#I wish this idea on someone who is a more talented artist than me

[dukestewart]

I actually have a question, I'm wanting to start a webcomic at some point in the future myself, do you have any recommendations or advice for me?

Okay, I have a million things to say on the subject but to save you a lot of scrolling I’ll cut it down to the main things I wish I knew when starting my webcomic.

Don’t overprepare

It’s easy to fall into the trap of perfecting your art style or developing your character arcs before you actually, like, make the thing. The truth is you get diminishing returns on the pre-production phase, and too much planning will just waste your time. I once wrote an entire script and sketched out 200 pages for a graphic novel version of my webcomic Roundhouse, 90% of which is now redundant or contradictory. Probably took me hundreds of hours. Whoops. Make a basic plot line and some concept pictures by all means, you gotta start with something, but you’ll be much more motivated to make the comic when you’re already making it.

Collect references

This might sound kind of contradictory to my previous advice but bear with me. It’s important to prioritise creation over planning but gathering a compendium of your favourite artworks and writing techniques will save you time in the long run. If I’m ever stuck on how to draw a certain expression for example I know I have a folder full of expertly drawn faces to remind me how nostrils work. Personally I keep separate reference folders for colour, anatomy and character designs. Fantastic cure for artist’s block, swear by it.

Get someone to proofread

You have no idea how important it is to get a second opinion. No one in the history of media has ever been better off without a different pair of eyes to catch a mistake. They’ll see the obvious things you missed, a typo, a pacing issue, a joke that makes no sense… if you’re embarrassed to show it to anyone in your life then get an internet friend to have a look. Hell, I’ll have a look. Send me a message, I’m easy.

Even the most talented creators struggle to be seen

A good comic will always have a better chance of success than a crap one but that’s only a part of the equation. We’re forgetting our two troublesome neighbours, Monsieur Marketing and Lady Luck. It stinks, but we operate in an algorithm-based economy, and getting things out there takes a lot of hard research. I hate the marketing side of things, personally. I’d much rather make a page every week and not care whether it’s seen or not but such is the nature of capitalism that I have to try and monetise my work any way I can. Knowing someone in the business can’t hurt either.

Look, I’ll never be able to condense everything I know about webcomics in a single post so consider this my declaration to give advice to anyone who asks for it. Got a specific question about comics? Message me.

[tenshijhnny]

« Not Allowed »

Pairing - Student!Yuta × Student!Fem!Reader

Synopsis - You and Yuta were schoolmates and maybe more than only mates

Genre - romance x love of youth at school

Warnings - mention of sex ; heartbreaking

Note - written with « Not Allowed » by TV Girl bc i felt depressed + ask some questions if you need to oor if you have some ideas : here

The soft murmur of the melody resonated in my ears as I walked through the streets illuminated by city lights. "Not Allowed" by TV Girl played in my headphones, accompanying my solitary steps with its melancholic rhythm. It was one of those nights when my thoughts seemed to drift into the past, to memories that felt both close and distant.

My mind brought me back to a bygone era, to a time when the sparks of youth shone in our eyes. Yuta, a name that evoked bittersweet memories, was at the center of these thoughts. He came from a certain group of music not really famous tho, a talented artist, but for me, he had been much more than that.

We had met in college, two lost souls in the labyrinth of student life. Yuta was charismatic, with a presence that naturally drew people in. His black hair and radiant smile melted hearts and caught gazes. He was the kind of person who instantly brightened up a room just by entering.

One day, our paths crossed by chance at the library. I was lost in a sea of books, desperately trying to grasp the intricacies of a difficult course. And then, he appeared, like a ray of sunshine through the gray clouds. He sat down across from me, a mischievous smile on his lips.

"You seem like you need help," he said, his soft voice resonating in the air.

I looked up to meet his gaze, captivated by his deep eyes. "Uh, yeah, I'm struggling a bit with this course."

He laughed, a light laughter that resonated in the room. "Well, let me help you. My name is Yuta."

And that's how our friendship began. Yuta was brilliant and compassionate, always ready to lend a hand to those in need. We spent hours studying together, but our conversations quickly surpassed the limits of academia. We talked about our dreams, our fears, everything and nothing. He had the gift of making me feel understood, accepted for who I truly was.

As "Not Allowed" played in my headphones, I recalled one of those summer nights when everything seemed possible, when we hooked up for the first time. I mean, yeah, we fucked together like a week or two. Maybe a month or a year. We had decided on an impromptu getaway, leaving our books and responsibilities behind for a few hours. We climbed onto the university roof, the stars sparkling above us.

"Do you hear that?" Yuta had whispered, pointing his finger towards the starry sky.

"Hear what?" I had asked, perplexed.

"The stars. They tell stories, you know. You just have to listen closely."

I looked at him with an incredulous smile, but he led me into a series of imaginary stories that seemed to perfectly fit into the canvas of the nocturnal sky. It was these kinds of moments that made Yuta exceptional, someone who saw beauty in the little things and was determined to share that vision with the world.

It was the little things I noticed about him over time that made me fall in love with him. And that evening, despite the stars that could tell us stories, I went ahead and kissed him.

Against all odds, I couldn't have expected better. Without wishing to flatter him, he was a real sex god. I mean, no matter the time, no matter the place, if he was in the mood I knew I was going to end up with trembling legs.

Once at the kitchen table, while I was baking some cookies for the afternoon, Yuta came up behind me with his hands wandering.

