Mistle..too - and a Preview!

[Kalamos]

A seasonal pic to wish you guys a happy new year.
Things can get wild when mischievous pixies and drunken Santa elves tag along, for some not so innocent out-of-duty sole stroking fun.

...

This piece is a nod to the mistletoe joke, and allows me more than just wishing you a good yule time.

This is a preview to a forthcoming K-Zine, a collection of tickling and foot fetish illustrations, available - we hope - early 2007, from MTJ Publishing.

-> http://www.mtjpub.com

...

This is going to be my first fetish K-Folio, and we might release a second K-Folio e-zine, should sales figures be encouraging enough.

Yeah, I know: it's a shameless plug, but consider this: those last generation consoles are not going to cheer you up in the cold winter nights. 😉

And this e-zine is coming cheaper too.

...

😀

 

[Janus4385]

I don't have a personal sign of approval, but if I did I'd definetly give this a stamp 😀

Very nice! Both girls seem to be enjoying themselves... Hope everything turns out well with mtjpub(with the numbers anyway) 🙂

 

[Kalamos]

I don't have a personal sign of approval, but if I did I'd definetly give this a stamp 😀

Between you and me - and the lurkers out there - I'm not completely happy with how this pic turned out - I would like to change stuff here and there.
But I seldom am...

I should post stuff, and forget about it.
Luckily I don't delete my own pics, or nobody would ever get to see them!

...

I am happy about the filigree on the Elf's bodysuit.
I'll allow myself that.

But next pic I'm trying something different.

Very nice! Both girls seem to be enjoying themselves... Hope everything turns out well with mtjpub(with the numbers anyway) 🙂

Let us cross fingers.
When K-Folio is ready, only sales figure will tell.

🙂

 

[ILove2Tickle1]

Well, add another one who likes it, to your list. n.n Nice work.

 

[c_tickler]

Very nice Kalamos, love the elfish girl and her little boots (lol)

 

[Janus4385]

Between you and me - and the lurkers out there - I'm not completely happy with how this pic turned out - I would like to change stuff here and there.
But I seldom am...

You're being too hard on yourself, I think there's not one artist out there who is 100% satisfied with their own work. I know everytime I finish something and look at it, I see a few things I'd like to have done differently. Most artists don't re-do or change what they'd like to, either because they don't have the time or they get lazy, anyone of those two reasons seems fair enough to me XD Besides, I assure you that everybody else loves the pic just the way it is, look at it this way, if you actually got around to changing something, it would probably end up being a completely different pic. That's MHO anyway... :happy:

But next pic I'm trying something different.

I'll be eagerly waiting to see what you come up with then! XD

Let us cross fingers.
When K-Folio is ready, only sales figure will tell.

🙂

Only time will tell I guess, but my fingers shall be crossed for you. As I've said before though, an artist whose got talent on his side doesn't really need luck 😉 I'm sure it'll turn out great

 

[theteam1]

You are very talented.

Do you draw for a living?

If not then you should do, as your drawings are some of the best that I have ever seen.

Keep up the good work.

 

[Kalamos]

-> IL2T.

Duly added. Thanks. 🙂


-> c_t

😉


-> Janus.

Well, at least I manage to post pics at all, before my harsher side takes over, and start finding flaws in my pics.

Next pic I'd like to try something a tad more fanciful with camera angle.
Heck... there are a lot of fancier things I'd like to try out.
Gotta stick with the plan, before I get sidetracked on some other passing idea.

...

About talent, that is subjective: beauty lies, to some extent, in the eyes of the beholder.
Were I to draw tk pics in - say - early Lombard Renaissance style, it would not appeal to the majority of vocal users, who happen to be manga-fans.

Before somebody cries gaijin out, I'm not saying that Renaissance is good and manga is bad.
I'm just admitting I'm much less familiar and comfortable with manga style.
And I cannot predict how ppl would react to something "niche".

Especially with a commercial product, we have to strike a balance between innovation and emulation, between testing new things out and playing it safe.

...

Plus, I tend to speak my mind openly and the hell with consequences, on politics, religion, and... well.. just any kind of topic.
It's not like I make an active effort so ppl can love me a bit more...

😀



-> TheTeam

Oh! I was about to strike "reply", and miss your post out.

Thanks. Many thanks. 🙂
I'm glad you like my stuff.
I used to do reference illos for books and exhibits, a while ago.

