Curse

Drelias Melaku · Nov 22, 2010, 05:09 PM // 17:09

Hello! Beautiful style - I love the way you paint and draw faces. I was wondering if 200k would be an acceptable offer for a full body Mesmer with a circus theme? Background can be simple, as long as it gives a sort of circus-y feel. I'll have refs up in a little bit (I need to start the tedious process of gathering all my references), but the brief overview is:
Dapper Top Hat, Elite Kurzick dress, Monument gloves, Deldrimor leggings, Primeval boots, and a red rose (rose focus).

EDIT: Huge overview of her outfit here. Sorry the picture is so big.

Trying to cover everything.
Face and hair
I'd prefer her hair to look like this under the top hat, if possible.

Thistle Xandra · Nov 22, 2010, 08:32 PM // 20:32

That first pic is gorgeous! I can't believe you're scrapping that D:

Invertation · Nov 22, 2010, 08:47 PM // 20:47

Phew. Even with the change of pace, this much keeps my sanity. I'll eagerly await more news.

Nian · Nov 23, 2010, 07:37 PM // 19:37

@Pery, frost, Tommy, Raven, IHk: Thank you <3 and good to get some opinions about which one you guys think works better too, thanks!

@Drelias Melaku: Thanks for interest! That actually looks like a very fun concept and the reference you provided is very good. I'll get back to you on that once I have time to move on my commish list.

@Thistle Xandra: Can't help it... I was just not very happy with it since the beginning and the colors and the design are all wrong haha. Couldn't get it to look like Invertation's assassin at all. Not sure if the new one does either but I shall try! x)

@Invertation: Sorry for taking my sweet time. Now I'm faced with yet another time thief since I also got left behind in my work and have to try to be super efficient every day. Haven't had time to draw the lineart to that sketch yet. I hate work when it's too hard lol...dangit.

My work is like an endless stream of tasks and there is no light at the end of the tunnel. I guess I just have to get used to this but I miss doodling at work when I had nothing else to do. ;_;

Drelias Melaku · Nov 23, 2010, 10:28 PM // 22:28

@Nian: Thank you! I'll set it aside until you're ready.

Moonstalker · Dec 04, 2010, 03:10 AM // 03:10

Photobucket seems to be down so I can't show you my character I would like to have done, but I have a commission request!

If you're okay with that, I'll PM you details when Photobucket loads for me

P.S
Amazing work! I love the monk portrait you did, it's absolutely phenomenal!

Richo · Dec 17, 2010, 03:54 PM // 15:54

Nian I am in need of some art, since your entry in 07 was great you were the first one i thought of when considering this, if you have time for this plz pm and we will talk about the details

entry 2007

Nian · Dec 20, 2010, 09:32 PM // 21:32

Hey all, Sorry for having been so unresponsive lately and not replying all pm's. I've been dealing with some health issues lately and have a lot of stress from work so.. barely no free time at all. Thank goodness for the Christmas holiday next week. Unfortunatelly I'm going away so no painting gear available. I'm pretty frustrated for not having time to draw but not much I can do about it. :s

I think I can not continue on with the commissions like this. Maybe at most I could do some simple sketches but right now I'm still working on the two commishes I already promised. Slowly...

some WIPs:

Aeronwen · Dec 20, 2010, 11:11 PM // 23:11

so lovely - but her skirt modestly defies gravity ^^

had another look and edited to say I really like this, love the whole mood of the pic.

Drelias Melaku · Dec 21, 2010, 12:52 AM // 00:52

I'm sorry to hear that.

I hope things get better for you soon!

That picture is coming along beautifully. Thank you for posting the works in progress, too - it's interesting to see the process. Picture three looks so glowy, and then to see the definition in the last picture - love it.

InfestedHydralisk · Dec 21, 2010, 01:57 AM // 01:57

I really like the glowy effect your pictures have. Looks amazing!
Sorry for hearing it's not going so well, hope you feel better soon.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aeronwen

so lovely - but her skirt modestly defies gravity ^^

I think that's intended to hide her underwear because I believe that would be in view.

