sheppyboy2000

Guess I'm now on the hook to upload new artwork, I'll try to do so sometime in the next couple days.

Okay, I WAS going to put these on a blog being started with some friends but not sure how long that's going to take.  And so, here are the first two weeks of results from EA Active.

Week 1: EA Active Log Begins

Those who know me know my number one complaint about WiiFit is that it's not a true exercise routine.  I said it, I mean it.  It doesn't have Cardio, it doesn't tell you what exercises to do, in fact, it's basically a minigame collection with a weighing element.  In fact, in Japan, Nintendo basically had to tell people WiiFit is for entertainment purposes anyway.  How Nintendo took a step backwards from EyeToy: Kinetic is beyond me but basically, WiiFit is a toy.  So I was waiting for someone to come along and create something real for the exergame "revolution" and EA has supposedly done just that.  SUPPOSEDLY.

Now I'll admit that I'm not a perfect specimen.  I work in a cubicle all day and at a computer desk at night.  In fact, I'm only starting this because I recently went from a XL shirt size to a 2XL, and that pisses me off. I've tried to get into exercise programs before and even joined a gym.  Problem with gyms, especially if you're a guy, is they're built to make you feel immasculated.  There is no "curves" equivelant for males.  There is just a huge room of mirrors and huge guys mocking you as you try to get into shape.  There is something to be said about STFU, guys.  And so that leaves most males in a hellish limbo where they WANT to get fit but have no place to do so without public mockery.  Let's hope EA fit solves that problem.

Week 1: 264.8lbs

Conditions of the Log
Sheppy will perform at least every recommended workout according to EA Active's system.
Sheppy will, in addition to the workout, do mild strength training with a single 10lb dumbbell for 45 repetitions across two exercises for as many days as EA recommends a workout.
Sheppy will, in all likelyhood, make very minor changes to diet.  Sorry guys, I loves my breads.  And the results of the exercise routine will reflect more realistic results rather than complete lifestyle changes that will be ignored as soon as the weight is lost for 90% of those who diet.
Sheppy will "weigh in" at the beginning of each week.

Week 2: Some time put in.

Active Impressions

Perhaps one of the first things you'll notice is how overly encouraging this game is.  Once every couple repetitions of an exercise, the AI companion will chime in with encouragement.  This has an unnaturally pleasing effect.  Even when doing the most pedestrian task such as a squat, the game will say "Wow, you're really setting a pace with those reps."  Positive reenforcement is such an easy ego stroke but for some reason, it's effective.

Program Chosen
30 Day Challenge
Easy Intensity
Balance Board: No

Week 2: 256.6lbs, Weight Loss of 8.2lbs

Week 3: One Step Forward, Two Steps Back

This is where I point out to people that I said I wouldn't change my dietary habits.  Since weigh-ins are on Monday and because I was going out of town for the weekend, allow me to explain.  On Friday, I had a Cheese Personal Panormous pizza with an individual order of breadsticks.  On Saturday, I went to Red Lobster.  I had broiled scallops, snow crab legs, and fried fish.  On Sunday morning, I ate at Dennys where I had a Belgian Waffle and a side order of Hashbrowns.  Later that day, I split an order of Crazy Bread from Little Caesar's with my father.  I think it's safe to say EA Active tried it's best, but I ate like a fat person this last weekend and unfortunately, fat person habits won out.

The other thing to take into consideration is muscle weighs more than fat.  And I've been feeling some tone building up on my calves and biceps.  There is every possibility my improved fitness is causing me to gain weight.  I will say this, however, I'm not as winded as I used to be.

This morning, the program promised it was going to crank up the intensity....  >.<

Week 3: 259.2lbs, Weight Gain of 2.6lbs

I'll show off something I've been working on.

Okay, been HUGELY busy over the past month.  So sorry you gots to see no new artwork.  So what is I working on?

-Bought a 10 page watercolor pad.  I seriously suck at watercolor for two reasons.  Was never taught and never tried.  Crazy, huh?  So I'm currently working through 10 pages of watercolor paper then gonna post them all here and you, my friendly followers, get to tell me if I'm wasting my time.

-Started concept sketching for a project.  I'm hoping to start modeling by the weekend.  Wish I could say more, may post the sketches here.  I do have a programmer on this project though so YEAH!

-Started playing around in Orion Platinum more... gawd I suck at this program.  Oh well, practice makes perfect.

-If anyone knows an app that allows me to speed up video footage, let me know.  I have roughly 58 minutes of a sketch footage I'd like to shorten to 12-15.

-I swear when I do post artwork again, I will work through my backlog of deviants... sorry all those I'm following!

