Reflection #15 – November 18

What? Is it there already?

 No, winter is still not here. But The end of the year is no far from now.

 This month slipped by like nothing else, one weekend followed the next, in between rushed days of learning and studying and stressful, stressy days. It’s not just me, right? I’ve heard from a lot of people how stressed out they were and how they’re yearning to finally get into the holidays. Me too… but who knows, maybe it’s just the the view of the times of relaxation and celebration approaching that make our current days seem more stressful?

Anyway, I’ve tried to make the best of this month, art wise…

 It might not have worked out the way I originally intended, but this month was supposed to be Vietnam-War related. As a matter of fact to somehow recap the historic events during this last big, finished war in History. A very inspiring setting for me an, as I had hoped, would keep my artistic captivation going throughout November. Plus, the movies I watched around this time only contributed to this idea (my favourite being Apocalypse Now). But I underestimated the time I had, or rather: the time I didn’t have.

 this is the best I came up with this month:

Artwork

Straight to Hell

The first artwork was supposed to follow the steps of a young, ignorant soldier to came to war and experience hell. Naturally, enthusiasm comes to me when thinking about helicopters and holding a big MG so the setting was easily chosen. I learned some easy ways to establish precise curves with my new Program Clip Studio Paint and got somewhat more familiar with it. Even though I have a full month of experience with it, I think there’s a lot more to work up with it. I realized how easy it is to create a custom brush and since I cannot quite work with my given tools yet, I plan on making my very own, personal brushes to increase my workflow.

Spyro Reignited

If I was so driven to work all around Vietnam this month, why did I have to disrupt their natural flow? Well, of two simple reasons:

 1. the 13th of November is my anniversary on this platform. For my fourth year on DeviantArt, I actually wanted to recreate one of my first images I put up here and compare the difference in time affecting style, composition and general rendering capabilities.

 2. as if it wasn’t coincidence enough that I first started with Fanart of my beloved video game franchise; Spyro, it also happened that the Reignited Trilogy came out the exact day I ‘celebrated’ my anniversary. So the theme of the image was set: it’s gonna be Spyro again. And I had quite some fun with this artwork. Not only could I experiment with lighting more, I also could try out some background painting. 

Renegades and Partisans

The last Vietnam War themed artwork is this here. An unofficial Art Trade with marcioo9 so to speak. The idea to include our characters to show the other side of the War actually came before November had started. Only the setting and scenery has varied many times before I came up with a sketch that I was happy with. I enjoy drawing sets of landscape, especially if they serve for a place for my character to show off. And although I enjoyed this very much, I think it’s time to back off a little and focus on other things…

Upcoming work & Preplanning

I don’t have a holiday artwork planned yet, I don’t know if I can manage that timely. So December will be focused on more simpler images. First of all, I want to deal with some rendering studies to improve on achieving detail on my characters, maybe I’ll start painting over my outlines for a change.

 Also I want to improve my use of facial expressions. I want to try some more exaggerated looks to show off some more energy and character through faces. So I figure a lot of headshots or icons will follow.

 I had to drop the actual conclusion of my Vietnam project and the originally planned art trade will be moved to a later date. How much of Christmas will shine through this year, I am uncertain, but at least I can spend this one with you on deviantArt this time. The next reflection I’ll put out in the new year of 2019 will be dedicated to a yearly recap, including my favourite pieces of the entire year, I assume and who the most important artist were for me. Oh, I’m already excited to do that! ^v^

Shoutout

Here is where I honour all the wonderful artists I found this month. Don’t hesitate to check their profiles out!

 Heyriel

 This artist is doing a wonderful job with scenery, especially landscape oriented. The paintings often feature real landscapes from Skyrim and additionally, she draws animals and anthros (especially felines) wonderfully, with a lot of time and effort put in the small details. Heyriel doesn’t upload often, but when she does, at least I know it’s been worth the wait.

 88grzes (Grzegorz Rutkowski)
 I’m not really into trading cards or card playing (except the old fashioned ones) but I do know and respect the fact how each and every one of those cards have beautiful artwork on them and naturally there comes wonderful fanart, right? Grzegorz is great at capturing this spectacular world of Magic the Gathering but other, more Victorian-oriented paintings. I highly adore the talent here and am gladly looking up to an artist like him.

 Darbaras
 Sadly someone who hasn’t uploaded something for two years. But the artworks are amazing regardless. If you are an aspirant in character-to-scenery art I highly recommend you to check out this gallery for inspiration.

That’s it for this month’s reflection!
 See you at the start of the new year, I wish you a wonderful Christmas and a happy New Years Eve

 ~Souvillaine