I love to teach art. I write tutorials, do redlines, offer critiques, and have done a few classes online and panels at cons.

However, I often don't feel up to par to teach anyone stuff. I know a few things, but there is a whole lot I don't know. So I read books and practice things like hands and ellipses in perspective and ankles and contrast and so on.

I started toying with the idea of holding group classes online again, only this time, I'd pick something I want to work on and people can come in and work on the same subject.

Books like Loomis and Bridgeman and more are available online, books that can serve as textbooks for the class. For each session, everyone would work from the same page and see how everyone else does the same thing by using Sketcher over on Artspots.

I was thinking of starting with hands because I am terrible at them.

Just throwing this out there. Suggestions and opinions are welcome. I hope I make some sense, just ask if you need something clarified. I'm super immersed in work right now, coming up to breath for tea and sammitches when I remember to. I meant to make this post days ago but...forgot. But hey I am on a roll! I finished five commissions in the past week despite emotional and canine set backs

Random: I dreamed Alton Brown was skinning thin strips of my flesh off as a form of torture. It hurt and ruined my day. Why Alton, why?!

Edit: Oh, if you happen to have any suggestions as to the areas of art I should work on (what am I consistently sucking at?), I would be most grateful for your suggestions.

It's been a hard day, emotionally, and this did not help.

I've never in my life wanted to punch a dog in the face in a fit of rage so badly.

I don't like little dogs in the first place. Whiny yappy scratching at the door all the time little toy breeds are gross to me.

When the little dog jumped up on the desk where I had a nearly finished commission and trampled it while smearing mud and piss all over it, I had one of those moments of shaking rage. I wanted to shred the art, which would have been stupid because I would not have been able retrace the image. I wanted to punch the little dog in the face. The little shit didn't know it was fucking up my art. I dislike her anyway for more than my simple prejudice against little dogs. Art on desks is supposed to be safe from muddy dogs. Auuughhh.

So instead I'm gonna whine about it on a public art journal, fume about it for a while, and start over. Now where is my tracing paper...

I still have Kennel Club decks for sale. If you know what they are, you know they are rare. If you dont what they are, well, they are rare. ;3

The theme is male dog pin ups. 500 decks were made and have art from Dark Natasha, Heather Bruton, Kyoht, Kenket, Blackteagan, Synnabar, Balaa, me, Iisaw, and more! They are 50 dollars a deck and you get a bunch cool cards for group games or your own game of solitaire.

Here is the site: http://www.kennelclubdeck.com/

They are 53 dollars each which includes shipping in the US. If you want one, or two or three, paypal me vantid22[at]hotmail.com and send me a note with your address! Buy a deck and I will toss in a free sketch of some sort that I have lying around.

I also have Endangered Ark Decks, only 2 or 3 with me though. Those are 28 dollars (that includes shipping too!) Same sketch deal.

All proceeds will go to a new laptop and maybe some beer.

Cheers!

First of all, I'd like to recommend you go check out  thornwolf. She's posting on FA again after several years away. Her stuff is awesome and makes me laugh.

My days off rocked so much. I had a deadline to meet right after FC so my usual sleep eat and rest after a con was postponed for a bit. But I did get to rest, and I did get to sleep, and sleep, and sleep some more. My cold is almost completely gone, I can talk again, and I feel amped up to work.

I have been enjoying  rathacat's novels I picked up at FC. I'm on book 3 and loving it. If you like big cats, paleo critters, or animal fantasy/scifi, get you claws on those books! I feel like fanarting for them. The descriptions in the books make me think of Northern California, especially with the coastal redwoods and any excuse to smash some pixels into trees is a fine excuse.

Also my computer is fixed thanks to Crimson Fox. It was a logic board issue after all, but one that was cheaply fixed. The first RAM slot isn't working, most likely caused by a bad memory controller on the system board. Crimson pulled the bad memory which left my machine limping at 1 gig of power, but alive! I was ecstatic. I bought a 2 gig stick for the working RAM slot and bam, back up to normal speed. I never knew i could have been running on 4 gigs this whole time. o____O

Crimson also redid the glue on the heat sinks. There was too much before and my machine was running a bit hot. It's better now by 10 to 15 degrees cooler.

