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MMWoodcock In reply to ErnCer [2014-03-13 22:58:16 +0000 UTC]

I'm glad you like it. I tried to submit this to a group and it was denied because of form, lines, and texture. None of which I feel is lacking It's one of those prestigious groups though. I've seen some entries that are below my skill level make it into the group, but it's more about popularity— many who are already established users get into the group.

I think it's nice though. I have another that I am working on sta.sh/01zexrk65fv2 (here is a sneak peak just for you~). I have to finish the horns and decide whether or not I want to ad color. I have color layers, but I have them turned off on current save. Just not sure which will look better

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ErnCer In reply to MMWoodcock [2014-03-13 23:10:40 +0000 UTC]

Eeeeeeh, that sucks that you didn't get this entered where you wanted. Same sort of thing happened as a matter of opinion that I didn't agree with either. Fuck it, I suppose. I stand by what I said.

Oooooh, that's looking so cool. I'm really hoping to see that one soon. I love your taste in subjects, too.

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MMWoodcock In reply to ErnCer [2014-03-14 00:19:32 +0000 UTC]

Yeah, people tell me to not get so worked up over it. These people will never get me jobs. I suppose it's just a personal goal to produce something that them peoples can't say no too you know? it's passive aggressive way of dealing with while at the same time forcing me to practice.

I really can't wait to finish the picture. It's actually a huge image XD like 15 x24" or something. I'll get your opinion about color later

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ErnCer In reply to MMWoodcock [2014-03-14 01:17:50 +0000 UTC]

Yeaaaaa, I'm like that a lot. Like probably more than I should because I end up comparing myself to other artists. Other times it is a fine challenge to see if you can invoke emotions and reactions from people. Plus, I'm rather competitive. ^-^'

Sure, I'll do my best and thanks for the sneak peek.

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MMWoodcock In reply to ErnCer [2014-03-14 23:35:15 +0000 UTC]

Yes, I am competitive, too. I've been told I lack confidence though which is very important. I feel very self-centered and egotistical when I say this, but throughout my entire life, I have hardly EVER gotten a real "you suck" or "you really needed to work on this" from anyone. I've won awards, had commissions, and even get very high remarks from my art teachers. It's cool, but can I really trust them to know what the best is? I KNOW there are much better artists out there, so I get tired of getting handed the golden star all the time. That's why I have a hard time excepting compliments or having confidence. I feel like it's a lie because I really can't be that good.

Perhaps, the world of DA has caused this corruptions since I CAN see so many better artists, but at the same time, rarely does DA ever lead to a job or profession. The people AROUND ME in real life matter, and if they think my work is great and valuable, I suppose I should, too? :/

After all, they are the ones paying me for work.

It stresses me out.

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ErnCer In reply to MMWoodcock [2014-03-15 00:17:36 +0000 UTC]

I can believe that and I think you helped to word the way I feel often about why compliments don't seem to do the job at times. But, unlike you, I've been up and down about it. Any recognition I have now I owe to my strange niche and even then I have gotten everything from "you're amazing!" to "this idea would be ruined by him". Either way, it's like a balancing act of not getting a big head and not feeling like you're so low on the chain that you're wasting your effort.

Deviant Art certainly can create a source of grief, but mostly in the way of apathy. It's much harder to get attention unless you get lucky, cater to an audience, or are so widely regarded as great that people flock to you. When I joined this years ago I had this impression of getting into a place where people would share thoughts on what pieces made them feel or how to improve. You know, community stuff. Instead I felt a great lack of that and it caused me to get really down and stop almost for about a year or more. Had to learn to do it for myself above all else so that I can keep the drive to keep going. Further more to encourage and speak to others regardless of their skill being greater or lesser than mine. It's been a fucking ride really. Art's definitely a journey and sometimes one that'll grey your hair. I haven't even been at it that long, Jesus.

But yea, they're saying it's great and you should hold onto those words as I should when people tell me that. It's tough at times, but they meant what they said if nothing else. Especially if they come back. Otherwise it's totally stressful instead of sometimes.

Long story short, I feel you.

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MMWoodcock In reply to ErnCer [2014-03-15 00:29:31 +0000 UTC]

I'm glad it's not "Just me."

I guess deep down I know I will have a job (even though money isn't the sole reason). I can DO STUFF if people want me to. Perhaps I won't get book cover famous or something, but as long as I 'm helping somebody out by using art and making a living at it, what more could I ask for?

I have a friend who sells hot tubs for a living. She ENJOYS it by getting people to buy a product for health benefits- not as a item of luxury just to make money. She has a passion to help those and make money without being big-headed. I feel that way about art. People will by my art perhaps not for the name, but for the purpose.

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ErnCer In reply to MMWoodcock [2014-03-15 01:00:28 +0000 UTC]

Yup. Artist ails are nigh universal. Before opening up I really perceived artists at your level or higher as just being able to do whatever they want whenever they wanted to. Still learning that professionals and popular people can still have weaknesses and stuff they don't like doing. Then I think of myself as an exception for some reason sometimes, like a moron.

