Welcome to the Twenty-Sixth issue of Stockilicious

Back and badder than ever!

Index
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1 - Thumbnail Feature and Stock Tips - Magic
2 - Featured Stocker - *auroradreams
3 - Stock Contests
4 - Stock Forums!
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FEATURES AND TIPS:
Alright folks, let me be a little stereotypical for a few minutes while we talk about Magic, Spells and all those other lovely types of hocus pocus.
Thanks to the entertainment industry and various folk tales we've all been given an image in our heads of black cats, magic wands, cauldrons and people in black cloaks flying on broomsticks whenever someone mentions the word 'Magic'. Giving a hint of mysteriousness and a darker, deeper and sometimes a little sinister genre - Magic and Spells can be shown in just about any way. So when it comes to stock and resources you can find any number of takes on what witchcraft and other magic making can be. From the sweet and nurturing witch to the evil, sadistic kind... you'll find whatever you need for your art in the stock gallery. Try searching for: Magic, Witchcraft, cauldron, spell, pagan and more! Here's some beauties I found while trolling... um, searching the stockart gallery.





TIPS FOR MAGIC STOCK:
ONE OR THE OTHER: Why not try BOTH types of magic? You can go back to the pagan roots of magic and draw your inspiration from Mother Earth. Or if you prefer a more Disney-styled theme - grab the black cloak, the black lipstick and the uber-long black stick-on nails and start cackling madly at your watchers.
PROPS ARE GOLDEN: Models, you already know what kinds of clothes to wear when it comes to witches and wizards but don't forget your props! They can add a little something extra to your stock and it saves the artists time having to search for the object that can fit to your image without looking awkward.
REMOVE THE MODEL: We do love you, models, but sometimes people just want what you're holding. If you've been stirring your cauldron or petting your familiar (cat, rat, owl...) don't forget to give them some of the spotlight too and take photos of them by themselves.
GET IN CHARACTER: If you're doing your version of Malefecent from Sleeping Beauty then at least try and scowl and act holier than thou. If you are going to portray pure evil - get the motions, expressions and posture right
DON'T JUST STAND THERE: While you may think your costume speaks for itself - it does little for the imagination if you are standing still. Hunch your back and extend a boney, menacing finger towards your invisible victims, fly that broom like its a kawasaki motorbike, get a fan so that your hair is blowing in the breeze as you fly across the rooftops...
INTERACT WITH YOUR SCENERY: Having a ratty old bookcase in your house? Maybe your basement is a thing of nightmares? Or that old oak tree down the path that gives you nightmares seems strangely photogenic now... whatever the case may be for you - get 'on location' with a background that can work with your theme. Or even just photograph it by itself so all those models out there without it can finally have a 'home' when put in someone's artwork.
MAKE-UP: You don't need to look like the Wicked Witch of the West, but a little 'theme' make-up never hurt anybody. Whiting out your face and 're-lining' your eyebrows into high arches can do wonders for the 'narrowed eyebrows' look. Using a little eye-liner to draw lines down from your nose to the corners of your mouth and some light powder foundation dusted over the top can give you creases and wrinkles of an old hag. A quick search on google can do wonders for cheap, easy make-up tricks.



FEATURED STOCKER:
A little section to showcase a particular stocker each week. Its not just because I LOVE their stock - but because of how useful it can be and just how generally amazing it is! You will be kicking yourself if you don't take a few moments to check them out!

This week: *auroradreams
*auroradreams is one of those stock artists I've (thankfully) been watching since the gallery opened. I've seen the quality, variety and imagination of every shoot expand in the passed year and a bit and have been wowed every time I open up my devwatch. *auroradreams specialises in female full-body stock but don't think that's all you'll see. A couple of strapping young lads also make an appearance in various stock sets dressed in anything from a pair of overalls to a cute child-sized tuxedo. If you want adorable kids or ladies in billowing dresses, and anything else of the like - *auroradreams has got it in spades ready for you to use!




STOCK CONTESTS:

*FroweMinahildStock is hosting The Perfect Dress Contest! Open to all mediums - including artisan crafts.
Deadline for Entries: October 31, 2008

=ashy-stock is hosting a Luscious Ladies Contest. If you've got a thing for curves like I do you'll be sure to have a blast with this baby!!
Deadline for Entries: October 30, 2008


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!!

Stock or Art? by ~PowerHead poses a question to stockers... if a piece of stock is 'good enough' to be in the art section... why do we still post it as stock?

stock outtakes!! (feature) by ~syccas-stock. You may only see the refined, perfected stock pieces in our galleries but we have our own mishaps a good part of the time too. Just like blooper reels on movie DVDs we sometimes get caught 'on film' (so to speak) in the strangest and funniest positions. Stay tuned, you'll see what I mean

Don't forget, artists, if you want to look for stockers - this should be your first stop. You can make specific requets to be filled also.
Stockers, no joke, this is your FIRST stop you should make. If you want to know whats going on in the big wide world of stock - its talked about here so stay informed!


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PREVIOUS ISSUES:
Vol 17: Unknown Stockers
Vol 18: Stock Tutorials
Vol 19: Poster Boys (MC)
Vol 20: Stock Prints
Vol 21: Emotive Stock (MC)
Vol 22: Architectural Stock
Vol 23: Reflections
Vol 24: Landscapes
Vol 25: Night-Time
Stockilicious Index!

Oh woe... time to go and... be a ho. Or something
-Demonic