Mayshing Looks

Some of the best quotes from Chris Christie and his mom

2012-01-15T19:17:00.000-08:00

Too much wisdom. Must write it down.

"They say I am intriguing, all I am doing is saying what I think."

"Focus on the job given to you and to do it to the best of your ability, and your future will be set."
(paraphrasing... >.< can't remember exactly.)

"If you have to choose between love and respect, choose respect. With respect love can come, without it, love will go."

"It's harder to hate up close." - turn your enemy into friends, it can get the job done a lot faster.

idol m@ster reminded me something important...

2012-01-11T21:25:00.000-08:00

The newest season of Idol Master anime really gave me a lesson here being an artist or running a studio.

1. Producer's role: to discover the strength of each character and find jobs suitable to them. Every member is important, even the one that's sleeping can turn out to be a sparkling gem.

2. Producer's role: need to assign jobs, and public presentation that fits the talent.

In a way, this series is an artist handling 13 characters all and all, it's not a small number to write, or to handle at any point.

I took at look at how I handled my characters, I haven't been doing that. Not even to some of my best characters, I haven't found all of the best fitting model to present them. I need to start doing that. I also haven't given them the roles they will like most of the time. I haven't explored all aspect of what they can develop into. I need to make adjustments to the way I handle them.

For a moment I did feel convicted. (think: omg I made all the producer's beginner mistakes)

"Use your lowest of low to rise to the highest of high."
I felt that in later episodes, it was moving.

Family and unity: "When everyone is standing on the stage together to put up a good show, that's when I feel most like an idol."

For some reason that line also touched me.
I handle my characters like my family too, for they are the memories of what my family is about, it is my biggest joy to bring them to the readers/audience. Even if they are fictional characters.

I am suddenly reminded this is what I need to do as an author.

Forget marketing, forget trendy appeal for a moment here...
and find what's best to sell "my idols" to the public with what's available.
Each of them will have their own uniqueness to offer to different people, and I have to find what's best for them.

I am glad I realized it now, even if this show is under attack from the game fans, it has my appreciation as an author, it has certainly touched me deeply.

My source of inspiration

2012-01-02T23:23:00.000-08:00

I was thinking to make a post on DA journal to ask everyone about their root of inspiration for their art and story.

Usually, when someone asked me what is my inspiration for art, my answer is usually simple: Life.
Or some kind of research I have done...
I wanted it to be generic on purpose, to stay away from the big story I don't usually want to spend the time to describe.

A post on someone else's poll reminded me once again what part of my inspiration I don't talk about is...

Unfortunately when I was trying to describe mine for a DA journal topic starter, *thinking it would make a good forum topic...*
My source inspiration became too dark for me to feel comfortable sharing with the public on that art gallery site, where I had 6000 followers and up, so it is moved here, where most barely visit where I may monologue for as much as I desire. It is literally like opening up a diary that's smeared and burnt I guess.

My work, like many other's... is also an outlet to something painful to me as well. It's also where I might mourn about someone's loss of life, and I make my characters suffer through it, in term, perhaps make my readers suffer.

My experience may still be limited, but I have seen quite a bit of cases in my life...
from cancer patient dying in my home, a drunkard that never got out of his addiction and died....
to a bipolar schizophrenia patient that tried to kill herself in front of us... ex prostitute whose fate I do not know now because she married the wrong guy....

These all become part of my work, because they are not people others would remember, but through a fictional story, they might be remembered.

NOTE: a good portion of these people did turn into my characters, but other than a select few, they hardly share any relations appearance wise, its usually a portion of the traits that get picked up.
I will share about that in the future.... *have to wait for them to all show up first at least lol*

Of course there are miracles (unexplained good things) as well,
kidney shut down patient urinate and discharged out of the hospital two weeks after we prayed for them,
my family found our house which we live in now over my mother's directional dream, and my own vision.
if only that type of miracles comes whenever we wish for it.

Those memory will probably stay with me for a while.
2Masters carried most of these, it is why it's a series that will be quite dark. (with my hopes and positive experience as well of course, hence the healing power of the Yehwehs)

E-depth is an experimental project overall, but I did ask a question "What if the lovable is the unlovable, the ones who need help don't want your help?" Through out the whole series that theme is repeated over, and over, and over, from Angel to Lien, Lien to Angel, and the conflict of the family and the brothers... etc.

As for Shenshu, I did it for my grandfather, who wished one of his children will carry on the love for calligraphy, but his forceful way of training did not forge any calligrapher in the family, but all his children are calligraphy lovers. In order for his dream to continue, a manga dedicated to calligraphy is my choice of medium, in honor of his passing. Tian Sung's father, is modeled after my uncle, who is also deceased.

It's like I am remembering the dead when I talk about this part of my inspiration.
This is another reason why I keep the same characters in different series. They are memoirs as well to me.

The other side of life to me is the definitions to the word "God"
God is life, and life is God.

All of its ups and downs, good and evil, love and hate, peace and chaos, time, and timelessness...
That seems like a picture of a well with limitless depth, a source of inspiration one can't get enough of.

CD Diary, carry the happiest of all my inspirations...
From my family holiday gathering, to random fun, or making fun of random things... or make a commentary/fan work on a song, a character, a story... etc. Or something to help me release my seasonal frustration...or desire to get out of boredom. Occasionally, my parent's influence slip in again and it turns all "therapist" like trying to resolve someone's problem. lol

Funny how my long series carry painful stuff and all my short stories are mostly the fond memories I have. =w= ha ha ha

This... in a nutshell, is what "life" is to me, my source of inspiration.

small business studies IRS

2011-12-30T19:18:00.001-08:00

Web videos: http://www.irsvideos.gov/Webinars
http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/index.html

Getting registered: http://www.state.nj.us/treasury/revenue/gettingregistered.shtml

Registering new business form online: https://www.state.nj.us/cgi-bin/treasury/revenue/dcr/reg/sos_dcrnew01_page1.cgi

Other book fairs, art shows resource links

2011-12-26T23:15:00.000-08:00

http://festivalnet.com/deadlines.html?month=2

http://www.collingswood.com/entertainment/mayfair

http://www.jcpromotions.info/pages/FMindoorvendorinfo.html

Need to expand for more options.

Manga paneling books series

2011-12-22T10:49:00.000-08:00

http://www.books.com.tw/exep/prod/booksfile.php?item=0010527358

saved for later

My flat angle horror

2011-12-21T13:03:00.000-08:00

Ever since I started using tumblr, this blog is lacking love, http://mayshing.tumblr.com/

I might only use this blog for more wordy updates in the future, or pictures that's more suited here. Tumblr tend to shrink images a bit more, but the feed makes it ideal to see all the images at once. So it turned into my style exploring, picture posting, oekakis place. :P

I also decided to make a new research blog that host all my researches and links so i don't clog this one up. This will be my primary blog for art talks, vents and stuff from now on. :P

For a period of time I suppose I was searching for my own preferred "one" style, but now I have come to a conclusion that my style should not be limited as "one" single appeal, rather it should be a range of styles and techniques i can execute. Why limit to one particular "trademark" when I can do many? It's not like my "habit" of drawing really goes away. People will see the back bone of it, I won't be able to change my "habit" as easily, *though sometimes that can be costly... like my stupid flat angle I often use...*

Example of my bad art:

I swear from now on I will... never, never, ever EVER have this happen again! OHHH this page is cramped, and the angle flat as hell. The horror.... OTL
I flipped through some mangas and found that a lot of character based, expression based mangaka like myself, *One piece, Comic Bomber and a few others* DO tend to use this type of angle, simply because we draw SO OFTEN that we stopped thinking about angles, and just think about expressions, that's not good.
With editors, they will help some mangakas to fix this issue by telling them to repanel the pages, (I saw some sketches included in OP book, those were turned down paneling page due to flatness, more exaggerated angle was picked later because it works better) but since I am mostly on my own i better watch out for my own problems. Sigh. O.ob

Well noticing it now is better than never noticing it. sigh.
There's a few ways to save this problem.
1. interesting ink work (which i lack in book 1.)
2. apply at least 1 point perspective (not applicable in all condition.)
3. Crop effectively. If you crop it well, it works to add emotions instead.
4. Use it only on one character (that's fine because its not as noticeable)

Berserk's paneling is awesome, he always avoids the flat angle by tilting slightly up, or down, in real life, you see things mostly above, or below horizon line, that's more realistic pov. Flat is very rare, so its best to cut that down.

Even at the flattest angle he never forgets the relationship of space and distance. That's what makes that manga a part of the classic and studies to other mangakas. :P

No more flat angle, I swear. NO. (except for pin ups, and allowed condition mentioned above and CD diary which I don't care for work quality. lol)

Memo: My weakest page ruins my whole work. >.< Must never do it again. That page will urk me for a while... don't have time to redraw so i will have to leave it for now.

我愛文言

2011-11-30T11:22:00.000-08:00

我愛文言
http://www.iwenyan.com/
國學網
http://www.guoxue.com/

《夏末》
At the end of summer the sun changes its light,
暑季臨兮，日更其光，
As a middle-aged man becomes less sharp and bright,
君子壯兮，漸改悠狂，
Gone are all those exciting days of the season past.
豪烈去兮，過往可忘。
Now the emotion is like back-to-school children,
情在今兮，猶員歸庠，
The distant hills present a touch of dark green,
遠山現兮，一抹青漿，
A few yellow leaves fall on the lawn like drifting canoes.
落金葉兮，孤舟草上。
The past events of either indulgence or laziness,
故事有兮，惰若恣犟，
Will be gradually forgotten from your diaries.
化紙退兮，記憶頗涼。
Yet, September will have its wet and teary eyes,
前秋潤兮，淚濡睛眶，
Not as clear and bright as the mid-summer ones.
未明淨兮，不若夏光。
After the growing and saturation of the last season,
前節滿兮，充盈且壯，
A thin autumn is waiting for our appreciation.
初秋待兮，與君共賞。

[轉] 八股文範例: (備用)
http://hk.chiculture.net/1102/html/c/1102c22.html

http://tw.myblog.yahoo.com/jw!RHvmFA2VFhYzhVGD9J2a/article?mid=126&sc=1

八股文-創造八股文原是好意,崇高的一種考試設定, 不過後人變成亂抄,由於局限於四書五經,更鼓勵抄襲學法吧... (其實若不是限於四書五經這還挺有文學挑戰性質)

以致後人文章空虛無新思想才是最大問題. 有人說考試出題本來就可以拘謹一點,我覺得若是學生全為了拼那官位,多年只讀八股,根本沒有思想時間,也不會訓練出什麼有思想的人.

