Nice. You could have been a bit more careful with that part just below the type box. Maybe you could try using some tape as a way of masking the areas you don't wan't to paint. Just be sure the tape is properly glued before you start painting.
umm, the blue permenant marker (besides that on the mana symbol) is only there to mask where the black went under the tape (and it's not as if I didn't rub it down as hard as I could). As such I've recently decided I'd rather make a small mess than a bigger one ad as such do my alters freehand.
umm, the blue permenant marker (besides that on the mana symbol) is only there to mask where the black went under the tape (and it's not as if I didn't rub it down as hard as I could). As such I've recently decided I'd rather make a small mess than a bigger one ad as such do my alters freehand.
Anyone care to see a foil version?
I don't really get it. So you're just blacking out the otherwise blue text box? And then darkening the border? Am I missing something?
I don't really get it. So you're just blacking out the otherwise blue text box? And then darkening the border? Am I missing something?
and darkening the symbol, yeah, kinda boring isn't it.
textbox blackening and card art extentions are the only alters that gt notice here though.
my simian spirit guides, "doom" lands, tales of symphonia art cards and santa ghostfire were completly ignored and I don't honestly have the skill to do an art extention, even if I did want to (frame alters > art extentions IMO, certainly more original).
Hahaha sorry, I'm just putting a helpful hint out there.
I don't have the sharpie "seeping" problem any longer.
Don't worry about it, I'm just messing with you. I'm fine with your tips realy.
Though having used tape in vast quantities for my entire life I should know how to rub it down by now...
and darkening the symbol, yeah, kinda boring isn't it.
textbox blackening and card art extentions are the only alters that gt notice here though.
my simian spirit guides, "doom" lands, tales of symphonia art cards and santa ghostfire were completly ignored and I don't honestly have the skill to do an art extention, even if I did want to (frame alters > art extentions IMO, certainly more original).
Well, how are you presenting your work? Do you put it in a post and say "well, here it is, enjoy" or "thoughts?" - or do you take the time to actually ask for help? I find it hard to believe that if you're asking for pointers, nobody would reply.
If your alters got completely ignored, it's also possible that people didn't get the references or they didn't make sense. It happens.
And, as for the sharpie getting under the tape thing - it shouldn't happen. It doesn't happen to anyone else. You must be using bad tape or something. *shrug*
and, omg, edit:
how come ou have a cliche japanese girl on a chinese swamp?
It's not Chinese. If the kanji for "swamp" didn't tip you off, the little hiragana characters above it should have.
Well, how are you presenting your work? Do you put it in a post and say "well, here it is, enjoy" or "thoughts?" - or do you take the time to actually ask for help? I find it hard to believe that if you're asking for pointers, nobody would reply.
If your alters got completely ignored, it's also possible that people didn't get the references or they didn't make sense. It happens.
to be honest I don't think I posted the ToS ones and there's honestly nothing to get with the rest (except prehaps if some people don't know what a santa hat looks like)...
of course I don't ask for help, there's nothing wrong with 90% of my alters. wether there's anything right with them is another matter...
It's not Chinese. If the kanji for "swamp" didn't tip you off, the little hiragana characters above it should have.
do you expect everyone here to be able to speak/read japanese? I know 3 kanji: fire, water and "no". that card has none of them (which is odd, almost every japnese card has "no" on it) and all the symbols look like chinese to me. hirigana means nothing to me either.
I honestly doubt I'll ever learn to read japanese. the sound of the language is the main reason I like it so reading/wrighting it holds little appeal.
Just for the record, "no" is a hiragana, not a kanji.
It isn't odd that it isn't there, swamp is one character "numa", but you are right, it is a very common character in japanese texts.
If you don't know Chinese or Japanese, then don't try to identify cards as being either.
Edit to rephrase something in a less abrasive way: Maybe you should reconsider whether your alters are as good as you think, since you seem bothered that no one notices them.
Just for the record, "no" is a hiragana, not a kanji.
It isn't odd that it isn't there, swamp is one character "numa", but you are right, it is a very common character in japanese texts.
swamp is "numa" as in the "drink, drink, yay!" "numa"?
if the cards are printed using kanji and "no" is a hiragana, why is it on so many cards?
Edit to rephrase something in a less abrasive way: Maybe you should reconsider whether your alters are as good as you think, since you seem bothered that no one notices them.
I know my alters aren't "good". I don't have the skill of you lot. That's part of why I prefer doing more original, interesting alters to art extentions.
I know there is nothing wrong with my alters as if there was the slightest incorrectible mistake I would consider the card a reminder of my failure and rip it to shreds (yes, I'm that kind of person).
Sure, my alters may not be that great (though looking at the altered page of my trade binder I find that hard to believe) but there's nothing actively wrong with them. I think people just aren't into anything original here.
EDIT: darn, accidental double post
EDIT 2: I think improving my photography skills is the next step really.
I think people just aren't into anything original here.
