#and motivated to keep creating and growing as an artist

[astra-knights]

redrew my first fanart made for @vimeddiee webcomic, Under the Aegis, in 2016

i won't curse y'all with the original but please read the webcomic if you haven't yet (it's never too late), it inspired my little young creative heart and i still think about it and all the characters often

[akanemnon]

I just wanted to say a very big thank you for all the amazing support hints you make no matter how hard things get I always know I can look forward to the amazing drawings and comics and it helps a lot and it makes me wanna grow as an artist one day and try to be more perceptive when I look at art and stuff because all the detail that’s put in your work is amazing even if you stopped drawing I’d still be happy just knowing I got to experience at least some of your amazing work

just thank you

thank you for everything

Hey, if this silly little comic means it gets to inspire and motivate someone to improve with their own art, or to simply keep at it, then that is all I could ever ask for. Keep on creating! And keep on staying awesome! You got this!

[emperor-kumquat]

"Public domain Sunder" outside of Tumblr (How my project art runs away)

This is NOT a general Sunder! As cool as he looks, he belongs to me and Mynametia/ Inishira (Instagram)!

I want to talk about how reposted art causes harm. It has been stressful to see and I hope fellow artists can sympathize or empathize. And please, if you base art off this Sunder, credit the project Transformers: Mercy!

Firstly, I've heard both "you're niche and unknown" or "you have a big following so watch your mouth"

It feels mean either way... :( Like the jab takes whatever stance is most convenient.

Bottom line: I don't consider myself special. I am just a very hard worker. The only reason I have gotten as far as I have was my hours of daily work for years on my project and YouTube channel.

I am awed when I reflect on how far I have come. Growing my social media platforms, working with 100 different artists from all over the world, commissioning comic artists like Alex Milne and Livio Ramondelli for posters, getting interviewed, collabing, or having shoutouts on other YouTube channels, sitting on panels at TFcon in front of hundreds (although it was t e r r i f y i n g) and getting to talk to them about Transformers: Mercy! And this year, I will be selling Mercy merch at a table at TFcon in the art gallery!

So I don't think I am niche anymore... I don't think my project Transformers: Mercy is. Over the years it has become very widespread with art posted on blogs across social media platforms. As I will discuss, maybe too widespread in one wrong way.

But... there is a long way to go to completing the project. I have about 1000 images now. That's insane! This is no tiny lil project. And I am gunning for 1000s more to make this TFP fan-made sequel. But, I have to pay so so much out of pocket despite making less than minimum wage most months. I need a lot of support to make this big dream possible. Thank you to all who have already helped me thus far.

I think I am just writing this post to clear the air. I am honoured deeply by fanart or fanfictions or fan animations people have created for Transformers: Mercy. It is very motivating and heartwarming and helps me keep up the pace of working hours every day on this project.

I don't mind inspiration being taken from my work. It is an honour. My project draws inspiration from James Roberts' MTMTE and would be nothing without his appealing takes on characters. We may critique MTMTE but where would we be without his Whirl, Rodimus, Drift, Ratchet, Pharma, Cyclonus, Tailgate, Chromedome, Rewind, Swerve, Overlord, DJD, etc.? I carried on from him, others may carry on from me.

A while back, I never meant offence when pointing out one animation of Sunder had features that looked eerily similar (to me) to the Sunder of my game. The reason I got a jolt of horror stems from the fact that this project has fallen victim to reposts on places like Instagram, Pinterest, Reddit, the fan wiki, and other TF forums with zero credit to me or the artists. The growing popularity of Mercy art has also caused it to appear in general searches for IDW or TFP characters. This is why if you search "Transformers Sunder concept art" you are likely to see Mercy Sunder right there but uncredited. So you would see our art but not know what it was for. And Mynametia/Inishira (the artist) did such a good job that it even looks like IDW concept art. It can be mistaken for official content.

But it's not. It was created for my project with very specific features to match my story. A project which costs so much of my time and money and it needs all the donations it can get. It is loses support when its art becomes popular with no tie back to this project. It is still a project in development and is therefore vulnerable.

Transformers: Mercy, after all the years, has become a famous project. But it is a struggling project due to the high financial cost. It is made with ok not blood, but real sweat and tears as I have pushed so hard to make it this far. It has been emotional. It even brought me the love of my life, my spouse.

I want to continue to work on it, the largest Transformers fan project that I believe has ever been attempted. But I need that support, that credit. It hurts when I use google/another search engine and search "Transformers Sunder concept art" and see our work totally visible to the public and not at all attached to Mercy. It then jumpscares me to see other people creating something that looks just like my creations. I see fanart that uses the face of my ghoul Sunder, the one-eyed purple-eyed version with a gaping black pit where the other eye should have been with a small white light within (or the other specific features I requested for Mercy Sunder).

It feels like my ideas are running away from me.

I do not believe anything was done with intent to harm or any malice or spite. I did not believe my project art had been knowingly stolen by any animator or fan artist of Sunder. But when I wrote my post in response to one animation, I did believe that Mercy Sunder had been seen and used as an inspiration because he does appear in general Sunder searches on the Internet. So this is where I came from and why I felt compelled to step in at the time.

I hope I have expressed myself better than last time and I just would like to voice that not this artist/ animator I first reblogged, but other people have reposted Mercy Sunder and caused him to become like.... public domain? Please, I just want it to be known that what you see on search engines, forums, wikis.... was taken from my project. Please do not base your Sunders on that art without crediting Transformers: Mercy and Inishira (Instagram or X).

I hope all the artists here can imagine the feeling of distress I feel seeing credit and support fly away from me and that talented artist, Inishira (who designed Mercy Overlord, Sunder, Crankcase, Fulcrum, Misfire, Krok, Spinister, Waspinator (bug form), and angel Starscream).

I don't want drama or a public back and forth. I seek amicable relationships going forth. Please be very mindful and go back to add in credits if you realize you used this Sunder design as a reference!

