EF recap :)
Posted 2 months agoEurofurence is over and I have to say : THANK YOU!!!
Thank you for all the nice people who came to my table to buy merch, art or just to talk.
Thank you for all the praise and support.
Thank you for bidding on my pictures in the Art Show.
Thank you for ordering sketch commissions from me.
Thank you for making this con a lot of fun and a boost for my self-esteem despite all the stress and self-doubt.
I am sorry for being a bit awkward, I just didn't know what to say and was overwhelmed by the incredibly positive feedback.
You guys are the best and I am truly grateful! *big group hug* :D
Thank you for all the nice people who came to my table to buy merch, art or just to talk.
Thank you for all the praise and support.
Thank you for bidding on my pictures in the Art Show.
Thank you for ordering sketch commissions from me.
Thank you for making this con a lot of fun and a boost for my self-esteem despite all the stress and self-doubt.
I am sorry for being a bit awkward, I just didn't know what to say and was overwhelmed by the incredibly positive feedback.
You guys are the best and I am truly grateful! *big group hug* :D
Eurofurence Dealers' Den! :D
Posted 6 months agoWoohoo! I just got the confirmation that I got a table at the Dealers' Den after all! I'm so happy!
Time to finish and order the rest of my merch.
See ya at Eurofurence in September! :D
Time to finish and order the rest of my merch.
See ya at Eurofurence in September! :D
Wow...people suck
Posted 8 months agoSomeone told me they wanted to buy my old "Treasure Planet" painting for the Autobuy price of 250€ as a birthday gift for someone and asked me to keep it until they could pay on thursday. So I stopped the auction, waited and contacted them today only to realize they blocked me. What is wrong with people? I even wanted to pay the shipping costs myself and send some surprise extras. :|
Back from Eurofurence!
Posted a year agoA big THANK YOU to everyone who came to my Dealers Den table, bought and praised my art or bought one of my pictures at the Art Show! It was a lot of fun to meet my friends and so many nice people again! You are awesome! :D
I wasn't sure whether to attend next year or not, mainly because much of my merch didn't sell as expected and I had to take a lot of stuff back home again. After 7 years of not going to any convention I also was dumbfounded to realize that pretty much everyone accepts card payment by now. I lost some clients due to only accepting cash or Paypal.
Anyway, in total I still made a good profit and had a blast and since I was asked / persuaded / pressured to come again I will also be there at EF in 2025!
I already have new ideas, haha! :) :) :)
I wasn't sure whether to attend next year or not, mainly because much of my merch didn't sell as expected and I had to take a lot of stuff back home again. After 7 years of not going to any convention I also was dumbfounded to realize that pretty much everyone accepts card payment by now. I lost some clients due to only accepting cash or Paypal.
Anyway, in total I still made a good profit and had a blast and since I was asked / persuaded / pressured to come again I will also be there at EF in 2025!
I already have new ideas, haha! :) :) :)
Thank you.
Posted a year agoThank you so much for the condolences and words of support, it really means a lot me, even if I can't reply to each and everyone of you.
My family and me is still busy with preparing for the funeral next week.
At the end of July I'll be taking Mom on holiday to Fuerteventura ( Canary Islands / Spain ) because it was Dad's favorite island and we want to go there and visit his favorite restaurant to commemorate him. And she very badly needs a break.
My grandparents lived in the same house as my parents. Mom had been caring for my grandpa for years before he died in 2021. Then spent 3 years caring for grandma, who only kept whining, complaining, ordering Mom around and pitying herself, not bothering about how Mom or anyone else felt. After grandma seriously hurt her back and had to go to hospital she had to be sent to a nursing home in December 2023, because she couldn't climb stairs and be left alone anymore ( she's 97 years old! ) and Dad simultaneously had a heart attack, had to be reanimated and got water in his lungs. Ironically his lungs were tested over and over again, he had been suffering from COPD ( lung disease ) for years, they did x-rays, ultrasonic, CTs, etc. But only in February when Dad had pain in his upper arm they suddenly suspected bone cancer and it took months to find out that it was one of many metastasis and, in fact, lung cancer.
And you know what? He went to a specialist every 3 months to check his lungs because of the COPD disease. Completely in vain as it turned out.
The doctors could have spared him 2 biopsies ( one of them led to his arm breaking and needing an extra surgery ), CTs, etc. and weeks and months of waiting for test results by doing the quickest and most acurate test first instead of in the end when nothing else had brought clarity. A scintigraphy, which immediately showed them where the metastasis were located, what kind of cancer it was and how much of his body was affected ( pretty much all of it ).
Why didn't they to that right from the start, you may ask? Because of money. Health insurances want to make as much profit as possible and the doctors and hospitals have strict rules which treatments they have to do in what order. The scintigraphy was the most expensive.
My Dad had paid the highest contributions for over 40 years and you know what else? The minute he died his health insurance stopped being valid. Mom has to pay the medical officer who had to come and officially confirm Dad's death herself. With an extra fee because he died on a Sunday. And one day before he died he finally got his pass for severely disabled people.
Thanks, government and health insurance, thanks for nothing.
My family and me is still busy with preparing for the funeral next week.
At the end of July I'll be taking Mom on holiday to Fuerteventura ( Canary Islands / Spain ) because it was Dad's favorite island and we want to go there and visit his favorite restaurant to commemorate him. And she very badly needs a break.
My grandparents lived in the same house as my parents. Mom had been caring for my grandpa for years before he died in 2021. Then spent 3 years caring for grandma, who only kept whining, complaining, ordering Mom around and pitying herself, not bothering about how Mom or anyone else felt. After grandma seriously hurt her back and had to go to hospital she had to be sent to a nursing home in December 2023, because she couldn't climb stairs and be left alone anymore ( she's 97 years old! ) and Dad simultaneously had a heart attack, had to be reanimated and got water in his lungs. Ironically his lungs were tested over and over again, he had been suffering from COPD ( lung disease ) for years, they did x-rays, ultrasonic, CTs, etc. But only in February when Dad had pain in his upper arm they suddenly suspected bone cancer and it took months to find out that it was one of many metastasis and, in fact, lung cancer.