八股文範例
明清八股文存世者頗多。乾隆元年（1736年）方苞編有《欽定四書文》一書，收錄八股文783篇，頒行天下，作為典範。另外，清代著名學者俞樾有《曲園課孫草》一書，是一部學寫八股文的課本，現從中抄錄一篇，以供讀者參考。

《不以規矩》（清）俞樾

規矩而不以也，惟恃此明與巧矣。【破題】（句意）

夫規也、矩也，不可不以者也；不可不以而不以焉，殆深恃此明與巧乎？【承題】（句意）

嘗聞古之君子，周旋則中規，折旋則中矩，此固不必實有此規矩也。顧不必有者，規矩之寓於虛；而不可無者，規矩之形於實。奈之何以審曲面勢之人，而漫曰舍旃舍旃也。【起講】（句意）

有如離婁之明，公輸子之巧，誠哉明且巧矣。【入題】（句意）

夫有其明，而明必有所麗，非可曰睨而視之已也，則所麗者何物也？
夫有其巧，巧必有所憑，非可曰仰而思之已也，則所憑者何器也？【起二股】（句意）

亦曰規矩而已矣。【過接】（句意）

大而言之，則天道為規，地道為矩，雖兩儀不能離規矩而成形。
小而言之，則袂必應規，袷必如矩，雖一衣不能舍規矩而從事。【中二股】（句意）

孰謂規矩而不可以哉？【出題】（句意）

而或謂規矩非為離婁設也，彼目中明明有一規焉，明明有一矩焉。則有目中無定之規矩，何取乎手中有定之規矩？

而或謂規矩非為公輸子設也，彼意中隱隱有一規焉，隱隱有一矩焉。則有意中無形之規矩，何取乎手中有形之規矩？【後二股】（句意）

誠如是也，則必無事於規而後可，則必無事於矩而後可。夫吾不規其規，何必以規？吾不矩其矩，何必以矩？而不然者，雖明與巧有存乎規矩之外，如欲規而無規何？如欲矩而無矩何？

誠如是也，則必有以代規而後可，則必有以代矩而後可。夫吾有不規而規者，何必以規？吾有不矩而矩者，何必以矩？而不然者，雖明與巧有出乎規矩之上，如規而不規何？如矩而不矩何？【束二股】（句意）

夫人之於離婁，不稱其規矩，稱其明也。人之於公輸，不稱其規矩，稱其巧也。則規矩誠為後起之端。然離婁之於人，止能以規矩示之，不能以明示之也。公輸之於人，止能以規矩與之，不能以巧與之也。則規矩實為當循之准。不以規矩，何以成方圓哉！【大結】（句意）

Animation TV series, OVA, and feature budget list

2011-11-29T19:28:00.000-08:00

Animation TV series, OVA, and feature budget list including Japan and US from Animenews network.

Animation test wip1

2011-11-18T20:45:00.000-08:00

need a lot more work like adding a blink, lipsync and tweening... but yeah the magical girl twirl, she has to do it.

Reference: horse falling

2011-11-18T11:38:00.000-08:00

Never seen so many horses falling... Good reference.

Converting closet to pro recording studio

2011-11-16T12:31:00.001-08:00

Pretty good tutorial. Quite a budget still. That's what my sound director is trying to do currently.

Robert McKee: 10 Problems To Avoid With Dialogue In Screenplays

2011-11-16T00:05:00.000-08:00

Yes, i might have made a few of those along the lines... oh well better late than never knowing these things.
~~You know... I have an urge to take that 10 problems and turn them into character flaws. lol~~

flash game scripting tutorial

2011-11-12T16:33:00.000-08:00

http://www.newgrounds.com/portal/view/348660

Saved for myself and my student. :P

neko con 2011 adventure comic

2011-11-10T10:00:00.000-08:00

Getting native readers is a wonderful and scary thing at the same time. ^^b

The art of animation

2011-11-09T10:36:00.000-08:00

In reaction to this post: http://tompreston.deviantart.com/journal/Animation-techniques-and-more-Ghibli-thoughts-268085271

Well I don't feel like starting an argument right on his blog and take the next few days of my precious time on a pen war of any kind.

Let's just put it this way... this comes down to the argument of what is better animation by personal standards.

I disagree with his post about the lack of squash and stretch, HECK are you paying attention to the form changes in anime? They don't stretch their figures like Disney/Warner Bros and do all the exaggerated bounce doesn't mean they don't use it.
Using such exaggeration has a neck for comedy which is what Disney aimed for, it doesn't fit the series/drama anime usually tells. (Beauty doesn't bounce that much either compare to Donald Duck, she flows, twirl, use her head and her joints to show squash and stretch effect.)

Similarly, Japanese are using secondary action in the character's hair, clothing, and their exaggerated posture on push and pull to introduce the overall form of squash and stretch and the affects of weight. You can't look at different solutions the same way.
(Though I love how elastic American animation gets with their face. That's just awesome.)

The biggest argument would be timing issues... timing affects how many drawings you need in a second.
Let me argue about timing here...

Timing wise, there's two ways to appreciate timing:
1. Appreciate the timing of the acting in the consistent frame rate drawing (like Disney)
2. Appreciate the use of timing with limited animation, achieve more with less.

Animators in the US has this bias "more is better" and always want a lot of drawings for the feature film, like the Disney films. Because of the nice environment Hollywood has given them for the rich budgets and the what nots. (they sometimes try to achieve that with TV shows budget... not a great idea)

Japanese has the "less is more" bias instead.

Now after all these years of developments... I think USA still dominated the Feature film animations world wide, while Japanese dominated in TV series animation world wide. (judging by result of influence.)

Let's talk about TV series animation for now...
I argue that Japanese animation mastered the art of limited animation. That's why they flourished.

I don't want to talk about Miyazaki right now, why not look at K-on's animation? They won best animated series award in Japan after all.
Feature...
How about Cowboy bepop?
What about Tokyo Godfather? Akira?
What about FateStay Knight the movie? It's 60 frames per second in their animation. Crazy smooth.

Why is it everytime we are comparing animation its always Miyazaki vs Disney?
Is it even fair to compare? The budget and size of both are so drastically different. Miyazaki works with a class size of animators while Disney work with an army size!

I personally admire Japanese animators as the gods of timing in animation.

Because of their limited budget, their limited environment, they come up with the most creative ways to satisfy their personal achievement and perfection. They can achieve making you believe animation is smooth with their timing until you pause their animation and look at it frame by frame and realized how many freaken short cuts they have taken. I find that the most amusing, and amazing.
They haven't stopped fooling me.

I have seen great American animators using timing like this in the earlier days, but Japanese pushed it to the extreme due to constantly solving budget issues against their perfectionism.

(manga is exaggrated you can tell... but its believable he would do something like this during that era. lol)
Itano is one of my heroes!

For example, and eye blink animation, what the animation book taught me needed 4-5 drawings for a good blink, a good Japanese anime fooled me into thinking there's 4-5 drawings when there's only 3.

Why draw 5 drawings when you can do away with 3?

They are superb with timing, and in my opinion, it takes MUCH MORE skill in getting that kind of timing down and achieve it looking good than always drawing 12 frames per second.

And because of that limited use of animation, they can develop illustrative quality to go with it.
And don't call using 3D cheating.
WTH?
I mean WTH is with this trend of thinking that 3D is cheating?
3D opens up a new door to 2D animation freeing up the camera and allow us to control the budget more efficiently, allowing the film to be more dynamic.
And that's CHEATING?
WTBEEEP*
It's mixed medium at best. Dear, mixed medium in film.

If someone prefers the painted look, go look at Old man and the sea or something...
someone still does it, go into indy films and search, ok?

Don't go calling 3D cheating!

it takes just as much time to prepare 3D as 2D until you stock up 3D stocks file.
2D has its own way of cheating without the 3D as well.

In my opinion, Feature film american animators has too good of a life with the rich budgets, they have a tendency to over animate and over spend and not know how to save time with short cuts and what could have worked easier.

Acting wise I have liked both sides they have different takes on what is important, timing wise, it depends on what budget, what time frame, and what result and fan following they have generated.

Overall rating between USA and Japan, I think Japan won the best timing and the most resourceful on production management for me.

I end my case.

Neko con 2011

2011-11-07T17:31:00.000-08:00

Nekocon 2011, Virginia, at Hampton Coliseum its a large and comfortable place.

Left to Right: Me, Rebecca, and our potential buyer.

This lady has been dubbed the "happiest burnt victim" by Rebecca.
One of the most unique portrait client on my list lol.

And other coool and inspiring cosplayer in the area.
I swear I saw them online before searching "steam punk" lol
It seems like a whole club of steam punk people are located here.
It's nice to witness their outfit's glory in person. *designdesigndesign ideas!*
Steam punk outfits are soooo inspiring. @w@

Going to conventions, traveling, adventure, and making money on my own brand of products to make a living. That's the life to live. X3 That's altabe (how life's oughta be lived) to me. I am a happy kitty.
Even if I have enough money I would still want to run cons. I enjoy this kind of traveling life.

Though by Sat evening i was getting cabinet fever sitting behind the table and couldn't wait to take a break. lol

maya dynamics tutorials

2011-11-01T16:02:00.001-07:00

chinese: http://twdesign.net/design/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=28663
chinese (clouds): http://bbs.cgpower.com.cn/post/view?bid=17&id=266481&sty=1&tpg=1&age=0

Edepth anime final storyboard schedule

2011-11-01T12:30:00.000-07:00

Angel scene7 inked by Roxanne

Ink/finalize final storyboard stage: Nov 1st 2011-Dec 31st 2011 (61 days)
Total of shots: 287
For 26 minute film

Average scenes need to complete: 5 scenes a day

Starting today. :)

At the animation shelter

2011-10-26T17:23:00.000-07:00

Volunteer project: we were filming at an animal shelter
where the kitten won't stop trying to get our attention.