[puc-puggy]

really fascinated with deadpool & wolverine less as a movie and more as a corporate response to the growing insecurity in relating to and creating meaningful art. like, never have we been more aware of the impact that the relationship between art and artist is oppressively mediated by Corporation than right now with marvel, whose movies grow continually worse and more forgettable under growing corporate control, and this movie bears the weight of a particularly complicated and contentious merger. what they decided to do about it is just. fascinating. disturbing, but fascinating.

the movie is incredibly aware that it is a Product and seems to have completely sidestepped any attempt at meaningful storyline in lieu of packing as much Content into 2.5 hours as possible. and I mean Content. they broke him up with his girl & separated him from all his meaningful character connections, then sent him through a very funny but disjointed and lackluster plot, putting all the meat in nostalgic character interactions or gratuitous fan-pleaser match-ups that can work as tiktok clips. don't get me wrong, i'm a basic x-men bitch. wolverine is one of my all time favorites, especially early angry fucked up alcoholic logan. i gasped at elektra and straight up screamed when wesley snipes came into frame. I laughed out loud at the list of cocaine slang terms disney apparently has. it was fun! it succeeded in making me not mind that it was barely a movie.

and that's the rub, isn't it? it was barely a movie, and it knows it’s barely a movie. but it still has to connect with its audience somehow. and that, i think, is what's really fascinating. it forges its connection with the audience not by building characters or stakes and giving any of them genuinely grounded emotional arcs but by using a fourth-wall breaking character to commiserate with the audience about the impact of corporate ownership & profit on their relationship and access to the stories we love. while being the impact of corporate consolidation on stories you love.

deadpool makes jokes about his stupid villain and mcguffin machine, but the plot is still motivated by a stupid villain and a mcguffin machine. he jokes about being banned from doing cocaine on screen & does not do cocaine on screen because he can't. the corporation that now owns his IP has deemed it against their values. he jokes about what things "have to happen" in the movie because there is actually a list that they were given. as a friend pointed out, “the climax was exactly as contrived as it needed to be to make it a statement: ‘you see how this barely-fleshed-out villain character is just gonna kinda stand there in front of the macguffin machine for as long as we need her to so that we can have the conversations and tropes and results we want? yeah we're just gonna do that. we're gonna keep cutting back to her just standing there going Mmmmm mwah haha to specifically highlight how dumb it is. On purpose.’”

by embedding it in the plot with a character that breaks the fourth wall, the movie stops being “about” the plot on screen and starts being “about” the collective relationship to the characters, embodied by ryan reynolds, whose personal desire for a good deadpool & wolverine movie motivated by his pure love for deadpool is the mythological origin of the movie, and who was allowed to break character and say as himself to hugh jackman as wolverine “you have no idea how long i’ve been waiting for this.” he’s turned into a sort of avatar of the pure fan, who’s there to love the character and have fun and isn’t too bothered by logistics and legalities. it wants you to feel like deadpool also hates it when stories get shuffled because of corporate stockowners, like this extremely expensive bullshit is his personal protest and he's going to give them a proper sendoff & ryan reynolds was around to hold everyone up to standard. the corporation soothing the audience and fan that people who love the stories are ‘in charge’ enough to create a good time, lowering your standards and expectations of a story to what’s profitable for them to create.

kind of genius.

[sunlit-mess]

you are criminally underrated. *holds out hands like a sad victorian child* any tips for a young artist? :)

im a very. tired. artist.

To aspiring artists, I'm not sure what 'tips' or advice I can give that were not already said by another. However, I'll remind you anyway.

"There's no secret to art... just begin and keep going. That's all we can do."

Always set your pace, and take your time learning. Art is something that isn't rushed, rather it grows through experience. Think of it like exp points or something, the more you gain, the more you know and skills acquired. It doesn't mean you HAVE to abide by the principles or rules either, though it's best to know them. Knowledge comes in different ways and your method is yours to explore.

As for motivation, it's something you'd find attached to, a mission and values thing per se. Find your dedication, how will you strive, how much are you willing to pursue. What keeps you going? What WILL keep you determined?

We take criticism critically: Don't get your ego attached to every work, everyone has their own perspective. What I mean to say is to understand errors and find improvement. Be HONEST with yourself and your work. Nothing is ever wrong in art, hell- even the most fucked-up ones can look so beautiful and meaningful.

In social media or sharing artworks, it's cool to show them to your friends or relevant platforms your craft would be in, just gotta learn the long process of algorithm somehow... It's a pain, but never lose confidence! Believe in yourself. Even the tiniest of work, effort is counted as special. Because it's from you!

Lastly, enjoy what you do! Have fun once in a while, and best that you find fun all the time in your crafts! You create for a cause and not just to please. Art shouldn't be a cause to break you, rather it builds you.

I hope this message is enough? ::)

I've been drawing since I was young, now as an adult- my art is meh compared to other artists out there, but I still try my best to keep my mark around.

So much has happened in my life and I'm still VERY lost, especially in a path as an 'Artist'. Though, I fell off in art, burned out, and relapsed more than I can count,

nothing or no one can kill the part of me that just wants the world to see that I can still... Create.

[one-beer-is-not-enough]

Hi!!! You are my favorite bully artist for so long and I saw you create an oc, he’s so amazing, I can’t— 😩❤️❤️ I’m too shy, but I was wonder how he can interact with my prep ocs Mary, Oliver, Margaret and Claudette (or you can choose one of them). Also I wonder if you draw requests, my big pleasure would be to see one of my silly ocs in your great style 🙏 I luv u 💗

Hello! Thank you, you're very sweet <33 I got a funny idea for Mary and Marcel, hope you like it!

I wrote the interactions for all four under the cut :)

Mary:

Marcel will be a little wary of her. It’s suspicious that she’s so nice… and also a prep. It doesn’t make sense to him. He thinks she has ulterior motives and it takes a lot to convince him otherwise. He’s polite enough, but keeps his distance, which I imagine would irk Mary, seeing as she wants to be liked by everyone she meets.

In spite of this attitude they have quite a few things in common, like art and films, so it shouldn’t be too difficult to break the ice over time. Maybe at one of the parties Mary throws, or in art class if they happen to sit close to each other. Marcel puts on this delusional act about his art so that he can act unbothered when others insult it, but with Mary he might be honest for once and even ask for advice when it’s just them. He’s floored by her skill and often nags her to show him her sketchbooks.