"Need some help?" he says mischievously.

Without giving me time to reply, he grabs my lips with his teeth before inserting his tongue into my mouth. I let my lover guide me lovingly. His hands traced my curves as I lost my left hand in his hair and my right hand went straight down to his cock.

After much foreplay, he finally inserted himself into me, breathing a sigh of relief. Hearing him tell me how important I was to him pleased me as much as the sound of our skins touching.

What I liked most about Yuta was that he wasn't headstrong. On the contrary, we rarely argued. When our lovemaking was over, we'd get back to baking cookies.

Time had flown by, seasons had changed, and our friendship had continued to grow. We went through ups and downs, but every moment spent with Yuta was precious. However, as we neared the end of our college journey, a subtle tension began to creep between us. A tension I couldn't explain, even to myself.

One evening, we sat in the park, gazing at the stars just as we had done so many times before. "Not Allowed" played in the background, creating a nostalgic ambiance.

"Do you remember everything we've shared?" Yuta suddenly asked, his gaze drifting into the distance.

"How could I forget?" I replied with a tender smile. "Those were the best moments of my life."

He seemed to hesitate, as if he wanted to say something but couldn't find the words. "You know, there's something I've never told you..."

Before he could finish his sentence, I felt a knot of anxiety in my chest. Was it what I thought? The feelings I had kept within me, hoping they would remain hidden forever, suddenly seemed on the verge of emerging.

"Yuta, what do you mean?" I asked, my heart racing. He looked away, his cheeks taking on a slight rosy hue.

"Maybe I should have told you sooner... but there's something I've been feeling for a long time. Something I can't ignore."

My hands grew clammy, my thoughts jumbled in my head.

"Yuta, what... what do you feel? "

He finally lifted his gaze, looking at me with an intensity I'd never seen before.

"I've met someone else," he whispered, his voice filled with sincerity.

The melody of "Not Allowed" seemed to intensify, as if it had captured the emotion of the moment. It was as if the whole world froze, leaving only the two of us in this bubble of emotion.

Time seemed to stop for an eternity, then I moved closer to him, gently placing my hand on his.

"Yuta, I... I... I'm happy for you..."

A bright smile lit up his face, and he hugged me. Strangely I felt betrayed, forsaken by the boy I loved. This embrace seemed to be my last. The lyrics of the music in the background echoed in my head: "I dreamt I was standing in your doorstep, licking sweat off of your forehead, with your finger in my mouth". So it was over. Never again would I feel his warm breath on my neck, or his kisses on my forehead when he finished. A stranger took away my one and only love.

It was the beginning of something new. Our youthful love had been like a sweet melody, filling our lives with joy and uncertainty. We explored this new facet of our relationship, meeting the challenges of budding love.

However, like many young loves, our story came to an end when life separated us at the end of school. The paths we had chosen drove us apart, leaving us with precious memories and unfulfilled dreams.

As I walked through the nighttime streets, the song "Not Allowed" slowly faded, giving way to silence. The stars shone above me, reminding me of the sparkle in Yuta's eyes, the gentle smile that had always been his. My love for him had become an indelible part of me, a precious chapter of my life.

Past and present intertwined in my memories, a love story that had begun with a melody and grown into something deeper and more meaningful. As I continued my journey, I knew that Yuta was there, somewhere in the fabric of the universe, a constant reminder of what we had been, what we had shared. And perhaps one day, our paths would cross again, and our youthful love would be rekindled, like the melody of a beloved song.

hope you like it

[plasticmonkiez]

Hello there, I just wanted to tell you that your art is truly amazing! It's truly wonderful to see someone like you, sharing their special talents on certain social media platforms, like Tumblr, surrounded by others who support/admire you & your artwork, & it just makes me happy to see you go on & continue with what you have a passion for. Keep up the amazing work, I wish you a wonderful day, & many more to come! IK that you'll do wonderful, no matter what happens! 💖

You have no idea how much this means to me as an artist. I truly appreciate the kind words, really made my day!! I don't know what to say other than thank you bunches, mwah!!!! <333

[maliciousalice]

Hii Do you have a fave Janeway out-of-uniform look?

Ohh this is such a hard choice! There are so many reasons I like her out of uniform-- A lot of the time it's because we get to see who she is behind the veil. That couldn't be more apparent than in Resolutions, she flirts, explores and relaxes while she struggles to maintain her identity. She has like, 5 costume changes in that episode, albeit modest in design, they are quite revealing in a sub-textual way. Funnily enough, I actually would like to catalogue each time she is out of uniform and break down how it relates to the narrative etc. I sometimes ponder about the choices that have been made with hair and costume. We don't actually know much besides a few articles and scattered pieces of media--Most behind the scene information is about set design, which in it's own right is cool, but sometimes feels like it’s highlighted due to the male audience and as a result the other artists aren't valued enough. In theory, I'd like to uplift them because their efforts transform the lack frontal, narrative-body of some characters- we consequently learn things such as the fashion of the era, character’s states of mind, setting, etc, simply through what they are wearing– Do I dislike that? No. Because I understand the format of Star Trek is limited by the nature of being a 24 episode per season show. Sometimes things appear rushed or incomplete but if you look in the right direction, the work that was produced is just as rich as most shows, if not more. For the most part don’t think audiences appreciate the conditions that this show was made under.

