What Art Project Are You Working On Right Now?

[Maedhros_Nelyafinwë]

This is such beautiful artwork, I hope to hear more about the fan fiction it inspires!

Thank you so much! You can see the finished artwork, and another illustration, here:

Thread 'Illustrations from Ill Chances and Strange Fates' https://thetolkien.forum/threads/illustrations-from-ill-chances-and-strange-fates.32263/

And you can read the fic itself here: (there are only 4 chapters up right now but I have 13 written so far, and I will begin to post the others after I finish the current story arc).

Thread 'Ill Chances and Strange Fates' https://thetolkien.forum/threads/ill-chances-and-strange-fates.32285/

I am curious as to the application you are using to create this, as I have been looking to ameliorate my digital art skills as well. In my art, I mostly do a mixture of landscapes and characters on water colour or pencil and add colour, that then inspire short stories and songs. I haven’t been able to pick this up in a while but would love to do more; this forum is really inspiring!

I use ibisPaint for my digital art. I'm fairly new to digital art, as I've mostly done traditional art for my whole life. There are lots of good video tutorials for ibisPaint out there. In my digital art journey, I've found it helpful to try the techniques from those tutorial videos, play around with different layer modes so I can understand what they do, trace over photos I like, and try to imitate other digital art I like.

If you create any artwork or stories, please feel free to share them on the forum! We'd love to see them.

 

[aiwendil_m]

Thank you so much! You can see the finished artwork, and another illustration, here:

Thread 'Illustrations from Ill Chances and Strange Fates' https://thetolkien.forum/threads/illustrations-from-ill-chances-and-strange-fates.32263/

And you can read the fic itself here: (there are only 4 chapters up right now but I have 13 written so far, and I will begin to post the others after I finish the current story arc).

Thread 'Ill Chances and Strange Fates' https://thetolkien.forum/threads/ill-chances-and-strange-fates.32285/



I use ibisPaint for my digital art. I'm fairly new to digital art, as I've mostly done traditional art for my whole life. There are lots of good video tutorials for ibisPaint out there. In my digital art journey, I've found it helpful to try the techniques from those tutorial videos, play around with different layer modes so I can understand what they do, trace over photos I like, and try to imitate other digital art I like.

If you create any artwork or stories, please feel free to share them on the forum! We'd love to see them.

Thank you so much for sharing the link, the artwork is super cool! That’s some serious talent being able to layer colors and textures so cohesively. Definitely will be reading your work in my downtime tonight too!

Ahh yes! ibisPaint sounds familiar, I will look into it now, I really appreciate your recommendation. That’s completely fair, I have mostly just done traditional too, digital seemed very intimidating!

 

[Maedhros_Nelyafinwë]

Thank you so much for sharing the link, the artwork is super cool! That’s some serious talent being able to layer colors and textures so cohesively. Definitely will be reading your work in my downtime tonight too!

Ahh yes! ibisPaint sounds familiar, I will look into it now, I really appreciate your recommendation. That’s completely fair, I have mostly just done traditional too, digital seemed very intimidating!

Thank you so much, and yeah, ibisPaint is pretty great in my experience. It's free, and you can use all the brushes if you watch ads. It has most of the same features as Photoshop or Procreate. Their customer support people are super nice, too. One time I had a corrupted drawing and they restored it for me. I'd actually like to get the paid version because it's pretty cheap, like 3 bucks a month.

If you read IC&SF, be sure to let me know what you think! I'm always excited to get a new reader. And that fic is very dear to my heart.

 

[aiwendil_m]

Thank you so much, and yeah, ibisPaint is pretty great in my experience. It's free, and you can use all the brushes if you watch ads. It has most of the same features as Photoshop or Procreate. Their customer support people are super nice, too. One time I had a corrupted drawing and they restored it for me. I'd actually like to get the paid version because it's pretty cheap, like 3 bucks a month.

If you read IC&SF, be sure to let me know what you think! I'm always excited to get a new reader. And that fic is very dear to my heart.

We love a free creative tool, I still use my student email to get discounts and free applications when I can haha- adobe creative cloud as an example or coding software. 3 bucks is not horrible, it sounds like you would get a good use out of it! I absolutely will do; I am excited to read it, thank you for sharing your work!

