#this was more thinking about how to apply the colors and brush control to make petals and leaves

[tarantula-hawk-wasp]

Inspired by polish folk art

Definitely worked on different brush control techniques with this

[beloveds-embrace]

DUKEDOM!141 AND MY LIFE IS YOURS 🙏🙏🙏🙏 (/nf please and thank you :])

Original post

Enjoy!! :D

Something all of them like to do is doll you up, and it becomes almost a private little routine between you and them.

John, as your husband (can you tell I love referring to him like this?), steadily takes control of deciding what you wear for the day even long before your request. It’s something that just… happens. He comes into your bedroom early in the mornings, and your maids scatter away to leave you both be with little giggles, excited at the prospect of you two finally getting ‘close’.

John doesn’t care for them. He greets you with a soft good morning (a few weeks later, he’d greet you the same but would gently caress your face with the back of his hand, the touch so gentle despite his roughened skin. It makes you into a blushing mess, though you tell yourself it’s just so that the peeking maids won’t suspect anything) and then goes straight to your closet, sweeping through the rows and rows of delicate, soft dresses with a discerning eye to select what attire you’ll wear for the day.

Of course, he does ask you what you feel like wearing, how you feel today in general, where you plan on going or meeting- everything to ensure the dress he’ll choose for you would be perfect. John doesn’t wait to see you in the dress, though.

He knows he’ll be seeing you all adorned and dressed up later, when you come down to dine with him. He can compliment you and pat himself on the back, then.

If he makes sure to match his cufflinks with the colors you are wearing, it will simply make whoever notice it think you two are such a lovely couple. And he still hopes that your maids will accidentally not tighten or cover up your hemline just so he can fix it himself for you.

John aside, Kyle takes care of your hair and jewelry. He makes you sit on the vanity, still alone and with none of your maids around, and then he begins the tender ritual of brushing your hair (if it’s not too curly for daily brushings). His hands, warm and careful and gentle, would then take care of oiling each strand. No oils or butters have been spared in the efforts of tending to you, and Kyle himself often turns the routine into a simple, but so effective, head massage session for you.

(Later, Kyle wonders what he needs to say and do to take over the job of the maids who help you bathe. You are always complimenting how good his hands feel on your hair, and he can show you how much better he is at using them for your body.)

Johnny eventually begins doing your makeup, on certain occasions. Once the truth comes out, the two of you are closer, and on one night, he tells you about his big family, his sisters and how they’d make him and his brothers help them get ready for events and parties.

It’s a simple question born out of your curiosity- what’s the makeup like where you were born, Johnny?- that has him in your bedroom often now, the other chefs taking care of the kitchen while his hands, clean and gentle, dab creams and whatnot on your face so delicately- like you are one of the cupacakes he decorates for your tea time.

He wants to kiss you so badly. You look so pretty like this, eyes closed and expression peaceful, patient and so trustful of his ministrations. He really, really wants to kiss you and see if the lipstick he’d applied on your pretty lips tastes as sweet as it smells.

Simon, though, is the one who slowly begins adding more and more to your dresses. John already supplies you with so much, but Simon is the one largely in charge of the silk and fabric importation and he knows well what styles will be popular next season, what styles will looks better on you and which colors suit you best. It’s not just dresses, but also matching fabrics and ribbons to go in your hair for when Kyle or your maids style, and for your pretty neck during more casual tea parties.

Not occasionally seeing you in the dresses he sends doesn’t bother him; you will be spoiling the others with the sight, and he can listen to them thank him in several ways afterwards and rest with the thought of you all dolled up, happy and thriving with them.

[urm0o0m]

"baby i'm yours"

Synopsis: You had just broken up with your boyfriend of 3 years. You decide to go to the bar and grab a drink. You decide for a split moment, that you’d find someone to hook up with someone before deciding that you shouldn't, when you run into your old crushes from high school (Gojo and Geto)

Content Warning: Praise, degradation, pet names, spitting, dacryphilia, friends to lovers, DP

You sit quietly at the bar, a glass of straight tequila on ice in front of you. You didn’t even drink like this. But hell, you fucking deserved it. You had just broken up with your ex boyfriend who was too controlling for your liking. You weren’t allowed to go out with your friends, you weren’t allowed to drink. You weren’t even allowed to wear the color red. You took a sip of the alcohol, the liquor burning as it goes down your throat. The music blaring in the bar, people shouting, singing and dancing.

You didn’t care for the atmosphere too much but just as you were about to leave, you felt someone tap your shoulder. “I’m not interested” You say, taking another sip of the drink. “Come on y/n~ Don’t be like that. We haven’t seen you since highschool” You turn around, looking at the men who had both grown taller than you last remembered. Suguru hits Satoru in the back of his head. “Sorry about him. We just wanted to catch up but if you want us to go, we totally can” You shake your head. “No, I'm sorry! I thought you were a random guy trying to hit on me”

Geto laughs. “Does this mean we can stay?” You nod, relaxing a little bit. You and both men begin talking and you reveal how you had just gotten out of a relationship. They both look at each other before Gojo speaks up. “Would you like us to go home with you?” Your face flushes, thankful that they couldn’t tell due to how dark it was in the club. “Straight to the point huh? I will say, Satoru was never one to beat around the bush” Suguru laughs. “Is that a yes?” You nod, paying for your drink and grabbing your purse. 

You walk out of the club, the cold air brushing against your skin and you curse at yourself for not bringing a sweater. Geto notices and takes his jacket off, slipping it over your shoulders. “T-thank you. You didn’t have to do that” Suguru leans close to your ear. “Well if all goes as planned, I should end up inside of you tonight. This is the least I can do” Your face flushes and you swallow. You had taken a cab to the club but the men had driven there and offered you a ride to your place. You give Geto your address and you and Gojo sit in the back seat.

Satoru pulls you into his lap, having you straddle him as his hands rest firm on your waist. You look down at him, your breathing shallow. He pulls you in for a kiss, his tongue exploring your mouth. Gojo breaks the kiss, licking his lips before saying “Suguru you have got to taste her lip gloss” You giggle. “You’ve kissed it all off of my lips” Geto groans. “I can’t have anything huh?” “I have some more in my bag” You say, pulling the small plastic vial, re-applying some more. You poke your head into the front of the car, making sure there are no cars and pulling Geto’s jaw and kissing him, allowing your hand to squeeze his crotch. The car swerves a bit and you break the kiss, returning to the backseat, planting your ass on the white haired male. 

“Fuck Doll. What if we would have crashed?” Geto says. “I don’t think like that. I’m quite the optimist” Suguru shakes his head and laughs. “You’ve grown in the boldness department since the last time I’ve seen you. I remember graduation. You were still just as time and shy as you were when we met in freshman year. Now here you are, practically begging for me to pull the car over and fuck you senseless on the side of the road” Your face heats up and you begin fidgeting a little. “Oh don’t get all shy now, pretty girl. What happened to that daring personality?” Satoru asks, his hands snaking up your shirt and squeezing your chest through your bra. You let out a soft moan, and gripped the sleeve of his black button down. 

“Come on pretty girl, use your big girl words and answer my question~” You swallow, opening your mouth when his right hand slips into the waistband of your skirt and panties while his left hand slips two fingers inside of your mouth. You begin to eagerly suck on Satoru’s fingers, rocking your hips back and forth against his nimble fingers. You let out a soft groan as you keep eye contact for a minute with Geto through the rearview mirror. The car speeds up and you find your eyes rolling back briefly. Your ex hadn’t touched you for months before you two broke up so you were hungry for another person’s touch. You throw your head back, resting on his shoulder, your breathing growing heavy.

