October Q&A - please leave your questions here!
Added 2020-10-10 19:05:20 +0000 UTCHey!
Firstly, hello to all of the new patrons on here, I really appreciate you joining and supporting everything I'm trying to do on this patreon! I just wanted to leave this post up to gather your questions for the Q&A I'll be doing toward the end of this month. Feel free to ask whatever you like - art questions, personal questions, career questions, really anything and everything including asking about my exorcism when I was a child or the number of times I've been knocked unconscious - go nuts.
As always, thank you for everything! Your support means a lot and my family thanks you as well!
Look forward to more content in the Basics series as well as the complete Evangelion high res and subsequent videos on my drawing/painting process.
Dave
Comments
Man... you and me both! I'm just an oddball of influences and pent up emotions, but hang in there.. you'll get to find that common ground eventually and be able to merge them together. Find the reason why you're drawn to the stuff you're interested in... always ask yourself WHY. eg. You like Naruto? ...Why? Because he looks cool... Why? He stands up for the people he believes in... Cool, but why is it important to you? Find those reasons, those feelings, translate them into shape, color or patterns.. incorporate them into fanart or personal pieces, there might be a lot of soul searching and past confrontation involved in this method which is difficult, but I think it pays off pretty well and may end up with your signature style eventually. I'm working on it myself as well :) good luck!
Paola Tuazon
2020-10-29 06:15:13 +0000 UTCHey Dave! I’ve followed your work for probably over 8 years at this point. Seeing your progress has been insane. This is the first time I’ve ever said anything to you so I feel like a creeper. Anyway, do you have plans to go into detail about how you plan your comic layouts? This is such a basic question I know I know. I’ve seen your sketching brushes are only compatible with clip studio pro. Do you have plans to create versions available within photoshop? I looooovvee the texture in your drawings.
Aaron
2020-10-27 02:03:42 +0000 UTCHey Dave, I am in between buying a 24 and a 32 inch cintiq, what would you recommend mostly ? Even knowing the 32 is more expensive but forget about the price. I'm more interested on what can you get from the devise, I guess for details the 32 works awesome, seen from your artwork. Thanks man!
Leonardo
2020-10-25 06:51:53 +0000 UTChttps://youtu.be/BmGbEfU35Qg Thanks, and stay well.
Ian Marshall Pellerin
2020-10-24 20:02:13 +0000 UTCWhat is the best food and why. thank you!
Inácio Henrique
2020-10-24 02:06:12 +0000 UTCWhen you were earlier in your career di d you ever feel like you were taking advantage of people painting their stuff. I'm caught in this limbo area where i do work for self funded clients for projects I know aren't going to get off the ground. I know the solution is to get better so I can get better gigs, but in the mean time I still need money. But I start feeling weird like I am selling them snake oil
grundalug
2020-10-23 17:20:58 +0000 UTCHave you found the more skilful and practiced you’ve become that it’s changed your attitude towards drawing - is it more exciting to draw, is it more freeing?
Christopher
2020-10-22 22:48:10 +0000 UTCHey Dave, Got a 1 2 for yah. Could you discuss your thoughts on composing a scene to portray less dynamic emotion/energies? Like sad moments, somber scenes, etc. Maybe in another basics video, Idk, but so far that series has been super insightful and fun, so thanks. 2. I've heard your journey into studying art, and love hearing about the hustle, could you talk about how, I assume, you applied similar principles to when you started refining your writing skills? I mean, unless you were a natty writer ready for comics, TV, and such coming out of the womb. Mad respect dude, thanks so much for these Q & As!
Nicholas P
2020-10-22 15:46:44 +0000 UTCHello David Rapozovich, I've been on your patreon since the start and I'm happy how successful it has become! You deserve it! My question, I love writing for my comic and I become excited when I plan the pages, but once I start drawing, the excitement quickly fizzles out. How to combat this, what's the secret?
Bora_M
2020-10-22 13:55:07 +0000 UTCHey Dave, Quick question, what kind of stand do you use for your cintiq? Now in.. "Getting to now Dave": If you could witness any event, past, present or future in a 24 hr period, what would it be? (caveat) you can only witness it, meaning you can't interact/be hurt by it etc. (for example: i want to see when the meteor hit and destroyed the dinosaurs.)
