Commission - Closed: Thistle's Stories, Drawings, and Commissions :)

Thistle Xandra

Site Contributor

Join Date: Aug 2010

14 Apr 2011 at 20:38 - 1

Hello! This is my shiny and new commission thread, because for some reason, I can't change the title or prefix of my other thread (although a big thanks to Sierra and Kvinna for trying to help me figure out why) D:

For those of you who don't know me, I'm an art newbie that picked up a tablet late last year and have been trying to learn how to do digital art

You can actually see my favorite art attempts here: http://thistlexandra.deviantart.com/gallery/27378637 My actual passion is writing though, so I've included the ones I've written for the two GW guru contests here, too

My GW guru workshop stories

The Making of Heroes - After being trapped for decades in Shing Jea Monastery, a malevolent spirit is released, thirsty for revenge on those that had cursed him. As the energies of Halloween empower the spirit world, three friends must find the strength within themselves to save their home. In this battle, it’s not their lives at stake… it’s their souls…

The next one is a sequel to the previous Halloween story since it turned out being so popular. I apologize in advance for typos and such since since I haven't heavily proofed this.

An Unbreakable Bond - Bix has secretly hated Wintersday, and this Wintersday seems the worst when an unexpected visitor arrives. With her happiness being threatened, Bix needs her friends more than ever to help her get rid of the menace!

Commission stuff

I think I've finally gotten to the point where I can start asking for plat for pics, so here we go!

Current Commissions:
All spots are super-cheap at 15k, and art style will be at my discretion since I want to play around with different styles. Please don't ask for a spot if this will be a problem for you

Expect art to be waist up, single-character, no weapons, no pets, no background at a minimum although depending on inspiration, I may add full body, multi-char, weapons, pets, or background for fun. Spots will be given in order of character information received, not by reserving a spot and posting character info later.

all spots are closed atm

Waiting List:
- Sorry, I'm actually not going to have a waiting list, because I just don't like the feeling of having a list of stuff I need to do D: -

Info I need from you:
- your IGN for trade
- character details (like eye color, personality, and most definitely reference images)

Other info:
- I hold rights on commission drawings (please don't remove my signature!)
- Drawings will be low-res and watermarked until payment.
- I reserve the right to cancel or refuse any request.
- Finishing a drawing can take anywhere from 1 day to several months, depending on inspiration and time. Please don't yell at me :O I'll post WiPs so you can see I'm working on it if it'll make you feel better :P

Prices and Style Examples:
Since all spots are super-cheap at 15k, the art style will be at my discretion since I want to play around with new and different styles

Current spots are: lineart, linefree painting, simple animation. You can see my fave drawings here: http://thistlexandra.deviantart.com/gallery/27378637

Finished Commissions
1) Araiia - animated GIF - Paid
2) King Size - animated GIF - Paid
3) Moonstalker - detailed greyscale - Paid
4) Bradylynn8403 - http://fav.me/d4emgn6 and bonus animation http://fav.me/d4emhml

- Paid

<3 Thanks for stopping by! <3

King Size

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Aug 2010

Romania

[LSU]

14 Apr 2011 at 21:18 - 2

i'd really like an animated pic

looks incredible
edit: detailed monochrome

edit 2 : IGN Anaky Ryu

Araiia

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Nov 2009

USA

14 Apr 2011 at 22:58 - 3

Your animations are really nice!

I'd like to request an animated detailed monochrome of my Assassin (http://fav.me/d3dvm0v).
I would also be willing to pay much more for a more complex animation!

I can PM you her complete character profile and more information if this request is accepted.
Also up for an art trade, if you're looking for art yourself.

IGN - Araiia Shadowsong

Lithril Ashwalker

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Dec 2008

Alabama

14 Apr 2011 at 23:36 - 4

erm, i dont think u can ask for plat for pics, ecto or anything game related .... against eula

VERY NICE WORK THOUGH

Thistle Xandra

Site Contributor

Join Date: Aug 2010

14 Apr 2011 at 23:53 - 5

Thanks Lithril

Don't worry, it's allowed. We usually get a few of these surprise posts popping up in new threads since these show up on the front page, and the rest of guru doesn't seem to be familiar with how Nolani works

Trading drawings for ingame currency has been approved (someone had referenced anet saying that, but I can't remember who offhand), although trading GW-related art for real life money is a no no

King and Araiia, sent you both a PM

Let me know if that works for you, and I'll add you to my list and close commissions.

