#Once upon a time I told myself that the most I'll do for comics is 4 panels

[0ann3]

Slip Up: make a careless error

And they all made a deal just so Azul can make at least three people shut up about the whole thing - the end

Anyway, inspired by one of the prompts in the alphabet challenge I did for my ocs and from something that I actually witnessed irl LMAO

Bonus: Azul moments before this disaster

And then this guy proceeded to practice calling Deuce that in his head until he meets up with the group and remembered that he needs to talk to him for something

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@thehollowwriter @distant-velleity

[meanbossart]

Asks about VaM, art advice, and miscellaneous stuffs

HI! Real quick please refrain from referring to Sad Sack as S/S for the uh... Obviously reasons LOL We call it "sads" for short!

If what you're asking for are recommendations for a website to host that kind of thing, Neocities, Twitter, Itchio and as you mentioned AO3 are all perfectly good options! Patreon too (depending on how gnarly you're planning on getting) but I'd suggest keeping that as a secondary host option because I don't think it lends itself super well for getting your work circulating. I believe Bluesky allows that kind of thing too, but I'm not too sure since I don't use it.

Now, If you're asking about public reaction rather than guidelines, anywhere you go you might find people that don't jive with the work you do 🤷 just be upfront about the type of content you're making right off the bat to avoid having anyone stumble upon it by accident to the best of your abilities, otherwise, I wouldn't worry too much. I know we're constantly exposed to examples of overwhelming harassment and "dogpilling" happening to others but... Truth be told, most of us won't ever get to the size/internet level of fame where we experience that. I think the threat is a little bit... Overstated, nowadays. Not to mention that most of the time people are getting harassment for things that have nothing to do with their work, and rather relating to their behavior and attitudes. Play smart, be responsible, and be honest! Whatever comes next is in god's hands LOL

Thank you for the ask! Not sure I was of much help 😅 but frankly when you're just starting out it's best to focus on getting the work done first and just throwing it out there, wherever it may be. You can worry about technicalities like that later!

I GOT YOU MAN the full sketch is now up on my patreon!

YES AND YES WHETHER IT BE STORIES OR ART OF DU DROW AND YOUR CHARACTERS SLAMMING PINTS TOGETHER BE MY GUEST PLEASE

I love seeing everyone's take on my weirdo so much, anything is honestly welcomed!

AW DUDE thank you so much! Especially for suffering through the mammoth of a story that ANE turned into - writing has never been my strongest point so I'm always shocked to hear from people that enjoy it 🥲

About the booze question, honestly I'm not picky at all, I usually go by price and by that I mean whatever is cheapest LOL but I prefer a dry white as far as types go.

You only have to pay for it once! You get a code that unlocks the software and all of it's features and you're free to cancel your subscription after that. At some point the code might change or there might be an update that requires subscribing again - but that seems like a very rare occurrence so I wouldn't worry about it.

OH NO I HAVE DEFINITELY TRACED MY OWN REFERENCE BEFORE, but not entire poses! When something is challenging I'll make a point of drawing it out the usual way.

I can remember a couple of instances from Nick and mine's comic where I traced pictures I took of myself, just as a time saving measure. Again like I said in the post, there are several ways to employ tracing your own material that is perfectly acceptable. I have also traced bare-bones 3D backgrounds that I made for the same reasons.

I know you specifically asked about tracing when something's complicated, but I still wanted to be upfront to demystify the practice under different circumstances. The rule of thumb is to never use it when you know it would be inhibiting your skill development!

Happy to hear you wanted to pick up the skill! I definitely understand the urge too LOL since playing BG3 and becoming so invested in the stories and characters my art has improved a ton, simply from forcing me out of my usual style and making me want to capture different moods and scenarios - finding something you're passionate to draw is, frankly a great damn start.

I replied to a bunch of asks asking for pointers and advice a while back, one of the questions was very similar to yours and I still stand behind the advice I gave then. Hopefully you can find something helpful here! https://meanbossart.tumblr.com/post/740543514692173824/some-art-advice-asks-ive-been-meaning-to-reply

HMMM I don't usually think of myself as the best teacher/tutorial guy, but funnily enough I can think of a few things about this topic that I could elaborate on lol. If I do that in the near future, I'll put it up on my patreon (for free as with everything else.)

