#FOUR MONTHS I'll have put into working on this printer to get it into a state to make the Outrage. Soon... SOON. It's on the horizon now

[solradguy]

The sun is going to be out 3 days in a row, tomorrow I'm installing the new main board (+maybe dual Z-axis too) into my printer, and then Sunday I'm probably going to go to the art museum. My soul will become incandescent

[velvetydream]

꒰ : 🌸 [ Second Times ] ”♡ᵎ꒱ˀˀ ↷ ⋯

Summary : Eunhee was by now over three years old and a little darling, so how would San react to a little suprise?

Pairing : Dad! San x Mom! Fem! Pregnant! Reader

Word count : 3.4K Words

Genre : Fluff, Angst if you squint

Warnings ➵ Reader is a bit nervous of Sans

reaction, but Ateez helps her

a/n : Decided to write this as a little warm up right now to continue Barista! Yunho and the Pirate Story!💜

┌───────────────────────── ·  ·  ·  · ♡

Clutching the small pen-like test in your hand, the two lines smiling brightly back at you. It's just been over a month since Eunhees third birthday and here you're sitting on the edge of the tube, holding the test in your hands. Tears rimmed your eyes. Were they from sadness? Not really, maybe a tinge of anxiety of Sans's reaction to a second pregnancy, but they were more like tears of happiness. San never mentioned any aversion to a second child, so you were happy about this.

Your hand softly rubbing over your stomach now, it's probably barely been a few weeks, but knowing you're carrying a child of San yet again, makes you feel nothing but warmth and happiness. Taking the test, you quickly rush into the bedroom, hiding the test somewhere in your things, so well that San nor Eunhee would ever find it, before joining your two favorite people in the living room again. San was lying on the floor, legs straight up into the air as he balanced Eunhee on his feet playing airplane. Her little giggles sound through the whole room and make you smile before she looks up and screeches upon seeing you. "Mommy!" Being let down carefully, she quickly runs over to you, hugging your legs tightly as she grins up to you.

"Having fun?" You ruffle her dark hair softly, bending down to pick her up and hold her on your hip, she has grown a lot recently. "Yeah! Daddy said we'll visit the uncles this weekend for dinner!" Her tiny arms are around your neck now to hold on for support as she tells you smiling. "Oh really? Then we'll have to make you look extra pretty hm? Want all of them swoon over how cute you are!" Softly poking her tummy now as she lets out giggles while kicking her feet now. Setting her down now she rushes over to San again who is sitting cross-legged on the floor, watching the endearing moment now.

"Are you two fine? I wanted to go out for a bit and get some chores done." Walking over to them, you crouch down placing a soft kiss on both of their cheeks. "Daddy got it all handled no worries!" San told you, he really was an amazing dad, he loved his little girl so much. After saying goodbye to them, you grab your purse and leave the apartment smiling with a plan.

The first stop is the printer shop, which takes on orders for personalized clothes. Entering you take a quick look around, before spotting the old man working there. "Good day!" You greet him, making him notice you and greet you back. "I need seven Shirts for man and one for a toddler, the big ones should have something along the lines of 'We'll be uncles again soon' and the little one 'I'll be a big sister soon'" You explain to the man, his eyes light up upon hearing your instructions, congratulating you. He said it would be done in around three days which was perfect timing, just done before the dinner with everyone.

Leaving the shop with a thank you, you make your way to the grocery store to cover up that your chores at hand were to get a few items there in case San asked you what you did.

Coming back home your eyes immediately catch San lying on the couch sleeping, with Eunhee on his chest also fast asleep. Putting the groceries you got away, before walking over to your little family, watching them for a few seconds. It was exciting how soon you'd be a little family of four.. five. Looking down at the cat moving around your feet now, slowly patting Byeols head. Scoping Eunhee up into your arms now, you softly wake up San. "Baby, let's go to bed, you got a schedule and need to sleep in a proper bed." After making sure San would go to bed, you bring Eunhee to her room. She just recently got it done, everyone of Ateez helped along, some put together the furniture, and others painted the walls. It was adorable how dear your little daughter was to everyone.

