ACG is giving me far too much power to create merch I'm excited about. The amount of will power it takes me to not design a standee every other day is immense. The only thing reigning me in a bit is the fact that I want my art to be accessible to people. Yeah, I gotta do the capitalism thing so my cats can have good food and I can pay bills... and I still want fellow fans to be able to afford a little treat without breaking the bank. This is also why I have so many keychains. I figure they're a slightly less expensive option for people who don't want prints or stickers.
Standees are a fun new thing that I haven't known about or had access to making until very recently. There are still grow pains and learning curves a-plenty. The white ink layer is one I'm just starting to wrap my head around. Let's see if I can explain this without making it too confusing. For those who have not had their artwork printed, when you have something printed, there is a white ink layer between the artwork and the material it's being printed on. Messing with the white ink layer allows me to add bits of translucent areas into the design. For example, removing the white ink from a stained-glass design so that the background colors are allowed to shine through like with an actual pane of glass.
I really enjoy using this technique in combination with a rainbow finishing material to create glowing eyes.
Cozy Cardigan Dad standee
This started as a print. Started as a print until I realized I could make standees. I was still figuring out the white ink layer when I bought this sample, so it isn't translucent like I wanted. I've updated it so that it is now. I also fixed the hole alignment to help Stolas sit on the throw rug a bit better.
Daddy and Me Standee
I have worked and re-worked this piece at least 10 times. It started life as a painting I made for Bryce Pinkham two years ago. I locked in a little too hard on the fact that it wasn't matching the image in my head. For this standee, I want to change it up a bit. I'm realizing I didn't add the rainbow material to this one so the eyes don't pop like I want them to. I also want to separate elements out a bit to make this a two (maybe 3?) piece standee. That would allow me to play with the star a bit more... and add star charms to it. I grab any opportunity to make things more sparkly and fancier.
The Enthusiastic Forever GM tote bag
Another piece that started as a print and became something else because I realized I HAD THE POWER... ehem ... I know the majority of the fandom has agreed that Stolas would be the wizard in a DnD campaign, and that very valid and fiting, AND... I would like to offer another role he'd be good for. Stolas, the Forever GM who prefers to be the GM. That nerd would relish the opportunity to comb through every rule and campaign book. He'd collect every new edition and read through every reddit post analyzing spell casting mechanics. He'd also have the perfect outlet to channel his creative writing into. I'm also a firm believer that he would be the type of GM who would keep the party on track while also honoring the 'rule of cool'. Stolas would FIND a way to make the party's antics utilizing his vast knowledge of the rules and how to bend them.
I'm currently turning this into a series with other Helluva characters. I'll have a full adventuring party eventually.
In the meantime, Stolas tote! Again, since ordering this I have made a few changes to the artwork. His right hand was blending into the background. I added some highlights to help it pop out a bit more. The print feels sturdy af, which is good for durability.
I... may... also give in and make this a standee too.