April Q&A - leave your questions here!
Added 2021-04-22 06:35:49 +0000 UTCHey!
Hope you're well! Please feel free to leave any questions you may have for me here and I will answer them all in the upcoming Q&A video - you can ask me anything, personal, professional, emotional, hormonal - I'm open to everything - here's some example questions -
"hey dave, when you get sick, does your puke get in your facial hair and make it so you smell it most of the day unless you clean your face really good?"
"hey dave, which half of your body smells worse at the end of the day and do you think buying a leather chair to work in was a mistake given the output of heat from your combined cintiq+computer arrangement?"
"hey dave, what brushes do you use?"
Stuff like that.
This is a late in the month Q&A, but I wanted to share the latest Bloodborne update before I posted this!
Thanks as always for your support!
Dave
Comments
Hi Dave! I'm Alejandro, from Spain. We met us at Seville in 2019. Hope you and your family stay well, safe, strong and happy. Im focused on developing a portfolio for cimema and videogames industries as character artist, storyboarder and keyframe artist. But is dificult for me to find out what actual problems I should face and adress in this kind of jobs. Could you share your thoughs about this? Thank you very much! Cheers!
Alejandro guzmán
2021-05-12 14:47:29 +0000 UTCHello, sir. I just joined because I am big fans of your works. Didnt expect we got lots of content for a simple tier like this. I learned so much from your podcast about your process. I am really looking forward to the Bloodborne art you are currently creating! I have also in mind to create the same works, but with the new RE 8 characters, been thinking that for weeks and just started yesterday, lol. I would like to ask if you are accepting any reviews for beginner artist? it would be really helpful to know and get more inputs from experts :) thank you!
Deny Pratama
2021-05-11 07:51:08 +0000 UTCAlso any thoughts on building a brand like Peter mohrbacher vs having your brand be multifaceted such as yours? I have some psychedelic illustrations that I take to art shows to sell, but I also like doing the sci fi, comic..etc. stuff we all love so I’m curious what your thoughts are on drawing a box around each of these endeavors when it comes to your website and social media. I know you have such a wide breadth of work from black and white hentai all the way to fully rendered/color hentai so I’m sure you would have some insights into this. Also thanks for the advice last month I turned my neighbors skull into a rice bowl, I’m now eyeing my next victim.
Wesley Edwards
2021-05-10 01:43:52 +0000 UTCHey Dave can you talk a little bit about going through your growth period where you worked 18 hr days. It always gets me pumped and inspired but I also have a question: you say now that your only working 8 hrs a day at the most that you are getting more done, do you think that means that when you were working super hard that sometimes those long days were filled with busy work masquerading as accomplishment? I ask cause doing anything creative for me eventually turns into a point of diminishing returns, I’ve noticed this is more so for intellectually heavy tasks like writing whereas painting can go on for longer periods of time. Do you think you will ever work like that again or was it just a momentary sacrifice to get you where you needed to be?
Wesley Edwards
2021-05-10 01:37:14 +0000 UTCHey Dave, thank you for all of your hard work in bringing us awesome content every month.
Senna Prahara
2021-05-07 23:50:46 +0000 UTCGreat questions! I definitely relate to those issues. Looking forward to Dave's reply. Also, you're correct: I just checked, and Dave does in fact have a beard. Maybe that's why I feel like I can trust him with my darkest secrets.
Oronoro
2021-05-07 00:37:35 +0000 UTCYou've mentioned that you can be shameless about sharing your work I believe at some point on here. Have you ever had any feelings of "shyness" around your work? I struggle with this a bit, where I'll make a finished painting, but then don't share it at all anywhere, thinking stuff like 'Ah people won't care anyway' or 'I won't be able to post consistently enough to build any significant social media following anyway'. These self sabotaging thoughts really get in my way. I really care about making art, but I really struggle with putting myself out there. It feels like facing defeat so I just don't do it. Do you have any tips for separating art and social media? There is this sense of vulnerability that comes with showing things to other people (even if it's online) that is really working against me. Any thoughts on turning that around? Sorry for the long rent. You have a beard, and are very wise, and I assume you're good with a katana, so I'm gonna call you Sifu. Hope you had a good week, Thanks. a lot.