“Toru~” You whine out, drool running down your chin. “There's that sweet nickname! Oh how I missed that sound of it falling from your lips” Gojo says, his fingers beginning to move in a circle around your swollen clit. Suguru watched this taboo scene unfold in the backseat as he drove. He tried to keep his focus on the road but your soft moans kept begging for his attention. Geto groans, his dick practically bursting at the seams from how badly he wanted you. You began to hump Satoru’s hand, his middle and ring fingers begging to slip inside your wet cunt and the palm of his hand pressed into your clit. 

You let out a loud moan, feeling that beloved orgasm building up in your gut. “Already?” Suguru asks, as he pulls up to your apartment building. “M gonna cum!” You say, eyes watering. “Go ahead. Cum on his fingers pretty girl” You whimper, your hips rocking back and forth as the knot in your stomach grows tighter. You moan, back arching off of Gojo’s chest. Your body begins convulsing and your hand grips Satoru’s arm, your fingernails leaving small crescent shapes in his forearm. You scream out in pleasure, your orgasm hitting you hard. You close your mouth around Gojo’s fingers, trying to keep quiet but God knows it’s hardly working.

Satoru keeps working his fingers in and out of you, helping you ride out your orgasm. Your body writhes in pleasure before going limp, breathing heavily against Gojo’s fingers that were still inside of your mouth. Suguru chuckles before saying “You look so fucking pretty when you cum, Love” You giggle softly, and Geto gets out of the drivers seat before picking you up out of Satoru’s lap. You fish your keys out of your purse as the three of you make your way to the top floor of the penthouse. You hand Gojo your keys and he opens the front door. You begin to place wet and sloppy kisses along Geto’s jaw and you can feel it tighten as he quickly makes his way into your bedroom.

Suguru places you on the bed. “Clothes. Off” You do as he says, his demanding voice sends even more arousal straight to your pussy. You decide to take your time, teasing both men that stood at the foot of your bed, both of their cocks begging to be released from their pants. “If I were you, I’d hurry up. Suguru isn’t the most-” You let out a soft yelp as Geto reaches for you and rips your shirt and skirt off. “...patient man,” Satoru finishes. Suguru peels your panties off of your sex, revealing your wet cunt for both men to see. Geto groans before saying “You’ve matured a lot n/n” He lets out another groan before placing hungry kisses against your clit.

You let out a soft moan, still sensitive from your earlier orgasm in the car. “Sugu~” You whine before allowing your dominant hand to wander into his long, dark hair, tugging on it softly and pulling him closer to your clit. Gojo chuckles before stepping closer to you, his erection apparent and almost begging for attention. “Open” He demands you. You gladly open your mouth and Satoru slaps his tip on your tongue. You wrap your lips around the head of Satoru’s cock and he lets out a soft groan. “Just like that pretty girl” The white haired male says, his hand laying on the back of your head, helping you take him further into your mouth.

Geto huffs, pulling your legs over his shoulders before his pointer and middle finger slipping inside of your cunt. You let out a moan around Gojo’s cock, back arching slightly. You continue to let your tongue work the bottom of his cock as Suguru works your clit and g-spot. Your eyes begin to water as the tip of Gojo’s cock slips down your throat. You hold yourself in that position, nose just barely brushing his trimmed pubic hair before pulling yourself off of him. “Sugu… ’m gonna cum again!” You whine, trying to pull his face just a bit closer to your soaked core.

Your back arches fully, showing off your bare chest in the moonlight that seeped in from the open curtains. “You look fucking beautiful” Satoru says, taking out his phone and snapping a couple of pictures of the scene. The knot in your stomach had begun to unravel and your legs had started to shake. You throw your head back, allowing your orgasm to fully wash over you. Your cunt squeezes around his fingers and you squirt all over his tongue and fingers, drool slipping from your mouth. Your body relaxes for a moment, slightly convulsing as Geto continues to slowly curl his fingers inside your pussy.

Suguru crawls onto the bed and on top of you before pulling you in for a kiss. “You taste so fucking sweet, Doll” You smile against the kiss, your hands trailing up his body. “God you are fucking insatiable” Geto says. “Come on. You two can’t have all the fun now” Satoru says. Suguru climbs off of you before Gojo picks you up, and lays you on top of him. “You ready to take both of us, Pretty girl?” Your eyes widen before saying “W-wait at the same time?!” Geto chuckles “Yes at the same time lovely. I mean, you’re wet enough to take it with little to no difficulty because of how soaked you are”

You shudder when you feel both men’s tips poking at your entrance. They both begin pushing themselves inside of your cunt, stretching you wide enough to take them both. “Agh~ F-fuck you two are gonna tear me in half!” You shout, clearly a bit nervous. “You need to relax and let us inside or we might tear something down there” Suguru says as Satoru plants soft but sloppy kisses behind your ear and your jaw. You find yourself relaxing as the kisses become sloppier and they continue to push inside of you. You whimper, the feeling of you being filled with two cocks at the same time causes you to tighten up again.

Gojo groans, pulling you onto their cocks completely. Your body begins to shake, the pleasure ripping through your body. They both start with a slow pace, trying their hardest to keep themselves under control, but the heat of your bodies and your symphony of moans bouncing off of the walls, they couldn’t keep that pace for much longer. Your breath gets caught in your throat, your hands finding Geto’s back. The harder they pounded your cunt, the more you felt like you were in heaven. Suguru drank the sight of drool running down your chin and neck, eyes rolled back and arched back in as if he would die of thirst if he hadn’t.

Satoru’s dominant hand reached down and began to rub your clit, causing you to clench around them again, his other hand snaking itself around your throat, squeezing just enough to deprive you of enough oxygen. You let out a choked moan, tears beginning to fall down your face. Once Geto sees this, it’s like something within him snapped. He began to pick up his pace, wanting to see more of your tears and gojo followed suit, nearing his own release. Your body begins to shake and your nails begin scratching down Suguru’s back, ensuring to leave marks for the next couple of days.

“‘M gonna cum again” You manage to gasp out in the break Satoru had decided to give you. “Then do it. Cum all over our cocks like the slut we both know you are” You body begins convulsing, and you let out a loud scream and squirt all over the two of them as your orgasm washes over you. Gojo groans before saying “I’m gonna fill you all the way up and claim you as ours” You body continued to shake as both men relentlessly fucked into you, chasing their own highs. Both men groan and begins to pump you full of cum. “Such a good girl. Take it all Darling” Suguru says as you continue to claw down his back again, this time breaking skin.

Then for a moment, it’s quiet and everyone is basking in the afterglow of their orgasms, your body still shaking a bit from both your previous orgasms and the overstimulation. Geto groans, and they both pull out of you, a soft whimper leaving your lips. Suguru stretches before saying “Damn. You did a number on my back pretty girl” You half whine, half chuckle before saying “‘m sorry” Satoru laughs. “Let’s run you a bath and clean up this bed so you can get some rest. You’ve got to be worn out at this point” 

For the rest of the night, both men took care of you, being sure to shower you with praises and kisses.

[38sr]

not sure if this necessary qualifies as an #industryQs but any tips for doing line art that does just look like i’m drawing a coloring sheet if that makes sense? idk something just feels clunky and off about it compared to others art (including yours which is awesome btw)

Oh hmmmmmmm, well honestly my lineart is a result of my handwriting being pure cursive. So, I normally suggest people to practice writing in cursive haha. It might be a weird suggestion, but penmanship classes actually helped me a lot with understanding line depth and control throughout my art journey. If you think about it, writing in cursive is about using one line (or the least amount) to write a whole word. That requires control of pen pressure and when to curve, make short strokes, long strokes, etc. The more you practice that, the more decisive you are with your line making.

For this drawing, I used a thicker, gritty brush and you probably can't tell but I'm using a combination of long and short strokes to help push the pen pressure (or really the line thickness from the brush).

