to be shared with the World Wide Web, where they will (hopefully) be preserved for as long as the internet continues to exist.

I will be more active online than ever before, posting WIPs and sharing my creative process with you guys. I’ll start posting on YouTube again, and I’m even considering making a Neocities website as a sort of headquarters for all my projects (all that html and css coding I learned from Neopets will finally be put to good use!)

Though this has been a devastating blow to my creative journey, this has also given me a chance to start over. I have been slacking in my creative works over the last several years and I think this was the push I needed to start taking it more seriously.

So expect to see a lot more of me in the upcoming years. Because I didn’t come all this way in my creative journey just to give up now.

[getyourblisson]

Full Moon - June 22nd, 2024

June 22nd Full Moon

Each Full Moon tends to bring disruption with it.  It is a time, that is naturally turbulent and can trigger rebellious energy.  People are more prone to pick a fight or to get triggered into reactive and aggressive spaces.

This Full Moon carries with it danger and accident energy.  It is best not to travel if we don’t need to.  Accidents that happen at this time are more likely to be deadly and the result of people not paying attention.  We will be wise to use extra caution with all that we do.  The key is to stay focused on transformation and to not allow people and things to break us down.  The more that we are able to transform, the more we can reduce danger and risk around us.  We may find that there are a larger number of deaths happening at this time, compared to other Full Moons.

This is a time where we will be learning a great deal about what is and is not true.  We will see things exposed for what they really are.  In particular, we will see false teachers, prophets, and gurus exposed.  Gurus and spiritual teachers to celebrities, are likely to be exposed as frauds and scam artists.  Even spiritual industry leaders such as Deepak Chopra or Marrianne Williamson or others that emerged to major public status could come under scrutiny at this time.  We may see things unfold around some of the Peruvian groups; showing some to be in integrity and others to be out of integrity.  They will not be able to hide behind celebrities and others.

As we find that the people that we thought were spiritual have actually been about the money; we may feel our Spirit broken a bit too.  It is always hard to face the illusion of a teacher who is not all that they preach; but simply a well-marketed individual that greedily took from those that were in hardship and wanted to be in on a Spiritual Path.  We will see strong attempts by those that are materialistic, greedy, and corrupt to cause suffering on those that do not want to live as they live.  It will be a time where true and false gurus will become known.

This is a great time to focus on what we need to get done.  As we meet obligations and responsibilities, it is important that we remain true to doing things the way that works best for us.  Others may have good intentions; but they may still lead us down unfavorable paths.  Never feel obligated to take the suggestions that others are making or the advice that they are giving.  This is especially true, if they have not taken their own advice and been successful with it.

Abundance is flowing at this time; and it is a time where we can see success with things that we have put time and effort into.  It is a great time to celebrate the things that are coming through; and also, to plant the seeds of what we would like to see success in.  There is likely to be joy and satisfaction where we have been able to take things from start to finish.  It is a time for realizing that we have enough to take care of ourselves; even if we would like to build and grow what we have.  This is a great time to connect with our co-creative energy; and to realize that all success starts from within.

I welcome you to stay focused on transformation and do not allow people and things to break you down.  What if the more that you transform, the more you reduce danger and risk around you?

I welcome you to be willing to let go of those that you have idolized as great teachers.  What if they have not operated in integrity and honesty?

I welcome you to realize that even many “spiritual” people are about the money, and only got their status due to good marketing.  What if true spiritual teachers are not materialistic and greedy; and will not ask others to do what they themselves are not doing?

I welcome you to do things in the way that is best for you.  What if good intentions are not always good advice?

I welcome you to embrace the joy and satisfaction of things you have taken from start to finish.  What if this is a way of coming full circle in what you do; since all successes starts from within?

In the Northern Hemisphere, we have the Rose Moon, Flower Moon, and the Strawberry Moon.  In the energy of the Rose Moon, we are favored for focusing on those things that hold true value and offer us greater freedom in life.  It is best that we do not make important decisions at this time; since the choices that we make will have an impact on all existences, and our mind is not able to see things with full clarity.  However, making choices to set ourselves free from restrictions and confining circumstances can bring additional benefits at this time.  Mostly we are being asked to choose things of real value over things of illusory value.