Rave Dapoza
2020-10-20 21:50:54 +0000 UTCHello, Dave-sensei! I'm doing digital art but I'm also passionate with the traditional way of painting. My goal is to become a master of both but I don't know how much they translate, I can feel some translation but I'm not sure! Shall I sacrifice one to pursue the other? Am I a fool to try and do both very well? Good luck with the expanding family, give the boys a forest to explore and to fight with sticks in :)
Abe Dristig
2020-10-20 09:24:44 +0000 UTCHey Mr Spanish Fox ! I´m new to patreon and I gotta say I have been absolutly loving all this art you have put together, it really is inspirational to see such a huge amount of high quality art and tutorials available for just 5 dolla bills a month! But anyway I wanted to ask some stuff regarding the god of war fallen comic book cover you made for darkhorse back in March, I dont know how much you can share or not, but I was wondering if that is the only piece you have done or are going to do regarding the god of war comic art. And if you are able to talk about it, could you also make a post here showing your sketches leading up to the final illustration, in the same way you did with the Terminator poster where you werent able to post a full 600 DPI tif but you posted a lower quality one? I am a huge fan of that particular art peice with Kratos and would LOVE to be able to print it for myself! anyway hugs and kisses and hope your wife and baby are doing well!
Jorge balata
2020-10-19 22:46:33 +0000 UTCIf you're looking for how to join the discord - all you need to do is connect your discord account to your account here on patreon. Once you've done that you should be automatically added.
David Rapoza
2020-10-19 06:32:39 +0000 UTCHi Dave. I've heard you talk about having structure in your day and how keeping fit helps to keep you motivated and I just wondered what your typical day was, especially now you are so busy with the family. P.s congratulations!
Angela Bell @angbellart
2020-10-17 16:57:58 +0000 UTCHi Dave, thanks for your good advice in the September Q&A! Do you have any tips for drawing dynamic poses? How about creating poses from imagination? If you know how you want to pose a character, but you don't have reference for it, have you found it helpful to take your own photos or use action figures? One other question: Off the top of your head, can you recommend a podcast (or something else) where you've talked about the practical details of breaking into freelance illustration? I'm interested in how you figured out things like pricing, commission contracts, and promoting yourself.
Oronoro
2020-10-17 09:57:43 +0000 UTCHey Dave, I heard you say you listened to the audiobook "Deep Work". I'm a big fan of the author and his other books, I hope you enjoyed it. Thank you so much for all you do, cheers.
Toyin Ajetunmobi
2020-10-16 23:20:46 +0000 UTChey dave, how long did it take for your style to show? i've been told before that if i just keep drawing it'll eventually come out naturally but i don't see it so far
Lorian
2020-10-16 22:13:49 +0000 UTCwhat are your standard sizes when working in clip studio, i know you spoke about the effects of the dopest pencil on sizing above what like 9k on the longest side. but was not sure what you reccomend.
Andrew Boucher
2020-10-16 03:26:43 +0000 UTCI'm new here, and I don't know if you have done it in any post, but do you have any specific settings in dopest, or watercolor brush? For example, the opacity control, or size? settings, or pen pressure?
Jocamecht
2020-10-16 03:02:59 +0000 UTCHey Dave, looks like you're creaming and dreaming as always and I'm happy to see it. Where do you see yourself experimenting stylistically in the coming months or years? You've managed to continually shift your styles throughout your career in a refreshing way and I'm curious if there are any styles, mediums or subject matter you've been itching to explore and plan on playing with in the coming future? Also, can we expect another spooky stream with you and Dan at some point this month? With really uncomfortable stories? Keep churning out that golden content, much love from one art goblin to another.
ROBBIE S. TREVINO
2020-10-16 00:14:28 +0000 UTCWhats up Bonethrone? You have a lot of stories of being a drunk 7 year old in the mall, and wandering the forest as an anthropologist of sorts. Did your brother and sister have an equally cursed childhood, or did they go to school like a couple of Melvins?
