EVERYONE REPORT FOR DUTY! IT?S TIME TO ROCK!

[Graph]

Here's another idea, if you'd accept consistency within the same character, but not necessarily for the whole set, you can assign artists to characters.  For example,

Artist A (lineart) and Artist B (color) assigned to Reimu.
Artist C (lines and colors) assigned to Marisa.

...And so on.  You might consider using these character pools for multiple stories if you don't have enough artists going around.  It can be pretty daunting to tackle a cast of characters by yourself if you're still not confident with your skills.  (Alternatively, if everyone in the cast has one stance it's not really a problem for one or two artists to take on a game... unless you have a large cast like Scarlet Weather Rhapsody)

I'm curious as to how it'll be decided what the cut-in artists draw.  Is someone going to go through the stories and decide stuff like "Reimu Normal goes here, Marisa Happy goes here..." that kind of thing?  It's good that you're realizing the challenges of this early.

[Suikama]

Here's another idea, if you'd accept consistency within the same character, but not necessarily for the whole set, you can assign artists to characters.  For example,

Artist A (lineart) and Artist B (color) assigned to Reimu.
Artist C (lines and colors) assigned to Marisa.

...And so on.  You might consider using these character pools for multiple stories if you don't have enough artists going around.  It can be pretty daunting to tackle a cast of characters by yourself if you're still not confident with your skills.  (Alternatively, if everyone in the cast has one stance it's not really a problem for one or two artists to take on a game... unless you have a large cast like Scarlet Weather Rhapsody)

I tried something like that at first but dividing the tasks proved to be difficult and I wanted consistent art style for each game, especially since we have rather wildly different art styles.

I'm curious as to how it'll be decided what the cut-in artists draw.  Is someone going to go through the stories and decide stuff like "Reimu Normal goes here, Marisa Happy goes here..." that kind of thing?  It's good that you're realizing the challenges of this early.

I've already done so for a few stories, but still going through others.

[Graph]

I suppose that's the best way.  In that case I'll just say good luck to the aspiring one-man armies.  Let me know if there's some visual trick you want to know how to do.  I'd like to offer a freebie today, Mystia's cart.

How to get an image like this?  It looks like Mystia is part of the background!



The answer is to use layers!  Ren'py lets you stack cut-in images on top of each other, so you can arrange them like this:

Closest, Alice.



Under that, the cart.  Note that the transparent part in the middle lets Mystia show through even though this is on TOP of the Mystia cut-in.



Under that, Mystia.



And on the bottom, the backdrop.



It lets you change the expressions for the characters, too.  Saves space compared to using a bunch of combination images.

[ruikomatsu]

You're a Mixed Martial Artist student? Damn you're hardcore :V
Sweet, I'll keep that in mind BV

:V

Cannot control laughter.
MMA = Multimedia Arts :V

[cYsmix]

:V

Cannot control laughter.
MMA = Multimedia Arts :V

I'm actually attending to a school specializing in that as well!

[Suikama]

Alright I've gotten a response from mostly everyone so far, so this is what jobs are looking like:

Pencil artists
Etch
Pat
Skye

Digital tracer
Noname
Taku

Digital color artists
Aoshi
Taku
Nom

Digital line artists
cYsmix

Digital solo artists
Neru
Formless

So yeah we have quite a few pencil artists and not as many tracers/coloring people so I guess what will have to happen is rather than strict teams, each pencil/line/solo artist is assigned to a game and the tracers/color artists jump around working on whatever needs work on.

I think I'll try finding some shorter stories so reduce workload on single artists especially for those who can't draw very fast.

Speaking of which, it would be helpful to know approximately how fast each of you draw. Namely how long does it take to make a single full body portrait?

[J.O.B]

I don't take that long o do something normally.
Though that only applies if I on't mess up somewhere and start a new page.

[cYsmix]

It doesn't take that long. Maybe two days average, four days top.

[Caber Knight Etch-A-Sketch]

I can get a portrait in in about a couple of hours, including pen work.

When you say full body, do you mean that feet are included too?

[Mounting Jaggis]

Since I don't know exactly how much time it takes me to finish, I decide to draw something to see about how much time it takes me. Right now, I just finished this drawing(sorry I had to take a picture of it on my phone, there isn''t a scanner where I am between Sunday to Thursday) which took me between 1 hour and 1H & 20M.

I'm kind of surprised really, I'd thought it would take me much longer than that and I didn't have trouble with any part of the arm, leg, or head considering I often spend too much time on one part that I can never get right. This is also the first time I draw a character in an enviroment.

[Suikama]

I can get a portrait in in about a couple of hours, including pen work.

When you say full body, do you mean that feet are included too?

Even though feet are usually cut off in visual novels, I say still include them since it helps if I want to do other effects that need the full body.

Since I don't know exactly how much time it takes me to finish, I decide to draw something to see about how much time it takes me. Right now, I just finished this drawing(sorry I had to take a picture of it on my phone, there isn''t a scanner where I am between Sunday to Thursday) which took me between 1 hour and 1H & 20M.

