I know I've been exceptionally quiet as of late, but then again the only time I update this journal is to inform of commission information so this might count for something! It's been a very long time since I've actually talked about the goings on over here. I think my birthday is as good as any reason to write a small journal! I turned twenty-four today, which hardly feels any different from whence I turned twenty-two, or twenty for that matter. I've come to the point in my life where every day is a treasure and every friend a priceless gift as I move forward with my life. I apologize if things sound a little sappy, but there it is!

Today was very quiet in comparison to my past birthdays, but I didn't want it any other way. Spending time with my friends and family right now is a high priority as I ready myself for US Air Force basic training in the coming months. It was a relaxing day full of movies ('The Grey' and 'Thor' amongst them), one heck of a chocolate cake that is a diabetic's bane, brand new tires for my car, and one too many "I like this. ANOTHER!" Thor/Avengers jokes on my part. There's even a 'Ring of Fire' eclipse going on today, but I'm far too eastward to be able to see it (but thanks anyway, Space! It's the thought that counts). ;>
Joking aside, I had a wonderful final-at-home birthday this day and logging onto this site to see and read all of these wonderful well-wishes and beautiful gift works has made it even sweeter! I can't thank you guys enough. I'll do my best to reply back to each and every one of you! You are all amazing and I'm grateful to know and meet so many of you.

Oh yes, the final number:
Hey *Shadowmanic, I just brewed up some more coffee. Would you like some?

;D

Small edit:
A commission status and priorities list (widget) can now be found on my main page directly below the journal! It will be constantly updated as usual, I'm just tidying up my journal space. If anyone has any questions or concerns, please contact me!

Commissions are open as usual and I'm plugging away at all of the design and reference sheet commissions simultaneously. I'll hop back onto the speed paint wagon once those are done and out of the way; I've been in a major design groove thanks to it being April (the month where I always begin a new Sardi ref every year). Design commissions take a bit longer to finish than normal commissions, so thank you all for your patience! I post quite a bit outside of DA on my Tumblr, typically just speeds and sketches with a few WIPs scattered here and there. Either way, thanks for stoppin' by!

- Sky

Commissions are Open.

Commissions Currently In-Progress:
--- Full Illustrations:
1.=Xenonith
2.!Ashieepants (2 Char)*
3.~Semper-Memor (2 Char)*
--- Flat Colored Reference Sheets:
1.*Foxchibi - Planning
2.~vtforpedro - Inking!
3.~TeknicolorTiger - Sketching detail shots
--- Soft-Shaded Refined Sketch:
2.~H3LLSTAR (2 Char) - Refining
--- Speed Paints:
1.~LunaticMoth
2.Anonymous(LJ)**
3.~VaelDragon
4.~Shanrrosh
5.*TheNimirra
7. shorty-antics-27
8.*WarningsofTwilight
9. NecroDrone13 (2 Char)*
10.~PitchblackDragon*
--- Create-A-Design:
1. velleh - Soft-Shaded Sketch - Sketching
2.*IVXxChimeraxXVI - Cel-Shaded Sketch - Refining
--- Artist Sponsor:
1. Jett*

^{* - Item is newly added and has been paid for.
** - Item is newly added and has been paid for, contractually agreed to not be posted publicly.}

Commissions are open as usual and I'm plugging away at all of the design and reference sheet commissions simultaneously. I'll hop back onto the speed paint wagon once those are done and out of the way; I've been in a major design groove thanks to it being April (the month where I always begin a new Sardi ref every year).

