Entry 15: What a Process!

Hey Crew!

My oh my, things have not been slowing down, huh? Does anyone else feel as though it has been years instead of just 6 months into this year? ‘Cause I feel like I have lived a lifetime already and I am in another reincarnations lifetime. This is bananas. I know I have no certain return date for work or anything going back to some sort of “normal” any time soon. And everyone is holding their collective breathe for this second wave that is bound to hit us hard. We are in the middle of history repeating itself, but most of the people that are in charge are refusing to see it. And I think that is the scariest part of it all. Please listen up, remember to take care of yourself. Remember unplug for a moment. Remember to not burn yourself out. Please use this time to grow. Use this time to learn something new. Use this time to unlearn something toxic. Use this time to find yourself. Please remember you are not alone, you are loved, and you can grow. I’m going to try my damnest to be that calm oasis for you. I’ve got your back. I promise.

Quarantine Challenge Project #12- Re-do: Dragon

I made this back in September of 2010. 10 years ago. How did I get into art school again? I’m so funny, I know. I am not sure where I was trying to go with this. It kind of looks like a cross between a snake and a bug. And that position of the head…. Like what?? Any sort of improvement will do wonders for it.

I started with some research on dragons. I looked at a bunch of pieces that other artists have made of dragons. I looked at historical and modern interpretations of the mythical creature. And although I saw some wonderful and creative pieces, nothing was sparking interest for me. So I started to look to actual nature. That is when I knew that I was going to hit the jackpot. I came across this Peruvian Dragon snake that was the perfect head, and then I used the body of a Monitor lizard, and the wings of a bat. And it looks a little like this:

I have figured out how to push my work to another level. I am really good at drawing what I can see. But somehow when I try to draw what I see in my mind it turns out to be dumpster fire. So I have found away around it. I create this kind of chimera like image of something that shows me what I truly want to create. The one thing I want to express to just budding artists out there is that you are only as good as your references. That can be anything from books, to life experiences, to internet image searches. And then the next lesson that you need to learn is PRACTICE, PRACTICE, and patience.

After I have a solid drawing, I start the illustration process. And I am exploring markers as a medium. I have subscriptions to Art Snack and SketchBox monthly boxes. Because of these boxes I have been trying lots of new mediums and techniques that I would have never tried otherwise. So far, I have found a new love with alcohol based markers. I’ve been wanting to do a full illustration with markers for a while, but I haven’t had the color range that I would like. So I purchased a ARTEZA EverBlend marker set. I don’t have the funds to get more of the Copic or Tombow markers that I love so much, so I got a good budget friendly brand. I can promise you that these ARTEZA markers are the bee’s knees. I am glad I got them to learn how to really use markers and just play with a new medium.

I am really proud of how this turned out! You can so see how there is a massive jump in skill in 10 years. Sweet Neptune.

And that marks the end of QCP #12. We’ve got only 2 more project left in this series if you can believe it! And this has been an incredible journey. However, this does not mean the end for us! I have a whole bunch of new projects lined up for us. So don’t go anywhere! In the next post, I am going to be talking about what the future is going to be looking like for our life on these Artist Seas. So I suggest to like, follow, comment, and subscribe to never miss a beat. Let’s set sail!

Until Next Time,

Captain Suzanna 🌙

Entry 12: Finding the Strength Within

Howdy Crew!

Before we begin I just want to touch base with everyone. How are you doing? Have you been keeping in touch with loved ones? Have you been making sure you take care of your mind, body, and spirit? Have you practiced any self-love activities today? If your answers are all in the positive range, please keep up the good work. Also please check in with your loved ones that you know are struggling. If your answers are in the negative range, please take a moment do 1 simple act of kindness for yourself. I’ll be here when you get back, so no worries. Your well being is as important as anyone’s. #Alonetogether #selflove

Quarantine Challenge Project #10: Deity – Inner Goddess

Another day, another project. This one is a little bit different than all the others. This came to me in a dream. The other night I was having a really grotesque nightmare. I don’t remember what it was about, and quite frankly I don’t want to remember. All I know it was not something you would want your worst enemy to envision. Nightmares are not a new thing for me. They can range from varying horrors, such as regular getting lost in the woods to butchering random people. My nightmares get dark, violent, and unnatural.

Why am I telling you this? Because I want you to understand where my work comes from. When I tap into my raw mental state, things get scary. I don’t always let people see my raw emotions that I lay out on paper, but I am slowly learning that it is ok. Maybe someone seeing my work feels some sort of connection and realize that they are not as alone as they think. I know I needed that when I was growing up.

However, the dream I had the other night started out as a nightmare but then grew into a calm dreamless sleep. I couldn’t figure out how that happened when I first woke up. So after letting the pup out and then stumbling back into bed, I had a more vivid dream about what happened. I saw my demon trying to drag me back into the darkness, and then a light came from my center. It was this warrior Goddess that was so calm and peaceful and made me feel warm and safe. She cut the hold that the demon had over me and swept me up in her light. I knew she was telling me what had happened earlier in the night, because I felt that same peaceful, dreamless calm. I could not get it out of my head. So I knew I had to bring my vision in to the realm of reality.

Which leads us to this next piece. I know there looks to be no real uniform to the piece. That was the intention. I also know that the armor and the clothing of my Goddess looks to be from a bunch of different warrior cultures. I see bits of Norse, samurai, Roman, and medieval pieces mixed in. I have no idea what it all means. It part of the reason I can’t pin down who my Goddess is supposed to be. Is she even a mythical, ancient deity or is she my inner self? I am still trying to unpack it all for myself. When I figure it all out I’ll make sure to tell you guys as well.