...have you not even browsed this thread at all? I've looked at your alters and they just seem kind of messy, like your sword of the Meek. Now its not to say that your alters are bad, but they definitely have room for improvement and to think that there is nothing wrong with them at all and that we just aren't original is quite arrogant.
I got a great idea:) How about we skip the subject of draco. Paint some cards, put up some helpful post and critiques. And try to be supportive. Draco nobody is saying your stuff is horrible and if you feel like they're not getting the attention they deserve, keep at it and try to improve. That's all I have been doing and hoping it works(sometimes it feels like it does and doesn't). And for the "I think people just aren't into anything original here." I disagree strongly with you on that statement. They all may be the same form of art to some degree, but there are many artist here, that try many different things to set themselves aside from the rest.
I try to keep an eye out for original works or alters that in some way or fashion bring something new to the table.
If I don't comment on a particular alter, it isn't that I don't enjoy it or respect it. It's more due to the fact that I see several alters all the time and I have either seen something like that or similar to that. Still, no matter how many times the art on a spell is altered/extended, there comes a time when an alteration is so well done, that it almost appears as though the card was PRINTED that way.
THOSE alters are some of the ones I enjoy most.
In my opinion, I think there are a few factors that make or break an alter.
Tight Borders
- Often times, I see alters where the paint is flowing over the borders in parts. A good alter will have borders that are 99% flawless. Difficult to achieve? Definitely. But that's what separates average and good alters from magnificent alters.
Color Matching
- I can only begin to wonder the difficulty of mixing and producing colors that match the original work. Sometimes a particular alter will be so off on colors that you can see the frame of the art and where the alterer overlapped to extend the art. The best alters, again in my opinion, are those that have the colors matched so well that it appears as though the card was printed that way.
Originality
- Everyone wants to take a crack at certain cards. The more popular cards are usually chosen to be altered first, because they are most desired and see the most play. However, if everyone is altering card X and everyone is altering card X in about the same fashion, then the allure and distinct uniqueness of that card is taken away. Especially if someone else has done that particular card better. As I've stated before in this thread and I don't mean to sound like a broken record, but when you find ways to "raise the bar" on originality "push the envelope" of things, you create alters that people will remember and desire more than others.
Complexity
- Somewhat similar to originality. Let's say you wanted to do an alter of Oona. You could just extend the art and work with the different shades of the background behind her. However, you could ALSO work in some of your own ideas. She's the queen of the fae, right? How interesting would it be to include the faeries from other popular cards on her card? Thoughtseize, Pestermite, Scion of Oona, and such are just some examples. At the same time, you don't want get too complex. And that's exactly it.
You have to find that line where complexity is good and too much and try to get as close to the edge of that line as you can without going over.
I also think another important step in sharing alters here is to openly state what you're looking for when you post an alter.
Do you want criticism and critiques? If so, on what parts?
I think a good idea for everyone who posts an alter here is to include a list with their post of what brand paints they used, how much time the alter took, and maybe what other tools were involved. It sounds like a lot for just a post, but I think it would go a long way in helping the community of those interested in doing altered art. learn what it takes.
I'm sure the difficult part of this is that each person works in different paints, markers, pens, and such.
I know this was a "book" of a post without an alter to show in it, but I wanted to chime in here and see if that might help some.:)
umm, the blue permenant marker (besides that on the mana symbol) is only there to mask where the black went under the tape (and it's not as if I didn't rub it down as hard as I could). As such I've recently decided I'd rather make a small mess than a bigger one ad as such do my alters freehand.
Anyone care to see a foil version?
It is one of the best ways to press it totally flat.
I don't really get it. So you're just blacking out the otherwise blue text box? And then darkening the border? Am I missing something?
RRR Buy some of my art! Prints! RRR
I don't have the sharpie "seeping" problem any longer.
thissuxone:
They're not that bad.. better than anything i could do - but why garuk =(.. garuk could've been better.
Nerea Iturgaiz:
WOW! ... WOW! I'm amazed.. that is just BRILLIANT! i was quite shocked when i saw this =)
Art Page
Alters for sale
and darkening the symbol, yeah, kinda boring isn't it.
textbox blackening and card art extentions are the only alters that gt notice here though.
my simian spirit guides, "doom" lands, tales of symphonia art cards and santa ghostfire were completly ignored and I don't honestly have the skill to do an art extention, even if I did want to (frame alters > art extentions IMO, certainly more original).
Don't worry about it, I'm just messing with you. I'm fine with your tips realy.
Though having used tape in vast quantities for my entire life I should know how to rub it down by now...
OH SHI-
That's AWESOME!
speaking of which, what is the chinese black mana symbol?
Well, how are you presenting your work? Do you put it in a post and say "well, here it is, enjoy" or "thoughts?" - or do you take the time to actually ask for help? I find it hard to believe that if you're asking for pointers, nobody would reply.
If your alters got completely ignored, it's also possible that people didn't get the references or they didn't make sense. It happens.