And you know what? He went to a specialist every 3 months to check his lungs because of the COPD disease. Completely in vain as it turned out.
The doctors could have spared him 2 biopsies ( one of them led to his arm breaking and needing an extra surgery ), CTs, etc. and weeks and months of waiting for test results by doing the quickest and most acurate test first instead of in the end when nothing else had brought clarity. A scintigraphy, which immediately showed them where the metastasis were located, what kind of cancer it was and how much of his body was affected ( pretty much all of it ).
Why didn't they to that right from the start, you may ask? Because of money. Health insurances want to make as much profit as possible and the doctors and hospitals have strict rules which treatments they have to do in what order. The scintigraphy was the most expensive.
My Dad had paid the highest contributions for over 40 years and you know what else? The minute he died his health insurance stopped being valid. Mom has to pay the medical officer who had to come and officially confirm Dad's death herself. With an extra fee because he died on a Sunday. And one day before he died he finally got his pass for severely disabled people.
Thanks, government and health insurance, thanks for nothing.
RIP Dad...
Posted a year agoMy Dad died today. At home, in my Mom's arms and with his family by his side.
4 months ago he was told that he might have cancer, 2 months ago he got diagnosed with an extremely malignant and rapidly growing lung cancer.
Rest in peace, Dad, and say hello to grandpa for me.
I love you.
❤️❤️❤️
4 months ago he was told that he might have cancer, 2 months ago he got diagnosed with an extremely malignant and rapidly growing lung cancer.
Rest in peace, Dad, and say hello to grandpa for me.
I love you.
❤️❤️❤️
Commissions closed indefinitely
Posted a year agoI am sorry to disappoint everyone who has been waiting for a commission from me, but I have been hired by a client to work for him and next to that I do some work for other clients' projects on a more or less regular basis. I want to use the weekends for my personal art and already had to reject people who had asked for a commission, planning to officially open them again once I wouldn't be swamped with work. But work is constantly arriving ( which is of course good for me since I have a steady income ) and I just can't handle any extra load on top of that.
At this point I can't say when commissions will be open again. The project I am hired for will take the entire year, but the client has already planned something new afterwards.
Sorry, guys, but I just have two hands and a limited amount of time and creativity. ^^"
At this point I can't say when commissions will be open again. The project I am hired for will take the entire year, but the client has already planned something new afterwards.
Sorry, guys, but I just have two hands and a limited amount of time and creativity. ^^"
Blue Sky account
Posted 2 years agoI was persuaded to get one because Twitter / X sucks more and more since Musky Elon took over and decided to crash and burn the platform. XD
https://bsky.app/profile/dolphiana.bsky.social
https://bsky.app/profile/dolphiana.bsky.social
Commissions - CLOSED
Posted 2 years agoSince people keep contacting me. I'm sorry, but I'm busy with two major clients' projects and also need some time for my own ideas again.
I'm very happy you all like my art so much and I have a hard time saying "No", so I was working on commissions almost nonstop for the last months and I need a break.
I'm very happy you all like my art so much and I have a hard time saying "No", so I was working on commissions almost nonstop for the last months and I need a break.
Commissions CLOSED
Posted 4 years ago...
Help with Instagram and Patreon
Posted 4 years agoThe instagram algorithm is still limiting my reach for whatever reason, making it very hard for new people to find my page and Patreon isn't going well either, so any help is appreciated. I do my best and it never seems to be enough... T_T
For sketches, WIPS and high resolution files please check out my Patreon :
https://www.patreon.com/Dolphiana
Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/dolphydolphiana
For sketches, WIPS and high resolution files please check out my Patreon :
https://www.patreon.com/Dolphiana
Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/dolphydolphiana
Commissions are closed
Posted 4 years agoI will make an announcement when I accept new ones.
Creeps on the Internet
Posted 4 years agoYou know what's really disturbing? Guys who think they're your soulmate and don't accept it when you tell them "Eh, no, you're creepy, please go away." because they insist on knowing you better even though they have NEVER met you in real life.
Guys who go from client / aquaintance to fanboy and suddenly online stalker. Wanting to meet you, to know more about you, to make you fall in love with them no matter if you want or not. And when you tell them to just stop bothering you, it's not because they are a creep, noooooooo, it's because you're suffering from some kind of trauma and are too scared to accept love and a serious relationship. They keep writing about you and everything you said, did and post on the internet on their blog ( friends also tell me about it now and then, everyone who's ever read it thinks he's a creep ), analyze you, observe your actions, judge and criticize your personality and behavior. Act as if only they see through you and get harsh and butthurt when you get annoyed and tell them stop bothering you once more. Who keep sending you donations because they think you can't survive on your own and desperately need their few extra bucks. Who don't care when you tell them over and over again you don't want any money from them and then get condescending when you keep sending it back.
Of course YOU, the woman, is the problem. Not them, the most perfect man on Earth. The one too good for this planet, the one who keeps mentioning what an awesome, pure and good man he is and how everyone else is using him. How every woman in his life, whom he obsessed over and mentally had kids with already, used him and rejected relationships with him...not because he was a creep and they probably didn't even know he had ulterior motives until he said it to their face, nope, no way.
Instead of accepting your desire to have them as faaaaaar away from them as possible and your wish to stop writing about them on their blog, they continue to do so, because they are obviously obsessed and don't accept a woman's "No" because they think it means "Yes".
Instead of seeking a therapist themselves they keep looking for reasons why the woman is the problem, why she is too damaged and stubborn to realize she's been waiting for them their entire life. After all, she has no right to say no to them. A woman rejecting a man, what's next, gender equality?
I thought ignoring would be the best option, but it's been...many, many months since I told him to stop writing about me because even though he thought I'm stupid and didn't notice ( since he's not mentioning any names ), I did. He didn't care, because again, who cares what the stupid little woman wants? He observes me everywhere online, I've blocked him wherever I could. Recently he's suddenly been following my closest friends as well, to maybe get more information about what I'm up to. And of course he's still writing about me, how much we have in common, how I don't want to admit that we're basically made for each other, how this and that I said and did was wrong, unfair and also blunt criticism of things I've said and done in the past. Reasons why I'm not being successful, worries about me living under a bridge someday and self-pity when I've achieved something without his help.
