(Side note, it;s been at least 2 years since I last checked in lol, how's it going?)


....If I even enjoy drawing or making art anymore. I honestly am seldom excited to get started. That could be because I just don't have energy most days or because other obligations and such get in the way. I used to have all this motivation but now it's just not there. Sometimes, I feel like "hey, I should draw today," and then later, when I come home, I just feel a whole lot better when I don't do it. I mean, I guess I should have expected this to end up this way. I started doing art when I was 11. I did it because I was jealous of other artists' s skills and I wanted to make something amazing like they did. I pushed myself to learn how to draw and I did learn after teaching myself and asking other artists for tips. I thought I was going to go into graphic design, but eventually changed my mind and went into engineering because the art skill was never there naturally. I had to teach it to myself to get there. I never started doing art because I loved it. I did it because I wanted to see myself get better. I wanted to make something I was proud of and I needed an emotion outlet (my adolescence was filled with depression).

Now, I'm ending my third year of college. By 2019 I'll have my Bachelor's degree in Materials Science and Engineering and then later I'll have a career in that field. Maybe art (as in being a content creator) has no place in my life anymore. Maybe this whole art thing truly was just a phase. I'm not sure. When I do art stuff now, I feel the best when it's at the finished stage because I don't have anymore things to work on for that specific piece. And now, I have my mental illness under control (for the most part) and there isn't such a need for the emotional release. Maybe art was just a support system for me.

I don't regret becoming an artist at all. I learned a lot about art itself, digital media, character design and, most of all, I learned a lot about myself. But, part of me doesn't want to stop this either. Part of me doesn't want to leave this part of me behind, the me that existed before the pressure to get into a career, before the relationship abuse, back into a time where I was fresh and excited in the furry fandom and where I was learning all I could about art. Maybe that's just me wishing for youth back though.

Anyway, not sure if anyone actually reads my journals or even looks at my stuff because I kinda just fell off the face of the Earth for a while and I'm sure people just stopped caring. Which is fine by me. Now I just like sites for being able to hold all my art work so I can show people what I used to do.

Yo! Things are rolling in college, I draw very small amount while I'm there, so don't expect anything yet, hiatus is still sort of active.

So, to whoever still actually is watching, how have you guys been?

Don't expect me to be on here at all much anymore. I scarcely have the time or energy to draw much anymore. So, please don't expect me to be as active on here as I used to be. In fact, you should expect me to be gone for a long time. I'm not sure when I'll be back. I haven't given up art forever, it's just on hold for now. There's a lot going on in my life and I don't have room for everything at the moment. I'll be around lurking a bit to look at art now and then, but I won't be submitting it for a long, long time.


This isn't a final goodbye or anything, it's more of a hibernation notice.

I won't be around to put up art or use this site in general. This is goodbye for now, but maybe not permanently. It's been fun here, I must admit. I met some interesting people. I don't have much else to say other than thanks for viewing and liking my art.

Sorry everyone who likes and follows me here, but I'm in 3 AP classes this year and this is my senior year of highschool so it's rather busy. AP physics is legit THE hardest class in the whole school and I failed 4 tests and 2 quizzes for it. The only thing saving everyone's grades in that class is the fact that the teacher curves the fuck out of things and offers points back for test corrections. By some miracle I have a B in that class.

I don't really have time to do art very often anymore because of school, extracurricular activities, sports (did I ever tell you I'm a competitive swimmer?) and just overall life stuff. On top of that the game Destiny came out last month and I've been playing that a lot on my 360. It's made by the same people who made Halo so you can expect a pretty awesome game.

Also, I have to deal with romantic love related things.

I don't know when I'll be online for anything but when I ma feel free to contact me.

School started on Tuesday and it's been going pretty well. The only problem is that I won't have a lot of time to do art so anyone who wants a commission, (they're free by the way,) might have to wait a bit longer than normal. Also personal art is put on hold too most of the time also because of the time constraint.

I'll still be around this site and DA, just not quite as active in uploading and making art.

First of all,  matuscha takes commissions that are somewhat cheap and he needs money for general things like a PC fund and family support. Sometimes he does freebie streams so you may be able to get a free sketch every once in a while.