Pinky always drags Marcel along on her shopping trips to carry her things for her like a pack mule, so he is 100% there when she goes out in town with Mary. Whether they care about the stuff he overhears, I have no idea lol

They’re both in the “I wanna be friends with the greasers but I can’t” club, so I could see them complaining about it, maybe even teaming up to approach one of the greasers (and probably fail to even have a conversation)

Marcel roots for her to get together with Gord, mainly so he doesn’t have to see either of them in a relationship with a cousin anytime soon. He does grow to think they look pretty sweet together and is frankly a little jealous

Overall, Marcel treats her respectfully and admires her skill in art, but wouldn’t interact that much with her outside of group gatherings, their personalities are just very different.

Oliver

Marcel is once again skeptical of him, just like with Mary. It’s probably mutual, since Marcel doesn’t act like the typical prep either. Since they’re both quite mistrusting with strangers, it’s unlikely they’d ever spend enough time together to form a friendship. At the very least, Marcel treats him with respect stemming from loyalty to the clique.

If he sees Oliver around the nerds too much, though, he’ll grow disdainful and take him aside at some point to question his motives. Marcel fully expects the nerds to use any shred of information anybody gives them, so he fears Oliver might be a rat or something (he watches too many mafia movies)

They both suck at drawing and probably won’t even know they have this in common until they have to present an art project or something in class lmao. It’d be funny if they’re both like, “Wow this guy sucks!” Meanwhile Mary is displaying a masterpiece next to their glorified stickmen

Margaret

I think they’d be either neutral or sworn enemies. They’re both blunt and straight to the point, so they definitely escalade to arguments regardless of whether they get along or not

Marcel will forever ridicule her for being in a relationship with Bif, since the two boys are kind of frenemies? When Margaret talks about Bif, he literally goes “Blah blah blah-” and parrots her sentences back in a high-pitched voice (like a 12 year old). And then gets pissed when she mocks him back in regards to Derby. Complete hypocrite 💀

I think they would interact even more often that they’d like, since Margaret is on the cheerleading team along with his sister Sofia. Meaning he sometimes gets dragged along to some jock hangouts and even parties where Margaret might also be

Since Margaret is a huge gossip girl, she would probably start some rumors about Marcel, especially if he pisses her off. I mean, there’s so many things you can overhear in the Harrington House lol

Honestly I’m not sure, Margaret really hates the greasers and their behavior, and Marcel isn’t very far off from them in terms of everything but wealth and clothing. So she either tolerates him, or absolutely despises his ass lmao

Claudette

Claudette… would probably have a bad opinion of Marcel. He doesn’t do himself any favors by getting into fights and often being rude to those around him. At the same time, Claudette’s knowledge in psychology would allow her to figure out some of his underlying issues and the possible reasons for his behavior that may not be so obvious to the average person

If Marcel somehow finds out she can’t stand Derby, his view of her is plummeting instantly. He’s a stupid simp and can't comprehend how a prep would hate their clique leader… But as long as she doesn’t outright insult Derby, Marcel will learn to live with it. At worst they just give each other the silent treatment

The one thing they have in common seems to be their music taste. I could see them overhearing a song on the radio they both like and immediately forgetting about their issues just to yap about their favorite musicians for a good minute lol

Marcel cares a lot about his grades (out of fear), and while he’s normally too prideful to ask for help, in desperate times he might swallow that pride and ask Claudette for help studying, as she’s known for her good performance within their clique.

[luxsdelirium]

ˑ 𖥻 did you know, music can be a form of manifestation?

learn this from my good sis @serephos , but did you know this?

the music you listen to on a daily, has forms of affirmations and can be used as manifestation.

What do I mean by this? Let me teach you.

almost every artist you listen to puts affirmations into their music—sometimes subtly hidden, other times boldly placed front and center.

The lyrics are crafted to draw you in, resonating deeply with your emotions and experiences.

The beats are designed to be addictive, creating rhythms that linger in your mind.

The catchy, relatable songs you stream daily carry messages that your subconscious absorbs without you even realizing it.

The affirmations, embedded in the music, become a part of your internal dialogue, influencing your thoughts and keeping you hooked.

Need examples? Let me show you. Let’s take Beyoncé’s - Renaissance album as my example.

This album is FULL of affirmations placed in front of people and nobody seems to realize it.

“I”. “I”. That “I”. Word. YOU. YOUU. You ARE that girl. YOU touch everything in your plain view.

The song “I’m That Girl” is a powerful anthem of self-confidence and unapologetically embracing who you are, no matter how others perceive you. The repeated use of “I” throughout the song creates a first-person narrative, directly addressing and affirming you as the listener.

This intentional perspective places you at the center, reminding you that you are the one who defines and decides your identity. The song empowers you to own your individuality without compromise. As your subconscious mind absorbs the repeated “I,” it aligns with your self-perception, helping you manifest your unique power and confidence into reality.

It’s more than a song; it’s an affirmation set to music, reshaping the way you see yourself with every beat.

Example 2.) Cozy. This song is so FULL. Of affirmation’s for yourself it’s insane.

You’re. You. I. EVERYTHING IS FOR YOU. YOUR SUBCONSCIOUS. THIS ALBUM IS FULL OF AFFIRMATIONS THAT CAN BE USED FOR LOA.

the song “Cozy” is a vibrant declaration of self-love, confidence, and embracing every part of yourself—flaws, strengths, and all. it celebrates individuality and self-acceptance in the most empowering way, reminding you that your value doesn’t come from anyone else’s validation but your own.

the lyrics are affirmations of being comfortable in your own skin, speaking directly to the listener. as phrases like “comfortable in my skin” and “I’m cozy” repeat, your subconscious begins to internalize these declarations. the song works as a rhythmic mantra, gently but powerfully shifting your perspective toward self-appreciation.

with every beat, “Cozy” teaches you to stand tall in your truth, to love your layers, and to find beauty in all the parts of yourself. It’s a celebration of resilience and the warmth of unapologetic authenticity—an anthem for owning exactly who you are.

when i tell people this album saved my life, they look at me crazy. but when you truly listen to the affirms used in these songs .

renaissance will forever be my favorite album ever released.

look closely at the lyrics of your favorite artist, and pay attention to the ones that resonate deeply with you. these are the words that spark something inside—a sense of familiarity, motivation, or even transformation. lyrics often hold affirmations hidden in plain sight, crafted to connect with your subconscious mind.

those lines that stick with you, that you replay over and over? they’re not just catchy; they’re powerful. they can shape your mindset, reinforce beliefs, and subtly influence how you see yourself and the world. whether it’s a line about confidence, self-love, or resilience, these words plant seeds in your mind that grow every time you listen.

