# Show your artwork! (Regardless of talent!) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 6, 2004, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/show-your-artwork-regardless-of-talent/267947 "2004-10-06T23:48:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ZebraShaSha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/eada6e/32.png) [@ZebraShaSha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZebraShaSha)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2004, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/show-your-artwork-regardless-of-talent/267947/1 "2004-10-06T23:48:52Z")
If there was a thread like this and I missed it, I apologize. Anyways, with all these picture threads now adays, I thought it would be rather fun to post a picture of your artwork: sculpture, design, photography, or plain ol’ studio work. I will gladly show my own but only if this generates some responses. There is no limit, so post happily with abundence, and hopefully we can all understand each other’s styles a little better. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2004, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/show-your-artwork-regardless-of-talent/267947/2 "2004-10-07T01:37:00Z")
> [@ZebraShaSha](#): > > If there was a thread like this and I missed it, I apologize. Anyways, with all these picture threads now adays, I thought it would be rather fun to post a picture of your artwork: sculpture, design, photography, or plain ol’ studio work. I will gladly show my own but only if this generates some responses. There is no limit, so post happily with abundence, and hopefully we can all understand each other’s styles a little better. Well, my main page is at [http://www.peterpawinski.com](http://www.peterpawinski.com) My second most recent wedding work is [here.](http://www.peterpawinski.com/Kern) ---
**Author:** ![dreamer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/6bbea6/32.png) [@dreamer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dreamer)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2004, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/show-your-artwork-regardless-of-talent/267947/3 "2004-10-07T01:47:47Z")
[Custom Renaissance and LOTR Action Figures](http://hometown.aol.com/dian4peace/RenActionFigures.html) These are all made by Mr.dreamer 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2004, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/show-your-artwork-regardless-of-talent/267947/4 "2004-10-07T01:48:33Z")
I’m currently carving a [Lord of the Rings chess set](http://physics.montana.edu/students/bambeck/chess/board.htm) out of poplar and black walnut. I haven’t updated that page in a bit; Minas Tirith is now done, and the Balrog (black King’s Bishop) is almost finished and Arwen (white Queen) is in progress. It’s hard to take good pictures of things that small; does anyone have any suggestions on that? ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2004, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/show-your-artwork-regardless-of-talent/267947/5 "2004-10-07T01:59:14Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > I’m currently carving a [Lord of the Rings chess set](http://physics.montana.edu/students/bambeck/chess/board.htm) out of poplar and black walnut. I haven’t updated that page in a bit; Minas Tirith is now done, and the Balrog (black King’s Bishop) is almost finished and Arwen (white Queen) is in progress. It’s hard to take good pictures of things that small; does anyone have any suggestions on that? Cool project!! I’ve always wanted to make my own chess set, but I know jack shit about carving and the such! As for photo advice, well, you need a macro (close-focus) lens for one. Without that, it’ll be nigh impossible to take a good sharp picture of a small object like that. Second, you want some nice directional lighting to go along with that, and bring out the features and 3d modelling of your pieces. I’d suggest a neutral backdrop (black/gray/whatever) with a main diffused light coming from one side and a reflector on the other. I can hear it. Huh? Get yourself a simple lamp, aim it through some wax paper or a thin linen sheet to diffuse the light, and place it about 45 degrees to the subject. On the opposite side, put up a white piece of paper supported by a book or whatever you have handy, to deflect just a bit of light back onto the opposite side of the subect. You should get decent pictures that way. If you look on my website, the photos of the flowers were all done using this primitive set-up. ---