Now the kitty has reached for our sound equipment. lol

Path animal shelter is a well run animal shelter we are doing a short video project for. It's my first time on an actual shoot so it was pretty exciting. :) I got to play some extra part. *aka extra staff and random donor. lol*

how to help alcoholics research

2011-10-26T15:07:00.001-07:00

http://digits.newsvine.com/_news/2008/03/08/1352460-how-to-help-an-alcoholic-stop-drinking\
http://www.aa.org/bigbookonline/en_tableofcnt.cfm

Too much to read... come back later.

NYAF con comic

2011-10-18T08:50:00.000-07:00

this is the sunday crowd.... Sunday... was CRAZY!
The craziest Sunday I have had so far!

Our NYAF 11 mis-adventure ha ha.

I vote NYAF to be the best AA experience I have had so far. The SPACE!
When it hasn't open... that is...

(left to right) Me, Dave, Becca. :D

E-Depth sold out so i have a good reason to print more now.
Portrait business was crazy, people in NYC likes portraits more than any other places? Or it's just the size of the crowd...? Anyhow I was doing around 20-30 portraits a day in this con. I developed a way to use my arm muscles so it can handle the workload and not get stressed out like my first day. So I survived. XD

After this one we have one more Neko con and that's about it. My con season ends. :) We prepare for next year and I can focus on production.

All the fun and adventure~

Study and result

2011-10-12T21:22:00.000-07:00

2Masters vol 3 cover, done after my study of Guild War art

This academic style, no doubt it is the best suited style for commercial illustrations.

Fast, look epic, and you can cheat your way through without refined edges in every area, and hard to copy due to its random details.

I won't be content staying here though, but this type of style seems really easy to adapt for me for its speedy quality.

churches and museum 3D view port

2011-10-12T20:45:00.000-07:00

http://www.vatican.va/various/basiliche/san_giovanni/vr_tour/index-en.html

tsubasacon report

2011-10-12T10:29:00.000-07:00

Tsubasa con center in west Virginia

the crowd in the con at night, with the follow up of music
so loud we couldn't stay.

The MMA woman fighter I got the honor to illustrate,
I did not ask her name,
but I should have. Now I have to try to find her. XD

The restaurant we ate at, with fake Thai food.
DO NOT order thai food there in a mixed up Asian looking restaurant. XO
The sushi is okay there, with the typical Americanized Chinese food.

I did fairly good in this convention, the people here like books. lol~
Coming up is NYAF.

Later, NYAF I have table B4. With modified map from Finni.

Shenshu updated

2011-10-06T10:28:00.000-07:00

To page 14.

中文| English

Sketches wise i almost have chapter 1 done...

but i need to keep 2Masters stocked, so this one will go slower.

Visual novel game survey

2011-10-04T11:20:00.000-07:00

We are thinking (only thinking right now) about making visual novel games for e-depth Angel series. It will be for purchase under 10 dollars/and for donors.

Just wondering what storyline would be most interesting to people. Other suggestions welcome.

readjusting my mind-set

2011-10-03T23:34:00.000-07:00

Just leveling up is not enough. Just satisfying my own imagination is not enough.
I realized those are my elementary school thinking I have not graduated from until now.

I have to aim to impress myself before I can impress anyone else.
The only pictures that impress me are artwork that I can put on my desktop and study each day.
That's a long way to go, but that will be my goal from now on for my work.

I would feel better about my tutorials being more popular than my paintings... very soon.

2011-10-02T20:25:00.001-07:00

CD's fun Artistic copy Ninja training guide. Based on my own experience in copying... (I might color a few if i feel like it)

My own style falls somewhere in level 40-50, in the normal anime range. My copy skill is pretty high at this point if i want to spend the time for it...

How to use:
Use the chart to compare the level where you are at in terms of your own style, and your ability to copy other people's style.

+ When to move up: If you have been copying simpler style, and can do them well, move up.

+ When to move down: When you have trouble with more complex styles, try some really simple lower level ones, you might get a few lessons you have never learned before to apply to more complex styles!

+ Sharing: You are allowed to print this, to use this chart to show anyone who need to know where they are on practice level. As long as it's non-commercial.

+ Benefit of copying: It forces you to get rid of your usual habits and learn to adapt something new, and learn the observation skill of the artist at higher level than you.

erie con PA

2011-09-27T14:43:00.000-07:00

Me, with my usual get up, and usual post. :P

My friend David, writer, author, with the strange green mask

our fun witch neighbor and their post.

A small con report.
Overall Erie con was very friendly, their staff got me a drink for free too when i asked them, we had a lot of fun selling together with other artists who never fails to keep the room loud. XD
The down town was certainly "erie" without many cars, roads are usually empty with 1-2 cars.

http://urbanbicyclejourneys.files.wordpress.com/2011/09/036.jpg

I did okay there selling wise, it was a mini con of 300 after all.
If it wasn't an 8 hour drive we would probably go back again.
But the con is too small for another round of 2 days driving. We are hoping it could grow then we can consider it again.

Next con is tsubasacon, Oct 7-9, I will be sharing table with my friend Lossing Feathers and her bf David. We are officially con hopping buddies now. We will be hunting to go to the same cons to cut cost and travel the East coast cons.

And NYAF I have table B4. With modified map from Finni.

William-Adolphe Bouguereau

2011-09-20T19:58:00.000-07:00

William-Adolphe Bouguereau
Why have i learned to remember your name so late?

This guy shall be one of my favorite painter from now on.

His range of subjects, composition, painting subtitles are just my taste. He's awesome!

Print mojo

2011-09-20T14:29:00.001-07:00

http://www.printmojo.com/

Checking this site out.

Finally got myself back

2011-09-16T23:31:00.000-07:00

It's a good thing to keep wips, it tells you where you have gone wrong later in life. =P Often times overly focused on correcting a weakness blinds you from a bigger problem. I saw a lot of students having that issue, but I am not immune to it either.

After a few years of studying different digital painting techniques, and trying to find my own direction with my illustrations.... A few times I feel I have come close, but never really overcome my own wall.

Only recently.... with God's grace....
I finally figured out how to view what I like and what i don't really care about.
I am good at quick, small, emotional concept, and at the same time i do like to bring my viewers into a new world.

Out of all the great artists I have studied, only one artist I can keep going back to, that's this guy.
It's been my hope one day I can make a piece like that one he's made... He made an intimate moment, and at the same time presented a world of awe for us to see, a world full of history in every stroke. Not a small feat, this piece probably has 100 hours of work...

Lots of great artists' work either turn out kind of dull, repeating, or just look like a trend after you look at them for a while... I learned from them, but I guess I never liked them THAT much to take it all in....

Correct anatomy is important, but in a world where everyone knows their anatomy (not claiming i know it as good as they are) that becomes a basic... nothing to brag about.
Knowing how to paint well only appeals to painter... really... normal people don't give too much credit to that.

Then what makes an artist stand out from the crowd is two things, style- a certain unique way to execute your work, its better you end up stylizing ~~twisting~~ your anatomy anyway, and message- a moment people can relate to.

For now, I will focus on how to advance at showing my concept to its best and original form, not from the rules of others, but what's best for the piece.

Learning about video subbing

2011-09-13T10:24:00.000-07:00

http://www.anime-planet.com/forum/faq-tutorials/15052-fansubbing-2.html

http://www.videohelp.com/guides/category/how-to-add-subtitles-to-a-video-5;20#5;20

http://www.free-codecs.com/download/vobsub.htm

Saving this link for later.

I'm doing some hard subbing for my aunt's charity video project right now, but soft subbing on mkv file sounds good to me too.

CD Diary updated: Final Decision

2011-09-12T18:08:00.001-07:00

CD Diary updated: http://mayshing.com/CDstudio/FinalDecision/

Updated to page 4

estimation of Japanese anime game cost break downs

2011-09-12T10:46:00.000-07:00

http://zepy.momotato.com/2008/09/09/eroge-production/

Event line art

8,000 ~ 15,000 yen or 50,000 ~ 80,000 yen per image
Event art refers to art that takes up the entire screen and is used to represent a certain scene. The cost on the left is for a normal artist, and the cost on the right is the cost when a popular artist is used.

Event CG colouring

10,000 ~ 30,000 yen per image
The price changes according to if the background has to be coloured, and also according to the colouring style used (such as anime style colouring), and if the shadows are already designated in the line art.

Bust shot line art

3,000 ~ 10,000 yen each
These are the images used to represent the characters in the normal parts of the game. Variations in the character expressions doesn’t change the cost, but different clothes and poses will count as different images.

Bust shot CG colouring

approximately 1/2 ~ 1/3 of the cost of colouring the Event CG
The colouring style will be done in the same style as the Event CG, so the cost of colouring the Event CG will directly affect the cost of the Bust shot colouring.

Bust shot backgrounds

15,000 ~ 50,000 yen each
These are the backgrounds used to depict where the characters are.
All sorts of backgrounds from TV anime level to movie level of art.

Scenario

1,000 yen for every 1kb
The story. Basically 1 yen for every 1 byte of the scenario. Outline and background settings do not count.

Programming

150,000 ~ 2,500,000 yen
The computer program that’s needed to run everything on the PC.This is the cost for ADV games, the price can get higher if it’s stuff like Action games or Mahjong.

Scripting

150,000 ~ 300,000 yen per 1MB
Scripting refers to the scripting that’s done to present all the relevant materials (art, backgrounds, bgm, etc) in order as the scenario progresses. The 1MB refers to the size of the scenario.

BGM

10,000 ~ 50,000 yen each
Most of them have been 25,000 yen or below recently.

Song

100,000 ~ 1,000,000 yen each
Stuff like the theme song, insert song, ending song, image song etc. Using a famous singer can cost a ton.

Sound effects

1,000 ~ 5,000 yen each
It’s pretty tough for the sound effects guys because when they sell a sound effect to a company it tends to get used across all their games.

Movie

100,000 ~ 10,000,000 yen
The more sophisticated the movie, the more it costs. It can cost a fortune if there’s anime or stuff like that.

Animation

1,000,000 yen and above
For comparison, a 30 minute TV anime costs about 8,000,000 ~ 15,000,000 yen

Cut-in

This refers to small graphics such as items and stuff. It’s usually done within the company itself, but if it’s outsourced, it’ll cost several thousand yen each.

Voices

It’s hard to give a range for this because the costs are completely different depending on the person that is used.

