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chen☆

@darumarchen

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〈do NOT use they/them for me〉
Lv3X. born clueless, grown curious⁡
⁡bonafide trigendered hobbyist from hawaii
⁡VAST > ADHD⁡
*personal/social acct

POSTS STORIES REELS

It's another announcement?!⁡
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⁡Kinda sorta. We'll be releasing bits of info as we get closer to the date. So....⁡ Let's explain BYOM&M!⁡⁡
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⁡We have a lot of volunteers, but the ratio is off. So, if you're interested in attending... ⁡Interest check form here: https://forms.gle/qorMqdT7TPyvz9fW7 by @darumarchen

Hey folks! JustCos is JustAsking---We're doing an interest check⁡ on a sewing workshop.
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@isshocaycos has been mulling over this idea for aaaages.⁡⁡ And @darumarchen has been playing Dressmaker.

Update: if you are having trouble with the QR code, please copy this link to access the survey:
https://forms.gle/jKFEsxFQyTsYgp239
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⁡📸 Library of Congress public domain, edited to match by @darumarchen

Since I'm doing emergency commissions... I wanna share the process of how I do things.⁡⁡ By using the prize I did for the stamp rally this year! 🐦‍⬛
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I usually draft a few concepts, bouncing around an idea or so with some friends. I'd typically be stuck between two ideas and, depending, I'd go with one or try to combine em.
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⁡When it comes to sketching, it usually takes the most time for me, since I'm constantly refining the shapes to bring out the idea.⁡ So going from thick to thin brush size, it's easy to tell when my sketch gets 'solidified.'
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⁡School-taught artists tend to think of sculpting the image out of blocks... Friends have described my lineart as more 'round,' which I think is cuz I shape my ideas like clay.⁡
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When the sketch is more or less what I have in mind, it gets moved to CSP. I used to do my lineart on SAI, but the vector tool has been helpful when it comes to adjust my line thickness. As well as some brushes that are useful for touch-ups.⁡
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⁡⁡I did originally want Sylus surfing at Sandy's, but there's no real landmark to indicate it. So he ended up at North Shore instead.⁡
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⁡(And, yes, the parking lot chicken would be eating a chicken bento if I went with that concept) by @darumarchen

Thank you for a fun Kawaii Kon 2025!

*pic taken prior to taking the stand down

Last year, due to all the cosplay stuff, I'm happy that I wasn't stretched so thin in comparison. It was fun seeing familiar faces and amusing to talk story with some new ones. It always amuses me when people have the $1 as a core memory or recognize an old print.

It was fun to have a theme to the table this year again (like how I had the Funeral Parlor when I cosplayed Zhongli). It was interesting to like... be given so many freebies and presents from the LADS-fans and Xavi-girlies, it was a surprise.

The past weekend was certainly weird in some aspects but it was definitely an experience.

To those still recovering, please be sure to hydrate properly and take it easy. I know I've been trying to catch up on sleep so I don't relapse;;

Also, shout-out to the friendos that tabled for Kawaii Kon for the first time! You guys did great!!🎉🎉🎉 by @darumarchen

KKon2025 preview! Who's your Deepspace princess?

Can you guess which princess each Love and Deespace boy is based on? (I think most should be obv lol)

They'll be available in Artist Alley at J125! At Ink Sonata's table

#kawaiikon2025 #kkon2025 #inksonata #loveanddeepspace #deepspaceprincess by @darumarchen

Okay! Made the thing and hopes this helps people understand how to work with Portrait-mode. Sorry that it's basic af cuz I made it moreso to help friends with their future posts and they can use it however.

The link for a Google Slide is available in the Highlight! by @darumarchen

Here are some all-purpose basic safety yips---I mean tips lol

Thank you to everyone that supported my endeavors for this infographic series. I hope that folks learned from it. Reshares are most welcome. 😅 I was close to missing today too since work picked up. Hahaha;;

I'll try to make more infographics. Probably more in-depth than... What this series did? I'm not sure... But we'll see!⁡
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⁡⁡⁡*cross-posted from my cosplay account @stumbling.daruma by @darumarchen

RED FLAG WARNING?! Keep your eyes peeled for these sorts of people!

Telling the difference between who's a good person and who's not is very difficult... But here's a few tells. Especially for those in the cosplay community. Of course, these red flags can apply elsewhere as well.

Do remember, you can cut a person from your life at any time. They don't need an explanation or anything. Sometimes it may be difficult, especially when they may have been a different person from the beginning, but you may also be a different person compared to the past. If your friend isn't looking for your well-being, they may not have really been your friend in the first place.