**Author:** ![JayElle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/4bbf92/32.png) [@JayElle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JayElle)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2004, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/show-your-artwork-regardless-of-talent/267947/6 "2004-10-07T02:06:53Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > Well, my main page is at [http://www.peterpawinski.com](http://www.peterpawinski.com) > > My second most recent wedding work is [here.](http://www.peterpawinski.com/Kern) Absolutely gorgeous. If you were closer, I would beg and plead for you to be my wedding photographer. Not that we’ve picked a date, or anything… ---
**Author:** ![Darwins\_Finch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darwins_finch/32/20304_2.png) [@Darwins\_Finch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darwins_Finch)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2004, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/show-your-artwork-regardless-of-talent/267947/7 "2004-10-07T02:18:06Z")
Not that it’s all that impressive, but the _Deinonychus_ drawing on [this site](http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/diapsids/saurischia/coelurosauria.html) is mine (it’s also rather old). Interestingly, I also found that [another site](http://www.biology.eku.edu/RITCHISO/554notes1.html) is using that picture. More interestingly, the picture immediately to the right of mine on that site is of the same critter, drawn by Robert Bakker. I was going to say that my version isn’t all that accurate (the hands are held in the wrong position), but then I noticed Bakker’s is wrong, too. So I don’t feel so bad 🙂 Of course, mine is nowhere near as good as the others on that latter site. I still need a lot of practice. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2004, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/show-your-artwork-regardless-of-talent/267947/8 "2004-10-07T02:22:08Z")
I’ve posted some of these before, but here’s some of my early 3D graphics stuff, plus some more recent things for a Star Wars fanfilm. [Early](http://www.guanolad.com/3d/) [Jedi Heritage](http://www.guanolad.com/jh/) ---
**Author:** ![yosemite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/3ab097/32.png) [@yosemite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yosemite)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2004, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/show-your-artwork-regardless-of-talent/267947/9 "2004-10-07T02:30:36Z")
Wow! Some really _beautiful_ (and diverse) work here! I do artwork and “hobby” photography (though I have sold it on occasion), which you can see [here.](http://s107633810.onlinehome.us) ---
**Author:** ![picunurse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7bcc69/32.png) [@picunurse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/picunurse)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2004, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/show-your-artwork-regardless-of-talent/267947/10 "2004-10-07T03:10:46Z")
I’m not sure if there’s anything new since I last posted my stained glass, but [here](https://home.comcast.net/~glassigirl/) it is again. ---
**Author:** ![Selkie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bbce88/32.png) [@Selkie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Selkie)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2004, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/show-your-artwork-regardless-of-talent/267947/11 "2004-10-07T03:17:07Z")
[One horribly out of date web site for my sculpture and porcelain work](http://www.bluefrogcreations.com/gallery.htm). My pseronal favorite photo is [Supplicants at the Temple of Meep](http://www.bluefrogcreations.com/images/TempleofMeep1.jpg), which, while perhaos lacking in photographic merit due to being a mere snapshot, expresses everything about my sense of humor. **picunurse** , great to see you have your own site now! ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2004, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/show-your-artwork-regardless-of-talent/267947/12 "2004-10-07T03:26:20Z")
Okay, you’ve seen the beautiful, now it’s time for the bad… I’ve always considered myself a terrible artist. In grade school I couldn’t even draw the kinds of cartoons other kids were drawing. As soon as I could (around grade 8 if I recall) I abandoned art completely in school because I felt I had no innate talent. Well, it’s bugged me for a long time, so I finally picked up “Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain” to see if I could learn to improve my kindergarten-level drawing skills. I also bought a small graphics tablet because I figured it would be easier that way. The first thing the book has you do is a ‘self-evaluation’. you have to draw some things like your hand and a self-portrait (using a mirror) to give you a ‘baseline’ so that when you’re finished the book you can go back and see how much you improved. So, I sat down and tried to do it - and surprised myself. It’s not great, but this is what I came up with: [Self Portrait](http://members.shaw.ca/danhanson/pictures/Self%20Portrait.gif) Anyway, it’s decent enough that I hope after I read the book and practice a lot I might actually be able to draw some interesting things! I never dreamed I had the ability. My advice to those who think they can’t draw and will never be able to - especially those like me who haven’t tried since childhood: Give it a shot. You might surprise yourself. Another aside: Was my utter failure to draw in grade school a result of horribly inept teaching, or do adults just see things differently? I know that very small children draw ‘symbolically’, but I tried to draw into my early teens, and never managed to come up with anything remotely resembling this. This time, it felt rather easy and natural. Strange. ---
