OMG U DRAW ME A KITTEY!11

Heh!
He's joking, guys. Please don't bash him.

*looks at bloodied club in her paws*

*looks down at the Purplecat-shaped corpse with a gaping head wound*

...Shit.

Do what I did:

No requests, at all!

Works for me! 83 *thumbs up!*

Me too.

Though I take commissions at 9000 USD. I'm going to get rich quick! :)

More like scare away commissioners! :3

Yeah, I stopped doing requests because of that same reason. I just do what I want now.

Ya gotta draw what's fun for you. :)

The rest of us will just enjoy the show.

dude no worries, i like your art either way, its got a nice sorta, curvy neat feel to the lines and lovley colors :3.
just do what is best for you honestly, if you dont wanna do it tell them!..

Oh geez. I thought you were going to say you were leaving FA, or something worse (leaving the world of online art, maybe). But I can understand why artists don't want to do requests, or even not accept commissions and trades. Art is something you have to enjoy doing.

Well it ain't me so yaaaaa

Draw for yourself man, only the nutters will give you trouble, and they dont matter anyway

I don't think I've ever requested anything from you. Why must you bash my future hopes? Woe is me. Curse you!! :P

How about you make it simple for yourself. Go outside and play for the next month. After you've gotten sick of the great outdoors, come back inside and sit down for possible drawing time. Or do something unrelated like digging out a SNES and go on an 80 hour RPG spree. You can't possibly turn that down. Not if I ... REQUEST IT!! *sparkly magic and ominous music*

I'd be happy if you continued drawing delightful things, but it's not up to you to make me happy.

Don't accept request, it's a trap!

It's cool that you understand this now. Guilt is bad.

That's what I was about to tell you what to do. Requests are a crock of shit when you don't want to do them. Don't feel obligated I say, they're doing you no favors.

Art block somehow ? Comes periodically to most of us. Usually, after some rest, you feel better. And I don't mean a week, could be monthes, even years... Don't push yourself during this time, and your mood, ideas and joy for drawing will come back :)

I echo that this is actually a good decision. The inspiration to create varies from person to person, and if your art is something you use as a personal catharsis/therapy/fulfillment, over simply an execution of skill, its often hard to do requests or trades because its so constricting.

Create at your own pace. I don't think anyone worth attention will fault you for it.

Solution: Draw for yourself. If you lose faves and watches, who gives a crap? No one is paying for this, so just do what makes you happy.

Wasn't that the point to begin with? Anyone who has a problem with it is more than likely going to get reamed by your corps of raving fans.


I just like flaming people. *Loads fresh tank into his incinerator.* Heheheee

Using flametanks against civilians/technicians is not fair. :{

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YuD40EXE7CA

A well-planned attack is NEVER fair. AAHAAHAHAAA!

Yeah man you don't owe any one anything. And boy do I know that feeling at times. As Robin Williams says..

"Fuck it"

Well drawing for yourself is always for the best. I'm just happy if your tastes happen to match mine(which is quite a spread) sometimes(and even if it doesn't I also have a fetish for well drawn art). ^-^ Nothing is more important than doing what you want(especially if it means more arts.. j/k).

I have to admit that after the first few lines I was kinda afraid of you saying something like you are leaving to live in Tibet and never ever draw again(which of course would be okay too, it's your own choice, but that would have been terribly sad). ^^; Anyhow I doubt anyone will hold this decicion against you(and if they do then they have a bit too high of an image of themselves).

I have never been one to bitch about requests and stuff(most people don't either I suppose). I only really expect something to be done for me if I have paid for it(since I can't do a trade). Still there has been few nice surprises when I have seen my request or suggestion drawn. :3 I think that I have thrown plenty of suggestions your way but don't worry about them(although I doubt those were in question here).

I used to get backloged like that, but over time i've come to the realization that the only pics that should have a priority to get finished are Commissions, any requests i get i always tell folks it might or might not get done. Only very recently have i just finally learned to shake off the guilt of unfinished requests and been drawing things i want to draw for myself. I hope dropping that work load will reopen the flood gates of inspiration for you :3

You suffer from what a coworker of mine suffers from.

Your too damn nice! Sheesh, at least he has the excuse of being a super christian. You honestly cannot make everyone happy and should not expect to make everyone happy! Say no!

SAY NO damn it and do not blame FA for your lack of saying no! If people hate you for saying no, the hell with them! Selfish people make me sick!

