Comment or note for details! I'll have a pricing chart up in a few days

One more night and then I'm done with this long-standing commission and I can get back to work on Djinnborn! Stay tuned for some more blue, green, gold, and purple people!

Cross-posted from my Google+

I have read recently that some professional artists and creatives discourage the use of music and background noise when drawing. They say your brain isn't capable of concentrating on music and what you're working on at the same time. They say they've taken away music privileges from many artists and those artists have found their productivity increases.

What do you think?

Personally, I think that's nonsense. My entire life says that's a load of wash. It might apply to some people, those naturally good at focusing on their work. But there is _no_ way in hell it applies to every creative everywhere.

I am an artist and I am diagnosed with ADHD. I find myself _more_ easily distracted if I don't have the background noise, whether it's music, TV, or just ambient office noise. I _need_ it to satisfy my brain's craving for stimulation.

My thoughts often feel like they run a million miles a minute. This is common for people with ADHD. Even when I'm on my medication, I still sometimes feel like my brain hit cruise control at the fastest possible speed and forgot where the brake pedal is. It often feels like my brain is partitioned, with part of it trying to focus on what I know I need to do and the other part running off every which way seeking something more exciting. This causes all kinds of problems, and one of the greatest problems is a complete lack of productivity.

If I don't have the music or the TV going, I find I am _much much_ more likely to randomly click around the website, refresh the same forums to see if anything new has happened, and get nothing productive accomplished because I can't focus my conscious thoughts on a single task long enough to do it. I can't even read a book if it's quiet. I can't even do things I _want_ to do most of the time if I don't have another stimulus. Sometimes it leads me to cause problems just so that my brain is stimulated. Sometimes I get downright listless. The ennui sets in and I just stare blankly. It's like brain overload. My thoughts are such a jumbled mess that I can't even force myself to pick up the pencil and draw.

Even writing this post without much background noise was a real challenge.

Background noise helps satisfy the need for something "more exciting." Music, a television show, or the sounds of chatter and noise gives that other part of my brain something to latch onto so it's _not_ running around all over. When that part of my brain's satisfied, it's so much easier to buckle down and get things done.

I know background music doesn't work for everyone. I know this comment doesn't apply to everyone. Not everyone has ADHD, and not everyone with it deals with the matter the same way.

But I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts about the use of background noise and its effects on creativity.

Just a reminder that the Sketchy Crowd is still open and accepting artists of all styles and skill levels! Whether you're just starting out or you've been drawing for years, the Sketchy Crowd is for you as long as you want to have fun with your art!

If you want to join, send me a note with your e-mail address and the username you'd like to use and I'll get you set up! Don't be shy!

If you are not an artist, or if you like what we do, please help us out by spreading the word! And don't be afraid to stop over and say hello to all the artists at work over there!

If you live in the U.S.A., I encourage you to contact your legislators and ask them to vote NO on SOPA/PIPA! If you don't know who they are or how to contact them, Wikipedia can let you know. They are blacked out today but you can put in your zip code and find out who you need to get in touch with. This blackout is a good example of what the Internet could end up like if these horrible bills are passed!

When you contact your legislators, please remember to be insistent, but polite. Don't use harsh language and don't let your emotions get in the way of the real point. Be clear, be concise, let them know you really mean business, but do so in a way that is not going to turn them off. Even the best of intentions can be ruined if the delivery is not executed well

If you are not in the U.S.A., I don't know how you can protest, but I encourage you to if you have a venue available! As you may already know from today alone, these bills have the potential to affect the entire Internet! Can you imagine where we'd all be if deviantART and other art communities were forcibly removed? These sites could be targeted because of how much fan art is on them.

These bills violate everyone's rights, not just Americans'. Unfortunately, the people that make laws in the U.S.A. often think they're in a position to regulate the entire world. We need to let them know we're not going to stand for this kind of censorship against free expression. You, me, and everyone else in this world should have the right to express themselves through art, so please make sure the U.S. government knows this!

Thank you!

EDIT: Thanks to *NinjaKitty--x for providing a link where non-US citizens can sign a protest petition. Go here and help fight this destructive and horrible law! [link]

Some Twitter friends and I started a blog called the Sketchy Crowd! Our goal is to do a sketch (almost) every day, post it up, share and collaborate with each other. Most of us are webcomic artists and are actively seeking to get better!

We just opened today but about 9 people have already gotten involved!

Take a look! We're a bunch of sketchy people doing sketchy things

Okay, so 1,234 came, went, and flew by thanks to the Geekologie feature. Now that my page views have slowed down, I'll set up a new number.

Whoever lands on view number 1,600 or gets closest to it, I'll draw you any Djinnborn-themed picture you want as a prize It can even be yourself or a character of yours as a Djinnborn.

Check it out! I'm on Geekologie!

[link]

Check out my Jolly Roger Koopas Zazzle shop! Right now, there's just shirts, but by the end of the day I should have prints and posters for sale, too! Soon you'll be able to show off your favorite Jolly Roger Koopa!!

Also, nobody's claimed my 1,234 and I'm a little saddened!

I'll offer the prize Djinnborn sketch to the first person that claims it, starting...NOW!

If you don't know what Djinnborn is, check this gallery and this gallery for more details!

As of writing this journal, I am at 1,206 views! Just a reminder whoever gets 1,234 (or closest to it) can request a Djinnborn-themed drawing from me and will get to choose the next prize number!

Good luck!

