Looking back on 2025

With the start of the new year I’ve decided to make a little write-up reflecting on 2025. I’ll try to put into words my thoughts on what went well, what could have gone better, and what you have to look forward to in 2026!

1. The things that went well

I am happy that I managed to finish all the projects that I started this year. Especially the Meek comic was a bit of a motivational-killer at some point, but I persevered and got through it! I am also happy my art has not stagnated. It is nice to look back and see progress year-over-year. I think it is important to keep challenging myself with the constraints that I have and the results are visible. I know where I can improve, so I have fairly clear goals for 2026.

I like to do detailed work, and I think my artwork looks especially great in full-size and zoomed in, but I realize most people consume my art on a small phone, or see it briefly as a thumbnail. Considering this I will try to focus harder on constructing my art so it still holds up in a thumbnail (where it, in my opinion, looks the worst).

1. The things that didn’t go so well

I fear I could put a lot of things here, as I am not the kindest to myself, but I will try to keep it short. I admit I do not work with a rigid time schedule, and tend to follow my heart when it comes to my artwork, as I find it gives the best results. But I need to balance detail and output more, and will try to do so this year. In short, I think I didn't create enough art.

I failed to market myself correctly. I suck at social media and really don’t enjoy it! On top of that I’m pretty sure Twitter has double shadow-banned me… My traction is basically dead online, if anyone has any ideas let me know.

I spread myself too thin. I fear this will continue. The Meek comic was kinda disastrous in the sense that for the end result, it took far, far too much time and energy. Nights in Ludos suffers a similar fate. I sometimes think “who cares?” when I consider continuing the story. I wish I had a better understanding of what my audience wants to see me do. I would like to imagine most of you just want more and it matters less what, but I’m sure the reality is different.

I am so sorry there isn’t any news on Bubblegum Sunday. It is my big failure at this point. There’s progress, but it is sideways and very frustrating! I have so little control of the actual state of it, I have gotten exhausted and demotivated. I will try to correct the course because of all things, I want this to succeed, even if not financially, to see it done.

1. The things to look forward to

I WANT TO DRAW A COMIC. Lol, but seriously! A small comic though, I will sketch it out entirely before I even start! Something like Single Gaze. It’ll be cool. Wait, where are you going? Don’t leave!

After that, I am eyeballing that sketch I did in the Xmas set, for a potential The Booth 2? Sounds like fun. Other than that, for now, I am trying to gather myself to continue working on Bubblegum Sunday. And the Hotline will return soon™

Above all, and I say this sometimes, but certainly not enough… but thank you! As one of my favorite songs ever goes: Without you I am Nothing.

Let’s tackle 2026 together ♥︎

Alba