Now, I'm about to release an e-zine I nicknamed "K-Folio", through MTJ Publishing, due for early 2007.

I'm still fixing stuff, and adding contents as we go - so if you, or anybody else, would like to request something to be put inside before it hits the e-shoppe, just call name.

🙂

 

[His Divine Shadow]

Rare is the artist (Around here, anyway) who is satisfied with their work (Or even mostly satisfied) all the time. I suspect, however, that your not liking it will only make you more focused on perfecting the work as it unfolds, something I now look forward to. K-man for '07!

 

[Kalamos]

I suspect, however, that your not liking it will only make you more focused on perfecting the work as it unfolds, something I now look forward to.

Perfect-ING being the key word. Or rather, the key tense.

...

Sometimes I scour the web for ideas, or new tricks to learn, and... well... I must resist the urge to throw everything I've done down the sink, and start a new career as a gerbil herder, flea sheperd or something like as art-removed as possible.

Some guys out there ply the trade of peinture like consummate professionals, to a level we can only dream of in our wildest fantasies.
While on high from hallucinogenous shrooms.

...

Sometimes it feels like sand. Trickling through my fingers.
Sometimes it feels like classifying snowflakes.

...

Then again it's just a pic. Have fun.
Somebody get me a cup of tea.

 

[somebody231]

Kalamos... you know what that is? That's yum! 😀

 

[Kalamos]

Kalamos... you know what that is? That's yum! 😀

Good! 😀

 

[Janus4385]

-> Janus.

Well, at least I manage to post pics at all, before my harsher side takes over, and start finding flaws in my pics.

Next pic I'd like to try something a tad more fanciful with camera angle.
Heck... there are a lot of fancier things I'd like to try out.
Gotta stick with the plan, before I get sidetracked on some other passing idea.

If it means more pics, then maybe you should give that harsher side of yours a vacation 😉

Camera angles are tricky, at least for me they are :laughing: I'd find it hard to believe if you told me that you don't use different angles for your pics on regular bases, or even that you're not proficient at it. So I'll wait and see the angle you come up with.

About talent, that is subjective: beauty lies, to some extent, in the eyes of the beholder.
Were I to draw tk pics in - say - early Lombard Renaissance style, it would not appeal to the majority of vocal users, who happen to be manga-fans.

Before somebody cries gaijin out, I'm not saying that Renaissance is good and manga is bad.
I'm just admitting I'm much less familiar and comfortable with manga style.
And I cannot predict how ppl would react to something "niche".

Especially with a commercial product, we have to strike a balance between innovation and emulation, between testing new things out and playing it safe.

Beauty is subjective, talent on the other hand, I believe is undeniable, otherwise, it is not talent. I for one, don't like landscape paintings all too much, still, when I see a good one, I cannot deny the talent of it's creator, so the way I see it talent is not subjective, as it doesn't really relate that much to taste. I may not be too much of an artist, but I do fancy myself to be quite a good observer, and I find that it's not that hard to tell when someone actually knows what they are doing, when they have just copied a pose and when they happenned to pick up a pencil and took a swing at a piece of paper 😛

About the appeal, you are right on the money I'd say :super_hap So perhaps playing it safe would be a smart thing to do, and introducing changes in small doses I'd say is pretty safe too... Oh, and anybody can cry gaijin if they want, but personally I prefer your style over manga by a mile!

Plus, I tend to speak my mind openly and the hell with consequences, on politics, religion, and... well.. just any kind of topic.
It's not like I make an active effort so ppl can love me a bit more...

😀

Yeah, you used to get into very long arguments/conversations if my memory doesn't fail me, it was a very entertaining thing really :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:

 

[Kalamos]

[Camera Angles]

If it means more pics, then maybe you should give that harsher side of yours a vacation

Well, I am no fool: I realise Umojar did a great job on his latest pic.
And other guys are quite cunning and brave and come up with ingenious camera jobs.

If it weren't for my harsher side, I would never try new things out.
I am not drawing for users alone.
I am drawing for myself as well.

Some viewers discriminate differently. Some value contents, some the involved characters.
Most have some kind of hot fantasy, and they rate a pic "awesome" by that fantasy.
And you can't tell what "awesome" actually means to them.

Besides, I'm too stubborn to jump the bandwagon, that's why I seldom draw "popular" chars at all.

😀

...

Besides, I once tried to draw stuff ppl had requested.
They gave me the cold shoulder.
It was depressing.

😀

...