Bogsloth
2020-10-15 19:25:18 +0000 UTCI learned from the podcast Anime in America that back in the day before borders, companies localizing manga would try to sell it exclusively in comic book shops. The people on the cast were recounting stories of comics fans in the 90’s who really hated manga, and manga/anime fans. Do you remember a lot of American people like that, that read X Men or Superman or whatever but passionately hated manga and anime?
Zack Thornhill
2020-10-15 16:06:23 +0000 UTCWould you consider doing some traditional breakdown pieces?
Timbo
2020-10-15 05:26:08 +0000 UTCDave, What would you recommend to someone who spent at least 1 year focusing on a portfolio for a specific company and did not get any return from it? And what do you think about an artist molding himself to meet the expectations of a company and in the process ending up losing his own identity?
Eliz0r
2020-10-15 00:00:00 +0000 UTCHi dave your evangelion work is some the best fan art Ive seen, love the way your able to capture characters. What some adivce for a art student trying to become a character artist?
elijah eddings
2020-10-13 22:29:17 +0000 UTCI was @ that point I think finding some parody that you can turn into your own is your best bet. Kind of build out a world for you to practice on from a concept you enjoy
LiViXi3
2020-10-13 22:26:35 +0000 UTCHey Dave, Would love to hear how you balance your work and free time around having a wife and kid while working at home. I always really struggle with freelance taking over my days and now that I'm planning on having a baby I'd appreciate any tips on working professionally but still keeping time for your loved ones. Cheers as always for this stuff, You are one of the few artists that I can consistently trust watching is worth my time and money.
Seth Laster
2020-10-13 03:41:13 +0000 UTCHow did you approach studying comedy and writing your own jokes for your comics? Thanks !
Mr
2020-10-12 21:44:29 +0000 UTCHey, not a question, but I wanted to thank you and Dan for helping me out with good advice couples years ago when I was starting to try freelance full time. Your gumroads and the streams helped me develop my style and get started in the industry, and Dan helped me a lot with launching a few successful comic Kickstarters. And now 4 years in I’m a full time freelancer with a successful Tattoo Studio as well. So, thank you to both of you for being so engaged with your viewers/fans and helpful when we ask for advice. Livin’ that heavy cream life.:D
Rolands Kalniņš
2020-10-12 04:59:20 +0000 UTCYou have probably been asked this ad nauseam, but what’s the best way, in your opinion, for a beginner in art to draw depth. I feel like I’m running into a wall with transitioning from making things look flat
Christopher Duncan
2020-10-11 22:52:19 +0000 UTCHey Dave! Digging that you are doing this Basics series. Could you do something in regards to overall approach and philosophy to concept design with characters? Id love to know what going on in your head when designing, things like 70/30, shape language, big/medium/small, rhythm, color choices, having a visual library, etc. Any tips and tricks there, or Dave Rapoza's go-to moves? Going through the process of designing is one thing but understanding what's going on as you're going through the process of designing a character I think would be pretty insightful. Thanks brotha!
Ben Knapp
2020-10-11 02:06:27 +0000 UTCEdit: Fuck that question I deleted it. It wasn't making sense and was too long. Basically Dave got another way of putting it. I'm struggling with finding my voice, some days I wan't to draw some weird stuff about feelings and experiences more towards surrealism and fine art, and then some other days I want to draw some Naruto fanart. So I end up doing two types of completely different work. Right now I'm working on some pieces to see if I can kinda merge both and still look good. I really look up to James Jean and Zeen Chin, and I'm exploring trying to bring a style like that to more stupid stuff like videogame and anime fanart with it still looking good and cool, and also being able to do more personal pieces about experiences or surreal stuff that I think looks cool. Any tips on this? Creating a style that can accomodate both. Thank you for your time!
vaart
2020-10-11 01:55:11 +0000 UTCHi Dave, really appreciate all that you’re sharing! Have you seen a game called Hades? Love the artwork in it, thought you might too.
Christopher
2020-10-10 22:21:02 +0000 UTCHey Dave, I was wondering how you got into doing the movie poster kind of marketing art and what you might recommend for someone else interested in moving in that direction? How did you find the companies that hire for that kind of work? Thanks Dave
Bryant Grizzle
2020-10-10 21:27:41 +0000 UTCWhat kept you motivated and inspired? And are there any books you’ve read pertaining to art that actually helped?