Because HE sees through me and knows what's best for me, sees the true person I am. Even my best friends, who know me for around 20 years, would never say they know me better than I know myself. And then it comes from a guy online who had a few smalltalk chats with me. Right-o.
Of course, he's right, he knows why I say the things I say, why I act the way I do. But everyone who criticizes him is wrong. Family, coworkers, friends, it doesn't matter if he's been told the same accusations a dozen times, they are always wrong. Because THEY are stupid and have misunderstood him on purpose, nothing is ever his own fault because he's the best, purest and most loyal guy on Earth. Not like the other scum. So no way something can ever be HIS fault.
I know he'll read this. I know he'll write about this on his blog, because he's obsessed with me for whatever sick reason. Because he can't accept the fact I said "NO".
Go ahead, read the comments that are most likely to come and see how pure, nice and sweet people will see your behavior.
If you have one tiny bit of sense of honor left, then finally stop judging, talking and gossiping about me behind my back. It's not gonna change my opinion of you the way you want, just convince me more and more that you need psychological help. If you really think you are such a good guy then listen to my wish. If you won't then it's proof enough you're just fooling yourself.
Guys who go from client / aquaintance to fanboy and suddenly online stalker. Wanting to meet you, to know more about you, to make you fall in love with them no matter if you want or not. And when you tell them to just stop bothering you, it's not because they are a creep, noooooooo, it's because you're suffering from some kind of trauma and are too scared to accept love and a serious relationship. They keep writing about you and everything you said, did and post on the internet on their blog ( friends also tell me about it now and then, everyone who's ever read it thinks he's a creep ), analyze you, observe your actions, judge and criticize your personality and behavior. Act as if only they see through you and get harsh and butthurt when you get annoyed and tell them stop bothering you once more. Who keep sending you donations because they think you can't survive on your own and desperately need their few extra bucks. Who don't care when you tell them over and over again you don't want any money from them and then get condescending when you keep sending it back.
Of course YOU, the woman, is the problem. Not them, the most perfect man on Earth. The one too good for this planet, the one who keeps mentioning what an awesome, pure and good man he is and how everyone else is using him. How every woman in his life, whom he obsessed over and mentally had kids with already, used him and rejected relationships with him...not because he was a creep and they probably didn't even know he had ulterior motives until he said it to their face, nope, no way.
Instead of accepting your desire to have them as faaaaaar away from them as possible and your wish to stop writing about them on their blog, they continue to do so, because they are obviously obsessed and don't accept a woman's "No" because they think it means "Yes".
Instead of seeking a therapist themselves they keep looking for reasons why the woman is the problem, why she is too damaged and stubborn to realize she's been waiting for them their entire life. After all, she has no right to say no to them. A woman rejecting a man, what's next, gender equality?
I thought ignoring would be the best option, but it's been...many, many months since I told him to stop writing about me because even though he thought I'm stupid and didn't notice ( since he's not mentioning any names ), I did. He didn't care, because again, who cares what the stupid little woman wants? He observes me everywhere online, I've blocked him wherever I could. Recently he's suddenly been following my closest friends as well, to maybe get more information about what I'm up to. And of course he's still writing about me, how much we have in common, how I don't want to admit that we're basically made for each other, how this and that I said and did was wrong, unfair and also blunt criticism of things I've said and done in the past. Reasons why I'm not being successful, worries about me living under a bridge someday and self-pity when I've achieved something without his help.
Because HE sees through me and knows what's best for me, sees the true person I am. Even my best friends, who know me for around 20 years, would never say they know me better than I know myself. And then it comes from a guy online who had a few smalltalk chats with me. Right-o.
Of course, he's right, he knows why I say the things I say, why I act the way I do. But everyone who criticizes him is wrong. Family, coworkers, friends, it doesn't matter if he's been told the same accusations a dozen times, they are always wrong. Because THEY are stupid and have misunderstood him on purpose, nothing is ever his own fault because he's the best, purest and most loyal guy on Earth. Not like the other scum. So no way something can ever be HIS fault.
I know he'll read this. I know he'll write about this on his blog, because he's obsessed with me for whatever sick reason. Because he can't accept the fact I said "NO".
Go ahead, read the comments that are most likely to come and see how pure, nice and sweet people will see your behavior.
If you have one tiny bit of sense of honor left, then finally stop judging, talking and gossiping about me behind my back. It's not gonna change my opinion of you the way you want, just convince me more and more that you need psychological help. If you really think you are such a good guy then listen to my wish. If you won't then it's proof enough you're just fooling yourself.
Drawing tablet issues
Posted 4 years agoI have a new SSD-harddisk because my old one was getting slower and slower. Yesterday I installed all of my programs and drivers and there's a problem with my drawing tablet.
Some months ago I bought a Gaomon-tablet. Pen pressure worked in Clip Studio Paint and Paint Tool Sai, but not in Photoshop CS5 ( still on the old harddisk ).
On the new SSD-harddisk pen pressure works in Clip Studio Paint, while Paint Tool Sai doesn't recognize the pen pressure and Photoshop CS5 is entirely like "WTF is that???"
I de-installed the driver and installed another one, only difference being Clip Studio Paint not recognizing the pen pressure either. So I de-installed that one and re-installed the original one again.
Since Sai and Photoshop were still not cooperating I was curious and installed my old Wacom tablet and guess what, it works perfectly in all 3 programs! So it can't be any program options responsible for the Gaomon tablet suddenly not being properly recognized.
I can work with my old tablet again because there's not much difference except for a bit more pressure sensitivity with the Gaomon one, but I really am curious why the hell it's suddenly not working anymore. I had the same drivers and also Windows 10 on both the old and new harddisks.
Any ideas? :/
Some months ago I bought a Gaomon-tablet. Pen pressure worked in Clip Studio Paint and Paint Tool Sai, but not in Photoshop CS5 ( still on the old harddisk ).