In the energy of the Flower Moon, we find that we are most successful where we step away from those that just want to break our Spirit and make us suffer.  Those that can’t control us, are likely to try to seek our suffering.  They do not understand the path of Spirit; and live only by material things.  They do not realize that real success is an experience you get from your own efforts and not the result of meeting a specific metric or due to the possessions that one has.  Successes are the result of practical choices, and doing the work that needs to be done.

In the energy of the Strawberry Moon, we find that we are being tested to see if we will choose a path that supports God and Divine Presence in the world, or if we are going to choose earthly temptations.  The more we choose unhealthy earthly temptations the more that we block ourselves from happiness and victory.  Where things go stagnant, we need to re-evaluate whether they are being done in Divine Service and Divine Alignment; or if they are being done for material gain.  It is possible that we have even been deceiving ourselves about this.  We are called to look hard at the truth, and to make certain that we are not taking advantage of others in the process of making a living and pursuing Spiritual Work.

I welcome you to set yourself free from restrictions and confining circumstances.  What if this can bring additional benefits at this time?

I welcome you to step away from those that just want to break your Spirit and make you suffer.  What if they cannot understand the path of Spirit; and live only by material things?

I welcome you to choose a path that supports God and Divine Presence in the world.  What if this is the path to happiness and victory?

In the Southern Hemisphere, we have the Oak Moon, Cold Moon, and Long Night’s Moon.  In the energy of the Oak Moon, we will find rapid progress and advancement where we are doing things for God and increasing Divine Presence in the world.  However, those that are in corruption will not be happy about that; and that can lead to literal and proverbial assassinations happening.  We are best to not take sides during this time, and to simply find ways to work together as a team to get things accomplished.  We are not here to battle each other; but to uphold Divinity in the world.

In the energy of the Cold Moon, we find a lot of turmoil and chaos.  Weather manipulation is likely to be used to create strife and damage and trauma for people.  We will most likely see this used as backlash against those that are doing God’s work in the world; and have not been operating in compliance to corruption.  Communications will be very challenging at this time, and it is important that we take the time to clarify things.  A reactive mindset leads to poor choices which will likely restrict corruption further.  Choices have a stronger than normal impact.  People are either with God or against God; and there is very little middle ground.

In the energy of the Long Night’s Moon, we are favored for tackling the big projects that we need to get through.  This can be a time where things flow a bit smoother than normal.  We need to be practical and responsible in what we do.  It is important that we don’t allow others to persuade us into doing things, and that we work within the budget we already have.  Going extravagant or creating debt to do something, will cause bigger issues to surface.  Rebel energy must be kept in check.  We must look to the past to know the path forward.  The facts that help us to bring accountability to corruption will be found in past points in time.  In some way, history is repeating itself.

I welcome you to keep doing those things that increase Divine Presence in our world.  What if working with others as a true team is one of the ways we can do this?

I welcome you to be forgiving of genuine misunderstandings.  What if clarifying things can help to prevent misunderstandings?

I welcome you to realize that doing something extravagantly does not make it better.  What if going extravagant causes bigger issues to surface?

The Code Journey ~ 2024 Edition

[translationwala]

From Words to Meaning: English to Marathi Translation Essentials

India’s rich mix of languages is a huge opportunity for companies and people who want to meet with a wide range of people. Marathi is a strong language with a lot of history, culture, and subtleties. More than 83 million people speak it. The world of English to Marathi translation, on the other hand, can be very complicated. It can feel like crossing a language bridge that is covered in fog. Do not worry, fellow language geeks! The goal of this blog is to help you find your way by giving you useful information and tips for translating.

