Halloween Discussion Forums, Costumes, Horror!

In case you guys didn't know, but I think you've figured it out by now, Mau is my character.
I enjoy drawing, that's why I want to get into a digital arts career, like in animation.
But for now, I'm into Medical Adminsitrative assistant to be sure that I'll actually get a decent job...but we're talking about my dream career here. Digital arts is still my secondary major for now that I'll have to focus on more after I graduate with the Med. Admin. Asst. Degree.
Anyway, it's not really Halloween related so I'm posting it in here, Mau's a cat, and an anthropomorphic one. I drew this in pencil first before coloring it in photoshop and making a background for it. Here's the result. Hope you guys think it's cool.
(Please let you know if you think it's too big and I'll just make it a link for people to click on)

Great picture! Did you draw all your avatars? I think the picture size is fine.

Yep, most of my avatars feature Mau, although usually for the purpose of this forum, I'd put the original into photoshop and make it look scarier to match the Halloween theme...but since Mau looks so serious and she's missing an eye...I didn't think I'd really NEED to make a Halloween version this time. (She's also missing an arm...there's a bit of a story behind that)
She's my main roleplaying character, net identity, and "fursona" if you will. I've had the character since I was 16 and she's like a part of me. I typically like to crop the drawings for my avatar and just display her face. I worked pretty hard on this one.

Awesome!

Is Mau missing her right arm? Is that why there's the bandana?

Not bad! I really like your character design. If you're interested in a place to post it for some crit, I can recommend a couple... one less intimidating than another. Just remember not to take any crit personally if you choose to post your art.

Gleemax/DND's Community Art Forum: http://forums.gleemax.com/forumdisplay.php?f=391

ConceptArt.org: http://www.conceptart.org/forums/index.php (This place is fun to browse through, but intimidating to post at!)

I had a few spare moments... I hope you don't mind-- I did a little Mau 'fanart'... Wasn't sure about the right arm... but if she doesn't have one, I suppose this could be pre-arm-loss, no?

Meh.

Yes, she's missing her arm, and her eye. There's a story behind it, but she isn't always depicted without her arm and eye either.
I don't really mind fan art of Mau. You did pretty good actually, and definitely draw clothes and hands better than I do! Haha.

There are a couple good "how to draw" tutorials at Manga University. They have an excellent clothing and folds tutorial and a hands one (new since I've last looked there).

http://www.howtodrawmanga.com/howtodraw/tutorials.html

It's a good place to get some starting information-- try not to focus too much on the manga style. I've heard that style is the "red-headed step-child" of the art world. Granted, if you're just drawing for fun, it's alright. Nothing wrong with Manga style... just if you're planning on going to art school... probably not a focal point.

Keep your creativity going! Thats great. And its yours. Organize and protect all of the information and files you have on your character. You never know what you may end up doing with it. But whatever you do, copyright Mau. Even if you yourself dont plan to use him for commercial use, someone else could run across him, steal him, and copyright.

Keep your creativity going! Thats great. And its yours. Organize and protect all of the information and files you have on your character. You never know what you may end up doing with it. But whatever you do, copyright Mau. Even if you yourself dont plan to use him for commercial use, someone else could run across him, steal him, and copyright.

Thanks, I'll keep that in mind.
By the way...it's a her not a him. ^^;

I thought I would go ahead and post another drawing of mine. This is Mau's psychotic twin sister, Ziru. She was evil and almost destroyed the universe...but after she was defeated by Mau and Specc (my boyfriend's character) she became well...less evil. She does help Mau out sometimes, but she's a bit crazy and violent.

Okay you understand that by showing your characters online, you expose your ideas to other artists who could steal them and possibly market them. You never know my friend. In the event that somewhere down the road you would like to market these characters, or even if you would like top make sure that other people do not market them, copyright everything.

I don't plan to market or make ANY profit off Mau or any related characters.
I'm not too worried about the people on here. So far I havn't had any problems with art thieves, but I'll take what you said into consideration.
But I don't want to market Mau or make any profits out of her. She's my fursona and net identity. Not a merchandise.
I just want people to express their opinions of my art. That's all. ^^;

Its just a standard protection. Releasing your original work online is okay if you don't mind idea thiefs. And since you don't mind, rock on..I guess.

Hey I understand. I'm not saying I would want people to steal my stuff. I just havn't had any problems with thieves.
But if you think it's a good idea, how much would it cost to patent my ideas? That's the thing right there. I'm poor.