Tommy's · Dec 21, 2010, 10:14 AM // 10:14

I hope you will feel better soon Nian

Have a nice holiday and take the rest you need! <3

Ravenhawk · Dec 28, 2010, 12:11 AM // 00:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nian

Hey all, Sorry for having been so unresponsive lately and not replying all pm's. I've been dealing with some health issues lately and have a lot of stress from work so.. barely no free time at all. Thank goodness for the Christmas holiday next week. Unfortunatelly I'm going away so no painting gear available. I'm pretty frustrated for not having time to draw but not much I can do about it. :s

I think I can not continue on with the commissions like this. Maybe at most I could do some simple sketches but right now I'm still working on the two commishes I already promised. Slowly...

No worries Nian! Just let me know whenever you're ready or want to resume our art trade again. Still looking forward to it hopefully someday but for now just get better and relax, that is the most important. *hug*

Nian · Dec 29, 2010, 06:07 PM // 18:07

Thanks guys.

Just a little note since I'm so inactive socially atm and I really can't help it. The health issues I mentioned are long term, I've always had them and recently a lot has happened and it's been so crazy and I feel like I tried so hard to accomplish many things all at once and I did but it's finally all coming crashing down and I'm just feeling really tired and worn down. It's not that serious, things are good actually but it's just making my pace of life much slower. *turtlish grin*
I'm afraid my thread might die at some point since Nolani is so active so I put my commission list and art trades up on DA:
http://neesa.deviantart.com/

I'm just being totally slow and all but I would love to still at any point to finish my art trades with you all, Tommy, mina and Shina~ Luckily you are all on DA so I will keep a task list up there too.

Edit: Oh yeah and I'm sorry if I've missed any important posts in Nolani. I've totally failed to keep track of anything that is not bombarded right in front of my nose... >.<

Perynne · Dec 29, 2010, 06:29 PM // 18:29

Nian, don't worry about us, we do understand. Your health is number one, and there's always time to do the art-trades a month, two months, or even a year or so from now. Or not at all, if you feel like it's too much for you.
Anyhow, you know how to reach me on several different websites. I'm always up for an art-trade with you, no matter how long it will take, and I will be patient. Just get yourself well first.

I believe I understand your situation pretty well. I was in something similar around the time I graduated. I have some permanent health problems that don't do well with stress, so having graduation, new job and huge changes in life nearly got me hospitalized. My one year stay in Australia was actually sort of like therapy for me.... nobody expected anything major from me for that year, and it let me take time off to put my life into perspective and regain some of my health. It helped me get back into drawing, which I'd completely stopped doing thanks to poor health.
I hope you'll find something to help you along too. *hug*

Nian · Dec 29, 2010, 07:18 PM // 19:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Perynne

Nian, don't worry about us, we do understand. Your health is number one, and there's always time to do the art-trades a month, two months, or even a year or so from now. Or not at all, if you feel like it's too much for you.
Anyhow, you know how to reach me on several different websites. I'm always up for an art-trade with you, no matter how long it will take, and I will be patient. Just get yourself well first.

I believe I understand your situation pretty well. I was in something similar around the time I graduated. I have some permanent health problems that don't do well with stress, so having graduation, new job and huge changes in life nearly got me hospitalized. My one year stay in Australia was actually sort of like therapy for me.... nobody expected anything major from me for that year, and it let me take time off to put my life into perspective and regain some of my health. It helped me get back into drawing, which I'd completely stopped doing thanks to poor health.
I hope you'll find something to help you along too. *hug*

Thanks Shinanai~ The trades are something I would really love to do though so I don't consider them a strain at all.

I think you know excatly what I mean haha. My situation is pretty much like you described. I have a permanent health issue with food. I've battled with it for 11 years now without knowing what causes it and it's gradually gotten worse. I see doctors a lot but I think I've FINALLY got a clue into what it is. I think I have a disease called fructose malabsorption aka anti-sugar-freak-disease and I've been learning the diet for it and it finally seems to be working. This thing is so diverse I originally thought I had several "different" problems but they are all coming together with this one condition(even the slight depression/anxiety). So I feel kind of like I had "battle exhaustion" lol because I can't believe I finally know how to take care of myself and how to live with this thing.

So this combined with the stress of graduating and getting used to "job life", worrying about a sick father and managing some love issues on the side... WHEW. Life can be tough sometimes lol! xD Luckily I still retain the love for drawing. Except I feel like a complete turtle in the speed department... It's taking me a whole lot longer to finish paintings now than it was before. Have to stop being a perfectionist and just... DRAW and not make everything a painting... Any tips on how to get faster at drawing are welcome!