Beyond the Dictionary: Understanding the Cultural Bridge:

Writing down words is only the beginning. If you want to really help people learn English and Marathi, you have to put yourself in their shoes. Learn about the culture by picking up on the subtle humor, understanding the historical references, and enjoying the unique ways that Marathi people use language. Always keep in mind that translation is more than just words. It’s also about feelings and meaning.

Finding the Right Guide: Choosing the Perfect Translator:

There are different kinds of translators. Find a worker who can speak both English and Marathi, and if possible, someone who has a lot of experience with the culture you’re trying to reach. For more accuracy and usefulness, look for interpreters who have worked in your business or area before. Remember that a good translator can help you succeed by making sure that your message hits home with people who speak Marathi.

The Power of Localization: Adapting to the Local Landscape:

Do not just copy word for word. Change your message to fit the situation. Use Marathi words, slang, and statements that sound normal and that people can understand. Think about how language and cultural differences can vary from place to place. One example is that a marketing effort in rural Maharashtra might need to use different words than one in urban Mumbai.

Beyond Text: Visuals and Branding with Cultural Sensitivity:

Translation is more than just reading and writing. Visual elements like pictures, colors, and symbols should fit in with the culture. In some cultures, something that is funny might be seen as rude in others. Pay close attention to how brands look and what they say to avoid making unintentional cultural faux pas.

The Art of Transcreation: When Creativity Meets Accuracy:

There are times when straight translation doesn’t work. In this case, you might want to think about transcreation, which is the art of artistically remaking the message to keep its original meaning while making sure it is proper for the culture. This could mean changing jokes, themes, or marketing phrases so they work better for people who speak Marathi.

Respecting dialects and registers: Don’t be afraid of the subtleties

Marathi has a lot of different accents and languages. Think about who you’re writing for and pick the right language level. Standard Marathi is best for serious conversations, while regional accents may be more appropriate in less formal settings. Knowing these subtleties will help your message reach the right people and strike the right tone.

Take advantage of technology: But don’t forget about people:

Machine translation tools are useful, but they often have trouble with cultural differences and the bigger picture. Technology can help, but you should always count on a person speaker who knows about different cultures to polish the message and make sure it works.

FROM WORDS TO IMPACT: MEASURING THE SUCCESS OF YOUR TRANSLATION:

The real test of your translation is how well it works. Track important data in the Marathi market, such as involvement, response rates, and how people feel about your business. Look at what your target group has to say about your message to see how well it works. Remember that getting better at translating is an ongoing process of learning.

Conclusion:

It might seem hard to find your way around the world of English to Marathi translation, but these important tips and a dedication to cultural understanding will help you bridge the gap and connect with your Marathi audience more deeply. Remember that good translation is more than just words; it’s about making links that matter and leaving an impression that lasts. So, go into your translation journey with confidence, be open to the differences in culture, and watch your message get through!

Source: https://translationwala.wordpress.com/2024/02/15/from-words-to-meaning-english-to-marathi-translation-essentials/

[frankhightower]

12 things I learned after depending on commissions for 2 years

I've been meaning to write about this for a while now, but PayPal charitably reminded me of the $600 reporting threshold this morning (which will no longer require you to pay taxes, but still, wasn't originally planning on assigning neurons to that today) so it's as good a time as any.

I started seriously pursuing commissions in the summer of 2021 (you may remember I'd been talking before the pandemic about automating most of my badly-paying dayjob away to free up time for other pursuits, this was the point where I finally said "I've done it!"). The failure of the 2017 opening still weighed heavily on my mind, though, so I was pretty sure simply posting "hey, I'm open" and uploading 5 "samples" a week wasn't going to work. I tried to get an art stream set up since I remembered getting followers that way in 2014, but I could never get it to work.

So instead, I took to Discord. I've always been bad at keeping up with multiple forums, but I made an effort to participate in all of them. I was very casual about my commissions (since, you know, pandemic: I kinda needed the social interaction more ...and pandemic stimuluses were keeping me afloat) and sold a grand total of 2 commissions that way in the whole year.