If there are any specific things about it that you (and anyone else who would be interested in it, for that matter) find challenging and would like for me to focus on, let me know!

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That's all for now folks, and as usual thank you so much to everyone who's left a nice compliment, word of encouragement or funny tidbit in my inbox as well! I can't reply to you all individually, but I see and read all the messages I get c:

HAVE A LOVELY REST OF YOUR WEEK

[artemispanthar]

Since I was talking about Roger earlier I thought I'd share this old 30-page comic I drew back in 2011 where Roger fights a deathclaw. It meant to serve as a prologue to my Fallout story to explain why two wanderers like Magpie and Roger were looking to settle down in New Vegas. I only fully completed 20 pages but had all 30 outlined. I figured I'd share all of them, the completed and the roughs, just for fun. I'm honestly still pretty proud of it as I'd never drawn something so actiony before and I liked how it turned out. It's also a pretty good depiction of their personalities.

Since the last few pages are just my awful handwriting and thus illegible, I figured I'd transcribe them here (since miraculously I can read my handwriting lol)

Page 24

Roger: I told you to stay in the CAVE

Magpie: Yeah, well... if I did you'd be dead so-

Roger: IRRELEVANT

Magpie: Well, it is(n't) to me... and will you drop that? It's so gross

Roger: Come on, let's (didn't finish this sentence)

Magpie: Good idea

Page 25

LATER

Magpie: Anyway, so I raveled with this doctor for, like, months, right? He was pretty nice and I think he wanted me to be his... proofjay or something. He taught me stuff but science ain't really my thing so I kind of forgot most of it. Luckily, I remembered the basics, right?

Magpie: Best I can do 'cause we're out of doctor stuff. Pretty good considering. Still, we should probably see a doc (in the) next town.

Magpie: But we should be fine. Just a few scars. But that's good, chicks dig scars, right? Well, I don't know about bear-chicks, but I figure with those claws they need to be into something kinky.

Roger: ...

Magpie: Uhm...

Page 26

Magpie: Anyway, we make a good team, right? That deathclaw was a tough nut but we cracked him. Bet there's some kind of bounty to collect or something so...

Roger: It was barely a year old. Practically a baby.

Magpie: ...

Roger: Probably on its first hunt alone... a weakling. There's no excuse for it getting the drop on me. If I can't even kill a young deathclaw without injury and HELP I may as well...

Page 27

Magpie: Roger... It's ok, really. Most people would die fighting that thing.

Roger: Right. People.

Roger: I can't be doing this anymore. It's too tiring. I can't be responsible for you.

Magpie: Who asked you? Besides, you worry too much. We'll go find a place with no deathclaws or any of that bad stuff and then you don't need to worry so much.

Roger: Pah! No such place exists.

Magpie: Sure it does! We just haven't gone there 'cause I thought it'd be boring! But if it'll make you feel better we can start heading there in the morning.

Roger: Whatever.

Page 28

Roger: Now if you'll excuse me, it's been a horrible day and I'd like to go to sleep. We may die tomorrow, but I'd like to be awake for it.

Magpie: ...

Magpie: Hey, Roger! Tell me a story.

Roger: No, Magpie. I'm tired and in no mood to-

Magpie: PLEASE

Roger: No.

Magpie: ... Fine, I'll tell it myself.

Roger: Knock yourself out.

Page 29

Magpie: Once upon a time there was this bear. He was a pretty awesome bear, you see. He fought off a whole army, all by himself.

Magpie: Not just an army, though, oh no, it was an army, a vertibird, and two tanks.

Roger: Three tanks.

Magpie: ... right, three tanks. Those were the easy part. First, he broke into the first tank.

Roger: The tanks don't come in until later.

Magpie: Well, damn, you want to tell it? I thought you were too busy being all old man tired.

Roger: Well, if you're going to tell it wrong.

Page 30

Magpie: Well, if it's so important to you, maybe you should tell me the right way.

