CHIT CHAT in VOLTVILLE

[rave]

Rave is probably recovering from her busy weekend so she hasn't seen this drawing yet. Would you guys like to critique it for me? I know it's kinda small but the original was small.

Good morning.

I based the tilt of the head on the line of the top of his face from ears to nose. The line in the photo is more horizontal than yours. But that doesn't seem so important to me, and to change it might mean some major changes.

I'm more concerned with the line that defines his back from his tail. From the spot just behind his shoulders where the back first meets the tail to his ...., your line is straighter. In the photo, it's more of a backwards C. That and the highlight and shading for the hind leg and hip make yours look flatter. I hope Rave will come soon. Maybe she'll see it, too and be able to explain better what I'm seeing.

Yes - absolutely. His back needs to be more rounded outward toward the tail instead of being so straight up and down. This is going to encroach on the tail area somewhat. Also the gap between the body and the tail (the dark shadowed area) should not come down so low and its finish should be rounded rather than pointy.

All in all - It's incredible!! I'm so impressed with this. There are a few things that haven't been mentioned.

Lose the eyeliner under the white area surrounding the eye. More shadowing to show where the head meets the body. Emphasize and enlarge the tilda "~" that should extend between the nose to under the eye. There should be a dark patch behind the elbow.

But still ... WOW!

 

[rave]

Good morning, Rave. I'm sorry you had too many people this weekend. I bet you'll be glad when your son has his own place built!

I loved your trail cam videos. That first deer came close to the camera to show you how he poops.

As for the leaping, deer certainly don't move like horses! They seem to have springs in the soles of their hooves.

It's neat that you caught a fox. Are they rare there?

And I'm wondering if you see what I do in Terry's squirrel drawing. Am I hallucinating? Reality check, please?

Yes - I will be extreeeeemely happy when I can live alone again! They'll be just across a couple of ravines, so they'll still be close. Just not here all of the time.

Yep - he pooped. I wondered how many would notice that.

I've only seen a red fox here twice. This one, I didn't see in person, so he doesn't count. But yes. They are uncommon. Generally foxes avoid areas that have coyotes and feral dogs. I hope he sticks around though. We saw him across the creek on Sunday. I would really love to see gray foxes too. But, now I'm just being greedy.

 

[rave]

Great vid captures Rave. That must be exciting to see what you've caught on disk.

I'm glad you survived your weekend. I figured you'd need at least 1 day to recover. Glad to see you back.

Thanks Terry! Glad you survived your weekend too. And yeah, you were so right about needing another day.

 

[SandySu]

When is the last day for the other auction for the soft tips?

Tomorrow. I'm waiting till then to bid again so as to not drive the price up.

 

[tmcase]

Yes - absolutely. His back needs to be more rounded outward toward the tail instead of being so straight up and down. This is going to encroach on the tail area somewhat. Got it. Also the gap between the body and the tail (the dark shadowed area) should not come down so low and its finish should be rounded rather than pointy. Got it.

All in all - It's incredible!! I'm so impressed with this. Thanks you. There are a few things that haven't been mentioned. Of course there is.

Lose the eyeliner under the white area surrounding the eye. More shadowing to show where the head meets the body. Got it. Emphasize and enlarge the tilda "~" that should extend between the nose to under the eye. Got it. There should be a dark patch behind the elbow. Got it.

But still ... WOW!

Got it....means I understand. Thanks. I'll work on these things today. I had that spot under the elbow but like the hairy ears it got smudged away some how.

 

[tmcase]

Tomorrow. I'm waiting till then to bid again so as to not drive the price up.

Way to go. That's the way to do it. Also, add a penny to your bid. If somebody bids $10 and you bid $10.01 you'll win.

 

[tmcase]

Tomorrow. I'm waiting till then to bid again so as to not drive the price up.

I was looking on ebay again for one of these shapers and clicked on buy Now but then realized that it comes from China and with the holiday I wouldn't get it for several weeks. Blick has if for a lot cheaper than the one on ebay but even for just that one item they charge almost $9 shipping.

 

[rave]

Got it....means I understand. Thanks. I'll work on these things today. I had that spot under the elbow but like the hairy ears it got smudged away some how.

