5 years are ... quite a lot.

A really long, loooooong time o___O;;

Time flies, life goes on, things happen, problems come and go... and then, one day, you realize you have drawn nothing in 5 years. 5 whole years. And even worse, you get to see how all your friends, your favourite artists, (many of them are both categories), have been able to improve and even create art for a living... and then it's like... Wow. I got stuck quite behind...

Don't misunderstand me, I regret (almost) nothing, but just to let you know, I'm alive, I'm around again, and maybe I can surprise you with something interesting in your gallery... if there's still somebody interested, hahaha.

I wonder how many people still remember this spaniard bully guy here... *smirks*

Well, that's all. Just letting you all know the doc is in :3

Hi again! xD Yeah, I need your opinion again, to get advice from experienced people is always a good option! :3

As you may know, my way to do digital art is: I draw something in paper, with old-fashioned markers, then scan it, then color it with the computer. Fact is, I have been using a Wacom Graphire 2 I bought ... back in 2002 xD;; It still works, but not as well as it should...

Sure, I have always daydreamt with a Cintiq, but since that's till out of my range, I felt like asking you:

If I needed to get a new tablet, what should I buy? o___O;;

My range would top around $200-300, unless there are good reasons to spend a bit more. I'm not a professional, so as long as it works fine and is worth its cost, it can be an option.

I know i have asked this before, but too long ago to be updated info, haha. Now, any advice will be more than welcome :3 If you have a graphic tablet and you can tell me about it, if you have tried more than one and your opinion, if you know good offers... whatever ^^

Thanks in advance :3

I need to order some more prismas soon... half of them are almost-empty, and the other half is dry because of the heat... x3;;; I know there are many other ways to color my pics, but... I got used to them, too bad xD Last time I ordered some from the states, they took.... 5 weeks xD;;; Why don't they sell them in my city? Lol

In other words... I wonder how many of you have tried to check FA in a cell phone... xD My eyes HURT!!!

So, actually, I'm fulfilling my promise and working in a celebration pic for the World Cup... Since I can only work in my spare times, it's taking a bit... not to mention how lazy I am when I take a break and start doodling something else xD;;; It's amazing how luring little pics featuring friends can be :) I may even finish those too, just to fill my dusty gallery.

In other news, I'm melting down x3;;; I need A/C, damnit xD

Yeah, I need to ask you about commissions... about YOUR commissions!!! :3

Do you take them? And, if you do, how much time do you use for them and how much do you usually charge?

I would LOVE to know your opinions, and if you think your work is worth the money you get, if you think you should get more money, or whatever you need to say about it. =)

Also, how much time do you usually spend to do a commission, and this way try to calculate how many $ per hour you make with your art? ^^

Because, sometimes, the customer's point of view and the artist's are quiiiiiite different, I think.... x3;;;

So this is the deal:

Since Spain finally qualified for quarter-finals, I'm going to wait until next sunday, because... well, we can even win the World Cup this year xD;;;

And if we do, I'll draw a MEGA SUPER PICTURE about it !!! <3

But even if we don't... well, we never went so far in the table, so I'll draw something anyway... I just want to wait to find out our final score, hahaha xD;;;

Next match is against Germany... What do you think? Will we win? Will we lose? (Inuki, your vote doesn't count) xD

¡¡¡PODEMOS!!! :D

Soooo it's officially july now (at least in Europe, you know we live in your future, hahaha) so that means less work, more free time, and ... a life, hahaha.

But also NEW ARTS!!! x)

Since many people asked for it, I'll upload my doodles or scribbles here and there, even if I'm still sure they're not worthy, but whateve x3 *shrugs* I will not only practise with my digital colors but also with my shoved-off-for-long line-art skills xD So even if I'll try to come back to my usual collaborations with my favourite artists (and also good friends, many of them, but one specially), I feel i need to work a bit more with my own drawings. So it won't look as good as before, but... it will be somehow "more" mine, hehe

Or so I plan xD I know it will disappoint many people or viewers, but I feel that's more honest than just going the easy way all the time x) Don't you agree?

...and now I wonder how many people around still remembers me... xD;;;;

But even if nobody does, it will be nice to start from zero ;3 After the past block and hiatus, time to come back to draw and color as I used to do! :D Weeeee

By the way, my name is skifi, nice to meet you ;3

....if you ever remember I'm a member here too o____O;;; *blinks blinks*

I know, I know, almost four months without checking.... I have missed a lot of things, and I'm not proud of it. x3;; DA ate my soul and I just had no time to live, not even to keep two galleries.... but now that I'm here again, I need to catch up a lot of stuff, then be a regular FA member again and stalk you all, yay! :D

So don't freak out if I suddenly comment a picture you uploaded 3 months ago, because I'm going to check every new submission I have pending in my message center since summer... and I'm not going to nuke them without seeing them all full view ^^ So, if you get flooded with comments and messages (specially you, Seel, you're more prolific than a couple of horny rabbits, OMG!), don't hate me too much, I love your art and that's the only reason <3 Deal with me, I'm good most of the times!

