Isostrat
The shot:
I cleaned up the GUI style image so that it could stretch (beats actually solving the problem 'eh) and implemented mouseclick collision with the gui element. Or elements, if there were more. I didn't have much time or energy for coding this week though, so nothing else to share.
Digital Painting
I did tons of painting, though!
First, a vaguely Lovecraftian monster because I realized that all I've been drawing lately is robots and stuff so I though it'd be nice to do something organic:
(Laura said it looks cute. Can't say I disagree.)
Note the colors used in the above picture, that spaceship I made a while ago, and the Alien Robot picture -- this is like my green and purple period or something. Weird. I just never used much of that low saturation dark green and purple and I've discovered what lovely colors they are for drawing cold, alienating subjects. Or something. Or even better, compare the Lovecraftian Monster and the Alien Robot -- numerous tentacles/arms, multiple glowing cyan eyes; I realize now that I drew the same thing over again in organic form. Wild.
And here are a bunch more paintings I did:
All of the top and bottom right was experimentation and messing around to make content for Delta Spire. I'm trying to loosen it up a bit, actually finish paintings, and embrace cheesy Skiffantasy, laser swords and 5-ton shoulder pads and all. Hmm, and the girl/robot picture is probably the most Anime thing I've ever drawn.
The portraits in the lower left were some test shots for a client who wanted, uh, portraits. Finally I think I'm finally getting the hang of drawing faces decently -- the actual portrait I did turned out very, very nicely, if I may say so; I'll have it up in my portfolio soon enough. The goblins were inspired by my Aragon Online game; though I almost thought I'd have to give it up when my army got totally thrashed and my goblin priest's loyal bodyguard got whacked, rendering the portrait obsolete, but it turns out he lived. Good.
(Bloody Dwarven infantry. They're tougher than they look.)
Freelance Work
For all my previous existential angst, I've been really busy this week and am getting all kinds of work from all kinds of clients -- they're coming to me now, I don't have to beg for jobs! Heh. It's fascinating, but it looks like I can get away with doing freelance graphics for a living (and about time -- I'm also looking for an apartment, not that apartment hunting helps with freelance work time).
I guess it's just a matter of building both a portfolio and credibility by taking jobs - and taking them cheaply. Still, I'd rather be doing artwork than working in retail, if that's what it came to, even if I make the same amount of money on average. I love doing art; The more I do, the better I get, the more credibility I have, the more I'll be able to ask for it, etc etc.
(I'll make the nerdiest analogy ever here, but you're all gaming geeks so you'll understand. Doing this work is like an RPG -- at first you start out bashing rats with a rusty stick for pennies, but you keep at it, get experience and loot, advance your (art) skills and reputation with the local game designers guild, start getting bigger jobs, fatter loot ... )
Of course, it's when I start to actually have to get choosy about clients then I'll know I've made it for real.
In all I've been busy and feeling good for it.