Roger: *sigh* Well, first of all, you don't explain the plot at the beginning of the story like this. It is far better to leave you audience in suspect, not know the obstacles the hero faces. Second, don't start with "once upon a time," that typically begins fairy tales and is terribly cliche. Try something more like...

Roger: The compound was built like a fortress, not that he'd ever seen one. Populated by no fewer than 50 armed guards and countless war machines, his escape seemed doomed from the start...

END

[imaginemysimsstories]

Unexpected Can Be Beautiful

Presley had only had a couple hours of sleep when suddenly she was awoken bright and early by the natural light that peeled through her tall windows. She hadn't gotten much sleep last night. When she couldn't rest she went down to her kitchen and unpacked almost the entire kitchen. She assumed it was sleeping in a new house that was keeping her up last night. She considered it a win though because she got most of the kitchen done. It's the little things, she thought. Presley started to feel a bit of anxiety about getting the house put together before the house warming party next weekend.

Presley stretched and pulled herself out of the warm cocoon that she had formed within her blankets. She was determined to be productive today. Presley did her best to choke her anxiety down about finishing this house. She decided she would make an affirmation that today was going to be productive and good. Today will be GREAT and I will be productive with my tasks!, she exclaimed. Presley's therapist, Lukas, whom she saw three times a week, was pushing her to make affirmations each day when she arises. Lukas swore by this technique. He states, "One affirmation a day keeps the therapist away." Whatever that means, thought Presley as she rolled her eyes. Lukas annoyed her sometimes with his silly little quotes, but she felt heard by Lukas. Being heard made Presley feel cared for.

Presley used the restroom and made her way to the kitchen. Eggs and toast sounded delightful. She pulled the eggs from the fridge and the bread from the bread box, and began to cook. She was excited to cook on these custom stove ranges. Her friend, Clementine, recommended them. Clementine was married to a wealthy broker. Clementine was always remodeling her home with the newest appliances. That bitch has too much money for her own good, thought Presley, but she does have the best recommendations.

As Presley made her way to her bar to eat her breakfast. It dawned on her that she hated the design on the kitchen walls. What was I thinking when I picked this design?, she thought. She immediately grabbed her phone and called Katie. Katie answered excitedly. She wanted to hear all the details about Presley's first night at the new house. Presley explained to Katie that it was a rough evening adjusting to her new surroundings. "Katie, can you please have the painters come and paint the solid color I picked for the kitchen instead of this dreadful print?" "I'll get them right over!", Kate advised. Presley finished her breakfast and headed back upstairs and changed her clothes and her wig. She had a new short blue wig that she was dying to try.

Moments later, Presley's security system alerted her that she had a visitor. To her surprise, Katie was standing on the lawn, as well as the maid who was arriving for her first day of service. Presley became annoyed the maid service sent someone to clean today when she specifically told Katie to schedule it days ahead. Presley opened the door and greeted the maid. "Hey! I'm Presley, the owner of this home." "My assistant was supposed to advise your company not to come for a few more days." She asked the cleaner for her name. Annie Lynn Caper, she replied confused. "Annie, what is your SimoApp?, Presley asked politely. "I'm going to send your some funds for your trouble." AnnieLynn42, Annie replied. Presley pressed a few buttons and sent Annie a tip for her trouble. I'll see you bright and early on Monday Annie, Presley declared.

Presley feeling overwhelmed felt relief wash over her when she saw her favorite person, Katie. Kate made her feel safe, taken care of. That was one of the qualities that Presley loved most about Katie. Katie made her way up the stairs and hugged Presley. "Girl tell me everything!", Katie screeched. Presley's eyes filled with tears. "I didn't realize how hard and overwhelming this move would be, Kate." Kate embraced Presley once again. "Remember what Lukas explained to you, this is all temporary.", Kate reassured. Katie felt relieved that she was there to help her friend get through this overwhelming time.

"I was going to wait until after the house warming party to ask you this, but I just can't wait any longer.", Presley excitedly stated. "This house is entirely too large for just one person, would you want to take the entire second level?!" She explained to Kate that she had full creative control over her space, all covered on her dollar. "I feel in debt to you for your hard work and PR, Kate." "You've shaped so much of my career for good, and I want to do this for you." Katie was surprised by this revelation. Katie quickly said yes to Presley's offer. "I'M MOVING TO OASIS SPRINGS Y'ALL!", Katie yelled in excitement.