I prefer your style over manga by a mile!

Well... first of all, I am probably older than your typical otaku.
And I tend to pick stuff up as I see it.

As a kid of 5-10 I did not get exposed to anime alone, but to american and european toons as well - back when drawers did not fake japan style to attract new generations of buyers.

When I was 10-15, my fave artist used to be Larry Elmore, from TSR's D&D books, and then, around 20-25, I was influenced by Italian mediaeval art.

...

That's, in way many more words than necessary, why I developed a different style from orthodox manga.

😀

...

Yeah, you used to get into very long arguments/conversations if my memory doesn't fail me, it was a very entertaining thing really

It wasn't just for fun.
I usually felt and believed in what I posted.

Maybe I try to be civil and remain calm. Not being a native is a prob, because the angrier I get, the looser becomes my grasp on English... so I have to mantain my composure.

But deep inside, I'm the "grab thy mace and smite thy foes" type.
Yeah, even a sword would be too refined to me, when I snap.

I hate the fact ppl can talk you down, without having to face you.
I feel it makes somebody bolder, cause they can't meet ppl face to face.

Then again, it probably makes me bolder as well, because I don't risk physical harm either.

...

At any rate, my only hope is getting better with drawings, cause nobody is gonna buy my comics just because they love me and my "mellow" attitude.

🙂

 

[Janus4385]

If it weren't for my harsher side, I would never try new things out.
I am not drawing for users alone.
I am drawing for myself as well.

And that is a good thing, drawing for yourself I mean, it's not like someone is paying you for it anyway(at least not yet 😉 ). Trying new things is good too, but I'm not sure if your harsher side is the best inspiration for such things, being too hard on yourself might lead to a bit of frustration. Or maybe it's just me lol XD

Some viewers discriminate differently. Some value contents, some the involved characters.
Most have some kind of hot fantasy, and they rate a pic "awesome" by that fantasy.
And you can't tell what "awesome" actually means to them.

Sad but true...

Besides, I'm too stubborn to jump the bandwagon, that's why I seldom draw "popular" chars at all.

There's plenty of people in the bandwagon, I find it refreshing when people do original chars, like Bandito and yourself do.

Well... first of all, I am probably older than your typical otaku.
And I tend to pick stuff up as I see it.

As a kid of 5-10 I did not get exposed to anime alone, but to american and european toons as well - back when drawers did not fake japan style to attract new generations of buyers.

When I was 10-15, my fave artist used to be Larry Elmore, from TSR's D&D books, and then, around 20-25, I was influenced by Italian mediaeval art.

...

That's, in way many more words than necessary, why I developed a different style from orthodox manga.

The first stuff I drew to post in here were actually anime style, and also known chars. I was already in the bandwagon, so I kind of jumped out(every now and then I get back in). Influences are very variable, mine was Ed Benes, I didn't get too much into art until I was 20, which is when I saw some of Ed Benes' stuff. That was what got me into art 😵 My dad used to do portraits and paint landscapes, which didn't really influence me too much, but it gave me a few good genes so I wouldn't suck too bad at drawing 😀

It wasn't just for fun.
I usually felt and believed in what I posted.

I meant fun for me... 😀

But deep inside, I'm the "grab thy mace and smite thy foes" type.
Yeah, even a sword would be too refined to me, when I snap.

I know, you wouldn't even consider killing a zombie with a sword. Apparently a mace is your weapon of choice for any situation.

I hate the fact ppl can talk you down, without having to face you.
I feel it makes somebody bolder, cause they can't meet ppl face to face.

And I hate ppl who have a god complex and can't resist arguing at anything... but I guess the net doesn't really let you avoid them all the time, does it? At least not if you like coming online. So there's some things you have to live with.

At any rate, my only hope is getting better with drawings, cause nobody is gonna buy my comics just because they love me and my "mellow" attitude.

🙂

Yeah, well, I don't think people buy FTKL's art because he's a very popular guy and a top poster on any forum. That's why I believe talent to be a much better weapon than any other.

 

[Kalamos]

being too hard on yourself might lead to a bit of frustration.

Frustration is an ever-present danger. Or, rather, a drawing artist's most faithful companion...

😀

...

You post a new pic, wait a few hours, you start wondering what's wrong with your art, then wait a bit more, a few of your own pals post a comment, you wait a few more days, then somebody else posts a new pic, your thread sinks down the list...