 

[Ent]

hhmmm.... one must wonder if we're going to see another addition to our writing thread in @aiwendil_m too, yes?
and perhaps another add to the 'youth group', who knows.

we appreciate your participation, youngling... (of course, to me, just about everybody is young.)

 

[Halasían]

What Art Project Are You Working On Right Now?

What art project am I working on right now? Well, the neighbour's back fence is worse for wear with rotting cross-timbers. It suffered from a recent windstorm and part of it blew over. The 80+ year old lady doesn't have the means to replace it. So, my efforts and use of old scrap timber from my tearing down a chicken coop and replacing a wood plank deck with a paved deck, the fence is definitely a project, and is turning out to be a bit of an art project as well.

😆

 

[Laurë]

I am back just a few days later with another wip of the same painting!

My schedule this semester makes it so I can paint everyday, instead of every other day, which means I'm speeding through the process much faster. I'm hoping to get this one done by next week.

Obviously there are some rough patches I still need to define, but for the most part I've got the base colors down everywhere. You can see how I ended up layering over all that red from the other picture.

 

[Maedhros_Nelyafinwë]

I am back just a few days later with another wip of the same painting!
View attachment 39951
My schedule this semester makes it so I can paint everyday, instead of every other day, which means I'm speeding through the process much faster. I'm hoping to get this one done by next week.

Obviously there are some rough patches I still need to define, but for the most part I've got the base colors down everywhere. You can see how I ended up layering over all that red from the other picture.

I suck so bad at landscapes, so I'm impressed!

 

[Ashley]

I recently got a bookmark embroidery set, so I'll be trying that soon. This sort of thing has always seemed interesting to me, but this'll be the first time I actually do it, so it should be pretty fun but maybe also a bit confusing.

 

[Laurë]

I suck so bad at landscapes, so I'm impressed!

Thanks!

You know, landscapes used to really intimidate me, and in my personal art I almost always draw characters.

But in my AP art class the teacher insists that our work is as original as possible because it makes it easier to get into shows and competitions. This means that the all the references pictures I need for a painting, I have to take myself! I'm too shy to ask people at my school if I can take pictures of them, so I end up taking pictures of landscapes instead 😅. It's kind of funny how I've ended up drawing/painting things so far out of my norm because of that. It's definitely made them easier to tackle overtime, slowly you begin to realize that most landscapes are just made up of bigger and smaller colored blobs.

This painting is based on some pictures I took while hiking last summer. Crossing that bridge was actually kinda scary because while it sort of looks like a full bridge from this angle, it's actually just one log with one railing nailed to one side! The stream had overtaken the hiking path in several places, and I think this may have been a solution from some of the rangers in the area.

 

[Finwë]

A bookmark my sister (Eowyn13) made me today:

 

[Maedhros_Nelyafinwë]

The one and only Snotlord himself! Lord Snottington of Doriath! If you know him, you know him. 😏

Having found myself with an unfortunate amount of free time (due to getting the flu and having to cancel my trip to Florida 💀) I was in the mood to start a silly comic-style drawing. Maedhros' caption isn't in there yet because I haven't worked out the exact wording, but he's basically going to gaslight Snottington and be like, "Wow, what's next, a ginger joke? A joke about my hand? What is the matter with you?" And the joke will be more obvious when it's colored because he will be obviously pale. Hence the gaslighting.

In my imagination, occasionally Maedhros as Lord of Himring has to deal with a snotlord from Doriath because trade routes or whatever other political reasons. I also have ideas for a much-later part in my fanfic where some disgruntled person tries to assassinate Maedhros via poison. This occurs at a rather inconvenient time when he's in Super Important negotiations regarding like, keeping Himring fed during a famine. Raiwen (or Aranya, my healer OC) is working round the clock to figure out what the poison and its antidote is, but in the meantime, the negotiations are too important, so Maedhros has to tough it out despite feeling crummy. And he has a long history of gaslighting Lord Snottington whenever he thinks he's discovered some flaw or weakness on Maedhros' part. But, for whatever reasons, they are both forced to deal with each other from time to time.

 

[Server Room Gremlin]

Lol, Lord Snottington's expression is hilarious. It really helps give a tone of voice to the caption beside him. 😂

Also, I really like Maedhros' face. I don't think I've ever seen you draw him facing us directly before. 🤔 Normally he's looking at something/someone else off to the side. Regardless, he looks good. 👌 Very determined.

