princefala

Weeeelll, I finally jumped on the wagon and got meself a Paypal account, so that'll make commishing that much more simple!  With that said, I'm wide open for 'em.  If you've got something you'd like me to draw for you, I'd love to hear from you!

I'm very flexible with my pricing, but here's some ballparking to get some ballrolling;

Simple pencil sketch (i.e. one/two chara. + minimal BG) = 10 USD
Not-so-simple pencil sketch (i.e. multiple chara. + thorough BG) = 20 USD

Simple monochrome photoshop drawing = 10 USD
Not-so-simple monochrome photoshop drawing = 30 USD

Simple colour photoshop drawing = 15 USD
Not-so-simple colour photoshop drawing = 30+ USD, depending on level of detail/number of characters, type of background, et cetera.

Simple colour marker/watercolour = 20 USD
Not-so-simple colour marker/watercolour = 45+ USD

Small/Medium/Large plushie = 25+/40+/55+ USD

. . . And of course, if you get something in pencil/marker/watercolour or a plushie and you want it shipped, shipping will be added onto the total.

So, YES! Want something?  I'd love to hear from you ^_^
Thaaaaaaanks!

Hallo all.

Just wanted to let everyone know that I went and did some long-overdue cleaning out round here.  I deleted a lot of stuff, for it was old and made me cringe.  Picture a bulldog's face as it comes to the (literally) stinging realisation that there was a live bee in its kibble, and that bee is now in its mouth.

. . . Yer, that is the cringe.

So!  Anything which prompted me to cringe such a cringe is now gone.  

It is also worth mentioning that this is, by no means, all of the art that I do, and it is hardly the art that I hope represents me.  Fala's DA account is for fanart.  Fala's personal stuff and school-related work, et cetera are elsewhere.  As soon as I can get my website to function like it ought, I shall post a link here.  For now . . . Er . . . I shall drink tea.  And clean my room.  And feed my fish.  And work on my graphic novel.  Though hopefully not all at the same time, that would be silly.

Hallo all.  it has been quite a while . . .

Firstly, I would like to apologise for the lack of updates. The explaination is quite simple, really . . . I only load fanart to this page.  Having discovered my work art-thieved twice on the 'net, I don't take risks with my original works.  Lately, I haven't had time to complete any fanart.  Nothing worth your time, at any rate.  

Secondly, I'd really like to thank anyone and everything who has faithfully stuck with with me through me stagnance and also to the newcomers, and anyone who was kind enough to drop a few words on my work here and there.  Comments and notes really do brighten my day and encourage me onward.  Really, everyone, thank you.  Your thoughtfulness is very much appreciated.

That said, I will come to my third point . . .  I am going to go out on a limb and tell anyone to whom it may concern . . . Asking me for comments will get you nowhere.  In fact, it will make me want to comment even less.  And this is saying something, considering . . . I've had bad experiences with giving feedback before.  I've been told that my comments are patronising, condescending, and generally "too nice."  I have also been told that my constructive criticism is too harsh.  I've hurt a lot of feelings when I've tried to help . . . One person was too afraid to try writing again for nearly a year after I proofread her work.  In other instances, my feedback has been dismissed, ignored, unwelcome or it leads to large-scale arguments.  In short, more often than not, I find my attempts to help are either pointless or hurtful.

I'm already shy about commenting, but outright fishing makes me all the more averse to it.  If you have a specific request that you think I could be of help with (i.e. "Do you think Kurt is out of character in this pic?" or "I want to make Todd look skinnier, could you help me with that?" or "I want to draw Freddy, but bigger boys are hard for me to draw," et cetera) then by all means, ask and I would be very happy to be of whatever help I can ^_^  However, when you're just angling for attention, that is simply offputting.  

Don't get me wrong, I do comment.  Bear this in mind, however; A good general rule for artists to follow (especially fanartists and illustrators) is that when your art speaks for itself, it is a successful piece.  When you have to speak for your art, then it is not successful.  I comment on someone's art because it catches my interest, not because I was asked to.  And really, how would you feel, knowing you got a bit of praise only because you asked for it?  Wouldn't you appreciate it more if people commented because they liked your art enough to praise it?

We all want to feel good about what we do and create, but we have to remember that having talent does not entitle us to the appreciation of all.  Asking for comments makes you sound like a brat.  Again, let your art speak for itself.

When I comment, I will do it on my own terms, not anyone else's.  That's really what it comes down to.