Moonstalker

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Jan 2007

Club Of A Thousand Pandas [LOD???]

Mo/

15 Apr 2011 at 08:03 - 6

So if you're willing to do a commission or have time, let me know via PM please

I'd like a detailed grayscale of my monk:

Tommy's

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: Dec 2006

[Bone]

Mo/

15 Apr 2011 at 09:32 - 7

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lithril Ashwalker

erm, i dont think u can ask for plat for pics, ecto or anything game related .... against eula Guhh, I'm amazed there are still people thinking this..

And good to see you are taking some steps Thistle

Prepare for too many requests,

Best of luck!

Eastern Magik

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Sep 2008

15 Apr 2011 at 14:08 - 8

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tommy's

Guhh, I'm amazed there are still people thinking this.. +1

anyway, good luck with commissions Thistle *hug*

Thistle Xandra

Site Contributor

Join Date: Aug 2010

15 Apr 2011 at 14:58 - 9

Thanks Tommy and Magik

I'm super excited about doing commissions! I feel like I've graduated from baby steps to... slightly bigger baby steps

Moonstalker, sent you a PM

Thistle Xandra

Site Contributor

Join Date: Aug 2010

17 Apr 2011 at 00:49 - 10

Woot! I finished my first official commission, YAY!

Araiia was actually one of my first models when I was starting to learn how to use my tablet, so I love that she's actually one of my first commissioners, too

CailinArian

Academy Page

Join Date: Apr 2011

The Grove

Bloodline of Grenth

Me/

17 Apr 2011 at 01:01 - 11

Your art is so cute, Xandra. <3

Aeronwen

not so much fell as.....

Join Date: Jan 2009

bone

17 Apr 2011 at 11:30 - 12

oooooh thats lovely

so peaceful

Thistle Xandra

Site Contributor

Join Date: Aug 2010

18 Apr 2011 at 18:03 - 13

Thanks, Cailin and Aero *hugs*

Ravenhawk

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Apr 2009

Eon

Me/N

19 Apr 2011 at 11:43 - 14

That's very pretty! Congrats on your first commission. I still remember mine. It was Unlucky Slayer's ^_^

Thistle Xandra

Site Contributor

Join Date: Aug 2010

19 Apr 2011 at 18:52 - 15

hehe, thanks Raven

And yeah, I think my first batch of 3 commissions will probably always be my fave, because they're my first batch, and it was a great experience working with my 3 commissioners

Here's the King Size's animated GIF

This pic is the 3rd in a row of assassin GIFs! Moonstalker's greyscale monk is my combo breaker :P I can't wait to show off her commish, but I'm letting her see the final version first

InfestedHydralisk

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Jan 2007

The Netherlands

None

19 Apr 2011 at 21:54 - 16

I think you should bring your animations to a next level.

Thistle Xandra

Site Contributor

Join Date: Aug 2010

19 Apr 2011 at 22:48 - 17

haha, I was seriously thinking about doing more complicated animations, but I doubt I'll ever do it with Photoshop Elements. Doing Aero's moving background one (the most complicated one I've done even though it looks simple) was actually really hard for me, and I learned fixing timing mistakes gets really frustrating. Plus, I found out that the more complicated I go, the smaller the GIF has to be, which isn't fun

If I ever upgrade my software and learn flash or some other animation tool, I'll DEFINTELY try more complicated stuff

I've definitely found that blinking and small motions are a piece of cake for me now

(although boring since that's all I do now, I know, I know :P)

----
LATER IN THE DAY EDIT: Just showed Moonstalker her pic, so now I get to share with all of you

I really love this pic, because it's such a huge improvement over my other pieces (at least to me it is), and I really had thought I had hit a plateau that I couldn't cross over with my latest non-animated pics (like the landscape, Rika, and Omen's greyscale, and the countless others I started and deleted).

