The watcher wasn't complaining. In fact, they want a comic of my 'Sunscreen' quickie ...but I thought their comment might make for an interesting article (instead).
First, the themes and ideas found in 'Sunscreen' aren't new to my gallery. I explored and covered them in detail here: https://inkbunny.net/s/2201368 ('Pet You, Pet Me')
Concisely, 'Sunscreen' is just another scenario in which petting may or may not occur. Its intent is to bring to mind the sensations/pleasures of touching/feeling---something cuddly, with a dose of intimacy. :3
I'm sure most of my watchers understood that, but the question no one seems to ask is why that fur-covered pooch carries a bottle of sunblock around. ^_^
Regarding the existences of 'subtleties' in my other works...
Yes. They exist. ^^
Art comes from the mind, traveling through arm and pencil onto the paper---sometimes the artist is surprised by what they create. The process and experience of drawing/creating art is meditative and honest, in its way. The subconscious truly comes through in art, if the artist allows it to. Timmy himself is an exemplar of this. Art therapy helped me understand my sexuality---Timmy was that which my mind came up with during my session (so this stuff is real)!
HYPOTHETICALWATCHER: "You're not an artist, Chippy; you can barely draw. In fact, my little cousin (who is six) draws and colors better than you. They even won a ribbon for one of their animal sketches!"
...Ok? *slow, uncertain clap*
Returning to the subject, art is a product of the mind. There may be an element of pre-planning involved, but the process of applying graphite to paper is influenced somewhat by the subconscious. This is where the subtleties come from. Using 'Sunscreen' as an example, I knew what I wanted to draw before I began, but little things such as how/where I'd place Timmy's hands, or how the pooch-girl would look (her tail was a complete surprise!), what would be on the sand/on the water, etc., 'just happened'.
I'm unsure what subtleties the (real) watcher saw in 'Sunscreen', but as I'm fairly good at playing 'Sister Wendy' with my art, I'll attempt some guesses. :3
First, the art is bad---dear Frith is it so! The arrangement of the characters and objects is screwy/random---the viewer's eye isn't given any direction whatsoever ...and don't get me started on the anatomy! D:
...Actually, I hate that leg *fixes*
"Notify watchers of this update. Ignores thumbnail-only updates"
...Usually, I uncheck this box, but I wanna see what happens if I don't. ^^
Ok, ok---back on track!
Let's look at the characters, beginning with the pooch-girl.
She is drawn leaning forward, with one hand holding a clearly-marked bottle of sunscreen, and her other shown in a come-hither gesture. Combined, these elements say much about the pooch-girl. Even without a caption, her intent is clearly indicated. Any level of 'threat' is minimized by her cheerful countenance and signal to her interest to come to her (extending a choice to them). The pooch-girl's bathing suit is a one-piece or maillot, which's about as modest as one can get without going full-on vintage. This could imply that the pooch had rather pet than be petted, albeit, her generous tail is certainly tempting, and makes up (in terms of space) for that which is covered by her bather.
Overall, I believe the pooch-girl 'says' (without words),
"I don't want to hurt you; I would like to pet you"
Bringing our attention to Timmy, his posture is one of uncertainty about the offer before him, especially as indicated by his raised arm, hiding his hand behind his head. Timmy leans toward the pooch-girl, as if to assess her (as she leans forward, invitingly, towards Timmy). This narrows the distance between the two, even if only so slightly. Timmy's far hand shows his fingers lightly touching his hip/rear, both intimate/sensitive areas of the body. Perhaps Timmy is unaware of his placement of this hand, as his focus is on the pooch-girl. Timmy's subconscious is, perhaps, guiding this hand---its fingers carrying messages of sensuality, as well vulnerability; temptation and caution.
The starfish and crab are a starfish and crab, respectively.
The dolphin in the background is shown porpoising, perhaps suggesting a leap of faith.
The physical contrast between the pooch-girl and Timmy is also of interest, especially if the mind's eye compares them: the soft fur of the pooch-girl, the smooth skin of Timmy; the feel of 'protective' clothing, the openness of nudity; the hot sand and the cool ocean. these elements may come together, or be considered individually, bringing to mind memories and concepts of texture, security and vulnerability; lust and reluctance.
As a whole, 'Sunscreen' is subversive in that the subject of interest is male, and the one bestowing the interest is female. Moreover, said female is clothed whereas the male is nude, thereby turning the tables on the viewer's expectations. Here, the female is assertive, but not overpowering---the boy must come to her ...but will he?
HYPOTHETICALWATCHER: "Shut up, Chippy! The damn dog just wants to feel on the boy! I think it's hot! Please ship them in your next drawing!"