Interface

100,000 ~ 200,000 yen
Basically the graphics and design for the GUI. This is also usually done in-house, but this is the average cost to do it if they outsource.

Debugger

5,000 ~ 10,000 yen per day
It’s usually done in-house with everybody doing it together, but they get part-time staff when there isn’t enough manpower.

Other fees that may occur:
Direction fees 100,000 ~ 300,000 yen per month
CG managing fees 100,000 ~ 300,000 yen per month
Project fee 300,000 yen and below

Working slowly

2011-09-07T20:15:00.000-07:00

Need to re-motivate myself and keep going.

I felt overwhelmed about 1-2 weeks ago, just getting back to normal...
Rescheduling myself a bit too... need a more mixed up schedule between my work and commission work to make it work for me. Other wise I get emo and don't want to do anything.

For someone who asked about recommended VA mic: http://mayshing.com/altabe/training/sound

It's about 200-300 dollar investment... its not cheap becoming a home studio VA, you have to set it up right to deliver quality clean sound, sound is much harder to control than visual. That's why I usually pay VA when I can afford to. Serious pro level VAs are hard to come by.

After 23 auditions...tips for basic issues 4 online Voice actors

2011-09-04T21:20:00.000-07:00

Recruiting for Cat's LadyStar anime project...

After 23 auditions... 3 for Devin Brook which i am still trying to figure out what it is and where it's from...
20 of those for LadyStar....

Thanks to everyone who recorded, spent their time and do work to the best of their ability, and those who took the time to put together a reel and such.

Now... I do have to say... 90% of these don't meet professional standard, but I do feel a good 10% did meet it, and another 20% of the people who auditioned have a good chance to be tweaked to professional standard.
Most are good for hobbyist and fun projects online, but can't work for professional recording quality. I do feel we need.... a tutorial.... just to make sure to bring up average audition levels... It is better than 2 years ago on average, but not yet to enough pro level work ratio.
It all has to do with sound knowledge.
As a VA at home, you MUST have the right set up, if you don't, your voice recording just isn't clean enough to be considered in a professional production. (its fine if it's for fun, just that no one will pay for it.)

GREG~~~~~~!!!! PLEASE MAKE A TUTORIAL! ~~It will spare us from all the basic problems for start up productions. >.< I can't take it anymore~~~ OTL~~

OK... what I need people to do in the future.... as a favor for those who are listening... please please please:
(You can tell I'm going nuts here... pardon my tone, I am just going to vent it out)

1. Check your room tone:
An easy way to check for your room tone is to record your room without you speaking into it, then compare it to your recorded lines. (OUT LOUD on speakers on all highest volume setting! Not just your headphones! That's how we check if it passes for surround, professional production has to pass surround sound test.)

If you HEAR your room noise CLEARLY in the back drop against your voice, it's no pass, it's not clean enough.
If you hear slight room noise in your voice, but its not big.... perhaps we can tweak it a bit and try to cover it up. That's doable.
Do not, and I repeat.... DO NOT attempt to clean your lines yourself unless we want you to do it. It will change your voice quality if you don't know what you are doing or if you don't have the right tools. And there's issues with combining it with other voice actor's lines as well if their quality is slightly different from yours.

Make sure you can minimize any room noise to the minimum! If you simply don't have a quiet environment at home, please go to find a friend who has a studio or a school studio.

2. Clipping, peaking:
Basic problem NUMBER 2! The one I hear most! Everyone's peaking at yelling, louder lines. Yelling lines in anime doesn't mean "YELL" it means "express yelling." Your volume should not change! Study some anime for this, and watch it with volume up on speaker on their yelling sequence, and then compare to yours. You will notice their volume is still flat like any normal speech.

If you need to do an yelling line, do me a favor, record yourself yelling from a distance for practice, RECORD yourself. And STUDY your yelling, study the heck out of it, the expression of it.
Then FIGURE out how to say the exact same feeling without raising your volume in the official recording.

3. GET POP FILTERS!
This is a slightly more minor issues, but a lot of people have no pop filters, I know because plosives like P, B, T, S go crazy being breath into the mic. Get your pop filters if you want to get paid for doing this, or learn to eliminate your plosives and raise the quality of the recording. Some of you who have a strong voice might need double pop filters to do the job. Try to figure out what you need and get your suitable pop filter.

-----

With these three issues taken care of, so many more people can be considered into professional production.
It's a regret many auditions just fell through because of these basic issues not resolved.

I am not a voice actor I can't do this like you guys do, so for you who are interested in doing it, get serious, get the tools you need, and then you can get paid for it.

ta da updates

2011-09-01T20:55:00.000-07:00

http://mayshing.com/edepth/wordpress/

http://mayshing.com/2Masters/wordpress/

Updated as scheduled.

Tiana's Wish 2 updated to page 47.

E-Depth Anime production updated with new model sheets for everyone who's interested.

Weee tones of updates once again~~~

中文新聞: (Chinese translation news)
E涯的中文翻譯從這個月開始會繼續進行~因為之前的翻譯員已經再幫忙翻天地,就交給新人, 感謝迦夏幫忙~還需小段時間就可以回復正常更新.

Tiana wish updated to current

2011-08-23T14:26:00.000-07:00

READ pg37 updates

A leader must choose

2011-08-20T12:54:00.000-07:00

A leader must choose not to act on insecurity - it hurts the team mates.
A leader must choose not to act on fear - it brings chaos and poor solutions
A leader must choose to branch out- and not be satisfied with limited abilities ---- always
A leader must choose to dedicate and trust - so the team can complete the tasks most efficiently ----yep
A leader must always try to get feedback - it's tough to hear the truth and bear it, to improve performance
A leader must choose to care about teammate's well being over their own
A leader must sell, sell, sell their team's objectives and direction and get people to buy in
A leader must knock and kick doors open so others can proceed to enter
A leader must provide for the need of the team
A leader must give credit where it's due --- done
A leader must challenge the team and push teammates further in skill level. ---- starting
A leader must has consistency in personal expression and choice making ---- not sure....
A leader must prepare to let people go, and help them expand for their own dreams --- working on that
A leader must reward the good, and punish the bad
A leader must be initiative, and be bold and careful about it
A leader must protect teammates when teammates come under attack
A leader needs to be well rounded --- heard about this.... but i need to know what "well rounded" mean in different situation, a person can't be best at everything.

Hight lighted areas are the areas i think i need to improve on...
Is there more?
9_9 i have a lot to level up in. Just a bit too much lol~ Oh God...HELP~~~!

Currently: Level....4 leader... I only fulfilled 4 out of my list.
Trying to level up in some of them... there's others I am completely.... sucking at right now.

如果我是新出版社,我會這麼做

2011-08-17T12:13:00.000-07:00

If I am a new publisher, this is what I would do.

English Version
任何人都歡迎抄襲嘗試這點子...因為我沒金錢也沒時間搞這種事業.

-------------------------

創造一個可以免費加入免費查看的漫畫網站,最好是給很多甚至無限空間. 像是Deviantart這麼大方. 有好幾個我知道的漫畫網站最大缺陷是空間和畫面大小給得很有限...過度保護反而達不到宣傳效果. 需要控制品質的話可以增加徵稿活動和規定.
我也會把漫畫區分成專業和同人區,以作品名為準. 這樣把同人大手也都一網吸引過來.
(同人就讓他們無限制轉放作品,因為作品是他們的, 自家的就照平常標準管)

我會允許任何人免費看漫畫, 職業的只給最低的薪水,其它額外錢由粉絲經過"網路小額捐款"出錢. 跟臉書按讚一樣, 讓粉絲透過我的網站放錢進來~看到喜歡的作品就按"讚" 那就會有一點金額從粉絲的錢中分出來. 基本概念和flattr.com 這網站相同. (使用類似系統的不只這網站,也有很多小額捐款網站都搞, kickstarter, 是其中之一) 要粉絲讓錢進來的動力就是:

1. 粉絲給作品按讚以後就看不到廣告了,沒按讚以前會有廣告來贊助這流量需要的花費 (那時候廣告可以盡量放,成為會員沒有按讚還是可以放一個廣告)

2. 粉絲給作品按讚,就可以給畫家加薪!是告訴畫家我喜歡你作品加油!的最大鼓勵!

3. 週邊: 把所有你公司可以買到的書籍和周邊展品都連到相關作品旁邊做廣告,經過你網站可以直接買,看粉絲進不進來! 這對其他商人也有好處,要招集因該不會是問題!

4. 久久沒人氣沒人按讚的作品可以被退到同人自創區, 畫家作品失去薪水但是仍然可以按讚,這也可以被算成一種淘汰系統,讓粉絲知道沒人氣作品會消失,關心的粉絲會大肆宣傳, 也可能讓人氣不足的漫畫有點機會扳回, 對出版社有好處.

5. 如果有粉絲花很多錢,(高達500-1000美金) 應該要請粉絲最喜歡的畫家特別獎勵粉絲,像是簽繪之類...會更鼓勵競標花費.

抽成: 這種小額捐款抽成是很正常的事,粉絲捐出錢來時就抽3-5%成, 小小一批沒人會在意,人氣一高就可以賺很多錢. Paypal, Kickstarter就是這樣做起來的阿~

同人: 同人一定都要借原作的名字出名, 在原作和有同樣主題名字的同人介面放出相關作品, 原作連到最紅的同人, 最紅的同人連到原作...所有網上同人的"讚"都去給原作作者,但是允許同人畫家賣自己東西當周邊賣,網路交易從中抽成也可以.
(自創同人當原作處理~錢歸原作者)

翻譯: 國外很多人喜歡自己幫漫畫翻譯, 讓他們自己把翻譯當成同人放上我的網站, "讚"的金額直接歸到原作者. 很多翻譯員這樣也會無怨無悔~他們翻譯的目的本來就是要幫助原作者的作品更廣泛宣傳.

我自己看過很多系統, 也因為自力更生有這些點子,我覺得要執行這些點子不是簡單的事,但是回報可能性極高... 誰有膽的歡迎使用嘗試...我只是畫家,不是出版社...有人願意嘗試我的點子我身為畫家以感激不盡... 不求報酬...只希望漫畫界轉型從書本到電子轉型成功... 其實這模式是可以多家出版社使用的,越多人用越好... 對漫畫界只有好處沒有壞處.