BTW, I'm also resuming the Nude Deck project, so the people not submitting their cards already, I will free their spots to wrap it up and get it ready ^______^ stay tuned!!!

Luff ya

Don't look for me the next couple of weeks ;3 I will be internet-deprived so.... keep the place up while I'm away! :D

I ask you a few questions, and you answer to them. =] Honestly? In a funny way? Full of sarcasm? Long as an essay or short as a line? Up to you, be creative! ;D

01.- What's the best way to get you mad at me?
02.- What's the most exciting thing you have done in the last 7 days?
03.- If you needed to choose your best picture or drawing ever, which one would it be?
04.- If the answer is "2 dubloons, a SNES and a sushi meal", what's the question?
05.- Why did you start drawing?
06.- A lost island. Three items you can bring with you. Which ones?
07.- If you could meet one of your fav artists live, who would they be?
08.- What wouldn't you do for $100.000 but you would do for $1.000.000?
09.- If you could choose your FA nick again, which one would you use?
10.- Why did you choose to answer these questions? :]

...back from AnthroCon like.... a month ago, and still didn't post a journal entry about it, damnit XD;;; It was nice to meet so many people from FA there, I'd just love to get to match the faces in my memory and the nicknames here :]

Also, now that FA is finally back, I better resume the nude deck project, and chase the people still not submitting their cards o____O;; 2 months should have been time enough to get something done, even after the FA-Offline hiatus!

Well, today is wedding time.... where did I place my necktie? =D

Yep, less than 5 days, and I'll be in a plane heading to the U.S.

I know I have been planning to spend a few days at  seely's place and then attend AnthroCon with the whole bunch since months ago, but so many things have been last-minute settings, I was really worried about the whole thing failing... And now that I see the deadline so close, and the upcoming fun....XD;;;

OMG SO EXCITED!!! (D

I bet I will forget something important o.o D'oh

Better late than never (:3~~~~

Anthrocon Whereabouts

Where will you be most of the time during the day/s?
Probably far from the sun, where the AirConditioner is xD;;; Surely taking a look in the dealer's room, and trying to meet some known people at the artist alley if I don't get a shyness attack xD;;; I don't really know where else, I don't know what does AC offer since I haven't been there before *n00b*

Where are you staying?
Doubletree Hotel. And I have heard it has a swimming pool! 83 *wide eyes open*

Who will you be with?
If I recall the list well, in alphabetical order:  aycee  blitzdrachen  clawed  fritter  kittiara  leelee  pandadox  prawst  sapphire  seely  seux to start with... then I bet I will get lost alone XD; Ack

Do you do free art?
It's too crappy to get paid for it, so... xD

Do you do trades?
But not too complicated ones, because that could take me forever, and I don't want to stop over the same place for a too long time :]

Do you do commissions?
Still pondering XD;

Do you have prints / CDs ?
Some prints and also a couple of portfolios. But only 3-4 copys of each. FIRST COME FIRST SERVED 83

Do you do badges?
Yep. $1 sketchy badges :3 Come and get one!

Will you have Art in the Art Show?
No XD; Not worthy

What is your gender?
Check it in my pants.

How old are you?
Enough to be your GRANDPA o3o

Are you taken?
Yup yup... no.

Can I touch you?
Where? o.o

Can I talk to you?
Did I mention I only speak spanish and don't know a word in english language? (:3

....because if you only say "yes" to make me feel better or appreciated, it would give me only troubles xD;;;

Well, now I ask you: Do you think I should print some of my works (100% done by me, or colorworks drawn by other artists, once I get their permission first), to sell them at AnthroCon?

I don't consider my work amazing, neither I am a popular enough artist. I am afraid of printing stuff and bring it all the way to Pittsburgh to then sell nothing and send it back to Spain. I know business are risky, but I don't even know if I'd have a chance there, not just to make money, but maybe to get some bucks to pay for part of the plane ticket bringing me there.... :3

That's what I'd love an honest answer, and that's also why I ask it here, where the furry community is legal and trusthworty :]

You know, it would be great (or not) if Real Life worked like Photoshop, and whenever you want to undo something you did wrong, you only needed to click those two buttons :]

So, what I kindly ask you here this time is....