I think I might open up for commissions this summer.  Just a thought, since I'm utterly terrible at this . . . Anyhoo, I'm already doing one, so possibly I could take one a few more if anyone's interested.

Here's a pricing scale I'm thinking might work out.  I put ranges because everything depends on the complexity of what you're asking for;

Pencil sketches; 10-20 USD
Inked lineart: 20-30 USD
Inked lineart with ink wash (greyscale): 25-40 USD
Watercolours: 30-60 USD
Photoshop: 30-60 USD
Markers: 40-75 USD
Plushies: 40+ USD

If I'm doing traditional media, the price will also vary as to whether or not you want the original artwork as well (as opposed to just a scan).

Payment will be tricky as I haven't got Paypal, but I'm sure we can work something out.  And yes, this time round, I'll happily do original characters.  Just let me know ^_^

Because I'm always stumbling across Marvel-fan wank about how much X-Men Evolution sucks, I've decided to put in my own two spooges.   

I'm sure the Marvel-types will wank at me in return for this.  Feel free!  Just remember I really don't care

And yes, yes, I'm well aware that Marvel!X-men came first and that Evo wouldn't exist without it.  But you know, people?  Things evolve for the better.  That's what X-Men is all about, after all

Onward!

Why X-Men Evolution Rules

Nightcrawler. A lot of people complain that Evo!Nightcrawler is nowhere near as "bad-ass" as he is in the Marvel comics.  They are quite correct.  And frankly?  I prefer him that way.  Be it as a swashbuckler/priest/casanova/whatever else, Marvel!Nightcrawler's personality really bloody annoys me (don't even get me started on Ultimate.  Just . . . do not.).  Even though I love the idea of him being religious, 90's cartoon!Nightcrawler comes off as being incredibly pretentious.  He's trying too hard.  And that goes for every other context he has been in.  You'd think being Nightcrawler would be cool enough without trying to be Jack Sparrow/Mother Theresa/Don Juan at that same time.  In Evolution, however, we get a painfully awkward, but fun-loving foreign kid who has enough trouble being himself without trying to be someone else whilst he's at it.  While it might mean he doesn't get to be as macho, it does make him a much more appealing character.  

Toad.  Do I really need to say anything here?  Thought not.

Mystique.  Sorry.  Marvel Mystique does nothing for me.  At all.  Even whilst being tops in hand-to-hand combat, she comes off as too much of a sex kitten.  In Evo, however, she is a cunning, ruthless woman who can manage both under a higher power and on her own.  I love how the people behind Evo traded sex appeal for strength without making her too overtly masculine.  She's powerful in neither a strictly female or strictly male sense, and she doesn't have to be seductive to achieve that.  Also, Marvel lists her as being bisexual which, whilst it makes sense considering her mutation, also comes off as incredibly fanservicey to me.  In Evolution, however, there is plenty of evidence (and a word from one of the directors, himself) to indicate that she is a lesbian, on and off with Destiny.  So, rather than a swishy, smooth, babilicious bad girl who occassionally kisses other femmes for the sake of the fanboys- whups, I mean mission, we get a downright terrifying powerhouse of a woman who can look great in a short skirt, but has only to narrow her eyes at a man to send his happy bits yipping for the hills.  Heh heh, I do so love it when fanboys are denied.

Gambit.  Although I can't say I much favour his hairstyle in Evo, Blimey, but Gambit is ace (hideous pun very much intended.  I do not apologise).  He's smooth and sinister, and still every inch a low and deceitful thief in the night.  Gambit is also really creepily seductive, a trait which meshes beautifully with his Evo-persona.  Gambit from the 90's cartoon comes off as more filthy, boyish and coarse to me.  Whilst this might be more fitting to the lifestyle of a Cajun thief and more appealing to some, personally, I prefer the more clean-cut and slyly sauve pyrotechnic.  Plus, his theme music in Evolution is utterly delicious.  If anyone has an mp3 of it, PLEASE share it with me!