Second, that same dude might be my mate now. (Don't worry, he lives in the same country as I do this time around.) He's also 5 years older than me, not too sure what to think of that. So what is the definition of a "mate" in terms of relationship status anyway? For as long as I've been in the fandom I haven't really grasped the concept too well. I just don't know where this is going to go, it goes where it goes at the moment.

Also, I got a new tablet that works and I'm open for free commissions as well, though I can't guarantee you'll get it this month.

Yep, it's about that time again that I need to get a new tablet. Luckily, I got a cheep one off of amazon that's the same model as my old one. But I won't be making art anytime soon until it arrives, which will be around sometime next week, probably.

This isn't really important in the slightest because there is nothing wrong with my life or anything at the moment for me to write about.

But before you click the delete message button, it might be helpful to read this just so you can understand how I actually draw and make art like things and why my style looks the way it does. I don't readily tell people on FA or DA about how I draw, I just do it and people accept it and like or hate it.


1. The Sketch

Like most artists out there, I make a sketch of what the piece is going to end up looking like before I start coloring, shading and doing backgrounds. The sketch is very important; it makes sure I don't go into the art piece blind and it helps me to remember details that I otherwise would forget. Plus, it also serves as a "put ideas here and edit later" kind of thing. Sometimes I end up deleting the sketch layer because after the background and colors on the characters are put in, it's completely covered up and invisible.



2. The Outlines/Ink Layer

Also like a lot of artists, I make outlines or "ink" over my sketches. Ultimately, the sketch is painted over by color and all sorts of other things, but before that happens I outline my work. Since my sketches are very messy, it's the ink layer's job to "clean up" the outlines. It looks neater and it provides some guides for me when I color the characters and make the background. Normally, the ink layer is one of the topmost layers and it also has my signature in it.


3. The Background

Sometimes the background is lineless, sometimes it's inked already. But the process is the same. Normally my backgrounds have a "painted" look and most of the stuff is on one or two layers dedicated to the background. I like blending in color and value so that's why that is. Oh, and the background is normally painted before I start coloring the characters. Background layers are the bottom most layers just above the sketch if I don't delete it.


4. Flat Colors for Characters

Next comes flat coloring the characters. Not that much is special about it other than it can take a while to do because I like my flat colors to be neat and not overflowing over the inks. Always comes before shading though.


5. Shading for Characters

Shading comes next on it's own layer unless for some reason I'm making the characters look "painted" or if the piece doesn't have outlines for some other odd reason. The shade layers are not the same kind of layer as the rest of the piece's layers. It's actually called a gel layer, which has some transparency built in and it doesn't show white at all. It's good for blending because I don't have to worry about stray white marks ruining it. But since the layers have transparency, I can use shades of grey to make the shading. It's better so that all the color and values can look cohesive.


6. Highlights for Characters or General Light Shininess.

Depending on the background or character, there might be glowing things or light reflecting off of things in the piece. Highlights sometimes go on the same layer as the flat colors, but more often than not they get their own layer. Normally, I use a soft brush to lightly put on some extra color or white light. It's not a lot, but it does help me with the logic of the situation in the piece.





All of this takes anywhere from 2 days to 3 months, time depending. Some sketches are never finished. This is mostly because I don't remember I have them or because I don't have time to draw.

Ok, my PC crashed a couple days ago for some odd reason and it blue screen'd. I'm going to assume most of you know what that means.

Anyway that puts a huge dent in a lot of my art plans since I'm a digital artist and because I don't know how to use my prisma markers or water color pencils correctly. So, my dad decided to give me one of his computers that he doesn't use anymore. It works fabulously, but it has terrible battery life and I don't have a mouse for it that works.

Also, some extended family moved into my house because they have no where else to go. They can't get into a rental house yet. They have 4 dogs and 1 cat. Add that onto my 4 dogs and 4 cats and you have a full house of animals. Since I don't like dogs this is really bad for my mental health (depression). I had no say in this decision to do this but my parents probably don't really care either so that's how that's going.

Also, since my aunt and uncle are living in my basement, my xbox had to be unhooked and put somewhere else. That is somewhat upsetting considering I'm a gamer.

So I might not be active still because the art I actually have to do is for an art class and I might not have the time or space to do anything online anyway.

That also means no livestreams.

