She's Come Undone (pt2) and I'm not feeling too good myself

[red_satin_doll]

Voting is up NOW for otherworldlyric challenge 173. 10 fabulous entries and at least one or two Willow/Angel shippy icons. Nifty.

Entries for round 1 of btvsats20in20 are due June 4 but there are some fantastic entries in the meantime to enjoy. I am nearly done with my entries (and a little nervous about the quality because DAMN, there are some fantastic entries in this thing.)

I just have to chose favorite moment. And master the icon table template. And maybe redo another blending icon. Or settle for one of the ones I made today. How hard can that be, right?

And I am FREAKING OUT just a little.

I am also going blind.

Not literally but the moment when I stopped being able to see the little pixels on the screen clearly and my eyes are blurring from sitting here too long? I passed that exit 10 miles back, with no turnaround.

I thought I was going to have a hard time coming up with ideas for this. My problem is coming up with too damn many. Oy vey. I'm lovin' it btw but - break time, way past.

So while I step away - I asked kikimay the other day about posting some other variations of my Buffy/Come Undone artwork and she said she would be interested. I'm trying to convince myself that it's ok to show this stuff off and I won't get any better as an artist hiding my stuff in a dresser drawer, so to speak.  (But why do I still feel weird about it? Aside from the needing food and all that jazz...)

Comments

[debris4spike]

I am so, so pleased you have decided to enter ... can't wait to see your set.

Keeping my fingers crossed for you as you finish.

You are so right - there have been some great entries, haven't there?

[red-satin-doll.livejournal.com]

Aw, thanks hon, neither can I! I'll take your good wishes with me in my pocket.

I knew the blending one was going to be hard, and it has been. I think I have to let go and not expect all of them to be "perfect" but I don't want them to be uneven, you know?

Did you see today's Spuffy entries btw? I wish I knew how to get that richness of blacks, or that delicacy of text that small.

[debris4spike]

Yes, I had a tough day today with my virus kicking in again, and at work - so it was lovely to get home to see some Spuffyness!

GIMP has a "Colour Curves" slide that I find will increase the black ... by dropping the "line" down it darkens ... especially if done on the (for GIMP) left of the scale.

[red-satin-doll.livejournal.com]

Ipiccy has a curves tool as well but I never understood the use of it. thank you for the tip, I'll play with that! Because I've tried increasing contrast etc and it doesn't give me the richness that I love.

Your icon is wonderful btw - fantastic and unusual crop! And the detail is so fine, I can feel the softness of Buffy's cheek. How do you get that level of high quality detail?

[zodiac-sign.livejournal.com]

That eye thing sucks, doesn't it? I always get that when I've read to much fic :P

[red-satin-doll.livejournal.com]

Oh god, that too! I think I can go a few hours longer with fic though - all night on several occasions. Whereas making icons? HOLY SWEET POTATOES THE PIXELS.

I used to not know how to do anything about it so I was rather cheerful about the crudeness of my art. Now? Not so much.

[zodiac-sign.livejournal.com]

Be happy you have good eyes then :P I wear glasses but I still can't read in the dark without the letters becoming very tiny.

[red-satin-doll.livejournal.com]

Oh honey I've been wearing glasses for everything near and far since I was in the third grade, at least. Now I have to take them off to read and hold the book close to my face - time to get new glasses.

I still can't read in the dark without the letters becoming very tiny.

Didn't your mama warn you about reading in the dark? *lol*

[zodiac-sign.livejournal.com]

No. Is this common knowledge? :P

[red-satin-doll.livejournal.com]

Is this common knowledge?

*lol*

My mom constantly scolded me for reading in the dark - you know, late at night, in the closet with a flashlight, the way one does when they're supposed to be in bed. Now that I'm older, I need lots of light to be able to read. Mama knew best.

[velvetwhip.livejournal.com]

I love this softer variant! You definitely need to keep showing us your work.


Gabrielle

[red-satin-doll.livejournal.com]

*BLUSHES* Thank you so much!

And I'll consider this a marching order from one of the Goddesses.

BTW - did you see the OWL icon entries? I saw the willow/angel icon #1 and thought "Gabrielle is making icons!...Oh, wait, it's probably someone else...." *lol*

[kikimay]

You should stay less at the computer! XD I understand it because my eyes hurt when I read too much fanfics.

Also the art is gorgeous. I love the colours, the sepia and the yellow/greenish. It feels like an old photograph and very Red_satin_doll-esque. But I have to say that I like the fact the the other image, the one with primary colours, has blurred lines between the colours. I love that particular.