 

[Server Room Gremlin]

Lol, Lord Snottington's expression is hilarious.

I just had a thought. What if he's Saeros' brother or something? The snotty lords of Doriath are related!

 

[Maedhros_Nelyafinwë]

Lol, Lord Snottington's expression is hilarious. It really helps give a tone of voice to the caption beside him.

Imagine a very snide, nasally voice and there you go! And yeah, I drew up Snottington's face with a few quick strokes. It was very vivid in my head!

Also, I really like Maedhros' face. I don't think I've ever seen you draw him facing us directly before. 🤔 Normally he's looking at something/someone else off to the side. Regardless, he looks good. 👌 Very determined.

Thank you! Yeah, you're right, I've drawn him straight on before, but not making direct eye contact. My goal here was for him to look intimidating and a little unsettling. He has 100% HAD IT.

Also, I believe when I first imagined this scenario, he also finds some way to gaslight Snottington out of being offended by Maedhros remaining seated when technically he ought to be standing.

It's gonna be super entertaining to write! But it will be quiiiiite a while before we get to the Himring era in IC&SF. Ah well, all the more time I get to spend crafting the scenario in my mind!

I just had a thought. What if he's Saeros' brother or something? The snotty lords of Doriath are related!

Dude YOU'RE SO RIGHT! Saeros making that comment to Turin is exactly a Snottington move! Very good idea, thank you for your contribution!

 

[Server Room Gremlin]

It's gonna be super entertaining to write! But it will be quiiiiite a while before we get to the Himring era in IC&SF. Ah well, all the more time I get to spend crafting the scenario in my mind!

This was me with Chapter 9 of TWC (aftermath of the Unnumbered Tears).
I had so many ideas for it, and wrote a lot of notes, but it was a long time before I actually got to writing that part (and then it made me anxious because I wanted to do justice to my ideas). 🫠 😅

 

[Laurë]

The one and only Snotlord himself! Lord Snottington of Doriath! If you know him, you know him. 😏
View attachment 40397
Having found myself with an unfortunate amount of free time (due to getting the flu and having to cancel my trip to Florida 💀) I was in the mood to start a silly comic-style drawing. Maedhros' caption isn't in there yet because I haven't worked out the exact wording, but he's basically going to gaslight Snottington and be like, "Wow, what's next, a ginger joke? A joke about my hand? What is the matter with you?" And the joke will be more obvious when it's colored because he will be obviously pale. Hence the gaslighting.

In my imagination, occasionally Maedhros as Lord of Himring has to deal with a snotlord from Doriath because trade routes or whatever other political reasons. I also have ideas for a much-later part in my fanfic where some disgruntled person tries to assassinate Maedhros via poison. This occurs at a rather inconvenient time when he's in Super Important negotiations regarding like, keeping Himring fed during a famine. Raiwen (or Aranya, my healer OC) is working round the clock to figure out what the poison and its antidote is, but in the meantime, the negotiations are too important, so Maedhros has to tough it out despite feeling crummy. And he has a long history of gaslighting Lord Snottington whenever he thinks he's discovered some flaw or weakness on Maedhros' part. But, for whatever reasons, they are both forced to deal with each other from time to time.

Oh his face is perfect!! Everything one might expect someone called Stonington to look like 😂

And I agree with Curvo, Maedhros' face in this one is very nice too!

 

[Fingon_Findekáno]

The one and only Snotlord himself! Lord Snottington of Doriath! If you know him, you know him. 😏
View attachment 40397
Having found myself with an unfortunate amount of free time (due to getting the flu and having to cancel my trip to Florida 💀) I was in the mood to start a silly comic-style drawing. Maedhros' caption isn't in there yet because I haven't worked out the exact wording, but he's basically going to gaslight Snottington and be like, "Wow, what's next, a ginger joke? A joke about my hand? What is the matter with you?" And the joke will be more obvious when it's colored because he will be obviously pale. Hence the gaslighting.