Side note: I won't be opening commissions again until early May since I have some RL stuff to deal with

I'll probably change prices, what I offer, and will most definitely remove the animated GIFs off the list. Sorry, I'm still not planning on doing waitlists

Ravenhawk

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Apr 2009

Eon

Me/N

20 Apr 2011 at 04:56 - 18

Thistle, I agree with you. THe rendering on your last piece is amazing! It almost looks like a picture!

Moonstalker

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Jan 2007

Club Of A Thousand Pandas [LOD???]

Mo/

20 Apr 2011 at 05:04 - 19

I'm a very happy and pleased person

Thank you so much, Thistle!

Thistle Xandra

Site Contributor

Join Date: Aug 2010

20 Apr 2011 at 15:09 - 20

Thanks, Raven

and thank you so much for commissioning me, Moonstalker!

LATER IN THE DAY EDIT: Trying out a new style in lineart drawing for my angry little ele:

.
I was thinking of offering these as commissions for 5k or so, but haven't decided if I'm happy with the style yet.

Will probably play with a few more attempts using models from the artist database thread...

LATER IN THE DAY EDIT 2: Still testing out the lineart style. I like how this one came out a bit better:

Probably will test out on one more model. I don't know why, but I'm in a drawing-angry-chicks mood.

4/21 EDIT: Testing out lineart style still

This time on Aero's dervish from artist database thread. Going for non-angry chick :O

Duranin

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Feb 2007

East Coast

none

Me/

23 Apr 2011 at 22:53 - 21

Ooh very nice, I love the flowy hair in the last two. The pic of your ele has an interesting 'soft' look to the shading, did you run it through a blur filter?

Ravenhawk

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Apr 2009

Eon

Me/N

25 Apr 2011 at 04:37 - 22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thistle Xandra

*HUGS* Thank you!

I also like how the Dervish came out. Especially her hair

Verene

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: Jan 2009

[SOTA]

25 Apr 2011 at 04:58 - 23

Oh wow, Moonstalker's monk looks amazing. You really did a great job with that one

Thistle Xandra

Site Contributor

Join Date: Aug 2010

02 May 2011 at 23:06 - 24

Thanks, Araiia! I did use a Gaussian blur filter

Thanks Raven and Verene *hug* and I'm glad you like it Raven!

Aeronwen

not so much fell as.....

Join Date: Jan 2009

bone

03 May 2011 at 19:45 - 25

ooooh I havent been on for a while and looked what i missed.

The monk picture is especially nice, I love her expession and the way she is sitting. The expression on Ravens is perfect too

and oooh my derv looks lovely - I really like her hair.

I have been looking for you to give you a little prezzie, but I don't seem to be on when you are - or are you not playing lately? I am a bit busy with work and have the bad habit of leaving myself logged in while afk.

Thistle Xandra

Site Contributor

Join Date: Aug 2010

09 May 2011 at 05:22 - 26

thanks aero <3 glad you like her! and stop trying to give me a prezzie :P I like drawing your characters for fun and practice (one of these days I'm going to do a detailed B/W of your dervish, because she's so cute) so you don't have to do that! Oh, and you haven't seen me, because I haven't been on in a while

I burned myself out on GW during Sweet Treats weekend XD Now I seem to be burning myself out on LotRO :O

Aeronwen

not so much fell as.....

Join Date: Jan 2009

bone

09 May 2011 at 15:02 - 27

Haha, well this was a different prezzie

I will donate it to the goodies at the Masquerade Ball instead ^^

Thistle Xandra

Site Contributor

Join Date: Aug 2010

26 May 2011 at 03:59 - 28

oh mai! it's been a while since I've posted anything D: I tried finishing up the rest of my Wintersday story, but didn't get too far... just 1/4 of a chapter D:

Anyway, here's my latest drawing attempt

This one is of Hailfall's Shala from the artist database thread

I wanted to give colored digital painting another try. I used a shampoo magazine ad as my reference pose, which is why she's showing off her 'naturally beautiful and worry-free' hair XD

Aeronwen

not so much fell as.....