Sometimes I just feel like this:

-> http://www.cortlandcomic.com/d/20060330.html

😉


Seriously, it's tough gauging one's actual popularity from forum comments and hits alone.
And it's tougher when business relies on it.

There's plenty of people in the bandwagon, I find it refreshing when people do original chars, like Bandito and yourself do.

I'm not doing original chars. I don't even have a "signature" character, like Ozzy's, Tomato Dragon's, Pabuluz's and so on.

That was what got me into art 😵 My dad used to do portraits and paint landscapes, which didn't really influence me too much, but it gave me a few good genes so I wouldn't suck too bad at drawing 😀

😀

...

My old man used to draw a bit.
He would hold me on his knees, get a drawing board and start copying illos from off a book I had a small kid.

I know, you wouldn't even consider killing a zombie with a sword. Apparently a mace is your weapon of choice for any situation.

Woah, some good memory there... 😀

And I hate ppl who have a god complex and can't resist arguing at anything...

Hehehehe... now, you are giving me some funny memories.

Yeah, well, I don't think people buy FTKL's art because he's a very popular guy and a top poster on any forum.

Well, we do have our share of quiet yet talented artists.
Ozzy, for one. He hasn't posted in ages.
Corwin FT is another.

...

Maybe we have more, but I can't remember them right now.

That's why I believe talent to be a much better weapon than any other.

I still hold a mace to be an adequate weapon nevertheless.

😉

 

[Janus4385]

Frustration is an ever-present danger. Or, rather, a drawing artist's most faithful companion...

😀

...

You post a new pic, wait a few hours, you start wondering what's wrong with your art, then wait a bit more, a few of your own pals post a comment, you wait a few more days, then somebody else posts a new pic, your thread sinks down the list...

Sometimes I just feel like this:

-> http://www.cortlandcomic.com/d/20060330.html

😉


Seriously, it's tough gauging one's actual popularity from forum comments and hits alone.
And it's tougher when business relies on it.

Sadly, I know exactly what you mean...

I'm not doing original chars. I don't even have a "signature" character, like Ozzy's, Tomato Dragon's, Pabuluz's and so on.

Your characters may not have a backgroud story or make too regular appearances, however, I highly doubt those two in this pic for one are tinkerbell and her always faithful elven companion, so if they are not mainstream and have come from your imagination, they are original to me 😉

Woah, some good memory there... 😀

One of my VERY FEW good traits, and a useful one too :super_hap

Hehehehe... now, you are giving me some funny memories.

Yeah, enough to make a guy feel nostalgic isn't it?

I still hold a mace to be an adequate weapon nevertheless.

😉

I think you don't just want to kill your opponent, you want to make it as painful and messy as possible 😱 You should always remember one thing though, "Never bring a mace to a gun fight" lol 😀


P.S. I seem to have highjacked you thread and turned it into a conversation instead of an art thread, still, it's always nice to talk to someone who understands what you're saying, so I hope you don't mind :happy:

 

[Kalamos]

Sadly, I know exactly what you mean...

Yeah, every now and then it feels like being an arse pays more than being nice, and just keep drawing.
Then I think to myself: ok, "any publicity is good publicity", but what kind of image I want to give of myself?

Ppl ruined their own reputation, by constant arguing and name-calling.
Maybe ppl can't remember my name - boy, when they spelled my name wrong it was priceless - but at least they are not blacklisting it.

Your characters may not have a backgroud story or make too regular appearances, however, ... they are original to me 😉

Yeah, well, they are usually original down to the individual seam.
But they are not recurring chars, and ppl can't develop a strong visual link.

Ppl keep asking about Yenny, or Topin.
My recurring char is my armoured guy avatar... 😀

Oh, but I am going to capitalise on that.
Got a plated midget? Gonna make pics with that plated midget in!
And we'll see what ppl say.

🙂

One of my VERY FEW good traits, and a useful one too :super_hap

Yep! Remind me to never cross ya. Logging convos can be tiresome.

Yeah, enough to make a guy feel nostalgic isn't it?

Actually, those were TMF-related memories.
And not about me. About other ppl who got themselves into nasty arguments.
I wasn't even part of the gig back then.

I think you don't just want to kill your opponent, you want to make it as painful and messy as possible 😱

Maybe. It's not like hurting ppl is something nice, eh?
And besides, a mace is more suited to my shape and strength.
It's a matter of fulcrum and momentum.
Not some kind of "cleric syndrome"...