Your favorite songs are more than music—they’re a reflection of what your heart and soul need to hear. Focus on those lyrics, and let them guide you toward the energy you want to embody.

lux out. be forever yourself and keep manifesting. 🤍🪷

[axrynic]

Hey internet neighbors, a loong note from me the artist, that I would prefer be a journal entry, but I think it will be helpful for me to post if I am to move forward in any online capacity.

I've been divesting from social media and the internet in general the past couple months, and my mental health and general sense of direction and purpose and connectedness has improved so much that I want to keep removing myself from the internet more and more. I don't want to be thinking I'm self important enough that random people are wondering about when I'm going to make new art, but I also feel a sense of apology or need for explanation.

Going through health issues and having surgeries and ER visits and not making art for months helped me realize the extent that I got burned out from making mostly caitvi fandom smut and now I'm just gonna paint landscapes like Bob Ross on physical canvas. Literally. Or maybe paint food. i don't know. But no more fictional characters. No more digital art for a while. I need something tangible. And I need it to be my own.

It's the consumerism and social media trends and fandom policing and attention economy and puritanical conservative ideologies and lack of media literacy and rejection of expertise and prescription over description and limited imaginations and neoliberalist stories masquerading as revolutionary and finding your niche and overidentifying with characters and lack of useful critique and knowing your audience and posting schedules like who the fuck is able to feel truly artistic and creative under these circumstances?? Even the motivation for developing my technical skill I felt withering because in the context of AI's antagonism toward the meaningful labor of creation, there's no fucking point.

The only way I will survive creatively is a rejection of this reality. Of industry and productivity. I want to create what feels new and inspiring. True escapism into a world we could have. A world without limiting beauty standards, or celebrity, the thousands of personal preferences projected onto an artist's personal expression. The only way is not to post. Not to document. Reduce the self and public surveillance on the art. I want to hierarchy my intimacy and vulnerability away from parasocial relationships and public yet anonymous personas.

I'm tired of trying to document the intangible. I need to focus on my purpose- how am I making the world around me better and easier to live in? Who and how does this help? What does my art contribute to? Positively and negatively? Representation matters and is not enough for me. I've chosen to work as a therapist because animation was not enough for me. I need my art to support my efforts to help people with healing. Painting an ecosystem without capitalism and colonization seems much more revolutionary than muscular light skinned cop characters having kinky sex. Who is going to feed the revolution? What am I fighting towards? Why even are words of effort framed within violence?

What do I want to grow towards?

[nemoredraw]

hey! I just wanted to ask how long have you been drawing? Or if you’ve ever gone to art school, because your skills are PHENOMENAL‼️‼️ I’m in love with your comic and any and every art piece that you post<333

Thank you so much! Honestly, I’ve always been better at learning on my own, being self-taught. Although, it’s true that I’ve been drawing my whole life, as far back as I can remember—it’s something that helps me keep my mind occupied.

Here’s a piece of advice I can give you: Observe closely the art that fascinates you and try to understand how it was created—brushstrokes, use of colors, shadows, tones, etc. Try to pinpoint what exactly draws you to that art, take that concept, and apply it to your own drawings. Over time, you’ll start to develop a unique and dynamic style. Eventually, it will come naturally, as the hand has muscle memory (or at least, that’s what I like to believe, haha).

That said, I feel like I can’t give you too much advice because I still have so much to learn myself, hehe.

I would recommend attending an art school, not necessarily for the learning itself, but for the experience and the chance to meet people who are in the same world as you. I can’t guarantee you’ll learn a lot there, but you’ll definitely make connections and exchange skills with other artists, which is always important to stay motivated and continue growing in this field.

It’s also completely normal to feel unmotivated at times or even think your art will never be good enough. Don’t listen to those thoughts; that’s just your imposter syndrome talking. Understand that even great artists go through that, but by overcoming those doubts, they become the incredible creators we admire today.

And thank you for asking me! :) Here’s a little drawing I made recently that I hadn’t shared here before.

[k-zuzulibrary]

민기 s.mg

song mingi 𖹭 reader

who are you?

story synopsis: you, a determined college student, are starting fresh this semester — cutting off toxic friends and focusing on your goals, including creating your own video game when you cross paths with mingi, a vibrant and cheeky guy from your art history class, your interactions begin with an awkward and teasing exchange. as your dynamic shifts from annoyance to unexpected connection, you find yourself caught up in mingi's playful persistence and your growing curiosity about him, despite your best efforts to keep your distance.

content: typical college romance, significant hate to significant others, robotic!reader, lighthearted fluff, probably an inaccurate depiction of art majors (even as an art major myself), not proofread, lowercase intended.

zuzu's note: hey! this is long overdue from this post LMAO. a small something to fulfill my carnal need for romance w/mingi. it started off as a oneshot but now i am making it a series. inspired by the kbl semantic error, so credits and all that<333

chap1 | chap2 | chap3 | chap4 | chap5 | chap6 | chap7 | chap8 | chap9 | chap10

main masterlist.

you stood in the quiet corner of the art gallery, the soft hum of muffled voices fading into the background as your eyes remained glued to the painting in front of you titled "hop." it was a striking piece — bold strokes of color, carefully chaotic, yet it held a balance that tugged at something deep within you. your heart swelled with admiration, the kind reserved for things that felt like they could tell your secrets if you stared long enough.

the small placard below the painting displayed the artist’s name in elegant script. song mingi. next to it, a phone number was scribbled in pen on the gallery brochure pinned to the wall. it was as if the artist himself had left breadcrumbs, daring someone to reach out. you fumbled for your phone, angling it to capture the number before anyone else noticed.

“that’s my favorite too,” a voice said, uncomfortably close.

you jumped, nearly dropping your phone. you turned your head to find a tall figure leaning casually against the wall beside you, a crooked smile tugging at his lips. he nodded toward the painting as though the two of you were old friends sharing a secret.

“do you like it?” he asked.

“it’s beautiful,” you replied stiffly, edging away. “i was just admiring it...”

“want a picture?” he asked, his grin widening.

you raised an eyebrow. “of the painting?”

