Onegai shimasu (おねがい します)  🙇

I am firmly convinced the world is entering a new Age of Enlightenment. Call it Renaissance 2.0. It’s going to be very painful to get there. Some people will not want the world to change. 

We will be able to understand each other more easily. New tools are being developed all the time.What dose that mean for us as digital artists?It’s a bit of a double edge sword:The new tools will make creating art much easier to make!Some people in charge will see this as you being able to deliver art faster or make more art, aka, more work. If the person in charge understands you as an artist, new tools simply mean that you’ll be able to do your work better.For artists, AI is not to be feared. It’s, currently, a tool. Like a paint brush or a pencil. AI is written by humans, and humans are limited. It can’t be creative. Artists will ALWAYS be creative. That is something AI can’t touch.I’ve played with some image making AI tools. It’s really bloody tough! The final result is only as good as the input from a human. Even then, I had to go in and adjust the final to my specs.I don’t think that the “machine overlords” will take over creativity. Artist will remain for sure.We are made for creation 😬🖌️

Onegai shimasu (おねがい します)  🙇

I may have said this before. I REALLY believe this:

Plagiarism is theft. Simple. I’ve been in the industry a very long time. And I’ve seen way too many people attempt to pass on another person's hard work as their own. One time, a friend was reviewing a portfolio with it’s artist there. Only to come across her own art being passed off as the interviewee’s pro art. Needless to say, it did not go well for the interviewee. My friend conducted herself professionally and let the interviewee dig his own grave. 

When I was teaching we conducted interviews of potential students. One of my fellow teachers was very suspicious of a 3D piece and asked to see the original. Needless to say, after the piece was inspected the candidate was rejected with prejudice and it was recorded why.

In the industry plagiarism is one of the ultimate sins. In fact, plagiarism anywhere is a very bad thing that WILL come back on the person who commuted it. Especially if they are expected to replicate it or its quality.

Remember, it not only the theft of the item. It’s the theft of the hard work leading up to the item that was put into it by the originator of the item. Additionally, it’s the theft of the years of schooling and , potentially, pro work done by the originator.

And you never know who will see it. 

Normal Map Tut for Affinity Photo

I usually don't post tutorials. However, to me this was important enough to make one

Onegai shimasu (おねがい します)  🙇

I’ve had this happen: you have a very well researched plan and will execute it exactly. Then something goes wonky and your beautifully made plan is destroyed. 

It’s ok to be angry and frustrated. It’s human. There are a few things to keep in mind:

You’re going to screw up and you’re not in a bubble. Others can see and hear you. Exploding with adverse emotions in public can have a negative effect on others. Especially if you’re a lead. The folks you manage will end up emulating you. Once I made a huge mistake, where my plans imploded, in a game company. It put a hold on progress for the whole studio. I was managing 5 junior artists at the time. I was able to correct my mistake rapidly and things returned to normal within a very short amount of time. Things in the studio proceeded as if nothing happened. The artists I was managing kept working like nothing happened. I did notice how they were observing me, though. I wanted to stay calm and they did so.

Being adaptable and appear to be chill in whatever industry you’re in is a must. Skills you can only develope over time with experience. Throwing a tantrum in public will not help. What will help is to continue to do the best you can. Even if you’re screaming inside 😬

Onegai shimasu (おねがい します)  🙇

One of the items that came up relating to this blog is that there will be times that you will need help, no matter what industry you’re in. And it will happen. There is no shame in getting the help you need to save an issue. Especially one that can be solved by other person rather quickly. One person can't do everything. I'm not a coder, yet a coder may have a good solution in short time. Or someone may have some across the same issue you have and may know the solution. 

I needed help while I was reaching in order to finish a lesson so I could present it. One of the other teachers had a brilliant solution that sped up the fishing of the lesson. In fact, I was able to incorporate what I learned not only into the lesson, I was able to incorporate it into my standard personal work flow.

It’s important to have the final goal of the project in mind, Not just what you’re working on at the moment. There are always going to be a lot more things happening around you that need a bit of help too. You’re never the only one that needs help.

Onegai shimasu (おねがい します)  🙇

https://youtu.be/MfndfjyrTe8

 Onegai shimasu (おねがい します)  🙇

I had to be away for a while due to health issues. I will be back more frequently with new posts.

Onegai shimasu (おねがい します)  🙇

Special thanks to James Cardo for editing this post ^_^

Onegai shimasu (おねがい します)  🙇

With me being trapped by the unusual snow fall, and working from home, I took my own advice yesterday. I went outside and helped my wife build a snow skull. It was a moment that I will always cherish, it broke the monotony of work, and it did not take long.

Everyone needs to "stop & smell the roses", to use an old cliche. Yet its true. You can't be so absorbed in your work that small, and important, moments in life will pass you by. In fact, I'm taking a quick break right now to type this out.

This post is short, sweet, and simple 😁