foxstory

EDIT: If my commissions went on sale, would you buy art/animation from me? How much of a discount do you want as my first commissioner? Feel free to note me, I'm happy to negotiate!

I've decided to test the waters by opening for commissions for the first time ever. My experience is chiefly in drawing nonhuman animals, especially canines. In order to help ensure quality, I'm taking commissions exclusively for canine characters at this time. I can draw both feral and anthro characters, but I have considerably more experience drawing ferals. I'm accepting payment exclusively in USD via PayPal at this time. In terms of backgrounds, my experience is predominantly in depicting outdoor scenes such as forests, lakes, and mountains. I am also open to drawing indoor scenes. In either case, please provide extensive specifications for what you want to see in the background, as I can then take your preferences into account when working on complex backgrounds (a specialty of mine).

Commission Types, Prices (USD), and Examples:
No background, pricing per character:
1 full body character with lineart (binary lines) and flat colors ($15)

1 full body character with lineart (binary lines), flat colors, highlights, and shading ($20)

If you want multiple characters but no background, just multiply the cost per character ($15 for flat colors only; $20 for highlighted and shaded) by the number of characters you want in the drawing.

Background included, pricing for single character:
Relatively simple background, 1 full body character with lineart (binary lines)/soft lines/lineless painting, flat colors, highlights, and shading ($30)

Medium complexity background, 1 full body character with lineart, flat colors, highlights, and shading ($50)

Highest complexity background, 1 full body character with lineart, flat colors, highlights, and shading ($80)

For commissions with backgrounds, additional characters are +50% each, so the below pictures (highest complexity backgrounds, 2 full body characters, soft lines/lineless, flat colors, highlights, and shading) would be $120


Animation Commissions:
I've taken five university classes in electronic arts and digital animation, but since this is my first time taking commissions on DA, I'll be starting at around $5 per hour. I have some experience in 3D animation in Autodesk Maya, programmable animation in Processing, and traditionally drawn flipbook animation. At this time, I'm opening for commissions in digitally drawn 2D animation since I have the most experience in this area. I'm open to doing YouTube animation memes as well as original animations, though I'll need detailed specifications in the latter case. As I'm somewhat new to the animation meme community, chances are that I haven't yet done your favorite animation meme (but it's likely that I'd be happy to do it for you as a commission!)

My "Something Beautiful" OC PMV (picture motion video) took about 12 hours to make, so an animatic (sequence of still images set to music) of comparable complexity would be $60.

My "Blush Meme" video took about 16 hours to make, so an animation/meme of comparable complexity would be $80.

My "Dear You" fursona meme took about 20 hours to make, so an animation/meme of comparable complexity would be $100.
 
My "La Primavera" fursona meme took about 45 hours to make, so an animation/meme of comparable complexity would be $225.


For all animation meme commissions, I'll take a look at the meme, estimate how many hours it will take, multiply by $5, and provide you a flat quote that remains fixed regardless of how many hours I spend animating. Depending on whether you'd like lineart only (Something Beautiful OC PMV), a high frame rate lineless style (Dear You meme), or binary lineart with flat colors (La Primavera meme), the amount of time needed will vary.

If you're interested in anything particular that isn't listed here, feel free to note me with your ideas. We can talk things through and negotiate a price for any custom ideas you may have. I can write standard rhyming 14 line sonnets as well as short stories, and I'm open to exploring writing commissions if that prospect happens to strike your interest. My "Writing" gallery folder has an ample selection of my original poetry and short stories. My "Personal Best" gallery folder has a collection of my top works.

If you're interested in commissioning me, please send me a note with the following information:
COMMISSION TYPE:
NUMBER OF CHARACTERS:
BINARY LINES, SOFT LINES, OR LINELESS PAINTING (if applicable):
ANTHRO OR FERAL (if applicable):
EXPRESSION/POSE SPECIFICATIONS:
SCENE/BACKGROUND SPECIFICATIONS (if applicable):
ANY OTHER DETAILS:

I require payment before starting work and do not anticipate providing refunds for any reason. I also reserve the right to refuse any commission in advance if it makes me uncomfortable or for any other reason. At this time, I am only taking SFW (safe for work) commissions. If you'd like, I can send you previews of my work at different stages so that you can provide your input along the way. With enough advance notice, I can also arrange to do a Picarto livestream of your commission so that you can provide guidance in real time. Such livestreams would likely take place on weekend afternoons or weekday evenings. This option is available for no extra charge, but it's not guaranteed due to uncertainty in my schedule. Thanks for reading, and have a nice day! I await your note.

In 2017 and January 2018, I've added more than 30,000 words of fresh prose to the latest draft of the fiction manuscript I'm working on. Today's release (January 8, 2018) of the manuscript contains a revised version of Act I (26,000 words) plus the all-new chapters of Act II (34,000 words) to surpass 60,000 words. These additional chapters are now available to those who have expressed interest in reading beyond the original set of chapters comprising Act I. In terms of the standard three act structure for a novel, the third act remains in outline and summary form rather than standard prose. I am working to organize the story structure with chapter breaks, subplots, questions, conflicts, and larger plot arcs that leave readers wanting to read on to find out what happens next. Act I contains Chapters 1–9, while Act II contains Chapters 10–22. I can supply individual chapters or custom collections of chapters to any readers who would like read some of the story to give it a try.