“no,” he said, that maddening smirk still in place. “of me. with it. you know, the whole ‘art and artist’ kind of vibe.”

you blinked, incredulous. you gave him a once-over, noting the messy hair, casual clothes, and sketchy skateboard that screamed wannabe cool. an artist? not likely. just another obnoxious student fishing for attention, you thought.

“pass,” you said curtly. without waiting for a response, you snapped a quick photo of the phone number, rolled your eyes, and walked away. as you disappeared into the crowd, the man chuckled softly, shoving his hands into his pockets. he glanced up at the painting — his painting — and muttered to himself, “tough crowd.”

˚ ༘ ೀ⋆.˚

the new semester was finally here, and you were ready for a fresh start. after months of dealing with toxic friends who drained your energy and motivation, you had decided that enough was enough. this semester, you promised yourself that things would be different. you had cut ties, reorganized your priorities, and — most importantly — you crafted a brand-new schedule that fit the new you perfectly.

your first class was at 5:30 in the morning, a time that scared most students away. but not you. to you, the early hour was a badge of determination. at 3:30 AM sharp, your alarm blared, and you sprang into action.

your routine was methodical, almost meditative. a quick stretch to shake off the sleep, a hot shower to wake your senses, and a mug of coffee strong enough to jolt you into productivity. you pulled your hair into a neat ponytail, threw on a hoodie and slacks, and grabbed your carefully packed bag. by 4:30 AM, you were stepping into the quiet, still classroom, where the air felt almost sacred, untouched by the chaos of the day to come.

your eyes immediately sought out your favorite spot — third seat by the window, a perfect balance of sunlight and solitude. you claimed it as yours by sheer determination, arriving an hour early to ensure no one else dared to take it. and you planned on doing that every monday to wednesday for the rest of the semester.

as you slid into the chair, you sighed in contentment, your heart swelling with the promise of a fresh beginning.

your plans for the semester went far beyond simply surviving your classes. you were building your own video game, a project that had been a dream for years. every pixel, every line of code — you wanted it to be perfect. the artwork you had admired at the gallery just days ago lingered in your mind, its vibrant strokes and unique style calling out to you.

that work wasn’t just beautiful — it was exactly what you needed. you could already picture it in your game, bringing your world to life in a way you couldn’t achieve alone (something you had to learn to accept). your goal this semester was clear: find the artist, collaborate with them, and create something extraordinary together.

little did you know that the artist was closer than you thought.

the seat next to you remained empty for the rest of the class — probably because your aura wasn’t exactly the most welcoming. you probably should’ve adjusted to your new schedule before committing to a two-hour class right after your 5:30 AM start. the second you stepped out of the classroom, you yawned and darted to where you knew the nearest vending machine stood. after buying your usual, kq energy (black coffee in a can), you slid into a booth nearby and decided it was time to phone the number. it was now or never.

it rang.

at the same time, a phone in the park rang as well. you searched the area, only to spot a familiar tall man in vibrant colors — and a skateboard. you watched as he fished his phone from his back pocket, glanced at the screen, and promptly declined the call. you checked your phone — your call had also been declined. hell no. it couldn't be him? you glanced back at him, but he was already looking at the menu, placing an order.

you let out a sigh and set your phone down, opting to take out your laptop instead. you needed to get a head start on the essay from class. better sooner than later.

just as you started to focus, a stranger slid into the seat across from you, a casual grin on his face as he tapped the edge of his coffee cup.

you glanced up, mildly surprised, "you again?"

"i’ve been here the whole time," he replied, his voice teasing, "you just haven’t noticed."

you rolled your eyes, "what do you want?"

he leaned back in his chair, eyes glinting with amusement. "i was thinking… we’ve never really had a proper conversation. you know, beyond your ‘nobody’ assessment at the gallery the other day."

you didn’t flinch. "i didn’t say that."

"you thought it, though."

"...and what makes you think we're obligated to have a proper conversation?" you asked, slamming your laptop down and locking eyes with him.

"i’m in your art history class."

"i just had art history." you narrowed your eyes. "you weren’t there. i’m sure i would've recognized your vibrance anywhere."

"aw, you recognize my vibrance?" he looked at the colors on his lapels, smirking smugly.

"i don’t like sleazes who skip their first class of the semester." you opened your laptop again, getting back to work.

"hey, i couldn’t make it. i had an interview and emailed the professor 12 days early, we’re all good." he reassured and shrugged, taking a sip of his coffee.

you paused, absorbing that information. "oh."

"oh." he mimicked you in a teasing tone. "okay. fine. so tell me, what’s your least favorite color?" his question came out of nowhere, playful but sharp.

you blinked, taken aback. "my least favorite color?"

"yeah, you know. just something you don’t like. something you’d never wear."

you stared at him, wondering if he was serious or just messing with you. finally, you sighed. "orange. definitely orange. i hate orange. my second-grade teacher loved it, and i never understood why."

he let out a low whistle. "that’s a pretty strong opinion. are you sure?"

"positive." you narrowed your eyes. "now, why would you even ask me that?"

he shrugged, his grin widening. "i was just curious. you seem like the type to have strong opinions about random stuff."

you tilted your head, lips quirking upward. "and you seem like the type to ask stupid questions."

he laughed, leaning in closer. "hey, no such thing as a stupid question. and no need to get defensive. i'm just trying to get to know you better."

you raised an eyebrow. "i think we both know you’re only doing this to annoy me."

"is it working?"

you shot him a side-eye. "unfortunately, yes." you begin typing away at your laptop again, eventually, you paused and stared at him as he fiddled with the cup holder of his hot drink. "by the way," you mused, a slight pout on your lips. "were you really the artist of the work 'hop' in the gallery the other day?"

"yeah... and I just came from an interview at nexora interactive this morning," mingi said matter-of-factly.

nexora? your dream company? for a moment, his immature, irritating image faded, replaced by a faint flicker of... something admirable.

"and," he continued, a sly grin spreading across his face, "were you the one who just rang my phone?" he dangled his phone in front of your face, the gesture obnoxiously playful as his tongue skimmed across his teeth. then, he giggled.

annoying mingi was back.

"why'd you call me? wanna work together or something?" he teased, his tone light but teasingly smug.

