Let out the ARTIST in you!!!!

[Gilliatt Gurgle]

Doh!

I think they only load on my browser because they are image-linked to another forum, where they are behind a firewall. I'll see what I can do to figure this out.

Any luck?

[Varenne Rodin]

She's not finished, but I like her and her little companion.

"Hybrid Hybird." An original character. Her name is Crane.

(I have to say all rights are reserved, or animation studios will steal her. This is happening to me here and there lately!)

[Maximilianus]

As usual, a most devastating hit to the senses, Var!!

Are you really being stolen your work? How outrageous!

[Varenne Rodin]

Thank you, Max! It's pretty silly, the art theft. It's been happening to lots of artists. People find pictures on the internet and share them and use them for whatever. I'm fine with stuff being shared. I like when people see my drawings and sculptures and things. I don't mind people printing my images out either. It's just perplexing when people put an image on sweatshirts or advertisements or in cartoons without mentioning the artist or sharing the profits, or asking if they're allowed to profit that way.

It's flattering when someone likes my art. I just want it to be associated with me always. You know?

[Snowqueen]

It’s a wonderful sketch, Varenne! Her little companion is very cute, what’s its name?

[Varenne Rodin]

Thank you, Snowqueen! I hadn't picked a name for him yet, but I've gotten some suggestions: Pea, Charlie, Jimmy, Ogg, and Pequot. I like them! It's tough to decide.

[Maximilianus]

Thank you, Max! It's pretty silly, the art theft. It's been happening to lots of artists. People find pictures on the internet and share them and use them for whatever. I'm fine with stuff being shared. I like when people see my drawings and sculptures and things. I don't mind people printing my images out either. It's just perplexing when people put an image on sweatshirts or advertisements or in cartoons without mentioning the artist or sharing the profits, or asking if they're allowed to profit that way.

It's flattering when someone likes my art. I just want it to be associated with me always. You know?

I get what you mean, Var. You're right!

Thank you, Snowqueen! I hadn't picked a name for him yet, but I've gotten some suggestions: Pea, Charlie, Jimmy, Ogg, and Pequot. I like them! It's tough to decide.

You can also call him 'Perkins' or 'Watson'

[Varenne Rodin]

Perkins!!!! That's the winner! I love it!

[Maximilianus]

Perkins will rawk the world!

[Varenne Rodin]

I have been working on my digital painting. This is the terrible beginning of a cat's eye...



This is the finished eye.



I feel good about it, but guilty for neglecting everyone while I do art things constantly. Hugs for everybody!

[Maximilianus]

Var, you don't know how not to be a perfect artist!!

What program did you use to do this? Just with the mouse or with a graphics tablet?

Hugs back!

[Snowqueen]

It’s marvelous, Varenne! Thanks for sharing. I was about to ask you the same question. How did you do it?

[Varenne Rodin]

Var, you don't know how not to be a perfect artist!!

What program did you use to do this? Just with the mouse or with a graphics tablet?

Hugs back!

Aw, Max. Thank you so much! I don't know about perfect, but I sure do love this stuff.

The smile faces crack me up.

I have a wacom intuos 9x12 tablet. I love it! I'm just learning how to use it. I made this picture on the "Paint.net" program.
Lots of layering, lots of colors. I never realized cat eyes could have so many colors inside.

What have you been up to, Max?

[Varenne Rodin]

It’s marvelous, Varenne! Thanks for sharing. I was about to ask you the same question. How did you do it?

Thank you, Snow!

Paint.net has been a great program for me because it's free. I'm told it's one of the next best things for people who don't have photoshop. I started off with big fat brush settings and just a few basic colors, then I went crazy with color in the tiniest brush size possible. Most of the time I had the "paint" set to 10-16 opacity so that my lines would be soft and light enough to kind of mimic fur and iris muscle stuff in the eye.

For realism I always look at photo references. I used to know of tutorials for how to do these cats eyes, but I'm blanking on where they were. I can't take credit for the idea for the process itself, but I can post some more of the in between pictures of THIS cat eye, if that would be of interest.

Thank you for asking me about this. I was scared that I would totally destroy the picture when I tried to make the eye look wet. Finishing the picture was a big relief. I'm glad it doesn't suck too bad.

[Snowqueen]

All your efforts have brought out fruitful results. The eye does look wet and amazingly realistic. I look forward to see more of your painting skills.