😉

You should always remember one thing though, "Never bring a mace to a gun fight" lol 😀

Tear gas. I would bring tear gas.

P.S. I seem to have highjacked you thread and turned it into a conversation instead of an art thread, still, it's always nice to talk to someone who understands what you're saying, so I hope you don't mind :happy:

You must be joking. 😀
Ppl hijacking art threads are a boon, not a curse.
We are keeping this thread alive, and giving ppl a chance to see the pics.

If I were to judge from the sheer number of unique users commenting on my pics, I should remove my stuff, and give up drawing for good!

😀

Just look at the thread list.
This is supposed to be a preview to a new artbook, and it struggled to reach 1000 hits.

Newer threads are underway to 1000, with more hits per day than mine.
That is what messes with statistics.
I get a fair amount of raw traffic on my Yahoo group, yet relatively few ppl comment on my art threads.
In busier moments, without continual bumping, they just get buried.

I recall Poisonous Monkey, on TMF, complaining because he used to post pics in batches of 5 or so, while other, in his eyes, cheated by posting a measly 1 or 2 per threads.
His threads got just so much exposure, before slipping down the list, as new 1-pic threads appeared or resurfaced.

The "friend factor" must also taken into account, especially when forecasting sales for a given product.

...

Seriously, keeping a thread afloat is an art in itself.
No wonder ppl get angry, when some random guy strolls by and buries everybody's stuff with the usual "this anime pic is new to me" thread.

🙂

 

[Janus4385]

Yeah, every now and then it feels like being an arse pays more than being nice, and just keep drawing.
Then I think to myself: ok, "any publicity is good publicity", but what kind of image I want to give of myself?

Another one of those things that adds to frustration. Not an easy thing to handle, makes you wonder if it's worth the hassle, doesn't it?

Ppl ruined their own reputation, by constant arguing and name-calling.
Maybe ppl can't remember my name - boy, when they spelled my name wrong it was priceless - but at least they are not blacklisting it.

Yeah, probably someday a someone is going to post one of my pics and go: -Hey, this is an old pic by a former artist named "jamus1949"-
I don't even sign half of my stuff, I figure that if my work isn't good enough for people to remember who the hell did it, then there's no point in reminding them(it's nice to see your own sig on a pic now and then though). I'm quite sure that people don't need to look at Tomato Dragon's sig on a pic to know he did it...

I do change my style every so often, so I guess I can't really expect anything like that until I've landed one, or until I get a lot better anyway

Yeah, well, they are usually original down to the individual seam.
But they are not recurring chars, and ppl can't develop a strong visual link.

Got a plated midget? Gonna make pics with that plated midget in!
And we'll see what ppl say.

I think your style is not easily mistaken, I've never seen a pic of yours and not known it's yours right away, maybe it's my memory, or maybe it's just that a visual link CAN be created from your work.

Your helmet online persona is widely recognizable, it should be interesting to see what you decide to do with it.

You must be joking. 😀
Ppl hijacking art threads are a boon, not a curse.
We are keeping this thread alive, and giving ppl a chance to see the pics.

I did think about that as a good thing, but still felt like I should ask... :super_hap

If I were to judge from the sheer number of unique users commenting on my pics, I should remove my stuff, and give up drawing for good!

Lurkers outnumber posters by a lot, and even posters don't always feel like replying, maybe they get lazy, maybe they didn't like the pic enough, or maybe they don't want to be the fifth person to write "Great job". If artists would quit because of that, then they'd be a dying breed. But as I said before, it makes you wonder if it's worth the hassle...

Just look at the thread list.
This is supposed to be a preview to a new artbook, and it struggled to reach 1000 hits.

Again, sad but true. Like you said before, what people think as "awesome" depends on a few things, and a known characters name does attract plenty more people than most other things. I once actually got very upset because a pic of mine got significantly more views than another one I saw which I believe is much better than mine, and this may sound strange, I know, but believe me, I did get upset; and mostly because I KNEW that my pic got more hits just because it was a well known anime character. I would have felt really mediocre if I had been happy about it. Once again you said it first, it messes up the statistics...

In busier moments, without continual bumping, they just get buried.

And that doesn't help to an artist's motivation either, it is a bit discouraging really... 🙁

The "friend factor" must also taken into account, especially when forecasting sales for a given product.