"no," you replied curtly, scoffing as you turned your focus back to your laptop. "not anymore..." you mumbled under your breath.

why not? you couldn’t decide. maybe it was the way he dressed like an overgrown kid. maybe it was his relentless antics. or maybe — just maybe — it was because you couldn’t bring yourself to imagine working with someone who might actually land a job at nexora freaking interactive.

or perhaps you just decided, right then and there, that you officially hated song mingi.

"no." you scoffed, your attention returning to your laptop. "not anymore..." you grumbled. why not? you asked yourself. was it because you didn't expect him to dress like a child? act like a child? or was it out of consideration if he actually gets a job at nexora fucking interactive? maybe it was because you just decided out of nowhere that you officially hate this man.

"awww! you wanted to work with me?" he pointed at himself adorably, in disbelief. "me?" he repeated innocently and pushed what little hair he had behind his ear and he smiled sweetly. "i'm flattered..."

suddenly he perked up — like a dog hearing another dog bark.

"i never caught your name."

"you'll never hear it from me." and you slid your laptop back into your pouch, you stood up and you left your drink as you dashed for the exit.

˚ ༘ ೀ⋆.˚

©️ 2024 k-zuzu All Rights Reserved.

[coastal-mangos-one]

sighghghg okay. decided to make my own post about it since i see people sharing this sentiment a lot.

PLEASE learn to like your art without the validation of getting reblogged.

I see a lot of "likes < reblogs" and the post in particular i'm responding to makes claims like "artists can't grow (???), they receive little to no feedback, not getting shared can discourage them and make them give up on what they love, some artists struggle to get over 100 notes, etc etc etc"

But like. what do you mean actually "grow" as an artist?? do you mean develop your technique or do you mean gain a bigger audience (these two are very different things). if youre motivated by people sharing your art, does that mean you're less inclined to make art if it's not gonna get popular? what about the weird art only YOU could create that's gonna resonate with like 5 people max?

like the issue here isn't that people aren't sharing your work enough, the issue here is that we've turned creation into a thing that can maybe get you some popularity from people you'll never meet. like. 100 notes?? 100 NOTES??? that's!!! a lot of real life human people who liked what you made!! imagine a room of like! 20! 30! 50! people reading/looking at the thing you made and enjoying it. but that just gets converted to a number that people now keep an eye on to see if their art Was Good this time

i'm begging you if you want feedback and you want to feel like your art is seen and you want to talk about it.... literally consider bringing it up in conversation. show it to your friends. show it to your family!! find other artists you can talk to beyond putting a fun little comment in an rb, get conversations/friendships going and say "hey check this out" or "hm the color feels weird on this, what do you think?" Sign up for a local art class / find a local artist collective!! see what happens!!!

anyway point being this reblog/note count/"leave a comment and fuck off forever" format on tumblr isn't a good substitute at all for real human connection and it's NOT the thing that's gonna help you Grow as an artist. as well, PLEASE make art that feels good in your soul to make and don't tie your self esteem as an artist into how much someone else enjoys your work (although this is a LOT harder to do bc it takes a lot more work unlearning. but i believe in you!!)

[bonemittens]

Okay imma try not to get too off track but here’s the Wiggle post I promised :3

Wiggle doesn’t have a lot of fans so I’ve had plenty of time to look at her character with little interference :3

An artist struggling for her art, a tail as old as time. I love how much she loves music, she references it every damn second. But when you love something so much you can’t help but gush about it anytime! She uses it to express herself in every way. It’s her way of crying, screaming, losing her mind.

It’s terrible to think that if her fans weren’t liking the music she puts out, they’re not caring for the messages. She’s pouring her soul into her songs and they get pushed away. Reinforcing the idea that no one cares for the real her. She feels she didn’t write “Do the Wiggle” with that same heart she does, as why she views it as a “vapid waste of a song”. That song came about from her worst qualities.

Pushing herself to the edge to make something perhaps… days and nights past and you still have nothing to show people. To prove you’re worth listening to. To prove you’re worth caring for. To show them how good you are…. That validation is tantalizing. She wants to be seen and heard for who she is and she isn’t.

She grows desperate and would do anything to give her that taste of nirvana again… even if that means dying for it.

The way she was treated in the music industry just reinforces the idea that she needs to keep pushing herself to the edge to be adored. All the things she said she’s done are extremely dangerous activities (especially that reverse exorcism, damn girl). She’s very similar to Chandlo in a way. Of course this isn’t about them, but it would’ve been nice to see them interact with each other more.

Which is why her relationship with Gramble could turn out so sweet… she needs someone like him in her life. Someone who loves her for her… not for being some big time celebrity who created a song that topped the charts. He loves her unconditionally. And during a time where she’s questioning her own talents and therefore her whole identity… she needs him now more than ever. And he needs her too but this ain’t about Gramble.

I could go on and on…. I love her because of how she tries and tries her best to meet the bar she set for herself. She fails time and time again. She’s at the end of her rope. I could’ve best explained it as that she has imposter syndrome and is an addict. Relying on bugsnax to motivate her when in reality it just scratches an itch that will come back hungrier and stronger than before. Leading her to do things like steal from Gramble.

Small note: I truly believe there is not solid evidence that she’s stolen bugsnax before the event in game. While Gramble states that whenever she’s around his bugsnax, they disappear. It also is said that those same pets of his go running off. So it could be either or to be honest…(both are pretty unreliable narrators too)

I could continue but this post is long enough and I’m not entirely sure whether my points were clear enough. I’m willing to clarify if anyone is confused but I wanted to do this because I’m very passionate about reading characters, especially ones I love. It does, however, make me sad that so little people like her. But hey! At least I don’t go around making bad faith essays because the character I like isn’t popular :)

I don’t mind if yall ask me questions about my thought process for something’s, I like interacting with the community :3.

Y’all have a good night now. Luv all of you 🌺

[samlizzy71]

I love your art! It’s so nice seeing trans art by a trans person about happy trans people :))))

Any tips for a beginner artist? What to draw, how to stay motivated, etc.

Thanks! I hope you have a wonderful day.