New Macbook Pro is still a priority though. I am halfway to my goal of attaining one, thanks to the con. I picked up a terabyte hard drive, finally. I feel much much much better having everything backed up.

Lastly, I updated my commission list on my front page. It's swelled since the con, but most everything are quickies that I started at the con and need only finish up in a few hours

Cheers all!

The Con:

sick

tried to make something right

I'm a popufur?!

Novawolf <3

book covers?!

no art show

mongolian barbecue

restless fevered dreams

strange sales

out of prints

sketchsketchsketch

Late hours with Diana and Natasha.

new friends

sicksicksick

chatting over wine

COMPUTER FIX!!!!

+ 1 Terabyte drive

sushi without the sushi

omakase sushi, free sake, and poki salad

i know how to sleep guys

wolf mutts

still sick....and with deadline.

Thankful for you all who stopped by and said hi.

................

Taking two days off to sleep, read, sleep, and hopefully get better. My voice was gone for most of the con, and its still raspy.

Rest~~~ <3

I lied about my last post being the last.

I think I'm finally succumbing to the sickness that's been nagging at me for almost a week. This might be my first con sick, and I'm not real sure what to do about it other than sally forth and try not to be too disgusting in front of everyone. I will do my best not to hack on your art. :<

After 14 hours on the road, we made it safely into San Francisco. The mountains south of Tahoe was getting dumped on. Visibility was terrible, we slid sideways once (weeee!), and the whole drive was lengthened by 3 hours because the road we were going to take, the 80, was closed.

Good times.

Be safe guys.

Last post before FC.

Tomorrow morning I'm road tripping from Boise, Idaho to San Joser. I hear there is some winter weather, I hope it doesn't effect this trip much. Road trips are always fun and this time I am going with  novawuff and her husband. I am really really excited that Nova is coming, we've been close friends for almost a decade (how has that much time passed?!) and she's never been much in the fandom. This will be her first con and I am quite excited to have her with me.

I have no new art show pieces because I wanted to focus on commissions. The list on my front page has slowly been getting shorter. i want to avoid adding new names to that last after the con, so commission slots will be limited and prices will be higher since I am spending more and more time on each piece. I have decided to take real media badges for post con delivery only for 100 dollars, which seems steep I know but again, I put so much time into them. If no one bites, that's cool with me.

I'll try to post a price sheet later today for anyone that cares.

yaaaaaay >>>>>>> novawuff<<<<<<<<

Anyone like ukiyo-e art?

If so, have you any favorite pieces or artists? Why?

It'd be cool if I got a discussion going about iy.

I like Hokusai's crazy wiggly lines and anatomy, and Hiroshige's compositions and colors.

PS Computer still broken, still have plans for new MacBook pro but will hopefully be borrowing a laptop from a friend. One member of my family said, "Just go to the library and use their computers!" -____- I don't need to just check my email ughh.

The logic board on my laptop crashed.


....shit.

This puts a bit of a halt to my digital commissions until i can work something out, somehow.

Edit: For you computer folks out there, here is what happened.

Was watching hulu last night when my machine, a MacBook 13 inch Model A1181, shut down and the, optical drive? whirred several times in a row. When I tried to turn my machine back on, the drive whirred, the sleep light glows, no fans run, the screen is black, no apple chime.

I've done the take the (brand new!) battery out, plug it in, hold cmmd option P R, um, a couple other things. I don't know much about computers but everything I read says it's dead Jim.

If you don't care for Macs, that's cool! But no need for derogatory remarks towards my choice of machinery.

I am going to FC again and will have the usual table with prints, a scant few originals, and will take some but not as many as before commissions. If I have talked to you previously about a con commission I will take yours!

Speaking of commissions, I put up my queue list on my front page in case anyone is curious to see my current load (this does not include the monthly article stuff).

Just for fun, here is the usual con survey! :3

Where are you staying?
The main hotel

Who will you be with?
A few different folks.

Do you do trades?
It's gotta be for something I consider really cool, like an 1850's taxidermy bird or box of decadent truffles.

What suits will you have?
Clubs, Spades, Hearts, and Diamonds: More Kennel Club Card decks!

What is your gender?
Female

How old are you?
26

Can I touch you?
No.

Can I talk to you?
Always! I get super busy and even more tired by the end of the convention, so if I am not chatty or miss something you say, it's not on purpose. I enjoy talking to folks at the table.

