Reflection
To me, the most beneficial part of my blog was that I actually had a little bit of encouragement to draw. When I sit at home, I find it difficult to gain motivation to draw anything, but this blog forced me to it I think. I want to practice digital art more often, but so many things interrupt me at home so that I don't feel like doing anything. While not much of the work I posted here was done at home, I think I added in a good amount of artwork overall.
I found it difficult to actually update my blog. I know that this isn't some big blog that everyone reads, or even cares about, so I found little reason to write it. I'd rather my work have a chance to wind it's way through a website, such as Tumblr or Deviantart, where it's very easy for anything to circle around the website. Here, it felt like I was updating because I had to. I wasn't getting feedback from people who enjoy my blog and actually check it for updates.
I didn't really write too much on my blog, it was mostly pictures that I've drawn, and me talking a little bit about it. The best writing I've done on here was a very recent post where I gave some background for two dragons I designed. I don't plan to use a blog like this in the future. I have my own ways of "blogging" that don't require me to be super active and write about every little thing that goes on in my life. I enjoy just posting a piece of art for my friends to see, say a few words about it, receive a comment about a friend, then have a conversation with them over it. I found a couple of my classmates are a bit similar, as their blogs don't seem as heartfelt about this blog assignment. There are other preferred methods of blogging that we weren't allowed for this project, which really let some of us down.
The only blogs I "read" are art blogs and funny blogs, each of them just posting pictures or animated gifs. I enjoy them because I don't have to read a ton of paragraphs to search for the enjoyment hidden within. That enjoyment and purpose is presented right in front of me. Tumblr is where I scroll through these blogs, and it's so simple and successful that an enormous amount of people prefer it over any other blogging site. Blogs have changed quite a bit to adapt to the current generation.
My Favorite blog posts are all of the ones with finished artwork. The feeling of finally finishing a piece and putting it out there, almost like mantling it, is such a feeling of relief and joy. If I had to choose one, though, I'd say my recent dragon background post, with the mountain dragon and the phoenix. I liked how the background turned out with them, and I like the art style that I've started developing within them. I think they have started a new era of my drawing style.
I found it difficult to actually update my blog. I know that this isn't some big blog that everyone reads, or even cares about, so I found little reason to write it. I'd rather my work have a chance to wind it's way through a website, such as Tumblr or Deviantart, where it's very easy for anything to circle around the website. Here, it felt like I was updating because I had to. I wasn't getting feedback from people who enjoy my blog and actually check it for updates.
I didn't really write too much on my blog, it was mostly pictures that I've drawn, and me talking a little bit about it. The best writing I've done on here was a very recent post where I gave some background for two dragons I designed. I don't plan to use a blog like this in the future. I have my own ways of "blogging" that don't require me to be super active and write about every little thing that goes on in my life. I enjoy just posting a piece of art for my friends to see, say a few words about it, receive a comment about a friend, then have a conversation with them over it. I found a couple of my classmates are a bit similar, as their blogs don't seem as heartfelt about this blog assignment. There are other preferred methods of blogging that we weren't allowed for this project, which really let some of us down.
The only blogs I "read" are art blogs and funny blogs, each of them just posting pictures or animated gifs. I enjoy them because I don't have to read a ton of paragraphs to search for the enjoyment hidden within. That enjoyment and purpose is presented right in front of me. Tumblr is where I scroll through these blogs, and it's so simple and successful that an enormous amount of people prefer it over any other blogging site. Blogs have changed quite a bit to adapt to the current generation.
My Favorite blog posts are all of the ones with finished artwork. The feeling of finally finishing a piece and putting it out there, almost like mantling it, is such a feeling of relief and joy. If I had to choose one, though, I'd say my recent dragon background post, with the mountain dragon and the phoenix. I liked how the background turned out with them, and I like the art style that I've started developing within them. I think they have started a new era of my drawing style.
More Dragons+Backgrounds
Category: Artwork
I decided to color the fluffy dragon, and I drew a fire dragon to complement it.
