So I've decided to open up commission slots for convention badge art pieces.

Little nervous about it as I've not done artwork for others before, especially paid work. But my practice attempts have been going well.

I haven't got a formal tracker or point of contact like Trello yet, not enough demand to warrant those as of right now, but if you're interested best places to get in touch with me are either;
- Notes here on FA,
- Twitter: /@BertyP_UK (https://twitter.com/BertyP_UK),
- Telegram: /@Berty_P

Deets about commissions are;
Prices are £25 to £35 depending on character complexity. (E.g. Horns, lots of markings, complex headgear...)
Paypal only. (And as of right now I don't ask for payment until the badge is done. May change soon.)

You get a hi-def PNG (2400px × 2880px) for any galleries, and a 8.27 × 11.69 inch (A4 paper) clear background PNG for printing.
I'm afraid I can't currently print or mail badges at this time.

For +£5 I can make a hi-def Profile Pic version of the badge perfect for any site.

Please message me if you have any questions or comments too!

---

So I guess it's time I take that stick out of my ass and go back on what antsy, 4-years-ago me said.

While FA still has its flaws from tech, user, AND admin sides... it's not completely awful.

I'll be posting my art here as and when I can be bothered to upload. I've got 4 years worth of sketchbook drawings to scan and upload, I'll probably get around to at some point.

I'm working more on digital art nowadays. Primarily Character Badges as I am wanting to get better / quicker at them, in order to possibly open for commissions at some point.

---

Yadda yadda yadda, I know. Everything I can say has already been said, 500 times over in a myriad of better ways and all within the last 12 hours.

It's not like I'm the most prolific user of this site, I log in every day to check up on some of my favourite artists, upload some of my artwork pieces whenever I can muster up the courage to show them to whomever will look.
But my disappointment in this site has been continuous for the last 2 or so years.

I used to love the simple, "Web 2.0"-ish ness of FA; You knew where the buttons were, every thing's pretty much laid out in front of you, simple colour scheme... A UI which worked plain and simple.
Didn't really like DA's interface, with panels sliding open when hovering over them, things dynamically swapping in and out... I much prefer a simple UI.
Well I'm finally going to have to get over that now and use some other art sites, maybe Weasyl, possibly Ink Bunny, DA's such a clusterfuck there's no real point posting to there unless you're an already well established artist.

But with their latest update it seems they're taking the User out of User Interface, the cause of which is a conflict of interests.
FA is an art site, it's primary objective; to host an artist's portfolio in a semi professional manner and allow users to interact with each other for either leisure or business regarding said artwork.
Other similar sites make their money to host their site by allowing users to donate and are generally popular enough to generate ad revenue from small, relevant ads in non-intrusive locations.

IMVU is a store, it's primary objective; to host chat rooms and allow their users to create and "sell" content for use in the chat rooms.
They make their money through an in-site only currency system requiring users to buy credits in order to purchase user created content, on top of ad revenue from adverts which, due to the nature of the site, can be far more intrusive in nature.

Dragoneer should have seen this massive discrepancy way before he even considered "partnering" with IMVU.
IMVU know how to run a site as a store, FA (barely) knows how to run a site as a gallery.
Now don't get me wrong, I never once thought IMVU would take a FA user's content and monetise it, be it through viewing credits or selling it on the IMVU store or whatever else silly theories people panicked about.
BUT, IMVU's way of evaluating the effectiveness of a site's monetary gain is (or should be) completely different to FA's way.
FA exists because it was designed with the intention of displaying artwork, that's what it's users come to the site for: the artwork.
To look at it, talk about it, collect it and occasionally buy it.
IMVU exists because it was designed in a similar vain to Second Life, where it's users can either create or buy content to place in their allotted space, much like a model project or diorama.
It's users are already willing to part with money when viewing their site, where as the majority of FA's users are not.
They expect mostly free artwork, hence people's uproar with regards to Patreon only/early images.

I know what the next point is "It's still free to view artwork." But it isn't.
Every change costs, whether it be time, screen space, usability, enjoyability, integrity, custom-ability...
What this costs us as users and artists takes from all the points I just listed; longer load times due to ads, less image viewing space and enjoyability due to sidebar, yet more of FA's integrity for lying to it's users again, no ability to revert to the older style...
They implemented this change with the mentality of this is how they'd improve IMVU, a store website.
FA cannot succeed with that style of management.