The whole show has certainly been more impactful on the cultural zeitgeist than others and I think the reason for that success goes beyond the surface level- It’s not just a simple miracle that it works as well as it does, talented teams of actors, writers and people in costume all combined their skills together to forge it. They did the best they could with what they were given, and I appreciate the costume designers and writers for attempting to provide some semblance of substance in the background. (On another note I wish Paramount had archived their costumes better. Evil that we only get high resolution photography when they're selling them to someone's private collection)

However, to answer your actual question, my favourite out of uniform stint is when Captain Janeway is modified to look like a Klingon in the Killing Game! The disguise worked so well for me that I didn't recognise her on my first watch through.

Interestingly in the brief scene with brainwashed Janeway, we see an acting side of Kate's that is pretty rare. She delivered a unique and entertaining performance. While she has had to get physical on a few occasions as Janeway, and even other roles, she has never had to go full feral mode and I love seeing her in a way that is untethered from all of herself, she yells, bares her teeth, barrels into others, and does somersaults without hesitation. It's delightful choreography, and It immediately makes us question what is going on. Who is this? Can’t possibly be our well-adjusted hero, because whoever this is, is brazenly-fierce and in Klingon attire! But yes we find out it is indeed her, arguably a repressed version of her mind but regardless Janeway is completely transformed both physically and mentally, and that’s shockingly fun. 

Lending to that idea of fun, is the juxtaposingly detailed presentation of the Klingon costume versus the Starfleet uniform. I love the overall shapes, matte qualities contrasting with the metal details, the decorative line-work that leads the eye around, and materials such as swinging chains and fur, that make it look good in motion. From what I’ve seen there is a difference in the female and male armour, with the breast plating and bodice design. The armour’s bulky top half with its shoulder pads deliver a signature look, and it looks great against the simplified bottom. Considering Klingon’s do a lot of close combat, my guess is that it’s design is more about manoeuvrability, and boasting intimidation, rather than heavy defence. Ironically after all that ducking and dodging, ho ho Janeway gets stabbed for leaving her guard down. If I looked, I am sure I could find something to back that up, since Klingons have extremely dedicated lore. 

The makeup on Janeway is really neat too, the orange tones they used on her face make her crystalline eye colour dramatically pop. There is also a delicious parallel to her styling and B'Elanna's mother from Barge of the Dead in the episode that I quietly indulge in BUT I DIGRESS.

Despite the unusual circumstances, I wish we had more photography done of Kate in the unique costumes she wore beyond a few on set pictures, because I want to ogle at a more editorial/detailed press presentation of each one and I believe that everyone should treasure all versions of Janeway.

Blah Blah Blahhhh haha

I feel a little vulnerable spreading my thoughts around but I really appreciate you asking me about them and getting me out of my shell <333.

[enden-agolor]

Hey enden! I just wanted to reach out as I know these are hard times for you. I’ve been wanting to say something and give you some support, but I have never known what to say, so I’m just gonna wing it.

First off, I would like to preface by saying you are an incredibly humble artist and writer. You carry great talent, yet you seem to almost expect people to not notice that. Never forget your talent, and that even something you spill out at 2am will most definitely be praised. You inspire me to create, I have been in a art and writing slump for so long. I got caught up in life and lost the love for it. You’ve lit that spark in me once more and want to get me creating, and most definitely writing, in honor of you!! That’s amazing man. You have some real special talent, and the mcsm fandom alongside others are seriously so so lucky to have you.

Second, I send nothing but love and support to you and your boyfriend. I know everything will work out just as you guys need it to. If she doesn’t get her karma legally, she most definitely will another way. I know you guys are so strong and will pull through with flying colors!! Death of a loved one is never ever easy, and the worst always happens to the best people. Know that none of what happened is your fault, don’t let guilt consume you, and both of you take care of and love yourselves. You guys seriously deserve it.

Lastly, on a less dreary note, I would like to ask if you had any fan fiction prompts for Jesskas? I want to write so bad, but I cannot come up with a proper idea that is really interesting and solid, yanno? I want to write something long, that I can really pour my heart out into. So if you had any tips or story prompts, it would seriously be appreciated, and you of course would get a huge shoutout, as you would with or without helping me since you are such a huge inspiration to me.

Best of wishes Enden!!

This may be a long response, so here-

First off, I suppose you are right when you say I don't really expect people to enjoy the content I create. It's not an easy concept for me to grasp. I have a lot of trouble seeing how people can like my stuff so much, or god even say I'm their favorite mcsm artist when there's so many others out there that carry so much more skill with colors and backgrounds and such. I know I'm not supposed to compare myself to others, but it is an incredibly hard habit to end. It's why I'm so shocked when I see actual fanart of my aus, or god even my writing. I cannot go back and read me own works for the life of me because I just cringe so bad at it, so when people say it's good I really just have to trust them and believe it.

All I could ever dream to do is inspire people to create and grow with their own imagination, so hearing that my stuff has done that sort of thing for you (and others who have told me the same) it brings me so much joy, but it truly is entirely hard to believe that it's me and not someone else being the one to do that. I don't know, but I am very honored to hear this from you. It only inspires me to push myself further and I don't know. Maybe some day I can push my imposter syndrome aside and really get a firm grasp on my full potential and be proud of it.

And thank you for the love and support towards our situation... As the days go by I fear more and more that that woman will get to keep her dog and nothing will come out of this other than we just have to move past it. So I hope you're right when you say she'll get her karma some other way. I've never in my life wished something bad to happen to someone. Not like this... So if karma does catch her, let it be as devastating to her as it was to us.