The Mountain Dragons are known to be exclusive to the snowy and rocky peaks of jagged mountains. They are gentle and playful dragons that use a frosty breath to slow their prey. They can potentially be excellent pets, but raising them is hard, as they need to hatch in a warm temperature, but be raised in a cold temperature. They enjoy themselves by butting their horns against each other and by watching the northern lights. They can grow to be quite large.
The phoenix is commonly mistaken to be a bird, but is, in fact, a dragon of eternal flames. A phoenix is born as a basic fire dragon, but if a fire dragon is deemed worthy enough, the council of phoenixes gather and engulf the dragon with their flames, granting the dragon eternal life. It is said that the very first dragon was a phoenix, and that all other dragons are descendants of it.
Fluffy Dragon
Category: Artwork
I felt like drawing some sort of fluffy dragon. I think inspiration came from the Poros from League of Legends. I'll try to think of some more background on these dragon species I designed.
Photoshop!
Category: School and life, Artwork, Sketches, Japanese
Finally got hold of photoshop! Did a couple of quick sketches, nothing special at all. I had forgotten that mom was given a copy of Photoshop from her college... I'm hoping that I can continue to learn the program, as I know that it is severely powerful in its capabilities.
2nd Concentration
Category: School and life, Artwork, Japanese
Finished this...Not really caring for it. The colors are too monotone. I did have an issue of merging my layers by accident, so I kinda got mad at it and rushed it...
Anyways, this is the Yuki-Onna, or snow woman. Story tells that two lumberjacks, a father and son, went out to work, but as they traveled home they were caught in a freak blizzard. They found an abandoned shack and took shelter. Soon, a woman of pure white, white as the snow, came in. She froze the father to death with her frost breath, but allowed the son to live due to his young age and beauty.
Anyways, this is the Yuki-Onna, or snow woman. Story tells that two lumberjacks, a father and son, went out to work, but as they traveled home they were caught in a freak blizzard. They found an abandoned shack and took shelter. Soon, a woman of pure white, white as the snow, came in. She froze the father to death with her frost breath, but allowed the son to live due to his young age and beauty.
Ayla Portrait...done!
Category: School and life, Artwork
I'm finally considering this project finished. There are some spots that could be done a bit better, but fixing them would screw up a lot of work i've already finished. I'm just going to avoid that an declare it finished. I've been working on this for at least a month anyways, i'm ready to move on to something new. Spirited Away is probably going to be my next subject.
Dragon Fairy (?) Sketch
Category: Artwork, Sketches
I randomly sketched out some sort of dragon, fairy, thing. I think it was inspired by Pokemon quite a bit, and I think that's noticeable just about everywhere. I might do something else with this in the future, but I don't plan on doing much with it right now.
More Ayla Progress
Category: School and life, Artwork
I've finally got all of the base colors in place. I've only got the connecting of the colors to do so that there aren't so many bad looking, black spaces everywhere. It's almost done!
AP Concentration 1
Category :School and life, Artwork, Japanese
Finally Finished my first AP Art Concentration piece! My theme is Japanese Folklore, so I started off with my favorite legend, the 9-tailed fox! I made it with ink and watercolor. Overall, I wasn't very confident with working with either medium, but I really like how it turned out. I hope to keep using brush and ink, I'd love to improve on my ability to it. For my next project, I think I'm going to make a picture about the story of Yuki-Onna, or the Snow Woman, for my next concentration piece.
Progress till after Fall Break
Category: School and life, Artwork
Got a lot more done today. Most of the hair is in, along with a start to the collar of her shirt. Once I get that in, it's all about adjusting each section so that everything connects together properly. I should have used layer masks when I started this...
More Progress
Vis Com work in progress
Fall Break Wishes
Category: School and life, Japanese
Just realized that fall is coming up! I've been talking to my friend in Japan, Wakana, lately and we've been talking again about visiting each other. Perhaps fall break could be a good time? I've got two weeks that will most likely involve me working full time if I don't go...I'd rather take a third out of my bank account and visit Wakana for a week or two. I won't get to see okaa-san, otou-san, obaa-san, hayate, or yuto, but I could at least enjoy being with Wakana and some old friends :). I think the main issue is getting my parents on board with this. "Oh, but you need the money for a car!" "Oh, but we don't want you spending your money like that!" -_- I'm not asking for them to pay a thing, I can afford it, and I know my car can get through the winter. I dunno..
