Life in Orbit

Some Idea Generators for the Creative Artist and Writer!

aftertouchs:

So I’ve been playing around with developing scenarios in my head to draw out, but I wanted to hunt down and see if there were some more creative ways to do that. After a bit of research I found a few really nifty websites and generators that might be helpful for people to get their creative juices going with prompts of all kinds! 

http://chaoticshiny.com/index.php

This is more fantasy oriented, with a slew of generators for such stuff as names, magic, places, even religion!

http://www.seventhsanctum.com/

A little more general, this site has a great array of categories.

http://3ch.redwhirlpool.com/3CH/

This one is a classic, commonly used to create speedpainting subjects. Some of the combination can be unintentionally hilarious.

http://blacklobsterblog.com/2012/07/illustration-prompt/

Similar to 3ch, with a nicer UI.

http://www.archetypewriting.com/muse/idea_generators.htm

The site says its for writing, but their can be easily translated to visual media, and looks ridiculously good for worldbuilding and storybuilding as well. I really like the plot scenario generator and the everyday problems generator, they seem like loads of fun.

http://www.magatsu.net/art/index.php

This is a bit more art oriented, you can use either simple or elaborate prompts to get ideas flowing about how to tackle an art piece, or what sort of subject matter or mood you want to convey.

http://www.magatsu.net/coolbits/

This is more of a story generator, and it’s remarkably in-depth with the premises it creates.

http://www.magatsu.net/kinkfic/

If your stories tend toward the adult end of the spectrum, this is a good generator for you. Similar in setup to coolbits!

I hope these help someone out there to get some fresh ideas or maybe even spark a story or illustration or two!

moonjellybeans:

natashakline:

For all the artists out there. xoxo

I would love this on a poster. <3
This is why I’m really grateful I have a webcomic going right now, because no matter what, I’m always working on something, and most of the time it does challenge me, especially those more elaborate environment shots.

(via tennine)

elioli-art:

ELIOLI tutorials and processes

A Whole ‘Lotta Tutorials, Y’all.

We should mention that all of these were done in Photoshop CS3 and Paint Tool SAI!

This time, it’s all combined into one, if anyone were to reference these… if any at all!

Oh and sorry if you can’t read the first one too well (really old one), but you get the idea!

(via fizzsup)

do you have any advice you wish you knew/ were glad to have before you started drawing your comics?

onorobo:

I got this ask on lineplay, but I thought that it was a really good question! *__* I realize I’m still a beginner and I myself have a lot to learn about making comics, but I sincerely hope that someone may be able to find a grain of something useful in my reply:

“do you have any advice you wish you knew/ were glad to have before you started drawing your comics?”

Hmmm I think it’s important to remember who you’re drawing this for. There were a lot of times I almost changed something because I was worried others wouldn’t like it. But at the end of the day, a comic is just too fucking much of a hassle to ever do for anything other than personal enjoyment.  Please keep your interests in mind and try not to worry about what others are into! >w<

My other point to impress upon anyone trying to make a comic is kinda obvious but really important!!! If it’s a long comic, you’re going to improve! You might look back and really hate the early pages. Please don’t freeze, don’t beat yourself up over the style, the story, or the art. Please do try and make it the best it can be, but please please please don’t beat yourself up (this applies to art in general and not just comics) because eventually that part of you is gonna chip away and win. And then you hate your stuff too much to even bother improving and it’s just BAD NEWS!!;;; Take pride in your art! Because everyone has something valuable to offer! 

You should keep in mind that mistakes are normal, and a lot of readers really enjoy seeing art improve as it goes on! If there’s something giving you trouble, try to remember that a comic is a long project, mistakes are okay, the fact that you recognize them is a healthy sign of improvement, and that a comic is about the larger story, not necessarily each individual page! > w <

And just for fun, a comparison of the first page of StTA I ever did, and it’s 3rd version equivalent

First version of StTA

Third version of StTA. > w<;;;

Good luck, comic sweeties! I know you can do it!

(edit: if anyone can explain to me why the line spacing on this post is so messed up, I would be glad to hear it.  ;*__*;)

manalon:

First of all, thanks!

Basically I tend to use geometric shapes in order to help me visualize and build up forms (like most other, I believe). I also like to feel I can handle what I’m drawing in 3D and am able to understand it from all angles.

When it comes to heads I use the common circle. After dotting out the eyes and eyebrows I like to figure out the chin and the cheeks (with muzzles I usually locate the base then extend the chin from there and connect it with the nose).

I have a rather wonky way of drawing out the head though, and always fill it out some more at the back of the head once I’m done with the face.

Can’t say that this is recommendable and I’m hoping to unlearn it.

I tend to start with the head usually and it all works out from there, but if I start from the chest, spine or whatever I often mess up since I then make the head too darn big afterwards.

Anyway, I use a model for heads (humans anyway) that is mostly inspired and leeched off of Gottried Bammes. The most noticable thing I picked up from him though, rather than every other head model you can find, was how he marked out the eyebrows. Nothing fancy, but it made sense to me.

Other than that, I’m just being anal and like to be able to handle heads from most angles, since it can do so much to enhance a feeling or an expression. Still have major trouble with angles from underneath, or frogs eye view. It’s hard stuff and makes me pull my hair, but I try to keep at it!

espeonchan:

Progress takes time, but working hard has its rewards c:

(via perciwhale)

marasbazaar:

Ron Swanson, the voice of wisdom.