Thank you so much!! w I wouldn't know what to say, the usual "keep practicing" doesn't look like much of a help x) but sadly, is the only thing that will make you better as an artist. I always say that a good sign is that, a while after you've finished a drawing, you start finding imperfections, mistakes, and things that can be improved. Don't be obsessive, and be aware that your drawings won't be perfect, don't think that it means you're useless or anything, is part of the process. Don't hate what you do if it doesn't look as nice as you'd like, that won't get you anywhere, but is fine if you don't like old drawings after a while. That's a sign that you're growing and getting better. You're now able to identify what you can do better, I would worry if after years you still think your drawings are perfect, that means you're stuck there. However, when you become aware of one of those things that can be improved (for example, you realize that in a previous drawing, hands looked weird), try to do it better next time. Don't say "I can't draw hands", just try it x) And you won't suddenly make them perfect, but now you know what you have to work on.

Use references, DON'T copy or trace, but as a visual artist, you have to be very *visual*, so, look at the way others have made their own art, and see what you like about different styles. Search for pictures of people doing activities you want to draw, doing different poses, etc., Is like writing or composing music, you need to read or listen, even if you will create something new, it's great to have references and guides. As for motivation, that's more difficult ^^ It is completely different for each. For me, the motivation at first was creating characters I could surround myself with when I was feeling awfully lonely and depressed, you know, to give them their own lives to get myself distracted from my own. Now my motivation comes more from knowing other people have found themselves in my characters and stories, and that somehow what I create has helped them, even if just a few, even if just a little. I like to compare my old drawings with the newer ones, just to see how much progress I've made x) This is my first digital drawing from 2012, versus one from 2024 (Some people improve a lot faster, I just took a lot of time because the first years I didn't draw as much, in 2018 I only made 3 drawings)

[cupcakeslushie]

sorry for nagging you but i wanted to ask if you have some tips on making comics. I’ve trying making many comics but i always lose motivation and can’t seem to get past even the first panel sometimes.

I did make a pretty long post here, with some advice for starting out! But that’s more technical I guess, and it sounds like maybe you’re looking for some motivational advice? So in addition to that post, I’d say…

Don’t look at these panels where you’re stuck as failures. Look at them, instead, as first drafts!! Keep the early planning stages loose, so it doesn’t feel like an arrow to the heart if you have to make changes. Many artists need to see their thoughts collected somewhere before they can refine things and move on to the next stage. Another big thing is learning to be okay with throwing those drafts away when they become more of a roadblock than a step towards that awesome, final version you’ve got knocking around in your head.

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve spent an hour plotting the composition of a panel…or maybe I’ve gotten too focused on the little details of a character’s expression, but the rest of the shot has just….idk died. I’ll copy and paste what I did like, and delete what’s not working or I’ll completely start over, no fuss. Wipe my hands of it and refuse to look at it as a failure. If I drew it once, I can draw it again! Practice isn’t time wasted, it’s time invested into growing! Drawing is drawing!

It’s always good to look back at your work, so you can see your improvement, but only focusing on your unfinished pieces might be doing more harm than good.

And maybe, you don’t have to draw a full 10 page comic from the get go! Try experimenting with shorter form comics! You can tell quite a number of stories in just a few panels! Learning the ins and outs of something new is a lot easier to accomplish when it’s done in smaller increments. That way you can have that feeling of success more often and it’ll motivate you into not giving up!

When I started EW, I was doing parts in like, one or two pages! Because I was still nailing down the comic techniques I wanted to employ. I was gathering brushes and learning how and when to use them! Learning how to create compositions that worked around dialogue bubbles! All the boring parts of comic creating lol. But then, the more comfortable I became with those techniques, the less time they took, and I could really go wild with the creative aspect! Now my updates are much longer!

It’s just a process. But at some point, all the advice and resources in the world can only help so much. You have to be willing to put in the time!

I’d say it’s kinda similar advice they give when you start working out. When you’re first starting, and you try to do more than your body is comfortable with, you’ll be in a lot of pain and won’t want to continue. It’s easy to give up if you’re not seeing results and you feel like you’re wasting your time. But if you start in a reasonable place, and let yourself learn as you go, then you can gain good habits and it’ll get easier!

And only then, when it’s easy, that’s when you challenge yourself! Not when you’re already struggling with just starting! Or it won’t be fun and all of your drive will disappear!

And that’s really what you’re doing this all for, right? For fun!

[alcadanon]

oop, forgot I was gonna make a long ramble post, but I'm on it now! I was just thinking about my characters' motivations for my story set at Xavin's University for Magical Studies so I guess I'll talk about that.

Quick Summary: Xavin U. is set in a world that's kinda set in your typical high fantasy setting but the world has modernized by the time the story starts. It's not exactly high-tech, but they have like, microwaves and clunky computers and stuff. The story (untitled so far) follows Zuruti, a young druid from the Oakenvald druid clan. His clan was all but destroyed by disease before he was born. Now he and the other teens have to leave the forest and find other masters to teach them the skills that the clan lost- before their way of life fades away completely. Zuruti has been chosen to become a runemaster, whose job it is to maintain the runic wards that protect the druid's settlements and mark their paths.

I'll talk more about the world building later, but feel free to ask questions!

First up- Zuruti.

As I mentioned above, he is a druid going to university to help his clan. His motivation comes from a sense of duty and familial love.

Beryl is Zuruti's diresquirrel companion who followed him to university. He is motivated by loyalty.

Miralda is a human, and part of the trio that befriends Zuruti when he first arrives at the University. She is studying to be a Celestial Magecrafter. This seems to her to be a career path that lends itself to a lot of freedom to move around, explore, and grow. Her motivation is curiosity and a desire for adventure.

Eris Tundohe is a cloud elf and part of the trio with Miralda. She is studying to be a general wizard, because her parents, being high-standing citizens in Toladoro (an elven citadel), insisted that she be properly and thoroughly educated. She went with the general wizardry path to try to keep her options open. Her motivations are divided- trying to please both her parents and herself even when their goals don't align. I'm not sure she even really knows what she wants.

Alestro is a tree nymph and the third member of the trio. He is studying to be a general wizard as well and... he is a blank page to me still. I've got vibes and a design and nothing else. Send help.

Shon Torna is a shadow nymph. He has a grumpy appearance and hides his feelings behind pragmatism but he cares for his friends a lot. He acts as a mentor of sorts- senpai might be the right word here- for Zuruti. He is also close with Zahina and Orion and eventually falls in love with Toremi after collaborating on a research paper with her. He's studying to be an artificer. He claims his reasoning for this is based in solid logic- it's a sensible and stable career path... but he refuses to tell even me what his actual goals are.

