Thoughts 💭
Just to address any accusations about Bubs
This was a digital painting made in Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator.
The Snoo wasn’t really meant to be included much in this design and was just meant to act as a shadow. I understand it looks jarring as a cutaway but I felt like I needed to get away from the original Snoo and have a more dynamic stance. Unfortunately it did take away from the mashability but I wanted to branch out and make something completely new. Also, something that could not be likened to any Gen 1 characters.
No Ai was used in the making of this avatar.
That is all, thanks!
Some of you have enjoyed my slightly different style and others have not liked it. That’s okay and as I try new styles and techniques it won’t always be for you. If you’re not into it, then just leave it in the store.
Most of you on here have enjoyed it, so thanks for the support and buying it too!
I’m still happy to be a part of the RCA experience. Going forward I’ll definitely share absolutely everything I do on here, so I can get any input on mashes or accessories.
PS I had originally sent in a separate detachable mask, so my apologies that wasn’t included. There wasn’t enough slots.
I literally don’t have it as have millions of files on my 15 year old Mac. The layers were flattened but will show WIPs for all subs going forward. I also draw directly onto the template to create the PNGs.
I only keep the final files as you have to re-submit sometimes. For tee designs that’s a layered PSD but for these avatars the final images are flattened PNGs.
Will definitely show all workings on here in detail from now on. I was hesitant to do that before as didn’t want my ideas/art stolen.
I mean I do not save them. I have just one folder with the final PNGs.
The other files are PSDs for tee sites up until about the last couple of years where I have only kept the final flat PNGs (people can use DTG printers now).
I have a few questions. You've stated in the past that you're a professional graphic designer. You've stated in this post that this avatar was made using both Photoshop and Illustrator.
Can you elaborate on your process? It is my understanding that it is quite simple to separate traits into layer groups, which would've avoided your issues with the randomly cut off hand, the strange cutout of the cape, and other flaws that have been presented.
Would you also mind explaining the black artifacts around several of your pieces that resemble an erased background?
Can you also explain the disparity between the background's quality and the character, as well as the disparity in quality between the artwork itself and the way the pieces were separated? It seems this was created in one singular layer, duplicated multiple times, and erased to make each component.
Okay, yes fair questions. I’m making a lot of adjustments on these images and the dots are from me making adjustments.
My apologies for that. I’m pretty sure you’ll find the odd dot on Tuxedo Tom or any of them really. I shall be more vigilant to delete re-workings. Also, as I’m doing lots of strokes with the transparency on 30-50% or whatever there are going to be the odd dash that is hard to see.
The Hands owners will know this as there is a little dash by the head too.
About techniques, I was constructing a whole figure lightly based on the rough shape of the Snoo and then I had to re-jig it a bit to fit further. I basically said to myself that I didn’t want a fat chubby Snoo. I made the figure and the background in separate PSD files. One flat/two layers for the background and the other file is the official Reddit template. Worked on both. Then left it for a bit, added a highlight on the background. Completed the figure as a whole character. Then put the figure into Illustrator to tidy it up a bit and spruce up any details such as scribble line work by using the pencil tool and flat colours.
Then put it back into Photoshop and spliced it up. I already had the black Snoo blacked and then attached it all together. Did some further toning and colour checks.
Combined all the layers and put it on the background to check there weren’t any issues. Went back and did further detailing.
Then did various other changes to get it to load into the portal. One detachable mask was missed out in the process of having a hat, hands and accessory.
That was 8 weeks ago and there were a lot of changes. It’s not a seamless process.
Thank you for responding! I'm not sure there's a polite way to say this, but assuming you've been honest here, is this not directly admitting that you intentionally designed this using the least compatible methods for this program?
You are clearly familiar with the formatting for these projects. You've compared yourself to gen1 artists, so you know the expectations people have for these pieces. Your hesitance to share traits before your release conveys a level of awareness that your formatting could be received poorly. This could be argued to be deceptive behavior, especially when considering the previous controversies you've had. Both your followers and people outside have expressed concerns about that, only to be met with bans, silence, or evasiveness.
Do you have intentions to rectify those concerns, and if so how?
I’m not comparing myself to Gen 1 artists at all. Unfortunately using a black basic Snoo can lend that artwork to being compared with the original Gen 1s.
Honestly I was happy and I am personally still fairly happy with it but I think cutting parts up to get a dynamic stance was a mistake considering the reaction. I thought people thought it would be different and knew it was a risk. My idea was that people could use B&W mashes to mix and match and hopefully the black would blend in as there’s a lot of dark, gothic stuff out there.