All the red lines are long, singular strokes that have a bit more variation in line thickness unlike the blue lines (mainly the hair) which have the same line thickness. Personally when I see young artists start out, the line weight feels heavy and flat because there's not a lot of confidence in the line making. More strokes doesn't always mean a better line. Knowing when to use a long or short stroke can drastically change the "look" of a line. And the extra cool thing about it is that it can be applied to any pen/brush you use:

In this drawing, I'm using a brush that has no pen pressure whatsoever. The line weight/thickness doesn't change regardless if I'm using a long or short stroke and yet it doesn't feel flat.

But something like this starts combining line with form (human body, fabric, hair, etc.). Which for myself was good way for me to learn how to depict form more decisively (and accurately) since I couldn't rely on line weight to make thicker strokes. So, I would say try practicing writing in cursive to help feel more comfortable with line making. A common practice is writing the English alphabet in one stroke (it's possible trust me haha) or the least amount of strokes possible. Also drawing/writing strictly in ink traditionally can help you think more about what lines you want to make since it's more permanent. At least that's what helped me, so don't feel like to have to do any of this if it doesn't work for you. ^^; I hope that answered your question!

[scribz-ag24]

Do you have a set process for coloring and rendering / adding texture to your art? If so, would it be alright for me to ask what goes into that process? I'd love to learn how an artist I admire goes about their work!

Omg I'm so flattered, I'll try my best to explain it!! ^^

Tho, okayyy, I apologize beforehand for how incoherent this might be, since I don't really have a set process at all and mostly I fake it 'til i make it haha. I'm the first to admit that I don't have a ver consistent method and that shows in how irregular in quality my art can look, even inside the general sketchy look.

(Btw sorry if some of the fanart i use for example doesn't make you comfortable but I've tried to find the best examples for each type of coloring haha)

I'll start with the brushes I rely on the most, tho I admit i made the mistake of downloading too many brushes and textures so I might use others on rare occassions xddd

These are basically the brushes I use the most. The "mezclador redondo" is just CSP's default paintbrush and I only tweaked it to find sth I liked and felt comfortable with for both lining and painting

As you can see here I only used one layer for lines and other three for each of the guys' colors. I colored it all with the default brush (tho unfortunately I lost the settings I used for this drawing in particular and haven't found them again rip). In drawings like this I just do a sketch, clean the lines (no lineart) and then paint it. After the base color I start laying out different hues to make the coloring more interesting.

This one was the same. One layer for coloring, manually adding lighter hues (see the more light and yellowish color on grovyle's left leg compared to the shadow) or darker tones. I try to add color to the shadows as well to make them feel less flat, and an airbrush in overlay tends to help with that (tho here I just used a brush).

Here you can see that I often paint over the lines on another layer to correct mistakes in the "lineart" lol. I also applied an airbrush (layer mode overlay) over celebi to make her more bright. I wanted to put this one to show that coloring doesn't have to be detailed to look nice enough. Here Celebi basically has no shadows at all but the tone of the drawing makes her look cute anyways imo ^^

In these two you can see adjustements over the full image again (yellow layer), but I also wanted to show that I don't have a set number of layers either, it depends on how many I feel like using. Again, sorry for the lack of consistency but im too lazy to have a proper method lmao

I will also use harder brushes and tone changes sometimes, instead of blending them with less dense brushes. I am also fond of adding hard lighting in some drawings. You can experiments with it on a top layer and delete it if it doesn't fit, so it's always worth a try.

Another thing I recommend is studying and copying artists you admire or like. Add things from their styles into yours, see how they work with proportions and try to use that in your own art. It has helped me a lot and, without looking to fully copy anyone's style, it does give you some ideas of how you wish your drawing would look, which motivates me (when it doesn't depress me lol)

Finally, the texturing isn't consistent either. I use one of CSP's/Downloaded texture packs, put a grainy texture on the canvas, set it to overlay and adjust the opacity until I'm satisfied. In these two images you can see I am not consistent in coloring even in the same comic lmao. But we are doing this for fun, so I think experimentation is always sth worth exploring ^^

And I think that's all I have to say. I don't control color theory at all, so I can't really explain how I choose colors. I look up some tutorials on youtube and pretend I understand lol. Ig the one thing I tend to do a lot is changing hues in a base color to make it look less flat, the same as with shadows.

Anyways I hope this was helpful or that it at least waas what you asked for haha. Thank you for the interest!! :DD

[crabsnpersimmons]

Hello! I noticed you have Ohuhu markers, too! (Seen in a picture of your New Do Same You AU <- super cute and lovely designs, by the way!!)

I was just wondering if I could ask you how you blend with them...? I have a bit of trouble doing so, and I'm not sure if it's my paper or if I'm doing something wrong (like being too slow, trying to blend too many colors, trying to blend opposites, not enough ink, etc.)

Truthfully... I don't really know if I'm using my colorless blender correctly, either 😅

hello yes! i DO use ohuhu markers! i use the water-based ones tho not the alcohol ones, so i'm not sure if the same techniques work with alcohol markers, but maybe!

honestly i'm still new to blending techniques cuz i haven't played around with them enough but what i DO know:

paper does matter, but more like how the colours absorb into the paper and how well the paper can take multiple layers of colour and the friction from rubbing the marker on the paper multiple times (the temporary sketchbook i've been using is actually not very good at that, but i'm making do) i nearly tore a hole though the page trying to get this gradient right for this fish, the paper got sooooo damp:

speed is key for a smooth gradient. i usually start by laying down the darker colour first, and then quickly going over it with the lighter colour to blend out the dark colour into a gradient a good example of this is Bloodmoon's arm, i started by putting down a bit of dark brown near the cuff and then i went over with the red to spread the dark brown into a gradient:

you'll also notice that the areas where i do have these gradients are usually small, because smaller areas are easier to work with like here, Giant Sun's rays, which are like about 0.5 inches long, have a gradient. it's a tiny area

if you find that the colours are drying too quickly for you, one option is to treat the markers like watercolours. Scribble the marker onto a palette and add some water (not too much, it will also desaturate the colour) and use a brush to apply the colours onto the paper. Painting gradients is easier than using markers because the water does most of the work for you - but it may be a little more challenging to control if you're not familiar with watercolours. but i do think this is probably the best option if you want to do gradients for a bigger area, because if you just use markers, the ink will dry too quickly to get a smooth gradient.

also you reminded me that there's a colourless belnder in the set haha i should experiment with that some more!

[pinkest-nekomata]

I understand what "A bad workman blames his tools" is supposed to be, but y'all, I've gotta tell you--sometimes it's the tools.

Maybe this is intuitive for most people but if you're autistic like me and took this Too Literally (tm) then this one's for you.

Like, I thought I was hopeless at doing makeup until I got a good eyeshadow primer. It turns out it's literally impossible to get eyeshadow to blend smoothly without a primer. And them omg, when I got some higher quality shadows that were more pigmented, all of a sudden it takes 1/3 the time to get the effect that I want.

And paint. We're taught the basic "primary colors" and "through mixing you can get any color!!" and this is A LIE. It's not until you get into color theory and actual pigment physics that you learn that there are orangey-reds and a purply-reds and finding a physical pigment for a true, neutral-as-possible red is actually quite rare and expensive.

And if you mix an orangey-red with blue to try to make purple, you're going to make a poopy purple because purple + orange are complimentary colors and make brown, so no matter what you do, you'll have a brown+purple mixture.

So even to mix your colors from primaries, you're going to need both a orangey-red and a bluey-red, and a greenish-yellow and an orangey-yellow, and a greenish-blue and a purpley-blue.

And that's not to mention that there are brilliant violets you just won't get by mixing pigments, so you'll need specialized pigments for those too.

And don't even get me started on BRUSHES. The amount of control that you can get out of a quality brush is so much more than a cheap one.

The same principles apply for colored pencils and pens and yarn and clay and like... idk, a lot of things.

I feel like I tried several hobbies with just the most miserably cheap shit and felt bad at them and didn't pick them up, until I had the occasion to try with something of sufficient quality and it was like--wow, this is actually fun! I'm not miserable at this trying to do basic things!

