MichelleBurnette

I have been doing several commissions through Gaia online lately with some success, and I wanted to open those up to watchers here on DA. I am not really ready to accept cash payments for artwork, so I am doing art in exchange for Gaia-stuff. If you have old accounts that have fallen into disuse; NOW IS THE TIME!

I will do commissions in exchange for items. I am open and flexible to what you would like, whether digital or copic/markers; semi-real or chibi style... Give me an offer and we can work things out.

Its been some many months since I have sent out an update; so I apologize to any faithful followers that I have left.

Now for the updates!

September '09: I got married! I have a new last name and have debated changing my DeviantArt page to reflect it. However, I couldn't think of anything that I liked besides my actual new name... and even then I wasn't sure if I wanted to leave my whole watch and watchers list behind! (and managing two accounts might be a pain...) So I renewed my subscription under this name, and I have a year to decide if I should change. (thoughts and opinions welcome!)
Anyway... the whole getting married/planning a wedding pretty much consumed 2009, so I apologize for the lack of updates and responses.

Christmas brought new love into my life:

www.wacom.com/intuos/medium.ph…

Yes, a new new new new tablet. Such a wonderful and unexpected gift for me under my inlaws' tree. It is magical in all the right places. Given that, I have a spare tablet that I don't quite know what to do with. I'm actually not certain on its condition; I updated to Snow Leopard (OS 10.6) and it started not working properly. I am not sure whether it was dying or if it just needed an updated driver. Friends and relatives get first dibs if you want my old tablet, but no guarantees that it is in primo condition.

And speaking of Christmas, my hubby got me some more RAM for my laptop which has greatly excelled my Photoshop power. It loads and saves much more readily and I highly recommend such an upgrade to those struggling to load PS.

I don't like to get too personal or detailed with journals on the internet, but I'll give an interest-update.

Currently Reading:
(Well, just finished...)All of the Twilight novels. Took me a week. Not too bad, I see the appeal, though not as rich and dark as Rice's work; but certainly a bit more family-friendly. I never bothered to pick teams, but that is probably because I didn't have to wait and dream in between the novels.

Currently Watching:
Glee, The Office, House, 30 Rock. Yes, I am watching network sitcoms. Chalk this up to not having cable, or caring too much about TV in general. I think I watch Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune the most, really. (But I'd rather not get too suckered into television...) Also, been going through our copies of Northern Exposure, we are into Season Five. (only one left to go!) A really charming show. If you are into watching shows off of a DVD, its a cute one. Fish-out-of-water character-driven comedy with lots of sexual tension, witty scripting, and bad early-90's neckties.

Currently Drawing:
Exploring commissions. You may see some random stuff pop up from me, as I have been taking some very very cheap/free commissions from users on Gaia in my bribe shop. Let me know if you are interested.

Okay, I think that's about it. Hope you are all doing well, and have a fabulous year of the tiger!

Results came out this morning and I wasn't one of the 32 selected to join the tournament. I'm pretty bummed out, and I'm reflecting upon mistakes that I made in crafting my character and my audition.

Faults:

Lack of an exciting audition- my character joined willingly, and thus my audition had no action or real excitement.

Brevity. Only few pages for an audition, not much of an introduction. I was relying on my character sheet to do a lot of the explanation of my character, instead of letting my panels tell the story instead.

Inconsistency in design... my art style is still not consistent, and my character had several costume changes.

Simplicity in design. I tried for a more natural, easy to replicate character, and may have made her too generic, and forgettable... Maybe next time try something more colorful.


I really enjoyed the process and the chance to start to really consider story-telling and comic artwork. There is a lot more to it than I thought! I needed the practice, and I know I could still use a lot of work an improvement.



I would really appreciate it if you could take the time and give me a critique of my comic-character. What worked, what didn't... I would like to improve!

flow-timing
readability
mood
artwork
writing
interest
creativity
varied panels
backgrounds
character background
character design


any other suggestions.

I can share-swap critiques if you like.

thanks!

Hello watchers, friends and passerbys...

Thank you for over 20k views to my gallery, for checking out and commenting on my artwork, and for keeping me busy during downtimes at the office.

I tried my luck at entering an OCT, wish me luck! It was fun to start thinking about story-telling and paneling a bit. I need lots of work, but I am thankful for the opportunity to practice. Your suggestions on ways to improve timing/pacing and keeping it interesting would be much appreciated...

I have that persistent bug that has been going around, and have been coughing for a few weeks now. I'm grateful to have some indoor activities to keep me busy!

I am working on a art trade currently; you know who you are. Sorry for the delay in getting it out and finished. My computer ate the file, but it still will show me the preview, which has been a bit haunting. I keep thinking that I can retrieve the old file.

Even with the OCT, I feel I have been in a bit of a slump. Uninspired, as it were. If you have anything encouraging to share, I'd love to hear it.

Happy Spring, I hope the weather is perking up for you, wherever you are.

~MB~

Ah! My subscription ran out! I have been totally caught off-guard. I suppose I will see what it is like without one now.

In other business; sorry for the lack of updating. I haven't felt like touching photoshop in a few weeks (See loads of copic submissions...) and now I have an extra project that will probably consume my time. Hope the garishly colored portraits haven't been too much of a turn-off.

Hopefully I'll be back in the swing of things around here soon.

Take care,

Michelle