Can I buy you lots of drinks?
Why, yes. If you want to you can.

Can I give you lots of money?
Of course! I'll be dealing stuff and things, that's a good time to trade some cash or Paypal for stufffffff.

Can I hug or snuggle with you?
No.

How tall are you?
5'5

Are you nice?
I try to be nice to everyone who takes the time to stop buy. I'm also kinda silly cause i cant take myself seriously.

Are you cliquey?
I have a small group of friends I intend to spend time with when I am not working. Not sure what this question means otherwise.

Can I stalk you?
Huh?

How long are you going?
I can't recall...I think from Thursday to Monday.

Do you have an artist table?
Number 74, between Thornwolf and Kiohl/Sakuranym Kit's table, directly across from Meesh. So once you get your tentacle porn you can turn around and get some doggie pin up card decks.

Do you like parties?
I work the whole time at a con. So while I enjoy gatherings, I don't go. Boo.

If I see you, how should I get your attention?
Call my name, either Vantid or Amber.
~~~~~~~~

So yeah. Fur con. Right on.

It's Christmas morning, there is some snow on the ground (albeit old and crusty), I gave and received, and I am thankful and merry and full of good cheer. To those of you who understand...I have new pants!!!

Whatever you do today, whatever you celebrate or don't celebrate, I hope it's a good day, a relaxing day, one filled with love and generosity, the comfort of friends and family, and maybe some eggnog or fine brandy.

Cheers,
Vantid

**EDIT** It's been sent out to who knows how many artists. Jeebus.**

*EDIT II* Hey guys, over it now thanks. Sorry for whining ranting bitching venting to you all!**

I received a message recently from someone asking for some art advice.

At first I was my usual eager self to help someone out. I love trying to help people with art! But as I read through the note, I got angrier and angrier.

The most insulting part of the note is that it is obviously a form letter set out to numerous artists. The person didn't take the time to tailor the note to my body of work at all, nor do I imagine they bothered with anyone else's body of work either. They do not ask for help with coloring, or anatomy, or compositions. No they ask for everything I know about in art and a lot more I don't know. Here is the list!

"Characters
- Dragon
- Fox
-Wolf
- Horses
- Hybrids(?)
- Dinosaurs
- Reptiles
- Aquatics
- And many many more

By the way what programs do you use to create your finished pieces? (I say in almost everything I upload)

2D Drawing and Planning Mechanics
Sorry if this is a bit much, but my aim is to learn from the best and learn and apply what I can. It would be great to hear your own processes!

*** = Very important

- ***Coloring (I especially need help in this category. I’m a good color artist…but no where as fantastic as you are.
- ***Time management
- ***Layer(ing) and working with less layers with very few mistakes or 0 errors
- ***Inking processes (digital or traditional {hand})
- Programs?
- Drawing tools and supplies
- Tablet or mouse controlled
- ***Knowledge of anatomy and how it’s applied to your artwork in all forms
- References of ANY sort
- ***Perspective
- Sexual positions (adult mainly) and the like
o Pin ups
o Yiff
o Mature (but not yiff!)
- ***Different techniques of color and drawing in all aspects
- Special effects
- ***Lighting and light sources (day and night scenes)
- ***Lights and Darks
- Realism
- Composition
- Mood and settings
- ***Sketching process and layout process and others
- ***Genitalia references and anatomy
- ***Background, middleground and foreground techniques
- ***Textures
o Trees
o Rocks
o Fur
o And more…
- Fur, scale, skin techniques
- Facial structures
o Mouth
o Emotions
- Exaggerated anatomy
o How to create exaggerated anatomy correctly (i.e. – macro and hypermacro)
- Folds & clothing
o Normal wear
o Skimpy
o Lingerie
o With big breasts and enlarged genitalia?FFFFFFF
- Body positions without things looking awkward or anatomically incorrect
o Normal
o Yiff
o sexy
- How to start up commissions and pricing
- Coloring techniques and styles
- Atmosphere settings
- Profile views:
o Front
o Back
o Side (especially with massive breasts) (WHAT?!)
o ¾ view
o ¾ back
o ¾ front
o ANY view
- Muscles (visible in completed works)
o I.E. – back structure, legs (back and front), butt, stomach, pelvis, torso, etc (read some fucking Loomis!)"

This makes me angry, and I can't really explain why I have such ire over this. I have worked hard to learn what I know. I read books, I seek help from peers for specific problems, and of course I have my own problem solving skills when it comes to drawing and painting. Then I get this ridiculous message that asks me to spend my time explaining everything I know when they could spend their own time researching and reading the countless free resources online.