On the new SSD-harddisk pen pressure works in Clip Studio Paint, while Paint Tool Sai doesn't recognize the pen pressure and Photoshop CS5 is entirely like "WTF is that???"
I de-installed the driver and installed another one, only difference being Clip Studio Paint not recognizing the pen pressure either. So I de-installed that one and re-installed the original one again.
Since Sai and Photoshop were still not cooperating I was curious and installed my old Wacom tablet and guess what, it works perfectly in all 3 programs! So it can't be any program options responsible for the Gaomon tablet suddenly not being properly recognized.
I can work with my old tablet again because there's not much difference except for a bit more pressure sensitivity with the Gaomon one, but I really am curious why the hell it's suddenly not working anymore. I had the same drivers and also Windows 10 on both the old and new harddisks.
Any ideas? :/
PATREON
Posted 4 years agohttps://www.patreon.com/Dolphiana
I try to update as frequently as I can and still only got a few supporters and keep losing one every month. I really feel like whatever I do isn't good enough...
I try to update as frequently as I can and still only got a few supporters and keep losing one every month. I really feel like whatever I do isn't good enough...
Commissions - CLOSED
Posted 5 years agoOpening again in February.
**************************************************************************
1. My working times are from Monday to Friday. So please refrain from noting me at the weekend asking how your commission is going. It's been incredibly stressful in the past when my friend and me went on an excursion or I simply needed a day off. I already had guilt feelings for not working 24/7 and often came home to notes asking if someone's picture was finished already. It's not healthy when you work 6 days a week and feel bad for not working the 7th day.
2. Please be patient and try to not note me every few days asking for progress. I totally understand that people are looking forward to their commissions, but it's incredibly stressful. My sketches are usually finished in 1 week, sometimes 2 when I have much to do. Colouring doesn't take more than 2-3 weeks. I'll let you know once I received your payment, but please keep in mind that your picture isn't the only one I have to work on. Everyone wants their picture as soon as possible and I try my best to finish them all as fast as I can, but I can only work on one picture at a time.
3. Keep an eye on my journals and uploads if you're interested in a commission. I'll announce it there when slots are open again. I have great difficulties when it comes to saying „No“, and a lot of my clients kept messaging me even though my slots had been closed, which resulted in the same people getting one commission after another while those who patiently waited for me offering new ones again waited in vain. I want everyone who's interested having the same chance again.
Thank you very much for your understanding. :)
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/37996994/
My Commission Prices, all in Euros.
You can convert the currency into USD here :
http://www.x-rates.com/calculator.html
Colouring is done with Paint Tool Sai & Photoshop CS5.
What I draw :
- all kinds of species
- anthros, ferals and humans
- natural backgrounds
- tasteful nudity
What I rather don't draw :
- porn ( at least not when it's highly explicit )
- architecture
- vehicles
- mechanical stuff in general
**************************************************************************
1. My working times are from Monday to Friday. So please refrain from noting me at the weekend asking how your commission is going. It's been incredibly stressful in the past when my friend and me went on an excursion or I simply needed a day off. I already had guilt feelings for not working 24/7 and often came home to notes asking if someone's picture was finished already. It's not healthy when you work 6 days a week and feel bad for not working the 7th day.
2. Please be patient and try to not note me every few days asking for progress. I totally understand that people are looking forward to their commissions, but it's incredibly stressful. My sketches are usually finished in 1 week, sometimes 2 when I have much to do. Colouring doesn't take more than 2-3 weeks. I'll let you know once I received your payment, but please keep in mind that your picture isn't the only one I have to work on. Everyone wants their picture as soon as possible and I try my best to finish them all as fast as I can, but I can only work on one picture at a time.
3. Keep an eye on my journals and uploads if you're interested in a commission. I'll announce it there when slots are open again. I have great difficulties when it comes to saying „No“, and a lot of my clients kept messaging me even though my slots had been closed, which resulted in the same people getting one commission after another while those who patiently waited for me offering new ones again waited in vain. I want everyone who's interested having the same chance again.
Thank you very much for your understanding. :)
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/37996994/
My Commission Prices, all in Euros.
You can convert the currency into USD here :
http://www.x-rates.com/calculator.html
Colouring is done with Paint Tool Sai & Photoshop CS5.
What I draw :
- all kinds of species
- anthros, ferals and humans
- natural backgrounds
- tasteful nudity
What I rather don't draw :
- porn ( at least not when it's highly explicit )
- architecture
- vehicles
- mechanical stuff in general
Emo artist post, beware...
Posted 5 years agoDo you ever feel like whatever you do isn't good enough?
For years I've been feeling like the more my art improves the less feedback I get. Looking at pictures which are a decade old and have way over 1000 faves und countless comments, while being drawn kinda crappy ( I can barely look at my old stuff ) and comparing them to current artwork which maybe has 200 faves and a few comments is really frustrating.
It's like the harder I try the less everyone cares.
Not sure if I imagine it, but feedback has decreased since I stopped drawing "Treasure Planet"-fanart years ago, but sorry, due to personal reasons and some things just happening I totally lost interest in it.
DA's "Eclipse" design also made a lot of people leave, it seems.
I've created an Instagram account 2 years ago and at the start of the year finally got more attention and reach, only for it to drop right after they changed the algorithm again. Now only a small percentage of my followers even get to see my posts. It's so frustrating when I upload something people would like, but Instagram only shows to like 400-500 in total ( while I got around 1500 followers...not much, but still more than the organic reach ).
When let's say 150 people from those 500 like my art then it shows me that there IS interest in it and it would get more feedback IF Instagram actually showed it to a wider audience.
I try to have some diversity in my art. Digital art, sketches, detailed ballpointpen- drawings, copic marker art, "Rise of The Guardians" fanart, animals, fantasy creatures and anthros.
And then I see accounts with FAR more followers and likes, who post pretty much the same all the time and each time people freak out as if they re-invented the wheel.
With every new follower there are people unfollowing me again. My paranoia already tells me when I post "RotG" fanart I'll lose people who watch me for animal art and when I post animal art I'll lose the RotG-fans. My "Sheltielicious"-comics have been getting far less attention than I thought they would and I'm already worried people will get sick of them because they'd rather see detailed artwork again.