Wolverine.  Whilst I would prefer him a bit more on the scruffy side and puffing the occasional cigar, I love Evolution's Wolverine far and above all others.  And do you know why?  Because in Evolution, he isn't weighed down by any love interests.   I am the first to admit that I am an utter pathetic sucker for romance, but for some characters, I'd prefer it to remain a non-issue.  Wolverine is one of those characters.  I like him as the proverbial lone-wolf.  He has a jaded quality and a self-reliance that is uniquely his own.  Seeing him get all soppy over Jean/Rogue/Storm/Random Asian Chick/Oh, so sorry, Lady Deathstrike/Sabretooth just dumbs him down for me.  Evolution tossed a good many of its characters about like little boats on a sea of boiling hormones, but they didn't let Wolverine get caught up in the mess.  For that, I am very grateful.  That said, I will happily make an exception for Wolverine/His Motorcycle

Beast.  D'aw, Hank is such a sweetie in Evolution.  Plus, I have to take a moment to utterly WTF,Marvel!?  Over cat!Beast.  Er, last I checked, the irony in Hank's mutation was that he is a man of immense intelligence and culture despite looking like a savage, unruly gorilla.  Felines, especially the big cats, are already a picture of nobility and dignity.  Where is the irony of being dignified and looking dignified?  At any rate, I'm really glad that Evolution didn't go along with that nonsense and kept Hank as the big, shaggy ape he's supposed to be.

Magma. Dear Marvel, how many Brazilians do you know who have blonde hair and blue eyes?  Plus, her mutation design in Evolution is beyond wicked.  

Boom-Boom. Yer, yer, I know just about everyone hates her in Evo, but I think she's a great character.  Whilst I harped on hating Sex Kitten!Mystique, such a cast actually rather becomes Tabitha.  You don't get the feel that she's showy because of low self-esteem.  Quite the opposite, really.   She's proud of what she's got and she wants to flaunt it.  Myself, I love shipping Tabby with Kurt.  Not really as a full-blown relationship, but still, I think it did Kurt good to have a girl he liked actually like him back, even if only for a little while.  I also adore pairing Tabby with Freddy.  He needs some love.  He also needs a girl who will be forward and to the point with him right from the off, after that stunt with Jean.  And there is also an interesting opening for her and Amara.  Anyway, I think there's a lot more to her than a lot of people care to see (i.e. most people just dismiss her as a "slut" and leave it at that).  Despite dealing with some inner issues (her father gives me a really, really bad feeling), the girl is upbeat, a free spirit and positively oozes self-confidence.  Love it.  

Professor X. Actual wheelchair? . . . So much better than that cornball hover-chair.

Scarlet Witch.  Seriously, people.  Look at the costumes, for one thing.  More importantly though, Evo!Wanda is a damn cool character.  She is smart, strong, more than capable, and doesn't take crap off of anyone.  And even better, she manages all of it whilst still retaining her feminity.  On that topic, I will state here and now how irritating it is to hear Wanda described as  "butch."   People!  Short hair on a girl does not automatically equal butch.  No self-respecting butch would be caught dead in all of that jewellery or that red number with the rips and the cross-stitching.  Also, women are quite capable of being brutal and domineering and tall without male inspiration, thank you very much!  Wanda is very much a woman and there is nothing manly about her.  And as utterly sexy as she is, she also strikes me as a girl who probably doesn't want and certainly doesn't need a boyfriend to complete her life (and no, she does not strike me as a lesbian, either).  As much as I love romance, girl characters who are happy to hold their own make me happy.  And as much as I love the Wanda/Todd pairing, I prefer it to be one-sided.  I can't see Wanda ever really falling for Todd, but Lord, the way he goes all gooey and stupid for her is precious.  

Kitty.  One thing I love about Evolution is the range of female characters and Kitty completes the spectrum.  She manages to be bubbly, giggly and girlie without being an annoying airhead.  This balance of character is rarely achieved in the world of animated females, so I'm always happy when someone does get it right.  Plus, her friendship with Kurt is utterly adorable.   

And just to be fair . . .  A few reasons why Evolution does NOT rule;</u>

Amanda.  Just . . . Eurgh.  I don't even like the idea of Kurt pantsing his step sister to begin with, but Evolution just made her all the worse.  I don't even want to go into why, lest I start feeling very ill indeed.  

Jubilee.  If I can say one thing for the 90's cartoon, it's that Jubilee was absolutely fabulous and I do miss her.  Tabitha sort of sort of took her place as the sparkly-kaboom!mutant in residence, I suppose.  I suppose it's a good job I'm one of the precious few who actually like Tabitha

Spyke.  Even this one's sort of a two-facer because yer, in the beginning he is rather annoying, but damn it, he got so cool later on!  So yer.  First couple seasons?  Irritating, self-centred skater-boy reincarnation of Marrow with the half the personality.  But he more than redeems himself by the end.

. . . So there you have it.  I like Evolution.  I don't like Marvel.  All of my art and fic for the series is based on X-Men Evolution and not on Marvel X-Men.  Kindly don't  whine at me for this anymore, okay?  Okay.