此文章歡迎翻譯...

WTH overnight prints

2011-08-16T18:07:00.000-07:00

This never happened before, but Overnight prints screwed me up royally with their packaging, 100 of my ordered Angel bookmark is completely ruined. It was packaged before it was dried. They bookmarks stuck together like a block of bricks!

When I tried to separate them, every single one is ruined. I can't sell them anymore. So I am suck with a bunch of cards. Overnight prints customer service better make this up to me. XP
I have sent a reprinting request to customer service...
*update: They got back to me right away and offered reprinting and refund option. I chose reprinting.

Manga VS comics

2011-08-16T09:19:00.000-07:00

Japan publishing sales: $22 Billion
US publishing sales: $23.34 Billion
Japan manga sales: $5.2 billion (= 23.6% of total JP publishing sales)
US comics sales*: $0.54 billion / $540 million (= 2.3% of US publishing market)
(*includes only US comics and graphics novels, not manga)
Sales of digital manga in Japan: $753 million
Sales of digital comics in US: $8 million
NOTE: These sales figures were provided by JManga.

From About.com
Dang, if those figures are real.... USA comic market needs help. O_o

Director's Anxiety

2011-08-14T20:20:00.000-07:00

Since Roxanne is starting her game project, she starts to experience the Director's Anxiety. Yes I just made a name for it. lol

It's something I have gone through before, and still have it occasionally, the worry of "what if it fails? After all of these efforts? All of these time, all of the time of the teammates and everyone else who pour their souls and heart into the project?"

For Roxie's game, it's a demo currently... maybe it will need 100 hours... for my Edepth anime, it's something that would take up at least 1000 hours of all of our combine efforts... it's that costly.

Eventually I got tired of worrying about the unknown, if it has not happened... it has not happened.
The good thing is... the US... or somewhere around the world, is big enough to accept our projects, someone, somewhere out there might like it. 2Master's short film, being where it was won us some money, I am sure the next one will do better because it's a lot more effort going into it.

As for effort...
Zeiva , Mirage, once mentioned how she felt about her games not doing as well as she wanted after working on it for 3 years... I do fully understand effort does not equal to success... I feel for her on that part...some of the most popular stuff out there are not things that took too much effort... it's about the trend.

However... it is also suggested by Fred from Frederator, who made many kids show possible: "Do something you love. Don't care about the times. You never can predict the trend 3 years later."

Doing this kind of stuff is just a risk. You never know. You can guess all you want but trends in popular media change every year or two... while some part of it is ever lasting similarity (like shonen shojo) others are completely up in the air... it's like stock market right now, unpredictable. So all that's left is just enjoy what you do... If I must dance in the rain, I might as well enjoy being soaked. It's the path I chose.
It's not like I haven't been soaked before... If my stuff is out there, I will get negative comments. I view them as a form of baptism. lol~ Being showered by the market itself.

It's not your friends cheering you on, it's not your mom saying "good job." it's not your family who support you... but it's a bunch of people nit-picking praising, loving, supporting, stealing, hating your work, tearing it up, ignoring or worshiping it, I have one thing to say:
Welcome to the real market, where everything goes.Welcome to the pro world, this is just a norm.

If my project is only good enough for a small handful of people to like it, that's where I am. I have to level up, push it farther. Or just stick with what I have.

If my project is good enough for a lot of people to like it, then it's a success, and we don't have to talk more about this anxiety.

As for my team, everyone who put time into it... I have obligation to them to sell this project as much as I can, to do my best, exhaust all resources I can to push it out there. I may not have the best personality for it, but that's not an excuse for me to just make stuff and not promote.

I am doing everything I can... I hope I will be joined by my teammates in the future to help make the project a success.... as for how big of a success... we will have to wait and see.

For now, just making it happen is enough work for us.

Creative entertainment projects is a form of self-torture for others' enjoyment... one really have to be a little crazy to keep doing this.

Putting stray dogs to work

2011-08-13T10:29:00.000-07:00

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2011/07/03/2003507307

Taiwan solution to stray dogs is giving them jobs to do!
It's working out really well! At least any of the dogs that can work now can be adapted into business instead of just private homes!

They train the dogs into working dogs, helping farmers organize cattles, sheeps... all the reports are satisfactory, and the request/demand has risen from 1000 dogs to 2000.

Hopefully someone in US can try this too?

Chinese article: (流浪犬找工作需求爆量應該是好事?)
http://www.cdns.com.tw/20110813/news/nsxw/T90014002011081217514794.htm

Types of leaderships

2011-08-11T10:09:00.000-07:00

I made two polls for the type of leadership that people may prefer, or the type of leadership flaws that drive people nuts.

Leadership style you prefer: http://mayshing.deviantart.com/journal/poll/2207040/

Leadership flaw that drives you nuts: http://mayshing.deviantart.com/journal/poll/2208412/

I listed all the types of Leaders I know and came across. (of course my polls might not be worded the best so the poll has certain level of bias, it's a good reference to me nevertheless. )
You are welcome to add/comment to my points so I may learn as well.

Usually, most leaders have several types of these personalities... one type is more dominant than others.

***

Truthful Leaders: Leaders who tell the truth like it is, no sugar coating, no lies, you can count on them to tell you what they think whether you like it or not.

Pros: You don't ever have to guess about this leader, clear on directions, determined, no bull shit, get things done. You can feel very motivated to do well under them.

Cons: When you get on the leader's bad side, you have it coming at you. They will not shelter you or hide any of your flaws for you, they tell it as it is when others asked.

***

Encouraging Leaders: They focus on making the team stay motivated, happy, when they criticize they word it nicely and stay on positive side. "What you did is good. Can you just add a bit more of this?"

Pros: You will often feel valued, happy, you will improve when the leader's standard is high, and structure is tight. Team atmosphere will stay harmonious.

Cons: If the leader focus too much on making people stay happy, they might choose to let bad results through, or cover up for weak team mates they should fire, and hurt the whole project and eventually the whole team. In the cruel market, it's a deadly issue because the company can close down! This type of leader also doesn't like to deal with conflict and tend to avoid it, or let it drag on until it turns into a huge drama.

***

Mastery Leaders: Very strict leaders, they are not there to pat you on the back, they train you military style, meet the standard and you are in, if you can't make it you are out.

Pros: This type of leader usually really really know their stuff, they are experienced, skilled, and strict. They will make sure the project/team delivers the highest quality of standards. You will become an elite under their watch.

Cons: They are usually never satisfied, it's hard to please them, you tend to know what you did wrong, not what you did right. You can be doing endless revisions, or same tasks, practices until they think you get it.

***

Friendly Leaders: Letting people have a lot of room, loose on time line, loose on specifics, giving you all of the freedom to deal with your project. They trust you to complete on time and on your own.

Pros: If the team members are highly experienced, this kind of hands off leader can be great, they shield you from all the worries, provide for you, take care of your needs. You are mostly approved of anything you want to do.

Cons: Lack of direction, lacking of structure, people can lack respect to this type of leader. Most often they have a hidden standard, when the result isn't what they wanted, they will be upset, and you can feel like you wasted your time. Sometimes when drama happens, this type of leader would be ineffective.

***

My own preference: I prefer Encouraging and Friendly leaders, over Truthful and Mastery at times. I chose a Friendly leader for my thesis film, but I adore Truthful Leaders.
Mastery leaders I appreciate but rather not work under.

Now I reflect upon this, my own style of leading is actually more "Encourage" type, I rather be more truthful sometimes it can help, but I lack the guts to be so honest at all times.
The way I deal with my leadership style weakness is recruiting other types of leaders and work with them. They cover for my weakness.

***

Amazon studio, should try this.

2011-08-04T19:24:00.001-07:00

http://studios.amazon.com/help/filmmakers/?ref=stu_qp_animators

Good news for indy animators/film makers.

CD diary-otakon 11

2011-08-02T10:52:00.000-07:00

That sums up my otakon 11...

I haven't done much of my own Diary until now.

3 days can be this eventful. lol

Edepth, 2Masters, updated

Otakon report with photos =D

2011-08-01T19:11:00.000-07:00

Left Maria, right, me in my hanfu. :) We share table this year.

Greg, Son and me at my table. We did workshop together this year

I was treated to sushi by my friends in MD. And no i didn't eat them all.

My friends from SVA making their workshop: making your anime at home 2

I was thinking not to return to otakon again because it's getting expensive to go, but I think I made enough to desire to go back next year if I can. :) Not super like shilin and a couple of others did, whose booth was surrounded by people. lol~
Glad to meet up with my old friends from SVA again, its almost like class reunion!
And I got to talk to Dirk from http://dynamanga.net/ again and this time he got a book from me. :D He mentioned he had record sales. ha ha

The workshop... eh, my PC froze right before presentation (kicks Gateway) so we switched to Greg's computer in emergency.... delayed for about 5 minutes but was able to go through it. (I totally struggled with my section..... But we were able to show things...) Greg and son saved the workshop with the smooth, and great sound presentation. We had full house again which I didn't expect on Friday afternoon.
We didn't film it this time either, sorry. We just don't have enough friends helping out to film, I wouldn't want you to see me struggle anyway.

I will be going to more conventions with Lossingfeathers and her bf after this one, hopefully sell more books and do it for fun.
OH yea, check this guy out... he's now my funniest portrait guy to date.

Some comics coming up on next post.

edepth anime progress

2011-07-28T19:50:00.000-07:00

http://youtu.be/zHBTuTG25Mg

Completed less than what i wanted for otakon.... but i guess this will do.

Random titles ideas for shorts

2011-07-27T17:36:00.000-07:00

From this random chinese title generator:

Super market ninja, Hentai (perverted) world, Mr. Magic lady, The noble knight detective, Grim reaper Angel, Vampire Game master, Tragedy of Taiwanese man, Magical Princess, Street side mafia, Legend of magic, Strawbarry Pirate King, Death God Game Master, Love in the kitchen, Ghostly ninja, The most Moe, The saddest Tragedy, Fire ninja hunter, Street vendor prince? Papa's moe prince, My sister can't be so grandma! Shut in 100%, Cute Boy's notebook...

I need some stupid ideas anyway.

Edepth angel anime still shot

2011-07-27T14:34:00.000-07:00

Finalizing the fight bonus sequence today. (hopefully get it done in time for otakon)
Finished shot one today on the storyboard.
Not bad.

