Don't post a piece and then say that you didn't like it. If you openly express that you didn't like something that you're posting in an attempt to gain work, then your viewer and potential employer is probably going to not like it either. Also boasts a lack of confidence. Only the BEST goes into the portfolio. It's what gets you the work you want.
Some of your stuff looks color-by-numbers, like maybe you followed a step-by-step tutorial to create some of those designs. While that's alright while you're learning, if you're putting something into your portfolio, you not only want to showcase that you can actually use the interface of 'x' program, but that you have a creative bone in your body. Take what you learn from those tutorials and make something outstanding on your own.
Read a lot of books on design, print, and typography. Typography, typography, typography. Get used to that subject. Study the heck out of it now, love it, embrace it, be one with it lol.
Whatever you do, never stop learning. Hope this helps, take care!
He's not winning all the time, but usually it has been because of lack of experience and seeing all of the lines of play. Would put in another Stormbreath Dragon if he had one. The sideboard is still in the testing phase.
Another Stormbreath would be alright. I would move the Frostburns to the SB and bring in your Dissolves MB along with a Negate.
I remembesr in the old day where if you wanted something and your buddy wanted something you could just swap. I remember when you could loan cards to people you trusted, or even gave them away to be a friend instead of a penny pincher.
I remember when people decided how much their cards were worth themselves instead of having a browser open on Gatherer finding the highest price.
Now people who have cards that are completely useless to them (EG they don't have the right deck for em and don't take em out of the binder) hassle for internet prices.
Trading has become such a hassle that it more convenient to buy your cards online (which obviously perpetuates the problem) and have them SHIPPED THOUSANDS OF MILES. Its bad for the environment, it doesn't feel good, and its more expensive for the player.
If I take the Mona Lisa, change her smile to a frown and try to sell it as my own work, am I really selling you my own work or is it a modified Mona?
Another scenario: take Mizzium Mortars, modify/extend the art, and try to sell it as your own work. Is it really yours or is it an altered Mizzium Mortars? Remove the Mizzium Mortars artwork from the card and what do you have? Copyrighted material from WotC (symbols, text box, etc.) and some spit paint by you. You rely on the original artwork to pass off your 'modifications' and therefor are using copyrighted material - of which you have no rights to use - for profit.
You don't have to agree with me, but I'm pretty sure I've been doing this for a while now and have a pretty good understanding of fair use, creative commons, and copyright laws in general. There are a ton of sources online you can research and some of them have already been supplied by other users in this thread. If anything, contact a lawyer and either pay them for the answers or if they offer free consultation, then maybe they can help that way as well. I would rather do that than be sued because I just simply didn't understand the laws. Once you're sued, it's really too late at that point and you're at the mercy of the pursuant. Good luck!
Cards fluctuate in value, we all know that. So a $1-2 difference in the trade wouldn't be a big deal to me in the OP's situation. However, there is some merit to trading within the confines of value. As well, there is merit to the practicality of use. Unless it's something I need or can use (potentially) I won't be interested. Even for 'trade fodder' as it's called. Therefore, if someone is going to make it a hassle for me or try to one-up me on the deal I'm just going to forget the trade altogether and buy the card.
Here's my take on the situation as a concept artist/illustrator:
Artists like Steve, myself, and many others work really hard and sacrifice many hours of labor to put the creativity and life into the pieces you see displayed on the MtG cards you play with everyday. These works of art are our living. No artist that I have EVER encountered has worked for free - I sure as hell don't. This is how we pay our bills, feed our families, and finance our ability to continue providing the artwork that has been a part of MtG since its inception. Is it easy to steal these images? Sure. With the digital age in full swing, many artists utilize websites to provide portfolios to clientele who seek their service. Artists have put in a lot of time to perfect their craft and so has anyone else in any other field. I think the practice of stealing an artist's work is cheap, cowardly, and pathetic. Pay the artist, or pay the price.
As far as WotC coming down on altered art cards:
Wizards has every right to do so. That image isn't yours, bud. If you're extending the art of the card, changing a color of a particular element on the image or changing the image entirely, and selling the card then you're attempting to profit. Especially if you're trying to maintain the integrity of the card in and of itself. Needless to say, you're infringing on copyright. Selling it under the table to your buddy is forgivable, but if you're trying to market your cards online or anywhere else, you are operating as a small business and that's unforgivable.