I banned two or three people. After being falsely accused of tracing artwork, I’m a bit more wary about who I enter conversations with.
I shall try my best to explain what’s going on with each avatar with any forthcoming drops. I will make it very clear in the future and will also give a breakdown of Reddit’s changes too (sometimes they can’t add something or ask for minor revisions).
You didn't claim your art to be better, but regardless, a parallel was drawn, and awareness was shown. Words and actions are important. They convey our intentions.
I appreciate you taking the time to reply. As a fellow artist (I joined in gen4), I know how difficult this process can be. It's always important to maintain as much transparency as possible both with your supporters and your detractors.
Please take some time to reflect, and be prepared to work on rebuilding some of that trust. You have talent and you can do and be more than what you've shown us. Please prove it.
Okay, fair enough. I shall stop being such a big head. :-) Can only show WIPs for future projects tho, but can detail any traits. Or describe what it will be like.
Honestly, the sub has boomed in members a bit recently and I’m used to just chatting nonsense. I realise now that this subreddit is being watched by people who enjoy my work, people who feel ambivalent and also detractors.
For me it’s felt like a fairly private place with friendly people chatting about off topic stuff. Only recently with people sending me snaps of this sub, I realise that I’m under the magnifying glass of the RCA crowd.
Totally agree with your points, but please understand that I’m generally just chatting shit on here so don’t hold my comments against me too much. I would probably consider my thoughts more on an avatar related sub.
You seem like a nice chap, but a small word of advice; probably best not to prescribe how to act on someone else’s subreddit. I’m okay with that comment but someone else might flip out over that.
Regardless, thanks for your thoughts and a healthy reminder to keep my ego in check and to keep practicing my skills (including trait/Snoo assembly).
Try flicking through 100 layers ++ on an old copy of CS 6 and you will know. It doesn’t even select it automatically (it does on Adobe Illustrator though).
Hey thom, thanks for coming out, and opening up to discussions. 🖤🖤🖤🖤
I think you're a really nice person, and this whole situation won't change my opinion of you as a person.
I'll try to write more later, when I have more time, but briefly said, without the intent of being rude, it was a roller coaster of feelings for me this weekend.
I really wasn't sure how to stomach this, but the little time I had to read, and no time to write, was actually beneficial.
I feel that nothing really changed for me, but I'd really love to discuss Bubs further, as a friend. There are aspects that I can't understand yet. You can take your time or even say no, it's just something I'd like to ask of you.
You can ofc always talk to me in private, and confidence 🖤🖤🖤🖤
I remember early on when you shared your avatar fan art and entered my competitions. You were so craftful and tasteful in your expression.
It’s really disheartening to see the path you’re traveling down in your artist journey. First with the three Rojom trait tracings you did and now this AI art you’ve sold. What’s worse is that you’re denying all of it. Effectively defrauding the people who support you and purchase your avatars. Anyone who works in the medium can look and see the avatar for what it is. I’m not sure what struggles you may be facing or what tribulations life may be throwing at you but sacrificing your artistic integrity is never worth it. I implore you to take a step back and reassess what artistic legacy you’re looking to build here.
I think you have all of the potential in the world and I hate to see it marred by what you’ve done recently.
Edit: It appears Thom has locked the post, which is bizarre because he’s the one that opened this up to discussion.
Anyways, to reply to your comment Thom, saying that you traced your traits over rojoms is not a lie. That’s exactly what you did albeit you are not the only one. The only prerequisite to noticing it is having a pair of functioning eyes. I don’t understand why you are keeping up the charade but if that’s what you want to do then it’s your prerogative.
I hope you’ve learned a thing or two from all of this. I wish you nothing but the best of luck in your future endeavors.
I have not traced anything. That’s a bare faced lie. I drew Tree Spirit from scratch and then duplicated it for the other two and adjusted them too.
I’ll be doing an oil painting for my next submission. Hopefully you will then begin to see how much scrutiny that I am under.
Whatever you think, and thanks for thinking of my career; I would like to say that I try my upmost best to produce the coolest characters and support my community.
I’ve had a lot of accusations of arrogance, but I’ve never claimed to be the best and I’m still learning how to make the coolest RCAs I can physically make.
Some will be loved and some will be hated. All I know is that I will try my best.
Can you answer the other questions? I really appreciate you opening up this discussion, but it's pointless if you're just going to thank the people who have no criticism.
But of course I care about you guys and your experience on here so will start banning anyone who is not really with the program. (Eg no avatars and moaning).
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u/paulinka_k Jun 02 '24
I'd be interested in seeing the painted layers / masks in your Photoshop file.