Now, as an artist, I am not happy about my artwork being used to further promote a website I don't use, don't like and even in some instances find morally objectionable.
FA's user ads? Sure, I don't mind an advert placed next to or above my artwork if it helps a fellow user out.
Google ads? I mean, it's Google, hard to get away from them. They're already my search engine and phone, no harm's going to come from them being adverts around my artwork.
IMVU ads? No. The only connection IMVU and FA have is that IMVU foolishly owns FA.

The User Agreement and Terms of Service contracts I signed said nothing about using my artwork to promote hollow, money grabbing sites which hold no connection to FA.
As far as I'm concerned FA have broken those contracts.

My artwork is in my scraps section.
I am seriously considering deleting all of them as I want nothing of my creation to promote and encourage IMVU or FA's success.
The only thing stopping me is the handful of kind comments on them, and the fact that they won't be there for me if I do.

This account will only remain as a vessel for me to keep up with my favourite artists who have chosen to continue using FA.

Thanks for reading.

So it was my birthday a couple of weeks ago,and I got myself a Cintiq 12WX Graphics Tablet from Wacom. It's the smallest (and by extension cheapest) tablet they make with a built in screen display, so I can actually see what I'm drawing onto.
It's not as plugin-and-go as my older tablets were but that's to be expected from something as advanced as this thing. It wasn't a hassle to set up anyway.

A word of warning though, if you buy one from Amazon be weary of who delivers it... The company that delivered mine were appalling.
I can't remember what they were called, something like HLTC, four letters anyway. But when they delivered this tablet, they left it outside my house, unsecured, in a strange location and left no notification what so ever that it had been delivered. So 4 days later when I come to ask them where it is I get an email back saying it was already delivered. So I go and check, and I find a crumpled package destroyed by 4 days worth of rain and ice, and in side I find a box destroyed by 4 days worth of rain and ice... This box containing £850 worth of delicate electronics.
So needless to say I had Amazon come pick it up again and deliver me a new one. They delivered with a different company, and they actually needed a signature this time.
Amazon were great, just the delivery company that needs a smacking.

But I have my fancy Cintiq now, and I'm super happy and eager to try it out. Just have to find out how to fix the screen switching in extended screen mode.
Going to try animating with it too.

Hey, so, long time since I've updated. Been busy with Uni work and my own project.

Bit down at the moment with regards to drawing, my graphics tablet's a shit one and the pen for it has literally fallen apart. So I've not been able to get any digital drawing done nor been able to touch up and fix any of the traditional drawing / sketches I've been doing.
I take my small sketch book and a set of pencils with me whenever I go out and draw when I get a moment to but it doesn't feel like I make any progress or get anything done unless I can add colouring to it and a tidy up the lines and stuff. I don't know... It's getting to me.
It just feels more proper and finished when it's on a computer screen, you know?
Plus this means I haven't been able to create a new avatar in a while, which annoys me more than it should.

Anyway, I'm working on my own project right now. It's for our final year Uni project, we have to design and create about 10 minutes of a game on a medium of our choosing. I don't want to reveal anything right now, not until I've got together with my friends to bounce ideas off them and get a good solid idea for the game's structure.
I'm also trying to come up with character designs (and by extension costume designs too) for the main character and any other major characters. Got a few drawings in my gallery already of the face of the main character but I need some decent reference poses so I can get her body and outfit designs done. So if anyone out there knows of a good place for tutorials on costume design or coming up with poses for this sort of thing then I'd owe you big time.
Bit stressed right now that I'm currently having to fill the role of programmer, concept artist, designer and writer, none of these things I'm professional at either. Really need to get chatting with my friends.

Anyhoo, Fifi (my pet skunk) is doing fine. She's very sleepy through the winter time so all she wants to do is fall asleep on laps where it's warm.
Think that's it... Might have one or two more drawings to upload but I think they'll be going in scraps maybe. And I can't be bothered scanning them in now and resizing them for upload. Will do with in the next day or so, just not in the mood right now.

Thanks for reading.

... and a little bored.
I'm at my laptop in my bedroom, drawing a character, checking the TV every half an hour or so.
I don't have any Digi-Box, Cable or Satellite to this TV. It just picks up the old 5 analogue channels, so I've got the choice between some crap like Bargain Hunt, Loose Women, House Doctor, Holiday Homes, and discussions that are going on in Parliament...
I think I'll watch paint dry.

