aaah evening

[balaa]

To everyone that has imed me and hasnt gotten a responce in a few days, I'm sorry but I take tuesday and weds off every week to spend with my fiance since they are his days off. Though all we ever seem to do is run errands XD yay.

Anyway mowed the lawn and went to prune the hedges and a spider bit me. Its all swollen, tingly and aches..and with my luck its my drawing hand. I'll probably force myself to work anyway XD.

Heres an update of the cheetah. Humm Im still working on revamping the chests somehow...though this style seems to fit the cheetah nicely. The bg is being worked on but Im thinking of changing the colors and going with morning hues of blue instead of a sunset feel.



Also did a few jag and tiger sketches...just randomly...will try to scan em in tomorrow. Im studying tiger stripes a little more to get a better idea for pattern.

Thanks to everyone that left me a comment in the last entry, I am sorry I could not respond to all..please know that I read and appreciate every comment ^_^!

Comments

[justblieve.livejournal.com]

Looking good Balaa :) though, for a Cheetah, the chest and stomach seem awfully "fluffy", though this could just be a style/personal thing? Also are the claws out, or are those just black marks?

[xxbalaaxx.livejournal.com]

actually if you look at cheetahs..they tend to vary even within the species...as in some are fluffier than others...especially on the neck, chest and stomach...though some seem to lose a lot of fluff as they get older. *GASP* I must draw a baby cheetah O_O.
The triangular things are just I guess a stylistic preference..kinda borrowed from madagascar XD..but no the claws arent out. Mebbe next time I need to shade them lighter O_O. Thank you kindly for the critique ^___^

[simbagirl19.livejournal.com]

Baby cheetah!? *gasp* ^_^

This one is just...gah, it's amazing! So much beautiful, yet simple enough, detail! I looove to watch your work. *drool*

Take care of that hand, now! Maybe it's a singal to have a little rest. ^-^

[dark-jaguar01.livejournal.com]

I sure everyone understands, you do not have to be on IM all the time. You have AIM or Msn? If you would like to chat sometime though give me a buzz.
;) My contact stuff is on my info page.

Great job on the coloring. XD I like your personal touch on the chest floof. And I wants to see the Jag really bad. lol But not till your hand is better though. You can put my icon on hold till your hand is healed as well. Take it easy. <3<3

[xxbalaaxx.livejournal.com]

I sketched your icon a few days back..have been wanting to color it and try some different stuff...but haven't had a chance just yet. I will make sure its a good one..and the jags are all dedicated to you XD..beee afrrraaaaaaaaaaiiiiiiiiiidddd

[theunknownsoul.livejournal.com]

yes draw a baby cheetah. and it will be loved XD

I also suggest King Cheetahs. They have larger spot patterns but still basically spots X) I love the shading...and im rather fond of his eyes <3

[xxbalaaxx.livejournal.com]

YESS King cheatahs are amazingly gorgeous! I managed to find a few photos, but not too many good ones to ref the patterns from. Thank you for the wonderful words, you made me smile. *hugggsss*

[xxbalaaxx.livejournal.com]

*snugs* hope you like hun :)

[(Anonymous)]

Wowza! This is definitely going to be an all-time fav of mine! >.> The expression goes along with the rest of cheetah quite well. Awesome!
-psotau

[sfinder.livejournal.com]

Wow, I've been watching your journal for some time now, and I finally decided to de-lurk and comment. This image (like the rest of your art) is simply breathtaking! I don't know how you shade the way you do, but it looks gorgeous, definately keep up the awesome work! I love the face sofar, and the spots (i'm a sucker for intricate details)

[xxbalaaxx.livejournal.com]

*HUGS* dont hide :)..I always love getting comments...and hey making new art buds is always a plus..especially since we all can learn so much from each other, as long as we are willing to share. Gradiant shading can be tricky..but mostly time consuming. Ive started to figure out what works for me...and really the only way to do it is play for yourself and that way you develop your own stylistic traits...so to speak O_o if gradiant shading can have styles. As for spots, I think I realized why I dont draw jags and cheatahs XD the spots are painful to do after a while. The spots on the cheetah took over an hour. Im sure they could have gone faster had I designed a brush but hummm I don't know how...correct that would look...as in natural.

*smothers you with squeeling fluffs*

[jannali.livejournal.com]

iloveyoubalaa. thats all i can say XD again... lol
the colors are gorgeous here, and I think I would die of cheetah love overdose if you did a baby cheetah and/or a king cheetah....a baby king cheetah maybe? XD

[xxbalaaxx.livejournal.com]

ehehehehehehehheeheheh then I just may have to do it *watches jannali squirm* XD

[xetsa.livejournal.com]

Whoamahgosh! A baby (almost said "babu" xD) cheetah would be AWESOME! With all fur for their mane that they sadly out grow and the baby cuteness. xD <3333


I used to call my first cat "Cheetah" even though she was a classic tabby and very pregnant when I first found her. x) So I've always had an affinity for cheetahs.

[xxbalaaxx.livejournal.com]

I needa start on your sketch O__O. *pets* Cheetahs are the quiet kings and queens of the feline kingdom, they have such an amazing sense of nobility to them, though they seem shy and quiet about it.