Keeping some mental notes: It must look perfect up close, it must match what outside standard JP industry is doing.

I was telling my friend that even if Edepth anime is finished, at its best its a "normal" anime film. A normal anime/mech film.
That's just how hard it is to make a good film... Edepth is going to be our measurement, our training film, hopefully when we pull it all together, we can say: HELL YEAH WE DID IT!
Then move on to something else. lol

If I was a publisher, this is what i would do...

2011-07-26T13:49:00.000-07:00

Anyone is welcomed to steal this idea and use it. I don't have the power to execute it and I don't mind those who have it do it more.

中文翻譯

-------------------------

Build a manga hosting site, as powerful and permissive as DA, or spider forest, or SJ
(Some publishers who need quality control can have a submission process.)
Separate into doujinshi and professional work category, with needed sub categories.

Allow anyone to post on my site, allow anyone to view it freely when they sign up, allow those experienced creators to upload their resume so I can separate them from the normal crowd and give them bigger features. Allow the artists to customize their page.
Professionals who already published or (was under my publishing) shall be paid at minimum yearly wage, all of their bonus are from the fans, if they don't make enough money or get enough fandom, they will be moved to doujinshi section.

Implement my own micro-financing system on my site similar to flattr, and let the people put in real money from their account, or paypal.

Beside every artist's work, have that flatter button automatically posted as soon as their work is up.
Get merchandise company to buy in with ready merchandising to give people a reason to sign up and spend while they read the comics. Display merchandise related to the series they are reading for the professional section, for the doujinshi section, let the artist do their own business upload their own info, any money exchange will be charged a small percentage, like 3-5%. etc.

If their work is not flattred, an ad will be displayed to make up for the traffic cost, (to members and especially non-members) if their work is flattred beyond a point where it generates significant profit, ads can be eliminated to the members viewing. This will encourage fans to flattr their work.

Link recommendation of doujinshi with titles related to the original on display, and the original to the doujinshi.

Any non-original title will need to mark where their title is from, and the flattr button generated will fund the original artist instead. Violation or false reports will be removed. But allow the doujinshi artist to sell/advertise their work in physical form.

Allow translation groups to participate in the doujinshi section, and put in ads and link to the original work. Translation group will need to mark their work as translation, and the flattr on that title will go to the artist.

Let people know the artists will get money if they flattr the artist, if they don't flattr the artist the artist can loose interest or loose their job. (works like the magazine cut system)

Subscription will work if you promise return on more than just "reading the comics" such as merchandise, signature, discount on conventions or tickets to see the artists, etc.

For the fans who spend a significant amount, they should get special reward from merchandise or the artists themselves. (such as spending over 1000 USD on the site get a sketch signature mailed to them. etc)

This can work pretty well, I would imagine.

Translation of this article welcomed.

2083- a killer using social taboo to achieve hiding his secret operation

2011-07-26T10:02:00.000-07:00

How to use social taboos to prevent individuals close to you from digging too
much or ask too many questions - AND how to easily manipulate them into
assisting you in protecting your cover from everyone else without them having
the slightest clue what is going on
Using social taboos is an extremely effective method from preventing people who know
you well from digging too much or ask too many questions about your activities that
weekend or that year. It is also an extremely effective method for manipulating them into
protecting your cover.
Long term covers:
• Say you play WoW (World of Warcraft) or another MMO and have developed an addiction
for it. Say that are going to play hardcore for the rest of the year and it is no point trying to
convince you otherwise. Inform them that you will be busy doing that in the future etc. Tell
them that you are ashamed of it and you don’t want to talk any more about it. Make them
swear to not tell anyone! (you just effectively prevented any more questions from that
person AND made the individual assist you in protecting your cover from everyone else)
• Say you think you are gay and are in the process of discovering your new self and that you
don’t want to talk any more about this issue. Tell them that you are ashamed of it and you
don’t want to talk any more about it. Make them swear to not tell anyone! (your ego is
likely to take a dent unless you are secure in your own heterosexuality, because they will
actually believe you are gay. However, it’s an extremely effective strategy for stopping
questions and prevent people from digging in your life when you don’t want them to.

From 2083
wow....
Twisted minds never ceased to amuse me, .... that's a way to use social taboo I would have never thought of.
He didn't just misled his friends/family, he misled the media too making people think once again games are to blame when he's just a political nut head.

He's a completely different type of killer, I much more prefer someone who's revengeful than someone who's got political agenda like this, he's far more dangerous, and should be locked up for life.
I previously couldn't make the connection between his action and his reported beliefs, its only after reading (skimming) through 2083 that I made some connections...

What made me more stunned is the slowness of Norway Police's reaction to this, and the looseness of its law to deal with such a killer, 21 years in prison? Norway is too peaceful I suppose...
In the US he would have been killed by snipers while he's still on the island, or be sentenced to life without parole.

Chinese name generator

2011-07-22T13:26:00.001-07:00

http://www.richyli.com/name/index.asp

用來取名字好用~
Good for generating random chinese names

Artist Alley Otakon 11

2011-07-21T14:06:00.001-07:00

http://otakon.com/
July 29 - July 31, 2011

Baltimore Convention Center
Baltimore, Maryland, USA

We will be at G07.

Near the Otakon AA exit.

See you there!

Our workshop time:
Workshop Rm 1How to Make Anime at Home
Fri (7/29) 3:00 PM (Pre-Production)
Sat (7/30) 8:00 PM (Post-Production)

皮諾丘之城: 沒用到的稿子

2011-07-21T10:22:00.000-07:00

這是試閱以後被刷下來(因為反應是"看不懂")的幾頁... 因為台灣漫畫創刊休刊~算是做了白工...不過因為有讀者提到,還是放上來... (合約裡也是說可以放就是,藍和我談的時候真是非常客氣, 這部分的故事重敘是他幫忙寫的.)

(This is the Extra pages made originally for the publisher sample, but it ended up not being used, so it's like... wasted work. but now I can put it online because the magazine has ended. As for english translation... eh... I will put it up later.)

神書俠夢出爐~ :P

2011-07-19T21:39:00.000-07:00

READ:

中文版 | English

After the one time not-so-great display in Taiwan Manga Magazine,

I hope to redeem myself with this new work to my Taiwanese readers. lol~

台灣漫畫月刊-皮諾丘之城

在不盡人意的情況下問世以後希望這部作品能有正面的回響 :P

現在只有幾頁,這部作品由於故事製作難度超高,只能不定期更新.

希望出刊時能有人捧場.

放眼國際談台灣漫畫的前景與展望

2011-07-19T11:02:00.000-07:00

Watch live video from Newtalk - 開放編輯室 on Justin.tv

Taiwan manga industry panel (Chinese only)

http://mayshing.com/Shenshu/

Tiana's Wish 2 update

2011-07-18T19:59:00.000-07:00

The current vote incentive CD Diary story, part of the pages updated here:

http://mayshing.com/CDstudio/TianaWish2/

stock footage hunt

2011-07-18T14:49:00.001-07:00

http://www.pond5.com/video-sound-effects-music-after-effects-photos-illustrations/1/ink.html

so much cheaper than artbeats.com...
pond5.com gives out free stock footage and sound every week too. Great for hunting.

Shenshu, first few pages

2011-07-16T19:58:00.000-07:00

Chinese version will come later when i get the site ready.
Yes, Tian Sung has one of those parents. XD

中文同步網站弄好時會放上來...雖然可能有些比賽不能參加...
網路還是最好的傳播媒體之一,就虧著吧.
主角有個標準的直升機父親~ XD

Con notes on traveling

2011-07-14T14:52:00.000-07:00

For intervention con

https://www.boltbus.com/default.aspx
Bus from Newark to DC

http://www.animecons.com/events/

Taiwan puppet shows

2011-07-13T21:28:00.000-07:00

Oh gosh, the puppet show in Taiwan improved with all the fancy CGI and 3D? OOhhhh crap! When I researched for my chinese story I should have researched these.

Chinese:
好久沒看台灣布袋戲,已經進步到這種程度! O__O 我武俠系的研究應該要看他們才對阿~

Edepth Game Duel

2011-07-08T11:30:00.000-07:00

Chapter 8's game duel result.... XD

Some server glitch happened with wordpress, all of Edepth's english content was lost, we are trying to fix it now... (More like Roxanne is fixing it... XD)

hopefully its backed up soon.

給台灣/大陸朋友: (For Chinese readers)

E涯(皮諾丘之城)英文版突然從網路上失蹤...我們正在修, 希望很快復原...

edepth new wallpaper concept? :)

2011-07-07T20:29:00.000-07:00

Based on the chapter on Memories. X3 i think i will play around on the colors.

對不起我不能同意這種宣傳手法

2011-07-07T11:31:00.000-07:00

Nooooooo what are you doing?!

This just triggers the anger of all the fans of the Japanese mangas which we (the Taiwan manga magazine) are supposed to buy over.
I can not agree with your campaign on this. I hold deep respect for authors for Naruto, One piece, and as much as i complain about American comics, I respect their art, stories, characters and world.
I admire your courage, your passion, I deeply appreciate you taking the chance with me so my work can see the selves of all stores in Taiwan, I hope... we have the chance to grow together, do much better campaign together.

不不不! 我不能同意這種宣傳手法! 我們要銷售的對象都是親日親美的讀者阿...惹他們生氣對我們的名牌...
既然已經名正言順的公佈了,還公布在新聞上,我也只好光明正大的跟你唱反調. 因為我的作品也在當中.
我個人十分尊重已經暢銷海外全世界的火影和海賊王作者,就是我抱怨連連的美漫我也是相當欣賞他們的強處.

我相當欣賞你們的勇氣...但這種宣傳要我們其他無法同意的作者怎麼辦啊?
我沒有別的選擇,只能在我這個人站上說, 如果我在那,我不會/也無法/同意這樣宣傳的...

但是,我還是非常感恩我的作品可以因為台灣漫畫的關係見到市面,沒有你們,我在台灣可能永遠只是河道上的一小卒. 因為你們的大膽,你們的勇氣...我的作品可以上7-11的架子...是我夢寐以求早已放棄的夢想...你們實現了.

雖然我們很多人都還不成熟需要成長.我期望我們有那個資本, 那個時間,那個機會...一起長大.