Thank god I have the Castle Crashers soundtrack to listen to while I try not to think of how hungry I am and draw.
Need to go shopping for foodz very soon.

First Journal. Lets start with a question meme so I can explain who I am.

1. What does your FurAffinity name mean and why?
Berty - Nick-name I earned when there were too many Robs in my year in school. I've just stuck with it ever since.

2. What fandom were you obsessed with when you joined and what are you into now?
Um... Furry fandom?... *confused face*
Unless you mean subcategory; then I'd say none.

3. How many watchers do you have now?
10 - Most of which are friends anyway... I really haven't done enough art to credit more watchers,

4. Name 3 of your favorite artists on FA.
In order of OMFG:
1. Tirrel / Cerberus - Daymn... that guy can animate.
2: EWS - Love Sabrina Online.
3: Max BR - NOT FOR THE PORN! He's just an amazing artist.

5. Do you comment, fav, or both?
I'll comment if I have something to say.
I'll fave if it hits that Wow! spot.

6. Do you participate in clubs' contests here on FA?
Not really... I've got an "I am from blah blah blah" group on my Bio but that's about it.

7. What is your most popular submission?
Views & Comments, Faves

8. What are your favorite non-anime TV shows?
Doctor Who, The Simpsons, Futurama, Mythbusters, Bear Grylls... Few more I can't be bothered to remember.

9. What are the things you wish you could draw better?
Everything. Hands and feet... I really suck at angles and proportions with them.

10. Summer or winter?
Both have equal drawbacks.

11. Rain or Sun?
To be honest... I don't care...

12. What's your favorite type of music?
I've noticed you keep spelling favourite wrong. This had better not continue.
Anyway, back to the question:
I don't know... My iTunes tells me it's Alt Rock but I like a fair amount of different stuff.

13. PC or Mac?
PC.

I
Don't
Like
Macs.

14. Anime or Manga?
Oh, now that's a difficult question...

Neither;
I think they both should burn equally.

15. Coke or Pepsi?
Pepsi. It's sweeter.

16. Read or TV?
Depends what I'm in the mood for.

17. How many hours a day do you spend on FA?
0.5 - 1 ish... I'll only really come on to check for updates.

18. Name a hidden talent.
I have the amazing ability to not kill my siblings... A talent which is put to test daily.

19. Flash or traditional cartoons?
Traditional. Definitely.
Though I'll like a flash toon if it's done in a traditional method or has good quality artwork and animation. But if it's something that uses sh*t simple tweens all the time and grotesque characters / expressions then I'll want the creator burned at the stake.

20. What is your favorite fast food restaurant?
I don't think one exists... Any place that can put together a meal which would take a while for an individual to make in a couple of minutes can't be good.
Though I'll admit I have a soft spot for the Waffle House.

21. What are your top 3 favorite books?
The Magician by Raymond E Feist and then any two of the follow ups. They're all good.

22. Wii or Playstation?.
The Wii is not a gaming console. And as an XBox player I'm obliged to be against the Playstation, regardless of the fact that I grew up with one.
So neither, XBox 360 and PC are my choice.

23. Name 3 of your favorite bands/singers.
I cant.
Keane, Erasure, Daft Punk, Eels. And a lot more artists who have made songs I like.

24. Are you a fast, slow, or medium typist?
Medium. Though it usually degrades to slow including me going back and checking errors and deciding what to say.

25. Do you like Denny's?
Meh.
I'll eat there, but it wouldn't be my first choice.

26. What is your favorite smiley?
:P
Not too serious and not too silly.

27. What is your favorite type of pie?
Pie.
Actually, I don't like any kind really... But Pie is awesome regardless of me liking it's taste or not.

28. Have you ever stayed up for 24 hours?
I honestly don't know...
I might have once or twice but I can't remember.

29. Do you go on YouTube a lot?
A fair bit. Music, Achievement Hunter...

30. Are you a member on any other sites besides FA?
No. I use the internet solely for FA. [/sarcasm]
Of course I am. But don't expect me to tell you what they are.