And, as for the sharpie getting under the tape thing - it shouldn't happen. It doesn't happen to anyone else. You must be using bad tape or something. *shrug*
and, omg, edit:
It's not Chinese. If the kanji for "swamp" didn't tip you off, the little hiragana characters above it should have.
If you aren't sure, on any card 9th edition and later they have the Furigana characters over the Kanji in card titles.
to be honest I don't think I posted the ToS ones and there's honestly nothing to get with the rest (except prehaps if some people don't know what a santa hat looks like)...
of course I don't ask for help, there's nothing wrong with 90% of my alters. wether there's anything right with them is another matter...
do you expect everyone here to be able to speak/read japanese? I know 3 kanji: fire, water and "no". that card has none of them (which is odd, almost every japnese card has "no" on it) and all the symbols look like chinese to me. hirigana means nothing to me either.
I honestly doubt I'll ever learn to read japanese. the sound of the language is the main reason I like it so reading/wrighting it holds little appeal.
It isn't odd that it isn't there, swamp is one character "numa", but you are right, it is a very common character in japanese texts.
Edit to rephrase something in a less abrasive way: Maybe you should reconsider whether your alters are as good as you think, since you seem bothered that no one notices them.
swamp is "numa" as in the "drink, drink, yay!" "numa"?
if the cards are printed using kanji and "no" is a hiragana, why is it on so many cards?
for anyone who cares, my list of tradeable art alters is here (plus a link to the pics) http://forums.mtgsalvation.com/showthread.php?p=2810347#post2810347
I used to be able to tell what symols were what language (between the 2) but now it apears I can't even do that
I know my alters aren't "good". I don't have the skill of you lot. That's part of why I prefer doing more original, interesting alters to art extentions.
I know there is nothing wrong with my alters as if there was the slightest incorrectible mistake I would consider the card a reminder of my failure and rip it to shreds (yes, I'm that kind of person).
Sure, my alters may not be that great (though looking at the altered page of my trade binder I find that hard to believe) but there's nothing actively wrong with them. I think people just aren't into anything original here.
EDIT: darn, accidental double post
EDIT 2: I think improving my photography skills is the next step really.
...have you not even browsed this thread at all? I've looked at your alters and they just seem kind of messy, like your sword of the Meek. Now its not to say that your alters are bad, but they definitely have room for improvement and to think that there is nothing wrong with them at all and that we just aren't original is quite arrogant.
Katakana
Hiragana
Kanji
I know that of which you speak. .
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If I don't comment on a particular alter, it isn't that I don't enjoy it or respect it. It's more due to the fact that I see several alters all the time and I have either seen something like that or similar to that. Still, no matter how many times the art on a spell is altered/extended, there comes a time when an alteration is so well done, that it almost appears as though the card was PRINTED that way.
THOSE alters are some of the ones I enjoy most.
In my opinion, I think there are a few factors that make or break an alter.
Tight Borders
- Often times, I see alters where the paint is flowing over the borders in parts. A good alter will have borders that are 99% flawless. Difficult to achieve? Definitely. But that's what separates average and good alters from magnificent alters.
Color Matching
- I can only begin to wonder the difficulty of mixing and producing colors that match the original work. Sometimes a particular alter will be so off on colors that you can see the frame of the art and where the alterer overlapped to extend the art. The best alters, again in my opinion, are those that have the colors matched so well that it appears as though the card was printed that way.
Originality
- Everyone wants to take a crack at certain cards. The more popular cards are usually chosen to be altered first, because they are most desired and see the most play. However, if everyone is altering card X and everyone is altering card X in about the same fashion, then the allure and distinct uniqueness of that card is taken away. Especially if someone else has done that particular card better. As I've stated before in this thread and I don't mean to sound like a broken record, but when you find ways to "raise the bar" on originality "push the envelope" of things, you create alters that people will remember and desire more than others.
Complexity
- Somewhat similar to originality. Let's say you wanted to do an alter of Oona. You could just extend the art and work with the different shades of the background behind her. However, you could ALSO work in some of your own ideas. She's the queen of the fae, right? How interesting would it be to include the faeries from other popular cards on her card? Thoughtseize, Pestermite, Scion of Oona, and such are just some examples. At the same time, you don't want get too complex. And that's exactly it.
You have to find that line where complexity is good and too much and try to get as close to the edge of that line as you can without going over.
I also think another important step in sharing alters here is to openly state what you're looking for when you post an alter.
Do you want criticism and critiques? If so, on what parts?
I think a good idea for everyone who posts an alter here is to include a list with their post of what brand paints they used, how much time the alter took, and maybe what other tools were involved. It sounds like a lot for just a post, but I think it would go a long way in helping the community of those interested in doing altered art. learn what it takes.
I'm sure the difficult part of this is that each person works in different paints, markers, pens, and such.
I know this was a "book" of a post without an alter to show in it, but I wanted to chime in here and see if that might help some.:)
Keep the alters coming everyone!
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