We lose too many great artists to the whole I have to please my fans thing. And folks wonder why I never bothered to learn how to draw better and instead kept on writing. Less attention that way.

i like to find some one to draw a art of me as a fox as a requests but you have the right to not do any requests you jest do what you have to do all & all you do a great job at your art keep up the good work :)

Completely understandable man, I just wanna see the old you again with the postings of fun goodies!
So take a break from the requests hell even cancel mine and don't worry about it ^.^

I think yours was a trade, actually ... but ok. I won't hold you to your half, then.

was it..Damn I forgot, We can wait till your feeling better and I got my drawing mood back again.

Understandable. Though I sincerely hope you'll still be drawing the things that make you AND us happy. I do love your hyperherm art, and hope you'll continue it. But in the end, you draw for yourself.

Hah! See, this is why all the really cool kids don't have any fans or friends or requests or commissions.

Your call if you want to do requests. I mean, it's you that's doing the drawing, after all. I'm just glad you're not hanging up your art stuff and leaving FA for good.

Do what you feel is the right thing to do. I will keep watch for the eventual time when you do open up requests. I do want to have an icon of my character from every artist on my watch list and from some a full pic with possibly a ref shet, but I will not pressure them to do that. I am nothing if not patient.

See, this is glad why I suck at drawing. Who the hell wants a song nowadays anyway?

Best of luck to you, whichever way you go, man.

I also get waves of guilt that I should be doing something more important, but only if that more important thing isn't art.

Requests are tricky, because you really are being asked to cater to the audience. That's not fun -- it's just work. I can't even do requests at all (well, not usually). Hell, I can't even work on commission. I just get too frustrated and keep yelling at myself that what I'm doing isn't good enough. You have the same curse as I do -- the bane of the perfectionist.

Just set some realistic goals for yourself, and think of comments as a casual conversation rather than a classroom. When drawing stops being fun, you'll stop doing it altogether.

Have you tried Oekaki? I prefer Oekaki to PaintChat and OpenCanvas sessions, because the medium is spontaneous and indiscriminate, but it isn't realtime, so there isn't any pressure to draw quickly. I'd be doing more of that, but lately I have been pretty inspired to draw on paper, thankfully.

YES! I'm vindicated!

Dude, I LOVE oekaki. I used to frequent Athos' oekaki board for years until it shut down. I recently joined Guppy's board, but I haven't done anything there yet.

... Oh jeez, that reminds me. I used to post on your oekaki years ago as "RetroRat". I didn't want porn stuff associated with my usual alias. In retrospect, that was probably a wise decision ...

I'm sorry to hear that people havn't treated you better about the work you do, the reason I watched you was becouse I liked the work you did... anytime you need to take a break is fine by me. ^_^

Come back when you're not as pressured, and I'll be here smiling ^_^

I never understood why artists did requests, especially if they were any good.
This kind of thing is bound to happen.

*hugs* Do what you want to do because in the end your happiness matters most and remember
"those that mind don't matter and those that matter don't mind"

=^.=.^=

Hey, no big deal. You gotta be you, right?

Do what you need ^_^

And yeah this is the reason i dont do requests :P

Aww its okay babes so long as you enjoy what you draw i dun care ither way since ive never made a request

I say "Screw it."
Just chill here, do oC Sessions with people and just chit-chat.

Put a big effin' disclaimer on your userpage that you are not open for any sort of commission or art trade, say why and leave it at that and resume drawing for yourself and on the spot when you feel like being random with friends.

So I wont be getting the picture of the deep-fried, dicknippled, hermy, tentacle, omelette ferret that I asked for? This is terrible news! =(

Damn, you actually made me hungry now.

And I'm not even sure if a such ferret tastes nice. xD

That is completely fair. :) After all, moderation in everything does help lead to happiness. :)

That's also why I simply do gifts for friends (unasked, but always a pleasant surprise), and trades with folks I really want to trade artwork with. For all the rest, I take commissions only. It's a lot easier to draw something if I'm getting paid for it, but even still I have a list of certain things I just won't draw. There's no way I could ever appeal to everyone--nor would I really want to, either.

I have to agree with what li'l glenn said, all the way :3 You're being pretty fair and reasonable about this too man, and I'm glad to see you're not being like:

"I HATE YOU FANDOM SO I AM LEAVING BECAUSE YOURE PERVERTS! D:"

do whatever you feel better with, man. It's all good.

artists doing what they LIKE?! not feeling like they owe their fandom their complete submission?!?! this world has gone mad!!!

