Curse

Bestian Trueflight · Nov 14, 2008, 02:04 PM // 14:04

Hey all,

...Okay, I'll cut to the chase. I've been drawing dragons since I could hold a crayon, knights since I first read The Hobbit and weapons since...forever. Recently, I've been exercising my wrist drawing characters for my guild; until a few days ago, a friend recommended I had a look here and considered commissions.

...Wow. The first thought that came through my head was "I'm out of my league here." Nevertheless, I thought I'd try my hand. I'll be uploading any GW fanart I draw (apologies for any temporary retina damage caused), along with the occasional generic fantasy/DnD picture. I'm not doing this to earn money - I'm a good way away from being commission-worthy - I'm here for ideas and constructive criticism. If, however, someone would like their character drawn; it'd be my pleasure and honour to give it a stab. Just don't set your hopes too high.

Something to keep in mind - I do not have photoshop, but the considerably inferior paintshop pro 7 - which is why a large number of my coloured pictures look a little "off."

So far, the lineup for commissions is:
Azazel the Assassin - Ranger, finished, FREE
Little Shenanigan - Monk, finished, FREE
Azazel the Assassin - Necromancer +limited background, finished, 8k
Chicken of the Seas - Mesmer and Paragon, finished, 10k
Azazel the Assassin - Ritualist, cancelled / on semi-permanent hiatus.

Lector G - Dervish, not yet started, 5k - cancelled, Commissioner appears to have stopped playing gw / stopped visiting the forum / died
Smilin' Assassin - Assassin (funnily enough), not yet started, 5k
Azazel the Assassin - Assassin, not yet started, 5k
Krazy Kat - Monk and Warrior, not yet started, 10k
Zodiac Meteor, Assassin, not yet started, 5k
Valeria, Necromancer, not yet started, 5k
Kylanf, group picture, not yet started, 35k

I'm thinking for prices I'll use a similar model to Tzu's:
Static character (head to knees, normally) - 5k
Dynamic character (combat poses, skill activation, et cetera) - 6-10k, negotiable depending on difficulty
Those prices assume you want the picture coloured. If you'd rather just have a lineart/shaded version, the cost is half price.

As I promised, Azazel and Shenanigan's first requests are free. I'll also happily attempt one more for free - after that, I'm afraid I'm going to start charging, and see how it goes. If there's no interest, I'll likely revert to pumping out freebies.

Pictures completed:
H O T Blades (Assassin)

Azazel the Assassin (Ranger)

Little Shenanigan (Monk)

Azazel the Assassin (Necromancer)

Chicken of the Seas (Paragon and Mesmer)

Quote:

Originally Posted by some samples of previous works

Starting with something old; this was from 2005 if memory serves.
Something that started as Devil May Cry fanart, then took a life of its own.
My first serious dabbling in dragons.
Partially inspired by primeval warrior's armour, but the similarities end there. Please pardon the..."interesting" pose.
Having realised that gigantic scaly lizards are somewhat easier than people, I returned to dragons.
Finally, we get into true fanart. This was a first ever attempt, mind.
A slight evolution pose-wise, but the lineart was still abhorrently blocky and thick.
Just to prove that I am still capable of using a pencil, in addition to a mouse.
My crowning glory in terms of SFX, in my opinion.
The background is a shamelessly copied screenshot - something I'll keep out of "proper" pieces.
This was meant to be a wallpaper for a friend; hence the large empty space.
A return to dragondom, just to show some new techniques I've picked up.

And finally, the most recent piece - the one that led to me coming here.

I have two online galleries, my Elfwood account, and my DeviantArt gallery.

distilledwill · Nov 14, 2008, 02:54 PM // 14:54

Theyre pretty cool! Its nice also that you posted them so we can see how you've improved and got today. I love the ice dragon one!

Sindy · Nov 14, 2008, 03:19 PM // 15:19

Nice work! I like that ice dragon one too =)

I've never used paintshop pro, but have you tried GIMP? It's free and many people use it as an alternative to photoshop. Not that I really see anything wrong with the coloring you have.

