Bored at work

I've been ill lately so haven't been able to update anything. I'm back at work but there's not too much for me to do. This picture sums up my day...

It's just a quick drawing. There's a lot I could improve but I didn't have much time. It's a little weird going back to drawing after a break...

More inspiration from Japan

Last month I went back to Japan. It's amazing how inspired someone can be just from a place they love! I've been learning the language for a while but I didn't realise just how much I loved it until I went back. I really had the best time there! So I wanted to create something that showed a little of what I love.

I went during sakura season and saw some beautiful sakura/girls in kimonos. It has to be my favourite season to visit! I've already drawn a girl in a kimono but I wanted to draw something slightly more mature, kind of to signify how much I've grown since my last drawing. I brought back the watercolour technique for shading and experimented with a few new brushes. I could probably work more on the colours but I'm very happy about this drawing. I can see so much progress since I first started using Photoshop!

It's been a while

I have had serious artblock lately, which is why I haven't updated this in a long time. To the point where I start many drawings but get so frustrated that I don't enjoy it and give up. I've got so many drawings which I started but will probably never finish.

I ordered an artbook for one of my favourite digital artists (Liosh) and it motivated me to at least try again. I actually finished it this time!

I'm very pleased with what I managed to draw. I've had this idea in my head for a few years now and never managed to be able to draw it. I'm not a dancer and I've rarely came across pictures of people dancing so I found the pose very difficult to imagine. It was only through stubbornness that I managed to find one as reference! I'm a lot slower than I used to be but I put more attention into detail than before. Always a silver lining. I'm just a little out of practice so hopefully if I draw more then I'll get faster again.

It's also my first time attempting any sort of clear, swirling material. Actually it was a bit of trial an error, I wasn't expecting it to turn out so well. I found it very fun though so I would like to use it again!

So busy!

Sorry I haven't been able to update anything lately. Work is getting a lot busier so I'm finding it a lot harder to make time for drawing. I doubt I'll keep this "drawing every week" thing going. Perhaps one a month is more realistic now. Unless I suddenly get an urge (and find some time) to draw a lot more. At least it's something though!

I was asked to draw a modern day Studio Ghibli character so of course I went with Princess Mononoke. I always felt that she would never feel comfortable in the bright city lights. I liked experimenting with this drawing. I used a lot of lighting, a lot of colours and I tried to stylise the background a bit to emphasise the fast moving backdrop. I'm still not sure how I feel about the final piece though. I think I managed to portray what I wanted but I still feel like something's missing.

Ah well. Onto the next drawing!

Birthday Present

It was my sister's birthday at the weekend so I've been busy creating a money box for her. Now she has no reason not to save!

I'm quite proud of this. I need a lot more work learning how to paint properly but I think I did an alright job of it. My sister was really happy so it's nice having my artwork appreciated. I can now finally get back to digital drawing!

Watch Maker

I thought I'd try something a little different. For ages I've had the image of an old watch maker in my head but never figured out how to draw it. After a lot of experimenting and frustration with colours I've finally created something I'm proud of.

I really enjoyed this concept. It's very different from my usual style so it was interesting trying something new. The colours were frustrating to get right (I'm not used to this colour palette) but I got there in the end. I think I'll experiment more from now on. It's definitely a nice break from my usual drawings.

My latest project

I've been so busy with work and studying that I haven't had much time to update things. I've been planning a trip to Japan with some friends and I thought I'd get myself a money box to help motivate me to save. I've collected a lot of £2 coins so having a money box purely for Japan has helped me save a little.

I spent a long time trying to find one that I liked. I eventually gave up and bought a blank box thinking that I could decorate it however I wanted. My reasoning was that if I covered it with things I love from Japan that no matter what mood I'm in, this will always cheer me up and remind me of something I love.

This turned out much better than I thought it would. I really liked experimenting with the watercolour effect so I think I'll practice that a bit more from now on.