Zahina is a siren studying to be an elemental mage. While he may have had a traumatic past, he prefers to leave that behind him, choosing instead to focus on the beauty of the world in the here and now, and the wildness of elemental magics are the best way he can find to express this. His motivations stem from artistic expression and passion.

Orion Beru is a cloud elf studying to be a combat wizard. Everyone figures this makes sense- combat wizards are often employed by skyship companies to protect their fleets from the elements and wild animals, and the Beru family owns quite a sizable fleet. No questions his choice, and his family encourages him. But his main motivation is fear- fear of the man he met when he was young, and an experience he hopes to never repeat. He works hard to get stronger, to keep himself and his loved ones safe from a threat he has never told anyone about.

Toremi Steinhal is a crystal dwarf studying to be an artificer. Her motivations are simple; she loves to create and understand how things work.

Zane Torna is a shadow nymph and Shon's cousin. He isn't a student, and he doesn't know what he wants. His parents thought he was just lazy, and kicked him out of the house to try and motivate him, but, directionless, he fell back on the gruff but reliable kindness of his cousin. He is seeking a purpose in life.

And that's all my main characters for Xavin U. and their motivations! I'm glad I've got this all worked out because this is going to drive a lot of the plot.

[lordcusu-cusu]

hello relatively new bust a groove/ds2001 fan here ^_^ノ i look through the bust a groove tag on here semi frequently and your posts and fanart(especially the fanart like holy shit it's god tier) really stand out to me lol, but in the best way possible!!! as a fellow obscure media/character enjoyer i know one when i see one...our passion is truly unmatched o7

ok so since this is an ask i'll (finally) get to my question lol: what drew you to cusu-cusu specifically?? i apologize if you've been asked this before but like, i am genuinely curious...even despite the fact they're based around rather harmful african stereotypes(which ik you touched on in a post), what about them keeps you interested enough to look past that, so to speak?? is it the character dynamics? the mystery surrounding them, namely me and kei and those cursed masks?? as for me personally i do enjoy playing as them, their dances are super cool and fun to watch and their CPUs are very cooperative so it's easy to get quartets ^_^ oh and their stage's song is catchy though not my most fav one overall

Oh my god thank you SO much for this !!!! I have also noticed that I stand out with other fan artists, likely due to how different my artstyle is from the series’ style but my opinion of myself is not important, thank YOU so much for the compliment.

So… nobody has asked me that before. I talk mostly about Cusu-Cusu with my friends in real life since nobody here seems to be interested at all. Probably because of the racist tropes they follow and people are too blindsided to realise that they are actually really sweet and emotional characters. Which when I joined the fandom, I understood but now, ugh guys please just listen to me already… so lots of thanks to you for actually asking me anything about them. As to why I’m interested in them so much, of course it’s the dynamics and the mystery, the masks, the dances, all the quartets and their song !!! [Red Star is all the way up top of my favourites, including the New Wave mix, I don’t care for the European mix much]. If I didn’t like all that then what would I like ??

I have been such a big defender of them because there’s such loving, interesting characters and downright terrifying realities behind those stereotypes. It’s so clear that the designers had no racist motivations for creating them at all, they were just incredibly misguided because it was Japan in the late 90’s, so I’m not going to judge them. And their designs are wonderful !!! I wouldn’t draw them so much if I didn’t love their look [I have a HUGE amount of drawings of them… so many wips… so little time…]. I feel like people want to compare them to Hamm whose whole character was intended to be a joke and design was actually racist, I think he’s adorable, but Cusu-Cusu aren’t like that at all.

Cindy and Sahara want to be doctors, Sahara wants to be a vet specifically because she can literally talk to animals, kinda questionable but *cough* Utan in Discos Estrus. She also likes to sleep in trees which is also questionable, maybe smells a bit of racist character tropes of wild tribes not even being able to make homes for themselves… but shut up because her sleeping in trees is actually adorable to me. So many kids grow up climbing trees but what is there to do once they’re up at the top ? Take a nap up there is Saharas answer and that’s amazing. Also, she just loves her friends so much. All the unabashed hope for Me and Kei’s safety and possibly their survival is on Sahara because her innocent love for everything is so strong. I AM crying and YOU are too !! Cindy is great, I’ve said before that she’d benefit from being more interesting but that’s what makes her still likeable; she feels so realistic. Her maturity compared to Sahara is a huge reason why I think the team is so well crafted. Also I really like drawing her, I love how much her hair contrasts with the rest of her. And what do I even say about Me and Kei that I haven’t already repeatedly said ? Well, there’s always something more otherwise I wouldn’t have made this account. The mystery of them and their curse is incredible. However, I’ve constantly gone back and forth between liking the mystery of the curse and really wishing we knew more about it. Yet no matter how much I dread the reality of Me and Kei’s state, it’s still so intriguing, is it not ? But I suppose the main loveable thing about them is their designs because there’s not much else if somebody didn’t care for the mystery. But the ripped up animal skin, the incredibly unfortunate design choice of Cusu-Cusu as a whole, is the most obvious with these two. That’s why I draw them wearing things that are completely different. But I love everything else. The colours are cool but holy shit those masks and horns !!!! Compared to actually racist depictions of tribal masks, there’s clearly no negative intent at all. Definitely stereotypical but clearly acceptable. Maybe I love them so much because I used to watch the Harry Belafonte episode of The Muppet Show religiously when I was really young and the last song would deeply comfort me and put me to sleep. It included African inspired masks which Me and Kei’s look nothing alike but maybe there’s an unconscious connection there…? Although I am incredibly aware that Cusu-Cusu have no connection to anything culturally African.

Yeah I wouldn’t have talked about and drawn them the most if I thought they were just offensive and ignored them. I’ll never understand people who do that. That is another huge reason why I love them so much. I love defending them. I love talking about them with people who don’t quite understand them which those conversations haven’t actually happened… until now !!!! Thank you so much for this ask !! I genuinely thought that I’d never actually be asked anything about Cusu-Cusu by another fan and what makes me like them so much !! Maybe this is more than you expected for me to say but trust me, I had to much more that I scrapped from this and have saved for another day…