**Author:** ![picunurse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7bcc69/32.png) [@picunurse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/picunurse)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2004, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/show-your-artwork-regardless-of-talent/267947/13 "2004-10-07T03:33:52Z")
> [@Selkie](#): > > [One horribly out of date web site for my sculpture and porcelain work](http://www.bluefrogcreations.com/gallery.htm). My pseronal favorite photo is [Supplicants at the Temple of Meep](http://www.bluefrogcreations.com/images/TempleofMeep1.jpg), which, while perhaos lacking in photographic merit due to being a mere snapshot, expresses everything about my sense of humor. > > **picunurse** , great to see you have your own site now! Thanks! glad to “see” you. Sorry I haven’t kept in touch. 'You okay? ---
**Author:** ![dangergene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@dangergene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dangergene)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2004, 5:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/show-your-artwork-regardless-of-talent/267947/14 "2004-10-07T05:12:17Z")
I wasn’t going to post, but I figured _what the hey_. here’s my site… Danger Gene! don’t laugh too hard… I’ll cry. (I’m emotional that way). there’s an update coming soon… soon… ---
**Author:** ![dangergene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@dangergene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dangergene)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2004, 6:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/show-your-artwork-regardless-of-talent/267947/15 "2004-10-07T06:43:19Z")
crap here’s the correct link [Danger Gene!](http://gene.whitlock.com.au/) (not post-padding, really!). ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2004, 8:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/show-your-artwork-regardless-of-talent/267947/16 "2004-10-07T08:13:04Z")
Here are [large drawings](http://www.sunspace.org/myart.html) I did way back. Here are [tests](http://www.sunspace.org/koleraflo.html#originalajxoj) for a comic book I’m theoretically working on. I say ‘theoretically’ because I realised that my story Just Didn’t Work, and I’ve spent most of the time since learning the art of designing stories. (And learning how to author DVDs, but that’s another thing.) I am now investigating screenwriting. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![BadBadger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@BadBadger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BadBadger)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2004, 8:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/show-your-artwork-regardless-of-talent/267947/17 "2004-10-07T08:28:17Z")
**Dangergene** , those pics are awesome. Gonna have a troll through them now. (love the cowfighter 😃 ) ---
**Author:** ![paulberserker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c4cdca/32.png) [@paulberserker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/paulberserker)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2004, 9:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/show-your-artwork-regardless-of-talent/267947/18 "2004-10-07T09:51:53Z")
My website, with my illustrations on it for my graphic novel (yet to be finished) [down in the circle before](http://www.ditcb.co.uk) built by my web assassin, Tir\_Tinuviel I R painterer ---
**Author:** ![dangergene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@dangergene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dangergene)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2004, 9:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/show-your-artwork-regardless-of-talent/267947/19 "2004-10-07T09:51:55Z")
> [@BadBadger](#): > > **Dangergene** , those pics are awesome. Gonna have a troll through them now. (love the cowfighter 😃 ) Why thank ye **Badge** , (may I call you Badge?). I do what I can. The Cowfighter originated from a Crow parody i worked on briefly, based on the idea that the resurrected lover, returned to avenge the death of his partner, was raised by the wrong animal -a cow. One thing lead to another and now we have this psycho running around the city ridding us of the Bovine menace (but given there aren’t too many cows in the city, he’s got a LOT of free time on his hands). I’ve been sorely tempted to do a series based on the ‘improbably elephant deaths’ thread, but I’d need folks’ permission to put them up. So, y’know… meh. I’m also VERY impressed by the other submissions here. **pulykamell** , every image is a delight! Very nice stuff indeed! **Guanolad** , **Picunurse** very nice stuff indeed! (not that I’m singling anyone out or anything… ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2004, 10:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/show-your-artwork-regardless-of-talent/267947/20 "2004-10-07T10:01:44Z")
Nitpick: **Badge** is another Doper who has a very successful Ask the Cop thread. 🙂 **dangergene** , your stuff is great. Gives me something to live up to! Heck, all the stuff here outclasses mine. Guess I gotta get off my butt and resume drawing, eh? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/show-your-artwork-regardless-of-talent/267947.md?page=2)