krysdecker
patreon
A few changes this month!
🕑 Added 2019-12-17 15:15:37 +0000 UTCHey everyone, I wanted to give a heads up of a few changes happening this month. As you know, I don't like to simply change stuff and not give a reason why. I think it's fair that I'm honest about stuff that happened this past weeks and how they affected the works being created.
First off, it's nothing to worry lol. Second it's a long post, there will be a TL:DR version at the end btw.
As many of you know, my mother passed away early in july, and for any of you that had a similar situation of a close relative or important person in your life passing away suddenly, might identify that holiday season tend to be slightly less "normal". You start to re-think a lot of things that happened through the year.
Basically what happened is that I was having a real problem focusing on drawing. It usually was a "second nature" activity for me where I'd just put some music on and would "tune out" of the world for a few hours of drawing. But lately I was having to make an extra effort to stay focused because my mind was constantly getting "unfocused" to basically anything around me. And I didn't know why. Specially because I thought I had everything that happened this year "digested" .... well, turns out I didn't.
Over the past 10 years or so, I learned to "process and deal" racionally with pretty much anything that happened to me. In a way it's a good thing because I didn't get very emotional about stuff, but it was also a bad thing because ... I didn't get very emotional about stuff =p. And for the past few months I was getting emotional with many things and it was bothering me a lot and I didn't know why.
Fast foward to now where I watched Legend of Korra. Then you might ask, "how the fuck does it have to do with any of that?".
Let me put it this way. Plots and spoilers aside, this is basically the story arc of Korra through the series:
1) Everything is great, just the regular strugles
2) something REALLY bad happens
3) avoiding the problem instead of actually accepting it
4) realizing that you had to go through some really shitty moments to appreciate what is around you.
That story arc was something that related to me on a very personal level.
I was pretty much stuck on step 3 all this time and eventually it took it's toll and I couldn't focus properly. And I think it's funny that it took a tv show for me to realize that. And for that, I'm thankfull for all of you that suggested that I should watch the show. Because it felt like I dropped a huge sack of stones of my shoulders.
And how this affect this month? Well, when I first started to make the drawing of Korra "Balance" I didn't watch all the show, (I was still in the 1st season and just had a general idea of the "script" of the whole story arc) and since I was aware she had a training at some point to "get back into shape", I thought it would be a nice image.
But after I finished the show yesterday, the image has a completely different meaning to me. And truth is, it bothered me to make it a "nsfw version" of it. Even if the pose is slightly different, it simply doesn't feel right. And I know that I'd look at the image in the future and regret doing something I didn't feel ok with it. So I made the call to not have the nsfw version at all of this image.
So what will happen? Well, I'm obviously aware that many of you wanted to have a pin-up/nsfw image of Korra. And let's face it, while the drawing resonated on a personal level to me, I can't expect it would have the same effect on all of you. So it makes perfect sense to still want a nsfw image of Korra this month regardless.
In order to adress that, I'm going to make another image this month featuring Korra and Asami with NSFW in mind.
TL:DR
This is what we'll have this month:
- Drawing, SFW only: Balance
- Voyeur: Yennefer (which will be posted later today)
- Pin-up (nsfw): Holiday Iris, because we can't break tradition =p
- Pin-up (nsfw): Korra and Asami.
I know we never really had a situation like this before, but this was definitely something unique for me as well and I thought it was important to let you guys know before hand why it happened and what I have in mind to adress it.
Sorry if that disappoint some of you that expected to see a nsfw version of that image in particular, but I promise I will do my best to make it up for it on the other image of Korra this month! ;)
Comments
Lee
Thank you, I appreciate it. And I'm sorry for your loss as well, hope everything is moving foward to you as well. =c
Didi & Nok' Tus
Makes sense to us. Very deeply sorry for your loss. We lost one of our moms this year, too. :-(
Lee
Thank you, I appreciate your words!
Faxmachinen
Thanks for keeping us posted. I am sorry for your loss, but know that we support you. For better or for worse, what you do is art, and one can't do art without emotion.
Lee
Thank you, I really appreciate the support!
Kim Åkerman
Do whatever you feel you need to do. I know you'll still be making art tomorrow so if you'd rather be drawing something else I'll still be here eagerly awaiting it.
Lee
Yeah I think NSFW versions have a moment and place. In some drawings it's great because it's that "extra sneak peek", but in others it might kill the purpose. I definitely didn't see it coming for this one but I think it's for the best =)
Lee
Thanks! I think it was one of those things that I was more avoinding than actually handling it.
Lee
Thank you! I appreciate that =)
Lee
Thank you! It's the kind of thing that it's tricky to talk about, but at thesame time I'm glad I did. I think it's a way to tell yourself that's really happening.
