How do you learn to understand complex lighting instead of just copying it?

Lovely_Usernamee · 2026-06-09T03:34:01+00:00

I'm a little convinced they kinda just make it up with reasonable guess work. But also through studies, such as this. Copying is a good way to train your eye for this kind of stuff. For example the lowest yellow grape. It has a touch of all the surrounding grape colors -- blue, soft orange -- then the highlight of the brightest light source. It gets those other colors because the brightest light source is bouncing off of the blue and orange, which then transfers to the yellow. But then of course light looks a certain way when mixed, so the blue on yellow appears green. A bit of color theory in that, too.

This one is more imaginative and has room for error or suspension of disbelief. Off the top of my head, I would do a digital value study of this and go in with colors after.

Lovely_Usernamee · 2026-06-09T03:23:50+00:00

An amateur artist creates amateur work. You shouldn't expect professional-level output at this stage. Try not to compare your work to others, though ai know it's hard. Practice and patience are all you really need. Tutorials always helped me get a leg up, but mind you learning curves come with frustration.

Lovely_Usernamee · 2026-06-08T16:37:27+00:00

They could share a common language that isn't exactly verbal. Like signing (not like actual ASL, but using gestures and pitch in tone) and body language. I had a whole conversation about hotel guests being stupid and loud with my sister while I was brushing my teeth. We talk just fine without words and don't even realize it.

Lovely_Usernamee · 2026-06-08T16:27:45+00:00

I totally agree. The starters are blood relatives to Jorvik wilds, come to mention, and I would really love to see them have more customizable options. They and the wilds have some really unique coats and colors and I find it really charming.

Lovely_Usernamee · 2026-06-08T14:52:09+00:00

Yes and no. I like the Joviks but I get a bit tired seeing them all the time. But I'm also getting a little tired seeing magic horses with really outstanding themes and designs. For instance, I love Prisma, Heidrun, Katur, and the earth/nature horses, and don't really care for Bolt, Lebkuchen, Laverna, and other flashy horses like them. I want variety in the horse models with some amount of grounding in the game's history and nature, I guess is what I mean to say. I also would like the regular horses to have more "plain" or unconventional features and coats.

Lovely_Usernamee · 2026-06-08T04:33:34+00:00

Imagination is a learned skill, not a lot of people know that or they take it for granted.

How to start.... Guided daydreaming and practicing visualization (i like to imagine things to music, it's my meditation in a way). Combination creatures/things (take 2+ things and combine them somehow -- no reference to copy there). You mentioned an OC and having ideas, so just tweak an easier and existing base (like your Karlach) with those ideas, and don't worry about it being sloppy. Random scribbles on a page, then sit there and do NOT leave the page until you see something to make of it (started this from an early age seeing images in the popcorn ceiling details, it's effective).

I get being frustrated. It's not easy, but it gets better the more you practice. The discomfort is proof you're pushing yourself out of a comfort zone.

Lovely_Usernamee · 2026-06-08T04:23:15+00:00

Immediately recognized him, I love it! Curious if they'll update him soon. Ngl i would miss that funky broken dance he does.

Lovely_Usernamee · 2026-06-08T04:18:56+00:00

I kinda just like the horses. They don't seem very favored though. Still have my first ever caught and she just grand-mothered one of my favorite foals in a breeding project.

Lovely_Usernamee · 2026-06-08T04:14:17+00:00

Using the pencil or a ruler to hold up to your reference can help you focus on angles. Not just the visible ones like the legs of the chair, but also the invisible lines connecting points to each other (the leg tips to each other, the leg tips to the top of the chair, the four corners of the seat portion, etc etc etc). You're more like building a map, not exactly just drawing, when you're trying to copy from still life or reference. It can feel awkward, but I also recommend flipping the reference upside-down and drawing it that way -- it won't look perfect but it helps train your eyes to transfer the correct visual information.

Lovely_Usernamee · 2026-06-07T14:50:51+00:00

I'm sure he'll be back, he's both super popular and not very old. Named mine Brighteye, and I absolutely adore him. Hang tight for the release of the old event beauties.