Now, real life shenanigans aside, we can get to the jesskas stuff 😏

For fanfic prompts, I always suggest exploring canon before getting into anything truly ambitious. If there's a certain scene in the game you'd like to further explore and add on to- do it! Like I've always wanted to write a fic that gets into a deep emotional moment between Jesse and Lukas after Jesse rescues Lukas and Petra from the Nether during episode 8 and they all enter the player dorms for the night. Just those off screen moments where you can take the characters and add more to the story is easy and fun in itself. I always like to look deep into the emotional aspect of it all, and really dive into how the characters might be feeling after a situation and how that gentle moment alone together could bring them closer. What I already mentioned being a good example because it's directly after PAMA, Jesse having to watch Lukas and Petra(or Ivor) die, and so on. There's a LOT of feelings to explore there. If that's something you'd want to try and tackle, go for it!! But if there's another scene from the game that really sticks out to you that you feel could be so much more, go for that too. It's good to start small and practice how you want to write the characters. Only reason I started a huge fic like Recovery straight away was because I'd been rping jesskas for like a year and a half already and was confident I knew how to write the characters and I wanted to do more for the little community by writing a nice big fic.

And again, it's Minecraft. There's a whole world to explore and put these two right in the middle of it. Think up certain scenarios you like and add on to it! Like if there's a certain scene you really want to do, build to it. Give the characters a goal and put obstacles in the way so you can really flesh them out on the way to that goal. What made them want to go there? How do they get there? What do they do when they get there? How do they communicate with others that might also be there? And how differently do they treat eachother compared to how they treat the others? Those are all things you really want to know ahead of time. Also pay attention to the scenery. Really look into the visuals your mind creates and do your best to get into the details about it all. There's a lot to get into with writing, and the best part about it is you're in complete control, so go crazy with your imagination, especially since it's Minecraft. It could be entirely self indulgent, or even something out of your comfort zone. No matter what it is, it's still growth and it's still progress to being a better writer. Just make sure you're having fun.

Also, thanks for taking the time to send this ask. I appreciate you 🩷

[unclewaynemunson]

I was tagged by @hammity-hammer and @spec-squared for this one, thanks my loves <3

rules: bold the ones that are true and tag 15 people to do it

APPEARANCE:

i’m over 5’5” // i wear glasses/contacts // i have blonde hair // i prefer loose clothing to tight clothing // i have one or more piercings // i have at least one tattoo // i have blue eyes // i have dyed or highlighted my hair // i have gotten plastic surgery // i have or had braces // i sunburn easily // i have freckles // i paint my nails // i typically wear make-up // i don’t often smile // i am pleased with how i look // i prefer nike to adidas // i wear baseball hats backwards

HOBBIES AND TALENTS:

i play a sport // i can play an instrument // i am artistic // i know more than one language // i have won a trophy in some sort of competition // i can cook or bake without a recipe // i know how to swim // i enjoy writing // i can do origami // i prefer movies to tv shows // i can execute a perfect somersault // i enjoy singing // i could survive in the wild on my own // i have read a new book series this year // i enjoy spending time with friends // i travel during school or work breaks // i can do a handstand

RELATIONSHIP:

i am in a relationship // i have been single for over a year // i have a crush // i have a best friend i have known for ten years // my parents are together // i have dated my best friend // i am adopted // my crush has confessed to me // i have a long distance relationship // i am an only child // i give advice to my friends // i have made an online friend // i met up with someone i have met online

AESTHETICS:

i have heard the ocean in a conch shell // i have watched the sun rise // i enjoy rainy days // i have slept under the stars // i meditate outside // the sound of chirping calms me // i enjoy the smell of the beach // i know what snow tastes like // i listen to music to fall asleep // i enjoy thunderstorms // i enjoy cloud watching // i have attended a bonfire // i pay close attention to colours // i find mystery in the ocean // i enjoy hiking on nature paths // autumn is my favourite season

MISCELLANEOUS:

i can fall asleep in a moving vehicle // i am the mom friend // i live by a certain quote // i like the smell of sharpies // i am involved in extracurricular activities // i enjoy mexican food // i can drive a stick-shift // i believe in true love // i make up scenarios to fall asleep // i sing in the shower // i wish i lived in a video game // i have a canopy above my bed // i am multiracial // i am a redhead // i own(ed) at least three dogs

i have no idea who has already done this but i'll tag @undreaming-rambles @stevethehairington @momotonescreaming @yournowheregirl @corrodedbisexual @thelastwalkingsoul @stevesbipanic @phantypurple and @thefreakandthehair <3

[all-the-heart-you-cannot-see]

REBELDE S2 WAS A HOT MESS (major spoilers ahead)

Plot

I think conceptually speaking having Gus as a villain this season was a good idea. Who can be a bigger enemy to music than s producer only interested in money who exploits his artists? I hated that he died in the end. Biggest wtf of the season, now he exits the next season completely and our mains are left to deal with the fallout in what most likely will be an attempt to copy Elite. Rebelde is about the music and the highschool drama not an student accidentally killing one of the most important producers in the country, what?????

Characters

Esteban was interesting this season, i like that tried to kind of make him the villain. Him getting sucked into Gus bullshit and doing whatever it took to be the best was a nice change from him being really plain last season. I hated him 80% of this seasons runtime but at least this was intentional on the writer's part. I'm so not looking forward to the murder plot with him next season.