If you could choose one event, one decission, one mistake you have done in your life, and undo it.... Which one would it be, and why?

Ctrl + Z 4 U!

Where is everybody else? ;D Are you working on yours? *whip cracks*


CARDS DONE SO FAR

Ace of clubs: by thumbclawz (done)
2 of clubs: by itsatrap (done)
6 of clubs: by RudeTheFox (done)
9 of clubs: by Seregei (done)

2 of diamonds: by tiberius (done)
Jack of diamonds: by ramzkun (done)
Queen of diamonds: by CHICAGO-lollie (done)

3 of hearts: by nekokittenpurrs (done)
6 of hearts: by mistystriker (done)
7 of hearts: by Krowy (done)
9 of hearts: by ABSCartoon18 (done)
King of hearts: by LeeLee (done)

Ace of spades: by skifi (done)
3 of spades: by ediskrad (done)
9 of spades: by TheBurningDonut (done)
10 of spades: by Diai (done)
Queen of spades: by Kittiara (done)
King of spades: by Ryoken (done)

Joker: by Sapphire(done)
Joker: by Kamicheetah (done)


Extra 7 of hearts: by 0niros (done)

It seems, after four weeks searching for them everywhere, there is no clue to find my two lost sketchbooks..... ;___; Damnit, I really value those. From all the sketchbooks I have, they're the ones with my most preciouss pictures... and if they're nowhere in the house, the only chance is, somebody, somehow, threw them into the trashcan..... |[ So there is no chance to get them back, anymore..... *Sighs*

Still hunting for affordable plane tickets to attend AnthroCon. On one hand, I know the sooner I buy them, the cheaper they "should" be. On the other hand, they're already over $1800, so I don't think they can go higher.... unless they get sold out xD;;;;

Since my parthner in crime at deviantART resigned today, it seems I'm the only one in charge for the Anthro Gallery there.... I guess that means it will eat even more of my spare time. We're already trying to take somebody else for the task, and we have a few names in mind. Let's see how it goes! :>

And I have realized, again, I have the best friend ever :]

One hot summer's day a Fox was strolling through an orchard till he came to a bunch of Grapes just ripening on a vine which had been trained over a lofty branch.

"Just the thing to quench my thirst," quoth he.

Drawing back a few paces, he took a run and a jump, and just missed the bunch. Turning round again with a One, Two, Three, he jumped up, but with no greater success. Again and again he tried after the tempting morsel, but at last had to give it up, and walked away with his nose in the air, saying:

" I am sure they are sour."

 seely and  blitzdrachen are my own personal disease.... >:[

1) The way to win your heart?
Let me be :3 Don't try to control me or change me, and everybody will be safe and sound.

2) Do you twirl or scoop your spaghetti?
I twirl it.

3) Are you dating the last person you kissed?
Not at all.... :<

4) What did you do last night?
I should have gone to bed early because of a really bad headache, but, instead, I kept doing homework until late at night.... ;3;

5) Do you drink milk straight from the carton?
I tend to use a glass... many times *1 litre every day*

6) How long is your hair?
Right now, even my eyebrows are longer than my hair.... I have razor'ed it for summer hot :]

7) Do you like Batman?
Who doesn't? ;D

8) What are you doing tonight?
Finishing a medical report with a publication deadline set... yesterday x3;;;

9) Addicted to anything?
Music. All the time. Everywhere. :[ I guess I'm annoying lately if you live close to me.

10) What were you last listening to?
Lordi

11) Do you like anyone now?
Luckily, no. =)

12) When was the last time you sang out loud?
I do it so often, it's hard to remember.... o___O; This evening driving back home?

13) What did you have for breakfast?
No breakfast for me... this headache is killing me since 2 days ago :c

14) Is your birthday on a holiday?
Yup, sadly!

15) What instant messaging service do you use?
Cell Phone Messages :]

16) Can you cook?
Yeah. Maybe not complicated stuff, but I could survive alone without a microwave.

17) Did you have a nap today?
Nah, and I should had.

18) What was the reason you got in trouble last?
Last saturday morning, two sudden emergencies, each one of them needing extra-urgent surgery at the same time, with no more staff available.

19) What do you wear more, jeans or sweats?
Jeans. As baggy as possible.

20) When is your birthday?
Three Wise Men's Day.

21) Want some green beans?
Had them for dinner, thank you.

22) Do you swear a lot?
Only when I talk in english. Cussing in english doesn't sound too bad :D

23) Where did you get the shirt(s) you're wearing?
At Warner Bros Park Madrid. It's Scooby Doo :O

24) Do you have any regrets?
Yep.