HYPOTHETICALWATCHER2: "I like how you draw paws"
...*sigh*
Returning to my artistic subtleties, I'm unsure what, specifically, any given watcher sees in my art (and projects onto me, by extension). I'm aware that my Timmy art does carry some degree of sexual interpretation. For example, I've known watchers to go through most of my gallery, faving effectively everything EXCEPT the Timmy art, implying they find it distasteful or unclean in some way ...I've also known watchers who've responded by faving my Timmy arts to the exclusion of almost all else. Moreover, those who tend to fave my Timmy art exclusively, tend to have galleries/fave folders full of smut.
In these instances, the respective watchers all counted my Timmy art as 'sexual', they just accepted it differently ...so, yes, I know my art may be viewed sexually, perhaps more often than not.
Speaking of sex, what do I know about my sexuality that may influence my artistic works?
I identify as 'hetero-romantic, asexual' ...which is contrary, yet true!
I know I'm not bi or gay. The concept of same-sex cuddling doesn't appeal to me as something I'd want to participate in (but you do you!). As for female attention, it appeals to me, platonically (hence my 'hetero-' prefix), but I've no interest in intercourse whatsoever. Additionally, I don't experience attraction. Line up some 'bathing beauties' before me and I'll say (from the neck down) that they all look alike to me, and the sight of them does nothing for me downstairs (hence my 'asexual' adjective).
Asexuals don't (typically) experience attraction, but the physical/chemical stuff (suffice it to say) works just fine. ^^ It's those elements that 'work just fine' that inspires me to make 'cuddly' art, and my orientation that gives my scribbles their semi-innocent flavor.
As I mentioned in my 'Sunscreen' analysis, my Timmy art (as well a pawful of my Gene and Tasli comics) are subversive in that the 'Pepe la Pew' archetypes tend to be female, and the 'Penelope' types are male (it's usually the other way round).
That is, my female characters I count as plain ol' 'hetero'---they like boys and therefore seek male attention (it's not complicated, but I do not identify with/through my female characters). The male characters either represent me directly (Timmy) or (otherwise) only reflect my general (but inconsistent) apathy towards loving affection (Gene, esp. where it applies to Mimi).
When the attention offered by the female characters is accepted by the males, it's kept very tame and 'safe' for them/me.
Ie, in my Timmy comics, one will notice the female characters don't have bits. This is a 'safety' element as it prevents the characters from having intercourse (so even if Timmy is captured, only so much can befall him), though it doesn't prevent masturbation, which doesn't encroach upon my morality, DEPENDING on the context/situation (of course).
The omission of female bits doesn't exist in the Gene and Tasli comics.
HYPOTHETICALWATCHER: "Miss Ice Cream"
Ok, first, please stop interrupting; next time, raise your paw before you speak. Second, Miss Ice Cream is a guest OC and is clean by design (respecting another fur's boundaries is generally a good thing). Last, I'll say 'nice try' ...but please don't try again.
Anyway, here's where my 'romantic' adjective comes in. Neither Gene nor Timmy outright reject affection and/or cuddling in every instance---they like it, in fact, but only when they want it and on their terms. That said, the character who best emphasizes this is Timmy, who has willingly received affection from (actually) a good number of characters, but tends to thwart aggressive affection seekers, such as the skunk.
As I've said of myself in previous articles, 'sex' for me is sitting on the couch with my partner, just us holding one another. Timmy, it seems, prefers allowing vixens to pile on top of him (which, again, is 'safe' for me/him), but both are effectively the same in spirit.
Ribbon and Ball were Timmy's primary cuddle companions, as they represented the last (material) thing I had an innocent enthusiasm for (Pokemon). The desire to have that again (and possibly extend this to a person) is what created Ribbon and Ball ('Pika Pats' illustrates my sexuality in a way words and labels cannot). :3
WATCHER: "Why does Timmy have bits, then?"
That's complicated. It has much to do with the other characters in Timmy's world being figments---Timmy 'created' them, but not for intercourse (which is a thing Timmy wouldn't know anything about).
HYPOTHRICALWATCHER *raising paw*: "Chippy, just say you like little boys"
At least you raised your paw this time, but in the future, please place it over your mouth or around your muzzle before you speak (it'll be amusing watching you try to talk then!). Anyway, what part of 'asexual' wasn't understood? I prefer cubs (as subjects) since I share an orientation with them. Think 'Cubs don't have/want intercourse, but like to cuddle, sometimes'. The affection sought by cubs is (or should be) platonic, cute, (and perhaps) inquisitive. Again, though I'm almost 40, the same 'sexuality' a cub may have reflects my own *IRL, hence my representations and use of such characters in representing myself. :3
*albeit, IRL, I have testosterone muddling things a bit. It's why I've said innocence is a gift that MUST be taken for granted, as once you realize you have it, it's gone (it's something I'll never experience firsthand again).
So, hopefully that provided a bit of insight into my sexual subtleties and the characters who act them out---it's both a little innocent, and a little adult. :3
I definitely understand that. Sometimes I need someone to tell me I'm doing something right or something, you know? I know where your coming from. I will say though for me, you never need clarification lol. You always draw amazing
I definitely understand that. Sometimes I need someone to tell me I'm doing something right or somet