If anyone of you actually read my last journal or are even set up to see them at all, you might remember that hiatus I was on and how my depression was slipping a bit. I'm feeling better now, but that doesn't really mean art comes in more frequently now because instead of depression holding back art time, it's school, gaming, swimming/water polo and other life stuff that's holding it back instead.

Oh, and I broke up with my mate about a month ago. Luckily, I'm getting over that pretty well. He made me cry for two days straight, I skipped sports because I was crying so long at night and I cried in front of my English teacher.

And remember, I take FREE commissions. Just ask about what I can and can't do and how long it will take.


On another note, how's everyone else's life going?

Depression is getting the best of me right now and I really have no motivation to draw at all. I'm really tired and really in a bad mood so don't expect too much from me right now.

That's kind of all I have to say about it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6m9CcnL9FEk


Don't worry, it has nothing to do with cooking and/or eating cats. I find the title to this film to be very misleading. The actually topic is very different with nothing to do with food, cooking or anything like that. But it does have cats in it and it's soundless save for some music and tiny background noises.

I remember watching this when I was 12. Didn't freak me out that much. It's harmless, I promise.

It's actually about a family of cats in Japan who live a meager life in their home village. But one day, the oldest of two kids dies of an illness and a reaper/demon thing comes to take his spirit away. The cat's brother, however, notices this and rushes to take his brother's spirit back, despite the fact that his family and neighbors ignore the issue. The younger brother eventually succeceds in retrieving the spirit after a short feud with the demon/reaper. It is only after he returns home when his family notices their dead son. The younger brother then returns his sibling's spirit, but once awakened is brain-dead. So then the younger brother totes around his older brother on a long quest to return him to normal.

http://www.livestream.com/dawnstarsdigitalart

Do not fave the journal or submissions! I delete them when I finish!

General rules PLEASE READ:
1. Anyone asking for porn will be banned the moment I notice
2. Be kind and respectful to me and anyone else watching
3. If you're going to RP, don't do it with me.
4. If the mic is on, it is one for music only. I don’t use my voice that much. (keep in mind: I like high pitched music)
5. No music requests. If you don't like what I'm playing, just mute the mic
6. There will be some background noises like a few breathes, coughing, sneezing, etc. Don't freak out when this happens
7. Anything requested will be put off till later unless I say freebies are starting
8. Feel free to ask me appropriate questions

How I do freebies PLEASE READ:
1. Freebies are free (of course, don't offer me money)
2. They are done IN BETWEEN WHAT'S SUPPOSED TO BE DONE, so I won't just jump from freebie to freebie
3. When I say "go" in the chat box is when you are free to post refs. I pick one character at a time
4. You may give your turn to another person if you want
5. You get a flat color line art or sketch of your choice. Reference sheets are also a possibility if you don't have one.

Originally by:  skyverchase
but I found it on someone else's journal too. My fursona will be answering these questions, but so will I. Might do one for Alpha Resurrect too, not sure though. Dawnstar's answers are in regular text, mine are in parenthases ()'s. Also, Dawnstar follows the canon of a fanfic I write about her and the future plans for it. You can read it here: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/778320.....nstar-s-Legacy (But be warned, I'm not as good of a writer as I am an artist.) SPOILERS FOR IF YOU ACTUALLY ARE READING THE STORY


1.) What is your name?
A: Dawnstar

A: (It's a secret. Some of you might already know it.)


2.) Do you know why you were named that?
A: Yes, it's a Warrior Cat name. The prefix, "dawn" is specific to me, since I'm grey and white. Plus my parents thought it would fit. The suffix, "star" is indicative of a leadership position in a Clan. Only leaders have "star" in their name. For all other positions once they receive their full name, the suffix is indicative of the qualities of the person. My warrior name is actually Dawnflight.

A: (Since I was adopted, my parents decided to give me a name that had the same meaning as the name I used to have when I was born. They pretty much translated a foreign name into an English one.)


3.) Are you single or taken?
A: Taken. I actually have a mate. his name is Timberclaw. He's a brown tabby with green eyes. He was my mentor.

A: (Yep. Taken.)


4.) Have any abilities or powers?
A: The ability to manipulate water molecules via the power going through my tattoos.

A: (Of course not....)


5.) Stop being a Mary-Sue!