Jana works better when she is alone than with Esteban, they make each other lamer, I thought her arc about not having to always please everybody was cool, and i don't think her conflict at the beginning of the season with MJ was nonsensical at all. She's 16, of course she's jealous of someone who could steal her spotlight, not to mention MJ was her friend and left her and the band to go with Jana's shitty ex lol. I like that the girls ended up together at the end and it didn't feel like something forced to me, so many things had happened to them by that point that the reason they were fighting in the first place probably felt stupid anyways.

Dixon is one my favorites lol, this guy is ride or die with everybody. He was willing to keep going with the band, to forgive MJ, he was even trying to help Esteban before he turned into an asshole, i think he's actually the most mature one of the bunch. Whether he was the best in the class depends on personal taste but I think it was well done in the sense that he was the only one to stand up to Gus and remain true to himself as an artist. I like his friendship with Jana cause we almost never get platonic relationship in teen media between girls and boys without feelings being involved, i screamed when they kissed but I hope they keep it as a "we were just too drunk" thing. I liked him with MJ at first, now I think he deserves better.

MJ didn't really have an arc this season, she was just doing her own thing, the actress is a really talented singer so I wish she was more present in the race for Gus's contract. I think she and Sebastian were pretty cute together but I could see their breakup coming from a mile away (more on this in his section). I didn't mind her bit with the pregnancy scare (sin gorrito no hay fiesta, guys) and i just want her to have more to do next season.

Fucking Sebastian. I like to believe that if he knew Gus was such a monumental asshole he wouldn't have done what he did at the end. I thought his arc about being a better person because of MJ was cute however what was wrong from the start is he was changing because of her so I knew the moment she was gone, he was going to go back. My guy just needs therapy and i would have more sympathy for him if his entire villain arc in s1 wasn't based around him being classist lol. (Also I can't believe we were doing the i can fix him in the year of our lord 2022).

I hate what they did to Andi and Emelia. I didn't mind Andi's addiction arc per se because it's pretty common in the music industry, I hate that it made her absent for a pretty good chunk of the major drama this season and that they broke her up with Emelia that way. The thing is, i don't think before the song thing they were actually "bad for each other" their relationship didn't have any major problems before so breaking them up was the most homophobic act of 2022.

Luka is above good and evil in the show, he's kind of an ass but he has been like that since day one and everybody has learned to tolerate him so really, he's just fun. I hope they would've spent more time with him an Okane being actually together but they are only a thing in the last 3 episodes and Luka is literally unconscious in the last one so we were given cruuuuuuumbs. I thought the scarf thing was really cute, I love them, please don't take them away.

I didn't expect much from Okane but he was a pleasant surprise. It's a shame they ruined his storyline with Jana by adding the sex tape thing because he gave her actual good advice (apart from the drugs) and i think they could have s great friendship dynamic, he could certainly make her more interesting. Idk where he went at the end, i just want him to be left alone in this entire bullshit plotline and be happy and home with Luka.

[soleilnomoon]

i'm back. well, technically, I never left. I hereby submit a formal request for an art college type AU with Usopp needing to draw someone (reader or a strawhat of your choice) for an assignment. idc if it's sfw or nsfw cause ya know i trust your judgement. thankies!

babey, babey, babey art college au?? usopp??? i loved writing every word; this took me a month & a half, but yk how it is, i always want perfection for u — and this is far from it, but hear me out...૮₍  ˶•⤙•˶ ₎ა ok...i got nothin', chief. ily, siempre tho (u already know) 💓💓💓

1.5k words, gn reader (no pronouns), sfw (shock, gasp, awe), slightly suggestive, fluff???, tiny bit of angst (maybe a little more idk), 18+, mdni; art college au!, usopp is a shy coward and reader is full of sass & can't read the room; nothing major, death mention and that's about it. a very tame kaia production, i think

to be an artist is to willingly carry the burdens of the world, to mold their creations with clumsy, earnest fingers, to sculpt an absurd idea of the truth with precision, to paint the fleeting feelings of the masses without restraint, and to scrape any unnecessary remains onto a stained, concrete floor.

it's messy; an ordeal that requires dedication, innate talent, and an overwhelming desire to survive.

once upon a time, when everything in his life was still bright and full of promise, his mother often boasted to her friends — and almost anyone who would listen, really — about his artistic prowess. on days where she had energy, she’d say, take a look, he’s done it again; and when she was weary, but still proud, oh, goodness, you’re truly a wonder; but, the most poignant moment, the one phrase — question, rather — that stuck with him years later, even after her death, was: do you know the color of a person’s soul, usopp? the true color? i wish i could see you paint it. i know it will be spectacular.

it's not grief that drives him to pour his heart into his work, and it’s not out of any residual feelings of sadness, but because of his mother’s last words — he still remembers how he strained to hear her speak, how he begged her to repeat herself, how he cried himself to sleep for days and days. he’s a night owl out of spite — to chase his inner demons away, to not let her haunt his heart more than she already does — and he’s committed himself to mastering a style that’s uniquely his, so that he can tell his story the proper way.

after weeks of looking for a model for his latest assignment, he finds you by chance — with charcoal-stained fingertips that you constantly wipe on your jeans, a smudge on your cheek from when you rubbed it minutes ago, hair haphazardly thrown into a messy bun, curls poking out everywhere, the pinnacle of concentration and rebellion.

