Welcome to the seventh issue of Stockilicious

Index
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1 - Support Stock News
2 - Thumbnail Feature - Background Stock (Photos)
3 - Stock Clubs
4 - Stock Contests
5 - Forum Activity
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SUPPORT STOCK NEWS:
Want some more stocky love in your news section? Loooove seeing new and awesome resources you never would've found without the news?

Support Stock News! Stamps courtesy of =LawrenceDeDark (and muchly needed, I might add )


And if you want to check out the ALWAYS up-to-date list of Stock News being submitted - check out =stocknews and support us by posting the stamp (made by ~pyerflystock) in your journal



FEATURES AND TIPS:
We know people love to draw and manipulate some of the awesome model and object stock from the resources gallery but not enough attention is given to the awesome places and nature stockers! What would some of the art be like without a kick-ass and crazy backdrop or delicate fantasy setting to give the perfect environment for their work?

Whether you're using the whole image or taking pieces from it, the background can be one of the most important things you put in your artwork - sometimes even more than the other little pieces you use to give it a little more 'oomph'. Without the proper setting, or any background at all, you can lose depth, emotion and detail to your piece.

I've added in some photo stocks below to show some of the great stock you can find in the stock gallery! Another issue will be done to showcase digital backgrounds.




Whether you're taking a photo to be used 'as is' and just put more details on it, or whether you are taking it to be cut out, used and abused as singular pieces - you've got the awesome job of not really needing to crop your image. The more details the better and the higher and clearer the resolution - the more worshipping you'll receive

TIPS ON BACKGROUND STOCK:
Keep your camera to the highest resolution possible. Think of all those wallpaper makers that find the perfect background stock only to find that its 800x600px resolution? They won't be able to make their wallpaper bigger to fit larger screens without losing quality.
Try to keep the blur to a minimum. If you don't have a tripod to set up on, find something solid and steady to rest your camera on while you take the shot.
Try different framing techniques. Portrait (vertical) or landscape (horizontal) are great for any kind of photo so don't just think one way suits just one type of photo.
Get some perspective. Look down a flight of stairs - it could be a crime scene someone had been pushed down. Stand under a building and shoot upwards for the more ominous-looking towering brick houses. Get some depth - stand closer to the wall and shoot down along it. There are infinite possibilities. With more perspective model and object stock being put into the stock section we're going to need more backgrounds to fit with them
The sky is the limit! Or is it? From the stars to the sea - if it can be used as a background, you should try it. Don't just limit yourself to what you see everyday as 'the norm'. Move around. If you can look in a certain direction - so can your camera. Stars, clouds, down a rocky cliff, along the beach, into a darkly lit snowy forest... you can see it. We want to as well!


GOING CLUBBING:

Stock Clubs! Where stockers can go to submit their work to gain a bit of publicity and to interact with other stockers in contests and themes!

- A fantastic new group giving DAILY thumbshare features of stockart. Ranging from model stock to nature, objects to places - a little mix of everything we all love to see more of! You'll always find something new and awesome in the journals posted - so hurry up and put this account on your devwatch list!

- Stockers, you can never get enough of stock clubs prepared to give you and your stock more exposure. Jump on the bandwagon, join in some contests and interact with some fantastic people


STOCKER CONTESTS:

Its not just about the prizes! Stockers get to see all the lovely artwork made with their stock and a set theme in mind. If you have a stock contest you want promoted, drop me a note with the details

is hosting a It's Heavenly Contest
Details: [link]
Deadline: 30 April, 2007

is hosting a Dark Fantasy Contest
Details: [link]
Deadline: 5 May, 2007


FOCUS ON THE FORUMS!:

The StockArt forums are located here: [link]

A place for stockers to promote their contests, artists to request specific stock, ask for help finding stock, discuss stockart in general and much more! We go a little silly sometimes but don't let that scare you off! Just remember what we're about - STOCK!!

Exclusive Stock: Everyone loves getting a nice little treat that not many other people have. That's the same with exclusive stock? But sometimes exclusive stock is given out and not used. How do the stockers feel about that?

What size stock photos do you prefer to use: Come on, artists! Have your say here! We now you like bigger resolution and better quality - but we actually want to hear it. What size stock do you prefer?

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PREVIOUS ISSUES:
Vol 1: Perspectives (MC) | Vol 2: Lighting (MC) | Vol 3: Characters (MC) | Vol 4: Fight Stock | Vol 5: Requests (MC) | Vol 6: Portraits

Hijacking your news again on Thursday!

End transmission!
-Demonic