Very true. Popularity also increases the chances of a highjacked thread to be kept alive for a very long time. So being friends with someone who posts a lot isn't such a bad idea for an artist lol :laughing:

Seriously, keeping a thread afloat is an art in itself.
No wonder ppl get angry, when some random guy strolls by and buries everybody's stuff with the usual "this anime pic is new to me" thread.

🙂

And then the following 15 posts saying: -I had seen that before, but it's nice to see it again-

Yep, that's one of the reasons I don't really put very high expectations when it comes to feedback on my posts...

I just try not to give it too much importance this days :happy:

 

[Kalamos]

Not an easy thing to handle, makes you wonder if it's worth the hassle, doesn't it?

Well, when I asked for a personal gallery, they gave me one. No questions asked.

It is a matter of striking a balance: too little reputation, and nobody calls you for commissions and awards.
Too much [bad] reputation, and ppl won't do business with you.

It's a bit like a Jedi thing. 🙂

Yeah, probably someday a someone is going to post one of my pics and go: -Hey, this is an old pic by a former artist named "jamus1949"-

I became "kalamanos". 😀

I don't even sign half of my stuff, I figure that if my work isn't good enough for people to remember who the hell did it, then there's no point in reminding them.

I used to think the same way. But I'm having a change in spirit...

I'm quite sure that people don't need to look at Tomato Dragon's sig on a pic to know he did it...

He worked hard to get there.
We need to be persistent.
Frustration comes from half-arsed things. We must keep at it, throught the however bitter end.

I do change my style every so often, so I guess I can't really expect anything like that until I've landed one, or until I get a lot better anyway

I think your latest pic was fine. I really liked some of the details. The faces are especially gorgeous.

I think your style is not easily mistaken, I've never seen a pic of yours and not known it's yours right away, maybe it's my memory, or maybe it's just that a visual link CAN be created from your work.

Yep, but I/we need chars ppl can harbour fantasies for.
Popular heroines draw a lot of traffic.

Your helmet online persona is widely recognizable, it should be interesting to see what you decide to do with it.

Problem is, ppl can't identify it with me.
I mean, my screen name is not a "guarantee" for viewers, yet.

For some reason, I get relatively less random traffic from art threads, and more deliberate sign-ups, on my group.

...

I am not complaining. 😉
I'm just pointing out that I don't know how many ppl I am really drawing for.
Makes guessing a tougher job.

Lurkers outnumber posters by a lot, and even posters don't always feel like replying, maybe they get lazy, maybe they didn't like the pic enough, or maybe they don't want to be the fifth person to write "Great job". If artists would quit because of that, then they'd be a dying breed.

Well, they are missing the whole point.
A forum is not about quality alone. It is about exposure.
A guy re-posted a whole slew of pics from Lou Panther's.
Another bumped a thread from 12 months ago.

This is especially true with "crafted" stuff.
Bandito's threads are still on top, over TMF. And they stayed so for a while, over TTC.
MTJ issued new e-zines after Bounce Chix, yet ppl are bumping Bandito's threads.
His threads are staying the distance.

I once actually got very upset because a pic of mine got significantly more views than another one I saw which I believe is much better than mine, and this may sound strange, I know, but believe me, I did get upset.

Eh! 🙂
I know what you mean.

Very true. Popularity also increases the chances of a highjacked thread to be kept alive for a very long time. So being friends with someone who posts a lot isn't such a bad idea for an artist lol :laughing:

That's why I don't mind the odd troll too much. 😉
In a bump starved forum, even an insult is some kind of attention.

😀

Yep, that's one of the reasons I don't really put very high expectations when it comes to feedback on my posts...

I try to bump threads that strike me somehow.
I know how it feels.

😉

 

[DarthGrinn]

LOL I love how the santa elf is wagging the mistletoe between her toes. That little pixie looks like she's havin a good time lol.

Awesome work as always K-man 😀 wishin you and ur loved ones a happy new year!

 

[Janus4385]

It's a bit like a Jedi thing. 🙂

LMAO Who's a bigger geek... you for saying that... or me for getting it...???

No, seriously, I know what you mean.

I became "kalamanos". 😀

:laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:

That's just too much, I can't believe I missed that!

I used to think the same way. But I'm having a change in spirit...

And perhaps I will too someday. But for now, it mught actually be a good thing to stick with such ideology, it makes want to improve more and more 😉

He worked hard to get there.
We need to be persistent.
Frustration comes from half-arsed things. We must keep at it, throught the however bitter end.