It does feel great to do that. When I finish a commission someone loves it's a pretty great feeling to know that they can keep it ad that'll be that. It'll stay with them. Sometimes you can give insight to an idea already dear to them that they never imagined. Pressure sometimes for sure but worth it more often than not. Helps me keep going, too. Though sometimes I think I wouldn't be open for commissions if it wasn't for the fact that they help me so much that I can easily say I'd be fucked without them. Still, it's good stuff.

Your progress has been something else, y'know. All those comments and accolades you've gotten are gonna intensify steadily. I can see you being a master painter one day.

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MMWoodcock In reply to ErnCer [2014-03-15 02:34:18 +0000 UTC]

Well, everyone has flaws. It's dog eat dog world. I suppose If all else fails at a company or freelancer, I will just get a general education degree and become some high school art teacher That's like the bottom of my list though. I think I'd rather be a wall painter for a construction company lol Partly because my art teacher always wanted me to pursue art teaching career. I felt that I could go "higher"- not better, because I think art teachers are good,too, but I needed a greater challenge and wider range of jobs.

I haven't gotten but 2 commissions on DA. I can't seem to figure out what people flipping want XD I've done 4-5 commissions in RL which were all tradi except one. I dont do them often because of time restraint and tradi takes me longer since I am not skilled in tradi mediums. I've oftered cheap stuff, too. $10 busts and stuff. I've had many people ask but never follow up after my response.

I'll keep getting better as long as i practice. You have seemed to become a lot more comfortable in digital painting over your years of DA, too. I'll admit your subject matter is not for me but I have always like your use of color and texture. I think it really adds TO your subject matter- creatures and subhuman species.

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ErnCer In reply to MMWoodcock [2014-03-15 06:34:43 +0000 UTC]

Good that you have options just in case. I can imagine many people with a specialty in art not having that many back-ups. I'm glad you do, because odds are you'll be an artist, not a starving artist, heh.

It's tough to get commissions that aren't porn or something pin-up-ish, racy. I'm sorry, I firmly believe that as sad as it can be. I know this because there's a lot I can't post here and I sell pretty well. Usually it's about catering to a specialty that can do it then emphasizing on it. If you like a niche then play to that strength. After that you build recognition and it can bloom to something else that isn't sex-driven. But, you do easily and widely become known for it... like me. >-> That good thing is that despite whatever I've drawn the basis is something that's interesting to me to begin with and I still get some surprises that are nice challenges and don't keep me tethered. I've done a few pieces of character art for people and they liked it too.

Thanks for your compliments and attention to my work despite it not being your thing. I realize it's not something for a lot of people, especially in the contexts that I'd draw it in. It's hard and sometimes I get daunted, but I am trying. Color's something I'm trying to work better with and I don't consider myself very good at it at times. Feel like I stumble with a lot. Feels good when the effort is acknowledged as much as the result, as I actually said not too long ago to someone else.

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MMWoodcock In reply to ErnCer [2014-03-15 17:58:47 +0000 UTC]

I have noticed alot of popular artists either draw animals (and their main interesting being wolves or horses), fan art (all the popular movies and series right now like MLP or even "ships" of popular characters), erotica/sex appeal, and anime/manga ish style. Most artists that seem to paint what I like are already within a company and are developing concepts for GAMES and other medias that people are already fans of or aware of, so they enjoy the artists contribution to the game he/she loves rather than necessarily just liking the art because of the art ? (I suppose they appreciate it a tad more because it is related to another aspect they already love, rather than just loving a random concept of a game or something).

Your work is... different. Normally my inner irate self would put up a wall, and I wouldn't associate with you at all and probably make horrible assumptions about you, but I do know you as a person and have had many opportunities of conversation. I realize that you are not some sex-hungry perverted bum man who does this to get a kick out of it. You are part of the reason I try to be less judgmental and presumptuous of other artists who share similar work. 

I know, it sounds terrible, but this is me. I am a person, and I am judgmental like everyone else on the internet I have just ignored the things that bother me more now and spend more time focusing on the things I do enjoy. My younger self probably would have posted comments demanding explanation and complaining to a person who gives two shits about my opinion and thus I would be making an ass of myself

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ErnCer In reply to MMWoodcock [2014-03-15 20:31:12 +0000 UTC]

Uh huh. People really love that clean, cute, shiny type of stuff. It sells really well to people and it appeals to all these things at once. It's crazy how that works. You definitely know what you're talking about with how all that works. It sucks because, like I said before, you end up having to cater to people. In some instances it gets a little "scary" to do that because you end up making it your mainstay just to keep a position among a group of people. It can make you lose focus on subjects and art types you really love. Then again it really depends on how much you need that audience. It's a case by case situation I'm sure. I could keep generalizing but I'm pretty sure that it doesn't happen that much (hopefully). Besides, it's just classic that people want more of a good thing whatever it is.