Been Busy..
Category: School and life, Artwork, Japanese
I know I haven't been posting as much as I should this week TT~TT I've been so busy with school and work, I just haven't had time...I'm hoping that next week should be better, with a lighter load of homework.
I've been working on my first concentration for ap art, and I'm liking it so far! I think the calligraphic style really sets it apart and makes it stand out. But...water colors, man...I don't like painting at all xD.
I've been working on my first concentration for ap art, and I'm liking it so far! I think the calligraphic style really sets it apart and makes it stand out. But...water colors, man...I don't like painting at all xD.
Robot Dogu Doll Windup Toys!
Category: video games, sketches
Don't even ask why I was thinking about dogu dolls... Anyways, I had the idea of incorporating the style of awesomenauts into it, so became a robotic toy, bent on ruling the galaxy. I'm not quite sure that it could be considered vote in any way, but that's probably because I took a lot from some dogu doll references.
Listening to: Dango Daikazoku
Slight Blog Redesign
Category: School and Life, Blog
Thank God I remember stuff from html class! I used some basic knowledge to redo my blog page a bit. It now how a much better background! I also removed the banner since it made such a huge gap between the navigation bar and the main content. I hope it's much more appealing to look at now.
I actually made the background myself too :)
I actually made the background myself too :)
Listening to: Away from the Sun
Ayla has joined the Killer Koalas
Category: Sketches, Video Games
Yay, more Ayla! :D
Someone on the Awesomenauts forums suggested that people draw out skins of each character, as if they were part of the Killer Koalas...yes, Killer Koalas XD. The KK are a group of Space Mercenaries led by a guy named Ted McPain (who is also fond of running around in combat, sporting his American flag thong). I can't say much else about the KK, but they tend to wear futuristic/cyber armor.
Coming up with a design idea for Ayla was actually pretty easy. The hardest part was changing her hair to match the style without taking away her iconic, super-large buns/pigtails. I don't think a psychotic, evil child would be allowed into a group of mercenaries, but one can always dream...
Someone on the Awesomenauts forums suggested that people draw out skins of each character, as if they were part of the Killer Koalas...yes, Killer Koalas XD. The KK are a group of Space Mercenaries led by a guy named Ted McPain (who is also fond of running around in combat, sporting his American flag thong). I can't say much else about the KK, but they tend to wear futuristic/cyber armor.
Coming up with a design idea for Ayla was actually pretty easy. The hardest part was changing her hair to match the style without taking away her iconic, super-large buns/pigtails. I don't think a psychotic, evil child would be allowed into a group of mercenaries, but one can always dream...
Listening to: I Burn
Who is Gonna Wreck this Party?
Category: Sketches, Video Games
Lately, my mind has been all over my favorite pc game, Awesomenauts. I've been really noticing the style of the game. Of course, the forums for the game are filled with discussions, ideas, and fanart, so I felt like adding in my own fanart and ideas!
Here, I've drawn two different versions of my favorite character, Ayla. Ayla is basically a psychotic, murderous, evil, little girl. Oh, and she's an alien, like pretty much all of the characters in the game. She can fly around in rage, shoot energy from a third, evil eye of hers, or whack people in the head with her cain. Oh yea! She also broke out of prison, so she still wears her handcuffs and stuff.
Anyways, I drew her as if she had grown up in a cult that worships the Evil Eye. Then, I drew her in an arcade style, one of my favorite styles of all time!
Here, I've drawn two different versions of my favorite character, Ayla. Ayla is basically a psychotic, murderous, evil, little girl. Oh, and she's an alien, like pretty much all of the characters in the game. She can fly around in rage, shoot energy from a third, evil eye of hers, or whack people in the head with her cain. Oh yea! She also broke out of prison, so she still wears her handcuffs and stuff.