I hope that this clarifies some of the frustration and anger that some of you have with artists and companies such as WotC cracking down on stolen art or altered cards. Some of you have never been in a self-employed position to understand what it's like to have your work stolen and some of you have.
So I'll say it again, pay the artist or pay the price.
Those are really neat, I think there's a market for it for sure. You could sell them painted, blank, engraved, etc. Is the market huge? Not sure on that. It's definitely something you'd have to explore. Along with that, if the interest rises, so will your competition. People are going to get into it just like you and heck, there might already be people doing it now. Try to be at the front of the innovation if you pursue it. It definitely is really neat and a good place to sell them would be etsy.com.
I would avoid using art from another artist for your own logo. Artists don't work for free and while many of them are pretty cool, they are still particular about their work. But it's not just the artist you have to worry about. WotC also owns rights to the art used on their cards. Your best bet is to just pay someone to design you a logo from the ground up. This way you'll have paid for the logo, you'll own the logo, you can use the logo for whatever you want, the artist is paid, all parties are happy, and you won't have to worry about being sued for copyright infringement.
Please, avoid comments about product sales. Advertising and/or Soliciting isn't allowed outside Market Street. Infraction issued. -BBull
+1
Spam warning issued. -Carsten
Some of your stuff looks color-by-numbers, like maybe you followed a step-by-step tutorial to create some of those designs. While that's alright while you're learning, if you're putting something into your portfolio, you not only want to showcase that you can actually use the interface of 'x' program, but that you have a creative bone in your body. Take what you learn from those tutorials and make something outstanding on your own.
Read a lot of books on design, print, and typography. Typography, typography, typography. Get used to that subject. Study the heck out of it now, love it, embrace it, be one with it lol.
Whatever you do, never stop learning. Hope this helps, take care!
Another Stormbreath would be alright. I would move the Frostburns to the SB and bring in your Dissolves MB along with a Negate.
I couldn't have said this better.
Another scenario: take Mizzium Mortars, modify/extend the art, and try to sell it as your own work. Is it really yours or is it an altered Mizzium Mortars? Remove the Mizzium Mortars artwork from the card and what do you have? Copyrighted material from WotC (symbols, text box, etc.) and some spit paint by you. You rely on the original artwork to pass off your 'modifications' and therefor are using copyrighted material - of which you have no rights to use - for profit.
You don't have to agree with me, but I'm pretty sure I've been doing this for a while now and have a pretty good understanding of fair use, creative commons, and copyright laws in general. There are a ton of sources online you can research and some of them have already been supplied by other users in this thread. If anything, contact a lawyer and either pay them for the answers or if they offer free consultation, then maybe they can help that way as well. I would rather do that than be sued because I just simply didn't understand the laws. Once you're sued, it's really too late at that point and you're at the mercy of the pursuant. Good luck!
Artists like Steve, myself, and many others work really hard and sacrifice many hours of labor to put the creativity and life into the pieces you see displayed on the MtG cards you play with everyday. These works of art are our living. No artist that I have EVER encountered has worked for free - I sure as hell don't. This is how we pay our bills, feed our families, and finance our ability to continue providing the artwork that has been a part of MtG since its inception. Is it easy to steal these images? Sure. With the digital age in full swing, many artists utilize websites to provide portfolios to clientele who seek their service. Artists have put in a lot of time to perfect their craft and so has anyone else in any other field. I think the practice of stealing an artist's work is cheap, cowardly, and pathetic. Pay the artist, or pay the price.
As far as WotC coming down on altered art cards:
Wizards has every right to do so. That image isn't yours, bud. If you're extending the art of the card, changing a color of a particular element on the image or changing the image entirely, and selling the card then you're attempting to profit. Especially if you're trying to maintain the integrity of the card in and of itself. Needless to say, you're infringing on copyright. Selling it under the table to your buddy is forgivable, but if you're trying to market your cards online or anywhere else, you are operating as a small business and that's unforgivable.
I hope that this clarifies some of the frustration and anger that some of you have with artists and companies such as WotC cracking down on stolen art or altered cards. Some of you have never been in a self-employed position to understand what it's like to have your work stolen and some of you have.
So I'll say it again, pay the artist or pay the price.
CardboardCrack: I wish I had
Short, sweet, simple.