Hello everyone! If you've been following me recently, you've likely seen that I wanted to rebrand my account to a nicer name than "Michael123789" lmao (thanks so much to  Carrot for the idea! :D), though up to this point I couldn't really think of a name to go by. Well last night the name finally came to me, and all day I've been setting up the account, and it's ready to go!

http://www.furaffinity.net/user/heliofox/
 HelioFox

This does not mean that this account will be shut down, I'll just be setting it up to direct everyone to the new one as much as possible haha. Everything will probably stay uploaded, but I will no longer be posting my own art here. Maybe as a place to reupload commissions though? We'll see what comes from that lol, but updates here will be sparse and I highly recommend following the new one to stay up to date.

Thank you for everyone who has supported me along the way, I could not have gotten to this point without ya--here's to greater things in the future! <3

Hey guys! Been doing a lot of update journals lately lol, hopefully it's not too much. Things are moving really fast lately and am trying to keep up with it! Exciting things ahead :D

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Just as a general update to everyone, finally getting a good jump start on the rest of the owed art I have to get to, mainly the art trades that had more complex ideas that I couldn't accomplish with the tablet until now. I've already contacted everyone with updates and we've talked since, so this update is more as a public address about the queue lol

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Regarding future account ideas, got lots still on the table, and have had some time to think about them more recently! Potential ideas being (feel free to add input about 'em, trying to figure things out!):

1. Actually making a sona! Would definitely be a fox of some sort ;D

2. Possible rebranding of the account, to something better than "Michael123789", now that I'm actually taking commission work and getting more of a reach. Would have to think of a new name, and how I'd want to handle moving to a new account since FA doesn't just support renaming. Really want to do this, but there's a lot to consider with it lol

3. Twitter page/telegram or discord group? For WIPs, chatting, etc, would be fun to connect with you guys as my watchers :D

4. Possible Patreon or Ko-fi? Just as a tip jar sort of thing and nothing huge, with extra little bonuses I'd have to think up. I am NOT a fan of paywalling content, so you can at least expect that from me. Would be further down the line probably, but on the horizon?

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Also some good news, just got back my 1st exam of the 5 (one was moved to Thursday thankfully, but still got 3 on Monday D;), did NOT expect this grade! It was crazy hard, and the average was only a 71% :O *plays Kool & The Gang - Celebration on a loop*
https://gyazo.com/8f8dc82a6a59bb03ecdf23156ea1c058

Hey guys! As another part of trying to be productive in the background of this upcoming busy week, I've decided to open up a google form for people to submit possible ideas to use as designs for adoptables based on that fox base I made(https://www.furaffinity.net/view/26433178/ )! If you've got any ideas, feel free to pitch them! The more ideas, the more designs that can get made! :D

Link to form: https://goo.gl/forms/9tdnFyRH2uYOdln23

Hey guys! I'm officially opening up 2 more commission tiers for Ref Sheets and Custom Character Design, though the prices themselves are the same as usual, just more of an organizational thing. More info here: https://www.furaffinity.net/commiss.....michael123789/

Also, I am going to be using the fox base to draft up some adoptable designs, since the past 2 designs with it were super fun to make and turned out really nice. If I were to stream designing them, would people be interested? Could be a cool way for people watching to kind of pitch in basic ideas to see with the adoptables or something to get more ideas :D

And with that, I descend into my notes to being studying for those tests. Wish me luck D:

Hey everyone! Just an update on how things will be for the next week or so due to irl stuff. Between Thursday and next Tuesday I've got an exam in every course I'm taking (3 of them are on Monday alone, why do professors do this D;), which ain't fun or easy when they're all upper level physics/meteorology courses. So between studying for them and taking them (and trying to rest after lol), might not be as active here or with artwork until this period wraps up. Hopefully doesn't impact much other than that!

This is also a reminder that commissions are open! With that new $5 sketch slot because they're quicker and easier to do than lined pieces :D https://www.furaffinity.net/commiss.....michael123789/

Hey everyone! This journal is a bit long, it just ended up having a lot of little things I wanted to discuss lol, broke them up to be more readable. Thanks for taking the time to read if you do! Nothing really bad in here, just an overview of stuff and some potential new ideas~

Happy v-day if you celebrate it, and if not (like me), have a good day otherwise! Looking forward to tomorrow, when all the chocolate and candy goes on sale ;D

Before getting into the not as fun stuff, something that came up and was suggested by  carrot, was a possible rebranding of my account before I build up too much momentum, by having an official better name than the current name that's just a string of numbers lol, for something more interesting to use. Just a possible idea that I'm growing to like, more information will be out on my decision and I will make sure everyone is in the loop when/if this would be occurring!

