Phew!
I am sweating already, so where do I start?
This has been my most challenging month of the year so far… or definitely one of them at least. I have been spending the past 9 days with practice on traditional figure drawing and video shooting and editing and I practically haven’t done anything else. I shut myself off from my social groups, realigned my schedule and relocated my furniture to be working more efficiently. Prior to that point, I barely even remember what I did all day, let alone how I started this month. But according to my weekly status updates, I have been practising and studying beforehand… which is good, gives me the comfort of not having to judge my former self xD
I am wondering though why I was even considering I could have time for personal projects… During this one and a half week, I only had one evening where I could relax a bit and do something else than work – if you can call it that.
Anyway, I should make this a quick one, since I got a lot of stuff to do today.
Souvillaine – Scrapper
This one took longer than you might think… or even I think for that matter, I barely remember the process and what I did simultaneously. I do remember that I spent some additional time cleaning up my lines but that all in all, it didn’t take that long and I could hop over to rendering very quickly. But I do remember what a hassle it was to compose this scene, as I couldn’t decide where to place my character to not take away from the vehicle. What I’m happy about is how seamless the design of both figures was and that I went the extra mile to add some detail here and there, my only criticism to myself would be the metal rendering in some places.
Zavi – Hunting down the Nightmares
Fortunately, I was able to finish this one before my weeks of torment began xD This way I can close the month and not be embarrassed of myself. I like this artwork very much and it was fun to work on. From start to finish, it was intended to make this as polished as my endurance allowed. I designed multiple sketches for pose and outfit and it definitely was a good thing I did that. What I would have added there in retrospect would be some additional facial expressions because I’m not sure this one is the best fitting. All in all this took a max of 10 days, given that I also practised daily and somehow wanted to play games in between :I
Gosh, how I miss digital drawing and playing games! >M<
Anyway, I digress. I really like this drawing and I’m happy whenever I can make my favourite character some justice ^v^
This was intended to be part of a three image-series but I couldn’t embrace the opportunity due to my exams. Maybe there’s time for it in the future, but that leads me to something I need to get off my chest here…
This month but especially the past week, I repeatedly thought about doing another break from Social Media. You might not even know that I had undertaken one previously and that’s because my fellowship – apart from those I hold close and dear now – grew after I returned from that break. And that is part of why I am considering it; I felt like I was stagnating, I didn’t develop as much as I intend to and my works also share the same monotone feeling. I want to explore more artistic mediums and my application for university only strengthened this desire.
But the decision is harder than it was the first time. I have grown fond of you all, especially seeing your artworks and hearing your thoughts about it and the unfathomable feedback I get from you! Really, I don’t think there’s a way I could do this break without the connection to you, so I think I will have to compromise. I might keep up my interactions – with some limitations – but won’t post any artwork, and the monthly reflections, maybe even the status updates will continue.
But all this is still very vague in my mind. A good date to make a decision would be until the end of the year to have that spot in my life to remember back to. And I am looking forward to that annual reflection, I think like I have a lot to say xD
Alright, now that I have dropped the bomb, I would love to hear what you have to say about it. You are the ones who help me with the decision this time and I don’t think I can make it without you.
I will be open about this topic in the status updates leading towards the festive days and the end of the year because I want to make sure it is a gradual process leading up to my decision.
I also went through my journals to find the announcement of my last “break” – of which I didn’t know it was one. Reading through it was somewhat uncomfortable and kinda alien to me xD I think if you read it, you will notice what I mean:
Maybe the Last Monthly Reflection? #04 September
Anyway, I’ll finish this now so I can… get… to… work… again.
I wish you all a lovely month! It is near Christmas time already and everyone is making sure you notice, right? xD
See you again whenever you feel like it! ^v^
~Souvillaine