kneaded erasers

Between portfolio making, I've been playing around with this odd little eraser my mom gave me. I only used charcoal once on personal artwork, but I guess she figured I'd be using it more if I have the right tools with me. ...Except the fact that they're malleable makes them so much fun! This is when my A.D.D kicks in and I completely forget that this is an eraser and not clay... woops.

almost christmas!

It's been a rough couple of days for me, thinking about school and life and all those complicated things, so I'm glad it's almost christmas time! Wear those ugly christmas sweaters proudly!

warm-up doodles

Sometimes, when I'm about to work on a more detailed piece, I have a specific ritual I use to warm up. First, I start with an observation drawing. I try to do it without letting my pencil get off the paper so that my drawing hand is more relaxed.

When my hand's loosened enough and drawing feels natural again, I start feeling more comfortable drawing in my own style. I doodle characters, usually busts.

After I'm tired of that, I head on to photoshop and get drawing! Sometimes, I make relatively nice things. Other times, I end up making something like this:

Drawing for me can get pretty unpredictable...! xD

Back for good - a chart of progress

Ever since last summer ended, I had to take a break from blogging for a while to focus on my studies. But now that my studies are looking more and more like actual professional work, I'm back! I've been drawn back (pun intended) by the amazing artists and animators whose work on blogger constantly inspire me to make more art and be the best that I can be. Here's a progress chart I've made of my work in the past year since you last saw me.

OH MAN, LOOK AT ALL THAT PROGRESS!
My style's definitely changed a lot since last summer. I guess you can say I was under pressure to get out of my "anime/manga phase" with all that portfolio stress going on. Turns out, the western animation industry isn't too fond of the style, which is completely understandable. Too many kids come up to them with anime girls of the same style all over their portfolios. I was glad I learned that lesson early, or I never would have made it past the portfolio review day, which I totally nailed, by the way! I thought they'd send me back home with my tail between my legs but they were very pleased with my work and looked forward to evaluating my completed portfolio for the real application day later this march. HOW COOL IS THAT?! I have to say, I never expected such great feedback, especially since I panicked so much about my work since it was so close to wannabe anime, before. Now I have way more confidence than I ever had and my ego is pleasantly purring. :)

What about you, fellow followers? How much have you progressed since the summer?