MerMay 2022

It happened, and it kicked my tail. No pun intended ;)

But the important thing is, I FINISHED. On the last day of May! No catching up for me:)

April 2022

Still chugging at that drawing every day train! It’s hard. I’m working ahead, but it’s sooo weird to see the numbers go into the triple digits O.o I’m running out of steam for the digital paintings, but Really into marker drawing sin my sketchbook! so expect to see more of those:) I’m still working ahead, becasue honestly, I know myself and know I won’t produce one piece of art a day :P

Why I'm quitting Instagram

Quitting Instagram and Tumblr for Lent was really, really, good for me. I was more productive, much less addicted to checking my phone every hour, and overall more happy with myself, my body, and my art.

Lately, Instagram has felt like throwing my art into a hole, hoping my follower count would go up.

I drew fan art I didn’t want to in the hopes of gaining followers. While I got some cool series out of it, it wasn’t what I really wanted to draw.

I researched how to please the algorithm, which changed constantly, as soon as I felt like i was on top of it. I even had a sticky note on my desk telling me the optimal times for posting each day.

This realization blew my mind. I charge people for my art. While I know lots of people use instagram as a way to show people their art, but in the end, Instagram profits off of YOUR art. Not paying you a dime, and punishing you if you don’t produce enough or enough of the right media.

Kind of dramatic, but you get the idea. I’m thoroughly disenchanted with social media as a whole, and happy to leave it behind

So I don’t know what comes next. I think I’m going to post once at the end of each month, with my favorite artworks of the month and point people here, to my website. I’d like to make this more the home for my art, and be a weird little house you can visit and see what I’m up to:)

What do you think? How do you feel about social media? I’ve heard both sides - I know it’s important as an artist to be visible to people, but there has to be a better way that living on Mark Suckerberg’s little app.

Jade Torch characters

So I forgot to include these in the February post. They are characters of my friend from her original story, called Jade Torch. You can check out her website and instagram! She also has some amazing fan art as well:)

I’ve read the drafts and LOVE the story and all these characters! She’s also like, RIDICULOUSLY good at outfit designs. Because the project isn’t complete, I’ll only be adding the names with bare minimum of detail:)

King Kent and Queen Zethar

Prince Gabryl

Princess Lune - dragonrider!

Korthi

Cam

Kenneth

Cas

Aril, my personal favorite character:)

March 2022

So I stopped using Instagram and Tumblr.

It’s amazing. I highly recommend it, even if it’s only for a week.

The first day without it, I had the urge to check Instagram 48 times (I kept track). The second day it had halved, and two weeks later, I rarely, if ever, want to check it. It’s so crazy how much my brain has changed since then - this sounds dramatic, but I really am paying attention to stuff and people around me more, reading more, and my attention span is soooo much longer. I’m more productive, and most importantly, my art process has changed from “what will people like” to “what do I want to draw” which is such a healthier mindset:)

Anyways’ here’s March’s art dump! (I’m still trying to draw something every day, even if it means working ahead).

February 2022 (drawing every day)

At it again! The shortest month of the year. The same amount of way too detailed art. My goal is to draw (post) every day for a year. As of today, that’s 59 BRAND NEW pieces of art in 2022! Even if I do no more but these, I’ll I’ll be satisfied with all I’ve done already :)

January 2022 (drawing every day)

So, I was inspired by gbsketch on tumblr. They’ve been posting every day for over TEN YEARS. Not quite my goal, but shoot for the stars amirite. Anyways, here’s the art I did for January! Notice how it gets more complex and time consuming as time goes on. You would think it would be the other way, but nooo I can’t do anything simple.

(I’m working ahead because I know myself. She she’s a huge procrastinator and sucker for instant gratification and not to be trusted.)

Barbie (Illustration Series)

Who else LOVED Barbie movies as a kid? (and now!)