I know he worked hard, don't get me wrong, I actually admire him very much. What I meant from that was that I'd like that kind of name for myself one day :redface:
And yes, persistence is a must

I think your latest pic was fine. I really liked some of the details. The faces are especially gorgeous.

Well thanks, but I've actually changed my style once again since I did those :laughing: ... I can email you a sketch or two if you'd like, so can see how much I actually changed it :super_hap

Yep, but I/we need chars ppl can harbour fantasies for.
Popular heroines draw a lot of traffic.

I did a strip with heroines, but being that it was u/b it didn't really get much attention.. I believe popular heroines plus feet tickling is the infalible formula here 😛
Popular heroines are not precisely original chars though, so that represents a slight problem in that department :grind_tee

I am not complaining. 😉
I'm just pointing out that I don't know how many ppl I am really drawing for.
Makes guessing a tougher job.

Oh, that's definetely a tough one. I did an anime pic that got almost 2000 views, and my next non-anime pic only got around 500, so, for me, guessing is not really even an option... it could just lead to disappointment...

This is especially true with "crafted" stuff.
Bandito's threads are still on top, over TMF. And they stayed so for a while, over TTC.
MTJ issued new e-zines after Bounce Chix, yet ppl are bumping Bandito's threads.
His threads are staying the distance.

Well, he's worked hard too. I think he deserves it. Plus, he's got one of those very unique styles, so he's work is quite appealing.

That's why I don't mind the odd troll too much. 😉
In a bump starved forum, even an insult is some kind of attention.

As long as too many people don't start posting in agreement with the troll I suppose you are right 😀

I try to bump threads that strike me somehow.
I know how it feels.

😉

That helps both the artist and some people who may have missed the thread and also happen to like the art in it, so bumping is a good thing when used properly 😉

 

[Kalamos]

LOL I love how the santa elf is wagging the mistletoe between her toes. That little pixie looks like she's havin a good time lol.

Egg-nog and mistle-toe. And fairy folks just lose it. 🙂
I sure had just as much fun, drawing this pic - and this is somewhat of an oddity to what I said to Umojar.

Actually, I pictured the elf after some girls I know/used to know.
That probably helped a bit.

....

If any of you guys like the way I draw feet, you must thank my latest model!
Cheers! 🙂

LMAO Who's a bigger geek... you for saying that... or me for getting it...???

Found guilty as charged.
I am a geek. A geek with a nasty attitude and CHA 14. But a geek nevertheless.

And perhaps I will too someday. But for now, it mught actually be a good thing to stick with such ideology, it makes want to improve more and more 😉

Eh! There is a good reason to that.
I usually sign my pics. A white or reddish purple K.
I did piece together a bunch of Poser pics, though, with no signature at all.

They are my most popular pics ever. They keep popping up, every now and then.
And ppl just love them, even though they don't know who did them.
Then I tell them, and things get suddenly cricket quiet.
Down to the rolling bush.

It's kind of... unsettling.

😀

Well thanks, but I've actually changed my style once again since I did those :laughing: ... I can email you a sketch or two if you'd like, so can see how much I actually changed it :super_hap

Sure. You know my email.
And if you don't, you can easily get it from my signature pic.

I believe popular heroines plus feet tickling is the infalible formula here 😛
Popular heroines are not precisely original chars though, so that represents a slight problem in that department :grind_tee

You could come up with a recurring female 'ler and put her in your fan-art.
After a while, ppl will start recognising her, and she'll develop a life of her own, beyond the mainstream genre.

Just think of Yenny: Ozzy features her in crossover situations thanks to plot devices like role-plays, drunken visions, dreams, and so on.

Oh, that's definetely a tough one. I did an anime pic that got almost 2000 views, and my next non-anime pic only got around 500, so, for me, guessing is not really even an option... it could just lead to disappointment...

There is more to that, though: if you want to squeeze hits out, you have to pay attentions to traffic spikes, holidays, and different time zones.

We live in Europe, and good posting times are different from America's.
You have to take that into account as well.

As long as too many people don't start posting in agreement with the troll I suppose you are right 😀

To some extent!
Just look at this from a different point of view.
Posting takes time. And ppl surfing TTC and TMF often do so in awkward positions. I call it "one-handed surfing", and won't dwell on it any longer.

When somebody takes the time to post, he/she/it is making an *active* effort.
The worst ppl can do, is denying you a comment, and therefore, exposure.
It is all about "damnatio memoriae".