Whatevs

6.) What’s your eye color?
A: Brown, though in the writing it's always described as dark amber.

A: (Brown)


7.) How about hair color?
A: White

A: (Black, don't really have a choice in that. I can't really change it either. It's dark to dye and bleaching it sucks.)


8.) Have you any family members?
A: Yes, a mother, father, brother and kits. Also a very close friend who is like a sister.

A: (Same answer as above, except without the kits.)


9.) Oh? How about pets?
A: We can't have pets in a Warrior cat Clan. Too much responsibility on our already challenging lives to take care of ourselves and loved ones.

A: (Too many. 4 cats and 4 dogs.)


10.) That’s cool, I guess. Now tell me something you don’t like.
A: When other clans try to steal my Clan's territory, prey, kits, or when they're just flat out unreasonable. Also, when my brother accuses me of ruining his life.

A: (When people judge me or judge other people. I like being tolerant and accepting of people.)


11.) Do you have any activities/hobbies that you like to do?
A: Swim in the river that surrounds the camp, go fishing, take walks, help the medicine cat with her duties.

A: (Swim, ride bikes, play video games, read, draw, run around outside, hang with friends)


12.) Have you ever hurt anyone in any way before?
A: That's actually kind of what my job is. Part of being a Warrior is defending the Clan. A lot of times there are border skirmishes, arguments that turn into fights and Clan on Clan wars that I have to fight in.

A: (Yes. I used to beat up my brother when we were kids. Karma got me for that and now he's stronger than me. Also, I used to reject my current mate on almost a daily basis before we were mates, though I didn't really think that hard about it when I was doing it. That last time I did was when I decided I loved him.)


13.) Ever…killed anyone before?
A: Yes, mostly on accident in the battles mentioned above

A: (Nope.)


14.) What kind of animal are you?
A: I'm technically a silverfox + Cat hybrid, but as a Warrior cat in the writings I'm just a cat.

A: (I think you know the answer to that one.)


15.) Name your worst habits?
A: Making friends with cats in other clans. This is somewhat looked down upon since loyalty to your own clan always must come first. Also having my first litter when I was an apprentice.

A: (Overthinking stuff, freaking out too much, worrying too much)


16.) Do you look up to anyone at all?
A: To the spirits in StarClan, mostly. Also, the other warriors in my clan and my mate.

A: (To my best friend who has helped me through all the bad times and has had the strength to make it though them. Basically people who are not my parents.)



17.) Are you gay, straight, or bisexual?
A: Bisexual, though you can only be straight or gay in a Warriors Clan. Therefore I only show my straight side to my clanmates.

A: (Same as above)

18.) Do you go to school?
A: Technically I used to. Warriors Clans have mentorship programs where a full fledged warrior teaches one apprentice at a time until he/she learns everything he/she needs to know. Then they earn their full name. Same applies to medicine cats, except there are a lot less of them and they have a separate code of conduct.

A: (Yep, junior in high school at the time of writing.)


19.) Ever wanna marry and have kids one day?
A: Already am. I have a mate and kits. The first litter I had when I was an apprentice, but none of them survived their first day after birth. The second litter I had 4 kits and my vengeful brother killed one of my daughters by drowning her in the river. Timberclaw found her a few hours later and cried like no tomorrow. She was his favorite.

A: (I would like to be married, but I'm not so sure about the kids. I don't really like kids that much. I have no patience for them and I'm afraid I will do something wrong and hurt them.)


20.) Do you have fangirls/fanboys
A: Probably the readers of the writings.

A: (Not that I know of)


21.) What are you most afraid of?
A: Destruction of my Clan

A: (Slenderman and disapproval)


22.) Okay… What do you usually wear?
A: Nothing

A: (Whatever is comfortable. Normally that's a t-shirt, jeans and my swim jacket)


23.) What’s one food that tempts you?
A: Cat fish that was fresh caught

A: (Gyros, jalapeno poppers, fried calamari, chocolate)


24.) Am I annoying you?

NOPE

25.) Well, it’s still not over!

Whatevs

26.) What class are you?
A: I'm a warrior, the most common class in the Warriors Clans. 80 percent of most clans are warriors or were a warrior at some point in their lives. I'm also a queen because I'm a mother, but they're warriors too.

A: (I'm a junior in high school)


27.) How many friends do you have?