As for an update on current commissions and trades in the queue, I've been back and forth with trying to knock them out while also getting practice on the tablet, some stuff is taking some time to get a handle on so I can't thank everyone enough for their patience! I haven't forgotten about anyone, don't worry <3

In the effort of pulling in some more money, since I am currently struggling with pulling off lined commissions on the tablet (smooth lining is tough to get down D:), I have added a new sketch tier for $5! Since sketching is much easier to do and I can get something pretty decent done with it, I added it as an alternative to the fully lined commissions. Information can be found in the commission info tab as always! Can include colors and a background for a small fee on top of the base :D
https://www.furaffinity.net/commiss.....michael123789/

And for a general life update that inspired the new tier, February has been a pretty big month in spending money on college finances, while I'm not exactly in a bad position I'm far from somewhere good. I have 3 flexible-hour jobs that I work between my already intensive college schedule, and I have not been able to secure a stable job for those reasons to have a good income, right now it's about ~$100 every two weeks, which doesn't add up to much when I've got basic expenses like a big housing deposit, food, supplies, etc to cover. So I'm hoping the sketches can just help offset some of this, I hate borrowing money from friends or family just to go here because I can't pull in enough myself </3

This also means the number of commissions I can get definitely will be slowing down, I love supporting my fellow artists and friends especially when they're in a similar financial boat as me, but being in that boat means I can't give as much as I'd like. Getting art from comms is great and all, but helping out the artist is a big reason I enjoy commissioning as well!

Maybe I'll open a donation thing if anyone wants to pitch in? But I'd want to do or draw something in return for that, so I feel like the sketch comms would just be the same thing as donating, tossing around a lot of ideas in my head. We'll get something figured out :D

Anybody else watch the livestream or get a chance to see that launch? Daaaaaaaaaaamn that double booster landing was a thing of beauty <3

In response to the center core failing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5hWWe-ts2s

Hey guys, if you're got a few bucks to spare, please check out this journal and help out a fellow artist's family in need!
https://www.furaffinity.net/journal/8608950/

Hey guys! So  kumotta got the tablet shipped and it should technically be coming in tomorrow, but my campus mail room is only open Monday-Friday so... so much for using the weekend to practice. The anticipation is killing me, I just want to get back to comms/trades and everything D:

So that's that! Hopefully gonna get back into the swing of things soon here, been quite a bit longer than I'd hoped. Maybe I'll stream the first time trying using the tablet if people are interested? Might be entertaining haha

Thank you for everyone's patience! We'll get there <3

Hello! Back from the temporary dead caused by the end of my winter semester and its courses... taking a writing course over winter was a mistake D:

I'll get the bad out of the way first since it's quick too, just bought my books for the semester and it was quite a bit of money. So for those who like to see the commissions I get, there's gonna have to be a serious slow-down of what I can get D: (but psst... commissions are open if you'd like to help fund getting more art! ;D https://www.furaffinity.net/journal/8565734/ )

And now for the best news, thanks to  kumotta, I will finally be getting a tablet! Had enough money left over from getting books that I could finally invest in one, and they offered a great price for an old wacom bamboo (cth670) and I just got it today. Should hopefully ship in by the end of the week, so I can get a nice jump on trades & commissions starting this weekend! Or at least, I'll be able to start using it by then to get used to it haha

Also some potentially good news here, if anyone has heard of the Pokemon Off-White game (https://www.furaffinity.net/view/21003560/ ) before, it was recently announced that production on it would not be continued and it is now dead. Being a long time fan of it (waited over 2 years for the ninetales update that never came D:), I was talking with the original creator for some tips on potentially working a revival of the project, either as is or from the ground-up. This certainly won't be quick or easy in the beginning, and it may be a long time before anything significant results from it (if I can even do it, that's TBD), but it's something on the far horizon to maybe look forward to! Support and help is definitely welcomed if anyone else is interested :D

That's it for now! Am all settled into my dorm for the semester, so I should have a lot more free time to work on art, especially once I get the tablet. Drawing with a mouse in the meantime is pretty tough to get the motivation haha, but I will try to continue working on stuff in the meantime. If anyone has any questions about their commissions/trades etc, we're probably already actively talking and I've mentioned this lmao, so feel free to ask if not!