Here is the process 😎

After finishing it in the with my usual medium I decided to add some more “pazzaz” with some Photoshop edits. Geezz, that took way too long for my taste. The struggle of going AWOL for a long time and then jumping back on the horse is way worse than I thought it was going to be. The struggle bus loves to run me over when I least expect it.

And then I could not choose which version I liked better to become the final product. So I left it up to my followers on my IG. In the end the people wanted the one with the black effect. But I am still unsure. What do you guys think?

That my friends concludes this tale. I have 4 more Quarantine Challenges left! (And who knows how long I’ll be out of work due to COVID-19.😭) I actually have a few more project ideas in the works as well. I promise I am not making a mountain out of a mole hill. Pinky-promise! I am also going to be updating my website with new stuff! I also have some personal entries being planned to update you on my future goals and adventures. So join my Crew on all my platforms to keep in the loop!

Until next time,

Captain Suzanna ⭐

Entry 4: I MADE A THING!

Captain’s Log: Finally Land!

Attention Crew! We have successfully made it to our first piece of actual land! Please bask in the awesomeness that is our fortune. Along the way we have also added more Crew members! Cheers! Cheers, to the high seas and good company!

On a little side note before we begin, I wanted to thank all those who have pressed that Follow button. Thank you a million times! In all honesty, I didn’t think that I was going to get so many follows so quickly! (11 freaking Crew Members!!! I am speechless!) You guys are a true inspiration and driving force! Thank you so much. I promise there is going to be way more consistency and fun along the way! So, welcome aboard!

In my last post I talked about needing to get a new drawing tablet, because of issues. (Let’s not reopen those wounds for reasons.) So, it came and it is freaking huge! My only one was like the size of a note card compared to this thing. It took me a little while to adjust the sensitivity and make sure that it was set up for a lefty. Pro tip: When ever you get a new drawing tablet, ALWAYS calibrate it for your drawing style. For example, I can be heavy handed while drawing and I want to make sure that the tablet picks up when I want it to be light strokes, because my light strokes could be your heavy strokes. Plus being a lefty in a dominated right handed world, you have to make sure the tablet knows that you aren’t having a stroke, you are just left handed. (PS right handed scissors are going to be the death of me.) It took a bit to get some what comfortable with the tablet. I am still getting used to it. Like breaking in new shoes, it is going to be painful, but it will be worth it in the end.

ON TO THE ART!

First redo project! So, just as a reminder, this first project is going to be like a bookmark. Just something to help get my sea-legs and see what I have forgotten and need to study more. So I am going to be walking you through my process and the talking about what I think I need to work on. Please feel free to comment on your own thoughts about what I need to improve on.

Original Sketch 2010:

In 2010 I was in my junior year of high school. Yeah, so I am going to leave it at that. (Sweet Neptune, my phone still sucks.)

The first thing I did before doing any kind of redraw was look for reference photos. I think that is one of the main things that was drilled into me at college; you are only as good as your experience and references. I got major inspiration from butterflies and flowers. (I blame the binge watching of a certain fairy and her movies *hint, hint; nudge, nudge*)

Inspiration drawing/concept:

Clean up Sketch:

One thing that I know I need to work on is HANDSSSSSSS!!!! LOOK AT THOSE THINGS!!

Cleaner Line work:

Next thing to also work on in my line work. It isn’t as smooth as I would like it. Plus I still need to work on proportions. Those arms are a bit off, I think.

Coloring:

NEED TO STUDY SHADING AGAIN! But overall, it turned out pretty well.

Final edits:

MAGICAL!! Photoshop’s lighting was just not cutting it for me. So, I popped this bad boy into Illustrator to add some flares. Then I tried the Live Trace tool on this piece. In college for my thesis, I would just that tool to clean up my lines and such for my comic. I just tried it for shiz and giggles. And it was baller! I liked it way better than the painterly version in Photoshop. In hindsight, I should have picked a different background color. And the flames kind of faded away into the hair a bit. Whoops.

Things to study:

Hands
Shading
Line work
Proportions
Other (Let me know what else!)

Unneeded Information Alert: This piece took over 6 hours, over the course of three days. The struggle.

This project turned out WAY, WAY, WAY better than I thought it was going to. It felt really good to get back into the art groove. I loved it. I highly recommend for anyone to try this. It doesn’t matter if you are just crawling out of your hole like I am, or you have been arting for years, or just starting. Find something that you drew/doodled a long time ago and just redo it! You will see improvements and get inspiration!

In other news, I am getting more active on my Insta. Please feel free to check out what I have been sketching recently. With all the new followers, do you guys want me to set up some sort of community platform? I heard Discord is a good place, or Artimino? I’ll do some research if that is something you guys are interested in it. Twitter shall be my archnemesis. I’ll get one eventually, please hold your rope. Next projects are my friend’s Twitch emojis and another redo. Plus studying! Look forward to some studies on Insta. The challenges are mounting!

Last words from your Captain! Alas, the celebration has ended and it is time to set sail once again! This time with more Crew members and higher hopes. Our course is not set in stone. We are blowing towards were ever the winds takes us. The sea is a vast and majestic place. Be prepared for anything and everything. Lessons are learned every day. Let us sail into tomorrow with cheer and merriment!

Your Captain,

Suzanna