[Morkai] · Nov 14, 2008, 03:34 PM // 15:34

I'm liking what i see. Good work.

You should draw up a commissions price list, as you may have some work headed your way.

Bestian Trueflight · Nov 14, 2008, 04:43 PM // 16:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by Berek

I'm liking what i see. Good work.

You should draw up a commissions price list, as you may have some work headed your way.

Thank you!

I really wouldn't know where to start; or how much people'd offer. What would you say a background-less colour picture is worth, approximately?

Mr. Fish · Nov 14, 2008, 07:50 PM // 19:50

Nice work.
I feel that the best characteristic of your art is the amount of effort you put into it. Youre hard work and the amount of time you spend on a piece of art really shows. There are many artists who have more experience/knowledge in drawing then you do, but not nearly as much patience, and that is the most valuable trait of an artist. You could be the best artist in the world in terms of skill, but if you never put in the effort and patience required, you will never shine. You have excelent potential, and without a doubt could become an amazing artist if you keep up that effort.

- ><>

Konig Des Todes · Nov 14, 2008, 10:05 PM // 22:05

Very nice work, I like that last dragon head.

I would consider commissions, really wanting a picture of my Necromancer, Assassin (with Black Widow), Ranger(with Dune Lizard), and Ritualist. But I've been short on cash recently - due to finishing up my elite armor set(s) and putting some away for a future event that my guild will be hosting.

Bestian Trueflight · Nov 14, 2008, 10:32 PM // 22:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Fish

Nice work.
I feel that the best characteristic of your art is the amount of effort you put into it. Youre hard work and the amount of time you spend on a piece of art really shows. There are many artists who have more experience/knowledge in drawing then you do, but not nearly as much patience, and that is the most valuable trait of an artist. You could be the best artist in the world in terms of skill, but if you never put in the effort and patience required, you will never shine. You have excelent potential, and without a doubt could become an amazing artist if you keep up that effort.

- ><>

So what you're saying is not that my art is any good, just that I'm persistent.

I jest - thank you for the comment. It's inspiring, especially when surrounded by the other artists' somewhat dauntingly good art.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Azazel The Assassin

Very nice work, I like that last dragon head.

I would consider commissions, really wanting a picture of my Necromancer, Assassin (with Black Widow), Ranger(with Dune Lizard), and Ritualist. But I've been short on cash recently - due to finishing up my elite armor set(s) and putting some away for a future event that my guild will be hosting.

Well commissions are certainly a possibility - it'd beat farming. But for now, I'm happy to just draw peoples' characters for free / as gift art. It gives me material to work with and is a good cure for artist's block. So if you want to post some images of your characters here, I'll give it a shot. Of course, if this attracts attention and a lot of people are interested, I may start charging for them - does, say, 10-20k sound reasonable, or is that too much?

Bestian Trueflight · Nov 14, 2008, 10:35 PM // 22:35

Oh, and this is another piece of gift art I've just finished for a guildmate. The face did not go according to plan (blond hair is horrible to draw, as are male faces in general), but I like to think the flame effects aren't bad:

Konig Des Todes · Nov 15, 2008, 01:18 AM // 01:18

Ugh, I typed out a whole thing and it didn't seem to go through. -__-

Ok, let's start over!

I'll take you up on the free commission offer. If you change your mind, tell me price. Also, my Ritualist and Ranger don't have their planned armor yet, so I'll link you to wiki.

Anyways:

Necormancer:
Pose:

Closest that I can get. Basically, I want him standing with his right arm as shown holding a Dread Mask - red color. In his left hand I would like a Deldrimor Staff.

Extra Pictures:

Assassin:
Pose:

Closest I can get to what I want. Just have his right hand on the ground - kind of looking like he is ready to go into a sprint from sitting. And have a Black Widow on his left shoulder (or however much it needs to look accurate in size). Also, a Deldrimor Dagger in his Right hand (left hand empty).