Yeah, I know I shouldn't care about feedback too much. I'll continue drawing what I like and enjoy, but my self-esteem extremely suffers when pictures I put so much thought and effort in get more or less ignored and other artists' random portrait of the same-faced girl or the 57th picture of a cat gets praised to infinity and beyond. *sighs*
Same for Patreon, pretty much no interest and only support of a few loyal followers while people who already get hundreds or thousands of bucks for commissions, original art and merchandise also get hundreds of supporters.
It's like, I reached my peak years ago and now it's only going downhill, no matter what I do. I'm tired of fighting to earn people's "love" for my art.
Sorry for the whining, just had to get that out right now...
For more art please follow me on Instagram :
https://www.instagram.com/dolphydolphiana
Like my art and want to see more? Then please support me on Patreon :
https://www.patreon.com/Dolphiana
One time donations on Ko-fi :
https://ko-fi.com/dolphiana
For years I've been feeling like the more my art improves the less feedback I get. Looking at pictures which are a decade old and have way over 1000 faves und countless comments, while being drawn kinda crappy ( I can barely look at my old stuff ) and comparing them to current artwork which maybe has 200 faves and a few comments is really frustrating.
It's like the harder I try the less everyone cares.
Not sure if I imagine it, but feedback has decreased since I stopped drawing "Treasure Planet"-fanart years ago, but sorry, due to personal reasons and some things just happening I totally lost interest in it.
DA's "Eclipse" design also made a lot of people leave, it seems.
I've created an Instagram account 2 years ago and at the start of the year finally got more attention and reach, only for it to drop right after they changed the algorithm again. Now only a small percentage of my followers even get to see my posts. It's so frustrating when I upload something people would like, but Instagram only shows to like 400-500 in total ( while I got around 1500 followers...not much, but still more than the organic reach ).
When let's say 150 people from those 500 like my art then it shows me that there IS interest in it and it would get more feedback IF Instagram actually showed it to a wider audience.
I try to have some diversity in my art. Digital art, sketches, detailed ballpointpen- drawings, copic marker art, "Rise of The Guardians" fanart, animals, fantasy creatures and anthros.
And then I see accounts with FAR more followers and likes, who post pretty much the same all the time and each time people freak out as if they re-invented the wheel.
With every new follower there are people unfollowing me again. My paranoia already tells me when I post "RotG" fanart I'll lose people who watch me for animal art and when I post animal art I'll lose the RotG-fans. My "Sheltielicious"-comics have been getting far less attention than I thought they would and I'm already worried people will get sick of them because they'd rather see detailed artwork again.
Yeah, I know I shouldn't care about feedback too much. I'll continue drawing what I like and enjoy, but my self-esteem extremely suffers when pictures I put so much thought and effort in get more or less ignored and other artists' random portrait of the same-faced girl or the 57th picture of a cat gets praised to infinity and beyond. *sighs*
Same for Patreon, pretty much no interest and only support of a few loyal followers while people who already get hundreds or thousands of bucks for commissions, original art and merchandise also get hundreds of supporters.
It's like, I reached my peak years ago and now it's only going downhill, no matter what I do. I'm tired of fighting to earn people's "love" for my art.
Sorry for the whining, just had to get that out right now...
For more art please follow me on Instagram :
https://www.instagram.com/dolphydolphiana
Like my art and want to see more? Then please support me on Patreon :
https://www.patreon.com/Dolphiana
One time donations on Ko-fi :
https://ko-fi.com/dolphiana
My Patreon Page
Posted 5 years ago---> https://www.patreon.com/Dolphiana <---
There wasn't much interest in the sheltie science comic, so I decided to give it another try and make an account for my general art, means own creations, fanart and commission work.
The more support I get the more of my personal ideas I can draw for you, so every pledge is highly appreciated. :)
There wasn't much interest in the sheltie science comic, so I decided to give it another try and make an account for my general art, means own creations, fanart and commission work.
The more support I get the more of my personal ideas I can draw for you, so every pledge is highly appreciated. :)
I give up... X_X
Posted 5 years agoDo you remember the sheltie science comic pages I did for a contest last year?
https://www.deviantart.com/dolphydo.....ge-1-790635855
Even though mine stood out and a lot of people liked it, it wasn't picked because it featured an animal protagonist ( one jury member thought kids needed kids to identifiy with ) and made place 6 of 90. The best 4 ones won.
My friend works at the insititute that hosted the contest, so I got some background information about what's going on there.
Anyway, the 4 comics they chose totally failed with children because they had the appeal of average schoolbook illustrations. So they organized another round, looking for better comics.
Because it was allowed I re-submitted mine with a slightly altered story.
This time they actually invited children to look at the comics and gave them stickers to mark the ones they liked most. My friend told me the kids who looked at my comic totally freaked out because they liked it so much and wanted to put all of the stickers on it. It was THE most popular comic of all.
The guy who's one of the bosses of the institute and hosted the contest liked it very much as well, because it stood out, was beautifully drawn, had a protagonist everyone loved. And exactly that's the problem.
He said it was, and I am not joking, TOO good. Everyone likes animals, him included, so because my comic featured a dog it had an unfair advantage over those who chose human characters. And it was so perfectly drawn that the other 3 winners would fail compared to it and mine would take the spotlight. Apparently that was one of the main reasons it hadn't won the first time either and if they hosted another contest again he would add that it had to feature human protagonists.
I've been hearing that my art is flawed, too Disney-ish, I didn't improve, etc. all my life, but that I lost a very profitable comic contest two times in a row because it was TOO perfect is something new.
Now 4 mediocre comics won because they want 4 on the same level. Because that's apparently better than choosing that one comic that children actually LIKED and WANTED to see more of.