Presley and Katie shared their excitement together for a few more moments then they retired to their rooms to do some unpacking. Presley was already hours behind schedule. She was determined to get her room done today. Sleeping in a cluttered room isn't good for the mind, she thought. When she made it upstairs to her room, she was delighted by the greenish-teal paint on the walls. I should pinch myself, she surprisingly thought.

After a few hours, Presley emerged into Katie's room. Let's order some pizza, I'm famished. Katie agreed, it was time for some dinner after all their hard work unpacking the house. Katie ordered their pizza on the Don's Pizza Palace app. The app gave a delivery time of an hour. Katie decided to go downstairs and set up the table for dinner. Presley decided to call it a night and take a quick bath before dinner was delivered.

Presley fell into the grey stone tub, hot water moving up her body. Her muscles needed this after all the lifting and hanging. She closed her eyes and quieted her thoughts. The steam filling her nose, she felt a heaviness in her breathing as the warmness soothed her. A warm breeze blew into the bathroom from the arched open doorway, the sheer white curtains following the direction of the breeze. Presley was reaping the benefits of her hard work and the pay off felt intoxicating. A few moments later she heard a knock at the bathroom door. Kate was letting her know the pizza had arrived. "Thank you for letting me know!", said Presley. "I'll be down in a few moments." Presley bathed herself and dried off quickly.

She was starving and ready to devour pizza with Kate. Presley ran down the steps and met Kate on the back porch. The smell of the pizza filled Presley's nose, her stomach growling, she hopped onto the chair. "This smells so delicious, get in my belly," said Presley! Kate giggled at Presley. She was always the comic relief in the room.

They enjoyed their dinner as they chatted about the future. Kate reminded Presley there was a formal dinner for MatchStick's new game release this weekend. Presley replied excitedly, "I am so excited for that event girl, I've been waiting so long to play Lost Avenue PlotTwist2!" Katie quickly grabbed her phone and RSVP'd to the event. Katie was scrolling through her calendar checking events and commitments. All of a sudden her phone notification went off. Presley looked at Katie as she began to have an annoyed look upon her face. "What's wrong Katie?" "It's just this guy that I've been seeing for a while," Katie said. "He's so kind and has been extremely consistent in showing me effort," she explained. "I'm just not feeling it," Katie confessed.

Presley listened to Katie as she expressed her predicament. "Kate the only thing you can do in this situation is communicate," she said lovingly. "You are strong and confident, use those tools," "Lukas says we should always confront issues head on," Presley said proudly. Presley felt proud that she felt emotionally knowledgeable for a moment. "If he's any kind of man, he will understand that you aren't ready for a relationship with him right now," Presley said convincingly. Presley's advice soothed Katie and they finished their dinner after a bit more conversation.

After dinner Katie and Presley made their way to the studio. Presley needed to make an appearance on her channel tonight. Kate knew if she didn't follows would drop exponentially. Presley logged onto VideoStitch, immediately viewers started pouring in. They were very interested to see how Presley's move went. Viewers expressed their excitement that she was back on Videostitch. She explained that the move went well, but had stressed her out. To much of their disappointment tonight's cast wasn't going to be centered around any games. Presley lovingly told her fans that her next stream would be two nights away, as she was planning an eight hour stream. "Keep a look out this weekend for my stream, I'm going to be debuting MatchStick's new release," she exclaimed! During the stream, Kate tiptoed out. She was exhausted from the day. She went to her room, changed her clothes and hopped into bed. Presley logged off from Videostitch an hour later and changed into her pajamas.

Today was productive in the most unexpected ways, Presley thought. As she laid in bed and thought about all the things she was thankful for, it dawned on her that she loved doing life with Katie. Whatever that meant at the moment. She considered doing something nice for Katie to thank her for her support. I'll have to think more about that, Presley pondered. She drifted off to sleep after some thought about gifts.