Obviously there's a middle ground here--I never had to get the top-of-the-line item to have a better experience. My primer is the Sephora house brand. Synthetic paint brushes are great for most people who don't plan to use them heavily.

Spending more money on tools has diminishing returns, but those initial returns over the most basic stuff? Big!! Important!!

One of the great things about the internet is that you can ask experts what tools are actually worth spending money on--just try to NOT ask people who 1) have way more money than you and so haven't thought about it or 2) are actively trying to sell you something.

I just wonder how many people think they're bad at painting because they've only tried with the absolutely destroyed and shitty brushes at a wine and paint night place, y'know?

So. Sometimes it's the tools!! It's okay to spend a little more on things that make your hobby more accessible and enjoyable.

[kafus]

What's your drawing process? (program, brushes, layers, ect)

alright i can finally answer this now that i'm on my computer and have my art program open lol

i use krita! i've been using it for 7 years now and the sheer amount of hotkeys i use is so embedded into my brain and muscle memory, i don't think i could use any other art software unless it controls exactly the same at this point (sorry this is the millionth time you guys have seen this doodle i did it's just still what i have open. i never closed out of krita after finishing it LOL)

i think my process is honestly pretty standard for digital art when it comes to most things, i do a sketch (not pictured here but i usually sketch in black and then just lower the opacity of the sketch layer), either clean that up or do lines on top on a different layer, flat color underneath, then use a mix of layer settings on new layers to apply light and shadow if relevant. multiply and overlay my beloved

might be obvious from my brush palette over here, but i am really simplistic when it comes to brushes... i rarely have to venture outside of this group. lately i've been using the slightly rougher brush in the bottom left for lining for the sake of some texture but almost all my art is made with these brushes alone, even my more rendered and detailed stuff. iirc these are all default krita brushes lol (not pictured is when i occasionally swap to the pixel brush for pixel stuff)

sometimes i do experiment though, like this piece i did months ago was done entirely with a translucent pixel brush on a single layer LMAO

funny thing to note as well is even in my rendered stuff with a lot of layers i never name my layers so i'm constantly switching layers on and off to find the right one like a dumbass. i should really start naming my layers fdsjioojsdf. oh and highly recommend double checking work for values by putting a saturation layer set to full grayscale above everything and flipping it on to see the piece without color sometimes... i do that a lot

feel free to ask if you had any other questions about how i actually... draw? the way this question was worded made me go in a more "how i interact with my art program" direction and not how i actually draw if that makes sense but i'm not sure if that was actually your intention

[duckapus]

(this would obviously be after Emulator's corruption has progressed significantly, to the point where she's well aware of the problem but the malware has such a firm grip that it can force her to keep it hidden from the others, though it doesn't yet have full control. Key word being yet.)

Deep within the horrific fleshy caverns beneath the Mushroom Kingdom, Emulator stands amongst the ruins of the old castle, where the infection wracking her code is at its strongest. Here, she can drop the illusions that she's been forced to apply, revealing a web of pulsing, glowing fuchsia veins covering her model and a twitching photorealistic eye where her brooch should be. Her face is twisted in both pain and concentration, eyes firmly shut. Floating in a circle around her are seven different-colored Wonder Flowers, each with several lines of pink-and-yellow code spinning around them in thin cylinders.

This will only delay the inevitable you know.

She shuts out the voice, and she has every moment of every day since it became clear enough to understand.

Plus, are you really gonna drag a bunch of randos into your mess?

Focus Emmy, you're almost done.

And of course there's the fact that you'll just be trading one known flavor of corruption for seven different mystery flavors at once. Bet that'll go over well.

Just tune it out, girl. You got this.

And while they're all dealing with this mess you're making, I'll still be right here, chip-chip-CHIPping away at your mind.

Focus.

You're already so tired, Lovely. We could be so good together if you'd just let me in.

Another assault on the parts of her mind that are still her own, this time forming the impression of a gentle, delicate hand brushing along her jawline, and she can't help but shudder before stubbornly, desperately picturing a vivid memory of a fluffy purple tail performing the same action.

FOCUS damnit!

Still thinking about other girls, are we Lovely? Don't worry, when we're finished here we can go liven up that stuffy office and let her join our fun~!

She very firmly does not think about that, thank you very much, instead transporting the modified Wonder Flowers to random, scattered locations throughout the kingdom, before sitting down on what's left of one of the staircases to wait.

'I'm sorry everyone, I wish I could've done more.'

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Meanwhile, up in the Showgrounds, Domain and Forum are telling the Crew (or at least some of them. A few aren't there right now due to prior obligations...or a nap in Melony's case) about the SAA/Diamind 6 fused universe.

3 winces, "Yikes, and here I thought you couldn't get any worse than our activation."

"Oh, ours is still considered the worst. This one was pretty bad, though."

"Anyway, we were wondering if a few of you would be willing to visit their world. You know, introduce them to the multiverse, see how they're settling in, that sort of thing."

4 smiles, "That sounds like a great idea. Guys?"

"Mario's ready to go! How about you, bro?"

Luigi nods, "Sure! November's pretty slow for flower sales anyway."

"Hell yeah, maybe I can make deals on some new kinds of space drugs!" Bob...will be Bob, I suppose.

Marcy raises a sword, "could I come as well? I usually miss the interdimensional adventures."

Meggy side-eyes the two of them and leans over so she can whisper to 4, "I'll try to keep the wonder twins from getting us arrested again."

"Good call. Juliano, Tari, how about you?"

"I'd love to, but I'm having a bad leg day at the moment," sure enough, Juliano's leaning on his cane more than usual.

Tari, however, has no such issue, "sure, it sounds like fun!"

Toad...is still in his house, not having bothered to show up to the meeting. Even if he now likes the Crew enough to live with them like this, he still very much values his "Me Time" and not getting caught up in Adventures if he doesn't have to.

As you might expect, the kids (just the three who live in the castle, since the Haltmanns are with their mom this week and everyone else is still at their own homes) are pretty excited, "Space trip! Space trip! Space-"

"Now hold on there!" 3 gives them a stern look, "These kinds of trips usually take multiple days since we don't know exactly where our destination is, and tonight's a school night. So the four of us are staying right here."

The three deflate a bit, "Figures."

At this his gaze softens, and he kneels down to their eye level, "Sorry, but I've gotta put my foot down this time. You kids already miss enough school from the adventures we can't keep you home from. Besides, it's not like this trip's a one-off. We already visit the other SMG universes all the time, and this won't be any different."

4 looks at this exchange with great fondness, then turns to the group, "So that's everyone set, right?" At the various sounds and gestures of affirmation, he grins, "Then there's no time like the present."

He opens up a portal to the new universe, and the typical goodbyes are had all around, with one longer exchange between the SMGs.

"Don't have too much fun over there without me, Scrub."

"Only if you try not to destroy the place while we're gone, Edgelord."

"Hey, you're the one who's gonna have three Avatars to deal with."

Predictably, Mario leans back out of the portal in his SM64 model, "HEY! You two should kiss!"

The two turn to glare at him, "Shut up Mario!"

Once he's gone, they end up laughing, "Okay, but seriously. Be careful out there, alright?"

"I'll do my best," he goes to step through the portal, then pauses partway through, "Oh, and I know you can handle things just fine, but you do your best to be safe too, alright? I've got a weird feeling."

"Roger that." as he finally leaves and the portal closes, 3 rolls his eyes, "right, like the world's gonna get flipped upside-down or something just because a third of the team's gone. We'll be fine!"

Right as he makes that assertion, the scene changes to one of Emmy's modified Wonder Flowers appearing beneath the Ferris Wheel in the deeper parts of the Showgrounds...