台灣漫畫出版: 皮諾丘之城

2011-07-06T15:49:00.000-07:00

Edepth has been published at 7/6/11 in Taiwan, by Taiwan magazine.

給新讀者和朋友們:
我的漫畫Edepth Angel,以[皮諾丘之城]在台灣漫畫雜誌上正式連載~現在起到7-11、全家、萊爾富、OK便利商店、全國各大書局，都可以買到台灣漫畫月刊創刊號

給已經翻完雜誌的讀者: XD

台灣漫畫 雜誌7/6號正式在台灣上市, 有不少風聲.

我的作品: 皮諾丘之城 (原名: Edepth Angel)

是我自主製作自2004年開始在網上經營的作品,到現在還在連載...每個禮拜天更新...其實己經有6本以上的內容.
在一連串朋友Wanda,和Edward的幫忙和台灣漫畫總編輯的協助下,和台灣漫畫談成授權中文版. 英文版和其他語言則還是我自己處理, 原作本來是網路漫畫, 所以在網路上是可以免費閱讀的. 中文版因為授權以後停止翻譯, 交與出版社處理. 英文和其他版本照常更新.

其實之前封面出來後造成的風波也知道出版了以後大部份的反應會如何,就不多講了...

其實基於作品成熟度的關係,本來出版社只要我後半段的範外篇,也有多畫新的稿頁,但是根據很多讀者反應是"讀不懂"
由於故事連貫性還是相當的重要,最後還是以本作品第一集見市了.

我作品劇情,演出,分鏡的問題其實也都聽過,也檢討過,但是畫完的東西已經畫完,只能與自己的錯誤共舞,我自己的錯誤我必須年年面對它的次數是多不勝數. 每次換網站,每次作品擴張,每次出書,甚至到做動畫時...都要一直面對自己當年的錯誤,後面的故事也是一直埔2004年就犯下的錯誤補到今天... 只能說"再也不敢了!"

但是,誰知道自己當年高中畢業後因為好玩和嘗試而畫的實驗系作品會成長到現在這樣,不但出書還出版,還著手開始做自己的動畫,還有一群熱血的朋友幫著我,只要開始動手做,不停的做,就是小沙也會堆成山.

皮諾丘之城對我而言就是這樣一部作品,其實和女主角的劇情挺類似的. 哈哈

只能期望有幾位願意追的多看幾篇看這作品是如何成長的囉.

PS: 有關改稿問題:
以下是我為什麼沒有和東一樣同步改稿的原因:

其實每張有修過,不過差距並不大,恐怕要細心點看才看得出來.
其實當初改版時也是急著最後一刻改版的,沒有時間重畫, 另外,就算有其時間重畫也沒有那種稿費,無法花一個月的時間另外修稿.

其實我對出版舊稿沒有"一定要改成新稿"給人看得同樣想法,東願意改是他的選擇,我的選擇是...既然我原來的英文觀眾已經接納我原來的稿子,我希望是全世界同步, 還有我是授權者,

"授權"是"授權"阿,舊日本漫授權也不照現在的等級重畫阿.

我有選擇可以不改.
如果我特意改稿,我新連載會沒時間畫,也會讓我原來讀者不平衡.我選擇原來稿子問世,可改就改,不可改就不勉強了.

---------

There's a lot of uproar about it online, most of it, negative comments toward the magazine.
I expected it, and as creators we take the criticism with a smile. We have to.

My work, as I know its not perfect, it has issues, it always does, but the issue that I had when I first created Edepth in 2004, lives with me until today.

The pacing, the bouncing of the story, the cramped paneling I did back in 2004 lives with me, and pound on me every time Edepth expands. Every time it has a news site, everytime it's posted on a new site, everytime I have to print the book, everytime I have to plan for the animation and do the animation. I live with my mistakes.

And somehow, this experimental work has grown from a small pile of sand to a large mountain I have to climb, first as mangas, second as anime.

As for why... I guess Edepth, despite it not being one of my most planned out work, has it's appeal, it has its charm, and I want to see how far it goes, and a good number of people seem willing to do so with me too.

Otakon workshop finally approved

2011-07-06T14:37:00.000-07:00

After a loooong wait finally our workshop at Otakon is officially approved and I can announce it. O_O

Kevin Pytel:
ROOM Workshops Room 1
Note: Workshops 1 has TWO projectors. Workshops 2 has NO projectors.
BOTH rooms have full sound systems including wireless microphones.
The time for your workshop is:
DAY Friday
START TIME 3 PM
END TIME 4:30 PM

Your workshop “Making your own anime at home part 2” is scheduled in:
ROOM Workshops Room 1
Note: Workshops 1 has TWO projectors. Workshops 2 has NO projectors.
BOTH rooms have full sound systems including wireless microphones.
The time for your workshop is:
DAY Saturday
START TIME 8 PM
END TIME 9 PM

I have the following for the pocket guides of part 1 and 2 respectively...

"The workshop will discuss the step by step process involved on how to
make an actual anime at home studio.
Part 1 discuss the pre-production, script, storyboard, sound
engineering, voice acting, animatic, team collaboration via internet
and all the challenges that one meet on the production.

The panel is held by a freelance animation/manga artist Mayshing who
is creating a 26 min anime esp based on her manga E-Depth Angel, and
her crew member, a professional sound engineer Greg Lim, start up
Voice actor Rob Reilly, and freelance animator Mallory Coronado and
Brian Kaufman whose work can be seen on Cartoon Network, Comedy
Central, & at the Sundance film festival among others."

"The workshop will discuss the step by step process involved on how to
make an actual anime at home studio.

Part 2 discusses the Production, Post Production, Animation, Clean Up,
Coloring, Compositing, Special Effects, Team Work Organization, Sound
Editing, and Marketing

CD diary updates, Remaining mails sent

2011-07-05T11:38:00.000-07:00

Heart's story upto page 28: http://mayshing.com/CDstudio/Heart/Heart.php

New category on CD diary emerges, that's "Locked specials." - Locked specials are ALL the stories I want to show you but can't quite show you, so I just list them as "Locked specials"
and make that a reserve for those who REALLY want to see it. (for $1) Check the page to see how to unlock it. lol Yes that's why I drew CD informant.

No Need for Dad: http://mayshing.com/CDstudio/Jeremy-NoNeed4Dad/index.php

Call that a late Father's day special? (actually it's done in 2006 so its super late.) XD
This is the first "Locked CD Diary file" because of the spoiler content to the major series sooooo, it's a donation item, but there's 3 free pages for teaser. lol

--------------
Two mails to Canada has been sent, and one to AK.

All the orders should be fulfilled. :)

crowd fight test 1

2011-07-02T20:13:00.001-07:00

Crowd fight, rough animation test 1. Of course this needs a lot more drawings/2ndary actions. :P
First crowd fight design ever, that was pretty tough.
Drawing count: 40.

edepth updated

2011-07-02T19:11:00.000-07:00

Updated as scheduled:

More mails mailed

2011-07-02T13:56:00.000-07:00

Just 3 people left now, 2 Canadians, one person from AK whose zip code doesn't match what the post office says... I should be mailing those on Monday.

The rest of the books for both paypal, kickstarter sponsors shipment should have been fullfilled, if you didn't get your book within the next two weeks let me know. :)

anime progress- ink and paint

2011-07-02T13:51:00.000-07:00

eh.... not quite there. (Why does he look so wide?.... hmmm)
But at least I got an idea how ink and paint works in 3D max 2011...

None will need a lot more shading than this. If we can't get the shading perfect... it just means we have to go back and draw things in, which will be PAINFUL.

Back home from vacation

2011-07-01T19:54:00.000-07:00

Back from Chicago!
You are welcome to use any photos I uploaded here on this post as stocks. :D
Don't need to credit or worry about licensing. Just don't resell the original version.

random experimental animation

2011-06-23T19:41:00.000-07:00

Watch youtube

I have been trying to find a suitable, doable animation style for Shenshu's series.... so i keep trying.

A random japanese song, 08-2 - Sakamoto Fuyumi - Asia No Kaizoku on radio (traditional music mixing with J rock) somehow sparked the spirit for doing this clip for Shenshu series. Then i just somehow completed it in 1 day while working... (this is my distraction, very productive....)

Tian is a ghostly figure... this series come back to haunt me from time to time.

books mailed... 90% of them

2011-06-22T12:31:00.000-07:00

Spent an hour at the post office.... (probably should have done it the faster way~ XD)
Just happened that today another post office lady come back late from lunch, and there's only 1 person, and ALOT longer lines than usual for this time period, and I appeared with over 25 mail packages to the counter.... (the rest is as illustrated)

They wouldn't send the books to canada due to the strike! D= I guess i would have to wait until it's over.

Frontline Soldiers watching Madoka

2011-06-21T20:43:00.000-07:00

http://blog.esuteru.com/archives/3672096.html

Just amusing. :D

Missing address

2011-06-21T15:40:00.001-07:00

Finally done, with my bro's help. X3
In the future i am doing paypal fundraising.... kickstarter isn't the best when it comes to providing "print ready" addresses (plus it takes 5%) XD

I am missing a few sponsor's address for sending out my books to them. Please either email me at mayshing AT gmail.com
or note me if you see my notice.

Camila B.
Kyle W.
Ryuyujin
Eden K.

Rant on studying DC/Marvel's mainstream comic style

2011-06-20T21:18:00.000-07:00

I watched the movie Green Lantern, and thought the story/setting of the world was quite awesome, and I wanted to do something about that kind of concept and practice this "American super hero comic style" at the same time for a short.

Upon drawing my pencil and start to study the style of paneling, figure, and drawing for the comic styling, I hit upon a few things that really really make me want to rant about in this style of drawings.... especially on women figures: (Male figures are fine I don't have a problem with them)

1. WTBEEEP is with all the red thick lips and giant boobs?! They are just CREEPY after you look at it for a while! Can these men not draw a woman LIKE a REGULAR woman not a porn star?! Can you not draw a "sharp eye- I will to eat you" woman for once or a girl without boobs not looking like a boy?

You know it's extremely hard even for me, a woman artist, to draw a woman who does not look like a Bitch in this sort of style. They just have to always tilt that eye corner upward, making her look sharper, hard cut chin/lines, extra thick lips.... you know... those are actually muscular designs. O_o They make a woman look not-so-feminine, . It does not hide the fact that they can't do subtle curves/expression on a woman. A real woman in cosplay looks better than these heroines, I swear.