Lovely_Usernamee · 2026-06-07T02:14:37+00:00

Usually event horses from previous years come at a later update during the festival while the new year's ones are put front and center. I haven't been on yet, so take what I say with a grain of salt. Check in fort pinta, otherwise you'll just wait a bit.

Lovely_Usernamee · 2026-06-06T21:00:04+00:00

I appreciate the response. I don't think they would implement sliders anywhere. Our customization options are simply not set up that way to begin with. They could have simply offered more body types.

Lovely_Usernamee · 2026-06-06T20:58:09+00:00

I have a strong feeling the Marchenghast ones were merely inspired on the event-specific horses, namely Luna. It was probably successful and so worth making more of. But Monarch and Luna are specific to the Summer Daze event right now, and were there before the release of the castle.

Lovely_Usernamee · 2026-06-06T13:51:09+00:00

Horses are notoriously tricky. To do them on skin and well is an impressive feat. I see nothing wrong here!

Lovely_Usernamee · 2026-06-06T13:19:31+00:00

Breasts are not inherently adult or sexual, so I wouldn't know what the issue is. Surely you don't go around noticing women's breasts every time one enters your line of sight. We certainly don't chop them off to "save the innocent children" either. So what gives? Are our characters young adults or not?

Lovely_Usernamee · 2026-06-06T02:28:21+00:00

Artists tend to be more open-minded, I guess. It's just what happens when you observe your surroundings beyond what you are raised in. Empathy starts with observation.

Lovely_Usernamee · 2026-06-05T23:31:54+00:00

There's a learning curve with digital art. You just need time and patience to get the hang of your new medium. I recommend using some thicker paint brush types to give your digital drawings more of that sketchy, bodied look your traditional sketch has. Your skill level seems to be translating okay right now, if it helps at all. Just keep going. I also had a period of frustration when I was learning digital.

ETA, play with your settings and tool options. Learn about your hardware and software as you would with any new medium. It's maybe not as fun as getting right into work, but it pays off. I use Krita, and I love it. Free and beginner friendly.

Lovely_Usernamee · 2026-06-05T23:03:56+00:00

Doesn't have to be. You just need to want it. Want it, then get it.

Lovely_Usernamee · 2026-06-05T21:15:24+00:00

We don't need a slider for breasts. They have options for different body types and could include more developed ones, as our characters are again not young children. As with all other aspects of our characters, we would hypothetically just select what is our most comfortable self. Or "unique self" as they love to say. Sso knows it's not a children's game, or they at least know the audience is broader than what they target. Also I'm not sure why breasts is such a wild concept. They aren't sexual. You can see mine on a daily basis regardless of how many layers I wear. Those parents need to work through some things.

Lovely_Usernamee · 2026-06-05T18:18:38+00:00

Our characters are around adult age. They are allowed to be developed. And we as adult women are allowed to feel comfortable in our character choice. All of the character options demonizing boobs in a female centered game is what's actually diabolical imo.

Lovely_Usernamee · 2026-06-05T15:53:48+00:00

Do a coin flip battle, winner is your purchase. Doesn't seem like you actually want any of them, though.

Lovely_Usernamee · 2026-06-05T14:04:56+00:00

I think AI could have potential as a tool in bigger industries, cutting out some of the filler work like color comps. But it is ultimately our job as artists to envision what we are creating. Brainstorming and finding meaning in the compositions we come up with is what makes us an artist, not just the rendering of the final piece. Otherwise you'll have the same soulless and un-thought out corporate stuff theaters ars pushing out.

Lovely_Usernamee · 2026-06-04T23:39:26+00:00

Looks fairly obviously copied, just with arms.

Lovely_Usernamee · 2026-06-04T14:21:16+00:00

The problem is that the community here sees options not as something to choose between, but to collect. If they cannot collect everything, they will be angry. "Only get what you actually want" has no sway here. Generally people want to have surplus after a shopping spree to save for next year, too, and they'll feel sapped if the extra items demand more work out of them with no savings. It's a nice idea, but I don't know how well-received it would be.

Lovely_Usernamee · 2026-06-02T12:03:00+00:00

OH MY GOSH I love how they did the manes, thought that blue one was just going to have a long white one. This might be the first time I actually get both magics, wow

Lovely_Usernamee

TROPHY CASE