25) Do you ever snort when you laugh?
If I do, I never noticed it o__O;;;

26) What's the first thing you notice of the preferred sex?
Their eyes :]

27) Do you want something you can't have?
Does this question include people?

28) Who would you like to see right now?
 seely Seel!

29) Are you a social or antisocial person?
Social. A lot. Too much. Enthusiastic to an annoying point ^^;

30) Have the cops ever come by your house?
Not since Dexter taught me a few lessons C:

31) Do you have a tan?
I live in Spain, dude, how can I not have one? ;D

32) Ever been in love?
Yeah x3;;;

33) Would you rather sleep with someone, or alone?
Sleeping alone is better, I love to be able to roll over the bed without somebody cussing at me aside xD;;;

34) Ever had braces?
Nope o.o

35) What do you wear to bed?
Shirt and boxers for winter, and waay less for summer hot time.

36) Who was the last person to disappoint you?
A close friend of me, after getting to know a few things they said... but that was before I got to know their words were taken out of context by a third person :]

37) Do you trust people?
I'm wary by nature, but I tend to not let they notice it ;3

38) What are you wearing?
t-shirt, leather wristlet, glasses, grafitti boxers, baggy pants, and barefoot.

39) Looking forward to something this weekend?
I'll go to Lanzarote :3 Invited, free, and from friday to sunday lost in that island. I needed a break.

40) What was the highlight of your week?
I was finally able to sort my stamps collection in a fancy album I just received from e-bay

41) What type of people do you fall for?
If I tell that, it won't be a secret anymore ;D

42) Have you ever dressed as the opposite gender?
Man, that was Carnival, that doesn't count! o____O;;;

Also, by request (:3

Even if I flirted with the nickname of "Gandalf el Gris" (Gandalf the Grey) for some months, and only to sign my fantasy stories and RPG scenarios, my nickname has been quite the same over the years.... and even earlier than 1993, when I didn't even know about "that thing called the interweb" xD;;;

At first, it was "Skyfire". Why? Because of one of my favourite cartoons character. Skyfire (his name in the cartoons, because it was called "JetFire" in the comics) is a large Transformer who transforms into a fighter/transport jet. I liked it a lot not only because he was the only one Decepticon (as far as I know) changing sides: being a decepticon scientist, when he knew Megatron was going to destroy all humans, he started to question his allegiance, and declared himself an Autobot. But also because he's also almost identical to one of the Macross Valkyries (aka the Robotech Veritechs). Specifically, the VF-1S Super Valkyrie (VF-1S Super Veritech). Too good to miss it.

But, living in Spain, the word "skyfire" was not easy to be said. In fact, they never did it well. So, the same way than your friends end calling you "Bart" if your name is Bartholomew, or "Matt" when you're Matthew, they shortened it to "skyfi", and later to "skifi", an easy-to-pronounce work for spaniards, and also short to be written. "skifi" (notice it has NO capital "s") is pronounced like "skeefee", and that's also the reason my english or american friends also can call me "skeef". Even if, as said, only friends use that second version. :3

Too long story for a too short nickname, isn't it? ;D

Well, in the previous journal entry, many people as nice, kind and friendly enough to let me know about their fursonas and how did they choose them and design them. This time, the question is easier, and I would feel really grateful if you take some minutes to leave a little reply here: Tell me....

How and why did you choose your actual nickname? Has it always been the same or has it evolved somehow, like mine did? Do you use other nicknames different than your FA nick? What's their story, too? :>

I'm all ears :]

When I first chose my character species, I wanted to get an original one: There were too many wolfs, dogs and cats in the furry fandom, and, well, I like them, but also something "as unique as possible" :3

Since I live in Spain, to think about "bulls" was a quite obvious thing. I checked a bit around, and... voilà: No other anthro bulls in a quick search, and only a few of them (minotaurs aside) when you really google for them. :D So, the choice was done.

Then, about the color pattern, ... well, bulls are usually brown or black... and a black character, when you're a begginer at fine arts, is quite difficult to draw or shade, (or too easy, lol, depending of your point of view) XD;;; So I went for brown. And since I was a little amateur, the only special pattern I chose for the fur was a little dark spot around the right eye... a "Pinto" bull, haha. Well, it's a headache sometimes to make it hard enough to be seen, but it's ok

That was the basic design (it has evolved with the years), and that's why I got a bull..... and.... I bet you're wondering....