:P

Don't be sorry dude. I know that drained feeling, I know it all too well. Just let your mind get cleared and all that...I imagine you do deserve it.

I can understand what you feel, I however love comments (I don't get a ton of them though) but the number one thing to remember (for everyone!) this is YOUR ART this is stuff you are drawing, if its not a commission then its a favor and people should be happy with what YOU want to draw and what YOU are kind enough to share with us! Your art is wonderful I love it but it should be something you enjoy. Try sitting back, forget everyone and just draw for yourself, if you have to: don't upload it! Just draw pics for yourself and enjoy them!

Hey, that's not unreasonable in the least. I've always said "I take requests, but by NO means guarantee I'll actually DO them" to everyone that's asked me that question... if a request happens to fall in line with something I wanna draw, it'll probably happen, but if not, probably never.

Trades, well, I'm usually the one offering up first, so by default it's something I'll probably want to draw. Here lately I've been more doodling up a gift and just throwing it at the character's owner.. squeal with glee if they respond in kind, otherwise just enjoy what I drawled.

My point though, I guess, is that you should always draw what *you* want to draw. Burnout is not a pretty thing, I've been there.

Hobbies shouldn't be stressful, that's why they're hobbies, not jobs.

See, i don't really do requests unless it makes sense that i do it :o
And i don't feel guilty for not doing work i should be doing xD

I don't accept requests unless I get something in return.

Hahaha, my bad. You can apparently do empty replies. Woohoo for the wonderful coding of FA.

Anyway... I'm the other way around. I don't request unless I can give something in return. xD

Bah, we all need to take a step back one time or another.

I understand :) and I am proud of you for doing it :)

Everytime I find someone good, people always chase them away.

Nah, it's my own fault. The concept of being asked for pictures was new and exciting, and I quickly worked myself into a hole.

I know the feeling well. ^^ This is why I don't take requests, barely do trades, and barely draw at all anymore. :D

Pff.

If you're not drawing for yourself, it's not really art anyway.

Never feel guilty about expressing yourself. Shame isn't worth it.

You don't have to do requests. I listen to requests. And then I don't do them. It's great when people get mad at me when they thought I said "I will draw it" when I say "I will listen". Or something.

Heehee.

...an now ya see what I've already been through... don't ever lose the joy of doin' what'cha like ta do or ya won't be able ta do anythin' at all...

Now ya know why I don't do commissions... much as I sure could use the money... 'cause try as I might I jus' can't draw ta match someone else's specifications of what they want an it winds up givin' me art-block... like you...

Sure it's nice ta wanna cater ta everyone else's desires but if ya can't then ya can't... that's all there is to it... If anyone REALLY likes yer art they'll enjoy what'cha draw... an not jus' what they want'cha ta draw.

My additude towards requests has always been, "If the artist doesn't find it fun, they can say no"

...which is what you did. Good job!

Breath in, breath out.

U do deserve a moments rest and thinkin about it, besides i'm sure these ppl can understand you quite well, u are not the only one whos goin through this....

Short version? Seriously, it's your art, do whatever you want with it. This is the entire reason why I don't -make- requests of artists, because if one person does it other people see it, and then they start doing it, and before you know it this happens. It's kind of like... uhhh.... <Insane analogy> It's like a guy throwing a grappling hook at a giant stone midget, to pull him around. But then when he does it so does everyone else, until finally the midget gets so tangled up that it trips, and breaks. </insane analogy> Thus, why I never cast my hook in the first place.

So yeah. Do whatever, cause, it's -your- whatever to do it with.

Absolutely no problem here, man :^) This was a great decision on your part n_n

<3

It's okay, ZC.

I'm sure nobody will hold it against you, and I think you -should- look out for your own interests more. Enjoy a nice, long break.

Most of the time, I draw solely for me anyway. It's really helpful for keeping away the frustration. Fuck everybody eles and do what you want to do. SRSLY.

I say there's no shame in keeping control. Especially when it comes to requests. If they aren't paying you, then there's no reason you should do a drawing you don't want to do. Don't feel ashamed to say 'Sorry, I'm not going to draw that," Besides, I personally believe that someone who draws something they like will do a better job than someone drawing something they don't, so they should be asking someone who shares that same desire.