I'm pretty self-conscious about the stuff I draw sometimes actually. Whether it be for myself or a commission, I have realized at times that I may comment on work and said artist will check out my gallery and see my stuff and react with "Oh... I see", and leave with certain impressions. There were times where I thought about how I would leave so many comments on your work and what was going through your head that some weirdo was investing interest into subjects that seem so far removed from what the gallery reflects. That weird guy that talks a lot about your stuff to you for some reason. Like, I'm always relieved that I'm not considered a complete pig when people look at my gallery (especially by women). Not gonna lie, what you don't see here is well beyond the weird I already have up here and I draw that level of weird for myself as well. It's something I love, can't help it. But, it's not what I'm all about. It's not the only things that populate my thoughts. The request you allowed me is part of a story with imagery and themes that I would love to bring to life more than any piece of porn. It's my baby and so are many characters and stories I barely talk about or expose. That was a tangent, but having typed all that I'm not gonna delete it now. '>-> Anyway, it's nice to know that you didn't condemn me or that you're not trying to hold back bile when I communicate with you... at least I hope you don't. XD

Ehhhhhhhhh, don't worry about it. I know I'm being judged all the time. I just hope to get favorable judgement more often than not. Everybody does judge, but what I like to say about that is if one does they should think about what sentence they pass. Or better yet I forgot where I heard it but simply put it was "Judge slowly". If nobody did that, how the fuck are you supposed to feel ways about anything? On a serious note though, if there are ever any questions about what I draw and why I would gladly answer them. Weird fetishy stuff or not. Hell if one cares enough to ask sometimes it's worth it to answer. Just like the one who asked on my front page about why I'm nice to Satan and what religion I'm aligned with. That, on the other hand is kinda funny though. Thanks for giving me a chance as a person, I do appreciate it a huge amount.

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MMWoodcock In reply to ErnCer [2014-03-16 01:38:14 +0000 UTC]

NO, I am not holding back bile LOL Some of the characters are interesting just in form and shape, but I know that it erotica and that it is fetish-related. I have my preferences, but I guess the animal-morphing thing is crossing my boundaries I enjoy our conversations and not once has it ever been creepy or of sexual content— they are just criticisms and art-relations to the real world.

Everyone has there preferences when it comes to sex and sex-art. I guess my irritations comes from the men who draw erotica and get hugely popular for it. It sorts drives that objectification of women thing. They say they "love" women and respect women, but most of them aren't married or don't even have a girlfriend. It's not like they've ever had to please a woman or actually be one half of a working relationship. They "love" the women's perfect bodies that they DRAW— not the woman.

I know it's out there, so i've been told, but I don't see lots of women artists devoted to creating the "perfect" male's bodies in all their pictures and drawing them with 10x the normal dick size. I have seen a few female artists who draw tons of pretty boys who look gay and date women who look 15 which is another creepy, extremist-like fad/fetish I guess the male artists of erotica are to the point- pin ups, poster, etc. The women drag it out in a storyline of written porn rather than being all visual.

Anyways, your request is still sitting there unfinished. I will get to it, I promise. Probably on my spring break in a couple more months, I will continue painting her. I just ended up wanting short studies in between and got a commission or two out of it, so I ended up focusing on that instead and school work takes up a lot of my time.

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ErnCer In reply to MMWoodcock [2014-03-18 00:29:19 +0000 UTC]

Being not-creepy is good. XD There's no need to insert turn-ons into every conversation just because one has them. Yep, they have been interesting discussions so far if you ask me. You make it a real pleasure.

As for what you said about said kinds of artists, I really love how you put it. I told it to my roommate and she never really thought about it that way either. We were both like "Yea, that's right!", and you know you may have a point. Because I often wonder about the perspective of the artist on their subject. I'm very much for equality between sexes and genders and stuff. I can get into that kinda conversation very easily, so I won't start it on this string, hurr. But, I would love to talk about that with you someday on both fronts about guys and gals alike. Because crazy is everywhere and it can be really interesting when it's not straight up upsetting.

Don't worry about my request. I'm glad that you offered in the first place. Thrilled actually. If all I ever had was that rough I would be happy. It's not your job, and I can't afford to pay you so I have no looming thoughts in my head about what you "owe" me. Should I log in one day and I see Avye all gussied up and pretty because of you, it will be a heavenly surprise (see, that's a joke and stuff).

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MMWoodcock In reply to ErnCer [2014-03-18 00:46:15 +0000 UTC]

Sure, we can have that discussion anytime. Be warned that I become easily flustered. I am very opinionated XD I will note you my response to the current post bout Feminism "Why I need Feminism" or whatever. You will see what I mean lol

I will finish her. It might take 6 months, but it will happen Only a few times have i ever offered and not done it. Usualy the people become inactive by the time I go to respond/work on the request You're not going anywhere though, so it will happen!

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MMWoodcock In reply to Babbyran [2014-03-08 16:31:25 +0000 UTC]

Lots of dragons!

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MMWoodcock In reply to LadyKylin [2014-03-08 16:31:05 +0000 UTC]

Thanks, mi'Lady!

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MMWoodcock In reply to channellehazel [2014-03-08 16:30:43 +0000 UTC]

thanks, Channelle

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