In my imagination, occasionally Maedhros as Lord of Himring has to deal with a snotlord from Doriath because trade routes or whatever other political reasons. I also have ideas for a much-later part in my fanfic where some disgruntled person tries to assassinate Maedhros via poison. This occurs at a rather inconvenient time when he's in Super Important negotiations regarding like, keeping Himring fed during a famine. Raiwen (or Aranya, my healer OC) is working round the clock to figure out what the poison and its antidote is, but in the meantime, the negotiations are too important, so Maedhros has to tough it out despite feeling crummy. And he has a long history of gaslighting Lord Snottington whenever he thinks he's discovered some flaw or weakness on Maedhros' part. But, for whatever reasons, they are both forced to deal with each other from time to time.

Hehehe, Lord Snottington looks very snotty indeed! 😂 The haughtiness simply oozes from his expression and posture, no matter what “polite” words of concern he may say. I think the way you drew his eyes lends itself towards it.

And, hello, Mr. Very-Much Done Well-Formed One! You did a very nice job drawing Maitimo’s face as he directly stares at this rude lord, preparing to throw the towel back with a snap (if you understand what I mean). I can just hear his voice sounding deadpan, with a hint of annoyance, as he retorts back as a method of staying in control of the situation. It’s a form of defense while psychologically messing with your opponent, which he gets plenty of practice with when dealing with this irritating snotlord. It’s one thing when he’s typically hale during their meetings, but it’ll be a whole ‘nother story when he’s been poisoned and has to act like he’s fine. Hence, cue the gaslighting. 😂

(I almost want to see a bonus third panel with either Curvo or Tiny Ghost adding to the pressure from the background and making Snottington even more uncomfortable once Maitimo has dealt with him. 🤣)

Physically, I also note how large his frame is with his broad shoulders and muscles, and the more direct view of his scars. I think this is the first time I’ve seen you show the scarring around his neck, and maybe the two on the left side of his face (when he’s not skeletal).

I can’t wait to see this in color! 😃

 

[Maedhros_Nelyafinwë]

I think the way you drew his eyes lends itself towards it.

The eyes for sure, but also the upturned nose, quicker eyebrows, and thin pouting lips are major contributors!

You did a very nice job drawing Maitimo’s face as he directly stares at this rude lord, preparing to throw the towel back with a snap (if you understand what I mean).

Thank you! Snottington's gonna regret his prying for sure. (He's absolutely one of those types to go, "I don't mean to pry, buuuuut..." When he absolutely means to pry.)

(I almost want to see a bonus third panel with either Curvo or Tiny Ghost adding to the pressure from the background and making Snottington even more uncomfortable once Maitimo has dealt with him. 🤣)

Ah, but what need is there for that when Servo already drew it so nicely?

Physically, I also note how large his frame is with his broad shoulders and muscles,

Lol, it looks even better now because I made some symmetry adjustments yesterday, since his figure was kind of shifting towards the right. With the symmetry came improvements. 😏

I wanted him to look broad shouldered and powerful especially in comparison to the weak frame of Snottington.

I think this is the first time I’ve seen you show the scarring around his neck, and maybe the two on the left side of his face (when he’s not skeletal).

Yeah, I realized he should have a scar around his neck due to being chained there in Angband...

 

[Fingon_Findekáno]

The eyes for sure, but also the upturned nose, quicker eyebrows, and thin pouting lips are major contributors!

Oh absolutely! I was going to mention those too originally, but then only mentioned the eyes because they were a slightly different style than the eyes you usually draw. His whole expression was spot-on, though!

Thank you! Snottington's gonna regret his prying for sure. (He's absolutely one of those types to go, "I don't mean to pry, buuuuut..." When he absolutely means to pry.)

You’d think he’d learn his lesson after so many times, but nooooo. His nosy nature won’t allow that. 😅 What does he think is going to happen? Maedhros is going to admit a weakness and open up to him, or thank him for pointing a possibly unknown detail out? NO!

Snottington would make a very poor spy. 😂

Ah, but what need is there for that when Servo already drew it so nicely?

True. Curvo did a perfect job there! 😂

Lol, it looks even better now because I made some symmetry adjustments yesterday, since his figure was kind of shifting towards the right. With the symmetry came improvements. 😏

I wanted him to look broad shouldered and powerful especially in comparison to the weak frame of Snottington.

👀

He’s definitely more imposing in size compared to Snotty here! Snottington may think he’s ever so observant by pointing all these things out to Maedhros, but he honestly has nothing on him. Maedhros is too brilliant and well-built for his level of “intelligence.”

Yeah, I realized he should have a scar around his neck due to being chained there in Angband...

🥺