I would like to sincerely thank all of the generous readers who have thus far provided their insights, questions, and commentary to inform my process as a writer. Your comments and reviews inspire me to keep writing and editing so that you can continue to experience the adventures of my original characters (OCs). As detailed on the left side of my DeviantArt profile, I'm seeking critique readers for Transpecies the novel. In brief, the story explores the premise of a future America where fursonas (and the capability to become one's fursona) are central to the plot. I am working to combine elements of young adult fiction, science fiction, and animal novels into a single narrative. I'm also working to balance utopian and dystopian elements. The utopian science fiction series Terra Ignota by Ada Palmer has particularly inspired me in terms of exploring how particular ideas, societal structures, and technologies could improve the future of civilization. The first three books all have five-star writing, and I can't wait for the fourth book coming out this year. In my own science fiction writing, I seek to explore the influence of synthetic biology on animals and ecosystems. In particular, my writing involves intelligent animals and their views of the future world that they experience through their own animal senses in various habitats.

I would like to hear from interested readers so that I can make my writing better in accordance with your own reading preferences. I aim to address your perspectives, concerns, and feedback in successive revisions and later drafts of my work. I can send free digital copies to readers via email in exchange for your comments on my work. Feel free to send me a note if you'd like your own free copy! Any constructive criticism is especially appreciated. In late 2017, I updated the reference sheets of three major characters. The chaiteaa commission below features from left to right: Byron (cross fox), Silvia (red fox), and Lauren (gray wolf)

I had a great summer in terms of my creative productivity. In terms of the manuscript (rough draft version) of the story I'm writing, I've made substantial recent progress. From June through September, I've composed about 16,000 words of fresh prose. I'm dividing the book into a standard three act structure. I'm working on Act II at the moment, and I expect to release a set of new chapters by the end of the year. I have made enough progress in Act II that I'm past the midway point in the current version of the manuscript. Act III is fairly well plotted out but remains in outline and summary form. Together, the three-act structure is my plan for organizing the events of the standard length novel while it's a work in progress. You can find illustrations, animations, and poems relating to the story in the Transpecies folder of my gallery.

The readers who have read Act I and shared their thoughts with me have been incredibly helpful and encouraging. I sincerely appreciate the interest of those who have taken the time to contact me, read my story, and share their thoughts on it. I'm especially thankful for the comments I've received on how I could make the story better. As detailed on the left side of my DeviantArt profile, I'm still seeking critique readers for Transpecies the novel. While I have found readers on Figment (a creative writing site) and Tumblr, the majority of my readers have found my writing via DeviantArt. Please let me know if you'd be interested in reading my story. I'm happy to send free copies to readers via email in exchange for your feedback and input on what needs improvement. I'm working to blend the conventions of young adult fiction, science fiction, and animal novels into a coherent narrative. In the story world, fursonas (and the ability of persons to become their fursonas) drive the plot.

In August, I also wrote and uploaded two new poems. Beyond that, I was able to collaborate with other artists in real time on iScribble and Drawpile canvases this July. These drawings are uploaded as "Art Adventures 1 and 2" and "Art Adventures 3" in my gallery. I would welcome the opportunity to collaborate with other artists on a shared canvas (iScribble/Drawpile) once again. Likewise, I'm also open for art trades (I can supply written poetry or prose as my part of the trade if desired). I'm also interested in joining Multi Animator Projects (MAPs) on YouTube. If you have any suggestions for an art exchange or collaboration, please let me know by note.

With the summer break over, I've returned to my studies. I'm definitely looking forward to fall and winter, which are my favorite seasons. (The autumn themed commission below is the art of chaiteaa)

I currently have some open time this summer, and I'm looking for opportunities to create things with other artists.

Recently, I've been testing collaborative art programs with friends. Drawpile includes many excellent features (lasso, multi layer, opacity adjustment, etc.) that surpass the capabilities of iScribble. Now that I have a working familiarity with this program, I'd like to invite other artists to collaborate with me on drawings in real time. It's been a lot of fun, and I'd like to get a series of Art Adventures going. I've uploaded the most recent as "Art Adventures 1 and 2" and "Art Adventure 3".

A Drawpile canvas can handle many drawings which together extend across some 6000 x 8000 pixels or so. It's like a livestream, art trade, and collaboration all rolled into one. You'll need to download the drawpile.net/ software to join in. Thank you to everyone who participated with my July 22 and 23 Drawpile canvases! I might try to organize something like this again on a future weekend. Let me know if you'd be interested. I've found that it helps to plan for everyone's time zones in advance.

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I'm very interested in the prospect of creating collaborative artworks with other artists. I would most like to work in iScribble or drawpile in real time with another artist. With these programs, two or more artists can work on the same multi-layer canvas simultaneously. It's really neat to see artists' styles and techniques merge as a picture is created this way. Alternately, I'm open to trading files along the way in stages to create a collaborative illustration or animation. I'd also be happy to join a Multi Animator Project (MAP) of the sort that I've seen on YouTube. If you know of any open MAPs to recommend, feel free to send those my way. If you're aware of other similar opportunities for collaboration or would like to suggest your own ideas for collaboration, please let me know.

Additionally, I'd like to explore art trades. My relevant experience is largely in drawing canine characters and natural/outdoor background scenes. I can also animate, and I'm open to creating an animation as my part of an art trade. I understand that the website ArtFight is currently running a system of art exchanges, but I don't have any experience on that platform. If you have advice or perspectives on the etiquette suitable for that site, please let me know. I'm not sure what the return rate (of receiving an "art counterattack") is, or how to determine which artist(s) one can draw for and reliably expect a drawing in return from. As such, at this time, I'd prefer to stick to the custom of both parties agreeing to the basics of an art trade in advance. I also like to write poems and short stories, and I'd be happy to offer custom writing as my part of an art trade. If you have any ideas or suggestions related to the above content, feel free to comment or send me a note.