[red-satin-doll.livejournal.com]

You should stay less at the computer!

I know, Mama, you're right. I just can't seem to help myself! *lol*

It feels like an old photograph and very Red_satin_doll-esque

That is huge compliment, thank you! That was very much my "style" when I did moulin rouge icons ten years ago but it's taking time for me to find my footing with buffyverse imagery. moulin rouge was very visual, very stylized, so that gave me a head start; btvs is more realistic, flatter, dimmer, etc.

the one with primary colours, has blurred lines between the colours. I love that particular.

So do I. I wanted to be able to merge images with no visible line. I haven't figured out how to do it yet, so with primary colors I figured out a way to just cheat and cover it up with color and text. I don't think I could do it with this image, it's too delicate.

Eventually I'll figure out blending.

the more I'm able to do the more I want to be able to do!

[kikimay]

I also use the laptop too much so I understand. Lately I'm stuck with translations, I'm kinda loving it. Also I really like your works and like when you post them so I hope you don't stop really. I'm selfish! XD

[red-satin-doll.livejournal.com]

Keep feeding me with hugs and strokes like this, and I'll never stop. I'm incorrigible!

[snogged.livejournal.com]

I'm excited for you and wish you luck with the 20in20 challenge.

Really love the variation on She's Come Undone. It's so soft and pretty.

[red-satin-doll.livejournal.com]

Aw, thank you sweetie - on both counts! I think these two versions represent my preferred color tones - either dark, rich blacks and jewel tones, or watercolor "old tea" coloring.

It's funny I'm not worried about winning anything in the 20in20 - it is an icontest, isn't it? I'm more wanting to just be half as good as some of the other things I'm seeing.

[eilowyn.livejournal.com]

the moment when I stopped being able to see the little pixels on the screen clearly and my eyes are blurring from sitting here too long? I passed that exit 10 miles back, with no turnaround.

This is a common occurrence in my life.

And I really like the muted colors of this.

And I'm working on making you a ~proper Buffy fan mix. So that's on its way.

[red-satin-doll.livejournal.com]

Thanks sweetie!

And I'm working on making you a ~proper Buffy fan mix. So that's on its way.

*SQUEES*

My friend Kendra who I told you about saw the post with my previous artwork and read your comment - she's been a huge fan of The Nationals for years. the two of you are my primary sources for new music, tv shows, etc.

(Should I still be asking you about your homework btw? Just wondering.)

[eilowyn.livejournal.com]

Homework is technically done. I'm re-taking ASL 101 and finding it so much better this time around, so I'm expecting an A to balance out my grade.

Unfortunately my research program is very, very disappointed in my grades, and I'm on probation even though I just got that extremely prestigious scholarship. They also know I have an incomplete in human sexuality that I need to finish this summer, but the professor for the class hasn't returned my emails (I'm giving him until tomorrow, then I'm calling the number of his Marriage and Family Therapy practice). So there are clouds hanging over my head.

But yes! I'm making you a Buffy fanmix! With artwork!

[red-satin-doll.livejournal.com]

but the professor for the class hasn't returned my emails (I'm giving him until tomorrow, then I'm calling the number of his Marriage and Family Therapy practice). So there are clouds hanging over my head.

Have you heard from him yet?

But yes! I'm making you a Buffy fanmix! With artwork!

And I KNOW I'm going to love it and it will be worth the wait (and yes, I can wait. let's banish those dark clouds first/ BTW- the shit you're dealing with in school, everyone does.)

Sunday, June 1 - Tuesday, June 3

[livejournal.livejournal.com]

User rahirah referenced to your post from Sunday, June 1 - Tuesday, June 3 (http://su-herald.livejournal.com/726684.html) saying: [...] She's Come Undone (pt2) [...]

[spikesredqueen.livejournal.com]

I am so glad you entered! When I did my first round at a 20in20, I was incredibly nervous! I still get nervous when entering but only slightly so now. I am really looking forward to seeing your entries!

[red-satin-doll.livejournal.com]

Oh good, so it's not just me! Because I am honestly as nervous as heck. That's comforting.

I'm putting the post together but I'm still deciding the AC set, and I'm having trouble with the icon template. Would you mind if I ask you tomorrow for some hand-holding? I'm using the html codes bangel_4ev sent me, and when I hit preview I can see the icons but not in proper boxes with the theme catagories listed; I wonder if she sent me the wrong code.

[spikesredqueen.livejournal.com]

I will be more than happy to help in any way that I can! *hugs*