I DON"T KEEP AN EXACT NUMBER


28.) What are your thoughts on pie?
A: Warriors reject that kind of stuff so I've never had it.

A: (I love it. Quiche and savory pies are my favorite though. I went to London, England one time and had really good beef and potato pies.)


29.) Favorite drink?
A: Water

A: (Horchata or tea)


30.) What’s your favorite place?
A: RiverClan's camp

A: (Home)


31.) Are you interested in anyone?
A: Yeah, my mate.

A: (Same as above)


32.) Would you rather swim in a lake or the ocean?
A: I like both

A: (I hate the beach, so a lake.)


33.) What’s your type?
A: Loyal warrior who lives in my Clan.

A: (As long as they've got similar interests and stuff, are honest and stuff that's ok with me.)


34.) Camping or indoors?
A: I live outdoors so outdoors

A: (I hate camping, but I love outside.)


35.) Are you a virgin?
A: We addressed this. I've been pregnant twice so of course not.

A: (Yep.)


36.) Would you sleep with me?

NOPE


37.) Are you still wanting to continue?

SURE WHY NOT


38.) Well, it’s over. Now tag some people for me to interview!

WHOEVER WANTS TO DO THIS CAN, JUST CREDIT TO ORIGINAL SOURCE.

For people who actually keep track of this stuff,

I post a lot of sketches and WIP's. But you knew that. After all, you see them when I post them. But this kind of makes my gallery a bit cluttered and I have over 150 submissions in it now. I really, really couldn't care less about the unorganizedness of it. But I see lots of other users on Furaffinity and on DeviantArt who are much more organized than me and it's way easier to navigate and look at art work.

So, does anyone want me to separate my sketches/WIP's into a separate bin like my scraps page? (Or for DA, make a folder for them even though I have no clue how to do that.) There is no god damn way I'm making a seperate account for sketches and WIP's though. Too much work and too many passwords and usernames for me to remember.

Input? Outputs from me? General questions not related to this topic?

Also a lovely time for links:

My FA page: http://www.furaffinity.net/user/dawnstars1247/
My DA page: http://dawnstars1247.deviantart.com/
My fanfiction page: https://www.fanfiction.net/u/3630455/ (Not updated very much. It's hard to get myself to write.)
Ask me for my Xbox Live Gamertag, too many random friendrequests pop up at me nowadays.

I know I haven't been generating a lot of art lately, it's just It's hard to get myself motivated to do so. (No, money will not motivate me to do more.)

As is with a lot of people, school is my main priority right now and so is some other things in my life like my mate, who hasn't yet returned from his spring break trip. Other times I'm tired from swimming and other stuff. Sometimes I just don't feel like drawing. Sometimes my tablet refuses to work. Sometimes I want to go and hang out with my friends or sleep or do other stuff.

So in other words, you won't be seeing art come up very frequently. I'll still be active when I have the time and motivation.

Also, don't forget about this: http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/5551635/
And remember that I'm open for free commission/requests. You might not get them within the week of ordering, but you will get them.

Also, I apologize if I owe anyone something. I will get it to you as soon as possible. Same goes for my fanfics if anyone is still watching and reading those. It's hardest to get myself to write at all anymore.

Concerns? Questions? Shoot me a PM or post a comment on this journal.

I'm still open for this, no payment needed. Feel free to spread, just don't get in trouble for it.




Calling all digital artists, of course! I really don't see how you can do this with traditional medium unless you're really, really good at covering up the original sketch.

Well, I never have a lot of time to finish my stuff in less than a month unless I purposely rush. A lot of times sketches rot in my PC storage. Sometimes I just don't want to finish them because I hate how they turn out or I get other ideas that I like better.

So that's where other artists can step in!

I'm going to let people take my sketches and finish them how they like. Whether I have made the finished version or not, You people can still make your own version.

So, take a sketch like this: http://www.furaffinity.net/view/11498158/ and turn it into a finished piece of art. Everything including colors, which character is in it, backgrounds and shading is totally open to interpretation. You can even change the sketch itself a little, just be sure to keep it mostly in tact.

The only things you have to do are keep my signature on the pieces somehow and show me your finished version. (Credit original to me.) If you have to redraw the signature, do it. Also, please PM me if you are interested. This is something I'd actually like to keep track of.