Any relationship---whether friendship, business, etc---is supposed to be a two-way street. And, speaking as someone that's been in abusive friendships in the past, I wish I had known these sooner than focusing on being not-lonely...⁡
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⁡⁡*cross-posted from my cosplay account @stumbling.daruma by @darumarchen

It's okay if it's not perfect! It's okay if it's NOT okay! You did great!!

This infographic is probably my favorite section of my presentation. Especially with Ganyu as the representation. (For those that don't know, Ganyu's lore implies that she has an eating disorder.)

If you're aiming for cosplay competitions, you are pressured to seek perfection. However, this mindset should NOT apply to general cosplay. You are in the hobby to have FUN. Those that attend conventions or events will *always* be appreciative of the hard work you put into your cosplay. They will *always* appreciate that you cosplayed their favorite character. The love for your cosplay and the character will pull through in the end.

So take care of yourself during the convention or events, have fun out there, and... don't forget! It's okay to not be okay!⁡
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⁡⁡*cross-posted from my cosplay account @stumbling.daruma by @darumarchen

Don't forget! Photographers are people too!!

Sorry this took a while. Due to some irl stuff, I was low on spoons then it went into the negatives because of some unwarranted behavior from people.

But... I will use it as a teaching opportunity! So, here are some kind reminders:
* Sharing information on creepers is *not* drama, it's RAISING AWARENESS. And if you don't give your sources, it is suspicious because you may be getting misinformation somewhere. You don't need to name people, but you can share screenshots or state the relation of your source to the creeper. Do NOT brush things off as as a means of trying to avoid drama. That's simply choosing ignorance and that's toxic.
* Just like how you are entitled to the way you talk, others are entitled to the way they talk as well. This applies online as well. You have no right to tell people how to type. The only time they can is if their language is crossing your boundaries (ie profanity, slurs, triggers, etc). You can't expect people to change their means of communicating just to please you. That is not how you interact with *actual* people.
* Refrain from *any* homophobic/transphobic remarks. This includes their representation in all forms of media. You are entitled to your personal opinion but the cosplay community is meant to be inclusive of all people, regaedless of sexuality, gender, race, etc.
* If someone is trying to antagonize you in public spaces, you have every right to block and ignore them. They are not respecting you or your space. Especially if you're running low on spoons and you've already communicated that you're running low on spoons. You're not at fault, they are. Focus on *your* life, not theirs.

If you think any of these are targetted toward you, you may want to have a moment to reconsider your place in not just the cosplay community but on some aspects of your life.

UPCOMING!
Part 5: Seeking Perfection (dysmorphia & "perfection")
Part 6: Red Flags in People (social cues to look out for)
Part 7: Basic Safety Tips (just additional advice for safety)⁡⁡
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⁡*cross-posted from my cosplay account @stumbling.daruma by @darumarchen

Who's friend, who's foe, or who's got to GO?

(Can you tell who was the correct Albedo?)

Because a lot of newer cosplayers started during the pandemic lockdown, they don't know about the *local threats* OR they ignore it because they think it doesn't involve them. It involves *everyone*. But I digress... Do know that this part is also supplemented by "Part 6: Red Flags in People"

Reminder: The human brain finishes developing and maturing in the mid-to-late 20s. For those that are neurodivergent, it can happen in the mid-to-late 30s instead. The last part to mature is the area responsible for skills like planning, prioritizing, and MAKING GOOD DECISIONS. So it's important that we look out for each other to ensure a safe environment.⁡
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[⁡UPCOMING]
⁡Part 4: Photography Safety (Photographers are people too!)
Part 5: Seeking Perfection (dysmorphia & "perfection")
Part 6: Red Flags in People (social cues to look out for)
Part 7: Basic Safety Tips (just additional advice for safety)⁡

*cross-posted from my cosplay account @stumbling.daruma by @darumarchen

Cosplaying in public? BLIP! You're ready to go!

I hope the acronym is fun and simple enough for folks to remember. I consider these the most important, since I know there are folks that love to cosplay in public spaces, such as outside of the convention. This can be for shoots or simply for fun.

These are all basics so, if there's any questions, I'll try my best to expand on it.

UPCOMING:
Part 3: Adults & Minors (idk seems self-explanatory)
Part 4: Photography Safety (Photographers are people too!)
Part 5: Seeking Perfection (dysmorphia & "perfection")
Part 6: Red Flags in People (social cues to look out for)
Part 7: Basic Safety Tips (just additional advice for safety)⁡
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⁡*cross-posted from my cosplay account @stumbling.daruma by @darumarchen