[tottymatsuno]

Tw: abusive bfs

Authors notes: sfw! Also warning, this story was written as a one shot but I’ll be expanding this bc I think it’s a good idea. Inspired by a conversation with @nenchuu and @lesbiabmatsu and I believe @friedmatsu was there too! This is a “Totty’s gay ass steals someone’s gf (me) and ends up fucking them while the boyfriend is there every night” story. Sorry. Not here ofc here is sfw and just pining.

From Far Away, my Love

Todomatsu sighs once more with the nail polish brush dripping onto the hem of his peach pajama bottoms.

You look so pretty with that mint tea mask on…Even the towel wrapped around you shoulders is so fashionable since it’s on you. Todomatsu could ask to borrow your chapstick next, couldn’t he? That way it’s like an indirect kiss?

He sighs again, this time swooning just a little bit on the way down. Your lips look so soft from over here, Todomatsu wishes he could lean over and see for himself.

Another drop of robins egg blue lands on Todomatsu’s pants, and so he’s blessed with your eyes on him.

“You need some help?” You set your bottle of tea down, and open up your pinchers. Todomatsu smiles with the heat rushing to his face, and his heart skipping a beat.

“Only if you wanna.” He’s able to mask just how nervous it makes him when your skin touches his. This should be nothing, spending the night here, your body heat next to his, Todomatsu’s hands on your face and your own on him.

It should be normal by now just based off of the frequency of occurrence…but Todomatsu shivers at the slightest brush of your thumb against his index finger during the second long passing of the polish.

It’s late, so late that Todomatsu’s sure his brothers all think he’s been having a wild and crazy time instead of sleeping on the floor in your living room all alone.

That’s where this is going to end, after all. Eventually when it’s around 3AM, you’ll get a text message saying it’s time for you to go to sleep. You’ll try to put it off for another hour by saying you’ll be there in a second. Ten minutes will pass, and that dumbass will come out and wait until you get up and follow him.

Then Todomatsu will be alone in your living room, where everything smells like you, where everything feelings like you, everything reminds him of you, and he will stare at the ceiling. Counting each dimple and divots until he goes to sleep.

He can’t touch himself out here because it’s rude and he wouldn’t be able to explain the stains, but it hurts to be without a physical release. His chest will constrict and he will grow dizzy with love sick poetry.

But it’s not like this is Todomatsu’s first rodeo with unrequited love! No, as a thirty one year old virgin he’s super experienced with that! It’s not something he’d brag about, but Todomatsu has grown accustomed to wanting to be touched and to touch in return. To talk to girls and for them to talk to him back. He wants to be kissed, kissed, and kissed until he can’t breathe, and he’ll dream of it.

That’s what’s waiting for him tonight.

You paint his nails, but to be honest you’re pretty sloppy at it. The color looks nice on his skin, but probably it’s because you applied it there. Your eyebrows furrow in concentration, and that mask is beginning to crack. You’ll need to remove it soon.

Todomatsu leans back to keep control of himself. He can’t lean forward to get into your space, that isn’t right.

“Thanks.” Todomatsu breathes out when you finish his pinky toe. “No, thank you for spending the night again!”

“Of course! You know I love spending time with you.” Todomatsu licks his lips as you raise back up. “I wish I could be with you even more than just this.”

Todomatsu wishes he could stop himself from following up with, “I love you so much.” His voice cracks with emotion, he sounds so pitifully sweet. There’s a level of sincerity Todomatsu probably should have hidden, because his confession sounds as romantic as he intended.

You smile brightly at Todomatsu, but for some reason it just doesn’t reach your eyes. In fact it looks like you’re tearing up and not in a good way.

You cap the nail polish carefully, and reach out to Todomatsu where you hold both of his hands in yours.

“I wish we loved each other the same way.”

That’s ambiguous! What does that mean!? Do you love him back?! Or are you letting him down gently?!

Soon you laugh, and wipe at the corner of your eyes. You’re careful to avoid the clay mask as you confess, “It’d be nice if you were my boyfriend instead.”

“I could —” The sound of the bedroom door opening makes Todomatsu jump. You both turn towards it, and that bastard you call a boyfriend steps out.

“Alright, let’s pack it up.”

Todomatsu grits his teeth, and bites back a comment that would make you hate him. He instead settles for, “Oh ew, who woke up your dad.”

You snicker under your hand.

“Isn’t there a Peter out there missing his cutie fairy or whatever? Why are you still here?”

Todomatsu waits for you to defend him, and smiles smugly when you tell your boyfriend, “Just shut the hell up and go lay back down already. Please?”

You stand up, muttering cuss words under your breath, “I need to wash my face.”

“You look gross with that shit all over you, but I’ll give you till the time I’m done getting a glass of water to be in the room or else I’m locking you out.”

You take you time, walking slowly to the bathroom while your shithead boyfriend rushes to the kitchen.

“So when are you getting a boyfriend.”

“I’m not, but I’m working on having sex with your girlfriend.” Todomatsu spits out in one of his most cutesy, flamboyant voices yet. “I think I’m getting close! You’ll be the first to find out though!” He even winks.

Your boyfriend sneers at Todomatsu, then fills a small cup of water from the tap, takes a sip, then walks back to the bedroom.

The door slams and the sound of the lock clicks.

You peek your head out of the bathroom, and see the closed door. Your upper lip twitches in anger, and you return to washing your face.

Todomatsu likes that about you, he thinks in a daydream. That you defended him, and that the only reason you’re not his is because you’re loyal. And you’ve been with this creep for so long! That’s it!

When you step out, you don’t even look back towards the door. Instead you walk over to Todomatsu’s palette on the floor, and you control your descent onto his lap.

“You should break up with him, he’s such an asshole!” Todomatsu tells you as he hugs you with both arms, squeezing you tightly.

“I’ll marry you when he’s out of the picture, I promise!”

You giggle, before pivoting a few times in order to roll around with Todomatsu, “Promise? I would love to be a Matsuno!”

“I’ll add you to my family registry tomorrow, so kick him out already!”

Todomatsu’s hands are clammy and his eyes swirling because he’s going to kiss you. He mentally preps in the half second he budgets for himself, before Todomatsu plants an innocent peck on your cheek.

You grab your phone and type out: hit da bricks, Totty and I are getting married

Todomatsu presses send for you, and the two of you laugh evilly when you see the reply: I’ll just go fuck myself then :/

In the end you don’t get up until Todomatsu falls asleep holding you in his arms. He thought he would never be able to actually rest with his face ran hot, he felt so feverish and flushed with a thunderous heartbeat. You fit perfectly in Todomatsu’s arms which fueled a bedtime fantasy marathon about being newlyweds and in love.

You laid quietly holding on to Todomatsu’s torso tightly, and in the end when Todomatsu closed his eyes for the last time that evening, he thought of your lips pressed gently against his.

The next morning when he wakes up, Todomatsu is unfortunately all alone on the living room floor. He looks at the closed bedroom door with his hand clutching his peach pajama top.

He’s not going to win this, is he? Isn’t he fighting a battle Todomatsu’s definitely unable to win?

Todomatsu opens his mouth, thinking of all of his love for you, and whispers your name only to hear a single bubble pop out of his throat.

[gamersonthego]

Chase Koeneke's Top 25 Game Boy & Game Boy Color Games

The final part in GOTG's GB & GBC Top 25 coverage, make sure you check out my good friend Giggy's list, as well as the shared list we made together on the most recent episode of the podcast.

While the NES was my very first brush with video games, it wasn’t until the Game Boy that I truly fell in love with gaming. For a kid who got taken on a lot of long car trips, it was a godsend (both to me, but probably even more so to my parents, who could drive in relative peace). I dumped hundreds of hours into many of these games, and some of them continue to rank within my all-time favorites. 

25. Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3

24. Kirby Tilt ‘n’ Tumble

23. Pokemon Pinball

22. Tiny Toons Adventures: Babs’ Big Break

21. Metal Gear Solid (Ghost Babel)

20. Shantae

19. Harvest Moon 3 GBC

18. Balloon Kid

17. Mario’s Picross

16. Mole Mania

15. Mega Man V

14. Super Mario Land

13. Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins

12. The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages

11. The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening DX

10. Mario Tennis

I’m not usually a big sports game guy. I find the ways devs abstract a sport through mechanics interesting, but often, their efforts fall short. I’d prefer to just hitting the batting cages than play Game Boy Baseball, y’know? But that’s not the case with Mario Tennis. Camelot aced this one, with simple, responsive controls that offered hidden depth in its strategic play. And the light RPG elements let you shape your character to better fit your play style (then import that character into the N64 incarnation!)

9. Warlocked

I didn’t grow up with a PC, so the real-time strategy genre was always something of a mystery to me. Warlocked was the first RTS I ever got my hands on, and while I can’t say it’s a particularly glowing example of the genre, the fact it even works on a Game Boy Color is astonishing to me. I ran the wheels off this game, playing through both its campaigns and collecting all the colorful wizard characters (Sweatwiz for life!) 

8. The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons

Zelda continues to not be my thing, but the Oracle games are generally my favorites of the entire franchise (which feels wrong since they’re made by Capcom). Of the pair, I prefer Seasons’ mechanics. Plus, I really love exploring Subrosia — a volcanic land sitting right below the overworld — and interacting with its Jawa-looking residents. Most people are going to prefer Link’s Awakening, and that’s fine, but for my money, Oracle of Season is the way to go.

7. Donkey Kong ’94

It’s unfair how good this game is. The movement tech Mario can achieve is unreal, and it forever changed the way we think about Mario’s moveset. If you’ve ever enjoyed the triple jumps of Super Mario 64 or the cap throwing and diving of Mario Odyssey, you have DK ’94 to thank for inspiring it all. This game takes the original arcade game, and expands it into one of the greatest puzzle-platformers of all time. 

6. Tetris

It’s Tetris. I mean, what else needs to be said? Later versions have added slight tweaks to the formula in the form of T-spins or holding pieces that make them arguably better, but whenever I want to play some Tetris, this is always the one I reach for. 

5. Kirby’s Dream Land 2

Creator Masahiro Sakurai has said the original Kirby’s Dream Land is all about introducing people to what a platform game is. Dream Land 2, in my opinion, is about introducing you to what they can be. The copy abilities brought in from Kirby’s Adventure are expanded threefold with the addition of Kirby’s animal companions, and the music from the battle with King Dedede still bangs. This will forever be my favorite Kirby game.

4. Mario Golf

I gushed about Mario Tennis above, but it can feel repetitive at times as you play set after set on nearly-identical courts. Mario Golf brings in everything good about Tennis (the RPG elements, character importing, great controls) and applies it to a sport that naturally has a little more variety through its courses, challenging you to approach them in different ways. Pick up both if you can, but if you only have room for one, Golf is the way to go. 

3. Pokemon Gold/Silver/Crystal

The second generation of Pokemon games add so much to the series, both from a mechanical perspective with new types, held items, additional HM moves, breeding and more. But maybe more importantly, Gold, Silver and Crystal surprise and delight in a way that make you feel like you’re in a living and breathing world. It can be annoying for those going back to the games now, but having a real-time day and night cycle affecting the Pokemon you could catch felt revolutionary. And weekly events like the bug-catching contest or a Lapras that only appeared on certain days made you want to explore (and re-explore) every area in the game. Last, but certainly not least, going back to Kanto in the postgame continues to be one of the coolest surprises a game can throw at you.

2. Pokemon Red/Blue/Yellow

…But even if all of the above is true, it’s not the original. Red, Blue and Yellow, while often a broken, buggy mess, got so much right on their first try. I think a lot of it is the sense of ownership I got through playing. When you pick up a Mario or a Zelda game, you’re playing as those characters, escaping into their shoes. With Pokemon, those were my shoes, and the creatures beside me were ones I raised and trained. It was all my adventure. And that made it all the more special. 

1. Pokemon Trading Card Game

There’s something about card games though. All my Pokemon card friends just wanted to collect them, to keep them in binders and show them off. I always wanted to play the actual game, but would never have anyone to play against. That is, until this came out. Now I had a bevy of computer opponents to face off with, and every win would grant me the dopamine rush of ripping open virtual card packs to further enhance my decks. Even if the card game its based on is a little unbalanced, it’s still one of my favorite games ever, and my favorite Game Boy title of all-time.

[escherbug]

YEAR OF THE GRUB - PROJECT 2: WATERCOLOR

Date completed: 3/3/2023

Craft store trips: 0

I'm a person who really values control and polish in my work, so media where you have to "let go" of your vision for a piece because of the way it works really scares me!

Watercolor is like sticking my foot into those media for later because it's close enough to creative processes I'm already familiar with (pencil, pen and ink, marker, etc) but still has a lot of ground I've never even touched.

First, obviously, I started with sketches from reference and iterating on them until I got some shapes and looks I was satisfied with. My last project didn't quite capture the annulations in the way I'd hoped, and the legs were too long once I looked at reference again.

I ended up with two sketches to paint, one as a backup in case I totally fucked up the first one. It went okay, and I think I'll still paint and show the second one later with what I learned from painting this one, but I think I'll just do it on my own time rather than as a YotG post project.

Like I said, I'm not used to painting, so this part was a lot of guesswork. I started with a wash because I'd heard and seen that it's a good idea and sets the tone for your piece, but I don't think I understood well enough and will need to go back and learn more. I probably didn't even stretch the paper right, haha! I had a lot of problems with paint pooling in wrinkles.

I don't have a lot to say about how it went from here, but I probably should have done all my painting in consistent lighting. I think this coloration would be perfect for painting a pupa, but it's not at all the beautiful milky color of a grub. I rushed this a little out of my own impatience as well as running late yet again, but you know and I know that's not a big deal. I'll take the second grub a little slower and apply everything I've learned doing this one.

THOUGHTS AND IDEAS:

I need to go back and review some basics of watercolor, including how to treat the paper so I don't run into pooling problems.

I need to use better brushes. I ran into a lot of trouble with the cheapo Artist's Loft brushes shedding hairs into my watercolors and onto my piece, making it difficult to control some of my finer strokes and generally making the process feel less pleasant.

I should work looking at reference for more than just the sketching process. I felt like by now I understood what a grub looks like, but it turns out that I was still preoccupied with how I THOUGHT it should look than what the colors actually express as.

I need to work in consistent lighting. Watercolor is an iterative process that you need to come back to a bunch of times to lay down rich color layer by layer, and if the light changes you may accidentally make a color WAY too dark and be too far gone by the time you realize to fix it.

I really struggle with color, so practicing this can only help. I want to start learning to mix palettes from a more limited selection of paints for a more cohesive color story.

Next month (this month) I'm learning a completely new set of skills, which should be ok since I have a whole week off on my own to work on it. Hopefully I'll be back here at the end of March with my next project:

USING BLENDER TO CREATE A MODEL FOR 3D PRINTING

[anaphroditealtermaybe]

Tarot reading for intimacy with Aphrodite— how can increase it?

Offering promised: a piece of strawberry gum.

9 of pentacles, the magician, the tower.

Embrace sensualism; be a conduit for magic, rebuild your worldview according to me.