Laying her down now, you put the blanket over her, pressing a kiss to her forehead. Turning on her bed light now, before leaving the room, leaving the door slightly ajar. Walking into your shared bedroom now, San was lying on his side waiting for you, typing away on his phone mindlessly. "She's sound asleep, I still left the door a bit open in case she has a nightmare again. I'm a bit worried she's been having them more often lately." You talk to him while getting changed, before laying down beside him, resting your head on his chest. "Don't worry it's normal, her brain is starting to understand and notice more things, it's normal for her to process more in her dreams and therefore get a few more nightmares, it'll settle down again baby." His hand was running through your hair mindlessly now, pressing a kiss to your temple, before closing his eyes, ready to fall asleep.

The next few days went by quickly, Eunhee though was getting a bit more restless, even sleeping in your and Sans's bed the last two nights. Waking up this Friday now you look down at her, noticing how there is a sheen layer of sweat on her forehead and her cheeks are pink. Laying your hand on her forehead now, she was burning up, oh my poor baby you thought. Getting up quietly, San was already gone for work. You quickly get a pair of new clothes, before making her a quick breakfast so she can take some fever medicine, taking along a bottle of water for her. Just as you were picking everything up, your poor baby started crying and calling for you. Rushing into the room, you place everything on the nightstand now before scoping her up in your arms, softly swaying her side to side a bit as her tiny body clutches herself to you.

"It's okay baby, mommy is here, mommy just got you some things that will make you feel better again soon.." Whispering soft words as her cries didn't seem to stop. Probably from feeling unwell and waking up alone. You wish San was here right now, speaking of the devil as your phone starts ringing, picking up and hold it to your ear. "Hello baby.." You greet him, still hushing your daughter as she slowly starts to calm down. "Is Eunhee crying? Is everything okay? Should I come home?" Worry seeped from his voice upon hearing his little princess cry so harshly. "No don't, I got this. She's running a little fever so I don't think she'll be able to come along tomorrow, I'll give her some medicine now and then rest with her." You explain to them, hearing Wooyoung cooe sadly in the background, you were probably on speaker right now. "Okay, if you need anything or need me to come home call me, I'll make it work!" He assures you before ending the call, Eunhees cries quieted down now.

"Let's get something in your tummy so you can take your medicine hm?" You helped her sit on the bed, before helping her eat, but she still insisted that she could eat alone. Giving the medicine to her now, you were glad she never put up a fight when it came to this, before handing her, her water bottle. "You'll feel better soon baby, just rest, do you want something from your room?" Patting her head softly she shakes her head and only points to the TV in your room. Turning it on, she immediately points to one of the new Wanteez episodes that recently came out making you smile turning it on for her. Byeol has settled down on her lap by now, as Eunhee munches on the fruits you brought her.

"Mommy will be in the kitchen yeah? I'll make some soup for you for later." She simply nods, too engrossed in the show watching her dad and uncles be silly. Standing up now, you get changed into some home attire before moving to the kitchen, writing one of your close friends to please pick up your order from the shop, as you won't be able to do it today with Eunhee having a fever. Getting started on the soup now, before moving on the cleaning a bit, checking up on Eunhee every now and then, she at some point falling asleep cuddling Byeol, before waking up again hungry and then continuing to watch the show.

At some point at noon, your friend brought your order, asking what it was as the old man didn't tell her, telling her she'd know soon and that it was a secret for now, before handing her a little thank you for helping you out. Hiding the bag now as San would soon be home and you didn't wanna spoil the surprise.

"Welcome home darling!" You shout from the bedroom, sitting beside Eunhee now as you two watch a Barbie movie, her eyes immediately moving to the opening door. "Daddy! You're home!" Moving to get up, she stumbles a bit before running up to her dad who picks her up, pressing a soft kiss to her cheek. "How is my baby doing hm? Feeling better?" She nodded, even though she was still feeling unwell, the fever down a little bit due to the medicine. "How about you and Daddy spend an amazing day tomorrow hm? I'll get those amazing little cakes for you from across the street." Sitting down with her on his lap, he leans against the headboard, the movie long forgotten as she nods. "Don't you wanna go to the dinner tomorrow?" Your eyes but his now as he shakes his head. "You took care of her the whole day, the first day is always the worst for a fever, I'll take over tomorrow and you go to the dinner, the boys will still be happy to see you," San explains making you nod and agree, this was actually perfect, that way you could give the boys their little presents first before planning to tell San.

So the next day came, you got ready for the dinner, before grabbing your purse and the bag with the shirts, saying goodbye to them before leaving for the restaurant.