31. Do you cosplay?
nope.avi
Nor do I plan to.

32. Fruits or sweets?
Sweets.

33. Buttered, plain, or salted popcorn?
Don't like popcorn. Gets stuck in my teeth.

34. Have you skipped school?
Who hasn't? I've missed a day here and their... but they were very few and far between.

35. Have you been on a plane?
Lots of times.

36. Have you swam in an ocean?
Yes but I don't like it. It's normally too cold and I have elevated Bathophobia. Even the creatures in the sand creep me out.

37. Have you been ice skating?
Once,,, Fell over a lot.

38. Favorite vacation spot?
Been to Florida a lot... But I haven't found anywhere that makes me want to stay forever.

39. Ever been on TV?
Not that I can remember.

40. Favorite salad dressing?
What is this thing you call sa - lad?

41. What do you do to relax?
Nothing.
Doing nothing gets me relaxed.

42. What is the last film you saw in the theater?
The last one I can definitely remember watching was Avatar... but I've seen one or two since then, just can't remember what they were.

43. Favorite Sandwich?
Peanut butter and crisps (potato chips), toasted. Yeh I know, just bursting with healthy.

44. If you could go anywhere in the world...
... ... ... Kinda question is that?
I don't know... Area 51.

45. Favorite time of the day?
Oh, another one of these questions, all right;
The rime where good things happen to me.

46. What did you want to be when you were little?
Scientist.

47. What do you want to be now?
Flash games developer / programmer.

48. If you could eat with one person, who would it be?
With as in "using" or with as in "in the company of"?
Former: One of those clean fanatics... you know you 'aint gonna catch anything from them.
Latter: *sigh* There isn't one answer... Derren Brown, Lawrence Krauss, 2 Gryphon, my true love or some other vague sh*t.

49. What character would you hate to be stuck in a room with?
Barney the Dinosaur... oh god kill me now.

50. When is your birthday?
2nd January 1991.

51. Favorite type of ice cream?
Stuff that doesn't make my teeth hurt.

52. Last book you read?
Still reading The Magician for the second time.

53. Which store would you max out a credit card at?
I don't shop. I actually rarely buy anything aside from a popular game when they come out.

54. Do you buy / sell / both on eBay?
Neither.

55. What is the most annoying thing people ask you?
"Can you come here for a moment?"
I know it just isn't going to benefit me in any way.

56. Favorite all time movie?
Lets just go with Avatar for now.

57. What was your favorite show when you were a kid?
Animaniacs, Pinky and the Brain, Bugs Bunny. Any Warner Brothers cartoon really.

58. What are you listening to right now?
Nothing.

59. What is the last thing you ate?
Handful of chocolate peanuts.

60. If you were a crayon what color would you be?
Rather obscure way of asking "What's your favourite colour?"
It's blue, by the way.

61. What is the first thing you notice about the opposite sex?
You really suck at asking questions, don't you?
That they're either alive or dead...
Ask a stupid question, get a stupid answer

62. Favorite sport to play?
Gaming.
Gaming's a sport.

63. Favorite Day of the Year?
All of them. [/optimistic crap]

64. Hugs or Kisses?
Hugs.

65. Vanilla or Chocolate?
Chocolate.

66. Favorite Board Game?
I like Monopoly, like watching a game of chess... But I'm quite good at Cludo.

67. Favorite smells?
Coffee. I don't know.

68. What inspires you?
Things that make me go "OMFGWOW!".

69. Do you have any piercings?
What?... Purposely make a hole in my body?
No thanks.

70. How many siblings do you have?
One younger brother and one younger sister.

71. Bacon Bits or croutons?
Neither.

72. Favorite Day of the Week?
TGIF.

73. Favorite phrase?
"You probably deserved it." or "It could be worse, you could be on fire."

74. Favorite Restaurant?
The restaurant at the end of the universe.

75. Favorite animal?
Skunk. I wouldn't have a pet skunk if I thought otherwise, now would I?

76. Favorite thing to do outside
Go inside.

77. Favorite thing to do when it's raining?
Stay inside.

78. Favorite Disney character?
I'm going to ignore the word Disney there and replace it with Warner Brothers.
Yakko Warner.

79. Do you like coffee? If so, what is your favorite brand?
Smell: Yes.
Boiling hot liquid in my mouth: No.

80. Tag 6 people
Whoever else thinks they can stand to answer 79 badly written and thought out questions and still be sane.
I'm seriously questioning the reason why I decided to do this now... Ah well.
Expect my future journals to hold more optimism and care than this one.