9 of Pentacles;

I am magnificent and magnanimous. If you want to be close to me, you must empathize with me. Put yourself in my extravagant shoes. Know what it’s like to have people judge you for confidence, for having all your ducks in a row. Right now you’re shy, you don’t show off. That’s not my way, be proud of yourself and what you have attained. You’ve put work into it, it reflects who you are, and YOU deserve to be celebrated. No one else will celebrate you if you don’t lead them to. Every day is your birthday. Your parents taught you to celebrate yourself by having parties for you, and sometimes friends are kind enough to do that. I’m that friend. I can help you throw parties for yourself, every day. You can’t give from an empty cup— if you don’t live yourself how the hell are you going to love anyone else? Wear make-up every day because it makes you feel powerful, beautiful, and confident. You feel in control of how others see you when you put it on. You don’t need a lot, honestly. You’re garish sometimes, and it’s because you feel you have to look a certain way. It’s not about what you look like, it’s about how you feel. When you wear too much make-up - by your own standards— you feel as if people see you as childish, and you aren’t free to act how you want based on that, you act in response to how you think people see you. Never “respond” to any perception of you. YOU are the boss. Confidence glows from within you, you don’t need sparkles on your face to deflect peoples attention from it. Make-up should draw out your natural beauty, and remind you that others can only see parts of you that you want them to. And you want them to, because you’re amazing. Wear make-up precisely to remind yourself that you don’t need make-up. Your looks matter, and your looks are perfect. It’s more of a meditation than anything. As you apply every product, go over with yourself why you don’t need that product. You’re giving it to yourself as a gift. Foundation— your skin is perfect, the first thing people notice about you. Contour- your cheekbones are plump and lively, the shadows fall flatteringly. Blush- you express emotions gracefully. Lipstain - you speak eloquently. Yes, comparing this to the “armour of god” is fine. Routines and values go together. Let’s keep going. Eye shadow: you see others secrets and respect them. People can trust you to see the best in them. Colors represent how you love, your mood, your “vibe” that day. But all are beautiful, and you see beauty in every color of the rainbow and person on earth. Your insight is loving. Eye liner— you are poised and precise. Mascara— you know how to flatter others and brush off excess flattery yourself. Keep the speck out of your eye, shall we say. See yourself clearly— for the angel you are. Or, will be, when I’m done with you.

The magus — manifest things with me, girl. Ritual is your friend. You’ve gotta do this one when you get back from your weekend trip. Find a ritual; it doesn’t matter if you have the ingredients for it, you can buy them. Or we can come up with one together, or you can find or make one without ingredients. But it has to be planned, and you have to do it with intention. You have a lovely way of improvising and I respect and appreciate that, and it certainly has its place— impromptu hang-outs. But real friends respect each-others time. I’m not at your beck and call (though I am I finite and all powerful or whatever), since you’re a human and are limited, and expect me to follow through on promises in a timely manner, you have to make promises to me and follow through on them, so it’s reciprocal. This is how manifestation with me and most other deities works. A ritual isnt an act of worship. It’s an invocation. You’ll learn more about that later. Things to research: rituals with Aphrodite, how to respect Aphrodite during a ritual and invocation, etc. Follow that Google rabbit trail, and we’ll come up with something. I promise. This will also help you spread the love— the more we work together the more you’ll value what I value. This will make me happy, and I’ll like you more ;)

The tower- this is more of a general tip than a specific command, but it’s important. Always be ready to rebuild. To shatter yourself to adapt. Consume new information with this specific intent. I appear to everyone as their ideal of beauty and love— I couldn’t do that if I wasn’t keeping up with people’s changing opinions, and changing myself in time. Not that this isn’t “in response” in the sense discussed. I’m not changing my essence, I’m changing how it presents— love is eternal, aesthetic is a language to express it. It can be terrifying to be stripped to your core, but you do have a core and it can’t be disintegrated. Know who you are and you’ll never feel naked.

[quantifynorthamerica]

Mastering the Metal: 7 Professional Tips for Perfect Metal Painting Every Time

When it comes to construction projects, metalwork is often a centerpiece, providing structural integrity and aesthetic appeal. And when metalwork is front and center, a flawless paint job becomes a necessity. 

So, how do professionals achieve that perfect finish, void of streaks, bubbles, or chips? The answer lies in mastering the art and science of metal fabrication and metal painting. If you're in the construction industry, understanding some key tips can be a game-changer.

Our world today is so advanced that it's no longer sufficient to just slap on a coat of paint and call it a day. Professionals in the construction industry understand that metal painting when done right, can transform a project from average to awe-inspiring. So, buckle up as we delve into these seven tips that every professional must know to excel in metal painting.

1. Proper Surface Preparation is Key

Let’s kick things off with a universally acknowledged truth: the secret to a sensational paint job is all in the prep work. It's like baking; even if you have the best ingredients (in our case, paint), if you don’t prep right, that cake (or metal surface) is not going to look or taste good.

Firstly, get up close and personal with that metal surface. Inspect every nook and cranny. Using a wire brush or sandpaper, be the hero that banishes away old paint, rough patches, or any rust trying to claim territory. This isn’t just about aesthetics; a super-clean surface means paint clings better and resists chipping.

But wait, there's more. After your cleaning spree, you're not just ready to splash on the paint. Take an extra moment to prime that metal surface. A good primer acts like the best wingman, ensuring that your paint looks good and sticks around for the long haul.

2. Choose the Right Paint

Stepping into a paint store can be like entering a candy shop for adults. Rows of vibrant colors, shiny tins, and, oh, the possibilities. But while all those options can send your imagination into overdrive, remember this: metal is no ordinary canvas, and it demands its special kind of paint.

Think of your metal surface as a VIP guest. Would you serve just any drink to a VIP? No, right? So, always select high-quality, metal-specific paints. Epoxy and enamel paints are like the champagne of the paint world for metals. They not only provide a gleaming finish but also stand the test of time. For more details visit us at https://quantifyna.com/.

And here's a tiny secret: those premium paints? They're not just about brand bragging rights. They genuinely offer a richer color, longevity, and protection that standard paints might struggle with.

3. Use Appropriate Tools

Imagine trying to eat soup with a fork. Sounds absurd, right? Similarly, using the wrong tools for painting can lead to frustrating results. For metal painting, your tools are your trusty sidekicks, ensuring that every stroke is purposeful and effective.

For those smaller areas or intricate details, brushes are your best friend. They offer precision and control. When covering vast metal expanses, rollers come into play. They're the speedsters of the paint world, letting you cover ground quickly. Want to feel like a painting superhero? Grab a paint sprayer. It promises a silky-smooth finish faster than you can say "perfect paint job."

But remember, quality matters. It might be tempting to save a few bucks on cheaper tools, but trust us, investing in top-notch brushes, rollers, and sprayers can make the difference between an "okay" and an "oh wow" paint job.

4. Opt for Multiple Thin Coats

Alright, pop quiz time. What's better: gobbling down a whole chocolate bar in one go or savoring it piece by piece? Similarly, in the painting realm, layering thin, delicious coats is much more rewarding than a thick, hurried slather. Think of it as the art of patience. Each layer, meticulously applied, contributes to a result that's nothing short of masterful.

Thin coats have their party tricks: they dry quicker, minimize unsightly drips, and avoid those pesky bubbles. So, instead of rushing for that intense one-coat coverage, embrace the zen of layering. After each coat, take a breather, let it dry, and give it a once-over. You're not just painting; you're crafting a masterpiece.

5. Mind the Weather

Weather isn't just about deciding if you need an umbrella or sunglasses for the day. When you're knee-deep in a painting project, Mother Nature can be your best ally or your trickiest adversary. It's like planning a picnic; you wouldn’t head out without checking if rain is on the horizon, right?

For painting, especially with metal, the elements play a starring role. Paint adores a warm, dry day. It basks in it, dries uniformly, and flaunts its best colors. However, throw in some unexpected moisture, chilling cold, or sweltering heat, and you might find your paint acting all sorts of moody.

Keep an eye on the forecast. A dash of planning can save you heaps of rework and disappointment.

6. Regular Maintenance is Essential

So, you've painted that metal surface, and it looks like a million bucks. But wait, the journey doesn't end there. Think of your freshly painted metal like a garden. With a bit of regular care, it'll continue to bloom and impress.

Every so often, play detective. Whip out your magnifying glass and inspect for any chips, scratches, or signs of wear and tear. Addressing these minor hiccups early can prevent a more significant headache later. 