Sorry for the little rant but your text made me feel a whole lot better so thank you. *hug* I hope all the best to you aswell and that you too keep strong while taking care of yourself. I'm glad you've gotten your drawing enthusiasm back.

InfestedHydralisk · Dec 30, 2010, 12:23 AM // 00:23

I guess doing some speed paintings would help. Set up a timer and stop when it's over. Redoing that will make you go faster I believe.

Perynne · Dec 30, 2010, 07:29 AM // 07:29

Oh yes, diet related health issues are so hard to get used to. I have milk protein allergy and IBS (which apparently is similar to fructose malabsorption, at least regarding symptoms). So yeah, I totally understand your pain.

Also, I hate how most doctors can't be bothered to take the time and make a proper diagnosis for smaller diseases like this. It took me 6 years to get the diagnosis for IBS, and all that time it felt like most of them didn't even bother to listen when I said that yes, there IS something wrong with me, I'm not coming here just to complain about a small stomach flu. Even now I don't get any kind of treatment for it, I've pretty much learned a good diet for myself through trial and error (and even so, during bad weeks or months, nothing helps).

Anyway, enough with the rant.

I think the idea of doing speedpaints is a good one. If you limit your time and learn to stick with it, you might start finding new ways of painting things faster. It looks like you're already a pro at sketching, so you should perhaps just practice working with colour and shapes instead.
Maybe even do a few pieces where you don't sketch the character beforehand, but instead just start working with solid blocks of colour and then go from there.

I'm glad I could help to make you feel better! And as cheesy as it sounds... always remember, you're not alone. Most people do understand how life can sometimes get in the way of doing things you'd rather be doing.

Nian · Dec 30, 2010, 03:52 PM // 15:52

@Infested: I have a super hard time forcing myself a time limit. I guess that's kind of part of the problem. Maybe I should give it a try. xD

@Perynne:
Oh dear, doesn't sound like it's a rose garden for you either. I had heard of the milk protein allergy from Noanoa before. I guess we both know what the word "pain" means, literally haha. I was already to the point where I would associate most fruit and all sweets with just flat out pain so that made it a little bit easier to get rid of the rest of fruit, onions and wheat from my diet. I had no idea they were such a big problem, esp. onions! It really is hard to link symptoms and the cause together but a elimination diet helped me do that. Life is a big trial & error...

Have to agree with you about the doctors though. These things are so incredibly common yet they are nto very well known at all and it's hard to get a diagnosis. I've been actively going from test to test for four years now too. Currently in the allergy hospital of Helsinki where they have taken me pretty seriously and I really appreciate that. I'm still self-diagnosed via the elimination diet but I'm trying to get the actual test done too.

Oh yes, before I forget. If you haven't yet heard of the low FODMAP diet then here's a link: http://shepherdworks.com.au/disease-...ow-fodmap-diet

This thing has been a real lifesaver for me and my sister. I even ordered some of the books by Sue Shepherd who is an Australian dietitian btw. The first one to have written cook books for people with IBS, celiac disease, lactose or fructose intolerance.

Sorry for the offtopic~

Verene · Dec 30, 2010, 04:07 PM // 16:07

Oh man, for as much as I whine about being lactose-intolerant, I've got it easy compared to you guys. I just have to limit how much dairy I eat so I don't get horribly sick to my stomach.

Though I also understand the long-term health issues thing, and how much it sucks. Both of my aunts are doctors, and last year they told me to go get checked out for hypothyroidism. I haven't yet (because my insurance sucks and I can't afford to go to the doctor...and because, quite frankly, I'm scared to), but I display almost every symptom of it. Including several of the more uncommon ones. It really explains pretty much...everything. Just need to go get that diagnosis and get treatment for it >.>

I also have a permanent back injury from a car accident I was in a few years ago, wooo.

Anyway, personally, I suck at speedpainting. I always want to go back and fix everything and make it perfect. If I want to get through something quickly, I sit down with a pad of paper and a pencil and just sketch. Don't go back to refine anything until later, don't even use your eraser, just sketch it out and set it aside.