Selkierr - My Humble Abode (Hiatus) - Tumblr Blog

I’m feeling rather zany today. So are they.

This is going on my main blog.

This link is worth your time.

You guys just have to trust me on this one and click here okay?

Read my story below.

Team Fortress 2.

One of the best games I have ever played, and undoubtedly a community that I am proud to be a part of.

I was first introduced to TF2 by my brother, who, at the time, played it nonstop. This was over 5 years ago by now.

I remember he was the spy. I asked him why his character’s hand looked weird. He told me about the classes and their abilities, and even if I didn’t know it then, I was hooked.

TF2’s community back when I began to play brought me a great mix a joy and pain. I felt joyous that I made friends, but I somehow always managed to meet the wrong people. I joined toxic groups, I got bullied, etc..

So you have no idea how much it warms my heart that the community is coming together to partake in this protest.

There is more love in the community than ever before. The kindness I’ve been shown in-game never fails to melt my heart ❤️ My favourite part of the game would have to be the Friendlies. The fact that we can all get together, have fun, joke around with bugs and exploits in the game.. It’s amazing! I love that I get to make new friends, and that I’m able to introduce others to this amazing game. I never get bored of it — It feels like every match is a whole new experience, yet familiar all the same.

The bots, however, are beginning to taint that. It’s high time they address this issue again. The official Tf2 account has responded on Twitter to this protest, and I’m very excited to get an update on where they go from here!

Please, if you can, share your story with Tf2. Help save the community. Help save the game.

#savetf2

Owlson most definitely plays tennis, and she plays it well.

The problem?

Glomgold insists on coming along with her and rants the entire time.

Scrooge n’ Flinty

Heya! So, as mentioned in the tags of my most recent art post, I’ve finally gotten around to watching Ducktales (2017)!

Tonight, I just watched The Golden Spear! (Season 2, Episode 11), and as much as I love Della’s mission to come back home, I’m also HUGELY freaking out over Ducktales finally showing molting!

Google’s Definition:

Molting; (of an animal) shed old feathers, hair, or skin, or an old shell, to make way for a new growth.

I LOVE it when ducks do duck things!! A quick elaboration — I love it when animators and writers take the time to add basic quirks from real life animals and add it to the animated character. In a way, I believe it makes the character more “real” and it’s honestly so satisfying to see.

Just got out of a lake for a swim? Rapidly shake to get rid of the water sitting on your feathers. Are you super excited to see someone/something? The tail is wagging super fast because you can’t contain it!! When given certain feral aspects, I really think that it makes the character more whole. From humans, we can expect regular, or overexaggerated behaviour. However, if you see a character do a small quirk, like Dolores (From Encanto) walking quietly as to avoid too much noise, then it’s a quirk that adds to their persona. It works for animated ducks just as well!

Some quick Google searching can tell you that ducks molt because they’re shedding old feathers to create new ones, just like how a lizard sheds its old skin to create newer, healthier skin. By molting feathers, it helps to replace damaged feathers that could negatively affect the insulation and water resistance they provide. Plus, newer feathers have brighter colours, which aids in finding new mates.

However, this episode focuses on stress molting. I’ve tried looking around for some information, but it appears I’d have to do some deeper research if I’d want to get into specific causes from the body itself. Unfortunately, I don’t have the time to do that right now. The way I think of stress molting is like when humans lose their hair because of stress — It’s just a natural reaction to a stressful environment. However, I don’t know the different sciences behind each stress molt, so I’m not sure there’s any connection. It’s just seemingly similar circumstances to me.

Anyways, the point I’ve been building up to here is that while I’m sad that Donald is overly stressed in this episode to the point where he molts, I’m ecstatic that they’re finally including features like these! In my free time (and admittedly some of my not-so-free time), I’ve had a lot of ideas about how molting would work for Disney ducks. So now that I get to actually see evidence of it occurring canonically, it’s really exciting!! I have a ton of questions that I wish I could find out the canonical answers to. For example: Do ducks isolate when they molt, or is it so common that the public is unbothered? Maybe they try to cover up exposed skin? When molting, would there be any factors that could affect the mood of the molting duck? Things like that, plus simpler ones like if a duck is molting, would they keep some of their feathers for sentimental value? Even if I don’t get the answers to these, there’s always headcanons.

It doesn’t stop at molting, though. I also have a soft spot for when the characters make reference to their bodily features, like their tail or their bill, like it’s just everyday talk. That’s because it is for them! They’re anthro ducks!

“I’m freezin’ me tail feathers off!” - Glomgold

This is from Raiders of the Doomsday Vault (Season 2, Episode 13), and I’m crazy about it already. I can’t wait to see what else the upcoming episodes hold in store!

