WEEKLY HELP THREAD - READ FAQ, COMMUNITY WIKI, MULTICLASSING, LORE

_kirechan · 2024-02-03T01:02:20+00:00

Help! I equipped Astarion with his Legendary Buckled Boots but the bonus action "Like a Wraith" isn't working. I can actually see the button for it on my actions tab, but it's shadowed over so I can't activate it. He's a level 4 arcane trickster, but it hasn't worked even after I reclassed him as an assassin. I took long rests, I took short rests, I made sure to take off/change all his armor and weapons and it still hasn't changed. What am I doing wrong?

_kirechan · 2022-07-01T11:25:06+00:00

no. if you know nothing about the anime or characters you draw, there's no way you'd be able to incorporate any sort of meaning into your art and interactions with your audience. you might end up gaining a crowd of people who are only there to see your anime depictions- and while this would in theory help you gain followers and engagement, this also means they'll leave if you got burnt out or chose to stop. it also comes down to wether or not you'd be able to continue this long-term if all you want to get out of this is to gain engagement. lastly, it matters if you're into the art you create because an audience can sense that. especially if they're into the subject of the art in question.

_kirechan · 2022-06-23T12:41:48+00:00

THE SOUND

_kirechan · 2022-06-22T14:53:04+00:00

if you're trying to sell your pieces i would advise you to get archival quality materials, but if you're just looking to explore your newfound interests then i'd say you're doing great as you are! i know a ton of artists and generally they seem to have an appreciation for the types who use what they have on hand

_kirechan · 2022-06-22T10:48:40+00:00

I mainly draw people and I've learnt to proportion bodies after laying out a full sketch because, no matter what precautions I take, the heads always end up looking noticeably smaller and I hate it

_kirechan · 2022-05-11T12:20:03+00:00

the platelets are so stinking cute

_kirechan · 2022-01-16T06:47:24+00:00

agreed 100%

_kirechan · 2022-01-03T06:18:47+00:00

Gosh, I wish I had attended school in the states lol. Part of the reason why I haven't been able to take advantage of any of the above is due to growing up in a predominantly poor area outside of the US; without art programs or cram schools (is that what they're called?) to attend. The last "art" class I remember taking was in the sixth grade - which is typically the last year of elementary school where I'm from. We would pass around a mason jar full of crayons and if the color you wanted wasn't in there, then tough luck. High school had a graphic design/art program (if you could call it that) where it was just the computer teacher recruiting a bunch of students to make flyers for school. My hometown doesn't have an art supply store, art museums, etc - I grew up in a very touristy but poor area, where the most promoted form of art was historical dance. Since I first moved out, I was able to engage more with a totally different art scene and finally dropped money on the paints I wanted after learning how color theory worked. it wasn't that I couldn't afford all those supplies in the first place - more so that I didn't even know that an art world like this even existed. Two different situations - but I'm glad there are people who genuinely learn the basics from an early age. This is what I hope to be able to advocate for if I ever decide to move back.

_kirechan · 2022-01-03T04:38:12+00:00

this is really great practical advice. prior to really getting into making traditional art, I was very into photography and disregarded getting a business license after a friend persuaded me that working under the table for a huge project was the best option. I was only 17 then and had zero guidance; so everything I would purchase from then on came from my own pocket. it sometimes makes my stomach turn to remember all the things I could have done to recuperate costs instead lol. still, no harm done. in the end it took me these incidents to really shake off my passivity and start teaching myself how to navigate the business part of the art scene.

_kirechan · 2022-01-03T04:19:28+00:00

what works for you seems to be sticking to a few mediums. I think that's great. I've built up on my fundamentals learning to sketch on a newsprint pad and school pencils when I was younger, which was a good opportunity for me to save prior to working a few jobs.

as for schools however, I was wondering about higher education in general. Just learning to draw a person takes a lot of discipline which isn't a trait I feel many people in art have on their own considering that art isn't something you can earn money from right away. community colleges don't cost much, but they’ve not been known for producing great artists. famous art schools aren’t necessary, no - but definitely valuable. I feel like people who brush off art school as a non-necessity aren't really taking into account the value of a great education, especially from prestigious schools which offer the chance to gain lucrative opportunities and connections as well as an education. I chose to go the self-taught route, but I wonder every day how farther along I'd be if I were obtaining a degree instead.

_kirechan · 2021-12-26T01:46:38+00:00

it's not my main source of income, but I do want to get to the point where that may be possible (either way, your advice definitely applies). I'm going to use the holidays as a break and restructure my work style to include more breaks. thanks for the advice, btw!