So, one of my goals in 2018 is to get a tablet so I can stop drawing with a mouse, and hopefully take my drawing to the next level (I'm pretty satisfied with how it is now for where I am, but I've definitely got lots of room to improve lol), and being stuck with a mouse is very limiting.

I've got my eye on this one, I've had it recommended by friends and know that it's a good one to start with: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B.....6SB5&psc=1

The only roadblock is funds, which I ~technically~ have, but with the start of my spring semester coming up, I'm gonna need that money for books (college, why do you do this to me I pay enough in tuition D:), so unless I hit the lottery anytime soon this endeavor may be delayed a bit.

Commissions are open but I don't expect enough of them yet for this since I've just begun, so does anyone have any ideas for fun little projects I could try in addition to comms to try and raise some funds for a tablet? Like adoptables, a donation drive, etc. Any input or ideas are welcomed, since they're in the spirit of getting a tablet quicker so I can start delivering much higher quality art! :D

And of course, there's still slots if you'd like to support through a commission~ https://www.furaffinity.net/journal/8565734/

Thank you guys so much already for the support, looking forward to improving from here!

Update: My trello queue is now set up and ready! If you've got something on the list, you can always keep track of progress by checking it here: https://trello.com/b/Q35STFYa

Also, I found the best background for it, if you don't need to follow that link: https://www.furaffinity.net/view/25935843/

Make sure to read this any my TOS before asking stuff, it applies to all of my art! So there's less confusion and everything is understood, but feel free to ask for any clarifications if needed too :D

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Hey guys! I was initially going to hold off on opening commissions, but I've received some interest as I continued on through the request queue, so I decided to sit down and actually get them set up. All the info for my TOS and prices are in the commission info tab here: https://www.furaffinity.net/commiss.....michael123789/

And I have a trello set up as well, will update as things begin to fill up! It's got a cute fox in the background and everything: https://trello.com/b/Q35STFYa/queue

All 3 levels (comms, requests, & trades) fall under the same applicable TOS info, so make sure to read it! Tried to make them not boring to read while getting everything necessary in :D

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For commissions, I have 5 slots open to start, though they probably won't be filled right off the bat, so they'll be open unless all 5 are taken. These take priority over requests, and will get full attention to be done, rather than on my own time like the requests. I am more willing to draw ideas from the "willing to draw" list of the TOS for commissions than for requests!

LINED COMMISSIONS
1.  diaperplush
2.  furrystang
3.
4.
5.

SKETCH COMMISSIONS
1.  Pocketpaws
2.  diaperplush
3.  furrystang
4.
5.

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For requests, I will have a total of 10 here, though the top 2 are carried over from the last queue, so technically 8. Commissions will take priority over requests, and these will continue to be done on my own time whenever I can get around to them, and in any order

Choosing ideas from the TOS's list of what I enjoy drawing are very likely to be chosen for requests, other stuff is a case by case basis and much less likely.

(CLOSED)

1. Discord group request
2.  Been657
3.  turnerg816
4.  arawnn
5.  nintendoplayers101
6. Haventheumbreon on DA
7.  iiPaw
8.  ethan-silverwing
9.  donny55

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And for art trades, I'll just pop open 3 for now. Let me know if you're interested and we'll talk!

(CLOSED)

1.  sqrl
2. doomthewolf on DA
3.  edwinflores428

Mattsykun - In future when ready (probably April?)

Hey guys! Check out this artist if you can, they're doing a raffle at this link:

http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/8563912/

Happy new year everyone! There's actually about 5 hours left here still, but I won't be on FA at midnight, so saying it now haha

2017 has been a great year, especially here at the end where I finally picked up drawing for real. I would have made an art in review pic, but I only drew in Feb, May, June, Nov, and Dec so that wouldn't have worked out. Next year for sure! I managed to get through 9 (11, if you count those that are waiting on final feedback) official requests since opening the queue late November, so I'd call that a win for getting started.

As for 2018, big plans! Late January I plan to finally break free of drawing with a mouse, and invest in a tablet. It's going to be so much better :o

Also, at some point in the year (hopefully sooner than later) I would like to begin opening for commissions. I love doing the requests (and art trades) and they will definitely stay open, but man, college is expensive! So I'd like to get to a point where I could say, save my own money for college stuff, and get money from these commissions to get art from others, so I can still get commissions without denting the money I need for books and other boring college things.

