Missing the Mark?

Hey there, thanks for the feedback! I know that a lot of artists (2D and 3D) typically use the same body type in their works, which does help to speed along creation time and all. But it's true that I should consider doing more types where I can. Thanks again for your comment!

Lucky Stallion

Hi Lucky, I've though about some feedback for you in this months. I've compared your style and work with other artists (perfect Slam, widebros...) and I realised that you are a very original in what u create: a mix of incredible storyline and amazing artwork. What u lack is a certain variety in the sense that all your characters have similar body type and scores the same moves. For example your wrestling stuff is sometimes repetitive but u can resolve that introducing different type of wrestler/gimnick with different body type and signature moves. I love your bodybuilder type wrestlers(Alexi is my favorite) but when all the opponents and the people in the audience too are as muscular as your MC that is quite disappointing. I recently check out Perfect Slam version of Alexi vs Crusher match and I found it very erotic (I love when the bigger Russian was manhandled by the slimmer and treacherous bad guy).

Alexi78

Thanks, Dan. It's a lot to think about, and I appreciate the input!

Lucky Stallion

This is a difficult post to respond to. Are you missing the mark? Not for this reader, you're filling a niche and a niche most other artists are failing at. And that might be the problem. While your work is awesome for me, maybe there aren't enough people like me to give you the support you need!!!

Dan

Thanks, Gordon. :) I appreciate it. I'll still need to move over to the other engine sometime, but I'm going to try and keep it as close to my style as I can. I hope that your uncertainties and worries are eased whenever they arise. It's never fun. :( Best of success to you!

Lucky Stallion

Thanks very much. :)

Lucky Stallion

as another artist, I really empathise with that uncertainty and that constant worry about meeting the amrket needs. You need to do what works best for you. You are good at asking us what we want and responding to that. I like the "finish" on your artwork more than hyperrealistic stuff. As Widebros says "I don't think you'e doing anything wrong", stick with it, hold onto your own style and your own creativity rather than doing what everyone else is doing

Gordon

Forget, the downfalls, and focus on what you want to do, we all have them , but the fight is on going, keep up the good work.

Eeic Johnson

Thanks so much, man; I appreciate the insight. :) I have a bad habit of not wanting to disappoint, and it can be hard now and then to just do whatever I want to do. Even with the poll, two things that I wanted to do, I still felt disappointment for nearly half the voters who wanted the other to win! Arrrgh! 😂 I'll figure it out. :)

Lucky Stallion

Your working style, your software, and your content should all be working for *YOU*, first and foremost, since you're the one who has to do it all! I don't think you're doing anything wrong - but if there's anything about the process that YOU don't love, there's no need to hang on to it. Always keep exploring and having fun :) Hope you're feeling better soon!

WideBros

Thanks very much for your comments and feedback, I appreciate hearing you guys' views (even if they conflict with each other.) Yeah, it'd be amazing to do this kind of thing full time, but on the other hand, if it went too far in the opposite direction, I'd have to drastically scale things down here -- while reducing the sub price, of course. On #1, I completely understand. I guess it says something that I haven't really increased their mass much (some characters received a wider upper torso at one point) in a very long time, but I don't see myself increasing it any going forward from here. I want to experiment with more body types when I move to a new generation model, which I plan to do sometime this year. For #2, I actually don't recall too many times where a smaller guy wins in my stories. Except for Gorilla defeating Zangief in November (which I still feel was probably a mistake, but I wanted to go for a surprise result), I can't think of many occasions where the smaller guys win. I generally like the bigger/domineering guy winning in my own works (and in others' works, to be honest. Though it is rather hard to find that, like you say!) And #3, I understand. *smiles* I'm glad you enjoyed those. I am keeping that alive in a sense with the multi-part story entries like the third Tuskar part recently. And with other continuity with characters like Joey entering the wrestling federation. I do sometimes miss the old days of doing things like taking the time to do the longer Orc vs Man style "epics". Thanks again for your feedback and all. It's helpful. :)

Lucky Stallion

Hey man. You shouldn't ever feel bad about speaking up about your insecurities. I say this knowing that I have a hard time with this kind of thing myself and deal with my own constant impostor syndrome. I can't speak to the 'success' you're seeing other creators are experiencing. Is it a money thing or something else? I've always admired your work ethic and hustle even if it's weighed on you physically at times. Whatever success is, I personally feel like you've hit it. If you're looking for feedback I can give you some but it will be entirely subjective to my own taste. I know from reading some of the comments on your posts that this is directly opposite feedback others might be giving you. 1) The muscle/proportions on your characters might have passed the point where it's appealing. Obviously I'm fond of bigger characters but your work might have passed the point where it's starting to distract from itself. If you'd like, I can look back through your catalog of work and figure out where proportions on your models were best. 2) Too many matches/stories where the smaller guy pulls off the win. I know this is one that a lot of your fans might be opposed to but I much prefer stories where the bigger guy comes out on top. Your early work with the Orcs vs Humans was where I found you and I thought that stuff was great. Believe it or not, it's really hard to find content where the big guy wins. I gave up on Thunder's Arena for that very reason. All my favorite beefy wrestlers were constantly jobbing. =/ 3) I kind of miss your long-form narrative. The quick one shots are always fun but your early multi-chapter stories are still some of my favorites. I understand these are costly in terms of time. Would a collaboration with some of your peers be on the table?