Moth Dweller
2021-05-06 20:18:43 +0000 UTCHey Dave, hope you are doing great! I wonder if you could talk a little bit about how you deal with "cold projects". Cold as in, you created a long time ago, the client took a long ass time to answer and when you come back to the art, it feels like everything is out of place, and you lost the track of the original idea. Thats been happening a lot to me recently :( I have a very good client, but he has his "hiatus" from time to time. When he comes back I find it really hard to connect with the project again. Its like my mind is in "warm up" time so it messes with the workflow, and its hard to connect with the original idea. I wonder if there is a better way to deal with this, or if I'm just slow to come back to projects lol. Or even, maybe I should keep "pushing" the client to pick the project back up. I dunno, anything would help lol. Have you ever gone through similar situations and how you deal with it? Sorry if you have answered something similar already. (and sorry typing so much here) Cheers, thanks for the great work!
Paula Shin
2021-05-04 21:42:11 +0000 UTCDavid! You beautiful son of a bitch. Thanks for all the amazing Patreon content. Questions for this month: Did you plan all of this? (Having a Family and providing them through art? or just kinda happen. Hope you and your family are well. <3
Félix Hinojosa
2021-05-04 00:16:24 +0000 UTCAlso also, do you have some casual habits outside of art? I find it difficult to find something casual to start doing, I either get too into it or just abandon entirely. U said u made some sculpting before, specially to help with lighting reference, but have u ever explored other less conventional avenues? Like origami/bodypaint/bloodpainting, stuff like that
Colorblindraws
2021-05-02 21:58:46 +0000 UTCAlso, do u attend events such as THU and Lightbox?
Colorblindraws
2021-05-02 21:54:18 +0000 UTCDo you enjoy musicals?
Colorblindraws
2021-05-02 21:53:19 +0000 UTCHey Dave, what are your thoughts on the 30th of April 2021, aka The Goblinization Day, when approximately 10% of the world population turned into goblins? Hope you and your family are well. Thanks
Anton
2021-05-02 12:25:42 +0000 UTCHey Dave, I had this thought about making a comic book for a while. But, I get overwhelmed with the amount pages and panels. Any advice or tips on how you approached making a comic book in general like Steve Lichman?
Sherman Waysome
2021-05-02 07:55:11 +0000 UTCHi Dave! How do you practice backgrounds for character painting? I've heard "perfect practice makes perfect." So I'd like to know what to look out for when painting background. Any pitfalls to be aware of? I'm hoping to avoid painting background after background, making the same mistakes over and over. Thanks!
Spencer Rich
2021-04-30 04:46:48 +0000 UTCI would love to see the answer to this as well
Alfred Manzano
2021-04-30 03:30:59 +0000 UTCHello Dave, I have been getting some work as a freelancer artist finally, all thanks to your advices, but it's still not enough. The ones that I managed to work with was through Artstation, I was wondering if you have somewhere else to recommend, where I can find more opportunities. I tried Reddit but couldn't get anything there.I'm sorry if someone already asked it.
Lagarok (Ohletob)
2021-04-30 01:16:32 +0000 UTCHey Dave, have you seen Magma Studio yet? Would you ever host one for the patrons? Haha Many blessings to and the fam!
Alfred Manzano
2021-04-29 20:17:35 +0000 UTCDave can you talk a little bit about your process for coming up with original IPs and how these have influenced the work you get? You've mentioned before don't show anything until its done, however you havent finished starveil, blackwitch or skull and shark yet but I imagine all of the art you've created for these has probably definitely helped your career right? Also what are your thoughts on writing dialogue that doesn't sound like retarded nerd lore, making a scene work without being cringey is pretty difficult when it comes to writing a action comic or something along those lines.
Wesley Edwards
2021-04-29 19:51:12 +0000 UTCHow do you balance your work, with striving to get better and with your family life? I work a full time job but still want to get better at art. Also what are your hours when really busy and how do you meet your deadlines?
YoPotato
2021-04-29 01:22:32 +0000 UTCWhats up Dave! Im also a new comer and i just wanted to say how much your content has helped me acheive results in my digital art work. Im a tattooer and the possibilities that are opening up due to being able to create comps more precicely and more quickly are really exiting! That being said, do you like tattoos, do you have a preffered style and are there any tattooers that you like. I really wonder how you would feel about guys like Tymur Denysenko and Markus Lenhart as their styles are very influenced by digital art.