Also (#2), I definitely plan on keeping up 3D work. I've taken a break from it by doing 2D art, but have been silently working in the background to get that fox to a point for animations. It'll get there! And then I plan on branching out to my OCs as well, and from there, who knows? Maybe there could be some commission options down that line as well for the more distant future~

So that's an outlook on the future, here's to 2018!

Hey guys! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays (whatever you may celebrate :D) to you all, hope everyone has a good time! Was planning on doing a Christmas themed pic, but between the requests & online work for winter college courses, I ended up not getting around to it. If I have time I may make a late one, or maybe a New Years one :o

Also, those crystal fox things in The Last Jedi? I need like, 27 of those they're amazing

Hey guys! A friend and fellow artist is in a bit of a situation and could use some help, linked their journal explaining stuff below. They've helped me a lot with getting on my feet w/ drawing, the least I can do is help spread the word to hopefully get some help :D

https://www.furaffinity.net/journal...../#cid:53945138

EDIT - not deleting this journal, but it's outdated, will get a more definite plan in the future :D

Hey guys! So I've got quite a bit of a queue built up of requests to get through, but after doing a few already I'm starting to get pretty confident in my abilities as I go, though I definitely still have a lot of room for improvement haha! I'll make the call at the end of this current batch, but I think I may open commissions up since that's a lot of practice I'll be getting.

Based on something like the Espeon pic (https://www.furaffinity.net/view/25740091/ ), thinking of something like:
$10 - lined sketch
$15 - lined & colored sketch
$20 - lined, colored, with simple BG and shading

And either a flat +$5 per extra character, or maybe half the total for any additional characters since the prices don't feel too high and it's more work for the extra characters at higher tiers. So a $20 tier with 2 characters would be $30, with +$10 for the extra in that case. Thoughts or suggestions? Due to the way I do sketches, a basic sketch from me wouldn't look very good and I don't think would make a good commission.

EDIT: And I will always be open for art trades ;D

Hey guys! In the spirit of getting back into drawing (and maybe opening for commissions at some point), I'm taking some requests to get lots of practice! I'll draw most things, feel free to pitch the idea and I'll see if I can do it or not. Bonus points for female & canine ideas~

Also by extension, I'm open to trades as well!

Current Queue (will update as I go, will stick to order most of the time, some jumping around may happen!):

1. Contest prize from DA - on hold, waiting for color/ref info
2. Request from several discord people; pregnant vulpix duo - sketching
3. Request from  flyingleglariat to revisit vaporeon pic - lining

-> currently closed so I can get through this list, if you have any ideas feel free to still drop them in the comments for me to see later!

--> note to self, make a trello instead of this journal

Hey guys! As I am almost done with the red fox model, I'm starting to pool ideas for possible commission ideas I could take with it. If you have any ideas for things that would work, comment them below! Still looking into prices as well, but for now I am just updating the commission tab on my page with the ideas I have (right now it's just a bunch of bullet point notes, will update fully when completed). I do plan on branching into other animals as well in the future, but for now everything is based on the fox!

Currently have ideas of:

Re-texturing of the model
Re-texture + mesh changes of the model
Single loop animation
Custom render of a scene
Head and genital sculpts/meshes
Custom models? (Seeing as the first model took me longer than a month to do, not sure about this yet)

Hey guys! Go check out this awesome feral artist, they're about to hit 400 followers and deserve a lot more :D

http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/8482842/

Hey guys! Decided to start up a telegram group for 3D animators, if you want to join the link is below! Blender, Maya, anything counts, even if you're not animating yet but are still working on the models (like me), so spread the word! :D

https://web.telegram.org/#/im?p=g224944339

Turned 20 today! The past year has been a huge step for me here, growing as an artist and making a ton of new friends! Can't wait to see what the next year will hold :D

Hey guys! So if I were to stream progress of the model, would anyone be interested in watching? Thinking about doing so for some live feedback as I go, and also as motivation to work because it's quite a lot of work haha

Hey guys! So I'm at the part of my 3D fox model where I'm trying to model the muzzle and inside of the mouth, but have been running into quite a struggle with how the mouth is shaped on the inside. There is a distinct lack of references of the inside of a fox's mouth from the side (since normally it's blocked by the side of the head obviously), and google searches for anatomy have not been helping. Anyone have any tips, know what to do, or actually have a reference for this? You'd be an awesome help!

Screenshot from a tutorial I've been using as a reference for what I'm trying to do, but a fox's mouth seems like it's shaped way different based on front facing shots I've seen: https://gyazo.com/a81da7b0c1b6f0b8fe6a333ad6bc4dbc

Determined to get this thing done haha