Interview with :devSenshiStock:

When I discovered photo references on DeviantArt, I was really excited. As an artist, I knew that using references would make my work stronger, but I found that much of the model photography in the DA Stock galleries were geared towards manipulators. There were a lot of really amazing models and poses, but I was frustrated when they were wearing big costumes or skirts that hid the legs.

I wanted drawing references that were made for just seeing the pose. For a while, I turned to some nude models, but I found that many of the poses were sort of limited with a nude model. I'm sure there's just some angles and actions that you don't really think to do when you're a naked model.

Anyway, I decided I was just going to start taking photos of myself and eventually people encouraged me to put them on DA, too. It started off as a pose reference collection for Sailor Moon fanartists (hence the nicknames, themes, and titles of the most early stuff in my gallery). I got a strong and very fast positive response from artists and encouragement to branch out into other themes. It just kept going, and going...!

I have a really big suggestion list that I go through each time I do a shoot to get some ideas flowing. Sometimes I look through the recently submitted art on DA to see what kind of poses people have been trying to draw. I also do a lot of poses that I myself would be interested in drawing at some point. Sometimes I do stuff because I think it might be challenging, and lately I've been shooting stock that I think will fit nicely into packs so I can populate my sales from SenshiStock.com.

I almost always use stock when I draw any full body illustrations. 98% of the time, it's my own stuff. I have a collection of pose reference stock that I like in my favorites. I put things there any time I see it and think, "I could definitely have fun drawing that sometime!"

Louise Bourgeois is my favorite sculptor and Cy Twombly is my favorite traditional artist. Right now, most of my art is done on commission so I guess I'm inspired by getting paid. ;D But since that's my job now, I'm totally okay with it. Sometimes I just want to grab a 9' piece of paper and scribble all over it, but I know I will get back to that art someday. I sort of move in cycles, it just happens to be that the chibi/cute/plush comic looking stuff is paying the bills right now.

Definitely do it. Any contribution to the community helps! There's a bunch of resouces from the How to Stock series that PirateLotus-Stock organized a while back to help get people started:
How to Stock 1- Setting up a Shooting AreaWelcome to "How to Stock," a new short series of articles on how to do some stock basics.  We'll ask the big names in stock for their tips and opinions on how to get the best out of your stock shoot!
For the first article, I asked faestock, Tasastock, and kirilee all about how to set up a shooting area.  Let's see what wisdom they have for us!


What are the best kind of lights? How many should I have? What kind of bulbs give the best light?
:iconfaestock: Faestock says:
If you have access to studio lighting then I prefer to use a large Elenchrom soft box. The soft box provides a soft flattering light for most subjects. A direct flash can be harsh, using some kind of filter, like a beauty dish, grate or soft box is better. I would also suggest rigging the stand with wheels so it is easily adjustable, as one inch to the left can make all the difference when you How to Stock 2- PosingWelcome to "How to Stock," a short series of articles on how to do some stock basics. We'll ask the big names in stock for their tips and opinions on how to get the best out of your stock shoot!
For the second article, I asked AdorkaStock, DaeStock, and jademacalla all about how to pose. Let's see what wisdom they have for us!

How do I decide how to pose?
:iconsenshistock: SenshiStock says:
Try thinking about what kind of image you want to create. If you are dressed in a costume, then you have that as a starting place. Try to become the character you're representing. What kind of actions would they take (leaping, running, sneaking, flying)? How would they move around (slowly, crawling, jumping, skipping)? If you're like me and you're focused solely on the pose, sometimes you still have to get 'in character' to come up with ideas. I like making a list before each How to Stock 3- Playing a CharacterWelcome to "How to Stock," a short series of articles on how to do some stock basics. We'll ask the big names in stock for their tips and opinions on how to get the best out of your stock shoot!
For the third article, I asked Null-Entity, kirilee, and Tasastock all about how to play a character. Let's see what wisdom they have for us!

How do I get into character?
:iconNull-Entity: Null-Entity says:
It depends on the shot/character (I have not done many characters yet) but for my "Gent's Last Act" set I imagined an entire scenario with scenes, and simply played it out from start to finish in-front of the camera.
As for shots with Tasastock, it was a matter of thinking of the theme and playing along with it, it helped a lot to play off her!.
:iconkirilee: kirilee says:
If you are wearing a costume, think about where the character wearin How to Stock 4- CostumesWelcome to "How to Stock," a short series of articles on how to do some stock basics. We'll ask the big names in stock for their tips and opinions on how to get the best out of your stock shoot!
For the fourth article, I asked Elandria, kirilee, and Tasastock all about costumes. Let's see what wisdom they have for us!

Where do I even start?
:iconelandria: Elandria says:
Wherever you like! Pick a theme or a colour or a character from your favorite movie or book - whatever inspires you can lead you to creating an awesome costume - and it doesn't have to cost you a fortune!
:iconkirilee: kirilee says:
Start with what you have around you, and if making something, your level of skill.
For the first, it is amazing what pieces of your own wardrobe and linen closet can be turned into when you look at it from a different angle. The secret is t How to Stock 5- Gallery OrganizationWelcome to "How to Stock," a short series of articles on how to do some stock basics. We'll ask the big names in stock for their tips and opinions on how to get the best out of your stock shoot!
This fifth article is the special Stock & Resources Project Educate Week article.  For this article, I asked AdorkaStock and kirilee just one question about their galleries.  Let's see what they said!

How do you keep your gallery organized, concise, and well-representing of you?
:iconsenshistock: SenshiStock says:
There's a few methods which I employ to try to manage the gallery as it gets larger. First, I use a series of folders to help sort poses into categories. There are a lot of folders, and sometimes images fit into more than one folder. For example, I might have a pose where I'm using a sword, but I'm also kneeling. This image would go both in the Sit and Kneel Drawing Poses f

Check the usage guidelines and follow them! If a provider doesn't have rules that fit your work or if it's too confusing, move on to another provider. Or better yet, make some stock!