How to Make a Fan Comic

The ask I received from @griffindorfightingheart earlier (which I answered here) got me thinking about fan comics and how much is generally understood both about this scene and even how one might go about making a fan comic. I thought I’d talk a little more about it because I want encourage more people to get into making fan comics. So come on over and let me tell you a story…

First, I’ll tell you about how I got into making fan comics, which was my discovery of doujinshi…

Doujinshi (or Dōjinshi, which Wikipedia tells me is the proper English term but I’ve been using the first term since before there was a wikipedia article for it so lol). Zelda doujin via History of Hyrule was my gateway drug. I discovered the site many, many years ago and was impressed to see that fans in Japan were just making their own comics. GOOD comics, too! I started collecting them via eBay, talking with fellow fans who also collected them, etc. It was so impressive to me and I decided I wanted to make comics too.

But I couldn’t afford to get them printed.

I also didn’t know how.

Starting Off Small

But I could figure out how to make a webcomic! Sort of…

I got some help and I was able to start a Zelda webcomic in 2003, which may as well be fucking ancient times at this point. It’s not pretty to look at (I gave the comics from that site to History of Hyrule so you can always check them out), but they gave me a start. I worked on that site for a few years, got busy with school and life (my mom got cancer in 2005 so that was a big distraction) and then started to do some original comics.

Get an Artist Alley Table

In 2007, I finally decided to try to go to my first anime convention as an artist, and tried for a table at Anime North. I was successful (there used to be less demand and therefore easier to get a table back then), and finally had the impetus to make a printed fan comic. I actually made two that year: one based on Ocarina of Time, and one based on Twilight Princess. My friend @renlikesstuff helped me get them printed (dude do you remember that lol?) and I was able to debut them there. Sure, I printed way too many copies, but it was a great learning experience (yes, I did eventually sell out of those copies, but I did print way too many).

Friends R Good

I just want to point out that having friends in fandom, especially friends that enjoy the fandom in similar ways (ie: write fan fiction, make fan art, etc) are invaluable. You can support one another but also are there to help you with your ideas (what is a realistic goal, for example).

Legal Stuff

Are fan comics illegal? In most jurisdictions, if you don’t have the permission of the copyright holder OR it’s a parody (legal protected in many countries but not all countries), then yes, it’s illegal. But generally the enforcement of copyrights is left to the copyright holder. To be realistic, the only dangerous bootleg stuff out there are, for example, plane parts (yes, this is a thing and really fucking scary), or medical equipment (that could harm or kill someone). A fan comic, unless you’re selling thousands of copies, isn’t really hurting the copyright holder (if said copyright holder is a large, multinational corporation). Even still, some large companies have been known to crack down on fan works (usually as a result of rampant bootlegging. See: Disney).

If you’re in a fandom, the discussion of fan art, bootlegs, etc may or may not be A Thing, depending on how the copyright holder deals with fan creations. Some copyright holders may be independent, and some may be large corporations. You must be mindful of the laws where you live and sell your works, and of how the copyright holder feels (or doesn’t feel) about any kind of fan works.

You must also keep in mind that a copyright holder can choose to enforce their copyright at any time. Generally, if they feel you’ve overstepped a boundary, they’ll let you know by sending a simple Cease & Desist notification (usually by email) or just have your web host take down you creation without warning (if said host has a way of reporting it). No one’s going to come to your house or school or work or blow down your fucking door over this shit (I mean, if you live in a democracy, because some people do live in countries where freedoms are more restricted and sometimes this shit does happen over what others might consider very basic actions).

Actually Fucking Drawing Something

I could write a metric assload of stuff about making a comic. But I won’t, because people have already written a lot about it. Instead, here’s some links to get you started:

notes from a 2011 presentation that Love Love Hill did at Anime North about making comics/doujinshi

comic process and tutorial notes from Love Love Hill (listen to them for they are wise)

resources for printing, payment services, etc from AAtoast

creating a comic - basic process

About printing:

Printing is expensive!

At least, nice printing is. If you don’t have a lot of money, you can do zine-style stuff, where you’re using a basic photocopier and a long arm stapler (to do what’s called a “saddle stitch” binding). If you have a little bit of money you can hire a printing company to print the comics for you. I’ve done both, and here’s the pros and cons:

Printing and Stapling Yourself

Pros:

Cheap af

No surprises re: quality control

Cons:

More work

You may need a long arm stapler (but some people do super short comics that are foldable which is cute too)

Has to be shorter (bc long arm staplers will only staple through so many pages before you need to get a stronger industrial one)

Printing with a Professional Printer

Pros:

Quality result

Access to perfect binding (when you have it bound by glue)

Cons:

Expensive

Not all printers can do book binding or have experience with comics

You often need to pay extra to get the comic pages set up for printing if you don’t know how to use something like InDesign

Actually Fucking Sell Something

When you finally have a print comic, you can sell it! Knowing WHERE to sell it is just as important as actually selling it. You want to make sure you’re presenting to the right audience.