Great message as well, don't be too good because that will be unfair towards the less talented participants. I mean, seriously, they are scientists, shouldn't they understand that the meaning of a contest is NOT searching for the SECOND best? :|
I really don't know what to think or do anymore...
https://www.deviantart.com/dolphydo.....ge-1-790635855
Even though mine stood out and a lot of people liked it, it wasn't picked because it featured an animal protagonist ( one jury member thought kids needed kids to identifiy with ) and made place 6 of 90. The best 4 ones won.
My friend works at the insititute that hosted the contest, so I got some background information about what's going on there.
Anyway, the 4 comics they chose totally failed with children because they had the appeal of average schoolbook illustrations. So they organized another round, looking for better comics.
Because it was allowed I re-submitted mine with a slightly altered story.
This time they actually invited children to look at the comics and gave them stickers to mark the ones they liked most. My friend told me the kids who looked at my comic totally freaked out because they liked it so much and wanted to put all of the stickers on it. It was THE most popular comic of all.
The guy who's one of the bosses of the institute and hosted the contest liked it very much as well, because it stood out, was beautifully drawn, had a protagonist everyone loved. And exactly that's the problem.
He said it was, and I am not joking, TOO good. Everyone likes animals, him included, so because my comic featured a dog it had an unfair advantage over those who chose human characters. And it was so perfectly drawn that the other 3 winners would fail compared to it and mine would take the spotlight. Apparently that was one of the main reasons it hadn't won the first time either and if they hosted another contest again he would add that it had to feature human protagonists.
I've been hearing that my art is flawed, too Disney-ish, I didn't improve, etc. all my life, but that I lost a very profitable comic contest two times in a row because it was TOO perfect is something new.
Now 4 mediocre comics won because they want 4 on the same level. Because that's apparently better than choosing that one comic that children actually LIKED and WANTED to see more of.
Great message as well, don't be too good because that will be unfair towards the less talented participants. I mean, seriously, they are scientists, shouldn't they understand that the meaning of a contest is NOT searching for the SECOND best? :|
I really don't know what to think or do anymore...
Commission Status
Posted 5 years agoSince I got FAR more inquiries than expected I guess it's a good idea to let my clients check the status of their commission here. :)
I'll try to finish everything asap, but please be patient. I originally wanted to accept 5 orders but checked my messages too late and didn't want to reject anyone. Will do my best to not let anyone wait for too long, though.
Furaffinity :
arkray &
dark_fractals ( Full CG ) : finished
silberlynx ( Full CG ) : sketched
solena ( Full CG ) : colouring
werikane ( Badges ) : finished
athalean ( Sketch CG ) : sketched
gwenore ( icon ) : finished
DeviantArt :
Anonymous ( Full CG ) : finished
Kithsun ( Flat colours ) : finished
FalcorJ ( template edits ) : finished
Dragonheart07 ( Lineart ) : finished
I'll try to finish everything asap, but please be patient. I originally wanted to accept 5 orders but checked my messages too late and didn't want to reject anyone. Will do my best to not let anyone wait for too long, though.
Furaffinity :
arkray &
dark_fractals ( Full CG ) : finished
silberlynx ( Full CG ) : sketched
solena ( Full CG ) : colouring
werikane ( Badges ) : finished
athalean ( Sketch CG ) : sketched
gwenore ( icon ) : finishedDeviantArt :
Anonymous ( Full CG ) : finished
Kithsun ( Flat colours ) : finished
FalcorJ ( template edits ) : finished
Dragonheart07 ( Lineart ) : finished
Commissions - CLOSED
Posted 5 years agoWow, I'm completely overwhelmed with all the notes I got in just a few hours. Slots are all taken already, I'll announce new ones as soon as I have finished the current workload.
**********************************************************************
Thank you for being patient with me and accepting my little break.
Due to mental and physical health issues I have to raise my prices a bit, so I ( hopefully ) won't have to work 7 days a week anymore and establish a few rules :
1. My working times are from Monday to Friday. So please refrain from noting me at the weekend asking how your commission is going. It's been incredibly stressful in the past when my friend and me went on an excursion or I simply needed a day off. I already had guilt feelings for not working 24/7 and often came home to notes asking if someone's picture was finished already. It's not healthy when you work 6 days a week and feel bad for not working the 7th day.
2. Please be patient and try to not note me every few days asking for progress. I totally understand that people are looking forward to their commissions, but it's incredibly stressful. My sketches are usually finished in 1 week, sometimes 2 when I have much to do. Colouring doesn't take more than 2-3 weeks. I'll let you know once I received your payment, but please keep in mind that your picture isn't the only one I have to work on. Everyone wants their picture as soon as possible and I try my best to finish them all as fast as I can, but I can only work on one picture at a time.
3. Keep an eye on my journals and uploads if you're interested in a commission. I'll announce it there when slots are open again. I have great difficulties when it comes to saying „No“, and a lot of my clients kept messaging me even though my slots had been closed, which resulted in the same people getting one commission after another while those who patiently waited for me offering new ones again waited in vain. I want everyone who's interested having the same chance again.
Thank you very much for your understanding. :)
**************************************************************************
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/37996994/
My Commission Prices, all in Euros.
You can convert the currency into USD here :
http://www.x-rates.com/calculator.html
Colouring is done with Paint Tool Sai & Photoshop CS5.
What I draw :
- all kinds of species
- anthros, ferals and humans
- natural backgrounds
- tasteful nudity
What I rather don't draw :
- porn ( at least not when it's highly explicit )
- architecture
- vehicles
- mechanical stuff in general
Physiotherapy and bills, please read...
Posted 5 years agoIt's been a week since I took the month off from work. How did that go so far? Disastrously, to be honest.
As soon as I finished my last commission and began working on my own art I got weird sensations and pain in my hands. Mainly tingling fingertips, similar to the feeling you get shortly before a bodypart falls asleep. But also pressure and pain when I use them „wrong“, especially the left had, which is strange because I'm right-handed. Typing and using the smartphone with the left hand causes the worst feeling in pinky, ring and middle finger. At night I have to find a comfortable position that doesn't make it even worse.
After it hadn't gotten better for days I went to the doctor, who said it could be carpal tunnel syndrome, but because I have it in both hands and all fingers are affected ( varying in intensity ) she guesses it came from my neck. Then she kneaded the back of my neck and I immediately was like „Holy ***!“ and she said yeah, I was as stiff as a board there.
