Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Week 22: Life Bites

And when life bites, it bites hard. It's like a dog who's found someone to play tug-o-war with them and it sinks its teeth into the rope toy without intent of letting go for love or doggy treat and then snaps said toy around to induce whiplash that only the Man of Steel could possibly survive. Right now, I could very well be one of those rope toys.

That said, I'm giving myself a week extension for this Week's project. It's true that next week will involve a lot of traveling, but down-times and stops at diners and hotels will happen, plus Sunday should be relatively open for me. Also, as may have been mentioned, my laptop and tablet ensemble are coming along, so various things can be done digitally.

I won't, however, leave you without anything to look at for this entry dear readers, and so for your enjoyment:

Sunday, May 29, 2011

Week 22: Structurally Sound


I don't know how many of you remember, but last week I mentioned that I'd be drawing this for Week 22. It's an interesting building, to say the least and I can't remember the last time I drew a real piece of architecture on purpose, aside from sketches. Despite the photo for reference, yesterday and today I went out and sat at the spot this photo was taken from.
Again, artistic license is going to come into play. The only sign included will be the one in front, and even that I might alter. I'm also not doing any buildings in the background, just plants. I want the building to be framed in natural shapes and colors. Also, some sketching from church:
Now it's off to keep packing the kitchen and work on a commission.

Friday, May 27, 2011

Week 21: Less


Yesterday was uneventful and went by quickly, which is always acceptable for a first day of work. Today went by even quicker still and I was finished by 1:30 (or 13:30, for you military time people). The above sketches were done before work yesterday, since I arrived early. There's a coffee stand right in the office's parking lot that I am certain to become a regular at before summer ends.

I also did some sketching on the commission and aim to have it finished by Monday evening. Ah, bank holidays are wonderful things.
This week of sketching and breathing was great. I do believe another one of these will happen before the year's end, maybe even a couple of times.

Next week (As in, the one that starts this Sunday) and the weekend following will be a bit insane. As mentioned, I have Monday off, but will be working through the rest of the week and then moving in with my new roommate over the weekend. Then after that, my family is leaving for a trip. I intend to take the tablet-compatible laptop with me and my sketching supplies. We'll see what happens with that. I will, however, be attempting to complete Week 22 during this upcoming madness. Bottoms up!

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Week 21: Lyrical




Yesterday was great for a sort of "last hurrah" for taking walks on weekdays. It was sunny mildly breezy, and regardless of the lack of Farmer's market the "Friendship Square" area where I sat was far from boring. There were two young women hanging out playing guitar which was lovely ambiance for drawing. One of them made it onto my paper a couple times. I made sure to thank them for the background music on my way back home.

No adventures in Photoshop yesterday, but instead I started on another art commission for a friend. So far, so good. I do so enjoy drawing couples, and dancing poses are always an enjoyable challenge.
Right now I'm killing time before I leave for work. I set my alarm to 7 am - a good hour and a half before I even need to be there with only a five minute driving time from my house to work. I may try for half an hour later next week because now I'm practically pacing the floor being a combination of nervous, excited, and caffeinated for my first day.

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Week 21: Natural


Yesterday was a bit chilly and over-cast (entirely possible in Idaho in May), so rather than sketch on my walk I used my neighbor's back yard as inspiration. Birds are not something I'm particularly skilled at, but I don't really like them either so I'm not compelled to learn to draw them better. The squirrel is rough because, of course, they don't stay in one place for too long.
Also more rough sketching in Photoshop. This time based on an RP-setting with a friend and I. I've shown drawings from this setting before. I've been noticing that with the recent amount of sketching I do, I loosen up a lot more with my tablet than I used to. I'm also not sweating details too much - just making sure I have fun.

Today's weather is much more promising for my walk, which is wonderful since I start work tomorrow and will only be going for walks on weekends after that. Also, I'll be starting another commission today, and it looks like it'll be a fun one.

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Week 21: Snapshots

I regret to inform you that this entry will not be entirely coherent. There's been a headache plaguing me off and on all day and it is currently in the "on" position.

Yesterday was not a good sketch day. I did, however, take a photo of something I want to try drawing for a Weekly Art. It's the water department building.

I'll take some artistic liberties, but it is pretty neat.

Also, my neighbors down the street have this tree. I could just sit under it for hours if the pollen wouldn't render my blind and unable to breathe for the rest of my life. I'm half tempted to ask if I can some day, even though I don't know them at all.
Also, just about done with the cake. Been layering on the varnish:

Monday, May 23, 2011

Week 21: Loosened Up


A walk wasn't on yesterday's schedule, but going to church was. This was a great opportunity for sketching some faces, but the minister is quite a... kinetic speaker. Yes, I was paying attention, before that concern rises. I always am.

I didn't work a whole lot with the clay yesterday. I think I'll be taking a short break from clay for a bit after this. Inspiration could strike at random however, so we'll see. Photos of it will be up with tomorrow's entry.

Also, Photoshop is back from the dead! Yay! Having to use Open Canvas on Saturday made me appreciate it so much more. A couple of Hetalia sketches to celebrate (though the bottom one doesn't have to be fan art. Could be anything)


Also, for the few of you coming here not through my Facebook or my Twitter, I start my summer job on Thursday! It will be full-time, so less time for art, but I'll manage. I also have an idea of what I want to do next week, but I'll save that for tomorrow's entry when I post artwork from today... it works, trust me.