Overdxse__
2020-10-10 20:53:20 +0000 UTCDo you have any reccomendations for studying writing for comics or storytelling?
Kiptoe
2020-10-10 20:18:06 +0000 UTCHow did you get work from Marvel? For the comic covers and the movie posters you have done. Is it just from having your work seen online by the right publishers/people in charge? Putting the right kind of work out into the world so you let people know you are into that and they will see you are the man for the job? Did they contact you just through email and said hey we wanna hire you for the cover?
Kiptoe
2020-10-10 19:58:06 +0000 UTCHey babe, would love to hear about odd people you've interacted with, story below to narrow down what flavor of odd I'm asking about. Recently while housesitting, my boyfriend and I asked the housekeeper where the smell of rotting carcasses was coming from. She told us that it was probably the neighbors, said that the time she went over there to ask about buying a horse there was so much garbage stacked that the countertops were totally buried. And the woman she found there had visible pins coming out of her blackened leg. And that flies kept crowding around the open wounds on it. That family is also responsible for shooting some of their cats. Also would really love to hear the exorcism story, sounds like some wild shit
Esteban Sanchez
2020-10-10 19:51:17 +0000 UTCHey Dave, love the Patreon content, it's been incredibly helpful (and really entertaining). My question is how often would you say to update/swap pieces of your portfolio? I often see improvement in my art way later than others and that makes the quality of my portfolio a bit scrambled. Is there a frequency at which to update it or would you change it for certain clients individually? Or both? Thanks again for all them sweet juicy Patreon goodies and congrats on being a dad again soon!
Frederik H.
2020-10-10 19:42:24 +0000 UTCDo u remeber the last time u got hit in the nuts/the last time u hit someones nuts? Also if everybody magically stopped sneezing forever, how long do u think it'd take for people to notice? On the first QnAs I had real ass questions about life stuff but now its turning more into a lets throw some stuff at Dave cuz he usually has interesting insights, and its been pretty fun I have to admit
Colorblindraws
2020-10-10 19:35:29 +0000 UTCU mentioned u were into all sorts of good music, and among those there was rap, curious what artists u been listening to lately Also do u like Hamilton And lastly do u know the band Carpenter Burt? They make a super synthy heavy style of music that i think u might enjoy
Colorblindraws
2020-10-10 19:28:44 +0000 UTCAlso thanks for the advice on my last questions as always great stuff It was about generating responsibilities, but since I dont plan on having a kid, Imma proly get some money with the neighbourhood's lone shark, that should do the trick
Colorblindraws
2020-10-10 19:26:42 +0000 UTCWhat professional project would you want to be a part of, be it tabletop, video game, film or otherwise?
Nathan Deiwert
2020-10-10 19:13:01 +0000 UTCCould u exemplify some of ur early breakthrough pieces? Like the first time u felt u were at the "lvl" to land a gig on something like WOTC or something
Colorblindraws
2020-10-10 19:11:36 +0000 UTCI really love your writing style and the dry humor you always inject into your work or your twitter and just your way of speaking, is that something you were just born with and its just how you are, or is there a way to learn how to be "more funny" or comedic in writing or speaking? thanks :)
Kiptoe
2020-10-10 19:10:01 +0000 UTCHave u ever had a physical rumble with an animal? Like fighting a bear/dog/snake
Colorblindraws
2020-10-10 19:09:01 +0000 UTCI am a new patreon and I am LOVING the basics video. The two of them have already helped me a lot! Thank you!
Jorge Silva
2020-10-10 19:08:23 +0000 UTCDo u ever forget to eat when u work long ass hours?
Colorblindraws
2020-10-10 19:06:15 +0000 UTCHey Dave, You seem much more worldly and knowledgeable than me (I'm 8), so I was hoping I could get some advice. The kids at the playground make fun of me because I told them that once a week my family sits down and we shave each other. Mom says, "if God wanted us to have hair, we would've been born in the jungle, now shave my fucking back." The kids don't listen. They make me eat shit, Dave. Bird shit. Any tips for dealing with bullies?
Louis Whitworth
2020-10-10 19:06:10 +0000 UTC