Did someone get a month subscription for me? I noticed today it says I have 2 months. I pay my subs monthly and I haven't been billed yet for next month. However, my little membership box doesn't say someone bought me something. If someone did, thank you! If not, consider this the mad ramblings of an artist who's lost his mind

Here's a reminder that whoever hits 1,234 (or closest once I've passed it) will get a Djinnborn-themed drawing from me! That person will also get to pick the next prize number, at least 100 views past whatever number they land on. Good luck!

I'll draw a Djinnborn-themed picture for whoever hits 1,234 page views (or closest to once I pass it). Keep your eyes peeled!

I hope you do because I have five nude Aremite men and five nude Aremite women that I need to post here soon.

The downside is that they're not at all erotic or suggestive. They're just figure studies. But hey, NAKED! So I'm gonna get those posted over the next few days. I have big plans for Djinnborn-related stuff! Expect to see a lot of Aremites, dressed and undressed, in the near future. Once that's done, I'll move on to another race.

I've got another Walking Shadows poker card coming soon, too. Aaaaaaand some commission work that I will be posting here. It'll be excellent.

Also, congratulations to *Rinkara for getting my 1,000 mark! Actually, she hit 1,005, but hey, close enough! She has asked for hot manservice for her picture, so expect that soon.

Not sure when the next one will be. I'll just announce it when I feel a good number coming up.

Stay tuned and thanks for watching!

So I'm almost to 1,000 views! Only 50 more to go! Whoever gets the 1,000 mark (or hits closest after I pass it) will be entitled to a Djinnborn-themed sketch of their choice!

Good luck and don't miss it!

Time for some Important Announcements!

30 Characters is over halfway finished and I've been keeping up with it the whole time! Woo! Expect a roundup once the month ends!

I'm fine-tuning the Random Djinnborn Character Generator I am using to create some of my unplanned concepts. Once this detailing work is finished, I will post the generator and you guys can have fun with it! I will probably continue tweaking its script and presentation after release so it looks nicer and presents more accurate information.

I'm (slowly) redesigning the Djinnborn website. Since it's going to be the location of Djinnborn, I want to prepare a theme and start branding now. It'll be one less thing I have to worry about when I'm ready to launch. Right now, 30 Characters is taking up most of my free time. I will break down and admit Skyrim is taking up most of the rest. Once November finishes, I will develop other Djinnborn designs, including the website.

Thanks to 30 Characters, I've created 18 characters (so far) and have at least 12 more on the way. These characters have helped me come up with rough ideas for visual designs and cultural ideas for the different races. I haven't been able to provide much context for all these characters, though. I make an effort in each entry, but I am feeling a stronger need to develop something more substantial.

Therefore, once November is over, my next big Djinnborn art project (aside from the website) is to create visual profiles for each of the five races. These will serve as reference sheets and (highly) condensed cultural encyclopedias. I want these to be visual guides to the cultures and races. I plan to explore their anatomies, their clothing, their architecture, and some other aspects of their beings and their cultures.

In addition, I've just installed a DjinnWiki that will be the official setting Bible. This world is getting pretty big in my head and it will help me and my readers if I keep a central location for all that information — a place I can refer to when I need to remember something, and a place readers can browse if they have questions about the setting. Right now there's nothing there (I literally just installed it today) but I hope to have some content posted soon. I will announce when this is all ready.

It's silly, but I also plan to make a little online test. "What Djinnborn race are you?" or something like that. Hopefully, people will find it a fun little addition to the comic.

Finally, I am planning to start drawing Djinnborn after the start of the year. I won't be posting it yet, but I'll be working on it. My goal is to finish all of Chapter 1 and release pages daily until Chapter 1 is complete. After that, I will settle into slower schedule, most likely twice a week. I'm not sure yet how many pages Chapter 1 will be. I have it outlined but not completely scripted. That will determine how long before I launch. With a little luck, I will have everything up and running by May, if not sooner. Keep your fingers crossed and I'll do the same!

That's all I've got for now, so take care and thanks for reading!

I'm not usually really good with doing holiday-themed art, but I'm going to make an attempt this time because Halloween is my favorite holiday.

The two big personal art projects I'm working on right now are Djinnborn and Walking Shadows.

Walking Shadows is an easy one to work with. I'll take our iconic scarecrow-fae and King of Autumn, the Jack-of-Crows and draw a nice picture with a jack-o'-lantern.



He just lends himself to all manner of Halloween-themed art and people here will recognize him.

I'm not yet sure what I want to do with Djinnborn because there's not much specifically Halloween-themed with it. I'm a little bit at a loss for something I could do that would be cool and uses one (or more) of my Djinnborn cast. Anyone have any suggestions?

When it gets to 1000, I'll totally draw whoever gets it (or gets closest) a picture of one of my Djinnborn characters doing whatever you want!

Keep an eye out.

I started posting stuff again so I can quit being lame. I will find something more substantial to post here someday. I am just not much of a journal kind of guy.

I have a Facebook Page! If you wouldn't mind, do head over and give it a "Like!" It'd be awesome for you and me! You'll get to see a lot of my blog updates before they reach here.

K'zink's Comics on Facebook!

Thanks!

Now that I'm settling back in, I'm getting ready to pick up new watchers. I've been making sure to grab those of you that followed me over. Some of the pictures I post are ones you'll recognize. Others will be completely new. There will be risque and tame, exciting and boring.

I have some webcomic development pictures I'm going to be posting. My next webcomic is going to start at the beginning of 2012 and should be a great adventure. I hope you guys enjoy the sketches of the world that I post over the next six months.