Sunday, May 22, 2011

Week 21: Chill Pill

First, thank you to everyone for your feedback on Friday's entry! I did receive more than the comments here, as I also post links to my entries on my Twitter (which is private, so I'm not giving the name). All of your words were immensely helpful.

As was pointed out by a couple of you, this needs to be less of a chore. So this week I'm taking a sort of break. Yes, I am still drawing, but not going to force myself to complete anything. This week will be dedicated to sketching and conceptualizing and having fun.

One thing I've started doing is going on a daily walk and then finding a bench downtown to sit on and draw my surroundings. I posted the first page of these on Friday, and did more yesterday. Yesterday also happened to be the Farmer's Market, so there was more to see than usual.

There was also more making of the clay food yesterday:
...and some sketching in Open Canvas because Photoshop has gone on strike and I've yet to get it working again. I'm not fond of Open Canvas. A lot of what it does makes no sense. But I sketched the personification of Vietnam from Hetalia.
The week will continue much like this. I'll just be sketching/drawing/crafting as I see fit and then post the results. This is going to be fun. :)

Friday, May 20, 2011

Week 20: Seeing Starz + Role Call




Okay, so touching it up and signing it only took five minutes instead of thirty. Could it be pushed farther? No doubt. Will it be? Nope. It was an effective learning experience, which was largely the purpose from the beginning.

She is pretty dang cute.

Also, the sketches I did while out down town today. I'm horribly rusty with gesture drawing, and it shows:
ROLE CALL: So, really curious, who out there reads this thing? Not that I'll stop if I have a tiny readership - I have every intention of seeing this blog through to the end of the year and beyond. And for those who do read it, what would you like to see me do differently that would make this whole thing more interesting? Without readers the blog sort of doesn't have as much of a point as I would like, so feedback from you guys would be wonderful. :)

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Week 20: Trudging


Another case of lost interest strikes, but at least it's close to completed this time. Since I'm currently sick of looking at it, almost done though it is, posting it and letting my mind rest for the night seemed like the best course of action. There's some touch-ups to be done, but hopefully that won't take any more than half an hour tomorrow.

Also, when I go on my walk tomorrow, I'm going to sit on a bench in the shade downtown and draw for a while. Should be relaxing and good practice. We'll see how many odd looks I get.

Background noise: The Princess And The Frog

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Week 20: Hairy Situation


Finally back to working on this today, and recalling that "oh yeah, fur's kind of a pain...". She does need more orange and I'll be adding black flecks in to blend it better. Surprisingly, her face is the easiest part right now. I expected it to be the most difficult.

The background color will be changed, but right now it's not a priority. Also yes, her eyes will be adjusted. i just didn't want a creepy-looking pupil-less cat.

Background noise: Youtube playlist, mostly Hunchback of Notre Dame music.

Saturday, May 14, 2011

Week 20: Meow


This weekend my mother is having a moving sale and I'm at her house to assist. Somehow I ended up being up and around at an hour where I normally just roll over and go back to sleep for two more. This was long before the sale even started, so caffeinated and on a temporary sugar rush, I decided I might as well start Week 20 while Mom tried to keep from going nuts.

It's another challenge week, and therefore another shot at digital painting. This week's subject should be recognizable from my blog's avatar. I can't recall ever really drawing Starz besides as some horribly represented anime-styled cat, so this should be interesting to say the least. Liberties are also being taken to make her look less annoyed in the painting than the reference photo.

Background noise: Mom running around like a headless chicken

Friday, May 13, 2011

Week 19: "I Need A Vacation"


And that, my friends, is the line he's quoting from Terminator 2. This was actually completed yesterday, but with the Blogger down updating had to wait until now.

I'm just too tired to wax poetic and ramble about it, so if you want more details (and the link to the stock photo) check out the DeviantArt version here .

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Week 19: Lined Up


This was all done last night after I scanned the sketch version, and I was still watching T2 while I worked. Looking at it now I suppose a background of some variety is in order, but the ideas aren't there for it yet.

Duke's arm is cybernetic, but that's the only part of him that is. He just usually has a sleeve of fake fur over it (currently torn off) so it looks more normal. He also never wears sleeveless shirts.

Background noise: Terminator 2: Judgment Day

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Week 19: Better Late Than Never


So... I'm three days behind in starting. Whoops? Suffice to say, it won't be overly complex. Right now it's just going to be my character Duke quoting a line from Terminator 2. I'll leave you to try and guess based on his expression and state.

Background noise: Terminator 2: Judgment Day

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Week 18: Complete

Alright, unless the client wants me to add to it, we're done here!

Monday, May 2, 2011

Week 18: Progress the Third


Just starting the flat colors. After a great adventure of taking the bus into the next town over to run some errands and doing lots of walking in the process I am beat. I'll finish the flat colors tomorrow and maybe start shading/highlighting.

Sunday, May 1, 2011

Week 18: Progress the Second

Just trucking right along, adding the ink lines and enjoying all the details. I really do love detail, but prefer doing it in traditional media rather than digital.