Spotty

[dynamo-hunter-a.livejournal.com]

The cheetah rocks...
reminds me..
Axl!
http://fanart.lionking.org/Artists/Raven_Dynamo/AxlJohnnyCG.jpg
http://fanart.lionking.org/Artists/Raven_Dynamo/AxlJohnny.jpg
http://fanart.lionking.org/Artists/Raven_Dynamo/TinyAxlLeo.jpg

X3;; if you can think of a better spotty pattern but still simple.. *yes.. he has cheetah muzzle markings* ... I would gladly try to draw you something just as cool in return :3

*picks up da cheetah and takes it home*

Re: Spotty

[xxbalaaxx.livejournal.com]

I think he is sexy just as is...but I can doodle up something and see what I come up with..I dont want to make a promise just in case time runs away with itself again...but yes will try ^_^. *snoogs* bring back mah cheetah O_O

[dapplet.livejournal.com]

pchaaaw... luuuurveh dahling xD *Edna moment*

I adore the colours and the... everything. I can't believe thats sill a WIP o.0

[xxbalaaxx.livejournal.com]

EEDDDNAAAAAAAA daaahhlliinnggg you must si8t..talk..coffee?? yessss I do love our chats..you must come more often *hands you a choco cake and a super suit and sends you home* XD

[shahila.livejournal.com]

I actually hate to ask this, but lately I've been trying to color in different ways.. and I've always loved the way you do shading/lighting.. would it be too much to ask how do you make the lighting, for example, on the lower part of the forelegs (before the paws)? I'm totally curious.... and I feel like such an idiot asking, but hey.. x.x;

[xxbalaaxx.livejournal.com]

Oh well lesse if I can explain it. Well first I have a seperate layer for the outlines and a seperate for all the colors, save the spots. I duplicate the color and line layers and merge the copies and then lock the transparancy and flood fill with the color I want..in this case a daaark maroon/red. The trick to gradiant shading is really the lasso tool. You unlock the transparancy and using the lasso tool select areas of the shading. Then using a big soft eraser brush set to an opacity of 8-15 percent I erase selectively within the lassoed area until you achive that gradiated look. Really the only way to develop your own way of doing it is to play with it. Feel free to study my pics and if you want I can make a pic of just the shading for you so you see how I do it. OH and for the shaded layer, usually I have it set to about 35 percent opacity. I don't suggest to study anyone elses work..seeing as these days unfortunately people, at least in the tlkish group, seem protective over their individual stylistic flairs. Which I suppose is fine, but like I said..feel free to study mine and kinda start developing your own personal techniques...after all we learn first from observing then doing! Im still refining it and trying new stuff for highlights etc.

Hope that helps some though ^___^

[shetanidemon.livejournal.com]

Dang! That's really cool! I love your wicked cool shading, the paws, the floofyness... Coolness! :) Are you going to do a BG?

[cathicks.livejournal.com]

Beautiful! Such a strong drawing. I love your use of color here. Do you still use PSP over Photoshop?

[xxbalaaxx.livejournal.com]

NOOOOOO I tried using psp when I first got my tablet buuutt apparantly psp doesnt like tablets..so I finally switched to photoshop..been about a year now and I truly can't imagine going back anymore O_O

[scullyiza.livejournal.com]

Ah Balaa my kitten, he looks just lovely! I really love his bright eyes and fading colors all over his coat; that really gives him a realistic feel to him. I could see him sitting on a rock with lots of dark yellowish-grey grasslands behind him like in the dry season, and a little tree swaying in the wind beside him. Your characters make me think of pretty backgrounds! That's talent you got there, woman. X3 ::snugs::

[xxbalaaxx.livejournal.com]

OOHHHH you are my sexy dish *hugs* Thank you so for the comment sweetie, always means a lot getting one from you. I hope things are getting better for you, I haven't been around altogether much last few days on account of James's day off and fleh tonight trying to just catch up on backed up commissions >_>. mebbe tomorrow Ill have a chance to either pchat or just chat with you or color that running pic. I reaallllly love that pic O_O...but you must help me with ideas for a bg..kinda picturing a motion blured bg..whatchoo think??

[hannahclover.livejournal.com]

Aie, the cheeters in your style looks fantabulous! I just love that you drew him with triangular spots to add to the originality and his face is just oh-so-smexy. :P Keep it up!

[ty-parsec.livejournal.com]

That cheetah pic is absolutely lovely! Gosh, I love the coloring on her and the eyes. Simply stunning piece. ^_^

Also, ouch. . .I hope your spider bite heals up quickly. I've gotten bit by dozens of spiders before, so I know exactly how it feels. >.< *huggles*

[xxbalaaxx.livejournal.com]

really??? Ive never been bitten by a spider...this was the first time, seems its ok save for the itching today O_o but wow that was incredibly not fun. Thank you as always for the kind words, Im sorry I havent commented in your journal, but I have seen your new works and must commend you on how much you continue to improve..especially with your human pis..I must envy :P

[mango-nikki.livejournal.com]

oh lovely X) that face is great. i adooore the coloring.

[xxbalaaxx.livejournal.com]

*snoooggglllekerFLUFF*

[tsukona.livejournal.com]

ack! I totaly envy your amazing coloring skills!!! awesome piccie!! XD cant wait to see more!!!

[xxbalaaxx.livejournal.com]

*merrrrrrrsnuuuggwhiskerFLOOF* thank youuuu..struggling on the bg on this one :)

[growing-rose.livejournal.com]

Bwah! CHEETAHS SHALL RULE YOUR WORLD! *wanders off*

[xxbalaaxx.livejournal.com]

yesss preciouuus they shall only no one knows it yet *cackles*

[http://users.livejournal.com/_patches/]

Wow. The coloring/shading is jawdropping. Just, wow. :o

[xxbalaaxx.livejournal.com]

Thaaank youuuuuu..the shading is still kinda developing, trying to ensure no one feels intimidated that Im trying to steal their style..hooppppeffffully Im succeeding...Im not one that tries to step on toes. Thank you for the comment, luuurrrvvvvvvvveee the suit *steals and paints in Balaa's colors* how long does something like that take anyway???