you, who frequently defies your professors’ suggestions, who reminds them time and time again that no you can’t simply change your piece because it doesn’t follow their guidelines, and no you can’t commit to turning in assignments on time because “art is freedom, why are you so persistent?”

and you refuse to be confined into their neatly labeled boxes.

he wishes he could have a tiny piece of your boldness, of your dedication to remaining true to yourself, of your outlandish outlook on life where you defy expectations without a care.

or he thinks so, anyway.

after the other students have filtered out of the classroom, you remain behind, tongue pressed against the inside of your cheek, lips pursed as you consider a new angle for your piece. he watches the quick, messy dark marks that adorn your canvas — you’ve been working on it for hours without rest. your dedication to your craft (to your truth) is admirable, if not a little intense, so much that it’s hard for him to approach you.

cowardice seeps through his bloodstream, pumping directly into his heart, making it more difficult for him to speak — let alone to ask you for help.

but you glance at him out of the corner of your eyes, lashes partially obscuring your eyes when you blink slowly.

he’s always believed that art is always imperfectly perfect, but you? he doubts he really knows the true meaning of art now.

“h-hey,” he says after a while, throat dry, palms moist and unsure. you pivot and stare, a curious smile prancing onto your lips, the edges curling impishly before you respond cheekily.

“after staring at me for so long, that’s all you have to say?”

you click your tongue in jest, and his face burns painfully — embarrassment eating him alive, making him fidget with the strap of his bag, where he nearly falls over the stool behind him. you attempt to quiet your laughter, but you can’t help yourself. he’s always like that — fidgety, lost, boisterous at times, but also a little serious. you wonder if he spends his life seeped in his passiveness, and he wonders if you’ve always been this vibrant and honest — reminding him of a few of his closest friends who never shy away from the truth no matter what it may be.

“chill, i’m just kidding,” you say when you realize he might’ve taken you seriously. “it’s no big deal, really.” you’ve learned that there’s no harm in people looking at you, no matter what their reasoning is. “did you need something?” because he rarely speaks to you, and he certainly doesn’t talk to you like that.

usopp shifts on his feet, tongue suddenly too big for his mouth, his words clumsily knocking against the back of his teeth; but after inhaling deeply, a bit of his anxiety rolls off of his skin, drips down to the floor — out of sight, out of mind.

“i, um,” he rubs the back of his neck, warm, russet brown skin still struggling with the overwhelming heat that’s permanently settled on his face. “well, see… i haven’t found anyone to p-pose for my assignment, so—”

“sure.” your voice is clear, decisive; you barely leave wiggle room for any argument, and that — the sheer oppressive power behind your assertiveness is what terrifies him. your intensity might literally kill him if he’s not careful.

“oh, okay, yeah.” feeling a little more confident, he puts his bag down and grabs his large sketch pad. he sits on the stool and motions for you continue as you were.

with raised brows, you shoot him an unreadable look, but don’t offer any clarification. you face your canvas again and attack it with vigor, dropping the charcoal and opting to use oil pastels instead. you don’t think as you move your arm, instead allowing the flow to come naturally as you begin dotting colors all around; you’ve been in an impressionist sort of mood, wanting to encapsulate the unhurried movements of field of flowers surrounded in flames. you’re not quite sure what possesses you, but it came to you in a dream and you couldn’t stop until you brought it to life.

during your freshman year, someone callously remarked that you were demented, a lost cause — someone to watch out for. but usopp begs to differ; as he sits and observes, twirling his conté stick around his fingers before settling down in front of the easel and sketching lightly. he notices that you tend to move around a lot, bouncing on your feet, as if the floor is too hot for you to tolerate at times; you also talk to yourself, which he doesn’t find unusual because he also talks to himself.

maybe you both have more in common than he originally thought. for some reason, the corners of his lips twitch, he finds himself smiling, albeit bashfully, at the idea.

you peek over at him as you work, admiring his steadfast dedication, the precise movements of his wrist, the delicate way he holds the conté stick. you’ve never cared about the work of others, but you’d be lying to yourself if you say you’re not even remotely curious about how he sees you.

usopp works in silence for about thirty minutes before you decide to stop for the night.

he’s done several gesture drawings of you, one more animated than the last, wanting to capture the fluidity and beauty of your movements without interruption. you might just be the perfect subject to study, if he’s honest. and while he definitely has more than enough to work with, he doesn’t really want to stop sketching you.

he knows he can’t say that, so he keeps it to himself, allowing the words to die down on the back of his tongue as he pushes the easel back to its proper place.

after leaving your signature messy scrawl on the bottom corner of your picture, you walk over to glance at his work, but he’s already grabbed the sketch pad and shoved it into his portfolio case. he clears his throat several times, almost comically, but you refrain from laughing — this time.

“thank you for your assistance,” usopp says with a grin; he wears his false bravado with ease, but he’s tragically unconvincing. you smile encouragingly at him and wink.

“anytime, cutie.”

while you contemplate whether or not you’ll showcase this particular piece of yours, he stammers over his words, mumbles something in haste and, quite literally, scurries away. you’re not sure if you’ve permanently scared him off, but you have a feeling he’ll come back and ask for that favor again. as he makes his way out of the building, nearly tripping down the stares with all of his hurried movements, he tries to remind himself that he has to be more careful. he’s sure you almost saw through his act; all of that courage deflates and he slows his steps, glancing over at the building again, wondering if maybe — just maybe — he’ll find a chance to show you his finished work.

it’s not the answer to the question that he’s been struggling with for the entirety of his adolescence and adult life, but it’s certainly a good start.

