What else is there to say? These are posts that don’t necessarily fall into any other category. Regardless, enjoy~
The dreaded job search. . . where do I even begin? It really has a way of shattering your sense of self-worth. Maybe it's the act of condensing who you are onto a sheet of printer paper, only to have it tossed into the recycling bin. Or knowing that AI software combed through your application and deemed you thoroughly unworthy to even be assessed by a living, breathing person. . .
But this world is littered with imperfection. It's a shame that it takes a global pandemic for us to realize this. I've been reaching out to a wide range of people. Some I'm in contact with on a regular basis, and others I haven spoken with in a while. Tense times bring about social unity—even during a time of social isolation.
. . . I didn't feel 100% about my love for art, and was afraid to fully come to terms with what this experience meant. So before deciding to jump back into creativity, after what I labelled a moment of "artist block", I purchased a Parisian paint-by-numbers set and slowly chipped away at it. Note, that it's been about 3 months and I'm less than a quarter of the way through. . .
I'm convinced that 90% who've made it this far are bound to complete the entire challenge—I mean, we're already in so deep, it would be ludicrous to turn back now. So far, I say that Sketchtember made for major improvement in my ability to illustrate. Since I'm currently inking my sketching, the process is just making what already exists more permanent. Huevember, on the other hand, will be quite the adventure. Coloring isn't exactly my forte, so it'll be interesting to partake in the challenge.
This was my first time stepping out of my university's sketch club and joining the wider art community at large. It was nice, and I felt personally rewarded in taking initiative to go on my own. There were a ton of prizes being given out, and I mean a ton. I'm surprised everyone didn't walk out with something. I certainly didn't. But it was fine because I created the following piece:
. . . but unlike last year, this year my art development is climbing on my priority list. Hence why I've participated in Sketchtember, and currently partaking in Inktober, and will also hang in there until the bitter end of Huevember. My art has improved since the year prior, and for that I am insanely proud. Hard work most definitely pays off so long as you focus your energy on the things that you care about. Rather than posting from the first 3 days of #Inktober2019, I will share videos from my Inktober series on my YouTube channel . . .
Your sketchbook is a space for experimentation. It's a space for you to try out different mediums and styles until you decide what clicks. It's a way to test out ideas before you make your mark on a canvas or high-quality art paper. Sketchbooks are supposed to be messy. Now this is a mindset that took me two and a half years to grow into. I've come to realize that the better you become at art, the easier it is to give yourself permission to get down and dirty.
Starting a brand new sketchbook is probably one of the best feelings in the realm of traditional art. It represents a fresh start—a step forward in your art development. Hopefully this chapter proceeds completing a previous sketchbook (unless you're the type to leave yours halfway when starting a new one).
. . . Artist Alleys—areas of an event solely dedicated to artists of various skill levels to display and sell their artwork in various forms—are fairly common in popular culture conventions as well. The amount of artwork showcased by local artists is a major appeal of many geek-culture conventions. . . Despite being unique and intriguing, fan art's value is a controversial topic within the artist community. Arguments against fan art frequently include the lack of originality of the work and it's impediment on Copyright regulations, as characters and/or settings showcased in fan art are not owned by the "fan artist". However, there's something truly inspiring about seeing artists recreate well-loved characters from their own perspectives and in their own styles.