And finally, some amusement.  Remember the guy I pointed at for art theft?  If not, story is hilarious.  Guy takes MGS4 promotional screengrabs, throws it through a couple filters in either Photoshop or Paint Shop Pro (I was able to replicate his artwork in both suites), and claims it took him months upon months to do said pictures.  I accused, and rather than debate it, he replies to my comment defending his position and bans me from posting.  Okay, fine.

Apparently I removed his faith in DeviantArt.  Which is funny.  I removed the faith he had that he could post someone else's (or in the case of the screengrabs, entire teams) artwork and not have anyone call him out on it.  And so he either took down the pictures, or someone reported them (I don't report, I think people should do the honorable thing themselves), don't know, and swore to leave because of me.  Wow, think about that for a moment... I have that kind of power?!?  Amusing to say the least.  Personally, I was afraid he'd go all An Hero on us... but he's back!  This is actually a good thing.  No one should give up on art no matter what happens.  So I welcome him back.

But a friend of mine linked me a hilarious part of this entire saga.  "But Sheppy, how can this possibly be more hilarious than it already was?"  Simple...
metalgearsolid.deviantart.com/…
I'm now someone's worst enemy.  Take a moment, step back, and check your hard drive to make sure you have at least 20 free gigglebytes to process this.  If you have a scratch drive, that helps.  I'm someone's worst enemy.  Rather than take the criticism, realize someone is ALWAYS gonna catch someone stealing artwork, and try to develop as an artist, he goes all butt hurt.  *sigh*

Dude, seriously.  I don't hate you.  I have no grudge.  I would just like it if you posted your OWN artwork.  Who cares how good or bad it is?  You do TEH SUK to get TEH GUD.  I will NEVER begrudge HONEST efforts.  But when you perfectly replicate artwork pixel per pixel in perfection and leave filter artifacts... yes, I will call you out on bullshit.  And by the way, just as I never report artwork, I also never ban someone.  So if you have beef, post here.

I really hate to do this.  BUT FOR FUCKS SAKE, DEVIANT ART AS A WHOLE NEEDS TO GROW OUT OF THIS!

What am I talking about?  It's blatant theft and claiming artwork as your own.  And you tell someone about it.  Be all like "Hey, how about you do some of you OWN artwork" and these fuckers block you.  So what exactly is the problem?  Take ANY OTHER legitimate art community and this behavior is instantly frowned upon and the offender is outed and sometimes even banned.  So what brought this about?

metalgearsolid.deviantart.com/

Lookit this... Obviously a Metal Gear fan, right?  So we should get along right off the bat.  Only one problem, look at his gallery.  Most of what's in it, he claims is his.  Fair enough.  What reason do I have to doubt him?  Oh wait, most of the early stuff is taken from other accounts and reported in his gallery with links to the original work.

But more importantly, look at his "digital paintings."  I've seen hundreds of digital paints and NONE of them look like they were just put through a photoshop filter.  All five of his deviantarts from MGS4 are literally from MGS4.  Screen caps.  Take his Liquid Ocelot, for example.  Now compare it to the top result from Liquid Ocelot on a Google Image search.

image.blog.livedoor.jp/dead_mo…

Now let's pretend for a minute his claim is valid.  And that it really does take him MONTHS to do one of these.  The question then becomes simple.  Why are the particals in exactly the same locations?  Why does the artist feel compelled to recreate the artwork to such a level as to show the FLAWS of polygon edges.  Why does this digital painting have all the characteristic filter artifacts of a photoshop proceedure?  If his claim is valid, he's an incredible artist.  BUT it's not.  Fact of the matter is these pieces of work have NONE of the touches digital painting creates.  Now, why is this important?  Look at his latest offering.  Promotional artwork licensed out to Prima Guides by Kojima Productions.  But at least he said he got permission to use the artwork... right?  *follows link*  But THIS guy isn't affiliated with Konami in any way, shape, or form.  In fact the original poster states it's a printed lithograph included with the premium strategy guide.  So we have art thieves on two different levels but at least the first one said exactly where he got it.

You might ask yourself, "why do you care?"  Frankly, this is EXACTLY the reason why deviant art is considered a joke.  CGtalk would have closed and banned this user for art theft within five minutes.  ConceptArtist.com would have done exactly the same thing.  Here?  Not only has this user successfully defended his theft by blocking any who question it's legitimacy, but he's gotten a number of watchers and praise.  Who cares, that's him?

To me, showing your work is among the greatest things about an art community.  You get feedback to improve.  I have a number of artist I watch who I do not consider excellent artists, but I consider them making excellent progress.  The trick to this shit is constantly working on it.  Over and over and over again.  You suck at first, you get better.  But people who steal artwork, claim it as their own, and get praise in the process, cheapens the entire site.  And then very worst aspect of ALL of this is that this is the ONLY site I have come across where someone blatantly stealing artwork can rise to great heights of popularity while people who are making legitimate improvements and advancement will dwell in obscurity for a LONG LONG time.