[aceseonghwa]

Okay I'm gonna take a moment to get sappy as hell because ATEEZ concerts always do this to me but... I wish I could meet all eight members in person and just. Shower them in praise. I want to tell them directly how incredible they are. Not just as people, but as performers. Artists.

One thing about ATEEZ, they have never been stagnant. Thinking back to their first tour and comparing it to the one their on now is just crazy. Each tour has gotten more and more elaborate and the venue sizes just continue to grow. It's so clear how dedicated ATEEZ are to being the absolute best performers they can be. I'll always remember when one member said in an interview that they always try to make their stages memorable, because it could be someone's first or last time seeing them -- and they always follow through. ATEEZ are in their own league when it comes to performances. They tell stories through their stages, taking on the roles of different characters for every song and showing atinys their entire range of emotion.

I'm going to be completely honest. In my several years of being a kpop fan, there a lot of performances that I think are great; but ATEEZ have absolutely taken the cake. Their performances are alive, they always give 1000%, they sing completely LIVE, on top of that, their stages are full on theater sets. I feel so much whenever I watch them perform. I get so immersed, watching them pour their heart and soul into everything, down to the little details. If you look up the definition of passion in the dictionary you'll see a photo of ATEEZ. They are the perfect example of what it means to be dedicated to one's craft. You can tell they want nothing more than to continue to improve, and they DO, always outdoing themselves with every comeback. Their involvement in their own work is also extremely admirable. Hongjoong and Mingi being so dedicated to producing and song writing, and of course with their latest album, all of the members got to show of their song writing skills and blew all of us away with their lyricism. And then of course there's moments on stage.

We often here about how ideas for certain performances on stage come from the members themselves (a lot of times, Seonghwa, lol) and it's just so--excuse my French--FUCKING obvious that this is more than just a job to them. They don't do the bare minimum on stage to get paid. No, it's clear that ATEEZ love what they do so much, possibly more than anything. They were born to be on stage. I know it's kinda cheesy, and I don't even really believe in fate-- but there was definitely some magic that happened when the eight of them united.

ATEEZ are so hard-working, so goal-oriented, so in love with performing and creating memorable experiences for their fans. I'm honestly so blessed to be alive at the same time as them, because I am HERE to witness their amazing artistry.

This is just another long ass ramble post that more than likely won't be seen by anyone but if it just so happens that someone who's contemplating stanning ATEEZ sees this-- this is your SIGN. You will never turn back. You won't want to turn back. You've never seen a group give their all until you’ve met ATEEZ. Your expectations will be exceeded every single time with them. The bar will be raised higher than you ever thought it could be. Put aside your judgements. Don't ignore them just because they're 4th gen. The hate train for ATEEZ exists purely out of intimidation and jealousy. But once you open your eyes to them and see what they're all about and how much they give back to their fans... you'll see why people are intimidated. You'll see why people even just want a fraction of their success. And when you come to learn that their growth was organic, stemming not from being handed things on a silver platter but because of genuine goddamn talent, you'll say "oh. OH. I see. This is what the hype is about."

They came from a small, unheard of company, and faced so many difficulties, but didn't let that stop or even slow them. From performing on the streets to putting on elaborate shows for Towards the Light; it's all deserved.

End of my long ass ramble post sjsusgsbdu I LOVE MY ATEEZ HERE'S TO A SAFE AND FUN TOUR 💕 ❤

[agentofship]

Get to know me ask game

Thank you for tagging me, @valentinaonthemoon that was fun <3

RULES: bold the ones that are true & tag 10 people to do it.

APPEARANCE

blonde hair // I prefer loose clothing to tight clothing // I have one or more piercings // I have at least one tattoo // I have dyed or highlighted my hair // I have gotten plastic surgery // I have or had braces // I sunburn easily // I have freckles // I paint my nails // I typically wear makeup // I don’t often smile // I am pleased with how I look // I prefer Nike to Adidas // I wear baseball hats backwards

*(The amount of makeup varies a lot depending on the season. In the summer, when my skin looks nice and not so pale, I don't wear anything. The rest of the time, I'll wear light fundation and bold lipstick when I go out)

-

HOBBIES & TALENTS

I play a sport // I can play an instrument // I am artistic // I know more than one language // I have won a trophy in some sort of competition // I can cook or bake without a recipe // I know how to swim // I enjoy writing // I can do origami // I prefer movies to tv shows // I can execute a perfect somersault // I enjoy singing // I could survive in the wild on my own // I have read a new book series this year // I enjoy spending time with friends // I travel during work or school breaks // I can do a handstand

RELATIONSHIPS

I am in a relationship // I have been single for over a year // I have a crush // I have a best friend who I’ve known for ten years // my parents are together // I have dated my best friend // I am adopted // my crush has confessed to me // I have a long distance relationship // I am an only child // I give advice to my friends // I have made an online friend // I met up with someone I have met online

*(I agree with @valentinaonthemoon here. I met a lot of lovely people online. Some still remain very close friends. I met up with quite a few of them at some point. Some I still see on a regular basis and the last one last year <3 It's always lovely and also always fun and interesting to see how different the person is from the idea you made up of them in your head.)