Anyways, I drew her as if she had grown up in a cult that worships the Evil Eye. Then, I drew her in an arcade style, one of my favorite styles of all time!
Listening to: Mirror Mirror
Kill Me Now, Plz
Category: School and Life
So, after much rushing and sloppy work, I finally got my art project done. Staying up to 2 am is not that fun on a school night...I wish I had more time to work on it, but sadly, I must live with it as it is. Managed to find my way into her room this morning so that I didn't have to carry it around all day xD
So I had to be pretty late to vis com yesterday...I still managed to get the day's work done with 40 minutes left, while other students had the whole period and didn't finish...is there something wrong here?
So I had to be pretty late to vis com yesterday...I still managed to get the day's work done with 40 minutes left, while other students had the whole period and didn't finish...is there something wrong here?
Arts and Stuffs :P
Category: School and Life
I'm cutting it close with my Altered Book Project! Ended up spending my "weekend of art homework" on cleaning out my whole room, and boy, did my room need it. The closet is nearly empty, but actually useable! Got a new art desk, so actually using it to draw on will be possible :). New shelves were also in order, and they look great in my room (I've even got a little Japanese corner XD).
In other art class news, turned in my portfolio to my teacher...dear God, help me DX. Is it sad that my best works were from freshmen year? (kinda lets you know how much I liked the 2 years after....). I did, however, put in a lot of my sketches of concepts and such. If anything, concept sketching is my strong point. I don't care too much for making it all look pretty and nice, its getting down a unique idea that appeals to me. I hope that Lapka, being the awesome teacher that she is, notices that and likes it x3
In other art class news, turned in my portfolio to my teacher...dear God, help me DX. Is it sad that my best works were from freshmen year? (kinda lets you know how much I liked the 2 years after....). I did, however, put in a lot of my sketches of concepts and such. If anything, concept sketching is my strong point. I don't care too much for making it all look pretty and nice, its getting down a unique idea that appeals to me. I hope that Lapka, being the awesome teacher that she is, notices that and likes it x3
A New Journey
Category: School and Life, Video Games
So I've started a tiny bit on my book project in art class, where we make some sort of 3d model that incorporates books somehow. I plan on doing a scene from one of my all-time favorite games, Journey. That game was so artistic, I can't help but use it in an art project. Thank God dad is helping me out with it. We just have a few pieces of styrofoam pasted together, ready to be sanded and cut, but he is definitely saving a lot of time for me. Luv ya Dad! x3
Radial Sakura Sky
Category: School and Life, Japanese
Unfortunately, I don't have a completed version of this on my computer, but here is the main idea of my vis com project. Of course, thinking about Japanese stuff again XD. I'm actually surprised at how well this turned out in the short amount of time I spent on it. I've been finished for a while, yet most people are still halfway, while some are just now starting. I guess being somewhat familiar with photo manipulation programs helps quite a bit...
AP Art Starts Now!
Category: School and Life
I've finally been given the AP Art assignment of creating my 24 pictures throughout the year. I have to think of a theme to base 12 pictures off of for one portfolio, and then another 12 that show variety in my work, or breadth. I'm sure I'm going to end up doing Japanese stuff for my theme based half, but for my breadth half I think I'm going to sneak in a theme by showing the variety in video game art styles. I'll have to ask about the second half to make sure its alright, but that's my mindset at the moment
Creative Writing Class...
Category: School and Life
So far Creative writing class is…different. I’m not used to having classes purely online. I tend to forget about this class until the last moment because I’m not physically handed anything by anyone in person…
I’m sure I’ll adjust though! I kinda have to lol. Its just change, which nobody likes to do most of the time. I’ll just have to deal with it lol.
Hopefully soon I’ll actually start drawing more and posting stuff here instead of just letting it sit here and decay…but for now, さよなら
I’m sure I’ll adjust though! I kinda have to lol. Its just change, which nobody likes to do most of the time. I’ll just have to deal with it lol.
Hopefully soon I’ll actually start drawing more and posting stuff here instead of just letting it sit here and decay…but for now, さよなら