Outside of commissions, life has been really exciting for me in the last few months! I'm not quite ready to disclose what I've been up to quite just yet to everyone, but those who know... Well, let's keep it on the down-low for a little longer. ;>

Oh yes, the real reason I wanted to post a journal!
My awesome buddy, Kara (~DreamBurst), is in dire need of some cash and has opened up commissions for far too cheap in my opinion. It's all traditional media, so if you want to take advantage of the prices and her talent I suggest you do so now as her power will be cut off soon. Commissions will change that! She and I go back a ways, even went to the same university together -- I've seen her works in person, worked beside her in and outside of our classes, and am personally a HUGE fan of her colored pencil on black paper images and watercolor works. She's a great designer too, countless hours were spent daily just talking about anatomy and still to this day she hasn't lost her touch. There's literally nothing I haven't seen her tackle, she's a true jack of all trades -- so don't be shy to ask her for a design commission or two, three, more. She's even taking full commissions if that tickles your fancy!
Here's just a taste of her gallery:



Her prices (USD):
10$ - inked headshot
15$ - inked chibi
20$ - inked full character.
Full commissions will be considered.
Send her a note for a commission, you know you want to! c;

GO, GO, GO!
- Sky

Commissions are Open.

Commissions Currently In-Progress:
--- Full Illustrations:
1.=Xenonith - Painting and Refining
2.!Ashieepants (2 Char)*
3.~Semper-Memor (2 Char)*
--- Flat Colored Reference Sheets:
1.*Foxchibi
----> 2.~vtforpedro - Sketching
--- Soft-Shaded Refined Sketch:
2.~H3LLSTAR (2 Char) - Refining
--- Speed Paints:
1.~LunaticMoth - Thumbnailing
2.Anonymous(LJ)** - Thumbnailing
3.~VaelDragon
4.~Shanrrosh
5.*TheNimirra
6.~TeknicolorTiger
7. shorty-antics-27
8.*WarningsofTwilight
9. NecroDrone13 (2 Char)*
10.~PitchblackDragon*
--- Create-A-Design:
1. velleh - Soft-Shaded Sketch - Sketching
2.*IVXxChimeraxXVI - Cel-Shaded Sketch - Sketching
--- Artist Sponsor:
1. Jett*

^{* - Item is newly added and has been paid for.
** - Item is newly added and has been paid for, contractually agreed to not be posted publicly.}

I walk away for a few days only to come back on New Years! Happy 2012, everyone!
I'm kicking off the new years with commissions, as you can see in the progress queue below. Commissions with a red bullet mean that I am currently working on them.

Did anyone have an enjoyable (and safe) New Years celebration, or did you simply go to bed early like I did? I didn't even stay up to watch the fireworks in New Zealand, I was dead tired but I'm sure they were spectacular (as well as elsewhere)! I guess I'm starting 2012 wonderfully refreshed and that's perfectly A-OK with me!
I personally don't have any resolutions for the new year, I just want my amazing friends and family to stay safe, continue to be in excellent health, and to continue enjoying life and the little things. 2011 was an absolutely amazing year for me, I met a few very amazing people whom I now count amongst my closest friends (aka family) as well as took what I personally consider the biggest step in the right direction of my life. I am profoundly proud and excited for the accomplishments of my friends and family in just the past year, it reminds me of just how incredible people can truly be, especially when they've been striving to achieve something of great difficulty -- And I've learned so much from them in just the past year. I worked, and will continue to work, so very hard towards the betterment of my body and mind, and it is definitely paying off.

Art-wise I know I've matured a great deal in no small part due to these very simple words of wisdom by Carlo Arellano (Thank you, Allison, for sharing this):
"You can never control the actions of other people just those of yourself. Getting upset or engaging someone at all is a waste of time. Shelly Wan emulates Jon Foster so hard it's embarrassing but he just goes on doing his thing. The best thing to do is to not be complacent, experiment and push your art style beyond it's previous boundaries."

Don't let small and irrelevant things bother you.
Make. Create. Expand. Improve. Learn. Have Fun.