Instead of drawing Disney princesses this year, I draw the main characters of the Barbie movies in the early 2000’s. Island Princess was slightly past my time, but I wanted a nice round 9 illustrations:)

The sketch

The final

Which movie was your favorite? It’s so hard to pick, but mine has to be Rapunzel:)

Disney Princess series (2020)

I usually kick off the year with a disney princess series (by usually, I mean the past two years). This year, I’m doing a Barbie series on instagram (here!) But, I never posted the disney princesses for 2020 here:)

My thoughts about each of these are below - I am thinking about redrawing some of these for stickers. Whjat do you think?

Hunchback of Notre Dame is SO good, and I like this drawing

I like the flow of thise

I like the dynamic of this, especially compared to the Frozen II drawing

Aww they love each other:)

Brave was good! I came around to it eventually. Give us more feral female protagonists

I love this one, and gave a print to my niece to hang on her wall!

easily my favorite of these. I LOVE the gradiant of black to teal, and the SHAPES

this one could use some reworking, and slightly less detail, I think

I surprisingly like this. It could stand some reworking though

Megara, sass queen. Her background harkens to Hades’ colors.

my girl! I like this, but it would be better with linework instead of lineless art

Definitely my least favorite of these, and the least imaginative! I had a mermaid, and all the shapes that come with it! what was I thinking.

I struggled a lot with Belle’s shape here. I think I could do better nowadays:)

Mulan’s blue dress is my favorite, but I like her ceremonial dress too

what do you think? I prefer the 2021 series, but I think this one has potential for reworking:)

painting sketches (that I WILL finish is 2022)

I might. I want to. But painting is soooo rough. That means it’s GOOD for me and I NEED to do it more. Augh.

rain-soaked bride running towards a stained glass chapel

inspired by a mbmbam episode. let me know if you know the one:)

bridge in weird colors

myth of Pyglamion and Galatea

medusa??? maybe?

Crew of Light Genderbent (Dracula)

These correspond with my designs for Dracula characters now!

Doctor Seward is pretty sad and uptight. Quianna Morris is a temperamental Annie Oakley type. Artura Holmwood is elegant and reserved. Joanna Harker is fearless and loving. And Sarah Van Helsing is the eccentric wise aunt who bursts into your house at Christmas with expensive presents from overseas and wine.

And of course, Mina and Jonathan Harker sketches. Why do all Dracula adaptions ignore their love? 🥺

The Wrath of Hera

What a beautiful and terrible goddess. I wish she was in the Hades game. I bet she would give the best boons.

The speedpaint on youtube is here

Gideon the Ninth

The Locked Tomb by Tamsyn Muir, is a thoroughly excellent series about necromancers in space, a murder mystery, a psychological horror, and just really, really funny. Don’t read if you don’t like beautiful and horrific descriptions of bones, though. Here is the speedpaint on youtube

hhhngg big sword

skull makeup!

skinny sketches

Weirdly shaped drawings happen when I have weirdly shaped pieces of illustration board left over

Lady Persephone

Lady Persephone

Maiden in a Window

Maiden in a Window

A Fox and Her Lady

Two entities pass each other in the forest

A Fox and Her Lady

A Fox and Her Lady

Jungle Explorers (old school project)

This was one whole semester’s worth of work! I thumbnailed, sketched, composed, and rendered these four drawings. The basic idea was to learn to draw landscapes, choose realistic color palettes, and tell a story of two adventurers in South America. Looking back at these, I love the sketches so much more than the final product (but that’s normal for me) :P It’s weird looking at art from three years ago and seeing such an improvement in my current work!

Jungle sketch.jpg
Jungle
temple sketch
temple
waterfall sketch
waterfall
city sketch
city

Star Wars Month!

May was crazy! To celebrate May The Fourth be with you, I created a Star Wars series with four main characters paired with flowers that represented them and a color scheme for each trilogy (and game). How much time did I spend deciding on flowers and color schemes? Don’t worry about it! Here they are!