Join Date: Jan 2009

bone

26 May 2011 at 08:39 - 29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thistle Xandra

oh mai! it's been a while since I've posted anything D: I tried finishing up the rest of my Wintersday story, but didn't get too far... just 1/4 of a chapter D: *sigh, still waiting....*

I love the hair on the Shala picture and the smile. I am finding it a little dark, maybe its my pc.

Hailfall

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Aug 2005

Germany

Phantom Commando

26 May 2011 at 10:47 - 30

That is very cool

Thanks so much ^^

BlackXI

Academy Page

Join Date: May 2011

In a house

Me/

26 May 2011 at 16:37 - 31

Thistle I really adore your work. I really admire the jolliness in your face expressions. I really wish many people could have those faces in real life :P

Thistle Xandra

Site Contributor

Join Date: Aug 2010

26 May 2011 at 18:12 - 32

Thanks BlackXI

So do I! Maybe that's why I draw so many like that XD

You're very welcome, Hailfall

Aero! I have a surprise for you then! I posted chapter 7 in the first thread

Oh, and it's not your comp, it's mine

My windows machine is just really bright and I can't figure out how to change it. It looks much brighter on that machine, but when I look at it on my mac and phone, it's way, way darker

I tried playing around with settings on my machine, but I can't figure out how to change the settings

Aeronwen

not so much fell as.....

Join Date: Jan 2009

bone

26 May 2011 at 21:03 - 33

But its so saaaaad

I never expected that at all

*weeps*

Thistle Xandra

Site Contributor

Join Date: Aug 2010

26 May 2011 at 23:02 - 34

Soooooorry! Now you know why I had said a long time ago that I started crying when playing the story out in my mind and got to the ending AND why I put that first warning that if you care about my characters, part 2 was going to take you on a rough ride D:

On the plus side, now that this hard part is over, the final chapter should be easier to write and should be up kinda soonish (assuming I didn't scare you away with chapter 7 D: )!

Aeronwen

not so much fell as.....

Join Date: Jan 2009

bone

27 May 2011 at 11:30 - 35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thistle Xandra

(assuming I didn't scare you away with chapter 7 D: )!
I can't wait

Ravenhawk

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Apr 2009

Eon

Me/N

01 Jun 2011 at 13:17 - 36

Shala's painting is lovely. lol, love the shampoo commercial pitch.

Thistle Xandra

Site Contributor

Join Date: Aug 2010

02 Jun 2011 at 19:25 - 37

Chapter 8 is *almost* done. Unfortunately, it's super long, and although I broke it up into a Chapter 8 and 9 - it's still super long >_<

Thanks Raven

Here's my second digital coloring portrait using a hair product ad :P This one is for L'oreal Paris hair dye :O No hair pitches from me for this one :P

When I was done drawing it, I realized I didn't use that many different colors so I tested to see what the quality would be like as an animated GIF. There wasn't too much of a quality loss

I used Frost's characters from the artist database thread, and I decided to go with glowing eyes since she mentioned somewhere she wanted that and it was super easy to use as a test animation

and for comparison against the original

frostkisses

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Aug 2007

Wisconsin

Cerberus Guardians of the [GATE]

04 Jun 2011 at 03:19 - 38

*tackles thistle and hugs her!*
thats awesome <33

Thistle Xandra

Site Contributor

Join Date: Aug 2010

13 Jun 2011 at 22:44 - 39

*hugs Frost back*

I have finally added super long chapter 8 (which is still super long even after I decided to break it up into a chapter 8 and 9) to the first post. Chapter 9 will be the last one and will be short and for tying up any remaining loose ends

This chapter is dedicated and written for the few of you still following the story even though it's way overdue :P

Enjoy!

Charlie Dayman

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Apr 2009

Trifecta Luminati [TRI]

14 Jun 2011 at 06:12 - 40

Nicely done with the animation and drawing, Thistle.