I also love it the most when you have the winners of your fights grind their muscle butts on the losers face! Being forced to rim the sweaty asshole of the winner is the ultimate submission in my book haha. Please keep writing more of that to!

hannibal

Ha, I think so, too. I gotta have saturation and vivid colors in my stuff. Things feel too muddy and washed out otherwise. I'm not sure how my visuals will change in the future, but it's a top priority of mine to keep it aesthetically as close as I can manage. Thanks so much, Bob. I know I don't do a whole lot of that certain barbarian ending up with his rear up -- or of many other characters involving the same, for that matter! I will, thank you again.

Lucky Stallion

Thanks, Simon! That's very nice of you to say. Don't worry, whichever direction I'm heading, things won't change for the worse.

Lucky Stallion

I appreciate that a lot, Damion, thank you. When looking at using the realistic engine, I knew that I wanted to keep it as close to my style as possible -- but that requires me actually learning it, of course! I remember that Darkseid story, too. *smiles* That was so long ago and I learned so much since then. But I had a lot of fun doing it and happy that you guys were loving it, too. Thank you for those kind words; they push me to keep going. I won't lose my style. I promise.

Lucky Stallion

Thanks very much! I'm actually surprised to be reminded of that old Hawk vs Hawk story from time to time. That's really nice of you to say. I've been asked by a lot of people to do more writing, but somewhere along the way I fell out of it in favor of more visuals. Thank you again!

Lucky Stallion

Thanks, Steven. I appreciate you guys' kind words. It's given me a lot to think about and I'm grateful for the input. *smiles*

Lucky Stallion

The hyperrealistic stuff is overrated. I love the art style for your characters and especially love the stories. It's no surprise that I prefer a particular subset of the stories more (mainly the domination tales of a certain barbarian), but that doesn't mean I don't like your other stories, especially when they're so fleshed out in so few panels. You have an amazing array of different styles of content, from comics to pictures, and stories. Really don't feel pressured into turning a huge story into a million comic panels, as some of your best work is between the panels. I'm sure it's something I've said before, but do what you love, create what you want, and don't feel pressured by others to change (unless you want to). Oh and remember to take breaks so you don't burn out.

bob hope

Dude, I love your storytelling and your art. I particularly like the stories involving wrestling and domination. I wish we had more artists like you. Certainly, please do not try to change.

Simon G

To be honest, the hyper-realistic style the new engine uses doesn't look all that great to me. I like your style. It's realistic enough that I can imagine these characters in real life but also unrealistic enough to where you could have orcs and gods and snake people into your story in it doesn't feel out of place. I like what you have so far. As an artist, I know you want to evolve, so if you feel like upgrading is what you want to do, go for it. I just ask that your critical eye remembers what your style is like and not to try to lose it during the transition. You've always been a great storyteller with your work. When I first found your site, you mixed visuals with words, and it made the adventures and fights pop. Now you have a pseudo Comicbook style that is really good. I love it. My favorite stories are the ones with Gorilla and Darkseid. Gorilla is a guy who aimed for the top that I love to see him dominate in the ring and, of course, in sex. Darkseid is just a freaking powerhouse, and I love seeing him in all those power positions he loves to sport. I remember when your Darkseid story was only 5 pages. Now it's a full story. You have improved and are doing great. You are your biggest critic. If you have a complaint or you wish to improve, you will know what to do. I will still be here, giving my honest opinion. So overall, you're doing great. Improve, but don't lose your style. Don't change unless you want to. I will always be a fan. Thank you for your hard work and time.

Damion Andrew

You are a great artist, but if you ever feel like just writing stories with a few images mixed in that's fine to. I remember the story you wrote a while back about the father son wrestlers, no images but was so perfectly written! And that recent story on your blog about the naked wrestling was also done very well. You're a talented writer as well as artist, so if you ever feel like writing a story with minimal art, guarantee I'll still love you for it!

hannibal

You're not a failure. You said yourself that you was swapping over to a new PC and got that all sorted out and was starting to learn how to use the newer stuff. This is all stuff that comes with time. This is not a black mark against you! And you always do good by us. Actually, scratch that. You don't do 'good' you do amazing! You put in a huge amount of work, yeah other people might do different stuff but your art, your effort is NOT just 5 pictures with a guy/guys with differing facial expressions and a cum load. You do a full blown comic with a story and everything. That's amazing! So don't ever sell yourself short. Ya a damn, damn fine artist! Never ever forget that *hug*

Steven Cross