Maybe it's late. Maybe I'm kinda sick and crankier than usual. Whatever it is, I am angry about this and will shortly Get Over It®.

If you'd like to teach yourself all kinds of neato stuff, follow this link and rejoice in the free education before you:
http://www.conceptart.org/forums/sh.....ad.php?t=94571

I am going through my things and I found some Kennel Club decks. I will toss a few up on Furbuy as well as soon as these close, but only for a short, 3 day auction, or something.
http://www.kennelclubdeck.com/

Auctionnnnn!
http://www.furbuy.com/auctions/1012976.html

I tossed up some prints on Furbuy.

http://www.furbuy.com/seller/vantid.html

I don't normally sell prints online because its easier to do it in person at cons, but I thought I'd see if I got any bites.:>

Thanks for all of your comments on the last entry! They were helpful.

In my spare time (usually the hour before bed or something) I've been working on a tutorial using some leftover in progress shots of "Flighty".

The images are finally sorted and the writing is in it's first draft. It's not very long so far, about 2 pages, and I have more I need to add to it. Since I am at the stage of editing, I thought I'd pose the question to you guys if you have a moment.

This is the underpainting:
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/2913567/
And the completed image:
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/2325450/

Ask me whatever you like to know, whether it's color, texture, Painter specific technique, anything. I have covered a lot of stuff in what I've written already, but I am curious if there is more I could answer in the writing. I may not be able to answer some things, but I will try when I do my editing.

I would be grateful for your help. :3

I am still not open for work, but  novawuff is! She does beautiful artwork and is just testing the waters in the fandom.
http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/1006628/

Check her out.

I am looking for a white tiger character, female, with freckles on the whisker bed. I am embarrassed to say I can't find my notes for that badge and I can't remember eye color and name...and shipping address!

All other work continues as it should. :> Phenique and Gamercoon, I hope to have yours done tonight. FIRE IN THE DISCO

It's been a while since I last posted about this so...

I have a sketch journal on Livejournal. It's been around since 2003 and is full of all kinda of stuff. It's never ever cut, rarely explained, and it just a dump for whenever I get around to updating. These days it's pretty rare. I don't draw much for myself anymore.

Oh yeah and there are lyrics for subject lines.

http://okulahari.livejournal.com/

Cheers.

Cause I know everyone is just wallowing in money these days, I thought I'd offer these things up for sale:

http://www.furbuy.com/seller/vantid.html

I have scads of my smaller prints, which are roughly 8 by 10, for sale at 15 dollars. I might post them to auction but it seems easier to take orders here if there is interest. I don't have everything as a print, and none of my recent things, but if you'd like something, please ask!

Cheers, thanks for looking.

A friend of mine,  wickedsairah, is looking for some help from the community so Todd, her sweet orange cat, can get some surgery to fix up his innards so he can go on being a happy healthy cat. Sarah has always been a generous person, a patron to the arts, and a good friend. I know things are tight for everyone, but if you have any spare couple dollars around, it all adds up.

http://wicked-sairah.livejournal.com/367241.html

Thanks for taking a peek!

Two journals in two days! Whoa!

I have been collecting all manner of ebooks from Project Gutenberg, Archive.org, and gigapedia.com. Most of the books I download are in the DjVu format, which is my preferred reader for my laptop, but I have the option of PDFs.

Does the Kindle support DjVus and if not, can someone tell me how a sample PDF looks? This one, just as an example: http://www.archive.org/details/japa.....homesthe00mors I must say, I cannot express just how ecstatic I am about finding a book like that. I am tickled pink about most of the old books I've downloaded and read.

I like washing dishes;it's therapeutic. The warm water, the slippery soft suds, the gentle sounds of scrubbing and sloshing and foam are all a form of comfort to me. Like all forms of therapy, it's not always something I rush off to do do or even want to do, but once I get going I fall into a nice rhythm and at the end I can tell I've gotten something done. I think a lot while doing dishes. I either fume at the stuck on food, or I reflect on my current state of mind. This time my train of thought sparked this entry.