Oh, and don't go to bed angry. c;

Cheers to the New Year,
- Sky

Commissions Currently In-Progress:
--- Full Illustrations:
=Xenonith - Painting - 25% Complete
--- Flat Colored Reference Sheets:
1.*Foxchibi(2) 2.~vtforpedro
--- Flat Colored Refined Sketch:
1. redrosid - Rough Sketched - Awaiting Approval
2.*SeaSuds - Rough Sketching
3.=sugarpoultry - Approved - Refining
4.*Black-Wing24 - Rough Sketching
--- Cel-Shaded Refined Sketch:
1.*KOsika-Illustration 2.*Araless 3.=HaanPere
--- Soft-Shaded Refined Sketch:
1. fluffy31 (2 Char) 2.~H3LLSTAR (2 Char) 3.~Lindserton
--- Speed Paints:
1. doraneirok 2.~LunaticMoth
--- Create-A-Design:
1. velleh - Soft-Shaded Sketch
2.*IVXxChimeraxXVI - Cell-Shaded Refined Sketch*

^{An asterisk (*) at the end of a commission signifies that the item is on the reserve list and has been paid for.}

Just popping in to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy Holidays to all of my loved ones, friends, and acquaintances! I hope everyone is enjoying the holiday and at least staying safe.

The new year is right around the corner, so who's ready for 2012? C:

s to all,
- Sky

Commissions Currently In-Progress:
--- Full Illustrations:
=Xenonith - 25% complete

Commission Wait List:
--- Flat Colored Reference Sheets:
1.*Foxchibi(2) 2.~vtforpedro
--- B/W Refined Sketch:
1.*WarningsofTwilight 2.=WrenTree
--- Flat Colored Refined Sketch:
1. redrosid 2.*SeaSuds 3.=sugarpoultry 4.*Black-Wing24
--- Cel-Shaded Refined Sketch:
1.*KOsika-Illustration 2.*Araless 3.=HaanPere
--- Soft-Shaded Refined Sketch:
1. fluffy31 (2 Char) 2.~H3LLSTAR (2 Char) 3.~Lindserton
--- Speed Paints:
1. doraneirok 2.~LunaticMoth
--- Create-A-Design:
1. velleh - Soft-Shaded Sketch

UPDATE 11/15/2011:
I'm closed for now, but as I go down the new commission queue I'll be semi-opening to fill vacant slots. If you are still interested by then please don't hesitate to note me at that time! c:

Are you excited? I'm excited!

I've decided to go ahead and open all commissions types just in time for the holiday season as well as the fact that I am nearing the end of my sketch commission queue. c:
I only have a handful of sketch commissions left, so those will be taken care of first and I expect to begin work on new requests in 1-2 week's time. I'll be steamrolling through the queue this week, so expect to see two images a day at times. I'm also not taking a set number of slots but rather as many as I know I can handle and complete within an acceptable turnaround rate, especially for commissions with deadlines. If you are interested, please keep in mind that commissions are on a first come, first serve basis and I will update this journal when I close commissions again. In order to reserve your spot on the wait list, payment for the commission is required in full and up front. c:

I am also happy to be introducing three new categories to my normal commission list!
Collaboration, Create-A-Design, and Artist Sponsorship are now available and more information can be found in the Commissions journal itself (either click the Commissions button in the top left of this journal or click this [link]
If you have any other questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to note me. c:

Commissions Currently In-Progress:
1.*Foxchibi 2.=Xenonith

Commission Wait List:
--- Flat Colored Reference Sheets:
1.*Foxchibi(2) 2.~vtforpedro
--- B/W Refined Sketch:
1.*WarningsofTwilight 2.=WrenTree
--- Flat Colored Refined Sketch:
1. redrosid 2.*SeaSuds 3.=sugarpoultry 4.*Black-Wing24
--- Cel-Shaded Refined Sketch:
1.*KOsika-Illustration 2.*Araless 3.=HaanPere
--- Soft-Shaded Refined Sketch:
1. fluffy31 (2 Char) 2.~H3LLSTAR (2 Char) 3.~Lindserton
--- Speed Paints:
1. doraneirok 2.~LunaticMoth
--- Create-A-Design:
1. velleh - Soft-Shaded Sketch