WTH are you telling us this? o____O;;;

BECAUSE.... I would like to know how, or why, did you all choose your character species.... :) I bet everybody has an interesting story to tell about it (the longer, the better), and, hey, I'm all ears, so please.... I beg you: Feed me with your story..... enlight me :]

CARDS DONE SO FAR

Ace of clubs: by thumbclawz (done)
2 of clubs: by itsatrap (done)
6 of clubs: by RudeTheFox (done)
9 of clubs: by Seregei (done)

2 of diamonds: by tiberius (done)

3 of hearts: by nekokittenpurrs (done)
7 of hearts: by Krowy (done)
9 of hearts: by ABSCartoon18 (done)

Ace of spades: by skifi (done)
Queen of spades: by Kittiara (done)
King of spades: by Ryoken (done)

Joker: by Sapphire(done)
Joker: by Kamicheetah(done)


More info about the project and the artists involved at this journal entry and if you still need to finish your card, here you have a template (link)

This is a quite unusual offer I crosspost from DA: :3 For a short time, I'm going to have the chance to print some of my pictures, drawings and colorworks in really high quality, glossy paper, DIN-A4 size (297x210 mm, aprox. 8''x11'') and I thought about something...

Would you be interested in buying some? ;D

The advantage would be, you get it directly from the artist, and, if you want me to, I can sign it on the front, on the back, or even write a line or two for you as a dedicatory autograph, as if you were getting it in a convention or something, for only $15 plus shipping each one (if you get more than one, you only pay shipping once, of course). And you can get not only the pictures I already have available here in FurAffinity, but also the ones in DeviantArt, or in my gallery at skifi dot net , if I have it in high quality version too. Just ask, and your wish might be granted, hehe.

If you are in, drop me a line and send me a note with your request, and we will work it out ^___^ Yay!

OK, so let's create a deck of cards together :3 A very special one. Take this first card as an example:

Here you have a template (link)

How does this work? You choose a card, draw it, submit it to FA, and comment in this journal with a link to your picture, so I can add yours not only to that list, but in the final collection, hehehe.

To make it easier, you can reserve a spot if you want to, just note me with your request and I'll block it for you, haha. I hope we get at least the 52 cards needed for a whole deck, it would be a surprise if we go over that, lol XD;;

So, what are you waiting for, eh? ;D

EDIT: All card are booked now: Let's now wait for the submissions!!!


THE CARDS SO FAR

Ace of clubs: by thumbclawz (done)
2 of clubs: by itsatrap (done)
3 of clubs: by bloodhound (done)
4 of clubs: by Bingo (done)
5 of clubs: Booked by Blitzdrachen
6 of clubs: by RudeTheFox (done)
7 of clubs: by GuardianMoose (done)
8 of clubs: Booked by HappyLittleJen
9 of clubs: by Seregei (done)
10 of clubs: Booked by devia_luna
Jack of clubs: Booked by marmalade
Queen of clubs: Booked by Mothra
King of clubs: Booked by manbearpig

Ace of diamonds: Booked by kiziku
2 of diamonds: by tiberius (done)
3 of diamonds: Booked by Foxxie_Angel
4 of diamonds: Booked by karmapolice
5 of diamonds: Booked by SmSFoxx
6 of diamonds: by Inuki (done)
7 of diamonds: Booked by Anuvia
8 of diamonds: Booked by Fal33n
9 of diamonds: Booked by BionWolf
10 of diamonds: Booked by shadster
Jack of diamonds: by ramzkun (done)
Queen of diamonds: by CHICAGO-lollie (done)
King of diamonds: Booked by Glaucer

Ace of hearts: Booked by AtomicStoney
2 of hearts: Booked by ChunksTheMighty
3 of hearts: by nekokittenpurrs (done)
4 of hearts: Booked by YuriMatsue
5 of hearts: Booked by Sinha
6 of hearts: by mistystriker (done)
7 of hearts: by Krowy (done)
8 of hearts: Booked by YonegaWaya
9 of hearts: by ABSCartoon18 (done)
10 of hearts: Booked by Fritter
Jack of hearts: Booked by Ransom
Queen of hearts: Booked by AyCee
King of hearts: by LeeLee (done)

Ace of spades: by skifi (done)
2 of spades: Booked by Keishinkae
3 of spades: by ediskrad (done)
4 of spades: Booked by Seely
5 of spades: Booked by Kraden
6 of spades: Booked by onewingeddevil
7 of spades: by Ozawk (done)
8 of spades: Booked by Nianko
9 of spades: by TheBurningDonut (done)
10 of spades: by Diai (done)
Jack of spades: Booked by Beeejaay
Queen of spades: by Kittiara (done)
King of spades: by Ryoken (done)

Joker: by Sapphire(done)
Joker: by Kamicheetah (done)


Extra 7 of hearts: by 0niros (done)