Rounds: May 2022

Hey guys!  Thought I'd try out something new and kinda summarize a little about...I dunno, life?  Artwork?  Kind of like chatting while getting some rounds, if you will. XD

I first wanted to say, that I decided on doing something like this so it's a bit of where I'm at, where life's at, how I feel artistically and what not.  I don't always have the time to tweet off and on, or necessarily hold a longer engaging conversation on Discord, or make a video.  But I do have time to find a quiet moment to type something out like this once a month. ^O^

First, I'm super stoked about the new news info pics!  The old one that I used for everything was both....well, older and also the same.  While I confess to the two new poll ones being about the same, I'm hoping it'll make it more obvious at a glance about what the post is before reading it.  ^O^  Plus, more accurate squishy Sakeko!  

Speaking of Sakeko though, I've had a lot of fun getting to draw her mermaid form the last few months.  Not only that, but experimenting more with drawing her in general.  Since she's so established now, I get to have fun experimenting with colors and hairstyles and what not, which is just too fun!  Looking forward to updating her summer uniform.  But, I've thought about just making the plaid her official summer outfit, with some tweaks.

Speaking of new, making some new braid brushes have saved me an IMMENSE amount of time.  I've taken to trying to make more new brushes inside of FireAlpaca.  It's been ages since I made my own brushes.  I used to all the time for painting inside of Photoshop, but since swapping I haven't really used a ton outside the default ones.  So, now I've been playing with some things like the ribbon brush and what not.  Saving time is always a plus, it means things get done more quickly, which also means more time for extra fun!  ^O^

Speaking of extra, it was exciting and fun to add Felix to our roster of characters!  I know I should expound and expand on who we already have (especially since I have a backstory for Star and Nectarine sitting in my back pocket waiting to have a comic).  But I see Felix as being a bit extra, whereas Jelly is mischievous and Subaru is serious, so having someone be a bit in the middle in terms of the male characters is a good dynamic to have.  It's also allowed me more time to think about some of the older characters in terms of their dynamics I have in place and how they all interact with each other.

Sakeko used to have a stalker ex, Nijiika, which I still have as a character I want to use.  But, I've never pulled the trigger on it, because I hated the dynamic.  I've never been into the whole yandere dynamic, and it just never felt right.  Bringing Felix in as a new character instead gave me pause.  There will be a day when Nijiika comes....and it'll be in a healthier way.  When the time is right. 

Man, I just want to say, in relation to that brush thing, I've had fun experimenting more with my linework and line quality, which is something I've thought about a lot lately.  I feel like more artwork has improved lately.  I have these things happen where I peak and valley at opposite times.  My artwork will improve, and then my speed will tank.  And then my speed improves, but my quality starts to feel stagnant.  For once in a LONG time, I feel they are at an equal incline.   

It's great, because it makes me feel like I have the time and skill to actually sit down and experiment with line textures and drawing indulgently, which has been a while.  I've spent so much time wondering how this artist or that artist does their lines--I love the fine lines of manga work, but I've always been a heavy  hand.  XD  So getting to closely examine what I want has been nice.

My own personal artwork has crossed a threshold where...I know what I want to do.  Combining things I'm passionate about.  And it feels so obvious that I wonder why I never thought of it before.  Having the time to actually reach that precipice really was a bright spot this last month.

Which brings me to why maybe I've been thinking so much.  I've always been an overthinker.  I am simultaneously a cynic and humanitarian.  I worry too much, and get frustrated especially when there's nothing I can do about a situation.  Getting myself to a point in life where I can tell myself it's okay to let go of things I can't do anything about has been a task.

I've kept a bit quiet about it, mostly because...it's a lot.  We've had some recent family health scares in regards to parents and older family members that have brought into question a lot of things.  Some of which have been our dynamics between them.  Funny that dynamics in relationships seem to be a theme here this month?  And some of that is coming to terms with how much I care for others vs.  what I get back.  And it's that realization that I'm burning a candle at both ends--bending over backwards to make things work for those that don't in return.

So, I gave myself permission to take that energy and put it more towards my own immediate bubble; my kids, hubby, and my art.  I'm still wrestling with it (it's so unnatural to be selfish on my own behalf), but all I can do is keep trekking and burn those bridges when I get to them.   

We'll keep going!  I feel more optimistic and excited about the prospects of how my art is going, about being in this community that I never thought would be built around my artwork, and I'm glad I get to have that connection here with all of you!  

Come be part!  Come take part!  I'll have the poll going up soon--be sure to vote!  ^O^  Enjoy summer!  Enjoy that sun!  If not now, then when?  I know I'm looking forward to more summer themed sketches--there's something just warm and cozy about them to me.  Even better because they have someone warm and cozy in them. ^O^  

Take care everyone!

Abysmal0