Feel free to spread, just don't get yourselves in trouble about it.

I kind of want to do some Warriors fan art but I don't know what characters, scene or style to do. (Style meaning anthro or feral.)

It's been a while since I've done feral pieces, so that's definitely a possibility. Also, I don't "ship" particular characters. I've never been into any weird pairings. Especially the weird ScourgexAshfur one that really don't understand. Also, have you noticed that some pairings are off in terms of huge age gaps between the couples? For instance, take Whitewing and Birchfall. Whitewing being the female of the two. Birchfall was born when Whitewing was halfway through her apprenticeship/adolescence. Stuff like this actually happens quite a bit in the novels and it makes me think WTF?! This series is meant for kids and teenagers and the authors (yes, authors, as in 4 different Erin Hunters write the series,) put "cougars" in it? It bothers the crap out of me. I just wanted to rant about that for a second.

Anyway, I don't know what to draw for it so suggestions are welcome.

Or should I do a scene from my fanfic: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/778320.....nstar-s-Legacy with my OC's?

Calling all digital artists, of course! I really don't see how you can do this with traditional medium unless you're really, really good at covering up the original sketch.

Well, I never have a lot of time to finish my stuff in less than a month unless I purposely rush. A lot of times sketches rot in my PC storage. Sometimes I just don't want to finish them because I hate how they turn out or I get other ideas that I like better.

So that's where other artists can step in!

I'm going to let people take my sketches and finish them how they like. Whether I have made the finished version or not, You people can still make your own version.

So, take a sketch like this: http://www.furaffinity.net/view/11498158/ and turn it into a finished piece of art. Everything including colors, which character is in it, backgrounds and shading is totally open to interpretation. You can even change the sketch itself a little, just be sure to keep it mostly in tact.

The only things you have to do are keep my signature on the pieces somehow and show me your finished version. (Credit original to me.) If you have to redraw the signature, do it. Also, please PM me if you are interested. This is something I'd actually like to keep track of.

Feel free to spread, just don't get yourselves in trouble about it.

This year I'm not actually single for this day of love! Pretty amazing if you ask me. I want to make a valentines card for my mate, but I don't know what to make him. He's a dude who loves gaming and stuff like that. He's also an artist like I am, just not so into the digital stuff as I am. Ideas would be awesome.

But on the more important side, I feel somewhat less depressed. (When my parents don't kill it of course...) So I now have time to take FREE commissions to anyone who wants one. (or more than one.) I'll even make valentines for DA's card exchange.

Consult my user page to see what I will do and won't do.

Also keep in mind that stuff that I make could take anywhere from two days to a month to get finished and sent to you. No traditional please!

But I'm not. I actually still like it here and I haven't really encountered very many issues. I probably won't be leaving for a long time, but if I do, I still have a deviant art account and an Xbox Live account so you can still find me there. Links to those are on my userpage.

Also, in case you people forgot, this is still up: www.furaffinity.net/journal/5368434/

That is all.

I dare you guys to guess it! People who know what it is already are not allowed to participate. (That means you, Seneka.)

Winner gets a free, full, digital piece of art work of the character(s) of your choice. The only payment I need is access to your reference sheets.

Feel free to spread. Though I'm not sure how the new spam rules will limit this. So don't get yourselves in trouble.

Hint 1.) It does not start with "A"

Hint 2.) It does not start with "Z"

Hint 3.) No connection to any of my character's names.

I don't tell my watchers that much about me. Mostly only small snippets in journals and in submissions. The rest is just guessing about me through my art work.


......And I'm feeling pretty generous today. So you guys can ask me anything you like. That's right, anything. Any topic. Any rating. Just keep in mind that you might not get an answer to some of them due to the fact that I haven't done/heard of/seen/experienced/etc what you're talking about.

If you ask, please do so in the comments. I will answer when I notice your question. If you don't feel comfortable doing that, you can PM me.

If you want to you can advertise this, but with FA's new spam rules I'm not actually sure if that's allowed.

I do mainly stuff that I want to make and requests/free commissions. But is there is something that you people would like to see differently (or just an entirely different subject) in my art?

Kind of something I've just curious about. It also takes my mind off of all the stuff I mentioned in the last journal.