I'm kind of surprised really, I'd thought it would take me much longer than that and I didn't have trouble with any part of the arm, leg, or head considering I often spend too much time on one part that I can never get right. This is also the first time I draw a character in an enviroment.

As that picture was loading I was thinking "hmm Yuka looks kinda big...oh :V"

[ruikomatsu]

Sketch = 1 hour or so
Clean up = 2 hours lol

It depends on the work or the angle or perspective that I want to do.

[cYsmix]

The lineart for everything is probably done after 4 hours or so, but it's the cleaning up that takes time.. I'm an perfectionist so the lines have to be smooth, lol

EDIT: Somethink have come up that miiiiiiiiight limit my time of drawing. Not sure yet though. Basically I am IN_A_HURRY because I'm going to sell my youtube music at Reitaisai SP, and the application deadline is the 16th of May. I have to make a label by then.. Also, I am making music for a CD by Karkan this summer Comiket. Next year, at C81, I am going to release my own full track album with professional vocals, and all of the songs have to be new.. I'm in a hurry to say the least. It was quite suprising that this happened, though. (I NEED LABEL NAME NOW)

[pineyappled]

Er, sketch- 5-20 minutes. Clean lines- another 20 minutes- 1 hour. Coloring, depends.
Oh, and I can do backgrounds, as long as they don't have buildings...

[TakuTaku]

4 hours max on colors and lines. Not at the same time tho

[Netwarrior]

Although I know how to draw -and some people say I'm good at it-, drawing isn't really my favorite thing. (this is the best one I have scanned.I have better ones, but I didn't scan)
I'm very fond of my programming skills, but you're using Ren'Py, so you don't need a programmer. I could make some SDL or DirectDraw (or 2D DirectGraphics) application for you. Or use Python 2.5 + OpenGL so it can be platform-independent. But it seems Ren'Py is all we need here.

Anyways, if you need some help on programming, let me know. I'm currently busy with two projects, but it's not difficult to make simple applications like a 2D VN.

[Patorikku]

With all the shading and whatnot, it takes about an hour. Start around the beginning of class, finish near the end. Takes about 15 minutes to get the body figures right, give or take about five to ten minutes depending on proportion errors.

I don't usually colour my works, but when I do, it takes about two hours with the usual 15 minutes to get the body shape right.

If I get insanely involved in a particular work, I will go at it forever.

[J.O.B]

Can you cross me off the Pencil list and put me on the digital colouring list.
Evidence of why I'm changing is in the stickied art thread.

That took me 1-2 hours to do so a full body might take long.
And I need to learn how to make hair more interesting.

[Formless God]

Anywhere from 4 to 8 hours per fully colored picture (depends on how often I alt+tab to Firefox since that alone takes, well, several hours; yes I'll try to fix it :colonveeplusalpha:)

So what should I be working on first ?

EDIT: One and a half hour given a basic pose and overall not too much trouble with anatomy (anatomy is still a trial and error process for me). I will try coloring it later. Coloring takes pretty long at first but will probably get faster as I get used to it.

[Mounting Jaggis]

Is there anyone left that hasn't said how much time it takes them to draw something?

[Aoshi-shi]

Me, but only because I was put down for coloring, so I thought that wasn't necessary.  :V

Line art usually takes me a while, with trying to fix anatomy and the poses, as well as trying to perfect the lines. Coloring doesn't take that long though.
I think this took around 5+ hours. *Is unreasonably slow.*  :fail:

[Lloyd Dunamis]

I hope I'm not too late for this :ohdear:...

Nickname: Lloyd (since I've pretty much been known with that name & all), or
                     Lloyd Dunamis (for full, because there's lotsa Lloyd in the world =w=; )
Abilities:

• Amateur Music Composition - I don't think I have proven myself in this area though :ohdear:...but eh, that's why we're having this, I guess =w=
• System Voice - Or that which has something to do with...uhm...something like "Ready~...GO!" or "Impressive! Next Stage..." or even the cues in triangles' Couch to 5K weekly tracks... (where would this go in a VN though...?)
• QA...? - probably has something to do with beta-testing or interface-commenting or fault-finding or......eh, most observative gamers could probably do this, so nvm >_<;;...
  

Contact Info:

• MotK Forum's PM (for something I could look-up to in case I forget something, or for reports, I guess. Frequent & first-checks.)
• Either Skype or IRC (for live/short communications & stuff. Frequent...as long as I'm online anyway.)
• E-mail (if I can't seem to respond of at least a confirmation of "PM received" for some time)

I'll probably get busier in case job starts besides...umm...my being personally busy, but......I'll see what I can do. :3

[Suikama]

Blaaaaaah, I hate being indecisive about everything, but ffffffff I've let things simmer for too long

Is there anyone left that hasn't said how much time it takes them to draw something?

Just Idea and Sock who both haven't been on in a while.

Although I know how to draw -and some people say I'm good at it-, drawing isn't really my favorite thing. (this is the best one I have scanned.I have better ones, but I didn't scan)
I'm very fond of my programming skills, but you're using Ren'Py, so you don't need a programmer. I could make some SDL or DirectDraw (or 2D DirectGraphics) application for you. Or use Python 2.5 + OpenGL so it can be platform-independent. But it seems Ren'Py is all we need here.