Here came the first hard lesson: Do not give free samples of your work. People will always say "do you have a sample?" and since I was being asked for combinations I'd never done (such as, let's say, "cell-shaded and macro"), I'd always say "no, but I can make one", and then would go off to do just that. Several things can happen in that process:

You take so long to produce the sample, the would-be commissioner loses interest

They judge your sample as not good enough

The free sample satisfies their "need" and they no longer want "the paid version"

(also, commissioners, don't ask "do you have a sample", look at the artist's gallery and talk to them about that; artists love gushing about their art!)

From here, I decided to be systematic about it: I was going to create a sample of every possible combination and put them on a price sheet (I don't recommend this, by the way). I'd long planned to get "volunteers" to appear on my price sheet, but by this point, the pandemic stimuli had stopped so I decided to sell the slots in a huge YCH. To promote it, I started using Twitter ...I mean really use it. I'd never "gotten" Twitter much, but again, I made the effort and soon went from replying to 1 or 2 tweets every few days, to replying to 20 tweets a day.

And here I learned the second lesson: The online art space is an interconnected ecosystem. I only sold 2 slots on Twitter itself (people I knew saw my retweets), but by posting the slots sold on FA, DA and Tumblr, I was able to get more attention there. Then, by making reminders for FA and DA since they don't have a retweet option (and posting those reminders on Twitter), I was able to get more attention back on Twitter ...and the feedback loop continued until I had people asking for slots when I'd run out! I kind of already knew this, to be honest. I'd always praised EA's pre-2007 strategy of "cross pollination" (releasing the "same" game on multiple platforms to motivate people from one platform to get the other) but seeing it firsthand was just next level.

I considered myself too busy during the Winter Quarter of 2022 (we work in quarters at my school) so, though I was still brimming with ideas, I wasn't posting anything. ...Then I noticed my friends on Twitter were depressed. I mean, a lot of them were. They needed me. I'd been to therapy during the pandemic (and it bankrupted me so I knew not everyone could afford it) but it had given me the tools necessary to deal with it. I could tell they didn't have them. And one of those tools (which I was underusing) was "draw something every day". So I started the "Free Hugs" series. From a commercial standpoint, this was a great way to get "out there", since gift art is far more visible than the average twitter reply, but that was not the main reason to do it.

So let's call this the third lesson: Gifts are good. A gift is not a free sample, it is a labor of love. You wouldn't buy a gift for someone you don't know at all, and giving the gift doesn't weigh on your conscience as a waste of time in the same way as "the prospective commissioner never got back to me" does. Sometimes the receiver only responds with a like, and that's more than enough. Sometimes they'll comment show their followers in turn. But because you're not doing it for the attention, it's always a bonus.

What really changed things was something unexpected: I reached 150 followers on Twitter! I'd always planned that, if I reached 150, I would draw the 150 pokémon. I'd kind of resigned on the idea years ago because I'd "stopped growing"... and then it happened. I now had to put that plan into action! (and no, "celebrate milestones" isn't a lesson learned, I'll come back to this later)

Turning my daily drawing into "the next pokémon on the list" was a huge boost to my productivity (so long as I kept the list handy) and it contributed to the "ecosystem" positive feedback loop. Let's call this the fourth lesson: Always have something to do. If you're ever "out of ideas", have something you can turn to that will allow you to keep posting. Something that doesn't stress you out (drawing Pokémon is a huge comfort for me, it's literally therapeutic). Something that doesn't require a lot of effort to decide what to do next. Something that (for all practical purposes) you could do forever.

And now, having a huge roster of pokémon under my belt, came the next turning point. I'd always considered black and white sketches to be "unfinished" art, but people were quite happy with them as they were. And with Pandemic payments stopping, I offered to "finish" them... as a commission. Approximately one out of every ten people who received a pokémon sketch were willing to pay to see it "finished", which is the exact ratio taught in marketing classes. This brings me to the fifth lesson: Direct marketing works (ha,ha, just kidding, please don't spam your followers). The fifth lesson is: Keep in touch with your follower base. They already made the decision to follow you, they are clearly interested in what you have to offer. Make sure you talk to them, listen to them, study them individually, and yes, give them fan service (and I mean this literally: give them what they came for, not what a stereotype says they want).