Hugo Torreblanca
2021-04-28 23:34:40 +0000 UTCHey Dave, I’m sorry for asking a bit of a long question, but I’m hoping you can help me with something I’ve been fighting with for nearly four years. I’m the person that you and Dan always warned us about back in the old stream days. I went to study at an atelier and over time I’ve lost my imagination. I’ve followed your work for years and have been amazed at how you’ve been able to accomplish things. Everything from Skull and Shark, Starveil, Steve Lichman, all of your Marvel covers and movie posters, concept art ideas, even the random sketches of anime art you can do out of your head. It all just feels like magic to me. I feel like I’m split in half. After I graduated at Christmas I was invited to stay on as an instructor because I was one of the hardest workers in my class. I just got offered representation from my first big gallery in February. All of that is great, and I love it. But there is a whole other half of me that has been having a hard time because I’ve lost my imaginative spark. I grew up playing games, reading manga and looking at art in Nintendo Power magazines. I’m just wondering if you had any tips for someone who has completely exhausted themselves "studying" and now is desperately wishing that they could get a little bit more “Studio Ghibli magic” back into their life. Actual things to practice or try as well as just general mindset and philosophy would be greatly appreciated. Thanks as always. You and Dan are big heroes to me. I hope you, Kim, and the boys have a great start to your summer.
Rauv_Art
2021-04-28 23:31:19 +0000 UTCHey Dave! I’m still new here in your Patreon, but I’m really enjoying your content here. I’ve listened to a lot of artists (including one of my teachers) saying that to get commissions you should just post your stuff online and eventually clients would start to show up. The thing is, I've been posting my works for more than a year and, so far, I've done like 5 small commissions by now. I don’t if the problem is the quality of my works or if I’m just being unlucky to not having the right people to seeing it. Do you have any advance on how to get more popular or how to work with commissions?
Robert Noodle
2021-04-28 02:14:28 +0000 UTCHey dave, have you listened to the newest Cannibal Corpse album "Violence Unimagined" and how about that uncensored artwork huh?🤮
James Ghormley
2021-04-25 03:28:32 +0000 UTCHi Dave Really enjoying the work you post, and also definitely looking forward to Fuck You (hope that is still in the works ;) ) How do you approach shape design? I easily fall into the trap of losing the initial shapes while I'm painting and the end result ends up kind of muddy. Do you consciously think about it methodically, or do you go more by feeling? Initially had two questions but I figured I'd save you some time and only ask the one since I'm not really sure how to formulate the other one that was going to be about colour and the face.
Cirilla
2021-04-24 13:18:51 +0000 UTCHey Dave, would you consider yourself a teacher? And if so, how do you think you get better at helping others with their art problems (or I guess mentality problems too)? Also really appreciate the content here, makes me feel like one day I can be a fantastic artist (who isn’t starving) too. 🤪
JVMES16
2021-04-24 03:36:40 +0000 UTCHey Dave, hope everything is fine and dandy. Also not sure if it's just me but you look less puffy compared to a couple months back. Did you switch to eating stress and diet cream only? Anyways, congrats on your weight loss. That shit ain’t easy. As for my question. Do you have any advice / tips on managing big projects and keeping some creative energy left for personal work. Do you structure your workday depending on the types of tasks you have planned for that day? Where in your schedule personal work fits? Before, or after client work? Or maybe you dedicate the whole day just to do personal projects? Sorry for the long ass question. I'm trying to make a whole new portfolio while juggling several different concept art gigs. So by the end of the day I'm out of juice. Making progress but it’s going really slow. Thanks and all the best.
Sleepy
2021-04-23 22:38:16 +0000 UTCHey Dave! I have some questions about social media. 1. Being active in an online art community is appealing to me, but I get anxious about maintaining a professional image. I need a place to hang out and try different subjects and styles until I figure out what I really want to do. I could make several casual and professional accounts for different audiences, but it seems like a chore to spread myself that thin. This would also split my following, assuming I can build one. I want social media to make my creative life more fun and less isolated. It feels like there are a lot of clashing factors if you have professional ambitions, and I can't stop overthinking it. Can you relate to this at all? Did you ever feel limited in terms of the content that you could post, based on how it might influence your personal brand? 2. If the Muses sent a zephyr of inspiration through my window and it formed the words "draw gay Teletubbies hentai," how would I share that project with the world without tanking my career and shaming my family? P.S. You seem like a ride or die kinda dude. In the future, would you do me a solid and create an "I am Spartacus" moment by telling everybody that you drew the Teletubbies hentai? Thanks man.
Oronoro
2021-04-23 21:57:41 +0000 UTCHey dave, how are ya? I have a question about Steve Lichman, have you ever tought of putting the comic for sale online (to read it online)? Also, have have you ever drawn zabel? I can imagine him easily in your style Thanks for being a nice guy, love your art and love this patreon
Vincenzo Laruccia
2021-04-23 20:12:58 +0000 UTCHi Dave, I’m currently working on a card illustration assignment and I’m having a lot trouble setting an environment for my character. How do you usually come out a environment for your character? Do you use any perspective guide lines and then whip out something from it? Or perhaps do you have any tips on it? I’m more of a character guy instead of environment...