That's why trolls eventually do more good than harm - and mods deleting or closing threads can actually hinder you.
It happened before.
Just ask Poisonous Monkey about his Golden Feather Award.

😉

 

[Janus4385]

Found guilty as charged.
I am a geek. A geek with a nasty attitude and CHA 14. But a geek nevertheless.

There's geek inside all of us, some just hide it better than others... I'm a bit of a geek myself, but I assure you it's not really something people can tell by the way I look... 😛

Eh! There is a good reason to that.
I usually sign my pics. A white or reddish purple K.
I did piece together a bunch of Poser pics, though, with no signature at all.

They are my most popular pics ever. They keep popping up, every now and then.
And ppl just love them, even though they don't know who did them.
Then I tell them, and things get suddenly cricket quiet.
Down to the rolling bush.

It's kind of... unsettling.

I usually kill my own threads for some reason, so unfortunately, I know exactly what you are saying... :umm:

You could come up with a recurring female 'ler and put her in your fan-art.
After a while, ppl will start recognising her, and she'll develop a life of her own, beyond the mainstream genre.

Just think of Yenny: Ozzy features her in crossover situations thanks to plot devices like role-plays, drunken visions, dreams, and so on.

That is an interesting idea, and I just might listen... Still, I'd like to consider other approches, woulnd't like to feel like I'm just copying someone else 🙂

There is more to that, though: if you want to squeeze hits out, you have to pay attentions to traffic spikes, holidays, and different time zones.

Surely, but I'd rather be able to keep a thread long enough so that all this timing and study don't affect the outcome as much.

I call it "one-handed surfing"

😱 That is an image that shall stick with me for a very long time... I certainly didn't need that... it's funny though... but disturbing... funny nontheless... but disturbing... it's still funny... and also disturbing........ funny...

LMAO

The worst ppl can do, is denying you a comment, and therefore, exposure.
It is all about "damnatio memoriae".

Well, yes, and that's the kind of thing that leads to stuff like "kalamanos" :laughing:

Being forgotten is really not a nice thing for an artist :umm:

I wonder, if we got 50 different replies in a thread, would we be satisfied, or would we want even more...? I mean, at least I haven't had the tough luck of producing a "lemon", yet lol :laughing: So it's not that bad I guess

 

[Kalamos]

I'm a bit of a geek myself, but I assure you it's not really something people can tell by the way I look... 😛

Well, I don't mind how ppl look much.
This is the web: I could as well be a magic blue cat, a wrinkly granny, or an empty suit of armour.
Nobody can really tell.

...

I don't look like a geek much myself, but would not be able to say what I look most like.

That is an interesting idea, and I just might listen... Still, I'd like to consider other approches, woulnd't like to feel like I'm just copying someone else 🙂

Well, in a way we are copying somebody else: we are always resting on the shoulders of our drawing forefathers.

Surely, but I'd rather be able to keep a thread long enough so that all this timing and study don't affect the outcome as much.

I see your point, but consider this: you botch the timing, and other threads bury yours, shoving it down the list.
On busy weeks, new threads can push your thread down to page 2, and that means that ppl have to look for it on purpose.

This is doubly true on TMF, since they have a different layout for threads, and only the latest ones do show on the main list.

😱 That is an image that shall stick with me for a very long time... I certainly didn't need that... it's funny though... but disturbing... funny nontheless... but disturbing... it's still funny... and also disturbing........ funny...

Disturbingly funny.

...

Speaking of images, I am glad that you sent yours along.
Thumbs up.

Being forgotten is really not a nice thing for an artist :umm:

Being remembered as a trouble-maker ain't better, though.

I wonder, if we got 50 different replies in a thread, would we be satisfied, or would we want even more...? I mean, at least I haven't had the tough luck of producing a "lemon", yet lol :laughing: So it's not that bad I guess

Eh!
It is not like we can choose to stop receiving comments.
Threads tend to have a life on their own.

If I stopped replying, for instance, I would have no guarantee that ppl would not bump my threads, in my days or months.

Sure: if you don't want to hog all the exposure, you can wait a bit before replying.
If you got your share of comments, and see a new threads with a nice pic, you can comment on it, so the new thread gets a bump.
When replying to multiple threads, you can reply to yours first, and to the least popular last, so it gets more exposure.

There are a lot of ways to hog exposure or to share it with others.
I don't know about other ppl; I do try and give other ppl a chance, even though I hate it when somebody bumps an old popular thread from page #10.

😀