After about a year of toil, my price sheet was ready (remember I said I don't advise making them like I did?) and I sold 2. and here I learned another hard lesson: Commissioners are creative people (they just lack the time, tools, or skill to do the art themselves) This should be a good thing; what better person to work with as a creative, than a creative? The problem is that not many people are creative, so a broad "throw anything you want at me, the only limit is your imagination", only works with people who have unlimited imaginations. Not even lowering prices helps in this situation. If you want to reach a larger audience, you need to do what most artists do and offer donation drives, YCHs and adopts. If you need ideas for these, celebrate holidays or milestones (told you I'd come back to it) but do it with intent, not out of obligation. Try to stay away from newsbites or trending topics as these will become dated very quickly (and you want the stuff people paid for to act as an ad).

So I launched a donation drive. I'd always been planning one for Macro March. This taught me the next lesson: People want to give you money! This may come as a shock to many of you, but it's true. Your followers do like you that much. Give them opportunities to show it on their terms. And never fail to acknowledge it!

I soon after launched another huge YCH, got only 1 response, and learned the 8th hard lesson: Some months are just dead. If you've ever wondered why no artist ever does X in the month of Y, this is why. People just disconnect from the internet at certain times of the year (and with the pandemic ending, doubly so!). Trying to get anyone to even see what you're doing at these times is literally shouting into the void.

By this time, my mother had lost her job, and her severance pay had run out. My family was financially in trouble. I went back to my list of pokémon, and people who said they'd be interested in paying to get it finished "later". Only 2 of them still did, which taught me two new hard lessons: 9: Buying art is an emotional endeavor. Once emotions subside, the push to put money on that particular piece is gone. This also means that art should always have emotion (and probably why so many people hate AI art for non-"it was made by AI" reasons) 10: People wait for their paycheck. Even if your followers may recognize your situation on the 23rd of the month, even if they want to give you money, they won't have any money to give until the 30th. But by that point, they may have forgotten (after all, what is the internet but a myriad of things trying to get your attention?) so you need to time your announcements considering this. Use that week for a personal project or try to cut back.

Things went very well for a while... but then there came the Death of Twitter. What do I mean by that? I track "views per followers" on my art tweets. I normally get 1 view for every follower, thanks to my carefully scheduled retweets. However, I've noticed a steady decline in that number since July (when the "rate limited" debacle happened). Starting at about the last week of September, it's been stuck at about 0.2 views for every follower. I doubt this is a matter of algorithm suppression, though, since I'm also seeing people I follow, post less. I conclude people really are spending less time on Twitter, which brings me to the final hard lesson: Don't put all your eggs in one basket, don't even put the majority of your eggs in one basket! From the beginning, having many more followers on Twitter than on any other platform set off alarm bells in my head (and if it's been your situation, it should do so, for you, too!) The fear was not that Twitter, as a whole, would fail, it was that I could lose my account! I am happy with the fact that I currently only have about 50% more followers on Twitter than I do on FA (ideally the numbers would be equal, but since FA relies on people using "browse" and "search", that number is really hard to raise!) To bring it full circle, cross-pollinate! Link your other accounts constantly. Anyone who's finding you for the first time in one platform should quickly be able to know if you're in any of the other platforms they use. This is how I've managed to survive the Twitter-pocalypse.

So those are my 12 hard lessons:

Do not give free samples of your work

The online art space is an interconnected ecosystem

Gifts are good

Always have something to do

Keep in touch with your follower base

Commissioners are creative people

People want to give you money!

Some months are just dead

Buying art is an emotional endeavor

People wait for their paycheck

Don't put all your eggs in one basket

Cross-pollinate!

They're all "easier said than done", but don't let anyone tell you that artists hate sharing their secrets!

And Merry Christmas.

Posted using PostyBirb