I’ve done direct sales, mostly, either in person or online using Paypal as the payment handling.

When you’re selling online, keep in mind the cost to mail the comics (postage, packaging). Packaging is important because you want the comic to arrive in pristine condition. I usually get plastic bubble mailers and then put the comic in another plastic baggie so that there’s no chance of moisture getting in there. Also, I put in a nice little thank you card signed to the person who bought the comic. Handwritten notes are always a kind and appreciated gesture that people will remember.

Where to sell? If you have enough followers on Tumblr, you can do ok, especially if you’re already known in the fandom. If not, some larger fandoms run comic anthologies (either print or digital). I’ve seen people also sell on Etsy and Gumroad. I’ve used Gumroad but not Etsy. Keep in mind that using 3rd party sellers like Etsy and Gumroad and Ebay make it much easier for copyright holders to take notice of you, and they might assume you’re just a bootlegger making a ton of money off this.

Which brings me to my final point:

Don’t Expect to Get Rich Making Fan Comics

You’re not going to make much money selling fan stuff. That’s just the reality. If you’re really REALLY good and persistent then yes, maybe you can do the convention circuit or get a popular Patreon or something. Some have. But it’s rare, and those artists that made it work did put a ton of effort into finding something that worked for them and also mix in original art and extras.

If you’re getting into making fan comics, make sure it’s because, first and foremost, it’s something that brings you joy in creating. It doesn’t have to be an expensive hobby, but it should bring you some measure of joy. I’d say that’s the most important thing.

Oh you better believe I’m making fanart of this guy.

Concept Glomgold art by Tim Moen

It’s the little things that drive me crazy ❤️

Monty Sketches for all, I do declare!

So you want to make an OC?: A Masterpost of Ways to Create, Develop, and Make Good OCs!

i made this masterpost in hopes that it helps you in making your own OCs ah;; it can also apply to developing RP characters i suppose! if you’d like to add more resources then go for it sugar pea (´ヮ`)!

How to Write Better OCs:

basic tips on how to make your oc even better

tragic backstory? learn how to write one/make yours great

writing specific characters

a wordier, great guide on how to develop your character

kick out those vague descriptions and make them AWESOME

Character Development:

how to actually make an OC

Q&A (to develop characters)

more Q&As

giving your character a backstory

how to write an attractive character

Diversity

adding more racial diversity

avoiding tokenism, AKA, how to add diversity to your cast not just because you “need” it

writing sexuality and gender expression (doesnt include non binary, if you have a good ref to that, please add on!)

masterpost on writing more diversity into your story

cultures of the world

guides to drawing different ethnicities (not just a great art reference, but also really helpful in appearance descriptions!)

Mary Sue/Gary Stu

Test to see if your character is a Sue

Explains subdivisions of Sues/Stus

Powerful Characters Don’t Have to Be Sues

Villains

villain generator

need an evil sounding name for your evil character? bam

villain archetypes

what’s your villain’s motive for being a villain?

Relationships

character perceptions (What your character thinks of themselves and what others think of them)

how to write strong relationships between two characters

8 ways to write better characters and develop their relationships with others

OCxLove Interest Handbook 

develop your couple with good ol’ Q&A!

how to write realistic relationships

how to write relatives for your characters (this is more OC related to a canon character, but will help in writing family members in general)

ARCHETYPES

12 common archetypes

8 archetypes for male/female characters

female archetypes (goes pretty indepth from two main categories)

a list of archetypes

NAMES

how to name your character

random name generator

most common surnames

surnames by ethnicity

APPEARANCE

tips for better design

basic appearance generator

pinterest board for character design (includes NSFW and images of skeletons/exposed muscle (?) so tread carefully!)

clothing ref masterpost

DETAILS

give your character better powers

a list of professions

proactive vs reactive characters

positive and negative traits

interest generator

skills generator

motivation generator

123 ideas for character flaws

list of phobias

again, this is to help inspire you or help establish your OCs! i hope you get a lot of info and help from this ahh ( ´ ▽ ` )ﾉ

A little hairdo 🎀

Skinner on my mind 🧠

Still workin on my posters 🔧

Bro you got games on yo phone?

💚 M’lady *tips fedora* 💚

WARNING!!!!

People, please be careful. There are also people tracking children and people and putting bids on them based on their profile pictures on whatsapp, tracking and kidnapping them. Especially young children, so please be cautious, especially parents who have their children as their profile pictures.

Please pass this on to everyone so that they are aware of the danger. I don’t how it is all around the world but I know it can’t just be here so please please spread the word. Thank you.

Trying out a newer style with these two

Huh, so that’s why they never bend the gold frame of Griffin’s glasses

Yo

Today’s my birthday, so I made some fanart of one of my fav ships 🛳 😎

It’s their date night