Terms of Service and Price Guide updated as of 02/09/2012

Current Status: OPEN

General Information
- The Artist reserves the right to refuse any commission without explanation.
- The Artist reserves the right to change any and all information on this page at any time without warning.
- The Artist will not handle the depiction of illegal activities, sexually explicit materials, fetish, humorously offensive, and hateful images.
- The Artist will not create artwork for online pet adoptable websites or forums.
- Clear and concise visual references and brief description of a commission idea must be provided by the Client. After which a preliminary quote will be provided by the Artist. The Artist will not accept purely text-based descriptions for non Create-A-Design commissions. The Artist will not be held at fault for any mistakes made on the final version due to incorrect or missing information.
- Discussion about the commission will occur over the private messaging system. All communication will be written and web-based.
- The Artist's signature and/or watermark must remain on any and all images provided.
- The Artist exclusively owns the full rights to the image. (See "Image Rights" below)

Payments
- Payment will be through Paypal. USD currency only.
- Full payment will be sent upfront unless otherwise agreed upon for larger projects.
- When sending payment, select the "Service" option. Do not select "Gift".
- Do not send more than the agreed upon amount or the transaction will be declined at the Artist's discretion, do not include "tips".
- The Client must provide the username used to request the commission and a brief description of what they ordered in the email that accompanies Paypal transfers.

Deadlines and Edits
- The Artist ensures the Client will receive updates via private messaging system on the commission when necessary. Clients are encouraged to check in when they feel it's necessary for updates, assurance or reminders. Public updates will also be made via Deviantart.com journal (skysealer) and furaffinity.net journal (skysealer).
- Deadlines, if any, must be decided before work has begun on the commission. Deadline fees will apply.
- Rush fees may be applied at the Artist's discretion. If the deadline is missed, this fee will be refunded.
- The Client is shown a work in progress of their commission to be approved once at each stage.
-  The Client is allotted a total of three edits at no additional charge; additional edits will have an added fee and pricing will depend on what stage the work is in.
- Major edits will only be available during the sketch stage.*
- Additional works in progress may be shown upon request. The Client may not request multiple works in progress within a day.
- The Artist reserves the right to reject critique and red line pertaining to artistic skill or style preference (i.e. anatomy, coloring style, etc.) if said critique reduces the artistic quality of the piece.
- A redraw will count as a completely separate commission and will be charged as such.
* Major edits are defined as large edits such as repositioning a body part or making large changes to an outfit.

Refunds
- A refund may be requested at any time.
- The Artist reserves the right to issue a refund and cancel a commission, at any time, due to poor communication, rude or inappropriate behavior or the inability to communicate in effective English.
- The refunded amount will be determined by how much work has already been completed. If the Client wishes to cancel their commission during or after the coloring stage they will not be issued a refund.
- The Client will be given what has been completed up until the point of refund.
- Refunds will be provided according to the point above even if the Artist is the one to cancel it.
- B/W Sketch-only images are non-refundable.
- Refunds for Speed Paint images will be provided based upon the level of completion. The amount to be refunded will be at the Artist's discretion.

Image Rights
- The Artist retains all of the rights to the commissioned artwork, including the right to make prints and merchandise as well as promote the Artist's services.
- The Client may not make prints of the artwork or profit from the artwork. The Client may resize or crop the artwork to create icons, wallpapers, or other graphics to be used in non-commercial digital format, but the Client cannot alter the artwork itself or have someone else alter the work. The Client may also upload the artwork to their personal website or gallery, but credit is required, and it must not be any high resolution or unwatermarked version of the artwork.
- The Artist reserves the right to display the commission.

The Client must read, understand and agree to all the above terms before entering into an agreement with the Artist. By sending payment, the Client agrees to the above terms.