Lee
thank you, I appreciate your understanding =)
Lee
I'm glad it works for you =D
Delta Arena
Sounds perfectly reasonable, plus this way we get Asami as well, so, awesome for that.
Arch
I totally understand your point of view Krys! Very sorry to hear about your mother. We're following you because we love and respect your art as it is. You always deliver quality artworks of lovely women whether they are dressed or not. Wish you all the best!
Merritt Lord IV
Some times scenes just plain don't work for NSFW and I'm glad you didn't try and just force it if you weren't feeling it. Art just isn't the same if the artist isn't in tune with the scene! And thank you for explaining why, it's gotta be hard to bring stuff like that up, but it always helps to make more sense of things! Still can't wait to see the rewards!!
ViperCG
The most important thing is that you are ok and comfortable with the work you are doing. So do whatever you need to achieve that. I hope things get better man.
OneLongWinter
Thank you for your honesty, I'm sorry for your loss but glad you reached some understanding. We're with you however you want to do things
Aislinn Bailey
So happy to hear that you have come to realize what was weighing you down. It can be so hard to let go of things sometimes and I totally understand why you would feel this way. I had commented on Aerith's portrait hitting me in the feels and not really wanting to see her in a NSFW way. You did a wonderful job with that painting btw. I am also excited to hear about the update in the images you are making. I know it will be amazing. Keep doing what you do and I look forward to seeing what wonders you create from here on out.
Lee
Thank you, I appreciate that =)
Lee
Onyxia is the poll for next month, so it's not affected by it. =)
Header
All good. Most of us are fine with it. Do we still get Onyxia tho ;o
Steph Polska
Sounds good man, best wishes to you and your family.
Lee
thanks! I always had a thing for well designed female characters. I think the entertainment industry still strugles a lot when designing female characters. And this show has amazing characters, specially the females. When I watched a few clips to see what the show was about I was instantly hooked by Korra's personality so I decided to give it go because she just seemed like a fun character to watch. In a way she reminded me of Aloy, from Horizon Zero Dawn. That "act first, think later" character that has to learn things the hard way. But I really had no idea how serious the plots of show were and how well developed the characters would be. And I really couldn't imagine it would hit me on such a personal level.
Lee
Thank you, I appreciate your words. It's funny how things have a way of mixing everything up when you think you had all figured out.
Lee
Thank you, I'm really glad you liked them as they come!
Lee
thank you, I really appreciate it!
Lee
Thank you! I appreciate your words. Yeah I've been in tricky spots with family loss previously when my brother had a serious accident and basically had a "50% 50% chance" from the doctors, but gladly he's fine nowadays. But it's definitely something that I was trying to bury it, when I should just accept that it's how things are now. And I really appreciate the support. It's really amazing to be able to communicate about those things and see that people understand.
Matthew Richson
No problem from me here. Seems like a fair trade. And sorry about your mother. We all process loss differently. But man, this feels like a REALLY good trade off! Keeps the original beautiful image intact and we get a totally new one on the side! I really am surprised with how much you’ve fallen in love with the show, it’s always been a personal favorite of mine.
RJH
I am sorry you are having to go through this. I know first hand what you are feeling and the long term effect it has on your life. Especially this holiday season please keep those close to you even closer. We are here for your art, what ever form that takes.
Zuraha
Sorry for your loss I understand how you feel and were you are coming from. As for the pic I like NSFW or SFW It really comes down to what you want to do.That said I am looking for word to the pics.
Lee
Thank you! It's funny how things are, I'd never imagine it would come from a TV show that's mainly intended for a younger audience.
Lee
lol glda you liked the change!
Lee
Thanks, I appreciate the comment. I personally don't have issues with the nsfw part, because I try my best to make them beautifull and a healthy expression of sexuality. It just that it doesn't work for every image, and I found out it doesn't work for this one after making it. I'm actually reading the follow up comic of the show (and what happens with Asami + Korra afterwards) and I think it's great they developed their relationship further. And I think that's a much more pertinent moment to explore a nsfw version than the moment I choose for the "Balance" image.
Slevin
Krys, I'm sorry for your loss. I'm glad Korra was able to help you realize a few things, and hopefully help you on a path through it. I totally get it, and I can't tell you how much I respect/applaud your decision. Uncle Iroh would be proud.
Lee
Thank you, I appreciate the support!
