Updates and Such

All,

Just a few updates for interested parties.

Commissions:  I've had a lot of people ask me about commissions, and I know I've told some of you that I'll be opening them back up in June, but this will not be the case.
 
Firstly, I'm just not motivated to do them at present (I haven't even finished my last batch).  Secondly, I've got a few personal projects that I want to finish up, including the Xenocryst Chronicles.  If I delay any more on these they'll never get done.  Period.  Thirdly, though my art skills have improved quite a bit since I first started doing commissions in 2010, they haven't improved as much as I would like.  In addition to writing, I plan on doing a series of art studies so that I can practice more complicated rendering techniques/lighting/poses/etc...  Hell, I might even give painting a go (have canvas and paints, need spark).  I've also been dabbling in junk/steampunkish jewelry (necklaces/earrings/etc...) and I will likely sell finished pieces here on DA (I'll notify you all when they become available).

If--or really, when--I reopen commissions, just know pricing will change.  Traditional art is a lot more demanding than digital, and I think that might be part of why I'm burning out.  A lot of people keep asking me for large, colored pieces (because they can get 'em cheap).  I like doing these from time to time, but by golly do they drain the 'ole motivation.  I'm still going to keep my lineart prices low...but anything with color is going to be anywhere between 25 and 50 % more expensive.  I will also, likely, switch to a waiting list system for commissions (rather than doing them in chunks).  More on this at another time.

Xenocryst Chronicles:  I have been making progress, albeit very, very, very slowly.   Adopts have saved me a LOT of design time, though I do plan on posting proper references and bios for each new character (there are nine of them).  I Still have to design two, completely new characters from scratch (Dragline and Upcast).  It'd be cool if I could create a new piece of art for each chapter, seeing as I couldn't for WaW.  I don't know if this is a reasonable goal; we'll have to see how things work out.

If you want a sneak peak of the characters (other than Crossarm), here's a few to get you started:
Adit (medic/seismologist/psychiatrist),    Polarizer (#2 in the image--bartender/seismologist/entertainer)
Surveyor (Communication and ground bridge expert/technician), Bulk Tank (blue), Buck Up (same appearance as Bulk Tank but with a green color scheme), and Box Thread (same appearance as Bulk Tank and Buck Up but with a yellow color scheme)--these mini-bots all turn into drill bits and combine with the team's lead geologist, Dragline, to form a mobile drilling platform.
  Highwall (#2 in the image--Scribe/technical support/energon accountant) Spec (captain of the Obsidian Sky/lead scientist/chemist)--this image is still rough; I'll probably change her face a little bit.

Contest:  I still want to have a contest...but I'm torn about what kind.  Ideas? 

Prax