#skoptalk

[skoptsy]

Hi there! I've seen a few adopts made with a base credited to you, but can't find the base itself. Is it an older work that's no longer available for download/purchase? If not, could you pls link? I'd love using it for design ideas. Thank you!

Hey! Thanks so much for being interested anon! ♥ You can find my bases for sale here & here. If you don’t have a FA account/can’t comment then please feel free to e-mail me at [email protected] if you’d like to purchase one/some! :”)  

[skoptsy]

Hello! I've started trying to draw humans and I'm struggling with faces (and trying to keep it out of 'anime') do you have any tips I could follow to at least go in the right direction?

Hey there! My first bit of advice to you would be to pay close attention to proportion if you’re trying to avoid developing an anime-centric style. Realism studies will also really benefit you! That is what helped me, cause after I knew basic realism I was able to branch out and exaggerate what I wanted and continue developing my style. :>If you’re comfortable with going to a library there’s always tons of different art resources for free I urge you to go take a look at, and if you don’t have access to one than devote some time to scavenging what the internet has to offer! My suggestions for a couple decent online books right off the bat would be:Drawing the Human Head by Burne HogarthDrawing the Head and Hands by Andrew LoomisPlease try not to stress if your style is cartoony or has aspects you don’t like for a bit. Sometimes we just cannot control the natural path our style likes to take first. We all know learning doesn’t happen overnight, just stay positive, practice hard and you will get those results my friend! (•̀ᴗ•́)و ̑̑

[skoptsy]

I got this AMAZING tote bag from the super skilled crowlls shop! Bought it as a gift to myself for my birthday this month and I've been admiring it all day long. I knew I had to have it because: ♥  Wicked art style ♥  Trevor Philips  ♥  I LOVE ORANGE  It seriously looks sooo much nicer IRL, my shoddy ass photos just don’t do it justice. A+ purchase. Would buy again. Love it? BUY ONE HERE. 

[skoptsy]

Hey Skopooptsy :> U r my fav artist and I was wondering if u have any projects in the works right now?

Thank you so much! I definitely DO have something in the works with my good friend queans. We’ve been putting together a comic for about a year now, although a lot of which we can’t show yet. :( It will mainly revolve around two tough ladies Suri, Albany and one naive solider named Abbot. The comic is literally in progress as we speak! We can’t wait to let you guys begin reading. :> I’ll talk about it more in coming months, most definitely! ♥In the meantime, have some Abbot:

[skoptsy]

What do you recommend for someone just starting a new webcomic but has no fanbase or people who watch their stuff? How can I reach people more? Thank you in advance

Hey Anon! That’s really awesome you want to start a webcomic. I hope it goes well for you! 

I’ve touched on building an audience before to someone who was asking about commissions and I’m sure this info might be able to help you too! I wish creating a beautiful/interesting comic was enough to draw people to it, but you have to put in effort to have it seen. So participation is key! Network with others who have webcomics, become affiliates, join communities, talk about your characters as much as possible and ask your friends or other artists if they’re willing to help out in any way. -Some people even buy affordable advertisements on comic hosting websites like Smackjeeves and Tapastic to get some extra readers. All in all, please be patient. Some comics don’t even get noticed for a year or two after their creation! I say go for it and see what happens. Just get yourself and your great ideas out there! :) Good luck.

[skoptsy]

Hey there Skoptsy! :D I've been admiring your art style, I love it a lot! I also notice that you've been taking commissions. Can you tell me some opinions/advices about accepting commissions for the first time? Like for example, how much would it cost for a single line art portrait or stuffs like that? Also how do you build your audience by just having a tumblr? Thanks a lot <3

