Read more about the article The PROPER Way to Use a Sketchbook – Allowing Yourself to Create Messy Art
Sometimes life is a little messy—just like art.

The PROPER Way to Use a Sketchbook – Allowing Yourself to Create Messy Art

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.

Continue ReadingThe PROPER Way to Use a Sketchbook – Allowing Yourself to Create Messy Art
Read more about the article “I Hate my Art” – Negative Views on Your Art Progression
The struggle is real. . .

“I Hate my Art” – Negative Views on Your Art Progression

. . . also, and I say this with all of the care in the world, you should never put down your art. Whether you created a piece a decade age, or 10 minutes ago, and regardless of whether it was a “good” or “bad” art day. Every piece represents a journey; an attempt, and a step forward in learning and growing.

Continue Reading“I Hate my Art” – Negative Views on Your Art Progression
Read more about the article Growing as an Artist – Talk to the Hand
Fries with a side of sass, please.

Growing as an Artist – Talk to the Hand

It's a great feeling to look back at your old artwork and see general improvement when you compare it to the newer pages of your sketchbook; however, it's absolutely exhilarating to acknowledge your growth in so many different areas while you're in the midst of creating an illustration. This is one of the latest pages in my sketchbook, and although simple, shows how far I've come as an aspiring artist.

Continue ReadingGrowing as an Artist – Talk to the Hand
Read more about the article Creating Art with Personality – Pernille Ørum Artist Spotlight
Bright, distinct, fun. . . Pernilleoerum is not an artist you want to challenge ;)

Creating Art with Personality – Pernille Ørum Artist Spotlight

Bold. Daring. Vivid. Clean. These are just a few of the adjectives that I'd use to describe Pernille Orum's artwork. Pernille's character designs are very distinct. Her style is reminiscent of high-quality 2D animation; her use of colors and shading are bold and flat; and her color selection is flawlessly harmonious. . . Whether it's a quirk of an eyebrow to the way a character's arms are positioned, Pernille's character designs project subtle mannerisms that speaks wonders. . .

Continue ReadingCreating Art with Personality – Pernille Ørum Artist Spotlight
Read more about the article The Beauty of Starting a New Sketchbook – The Proper Way to Use Your Sketchbook
One of the best feelings in the world is cracking open a fresh sketchbook and making it yours.

The Beauty of Starting a New Sketchbook – The Proper Way to Use Your Sketchbook

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).

Continue ReadingThe Beauty of Starting a New Sketchbook – The Proper Way to Use Your Sketchbook
Read more about the article Best Medium for Learning Color? – Prismacolor Premiers
Have you ever used colored pencils that are as smooth as butter?

Best Medium for Learning Color? – Prismacolor Premiers

There are a plethora of mediums that you can use to add color to your work—the world is truly your oyster in the art arena. However, if you haven't played around with many mediums, the colored pencil is one of the easiest to pick up. It offers its user more control than some less predictable mediums (e.g. watercolors), and the semi-permanence of it allows room for mistakes. . .

Continue ReadingBest Medium for Learning Color? – Prismacolor Premiers
Read more about the article My Coming-of-Age Art Journey (Part 1) – Finding Inspiration
My art journey ~ beginning at the humble age of 20 years old.

My Coming-of-Age Art Journey (Part 1) – Finding Inspiration

Life is a funny lady. You think you know who you are and what you want, but then the beautiful mistress decides that it's the perfect time to smack you with a surprise. I was 20 years old when I fell into the pursuit of art as a hobby—hence the name of this blog. Before this, I didn't have anything I could really call a dedicated "pass time". The only thing that came close, if you detract the sense of learning and growth, was watching the latest and greatest of animated works. . .

Continue ReadingMy Coming-of-Age Art Journey (Part 1) – Finding Inspiration
Read more about the article How to Meet Other Artists – The Importance of Joining an Art Community
10 points to anyone who understands where this reference is from.

How to Meet Other Artists – The Importance of Joining an Art Community

Joining an art community is detrimental when you're starting out in your creative venture. The connection that you develop with other creatives is such a powerful bond. Their encouragement is strong enough to deter you from giving up all together when you lack confidence in your work. And watching them work is encouraging enough to give you the confidence to create.

Continue ReadingHow to Meet Other Artists – The Importance of Joining an Art Community
Read more about the article Watching Your Art Improve – Secret Spot
Inspired by my secret spot on a Brazilian farm in the middle of nowhere.

Watching Your Art Improve – Secret Spot

Alone time is difficult to come by on the farm that I'm currently staying at. I share a room with my dad and brother, in a space that doesn't accommodate much outside of 3 beds and a dresser. My little cousins are also on holiday from school at the moment; hence, there are about 5 kids between the ages of 5-13 in this house at a given moment. Practicing art becomes quite difficult when children are constantly hovering over you while you're attempting to be creative—and even more difficult when they try to play with your limited (and expensive) art supplies, but I digress. . .

Continue ReadingWatching Your Art Improve – Secret Spot
Read more about the article “Why Am I Not Getting Better At Drawing?” – Building a Daily Drawing Habit
Time to build better art habits.

“Why Am I Not Getting Better At Drawing?” – Building a Daily Drawing Habit

Watching her sketch made me realize that I have leaps and bounds to go. I can't keep using my "beginner" status as an excuse to create sub par art; rather, I need to actively spend time every day to develop my skills and eye for the craft. . .

Continue Reading“Why Am I Not Getting Better At Drawing?” – Building a Daily Drawing Habit