She gave me painkillers and a muscle relaxing ointment ( which still hasn't helped, btw ) and refered me to a physiotherapist.
I had my first session there today and woa, that hurt! Apparently one of my cervical vertrebras has moved bit too much to the left, there's an issue with the lumbar vertebra, my neck and shoulders are completely tense. She asked me a lot of questions and came to the conclusion that one of the main reasons causing all this is STRESS, because that affects the entire body and mind.
She said it's good that I'm taking a break and should also think about working a bit less and moving to a more quiet neighbourhood.
But it's all easier said and done. I know that I'm constantly stressed, but when you have to work all month to earn enough to pay your bills and afford going out now and then and your clients keep asking all the time how far you are with their commission, then it's hard to NOT get stressed.
It can't go on like this, now that it has officially made me sick.
Therefore I'll soon post a new price list and new rules concerning commissions.
But it wouldn't be 2020 if that was all.
I have to pay each session of physiotherapy in cash and by the time all sessions are finished I'll get a bill that I can submit to my health insurance. But the physiotherapist already told me that they will only pay around 1/3 of the costs back.
Which leads me to :
The damn health insurance has just sent me a letter with a subsequent adjustment of almost 350€ for 2019. Now, I gotta say they send this every August, but I earned less in 2019 than I did in 2018, so I actually expected them to send me money back for a change. Still waiting for their explanation, ever since I moved to Austria they keep raising my dues over and over again, and I really don't make a fortune with my art.
I'm furious, because even when they refund me some of the costs for the physiotherapy, it's still less than what I have to pay now additionally to the 300€ of regular dues.
For a moment I pondered canceling my vacation and resuming work, but it's true, I really do need that break. It sucks because I have so many ideas I finally wanted to get on paper and now I have to keep it down to a few hours a day to not overstrain my hands.
I have a bunch of traditional artworks, drawings and prints I planned to sell online, but for some weird Covid-19 related reason the Austrian post office only offers shipping to the USA for 47€, no matter if it's a big letter or package. Germany had the same going on until a few weeks ago, demanding insane amounts of money for shipping to particular countries. The majority of my clients lives overseas, so I'll have to wait with the art-sale until Austrian shipping costs have gone back to normal or until I visit my family in Germany again.
So basically I'm stuck here and forced to spend a ( for my standards ) huge amount of money without being able to earn it back.
I hate to ask this, but since it concerns my health and the future of my art, if you feel generous and wanna help me out, any help is appreciated.
Ko-Fi : https://ko-fi.com/dolphiana
Paypal : https://www.paypal.com/donate/?toke.....mp;locale.x=DE
As soon as I finished my last commission and began working on my own art I got weird sensations and pain in my hands. Mainly tingling fingertips, similar to the feeling you get shortly before a bodypart falls asleep. But also pressure and pain when I use them „wrong“, especially the left had, which is strange because I'm right-handed. Typing and using the smartphone with the left hand causes the worst feeling in pinky, ring and middle finger. At night I have to find a comfortable position that doesn't make it even worse.
After it hadn't gotten better for days I went to the doctor, who said it could be carpal tunnel syndrome, but because I have it in both hands and all fingers are affected ( varying in intensity ) she guesses it came from my neck. Then she kneaded the back of my neck and I immediately was like „Holy ***!“ and she said yeah, I was as stiff as a board there.
She gave me painkillers and a muscle relaxing ointment ( which still hasn't helped, btw ) and refered me to a physiotherapist.
I had my first session there today and woa, that hurt! Apparently one of my cervical vertrebras has moved bit too much to the left, there's an issue with the lumbar vertebra, my neck and shoulders are completely tense. She asked me a lot of questions and came to the conclusion that one of the main reasons causing all this is STRESS, because that affects the entire body and mind.
She said it's good that I'm taking a break and should also think about working a bit less and moving to a more quiet neighbourhood.
But it's all easier said and done. I know that I'm constantly stressed, but when you have to work all month to earn enough to pay your bills and afford going out now and then and your clients keep asking all the time how far you are with their commission, then it's hard to NOT get stressed.
It can't go on like this, now that it has officially made me sick.
Therefore I'll soon post a new price list and new rules concerning commissions.
But it wouldn't be 2020 if that was all.
I have to pay each session of physiotherapy in cash and by the time all sessions are finished I'll get a bill that I can submit to my health insurance. But the physiotherapist already told me that they will only pay around 1/3 of the costs back.
Which leads me to :
The damn health insurance has just sent me a letter with a subsequent adjustment of almost 350€ for 2019. Now, I gotta say they send this every August, but I earned less in 2019 than I did in 2018, so I actually expected them to send me money back for a change. Still waiting for their explanation, ever since I moved to Austria they keep raising my dues over and over again, and I really don't make a fortune with my art.
I'm furious, because even when they refund me some of the costs for the physiotherapy, it's still less than what I have to pay now additionally to the 300€ of regular dues.
For a moment I pondered canceling my vacation and resuming work, but it's true, I really do need that break. It sucks because I have so many ideas I finally wanted to get on paper and now I have to keep it down to a few hours a day to not overstrain my hands.
I have a bunch of traditional artworks, drawings and prints I planned to sell online, but for some weird Covid-19 related reason the Austrian post office only offers shipping to the USA for 47€, no matter if it's a big letter or package. Germany had the same going on until a few weeks ago, demanding insane amounts of money for shipping to particular countries. The majority of my clients lives overseas, so I'll have to wait with the art-sale until Austrian shipping costs have gone back to normal or until I visit my family in Germany again.
So basically I'm stuck here and forced to spend a ( for my standards ) huge amount of money without being able to earn it back.
I hate to ask this, but since it concerns my health and the future of my art, if you feel generous and wanna help me out, any help is appreciated.
Ko-Fi : https://ko-fi.com/dolphiana
Paypal : https://www.paypal.com/donate/?toke.....mp;locale.x=DE
Taking a break / Ko-Fi Support
Posted 5 years ago***************** https://ko-fi.com/dolphiana *****************
Since I am slowly heading towards a burn-out because of working nonstop for the last months, I decided to take a break from commissions.