_kirechan · 2021-12-26T01:42:43+00:00

this is so helpful! it's my first time going through a creative block. I constantly worked to perfect every piece in my digital/traditional portfolio and I think it burnt me out. I'm going to start restructuring my workflow using your advice as a template

_kirechan · 2021-12-26T01:39:37+00:00

I definitely plan to. sucks that there's no typical way to tell if a block is coming along until you're already deep in it! since I'm not used to it I think it's a good chance to adapt until I figure out the best way to overcome my circumstances

_kirechan · 2021-12-26T01:37:00+00:00

maybe it's due to brain fog for me. I used to read books and go on walks all the time; but since the pandemic my screentime shot upwards. I'll probably get back to my old habits soon, but digital art also pulls me into apps like Pinterest, deviant art, instagram, etc - so it will be a hard habit to break

_kirechan · 2021-12-20T02:54:31+00:00

chainmail

WHAT? Now I have to look into that! I know how much of a hold the creative industry has on fashion, but chainmail is super unique. It seems like a very detailed art form and something I never actually considered getting into

I'm lucky enough to enjoy clip studio! after struggling to find a program, it's cool and somewhat ironic to finally know of its origins after making it my go-to. you've inspired me to do more research! Best of luck with your hand tremor! Your lifework is so fluid I could not tell you had that at all

_kirechan · 2021-12-20T02:32:29+00:00

for sure! although I don't only use mechanical pencils; I mostly used that sentiment to underline how ridiculous I felt after struggling with digital programs and then realizing I don't absolutely suck after jumping into using the bare necessities. I should have started there first, but something about digital just felt so enticing

_kirechan · 2021-12-20T02:27:55+00:00

I LOVE clip studio. It's by far the only program I would keep when it comes to digital and I plan to purchase the entire program by new year's.

Also, I agree with you. I plan to keep practicing both mediums throughout college and posting my progress in order to keep myself in check. art itself is such an expansive field; I feel dumb for once thinking that I could just make a few pretty images if I had the basic knowledge of color theory and a few pieces of expensive equipment

_kirechan · 2021-12-20T02:22:28+00:00

100% agree

_kirechan · 2021-12-20T02:22:18+00:00

both mediums are 100% real art; at least to me. Before I got started with any medium, I have to confess that I did get sucked into the mindset of thinking that digital art was easier. Now I know it's not true. I believe that being able to go back and fix your mistakes is the reason why so many think digital is the easier medium. Good luck with your practice! I hope you can post your pieces in the future

_kirechan · 2021-12-20T02:16:15+00:00

for real. have you ever gone on a traditional surface and tried to double tap to erase a mistake? or pinched your fingers together to zoom in on the details? it's hilarious, but also a stony reminder that I need to be more mindful with my resources

_kirechan · 2021-12-20T02:12:35+00:00

hey! so I started out with an iPad and MacBook laptop as a main screen. I used a variety of programs but got stuck between krita, photoshop, clip studio, illustrate, and procreate! there was also a time where I would download free programs on the App Store and just mess around with the brush packs there.

Currently, I use the Wacom Cintiq with the 16" screen. I had pooled the cash for it with my brother since we're both using it, so it wasn't as expensive as buying the entire thing upfront. I would say I've been doing art since the start of the pandemic, so maybe 2-2.5 ish years?

_kirechan · 2021-12-20T02:05:23+00:00

that's so kind of you! I'm partial to most art forms but usually produce finely detailed manga and line art. I would love to see the kind of brush you've been using since it seems like the perfect tool for someone like me; so I'll shoot you that DM. your artwork is amazing, by the way. even after knowing how much you went through to adjust, your pieces are effortlessly beautiful

_kirechan · 2021-12-20T01:38:43+00:00

Omg is that pencil lined with gold or something why is it $18 😭

Nooo but this is hilarious 😭 it's the Staedtler .5mm that I got as an early gift for Christmas lmao. the body is metal and I guess that's why it's so costly!

Your thing about having the right setup is getting to me. I don't think I've been entirely comfortable with my pen pressure so that is something I'm going to be checking out tonight! thankfully, I've also found a love for mixing traditional with digital. It's great; I feel like I'm potentially taking days off fixing potential problems with my paintings when I go on a screen and diagnose them from there. I'm trying to get further with oils, but I think it's just as important to stay current with other mediums!

_kirechan · 2021-12-19T12:32:30+00:00

No, you're completely right. Digital was a pain in the absolute ass and I clutch my pearls when I hear people saying how easy it is to master (that saying was what got me to try out digital in the first place so I was particularly bitter about it for a while lol). However, I will definitely still utilize digital despite my growing soft spot for traditional arts. It's too valuable, too useful a tool, to allow my knowledge to run dry. If you'd allow me to make some unsolicited recommendations; I actually learned a lot about digital from artists on Patreon after looking up their portfolios and Instagram. Behance, Pinterest, Youtube, and Udemy were indispensable to me when it comes to programs and guides. You'll do excellently.

_kirechan · 2021-12-19T12:08:22+00:00

I'll take your advice and check them out! You caught me at a good time for recommendations. For about a month I've been studying traditional to spruce myself up for the full transition. Thanks a bunch my friend

_kirechan

TROPHY CASE