Justin
2021-04-23 16:09:52 +0000 UTCHey! Thanks for answering my question on last month's Q&A! Now that I have all my art related questions covered (for now), I wanted to ask: Who's your favourite SoulsBorne boss? Favourite Darkstalkers character? Also since no one asked last Q&A - how many rats HAVE you eaten? Just making sure my five dollars a month are put to good use. Thank you again for this Patreon, it's inspired me to finally knowing the career I want to take as an artist, your constant reassuring of being able to make it if you put in the effort is a big help. Thanks Mr Cream! You kinda made me a better person. Hope you and the family are well and you're enjoying the new Cintiq!
Frederik H.
2021-04-23 04:41:27 +0000 UTCHey Dave, thx for all the content here man, really great :D So, In games, if u want to submit your portfolio we just send it to the Art director, lead or recruiter. How does it works for comic book covers? I built a portfolio recently but I'm not sure about the title of the people I should find to send it. thank youuuu !
Diego Peres
2021-04-23 02:14:31 +0000 UTCHow do you speed up your rendering and development process? The biggest problem for me is that it takes me too long to do anything.
SycrosD4
2021-04-22 21:38:45 +0000 UTCHey Dave, what is up with Fuck You! ? Any updates?
Zack Thornhill
2021-04-22 18:26:52 +0000 UTCHey Dave, I have been listening to older Q&A's and you have brought up that you used to skate a lot. Do you have any fun stories? What was the hardest trick you've ever done? Love the work and hope your family is doing well.
Platypotosaurus
2021-04-22 18:22:49 +0000 UTCHey Dave! Any tips on looking after your body? Finding sitting at the desk all day is slowly destroying me haha. Also as a follow up how do you avoid being overwhelmed by things to do? I sometimes find myself paralysed by the amount of things I need to learn or projects I need to do that I can end up doing nothing. I feel like it's a really block for me at the moment. Any help is appreciated bud!
Oliver Howe
2021-04-22 17:57:17 +0000 UTCHey Dave, whats under the hat?
Ben LaCasse
2021-04-22 15:55:20 +0000 UTCHey dave, tell me about those bones you found
Esteban Sanchez
2021-04-22 15:50:00 +0000 UTCHey Dave when did you get verified on Twitter? Also, I recently got told during a portfolio review that my work was all over the place stylistically and I should consider narrowing it down. It was pretty disheartening to hear because I really enjoy working in different styles and wanted to show that off. Do you have any thoughts on that?
Louis Whitworth
2021-04-22 15:20:47 +0000 UTCHey Dave, I hope life is treating you well. Not too long ago you shared some of Yusuke Murata's art on IG complimenting the energy in it. I know you covered some of it in your composition basics video but I was wondering if you could give some advice on achieving that same level of energy and dynamics in a composition? Thaaaaanks!
Dean Brorson
2021-04-22 15:08:50 +0000 UTCAlso, how long do you usually need to spend on something like a magic card?
Joseph Weston
2021-04-22 14:51:26 +0000 UTCDave how do you balance studies with your commercial work? Do you make time to study every day? And how do you choose what to focus on? I have in my head a lot of areas I know i need to work on, but when I sit down to actually do it, if I haven't set out a plan, I tend to be paralyzed.
Joseph Weston
2021-04-22 14:50:21 +0000 UTCHey Dave, regarding studies - do you try to make them look good? Or are you just trying to get the basic information out of them like a thumbnail where you can draw it 50 times until you can start to improvise and still make it look authentic. Like how a bat's wings fold, or scales overlap, etc. Thanks :)
tyler kp
2021-04-22 13:51:49 +0000 UTCHey man - what are your thoughts on the online art community becoming increasingly spiteful and intolerant in recent years? Every other week there's something new people are outraged about, the whole community imploding last month around the NFT fever. The online art world is filling up with mines as it also becomes more of a professional necessity. Take care dude.
Daniel F
2021-04-22 13:47:19 +0000 UTCDave! You rock man! Keep taking my money - when are you going to release a new coffee table book? “The Art of Dave” or perhaps “Lichin’ Artwork by the Dave”.... ok...maybe have the publisher, or your wife, or anyone else come up with the title. I’ll buy the hardcover! Probably everyone asking a question on this q and a would. Then thousands more. Do the math man. You could buy a Tesla with the earnings and literally save the earth with your art (and make up for the trees that get killed by your amazing .tiff files...) Speaking of...can you please do a Spider-Man or Batman piece and release print file? I need some Dave-style super heroes on my wall. Thanks for your time and constant inspiration! Now, time for me to go plant a couple trees to make up for some printing and your upcoming art book... who’s with me?!