AESTHETICS

I have heard the ocean in a conch shell // I have watched the sun rise // I enjoy rainy days // I have slept under the stars // I meditate outside // the sound of chirping calms me // I enjoy the smell of the beach // I know what snow tastes like // I listen to music to fall asleep // I enjoy thunderstorms // I enjoy cloud watching // I have attended a bonfire // I pay close attention to colors // I find mystery in the ocean // I enjoy hiking on nature paths // Summer is my favorite season

MISCELLANEOUS

I can fall asleep in a moving vehicle // I am the mom friend // I live by a certain quote // I like the smell of sharpies // I am involved in extracurricular activities // I enjoy Mexican food // I can drive a stick shift // I believe in true love // I make up scenarios to fall asleep // I sing in the shower // I wish I lived in a video game // I have a canopy above my bed // I am multiracial // I am a redhead // I own at least 3 cats

Tagging (only if they want to do this), @apathbacktoyou, @springmagpies, @2minutes2midnight, @clementinewhy @libbyweasley

I hope you all have a lovely day! 🌻

[dirtypaperjoe]

Coloring the void

Who would have thought that colors actually look more vibrant in the void?

It's been about 15 months since I first picked up a pencil and decided that I was going to learn how to draw. My original motivation behind it was that I wanted to realize the ideas that I had at the time, but at some point that changed. I started to prioritize improvement and technical skills over my original goal. I have literally no original drawings or even sketches from before I made this account, yet I have over a kilogram of paper that I used for practicing. But it's not like I didn't enjoy drawing during that time or that I regret it; it was that I felt like I just wasn't skilled enough to make what I wanted to make, but the more I hear about AI art and the more I look into actual professional artists, the more I realize that art isn't about raw technical skill but all about the intention behind it. Of course a better artist or an AI would manage to make something technically better than what I did here, but I don't think that they would come up with this. The unique experience that every one of us has is what makes art interesting. Everyone has something unique to say and show; technical skill is just a tool to express that uniqueness. That's why AI art will never replace art made by humans and why technical skill isn't the sole determinant of artistic value. But with AI art and so many talented artists out there, intention in art is becoming more and more important; finding what makes one unique and being able to communicate it is now a crucial skill for making art.  A good artist is no longer someone who is able to produce technically impressive pieces; a good artist is now someone who is able to look deep within themselves and make something out of it. Or at least, that is what I think. This may be pretty obvious for all of you, but for me and my lizard brain, this is quite the revelation. So yeah, that's a complete change of direction for this whole art thing that I'm doing. I'll now try to stick to this and stop focusing so much on technical skills. I just wish that there were as many resources for it as there are for developing technical skills. Oh, and by the way, I recorded a timelapse of the whole process as a test, so if you're interested, Here it is!

Posted using PostyBirb

[luciehercndale]

hey there! realising, long story short, that i really need to get into creating art as a way to regain my sense of autonomy and get into motion the habits leading to the mental health benefits down the line. but i'm honestly so stuck, even creating graphics for my profile here on this site seems like so much effort that I feel like it'd be more of a task (and the minute I start thinking of something like that I go into Fawn Mode and lose all creative ability) rather than something fun to do. i've got a million fragmented ideas of things i think would be fun to do in theory, but in practice whenever i remember the real world and its demands i immediately go numb and lose interest and it's just hard to connect with my creative side.

just reaching out because you are so brilliantly artistic and i can tell that everything you put out is such an expression of who you are. and i also know you're very open to the 'what is good for my brain' conversations. so if you have the bandwidth to give advice/suggestions can you think of any low-demand/low-effort ways to reconnect with my creative side and build my confidence to feel safe to express myself (i know it's in there somewhere!) are there any things you've found you can still do when you have limited spoons? or are feeling too tense or tired to think properly? tysm xx

hi!!! I'm glad you reached out to me because I love giving creative advice <3 creative block often happens to me too and sometimes I can't really help it and that's okay. Sometimes we need to recharge in order to feel creative again. If you're looking for a creativity boost that works for writing and editing pictures, I try to look at Pinterest for inspiration. I usually start with a word that maybe stuck in my brain or simply something I like (like purple for example) and it's a chain from there lol more images pop up and I add the ones that speak the most to me to a board (like an aesthetic board). Or I start from a song that stuck in my head and won't leave me. What I can do about it? What does inspire me? Bc sometimes there is a story behind that! Another way is to try to write freely too and without thinking about punctuation or grammar. Stream of consciousness-like. Just write about what comes to your mind after choosing a picture you really like or a concept or starting from a song you like. But this last bit may not work all the time because if you feel stuck, it feels like you can't bring anything outside of your brain on to the page.

Since you love to read, I would also suggest two books. The first is "Drawing with the right side of the brain" by Betty Edwards and "The artists' way: a spiritual path to higher creativity" by Julia Cameron.

The first one is more about drawing but I think it can also apply to writing as well because the author explains how the sides of the brain work and how you can "unlock" your right side to visualize what you wish to create on paper with more clarity. She is convinced that even the most talented people sometimes use the left side more and this hinders their creations and doesn't help to unlock their full potential. I think you might love this since you like neuroscience :)

The second book by Julia Cameron could also be helpful because it's like a weekly course and every week she asks you to do some tasks in order to slowly reconnect with your creativity from inside of you. I still haven't read this but someone said it wasn't bad especially if you are trying to find yourself and your muse.

I hope these help 😀