u/TheSkepticGuy — reddlx

Upgrade to M4/16bg, or wait for 24gb??? The dilemma, seeking feedback.

I've been a dedicated Mac user since the early 1990s. Almost two years ago, I purchased an M2 Mini with 8 GB RAM and a 512 hard drive. It's been a workhorse, originally to support my art business by scanning and prepping my pen and ink art for prints and online promotion.

A bit more than a year ago, I transitioned to digital art for children's books. I'm using Affinity Photo, which is exceptionally efficient and performs well in just 8 GB of RAM, but I often experience performance degradation that requires a restart.

Now I'm busy with illustration projects, and this base M2 feels like a minor handicap -- especially as I consider more RAM-hungry digital art applications. I'd like to upgrade to an M4 with 24GB, but the wait is into August at best, but I can get an M4 with 16GB within days.

Will the M4/16GB be the boost I need, or should I suck it up and wait for the 24GB?

Note: I got a message to add flair when posting, but I don't have a flair menu here.

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u/TheSkepticGuy — 1 day ago

▲ 1 r/StandingDesk

Looking for adjustable standing desk frame, 32-inch wide.

I'm looking to convert a mid-sized drafting table to a standing drafting table. All the frames I'm seeing on Amazon and other sources don't adjust down to a 32-inch width, which is what I need for the plan.

Anyone have suggestions?

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u/TheSkepticGuy — 3 days ago

▲ 7 r/childrensbooks

Professional Children's Book Artist

For me, the most important contribution an artist can make is to create stimulating art for children's picture books. Art sparks imagination and fosters creativity; both are vital to our brain's "muscle memory" for critical thinking.

I just wrapped up two big children's book commission projects, and am ready for more. If you need an artist for your passion project, you can review my updated portfolio here: https://www.studio-w.art/kidlit

u/TheSkepticGuy — 10 days ago

▲ 14 r/AffinityPhoto

There are many "trendy" applications for digital painting. I've tried them all, and continue using Affinity Photo for professional illustration.

I'm a full-time professional children's book illustrator, focusing on achieving a traditional look with digital methods. These images are from a recent children's picture book commission project. These (and everything else I do) were completed with Affinity Photo and a small handful of custom brushes I've created.

u/TheSkepticGuy — 21 days ago

▲ 1 r/ArtCrit

I'm a children's picture book artist, and typically do watercolor-looking digital art of kids, animals, and related picture book content. I have a project with a new (previously published) customer who is pushing the boundaries a bit. She is looking for a Vecna-inspired (the Stranger Things monster) beastie with tentacles and the ability for flames. I had to dig out my old Constructive Anatomy book for this one.

u/TheSkepticGuy — 21 days ago

▲ 4 r/childrensbooks

Here's a look at a fun commission project that was also my first foray into anthropomorphic character design. The story is about Livi, a young llama, who is coming to terms with having to wear glasses. Through 14 vivid 2-page spreads, we follow her journey from melancholy to affirmation.

I'm a full-time children's book artist specializing in a rich line-and-wash watercolor style. I'm always available to provide artwork for your passion project. Review my extensive children's book portfolio at https://www.studio-w.art/kidlit

u/TheSkepticGuy — 22 days ago

▲ 2 r/rawpetfood

We have two large English Chocolate Labs and have switched to raw (or lightly-seared in a Wok) meat for a few months now. We've been getting quality local meat from an abbatoir that is about a 40-minute drive away. There have been a couple of changes in their offerings after our last visit.

First, they no longer offer 3-pound bags of liver, only a GIANT full-sized frozen beef liver (22-pound average), which we have no way to process.

Second, their prices have increased by an average of 30-40% across the board. I think they're getting exceptionally busy. Even their beef heart is now in the price range of what sirloin was just two months ago.

Have any of you found good online options for shipping frozen meat at competitive prices? We're looking at a local beef grower who can process a 1/2 cow (400 pounds +/-) for $2,100, which is good, but they have a waiting list through August.

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u/TheSkepticGuy — 23 days ago