Hi Anon! Firstly, thank you very much. I’m happy you like my stuff! Secondly, I’m sorry for the big reply…I want to give you a fairly decent answer so I will try my best!I unfortunately can’t help give you prices because I don’t know what your work looks like, or how long it takes to create. Although like any job it might be a good idea to charge an hourly rate. If you’re a super-slow artist like me than this might not work for you, but I know a lot of people do this! Find out how long those lined portraits you want to sell take you, and price them something that makes you happy and comfortable. There is a huge downside to commissions and it’s underpricing. Underpriced, Undervalued, and Over It is one of my favourite articles about this. Please check it out when you have time! As far as building an audience goes, this is tricky for me because I feel there isn't some sort of guaranteed method…although a few things that are always good are: Networking, Sharing, Time and Soul.Network with your fellow artists, ask questions, communicate, participate in Livestreams, share resources, just keep in touch with people, but don’t use them. Share your art multiple places, not just Tumblr! Some people like multiple galleries, some don’t. But the more your art can be seen/found the better. Give it time. Time is an important one. It took me nine years of posting before I got anywhere. The worst thing you can do is set up expectations for something you cannot control, be patient. The last one is soul. Spill your heart into your works, be it fanart or original characters; the effort and love will show! Be kind to others and respect people because nine times out of ten they’ll do the same in return! I’ve seen many artists demanding and/or whining for attention and sadly (even though they have an absolute right to feel discouraged) it will only distance people from you. So stay positive! It will take you places quicker than pessimism will. Here’s some quick final pointers:

Accept the money first, or at least half of it. Too many friends of mine haven’t been paid because they did the work first.Learn all you can about accepting money through Paypal. Here is a good beginners guide on what and what not to do. Make an awesome eye-catching commission post.Look at other posts for ideas! Keep it clean and easy. No one wants to reblog a mess! 

Lastly a super decent guide that covers a lot more than I did! I hope this helped even a small bit, good luck! :’}

[skoptsy]

Hey skoptsy waddup I would like to know the setting to that butt pose target ty babe

Truly hope this is the one you’re talking about! It’s really gross to use honestly, but it’s great for making smoke and certain effects. Have fun! :}

[skoptsy]

Skoptsy, as someone else who draws, I admire you so much. I really love your style and everything you make just turns out so gorgeous. Can I ask: How did you get so good at drawing?? Do you study a lot? Are you an art student? I want to get better but I struggle sometimes. ]:

:”) Thank you Carni! I feel I’ve studied a fair amount but I know others who have worked much harder than I. I never went to school for art and all I did was hunt resources (library, websites, free lessons, process videos ect.) and sit around practising for years. Every artist will tell you ‘practice everyday’ or ‘draw from life’ which are both very good suggestions. Although I wish I knew years ago it was how you mentally dealt with this inevitable struggle that really determined healthy progress.So I would say the best advice I can give you is: keep realistic. Listen to yourself, learn yourself. Everyone works at different speeds, while it might take you a full month to learn how to do something, someone might be able to learn it in a day. Do not punish yourself for this! We’re all unique in our abilities and any progress should be accepted and celebrated! :)When you see an amazing work of art what do you commonly think? 

"Why can’t I do any of that!? My art is horrible!"

"I want to be this good someday. I’m so inspired!"

The first will damage you so badly over time. You failed to consider the amount of work that artist might of put in to get where they are, you’re also shaming any hard work you might have put in for yourself. Another person’s success does not make you a failure. Sure this can still push you to work harder, but with negative feelings and self-resentment attached. The second thought immediately recognizes the hard work the artist must of put in and knowing you have to do the same. You saw yourself as a separate yet very CAPABLE person. Positive thoughts will usually bring positive outcomes.If you try to draw something you’ve never drawn before, make sure to keep in mind “It’s okay if it’s not that great. This is new to me. I will learn.” Or if you draw all day long and are disappointed with everything it’s still one day of practice you didn’t have before. Learn early that not everything has to be great, and not everything needs to fulfil you; because every doodle matters. If time is an issue than set aside one or two nights a week to get lost in anatomy, colour theory, clothing folds ect. You have so many resources at your fingertips, go wild and just draw everything!—-I myself cannot speak from a professional standpoint. If you want to be in the business than you need to draw everyday whether you like it or not. It will be gruelling and intense but if you love art than chase that dream god dammit! Bottom line, stay positive and driven. Understand your capacity and embrace that struggle! Just don’t forget to love what you’re already capable of along the way. ♥