(via chirart)

Made rebloggable by request

baruyon:

Thanks a lot! (I was confused when you said ‘girl in front of the refrigerator’, then I realised it was the drawing of a girl in front of a window… but it does look like a fridge haha)

Well I use Paint Tool SAI, so I dunno if it’s like Painter in any way, so I’m just going to go through what I do and hopefully Painter has a similar alternative!

For the watercolour look I use the ‘Ol Water’ brush like so:

I have the colouring layer set to ‘Watercolor B’ for an extra watercolour-y look.

Okay, so now I bucket  fill the layer with colour (usually white or off-white) and begin blocking in the basic colour.

Using the Ol Water brush I begin to blot the edges of the colour outwards. It’s important to not overdo it or use too big a brush otherwise it looks weird. Also make sure the Ol Water brush is set to the colour that you’re blending out from.

I try and make sure there are no more than like, two or three colours being blended at once, otherwise it looks muddy. Blending completely contrasting colours is the worst with this, but you can kinda make it work if you choose the right shade.

I hope that helps a bit! Sorry if it’s confusing, it’s hard trying to explain the processes you don’t really think about when you’re doing them, if you see what I mean. Anyway thanks for the question! :>

matuska:

wannabeanimator:

lizwuzthere:

pixiepunch:

oooo very very interesting.

rrrrrrrrrrrrRRRRRREFERENCE

This is one of the best design lessons you can ever learn. Straights vs. curves.

gfghhff those illustrationsss hffff

(via martwhim)

kaiami:

I know a ton of you have been waiting for this one. Teaching you to make your own plastic keychains!

To start off, I think the biggest question everyone has is what I use to make them. I work with shrink film. You might be familiar with Shinky Dink brand shrink film as a kid. I use Grafix brand white inkjet shrink film. The inkjet kind is relatively pricey compared to the regular kind. If you’re using regular, I don’t recommend you stick it in your printer. Sharpie markers would be good for that.

Alright, now open up the file with the images that you’re working with. Make sure your images are a lot bigger than you want your finished product to be since they shrink significantly.

You’ll also want to lighten the opacity to about half. I go somewhere between 50-60%.

Now print your image out! I’ve found that it works best for me when I have it at the plain paper setting, and standard print quality.

Holepunch with a 1/4” holepuncher BEFORE you shrink them. It’s so much more work to have to punch holes when your plastic is thick!

Cut out your design, leaving the amount of border you want.

Set them on a tray for convenience. An aluminum foil sheet works too, but I recommend cookie trays because they are easier and quicker to get out of the oven.

Preset heat. Your shrink film package will tell you what temperature to set it at, but I find that it isn’t always accurate for me. I generally set temperature to 350 degrees or so.

Put them in the oven. Remember to keep track of time! I leave them in for about a minute and a half.

After time is up they should be super small! Magic!

If your charms are not flat, put something heavy on it right out of the oven when they are still hot and malleable.

If you’d like to, you can seal them now. In my last two batches, I used clear topcoat nail polish. The problem with that is that I need between 3-5 coats of it, and it takes a while to dry. I’ve been experimenting with modpodge.

For lariats, you can use jump rings or lobster clasps.

Here is one that I made that wasn’t sealed. The finished texture after shrinking is a little bit rough. There’s nothing wrong with leaving them unsealed, but because they are inkjet printed, the colors wash right of without protection.

This is one that was sealed with modpodge. The colors become a little more vibrant and smooth and water resistant. Things often get stuck on when applying or drying so be careful.

These ones down here were sealed with clear nail polish. They come out shiny if you put enough coats, but the grainy texture will still be there.

Well, there ya go! Have fun making your own keychains!

(via honeyedtoast)

helpyoudraw:

WA’s BOOT Anatomy Tutorial Pt2 by RadenWA frm DeviantArt

(via deadgoliath)

eyecager:

Hey guys! Here are some informative Art Direction notes from Shaddy Safadi who also has a youtube with some videos on digital painting.

You can thank Joakim Hellstedt for these, he’s the one who pointed these out to me. ♥

Opportunities come to those who don’t give up. Keep on drawing guys!

In my opinion, there is no excuse for not making art.  You either make time for it or you don’t, and that’s completely your choice. You stay up late, you get up early, you draw while you hang out with friends, or watch TV, you take breaks from homework for a few doodles, draw on transit (which is where most of my personal work happened through college).  You make a habit of it and you carry that habit with you wherever you go.  Literally.  Keep a sketch book with you at all time, so even if you’re just waiting in line somewhere you can whip that shit out and draw something.  I’ve worked on the same sketch for weeks, just because I was drawing it in between all the other bullshit things that had to be done.

So basically you find time to do it.  It’s just the reality of life that you will always be busy with work, school, family, friends, etc.  Some of these things you can sacrifice and others you need to work around.  There will be some weeks— or even months —that are slower than others and that can be pretty depressing, but if your whole life is like that then you’re not trying hard enough. 

That might sound bitchy but it’s not like artists who post frequently don’t deal with everything that normal people deal with.  Eventually… Your personal art and your work art will overlap, if you intend to make it your job and if you work at it long enough.

hearditbothways:

I am probably not the best person to be asking since I am still learning myself, so take this with a grain of salt. Your best bet is just to observe metal objects in real life or find references. But I hope this at least points you in the right direction!!

(via simonist)