Got it!

Terry - seriously. This is really, really GOOD!

 

[tmcase]

Got it!

Terry - seriously. This is really, really GOOD!

Thanks Rave. That means a lot especially since I did this one in one day and without your help. Now don't go thinking I don't need/want your help. I just didn't want to bother you when I knew you were recuperating. I very much need your help.

 

[rave]

Okay - I'm gonna go play with the drill press.

In my defense, I checked in here first and haven't touched it all day. You'll probably be amused to know that I'm doing this in my living room. But, I have a drop cloth down and hungry bots.

Later!

 

[tmcase]

Got it!

Smart ...!

 

[rave]

Thanks Rave. That means a lot especially since I did this one in one day and without your help. Now don't go thinking I don't need/want your help. I just didn't want to bother you when I knew you were recuperating. I very much need your help.

You know (I hope) that I'm always going to be there to help out when you need it. That's what friends are for, right? To drive you nuts with nit-picking?

 

[tmcase]

You know (I hope) that I'm always going to be there to help out when you need it. That's what friends are for, right? To drive you nuts with nit-picking?

Yes and yes.

 

[SandySu]

Way to go. That's the way to do it. Also, add a penny to your bid. If somebody bids $10 and you bid $10.01 you'll win.

They tell you how much you have to increase your bid by. Usually, it's about 50 cents, not much, but you can't just add a penny.

 

[tmcase]

They tell you how much you have to increase your bid by. Usually, it's about 50 cents, not much, but you can't just add a penny.

You can bid 51 cents and beat the person that only bid 50 cents.

 

[SandySu]

I was look on ebay again for one of these shapers and clicked on buy Now but then realized that it comes from China and with the holiday I wouldn't get it for several weeks. Blick has if for a lot cheaper than the one on ebay but even for just that one item they charge almost $9 shipping.

The gray ones I just got were about $11 with shipping for a set of 5. Maybe I don't need all 5, but I'll find out which ones I like best with a small set. I figured that I at least wanted a broad flat one and a pointy one.

Right now, the set of white ones are at $5.50 and $2.99 shipping. We'll see how high the price goes tomorrow. I figure I'll pay about $10 for them. I'm hoping they'll go for about the same price as the gray ones.

 

[SandySu]

I was looking on ebay again for one of these shapers and clicked on buy Now but then realized that it comes from China and with the holiday I wouldn't get it for several weeks. Blick has if for a lot cheaper than the one on ebay but even for just that one item they charge almost $9 shipping.

You weren't looking where I was then. I found better prices. There was a large set that was expensive, but I doubt I need more than 5 of each.

 

[SandySu]

You can bid 51 cents and beat the person that only bid 50 cents.

But that person won't bid 50 cents while I do. They'll wait till I bid and then beat it. Right? I guess I don't thoroughly understand how to play the system with eBay.

 

[awsum140]

Sandy, as an eBay "sniper" with some years of experience here's my tricks...

Watch, don't bid. Watch the bid history as the bidding progresses to see who's a "die hard" and who's just mildly interested. Be on the auction just before it closes, then bid two increments higher than the highest bid plus some odd pennies. An increment is the minimum amount for the next highest bid. For example, the item is currently at 11.50 and the auction closes in 30 seconds. The increment is .50 (normally I think) so bid 12.93 or even 13.11. Nine out of ten times, you'll win.

The keys are to bid at the last possible second and bid over by an odd number. Most people bid even amounts, so the odd pennies will help improve your odds of winning. Now this doesn't get you the lowest price possible, but if you want an item, it will usually work out.

 

[tmcase]

The gray ones I just got were about $11 with shipping for a set of 5. Maybe I don't need all 5, but I'll find out which ones I like best with a small set. I figured that I at least wanted a broad flat one and a pointy one.

Right now, the set of white ones are at $5.50 and $2.99 shipping. We'll see how high the price goes tomorrow. I figure I'll pay about $10 for them. I'm hoping they'll go for about the same price as the gray ones.

Good luck with this auction. I was only looking at the pointy ones. I don't need the whole set. For now I'll just have to use the stumps. I'm anxious to hear how you like the soft pointy one.