We love you ZC and would want nothing more than for you to do what makes you happy. ^_^

Thanks! I feel much better after posting this ... or as PurpleCat put it, it's like my soul just took a big shit.

You've lost your incentive. Now it's time to find it! Take as long as you need!

that's pretty much why I'm takin' a leave of absence from DA....

i gully agree hun...i have been taking my time on requests because they are so hard to get focused on adn do out of want, because its what someone else wants not what you WANT. do what you love and love what you do, dont let peeps steal your free spirit. finish the tasks you've agreed to and than tell everyone request wie to go the hell away until further notice

IT's lif... Some live it for others... some live it for there selves... Then there's some that want to live it for thereselves but fear of insulting others. I think we all feel that way eventually... It's times like this I developed a secret stash.... *insert evil laugh* THings tht would please some and haunt others.... *insert evil snicker* Only I may look at them.... and some others that decide tto travle to the depths of it.... ^_^.... Other then that whenever you feel like the urge is sprouting it's time to hang on to it. Bring back the spark.... don't sell it on ebay like some of my friends... <,<;... May there abilities rest in peace... *closes box marked 'Talent from Ebay'* ^_^;...

I hope you don't disappear, as I'd like to talk more at some point, having had little chance to do so thus far. I'm pretty sure I've most enjoyed your non-request stuff, too.

I think I've only ever taken and completed one request. I'm a big fan of the "hmm, I'll think about it" response, sometimes with an added, "if I do it/use the idea, I'll be sure to give you credit." I'm very unlikely to do requests because, if it doesn't deeply interest me and really get me going, I'm not doing it for free. I can be paid to do stuff that's a bit different from what I like...so far I've been paid twice. Or was it 3 times? But I digress...stories and music aren't the most popular things to begin with, and my subject matter (in writing, at least) is well off the beaten path, so I don't get much attention.

Art is all about expressing yourself. If you do not feel inspired, it will show in your artwork. It's one of the main things that makes great artists stand out from the average artist. If drawing under only your own obligation is what allows you to express yourself best. Go for it, great way to go through drawing is to not be bothered by other obligations that do not fit your own.

Congrats for finding what helps you draw best. :D

Art is all about expressing yourself. If you do not feel inspired, it will show in your artwork. It's one of the main things that makes great artists stand out from the average artist. If drawing under only your own obligation is what allows you to express yourself best. Go for it, great way to go through drawing is to not be bothered by other obligations that do not fit your own.

Congrats for finding what helps you draw best. :D

*snugs* we still love you zombiekitteh!

I've felt the same way. Ultimately you have to draw for you. I love what comes out of your own creativity. :)

I always wondered whether you were into all those bizarre fetishes you drew. I just thought you were poking fun because they were just so outlandish!

Poking fun? Oh, if only. No, I have ... very strange tastes.

And for that I am very glad :)

Indeed! :) Well, they make me smile.

Heya ZC...we dn't know one another from sunday, but I have admired your work since I finally broke down and started to browse FA. You have a talet for expression that is enviable, and an overall talent for rendering even "perverse" images in a way that makes them endearing.

You seem like a cool person, and I find it sad that I likely won't get to knowyou more than just an occasional message here and there.

As well as, requests are just that---requests. I get many to draw many things, and honestly, I just draw what I like anyway. Ask Froyst.....I made hir into a canid rather than a predominantly feline...er.....thingy. At least with fetish art, if it has a huge cock, it can't possibly fail...........much. :)

Anyway, draw what makes you feel good, even if it's strange cat things crapping out a log the size of Rhode Island. Art cmes from the heart, and the soul, it's an expression of your inner you on paper for all to see. Revel in it.

And if that's true, holy shit, what does that say about MY inner me? I think I should lie down..

I can't draw to save my life, and respect anyone that can. It's a privilege when an artist chooses to display their work, that shouldn't be taken for granted.

You're the boss. You draw (Or don;t draw) whatever you want: Us great, filthy, unwashed masses are just happy to be spectators on your work.

This is why I now said in my own journals that I draw mostly for my own enjoyment. Doing requests is like work & I want to draw for my own fun.

It more like a hobby I like to do. I'm sorry I have not watch you before but I really like the crazy things you draw up & some of it hyper. >3

You seems like a kind person & this is why your having this prob. xD I can totally understand what this feels like.

Another reason is why I don't comment much ether unless it's something I really like, like Lemurs. x3