General Information
- Please note the subject matter in my gallery that I am familiar with to determine your request (I am proficient and very effective at more than just dragons).
- Displayed base prices are subject to change according to the complexity, difficulty, size and medium of each individual piece.
- All current items listed will be created via Photoshop CS and a Wacom Intuos3 tablet.
- Please allow artistic license. Do not ask me to 'copy' a style.
- Additional characters in an image are subject to additional fees. Pricing will depend on the commission type, character complexity, and request details.

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Speed Paint: $70+
^{Full body or Portrait. Background included.}


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Clean Line Art
^{Full body or Portrait. No background.}
- B/W Line Art: $80+
- Flat Colored Line Art: $90+


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Shaded/Colored Line Art
^{Full body or Portrait. Simple background or no background.}
- Color, Cel-Shaded Line Art: $100+
- Color, Soft Shaded Line Art: $110+
- Color, Painterly Shaded Line Art: $120+


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Full Illustrations: $150+
^{Lineless artwork. Painterly. Refined background included.}


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Reference Sheets
^{Main body and miscellaneous items (wings, mouth, eyes, etc.). Flat colored or textured backgrounds. Text provided.}
- Color, Flat Color: $110+
- Color, Cel-Shaded: $130+
- Color, Soft Shaded: $140+
- Color, Painterly Shaded: $150+
- Color, Painterly, Lineless: $200+

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Collaborations
^{Have you ever wished you could have a sketch of yours inked or colored by me? Well, now's your chance! Final price will depend on complexity of the work and I may provide fixes in anatomy and proportion by request. Additional fees may apply (please see the Deadlines and Edits section in the Terms of Service). Due to the collaborative effort involved, the commissioner must agree to not resell or otherwise make a profit off of the work in any way (please see the Image Rights section in the Terms of Service). Provided line art for coloring must be on a transparent background and in PSD or PNG format. Please provide the largest version available.}
- From Your Sketch to B/W Line Art: $20-40+
- From Your Line art to Flat Colored : $10-20+
- From Your Line art to Cel-Shaded Color: $20-30+
- From Your Line art to Soft-Shaded Color: $30-50+
- From Your Line art to Painterly Color (lineless): $50-80+
- From Your Sketch to B/W Line Art & Flat, Cel, Soft-Shaded, or Painterly: $40-100+

------------

Create-A-Design
^{Need help putting pen to paper? Would you like to see my take on a design idea that you may have but are otherwise having trouble with? Would you like to see what kind of character design I can come up with when given a few terms to play with, a phrase, or an excerpt out of a story you have written? Design collaborations will be composed in profile view, otherwise known as a 'reference style' pose. While we will work together to better envision the character you describe please allow artistic license. Additional fees may apply (please see the Deadlines and Edits section in the Terms of Service).}
- B/W Line Art: $70+
- Flat Color Line Art: 80+
- Cel-Shaded Line Art: 90+
- Soft-Shaded Line Art: 110+
- Painterly (Lineless): 130+


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Become an Artist Sponsor
^{Interested in seeing a specific character of mine again? Miss seeing Sardi and wonder what she may be up to? Maybe you're simply a fan of my art, head world, and/or characters and would like to see more of it! By becoming an artist sponsor you will essentially be commissioning me to work on my own quality personal art while I toil away at regular commissions.
As an Artist Sponser you may request a specific character, theme, or request to see something or someone new! These are just a few examples of course, and the more you donate as a sponsor the more time and effort I will be able put into the polished image. As an example, a $20 donation will allow me to create either a refined sketch or a full blown line art. A donation over $50 will allow me to create a cel-shaded, soft-shaded, or painterly image. Items $100 and up will allow me to go all out into full lineless, painterly illustrations. The amount of donation will also determine how much control you will have over the request, for example a $20 donation will let you specify a character or theme where as a $60 donation will allow you to request a setting, character, and interaction if you so choose. While I will not provide works in progress as these are personal works, you will be displayed in the artist description as the sponsor of the image.}

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If you have further questions or comments, please feel free to contact me via notes. Please refrain from commenting with questions about price estimates, contact me through notes instead.
Thank you for reading!