When my current generous hosts return from work I hope they do not feel strange that I did their dishes for them, or that I swept, or wiped down the counters. I understand that many folks feel weird when a guest cleans for them, but to me it's the least I can do for their generosity. And, when I am frustrated with my work, I can get up and do something positive.

This past RainFurrest I showed up at the con with nothing but what I had in my sketchbook. No prints, no art show, no decks of cards or books or folios of originals or business cards. Just what I had been traveling with for the past couple months.

I can't count how many times I have had the pre con nightmare of doing just that. I dream of showing up at the con and Oh no! I left all my prints behind! Or Oh no I can't get into the art show in time! This time it was real! And I didn't care! I still did good business with all the good folks who came by, and I had a lot of good conversations and a lot of good fu with the theme of the con.

Rah Bop told me that it was cathartic, and it's true. My worst case scenario just came and passed, and I came out just fine.

So thanks to all of you who came by at RF and chatted, bought stuff, thought about buying stuff, infected me, healed me, and fetched me food and drink. Thanks to the staff that solved my dealer's room issues and for the food runs. You all made my nightmare con into a happy con.

As usual I am plugging away at my work! I have numerous commissions, some work for a novelist, and another Painter Magazine article to write that I will show sometime next month. Hooray!

Cheers!

So, I am going to RainFurrest, sharing a table with the incredible  rah-bop. She's gonna have a LOT of cool stuff for sale. I am just going to take sketchbook and conbadge commissions, including digital work for once. Since I almost only take commissions at conventions these days, come on by and hit me up for a real media black and white something or a digital color something!

What are my prices? Why, the same as before! Here you go: http://ethereal.critter.net/ghettosign.jpg

I would also like to aplogize to those who have been trying to get in contact with me. I've been way AWOL, haven't been home for longer than a week since I left for Anthrocon. If I have not responded to a note or email, always feel free to ask me again.

October is looking to be much less hectic.

And most best of all, my good friend has finally started uploading art to FA. Please go watch  novawuff! Her stuff is gorgeous.

Hey.

If you are going to AC...come by my table and say hi please. It would be nice to put some faces to the names I see around here. I am at >>F09<<You don't have to buy anything, and you aren't bothering me if you look through my stuff with no intent to buy. The only time I am annoyed is when folks tell me my prices are too high. Don't do that.

So, what I will have for sale: More prints than I have ever had before! I think I am stocked for several cons to come. My small prints are 15 dollars, and my big ones are 40. Most all of them are full bleed, and all are archival and super lush, provided by my beloved printer source, Monocerus Media. I have he Chinese River Dolphin and Colorful Puffleg prints, I would LOVE to sell out of these since all proceeds will go to charity. Not 10%, not 50%, but 100% will be donated to each animal's respective charity.

Endangered Ark cards: I have decks for 30 dollars. I will sign my cards if you like. I can bite them too. Or whatever you like.

And of course, sketchbooks and badges, the fandom's favorite. I do not want aftercon work, I am awfully backlogged as it is. So I will be closing earlier than usual, probably won't take any work Sunday. Take a look at my table sign here: http://ethereal.critter.net/ghettosign.jpg It's all upgraded from the sign I've been using for the last couple years...it has pictures now. :D Some people are shy to ask, so if you are curious: I draw fat furs, transformation, baby furs, nudes, and even erotic as long as no bits show. And no humpa humpa. Sheath, bawls, boobs, it's all ok with me.

Also, two characters? Twice the price. That is twice the work, after all.

My general rule regarding all commissions: The more you pay more, the more work goes into it.

The art show: I won't have as much as I had hoped, in fact only the baby gryphon is new and going up with the rest of my originals and matted prints.

Lastly, the panel I will be co hosting with Rah and Nam. I already covered that...you should come. There will be dead stuff.


OH BOY first time at AC!

Told my mom I am gonna be the Maid of Honor again at a friend's wedding this summer.

Of course she replied with "Always the bridesmaid, never the bride."

Made me pretty cranky for a hundred no good reasons.

I shouldn't treat this journal as a Livejournal, but there it is. I will drown my sorrows with Earl Grey tea.