My plan for August is to finally get some of my ownl ideas done. Of course bills still need to be paid, so if you want to support me to see more of my personal art, then that would be appreciated a lot!
Supporters ( one time or monthly ) will get access to the high resolution files of whatever I will draw and probably WIPs as well.
Thank you a lot in advance! :)
~ Dolphy
Since I am slowly heading towards a burn-out because of working nonstop for the last months, I decided to take a break from commissions.
My plan for August is to finally get some of my ownl ideas done. Of course bills still need to be paid, so if you want to support me to see more of my personal art, then that would be appreciated a lot!
Supporters ( one time or monthly ) will get access to the high resolution files of whatever I will draw and probably WIPs as well.
Thank you a lot in advance! :)
~ Dolphy
No Commissions in August - Please Read
Posted 5 years agoFirst I want to say thank you to all my steady clients, who commission me over and over again. I'm very grateful for your orders and support and flattered that you all like my art so much and that you keep coming back for more. *hugs*
Despite fearing the Covid-19 mess might lead to less orders, actually the opposite happened and I've been working nonstop for the last months. Each time a commission was done, another one was ordered right afterwards. New clients approached me and joined the steady client group. Which is awesome, don't get me wrong!
But here's my problem, I can hardly say "No" to people who secure my income in fear of driving them away. And the moment payment has been sent I put myself under pressure to finish the picture as quickly as possible. I guess that's why people have gotten used to the fact that I deliver commissions in a few days or a week.
Which leads to another problem, namely that even when I tell them the sketch / colouring might take a while because I'm busy with other work, they understand BUT still politely note me after a few days asking how it's going or if I've made any progress yet. Not accusing anyone in particular, it's just become normal behavior by now, not just by one or two people, more like 90% of them. I understand that they are looking forward to their commissions, but it stresses.me.out.
Especially when I see other artists taking weeks / months or even years to deliver work and people seem to be okay with that, but expect me to get everything done asap.
I can't even remember the last time I've done a digital artwork for myself, except for the fanart challenge, but that was the only one in months and I picked characters my watchers suggested. I also haven't drawn any proper"Rise of the Guardians" fanart since january and didn't even have time to colour a simple sketch which I had drawn months ago.
People want to see my personal art and ideas but don't realize I simply don't have the time because working on commissions swallows pretty much all my time and energy.
To cut a long story short, I need a break because I'm exhausted and heading towards an artistic burnout.
In August I won't accept any new commissions because I want to work on my own art for a few weeks.
I hope you understand. *hugs*
Despite fearing the Covid-19 mess might lead to less orders, actually the opposite happened and I've been working nonstop for the last months. Each time a commission was done, another one was ordered right afterwards. New clients approached me and joined the steady client group. Which is awesome, don't get me wrong!
But here's my problem, I can hardly say "No" to people who secure my income in fear of driving them away. And the moment payment has been sent I put myself under pressure to finish the picture as quickly as possible. I guess that's why people have gotten used to the fact that I deliver commissions in a few days or a week.
Which leads to another problem, namely that even when I tell them the sketch / colouring might take a while because I'm busy with other work, they understand BUT still politely note me after a few days asking how it's going or if I've made any progress yet. Not accusing anyone in particular, it's just become normal behavior by now, not just by one or two people, more like 90% of them. I understand that they are looking forward to their commissions, but it stresses.me.out.
Especially when I see other artists taking weeks / months or even years to deliver work and people seem to be okay with that, but expect me to get everything done asap.
I can't even remember the last time I've done a digital artwork for myself, except for the fanart challenge, but that was the only one in months and I picked characters my watchers suggested. I also haven't drawn any proper"Rise of the Guardians" fanart since january and didn't even have time to colour a simple sketch which I had drawn months ago.
People want to see my personal art and ideas but don't realize I simply don't have the time because working on commissions swallows pretty much all my time and energy.
To cut a long story short, I need a break because I'm exhausted and heading towards an artistic burnout.
In August I won't accept any new commissions because I want to work on my own art for a few weeks.
I hope you understand. *hugs*
Commissions - CLOSED until May
Posted 5 years ago PRICES : http://www.furaffinity.net/view/30293956/
Information I need :
- colouring style ( flat, cg-sketch, full cg )
- number of characters
- reference sheet or description
- desired pose / expression / athmosphere
- background ( simple, detailed, sky, jungle, etc. )
PRICES are in EUROS and can be converted into any other currency here :
http://www.x-rates.com/calculator.html
Colouring is done with Paint Tool Sai & Photoshop CS5.
What I draw :
- all kinds of species
- anthros, ferals and humans
- natural backgrounds
- tasteful nudity
What I rather don't draw :
- porn ( at least not when it's highly explicit...might be a matter of the price you're willing to pay though )
- architecture ( buildings, interior of rooms, etc. )
- vehicles
- mechanical stuff in general
Transaction :
- You note me and tell me what you want + references or descriptions of your character(s).
- I tell you the exact price and you send the money via Paypal.
- I`ll send you the sketch before I colour it ( chance for minor edits )
Information I need :
- colouring style ( flat, cg-sketch, full cg )
- number of characters
- reference sheet or description
- desired pose / expression / athmosphere
- background ( simple, detailed, sky, jungle, etc. )
PRICES are in EUROS and can be converted into any other currency here :
http://www.x-rates.com/calculator.html
Colouring is done with Paint Tool Sai & Photoshop CS5.
What I draw :
- all kinds of species
- anthros, ferals and humans
- natural backgrounds
- tasteful nudity
What I rather don't draw :
- porn ( at least not when it's highly explicit...might be a matter of the price you're willing to pay though )
- architecture ( buildings, interior of rooms, etc. )
- vehicles
- mechanical stuff in general
Transaction :
- You note me and tell me what you want + references or descriptions of your character(s).
- I tell you the exact price and you send the money via Paypal.
- I`ll send you the sketch before I colour it ( chance for minor edits )
FA+