Anyways, if you need some help on programming, let me know. I'm currently busy with two projects, but it's not difficult to make simple applications like a 2D VN.

Alright I'll contact you if I need any help with coding since I'm pretty darn rusty right now :V

Anywhere from 4 to 8 hours per fully colored picture (depends on how often I alt+tab to Firefox since that alone takes, well, several hours; yes I'll try to fix it :colonveeplusalpha:)

So what should I be working on first ?

EDIT: One and a half hour given a basic pose and overall not too much trouble with anatomy (anatomy is still a trial and error process for me). I will try coloring it later. Coloring takes pretty long at first but will probably get faster as I get used to it.

Oh man dat Reimu. BV (on a random note, I think having fewer lines on her hands would make it look more 'feminine', in my poor artistic opinion :V)

Me, but only because I was put down for coloring, so I thought that wasn't necessary.  :V

Line art usually takes me a while, with trying to fix anatomy and the poses, as well as trying to perfect the lines. Coloring doesn't take that long though.
I think this took around 5+ hours. *Is unreasonably slow.*  :fail:

Don't worry about being slow. If you want slow then just look at me :colonveeplusalpha:

Can you cross me off the Pencil list and put me on the digital colouring list.
Evidence of why I'm changing is in the stickied art thread.

That took me 1-2 hours to do so a full body might take long.
And I need to learn how to make hair more interesting.

Changed. And remember if you want to learn to do something just youtube up a tutorial :V

With all the shading and whatnot, it takes about an hour. Start around the beginning of class, finish near the end. Takes about 15 minutes to get the body figures right, give or take about five to ten minutes depending on proportion errors.

I don't usually colour my works, but when I do, it takes about two hours with the usual 15 minutes to get the body shape right.

If I get insanely involved in a particular work, I will go at it forever.

Heh I'm kinda like that too. I can't work on things on and off cause the breaks inbetween just get longer and longer, but if I just go nonstop I can do quite a bit of work.

The lineart for everything is probably done after 4 hours or so, but it's the cleaning up that takes time.. I'm an perfectionist so the lines have to be smooth, lol

EDIT: Somethink have come up that miiiiiiiiight limit my time of drawing. Not sure yet though. Basically I am IN_A_HURRY because I'm going to sell my youtube music at Reitaisai SP, and the application deadline is the 16th of May. I have to make a label by then.. Also, I am making music for a CD by Karkan this summer Comiket. Next year, at C81, I am going to release my own full track album with professional vocals, and all of the songs have to be new.. I'm in a hurry to say the least. It was quite suprising that this happened, though. (I NEED LABEL NAME NOW)

I already mentioned this to you on MSN but in case you missed it, there's no rush. Focus on what you need to and good luck!


To everyone else: Sorry for taking so long, but I've just been so indecisive, and the number one solution for indecisiveness for me is usually youtube :colonveeplusalpha:

Right now I have the musicians and Formless working on Down on the Corner, but I've been split between using other stories or just have everyone else work on Touhou Love Stories since there's a lot of them. I think I'll just stick to TLS, so I'll try to have a list of the short stories, length, and characters of each by uh... screw it I'll have it by tommorow

[Formless God]

Oh man dat Reimu. BV (on a random note, I think having fewer lines on her hands would make it look more 'feminine', in my poor artistic opinion :V)

"Donation?" pose BV
I'll mask the lines later with the shading or something :3

Tried this just now. I'd say 5~7 hours for absolutely everything (colors and expressions).

[ruikomatsu]

"Donation?" pose BV
I'll mask the lines later with the shading or something :3

Tried this just now. I'd say 5~7 hours for absolutely everything (colors and expressions).

Dat Mystia. So goooooooood.

[Mounting Jaggis]

I was looking at some of the TLS stories and I was wondering, after we are done with some of TLS, if it's possible get writers to make TLS of the characters introduced after MoF. I ask this mainly because my favorite characters are Iku, Tenshi, and the SA and UFO characters.

[Suikama]

I was looking at some of the TLS stories and I was wondering, after we are done with some of TLS, if it's possible get writers to make TLS of the characters introduced after MoF. I ask this mainly because my favorite characters are Iku, Tenshi, and the SA and UFO characters.

A bunch of the writers are from here (Like E-mouse and Ruro) so I don't see why not :V

[Mounting Jaggis]

A bunch of the writers are from here (Like E-mouse and Ruro) so I don't see why not :V

Awesome.

So ,uh, can I call dibs on being the artist for Okuu's story, if it's made, or am I asking for too much? :V

[pineyappled]

Formless's Mystia is a;kdslfj;alskdf.
Also, I demand a Nazrin or Mokou story.

[Suikama]

Hmm, if you guys have preferences to a certain kind of story then how about this: if you find a story you like and want to work on, link it here and you can work on it. It's not like I'm obliged to make TLS or any specific story, I just picked stuff I thought was interesting, but if you have something else you'd like to work on then I'm all ears.