French Mafia
So ... Instead of an NSFW painting of Korra, we've getting an NSFW painting of Korra with Asami. And you think people are gonna be disappointed? Are you mad? I kid, but in all seriousness, I'm truly sorry for your loss. I can definitely relate as I lost my brother in April, last year, and two weeks ago I thought I lost my mom (she was diagnosed with a meningitis, which is highly deadly for adults, until 48 hrs later they realized it was the wrong diagnostic ... Just a very, very bad flu ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ ) I hope you're feeling better. I can't speak for everyone, but personally, I don't give you money every month to "buy a product", I give you money every month because I think you're one of the greatest painters I've ever seen, and one who's close with his fanbase as well. Good luck on your recovery, so to speak, good luck with your art, and I'm looking forward to the Yennefer one ! :)
Dockleaf
Self-awareness is such a powerful thing to have, it's wonderful to hear you've had a lightbulb moment :)
Azazohl
was expecting Korra and I´m getting Korrasami. Thank you
Lee
Thank you, I appreciate that. It really did "click" something. Obviously a lot of it has to do with the place that I'm at my life atm. And I didn't want to look at it in the future and regret anything.
Lee
Thanks for understanding. To be fair, while I "made it work" the nsfw version of this image, I wasn't 100% happy with it. I think it needed a different direction and that image simply wasn't completely fit for that purpose from the start. So I think it's best to make a proper image with that variant in mind.
Lee
Thanks, took me watching the show to realize that. And I'm definitely going to check the original Avatar series. I really REALLY liked Legend of Korra. Amazing character arc, great characters, really great villains and overall a well written show.
Lee
oh yeah, that can't be broken!
Lee
Thank you. I actually had a similar thing with Stranger Things a few months ago. I didn't watch the show previously, but since everywhere there were people talking about it, me and my gf decided to give it a go. It was a really punch in the guts, for being a late 80s kid I still related to a lot of those childhood situations. So I was really overwhelmed by the sense of nostalgia and memories of a "simpler time".
Lee
Yeah, I wasn't aware at that moment of what the scene actually meant. It's not much that I wouldn't do nsfw of the character, but it turned out that scene was not exactly the best place to do it.
Lee
I'm sorry for your loss, it's indeed something really tricky. Many times you feel like "you are ok with it" but turns out it's not really the case.
Lee
Thank you! I think it's important to keep a distinction between what works as sfw and what doesn't. And all that made me realize it wasn't really working for this image.
Chris Harris
Emotions sure can be funny can't they? You can compartmentalize issues your avoiding and fool yourself that everything is fine then you simply watch an animated series that touches on the same issues and it all floods out. It's nice that you connected with Korra this way. It think it's helpful and healthy personally. To be honest if you've connected and respect the character the way you have it wouldn't bother me if you avoided a NSFW version of her altogether. Anyway thanks for sharing this with us and I will always support any decision you make with your art.
renkash
Do what ye think is right.
It makes perfect sense, and to be honest I became a Patreon because I see genuine love for beauty in your works. And the image of Korra that you’ve already drawn is more than complete. Even more, it’s probably one of your best works, and the fact that the character’s struggles have resonated deeply with you makes it even more valuable. Take care, be patient with yourself, and get well. :)
Artherion
I was realy looking to Korra, but I acept amd admire your decision. Happy for some KorraSami. I also hope for some Azula in the future
Guy343
That's great you liked the show so much, and I agree the "balance" pose should not be nsfw, at that point in the story arc Korra was at one of her lowest points and very vulnerable and it would cheapen the art and what it means to you. I support this. P.S. if you liked "Legend of Korra" you should definitely check out the original "Avatar: The Last Airbender" and "The Dragon Prince" both by the same creators, so many good feels watching those shows☺
Ziggurat
I'm happy with a sfw version! :) Also yay more Iris! I was hoping for the tradition to continue :P
Vladimir Duran
That's what good fiction does. It connects with pets of you that you weren't connecting with yourself. It's the wonderful sneak attack that is a good story. A piece that means that much to you should be whatever you feel like it needs to be. Plus, if this means we get Korra and Asami in one piece that's nothing but a win as far as any of us are concerned.
Alex Clerm
I understand your feelings perfectly. Honestly I had already decided not to look at the NSFW version of balance because it didn't feel right with Korra as she is in 4th season (which the short hair and outfit place her in). But I didn't expect everyone to have watch the show and feel the same. A lot of people look down on cartoons as childish but I find Korra to be incredibly emotional. There's a few places where I cry every time I watch the show. I'm happy you took this decision and I'm looking forward to some nice hot Korrasami :)
Craig from Omaha
My older brother killed himself 20 years ago, and it took many years to get through it. I can understand how it takes a while to process things and refocus.
Sen
I really admire your introspection and decision making here! As a big fan of the Korra piece, I am glad to see it being elevated as such. As a big fan of Korrasami, I am excited for that NSFW! Win-win! 💜