The Child

He stands adorably the midst of some buttercups, which represent humility, neatness, and childishness.

 
baby yoda.JPG
 

The Original trilogy.

Heather represents luck and protection - and who is more lucky and protective than Chewbacca? I originally was going to draw Lando, but Chewie is in all three movies, and has more characterization and even more screentime in the other trilogies.

Heather represents luck and protection - and who is more lucky and protective than Chewbacca? I originally was going to draw Lando, but Chewie is in all three movies, and has more characterization and even more screentime in the other trilogies.

Violets represent bravery and are a homage to Ophelia - who had a tragic death. Han Solo is the very brave and lucky, and sadly, we all know his fate. Still, while he lived, he returned to danger in spite of himself to save his friends.

Violets represent bravery and are a homage to Ophelia - who had a tragic death. Han Solo is the very brave and lucky, and sadly, we all know his fate. Still, while he lived, he returned to danger in spite of himself to save his friends.

The purple iris means royalty, and being alone. Leia, princess, but has no people - this flower encapsulates her beauty and beating, and her tragedy.

The purple iris means royalty, and being alone. Leia, princess, but has no people - this flower encapsulates her beauty and beating, and her tragedy.

Crocuses are the first flowers to bloom after the snow, sometimes even poking through it. Almost like... a new hope? Luke Skywalker is a very kind and loving person. I chose the moment he throws away his lightsaber in Return of the Jedi and these particular flowers because he IS the first flower after a snow, the start of something new.

Crocuses are the first flowers to bloom after the snow, sometimes even poking through it. Almost like... a new hope? Luke Skywalker is a very kind and loving person. I chose the moment he throws away his lightsaber in Return of the Jedi and these particular flowers because he IS the first flower after a snow, the start of something new.

The Prequels

Poppies symbolize peace and death, and are worn in remembrance of those died fighting. QuiGon Jinn was the first who died in the Emperor’s war, when it still secret. I chose to frame the flowers this way because it reminds me of pictures of saints and martyrs in a church.

Poppies symbolize peace and death, and are worn in remembrance of those died fighting. QuiGon Jinn was the first who died in the Emperor’s war, when it still secret. I chose to frame the flowers this way because it reminds me of pictures of saints and martyrs in a church.

The red aster represents wisdom - and who is more wise than Obi Wan Kenobi? The flowers are arranged around his head like a halo, symbolizing his role in life as a good man and his eventual fate.

The red aster represents wisdom - and who is more wise than Obi Wan Kenobi? The flowers are arranged around his head like a halo, symbolizing his role in life as a good man and his eventual fate.

Padme means Lotus - and the lotus represents, among other things, purity. Padme Amidala remained faithful to the Republic and her people, trying to do what was right for them.

Padme means Lotus - and the lotus represents, among other things, purity. Padme Amidala remained faithful to the Republic and her people, trying to do what was right for them.

Red hydrangeas signify boasting. Pride was Anakin Skywalker’s fatal flaw. I didn’t want to choose a flower that represented death or betrayal or anything like that; the fatal flaw in a character is the most compelling thing about them!

Red hydrangeas signify boasting. Pride was Anakin Skywalker’s fatal flaw. I didn’t want to choose a flower that represented death or betrayal or anything like that; the fatal flaw in a character is the most compelling thing about them!

The Sequels

Marigolds symbolize loyalty. From his friends to the rebellion, Poe is loyal to a fault. I personally liked his decision to try and take over the rebellion! It’s a very star wars thing to do.

Marigolds symbolize loyalty. From his friends to the rebellion, Poe is loyal to a fault. I personally liked his decision to try and take over the rebellion! It’s a very star wars thing to do.

Dandelions thrive in harsh environments - Finn was kidnapped, raised by space fascists, and still managed to break free and grow.

Dandelions thrive in harsh environments - Finn was kidnapped, raised by space fascists, and still managed to break free and grow.