A gentle cleaning routine can also work wonders. Keeping the metal free from dust, grime, and corrosive agents ensures the paint continues to shine bright like a diamond.

Still in doubt? Remember that "metal painting services near me" search on Google? They often provide maintenance insights or even services to keep your painted surface in tip-top shape.

7. Stay Updated with Industry Trends

The world of painting isn’t static; it's as dynamic as the latest fashion week. New shades, innovative techniques, breakthrough products: it's all happening. So, why not be in the know?

Just like you wouldn't want to be the last person to know about the latest blockbuster movie, staying updated in the metal painting world ensures you're always a step ahead. Be a trendsetter, experiment with the latest products, and flaunt those results.

Subscribing to industry magazines, joining online forums, or attending workshops can be your golden ticket. Soak in that knowledge and dazzle with your up-to-date expertise.

Conclusion

Metal painting, when executed with precision and expertise, can elevate the overall look and durability of any construction project. It’s a combination of artistry, science, and patience. By mastering these seven professional tips, you're well on your way to delivering stellar results every time. Whether you're a seasoned professional or someone looking to delve deeper into the industry, remember that perfection lies in the details. 

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About Us Nordic Tableware Tacksamycket

Nordic Tableware Tacksamycket - ARABIA, Arabia, Gustavsberg, Rorstrand, Sweden, Finland. Tacksamycket is Swedish. It was opened in March 2022 with the hope that Nordic tableware will be easier to obtain and that the distance between Japan and Northern Europe will be closer.

About paint loss

Scandinavian tableware is basically decorated with a technique called "transcription". A transfer paper (like a sticker) is pasted on plain pottery that has been baked in a kiln. Firing the pottery itself is called “main firing”, and the process of applying patterns one by one by a painter with a brush is called “overglazing”. Some of the tableware is hand-painted, in which the painter draws the decorations with a brush instead of transferring them. In hand painting, the vessel is re-fired at a low temperature to fix the pigment.

In particular, the phenomenon called "paint loss" is likely to occur in decorations using transfer paper. Partial peeling occurs due to a variety of factors, such as the original transfer paper being fragile, being pasted crooked, or not being crimped enough. There is also paint loss due to aging, such as bald areas that are frequently rubbed even after many years of home use.

In addition, faience ware such as Gustavsberg uses the ancient technique of firing after painting. In most cases, if there are defects in the pattern, it is not only paint loss but also the body itself.

About cutlery marks

Cutlery is a general term for metal products such as knives, forks, and spoons. In Japan, we often use wooden utensils such as chopsticks, but in Northern Europe, basically all utensils for carrying food to the mouth are made of metal. Therefore, the surface of the pottery will constantly collide with the metal. After many years of use, such damage will surface as "cutlery marks". Normally, you can't see it unless the light shines through it, but the more used the tableware, the more elongated streaks you can see near the center.

About penetration

Ceramics are made by applying a coating liquid made from plant ash called glaze to clay, which is the raw material, and firing it at a high temperature. When the glaze reaches a high temperature, the component called silica contained in the raw material melts out and becomes vitreous. By thinly covering the ceramics with this glass, a transparent hard coating is applied to protect the tableware from stains. Because it is heated at a high temperature of about 1200 degrees, it is extremely difficult to control the temperature during the cooling process, and if it cools down too quickly, the glaze may crack like a spider's web. Even if there is no problem with the pottery clay itself, the condition where only the glaze has cracks is called kannyu.

Since crazing allows moisture to penetrate into the main body of the pottery clay, if a white vessel has crazing, pouring dark-colored liquids such as coffee will stain it, and the color will never be removed again. Even if there is no problem with the use itself, the aesthetic appearance of the vessel will be spoiled.

On the other hand, in the world of Japanese tea ceremony, for example, there is also a sense of value that “nurtures the vessel” by continuing to do so for many years by creating a sense of taste when matcha is poured into a bowl with a texture. Intrusion is not necessarily a defect of ceramics, but rather leads to an aesthetic sense that makes the vessel look beautiful depending on how you perceive it and how you think about it.

Apart from things that are clearly considered to be dirt, in some cases, kannyu can also be established as a flavor, so it may not be possible to make a value judgment as to whether it is good or bad just because there is kannyu.

About the post marks

There are two methods of kiln firing for ceramics: “single firing” and “layered firing”. Ichimai-yaki is a method in which ceramics are placed one by one on the firing rack of the kiln and fired side by side so that they do not touch each other.

On the other hand, kasane-yaki is a method of placing a plate on top of a single plate and stacking more plates on top of it for space-saving and mass production. Between each piece of pottery that is stacked vertically, a support called a grill stand or hearth, or tochin in Japan, is inserted. Since the glaze is not applied to the part that touches the baking table during the kiln firing, the finished product will have dents that are the marks of the support of layered firing. Vintage Scandinavian tableware almost always has traces of this prop.

Post marks are not defects or scratches on the product, but are attached from the beginning due to the manufacturing method. In the case of vintage products, the pottery clay inside may be exposed and may look brown, but this is not a stain. Please understand it as one of the features of the product.

[hareefaree]

Journal - 2022 Fall Reflections - Animation

My animation practice this semester was intense. I spent a lot of time experimenting and focusing in on stop motion. What I’m learning about myself is that I LOVE it! I’ve realized that straight-ahead animation is how I best work and that my visual priorities are texture, how light plays with surface.

More under the read more! (Game design journal HERE)

Early in the semester I stumbled across this tutorial by an amazing animator, Anna Firth (supplemented with tutorials by DIY animation club and Ingo Raschka). I’ve been wanting to get into cels for a LONG time - I love the way the paint has a LIFE that MOVES in front of the camera that it doesn’t have when done in a more professional digital style. I was in an experimental animation class, so I said fuck it! why not! Let's try and do cels!

At the time I didn’t have the funds to buy proper cel sheets and I’m kind of stubborn about using cheap materials, so I ended up using these matte plastic sheet protectors I grabbed in bulk off amazon (sorry). They were kinda problematic at first - they didn't take paint well or ink at all, so my initial experiments were rough. To line, I used a shitty small-nib Micron that I had to run over the surface multiple times. To color, I used some transparent gesso as the base layer and then gouache to try and make the paint stick to the paper (you have to paint backwards with cels, foreground first, then background, etc).

These would be scanned in (which I regret, I think it would have benefitted from using a lightbox/simple lighting set up under a downshooter so I could control how it looked a bit more) and end up looking a bit like this:

I'm really really really enamored with the filmic vibe of this. We used a bolex and some 16 mm film later in the semester and I think the sort of choppiness of this reminds me of the moments where the film is starting and it tries to catch up to itself.

My later experiments would have me move from pen-on-surface to paint -on-surface, which I would apply with a super-thin liner brush. I think this worked a bit better but I didn't quite figure out what exactly I wanted to do with this. (the first experiment below was scanned in, the second under a down shooter using fabric and paper collage elements)

And then... I properly started playing with light. And something kind of magical happened?

I knew for my experimental final that I wanted to use the technique that I was working with as well as the paper-cut out animation I feel most comfortable with, and I'd done this really fun experiment with projected light on tulle so I wanted to use a projector and silhouettes.

And then I spent a few weeks just created a very simple, rudimentary projector box (literally just a cardboard box with two openings, one for light and one for it to project, and a slot where I could exchange paper-cut out silhouette slides). I created a simplistic torso/head puppet with replacement hands and opted to do the facial animation with the bootleg cel process.

A decently involved lighting process later, and I got this.

There are so many things I love about my final sequence - the complexity of the light, the slight variations of how it falls on each surface in the scene. The final film - 2 minutes and 30 seconds long - still needs to be re-edited and re-sound-designed. But I am SO proud of the visuals I achieved.

Anyway, that's about it for my animation work. I'll make another post about the stop motion film I spent the semester doing preproduction for and will be animating next semester!