Extra Pictures:

Ritualist:
Pose:

This is exactly what I want for his pose. Just have him in Obsidian Armor and have a Tengu Staff in his right hand.

Extra Pictures:

Ranger:
Pose:

Sorry for the affects in the pictures, but this is the pose I want. Would like him in Ancient Armor. And the Dune Lizard at his feet as shown. And, if you're able to show what bow he is using, Rotwing Recurve Bow.

Extra Pictures:

I would like them in 4 different pictures, or far enough apart to split myself, as they will be going on my wiki user page. ^^

As for your pricing, I think Tzu has a good pricing, so you can look at that for a basis to go off of.

Bestian Trueflight · Nov 15, 2008, 04:12 AM // 04:12

Oh, and another question - can you tell me exactly what armours those are? I can copy them as it is, but often it's easier if I know what they are, and find myself a high-res image on wiki, or a 3D model in my alliance.

~Alex

Konig Des Todes · Nov 15, 2008, 04:19 AM // 04:19

Necro=Elite Profane dyed red+brown
Assassin=Elite Canthan dyed red
Ritualist=Obsidian dyed red is what I would like
Ranger=Ancient *guess dyed red too, haven't figured what color to dye it yet >.>*

Bestian Trueflight · Nov 15, 2008, 04:51 AM // 04:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Azazel The Assassin

Necro=Elite Profane dyed red+brown
Assassin=Elite Canthan dyed red
Ritualist=Obsidian dyed red is what I would like
Ranger=Ancient *guess dyed red too, haven't figured what color to dye it yet >.>*

Gah, should've waited for your reply. I just started drawing your ranger, but in my eagerness, didn't notice the hyperlink and started drawing him in frostbound armour, as in the picture:

I can continue with that if you wish, or I can try to adapt it to ancient armour (although in that pose, that'd be rather difficult). Your choice.

Bestian Trueflight · Nov 15, 2008, 04:56 AM // 04:56

Ah, another thing - for patriotism purposes, would you like your guild cape to be worn in the pictures? And if so, obviously - I need a picture of it.

Konig Des Todes · Nov 15, 2008, 05:04 AM // 05:04

First, I like the positioning in that rough.

Second, either or works I guess (although my ranger currently has regular Fur-Lined), I would prefer Ancient so that it works out once I have my Ranger's armor done.

Third, sure, the cape on at least the necromancer would be nice. I originally kept it out because I thought the requests above were complicated enough.
Here's the cape:

Bestian Trueflight · Nov 15, 2008, 05:26 AM // 05:26

Alright, well whilst I was waiting for your reply, I started over anyway, and got the same pose but in something resembling Ancient armour:

Sorry if he looks a little Stalin-esque at the moment - because it's pure lineart, his 'tache stands out like a vegan in Texas.

Little Shenanigan · Nov 15, 2008, 09:07 AM // 09:07

hello
beautiful artwork.
i am interested in a commission of my monk. if you decide on a price, please let me know. thanks

Bestian Trueflight · Nov 15, 2008, 10:33 AM // 10:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Little Shenanigan

hello
beautiful artwork.
i am interested in a commission of my monk. if you decide on a price, please let me know. thanks

For now; free but donations appreciated. Give me some screenshots and requests for pose/equipment/mood etc, and I'll get to work.

@Azazel
I've made some progress:

It's pretty much ready for detailing, inking and colouring - any requests / things you'd like changed before I do so? I'm aware the lizard still needs work.

Also, does this character have a name?

~Alex

Bestian Trueflight · Nov 15, 2008, 10:34 AM // 10:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Little Shenanigan

hello
beautiful artwork.
i am interested in a commission of my monk. if you decide on a price, please let me know. thanks

And where are my manners!? Thank you for the compliment.

Little Shenanigan · Nov 15, 2008, 11:58 AM // 11:58

that's nice that you're offering to do it for free.
this is my monk, Spoon Legs

thanks so much for doing this.

and i like the lizard. it looks like one of your dragons