California Poppies grow in the desert. The hillsides practically glow with their vibrancy. Rey is a beautiful flower thriving in the desert. Also, her lightsaber is at an angle! I just realized it looks quite foreshortened :P

California Poppies grow in the desert. The hillsides practically glow with their vibrancy. Rey is a beautiful flower thriving in the desert. Also, her lightsaber is at an angle! I just realized it looks quite foreshortened :P

Orange lilies signify pride. Like his grandfather, Kylo Ren struggles with his ego. Unlike Anakin, Kylo Ren’s pride isn’t quite as justified... :P (notice the lightsaber cutting through the lilies!)

Orange lilies signify pride. Like his grandfather, Kylo Ren struggles with his ego. Unlike Anakin, Kylo Ren’s pride isn’t quite as justified... :P (notice the lightsaber cutting through the lilies!)

Knights of the Old Republic

Blue Hyacinths represent constancy. Carth is their first companion, the one who sticks by Revan’s side - even after finding out their true identity. He was always my favorite character, and it took me like 5 playthroughs to figure out how to romance him.

Blue Hyacinths represent constancy. Carth is their first companion, the one who sticks by Revan’s side - even after finding out their true identity. He was always my favorite character, and it took me like 5 playthroughs to figure out how to romance him.

Gentians symbolize justice and temper. Bastila is quite concerned with balance, but struggles with anger. I used to hate her, but I’ve realized she was a teenager thrust into an important, scary role! No wonder she’s so bossy

Gentians symbolize justice and temper. Bastila is quite concerned with balance, but struggles with anger. I used to hate her, but I’ve realized she was a teenager thrust into an important, scary role! No wonder she’s so bossy

Forget-me-nots, picked for irony’s sake. Revan is covered in them, flowing with them. They need forget-me-nots in spades. Revan is definitely one of my favorite characters in all of Star Wars (canon or NOT)


Forget-me-nots, picked for irony’s sake. Revan is covered in them, flowing with them. They need forget-me-nots in spades. Revan is definitely one of my favorite characters in all of Star Wars (canon or NOT)

Monkshood are never put in bouquets - because they are very deadly. These flowers are a warning and mean betrayal. Darth Malak - former friend of Revan - betrayed them, and took their place as Sith Lord.

Monkshood are never put in bouquets - because they are very deadly. These flowers are a warning and mean betrayal. Darth Malak - former friend of Revan - betrayed them, and took their place as Sith Lord.

Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords

Periwinkles mean new beginnings. Atton has quite a tragic, bloody past - but he has the chance to start over, be it dark or light.

Periwinkles mean new beginnings. Atton has quite a tragic, bloody past - but he has the chance to start over, be it dark or light.

Morning glories signify love in vain. The Exile has searched for love, not knowing what she was looking for, from friends, to lovers, to followers. My Exile is named Arusha :)

Morning glories signify love in vain. The Exile has searched for love, not knowing what she was looking for, from friends, to lovers, to followers. My Exile is named Arusha :)

Lavender stands for distrust. Kreia holds the Exile’s hand until the end, before she reveals her true self. Kreia is super suspicious the WHOLE game, and no one aboard the Ebon Hawk trusts her, including the exile.

Lavender stands for distrust. Kreia holds the Exile’s hand until the end, before she reveals her true self. Kreia is super suspicious the WHOLE game, and no one aboard the Ebon Hawk trusts her, including the exile.

Mycena Galopus are a glowing mushroom, which feed off dead flesh, much like Nihilus feeds off the Living Force. He is the Exile’s counterpart; they are both “black holes in the Force”. I always loved his character, as un-fleshed out (haha) as it was.

Mycena Galopus are a glowing mushroom, which feed off dead flesh, much like Nihilus feeds off the Living Force. He is the Exile’s counterpart; they are both “black holes in the Force”. I always loved his character, as un-fleshed out (haha) as it was.