2. WTBBEEEEP is with the lack of expression and acting here?! I surfed through a bunch of pages and even try googling to find more, all I find is something that look like it's copied off a magazine cover girl. Only those who studied Disney style or Anime actually show some different and more elegant expression apart from: Anger, serious, flirty/sexy, superficial sadness or some advertising smile.

May I suggest that some of those illustrators can learn to animate a bit? How about study some "micro-expressions?" How about actually get up and act out the scene and say the line?

I know American artists can do expression, apparently they aren't here in this main stream comic style, the concern to be accurate with figures outweighs the actual emotionally engaging acting.

3. WHAT's with the porn star get up all over the place and all the blonds?! Please do a better job with your fashion statement.

They do their figures, buildings, illustrative composition just about perfect, (not always comic page composition, mind you;) but body gestures, fight design, fashion design, and expressions are FAIL for me on many levels from many many series... Occasionally there's these few artists who actually have these skills.

I have just found another reason WHY I am not into this super hero genre. WTBEEP! I have thought it was just the layout/ small lettering, but nooooo~ There was more reasons for me not to like this genre on the art side. I will stick to the movies.... -_-

Clover con report

2011-06-20T20:20:00.000-07:00

I did very well from my local Clover Con, (I think I probably did the best out of all the artists because I was the only one doing portraits, kids wouldn't go for portraits unless they have friends and family, but their parents always want to get one, lol... it's a cheap con so I hope everyone made profit.)

The nicest thing is that they have waiters for artists/dealers who sat at the table and couldn't move to get out to get lunch. XD Only in small cons.... that was a niiiice touch. Though I had my own lunch and drink, I bought something anyway. The downside is it was in a gym without much air con so it was hot occasionally.

I am going back to it again, it's actually the first time I had to work with clients who doesn't even know that much anime, and it was quite interesting.

One girl couldn't tell link from Zelda, and another boy doesn't even know what chobits or k-on was... All they know were Pokemon and maybe.... mario and sonic?

Normal anime prints would not have done well there unless you are pokemon, sonic, zelda, all those Video game related stuff, or if you do portraits. XD

Merchandise company

2011-06-20T19:39:00.000-07:00

http://www.artscow.com/

http://www.spoonflower.com/welcome

http://www.branders.com/index.jsp (order bulk only)

http://blog.yam.com/suejean/article/19104786 (Taiwan)

Make your own bags/purses, from these sites.

Clover con

2011-06-17T15:41:00.000-07:00

I will be at Clover Con: http://clovercon.blogspot.com/ Sat 6/18 in Bridgewater, NJ selling my books and such. See you there if you are local to that con.
310 Milltown Road in Bridgewater NJ. 4H center.
Artist Alley is located in the "gym"

How to create a favicon

2011-06-16T16:12:00.000-07:00

http://www.dailyblogtips.com/how-to-create-a-favicon/

Not sure how to get it to wordpress though. We have favicon for the main site, not the wordpress ones.

2Masters wordpress site and new updates up

2011-06-15T10:01:00.000-07:00

http://mayshing.com/2Masters/wordpress/

Thanks to Roxie's hard work again we got the site up for this update,

now all updates are scheduled.

We are still trying to figure out how to solve spread-page's problem because wordpress is a bit more limiting....

Webcomic wordpress notes

2011-06-14T15:31:00.000-07:00

Word press
Webcomic plugin
Inkblot: Stylesheet (style.css)

Highlighted area is where you change color codes for major parts of the layout

Changing Overall background color:
Appearance> Background> change color #

Changing webcomic page background color:

/** Structure */
#wrap {
background: #f5f5f5;

/** Header */
#header {}
#header nav {
background: #333;

Books arrived

2011-06-13T17:10:00.000-07:00

Time to deliver, and time to start selling!

E-Depth Vol 1 full color B5 size 164 pages (2nd print run) - 25 USD
2Masters vol 1, 46 pages of color, 131 pages black and white (1st print run) - 15 USD

Shipping in USA: +4 USD
Shipping outside of USA: +10 USD

Kickstarter members do not need to add any additional fee for shipping.

I will be setting up paypal shop and Amazon shop very soon, in the mean while,
if you are interested to get a copy from me, note me and pay me via paypal: mayshing AT gmail.com
(Make sure you notify me of the address you want me to send it to.)

edepth updates on wordpress

2011-06-13T13:04:00.000-07:00

http://mayshing.com/edepth/wordpress/

Automatic update on Sunday from now on. :)

prearing for site redesign

2011-06-06T15:53:00.000-07:00

I am preparing for a site redesign, and including a lot more stuff onto my site.
This will be part of it. XD

To dos:
CD roadside musician
CD secret pic/box for voting
CD kicks butt for production

Zombie prince- light for my tunnel. :P

2011-06-03T22:48:00.000-07:00

http://fav.me/d3hz0yv

I have been searching for my own style of illustration for a while... copying, learning from other's techniques.
In the end, the comment I receive is that my work doesn't convey enough emotion to the viewers, nor message. Of course there was not much, i was merely studying, trying to figure out what works, but it was a wake up call.

It was obvious that my focus was wrong, it was on what might work for the audience, not myself.
Art should always work from bottom up. (doh I knew this! but when you felt what you liked didn't work, you will lose some focus trying to find out what's not working.)

I was aiming too much for the detail, not enough for the story.

In the past, when I did a story, it was more like a panel out of my manga, not illustration, so it doesn't have enough power. Now after I studied more illustration I am learning to do composition not of a manga panel, but of a single piece of illustration.

Note:
Illustration speaks differently for a "moment in time" from a manga.... manga's "moment" is more direct, straight forward emotions build up like animation, and CLEAR storytelling because you have a series of panels, eyes should move through them faster.

Illustration should be more in your face visuals, show stronger emotions, conflict, irony, awe, and everything in one shot, but more subtle and ambiguous on story telling to make people ponder about it, thus creating a longer "stare time."

I studied and tried many techniques, trying to level up, but i find i lose interest and patience in pure digital art quite fast, despite I actually managed to sit at the computer for hours upto 30+ hours a piece. I find it hard to push for details "naturally."

I was forcing myself to try what others are doing naturally, and feel defeated every time I can't push to their level. In the end, their technique is their technique, I can only come close, I can't become them, so I have to find my own.

When i pick up pencil again and try to doodle one night, i noticed I was still a lot more comfortable with traditional medium, its easier on the eyes, I can go slower and not feel as pressured by the light.

Digital medium is still better for contrast, and details so I use it for touch up... and I like my result.
I will push toward this direction, I think i can say I found a direction I actually can stay with, and I can honestly say, I don't care how well this piece might do, it satisfied me first as an artist. No regrets. XD

Next I will just aim to pull off more elaborate storytelling in a giant piece.

This is not a new method for me, I have used mixed media on my manga, but applying it to my illustration is still quite new. :/ Funny how i spent all that time studying i still go back to what I have been doing in my mangas. BLEH. Sometimes it's frustrating HOW MUCH of a mangaka i am. XD

class room modeling wip

2011-06-02T19:16:00.000-07:00

For my Gunman short, it will be useful if i need to make other school related story, or an animation based on the story later~ ha ha
Need to model the windows, door, wall and such next. :3 I love school lunch desk, so simple.
(need to fix some details... still)
This took me.... 5 hours so far.... >.< Dang i am slow.

site updates

2011-06-01T17:32:00.000-07:00

Site updated: http://mayshing.com/

>.>

shonen jump english section

2011-05-29T10:11:00.001-07:00

http://shonenjump.com/e/manga-shou/treasure.html

A contest for submission once per month.... thank you Naruru. :D

some of my fav collabs

2011-05-28T22:59:00.000-07:00

From here: http://altarstudio.mayshing.com/PBBS2/index.php

OMG these kids...

2011-05-25T14:02:00.000-07:00

Number 1
Number 2
Insane kids... from Taiwan. XD Too bad this isn't a world sports yet, no Olympic for them.
Adds this to my notes.

How to animate using SAI

2011-05-25T13:24:00.000-07:00

How to animate using Sai
And YES.... I think i know how to solve inconsistent drawing issues with different animators with this tutorial now...SMART animator, and hardcore, he would check the drawings like that... that's literally flipping 1 page at the time.... eek!

3D for 2D using 3D max

2011-05-23T14:05:00.000-07:00

This person gave me a tip on how to generate his results from 3D max: http://icephei.deviantart.com/

"In my case it is VrayToon/MentalRay contours for lineart; Cell Shaders, hand painted textures for 2d look; and overpaint for 2d effect enhancement (;"

http://www.kxcad.net/autodesk/3ds_max/Autodesk_3ds_Max_9_Reference/mental_ray_contour_shading.html

Choose Customize > Preferences. Go to the mental ray panel, and turn on Enable Mental Ray Extensions.
On the Render toolbar, click Render Scene.
If the active renderer is not already the mental ray renderer, go to the Common panel, and on the Assign Renderer rollout, click the “...” button for the Production renderer. A Choose Renderer dialog is displayed. Highlight “mental ray Renderer” in the list, and then click OK.
Leave the Render Scene dialog open, or minimize it.
Open the Material Editor. For the materials of objects you want to render with contours, use the mental ray Connection rollout to assign a shader to the Contour component.
Another technique would be to use the mental ray material, and assign shaders to both the Surface and Contour components.
Tip: The Simple contour shader renders uniform lines whose color and width you can control. The other contour shaders provide variant contour styles with more direct user controls.
On the Render Scene dialog, go to the Renderer panel. On the Camera Effects rollout, turn on Enable in the Contours group.
To simply add contour lines to a rendering, leave the shaders in the Camera Effects rollout set to their defaults. For other options, see Camera Effects Rollout (mental ray Renderer).

Note for maya user, for maya render post: http://altarstudio.blogspot.com/2011/05/maya-vector-render.html

360 practice

2011-05-22T22:33:00.000-07:00

NOT DONE NOT DONE NOT DONE NOT DONE NOT DONE YET.

Bleh, tricky thing...

2masters updated

2011-05-21T12:08:00.000-07:00

Updates here: http://mayshing.com/2Masters/Book2/Book2.php?page=26