Sondog Studios
2021-04-22 13:15:32 +0000 UTCHey Dave! Would you consider making challenges (monthly) for your patrons in a way that later you can look at what they produced and give some insights? Like: May: megaman challenge-> make a megaman inspired design. I realize that with your volume of patrons this might be unfeasible though, if too many participate.
daemon
2021-04-22 10:58:15 +0000 UTCHey Dave, thanks for creating the patreon I think more than anything this has made me realise there is no magic formula. Before I thought that once I had mastered all the fundamentals my art would be perfect. Which stopped me creating pieces and really realising where my weaknesses lie. I think intuitively I knew what needed work but just never addressed it. After all that rambling my question is how do you deal with eclectic inspiration? Often I'll be pushing my art in one direction but then see something which is the opposite and want to do that. I think there is a common visual thread to my interests but it's getting a handle on it. Do you think it's better to specialise or to explore all the various options ?
Isaiah Zachary
2021-04-22 10:36:12 +0000 UTCDo you consider doing NFT's? I feel like with your following you would do good. Not only because of numbers but because some people follow you 10+ years and probably some of them are wealthy and would throw money on you
Mush
2021-04-22 10:35:00 +0000 UTCLove your stuff Dave, I'm wondering could you list a few principles/fundamentals of art that you make sure to spend time thinking about while you're working to make sure you improve. Young artist here and I want to make sure that when I'm practicing, I'm getting the most out of it
Seán Nolan
2021-04-22 10:08:28 +0000 UTCQuestion: I was wondering where are you at with the self taught guide you said you’re putting together? Also if I want to draw like Kim jung gi or Terada should I do lots of drawings with the just the brush pen to build same type of confidence like they have?
Ahmed Alqirsh
2021-04-22 08:55:55 +0000 UTCHello Dave
Ahmed Alqirsh
2021-04-22 08:54:00 +0000 UTCAny updates on the Persona piece? Will you draw Joker and Akechi?
Mrbrisco
2021-04-22 08:18:34 +0000 UTCHey Dave, I have a question. So I'm working halfway to bring a full time freelancer and whilst I'm getting jobs in somewhat regularly. I'm having difficulty maintaining pacing. I found it to be a mixture of speed and pricing. Basically I'm slow asf and as a result it affects output for my hourly rate. I've been trying to optimise my speed but it's been quite difficult. I wan wondering if you ever had this issue and how did you get around it? I know this is a second question but how do you go about at pricing? I find more often than not people under price themselves and I don't really have anyone to ask about this. I appreciate it man and the awesome work you're making on here!
Timothy Kong
2021-04-22 07:34:25 +0000 UTCHey Dave, I want to start getting some C&C feedback on my work from industry artists. How should I go about this? Is it best to seek out artists who may work with similar properties (i.e. send space marine illustrations to Games Workshop artists, paladins and trolls to WotC artists, and so on.) As an extension of that, you spoke in one of your videos about casting a wide net to a lot of artists you admired early in your career. I want to develop some of those connections, where would you start and what would you do differently versus when you started. P.S. Thanks for all the helpful tutorials and content.
Andrew Glassman Art
2021-04-22 07:08:06 +0000 UTCHey Dave, do you have any advice for young artists like me who plans to commit on being an artist as a career? i’m scared shitless
cauz
2021-04-22 07:05:03 +0000 UTCYo Dave, how goes? Are your thighs powdered and ready? How do you go about doing art that you really really don't want to do? Are there little habits a person can form to just force themselves to do the thing? Thanks, stay creamy.
Levail Naik
2021-04-22 07:01:42 +0000 UTCHey Dave, how you doing? How have u been eating? And most importantly, how have u been shitting?? Which is something that people should ask more often I think, some people are just shitting wrong and go years without knowing
Colorblindraws
2021-04-22 06:55:31 +0000 UTCHey Dave, hope you and the family have been well! I've been following your advice and tutorials very closely and have been having the most fun with art than I ever have before. Thanks for all that you do! As for my question, are there any specific things/tropes in comics that you love doing or seeing? For example splash pages, double page spreads, pages with no dialogue etc. And are there any tropes that you dislike or think potentially weaken the flow of a comic?
Lupazen
2021-04-22 06:54:39 +0000 UTChello Dave, can you recall the last superficial thing you silently judged someone over?
Drew Bartlett
2021-04-22 06:40:45 +0000 UTC