"Y/N! We're here!" You hear Wooyoungs voice call out to you from one of the private rooms in the back, making you smile as you join them. "Hello everyone!" You greet the seven men, making them smile at you as you take a seat beside Jongho and Wooyoung. "How is Eunhee doing? San mentioned she had a fever? Poor thing.." Seonghwa asks you making you nod, telling them she was doing a bit better right now and how she was probably enjoying those little cakes right now San got them while you were still at home so Eunhee wouldn't be left unsupervised.

"So actually I'm rather glad San stayed at home today, that way I can give you guys this." Standing up now, you place the bag on the table before handing out the neatly wrapped shirts. Mingi and Yunho first as they had the biggest size, before continuing, instructing them to wait with opening till everyone had theirs. "Okay! I hope you guys will like this.. You can open now." Some were neatly opening the package like Seonghwa, while others ripped them open like Mingi and Wooyoung. Watching each boy look at the writing on the shirt now, mostly with big eyes, before Wooyoung springs up. "I'LL BE AN UNCLE AGAIN?!" His eyes were full of tears as he looked at you, nodding softly before being pulled into a tight hug. "Congrats dear, if you need any help from us tell us." Seonghwa was the next to speak up, hugging you tightly. Before Mingi approached you, being visibly excited about the news, softly jumping a little bit before hugging you tightly and even lifting you up slightly, making Jongho scream at him to be careful with you two. This made tears prick your eyes. "Jongho.." You softly whimper, laying your arms around the man, who seems to be unsure if he wants to accept but has no real choice, in the end, he places his arms around you carefully. Everyone else told you their congratulations and hugged you.

"So the plan is, I'd like all of you to wear these next Monday, I'll come around with Eunhee, she has her own shirt, before San arrives and that's how I want him to find out!" Everyone cheers now, liking the idea, looking over to Hongjoong now for his approval. "I like that idea, let's do it." He nods now, you were glad he was so supportive. The first time he was rather unsure of the pregnancy, of how the fans and society would react, but the moment he held Eunhee for the first time it was all over, he was absolutely smitten for the little girl like everyone else of them was.

"Do you hope for a boy or girl?" Yunho speaks up now looking over at you. "Honestly I don't care, I'd love him or her unconditionally either way." You smile softly, your hand rubbing over your still flat tummy, knowing fully well it will be bigger in a few months. The boys nod as they agreed, before the orders finally arrived, enjoying a nice meal with them, laughing and joking around.

It was a nice evening, the boys were talking a lot about how excited they were for the new baby, arguing over who would be the baby's favorite, as Eunhee's favorite uncles were by far Mingi and Yunho since her birth.

The evening soon ended, and they promised to keep quiet till the big reveal as you packed everything together and made your way home, hoping San was fine and that Eunhee was doing a bit better slowly. At home you peek inside the apartment, noticing the TV playing as you take your shoes off and make your way into the living room. "Baby, did daddy fall asleep?" You giggle quietly upon seeing Eunhee sit beside San and watch another Wanteez episode, Sans's arm around her as he was sleeping tightly. The little princess looks up as she hears your voice and nods to your question, as you crouch down in front of her. She probably wasn't tired yet from napping through the whole day, softly feeling her forehead now and sighing relieved feeling her fever down finally.

"Let's get you to bed hm? Did you have fun with Daddy today?" You pick her up, San waking up from the movement, blinking softly as he sits up and watches you carry Eunhee to her room, he luckily had changed her into her sleepwear already in case she was to fall asleep while watching the show. "Mhm.. Daddy showed me the new episode with the uncles.." Getting sleepy slowly, Eunhee rests her head on your shoulder as her arms hang loosely around your neck. "Oh wow, that must have been so exciting, we can watch more of that tomorrow. Let's sleep for now baby." Pressing a kiss to her forehead now as you enter her room, sitting down on her bed and laying her down, before pulling the blanket over her.

Leaving her room after taking one last look at her and joining San in the bedroom, watching him fight to stay awake waiting for you. "Sannie sleep if you're tired." Shaking his head, he mumbles a little tiredly watching you change out of your clothes and into one of his shirts to sleep, before laying down beside him. Opening your arms, he immediately scoots over, his arms wrapping around your waist as his head comes to rest on your chest, softly running your hands through his locks. He had recently dyed them red again, it suited him well.

Sunday went by rather quickly, Eunhee was better again, playing around with San and Byeol, helping you cook, and watching another Ateez show again.

So Monday came around, you got up quite early and got ready, making sure you packed Eunhees shirt and the pregnancy test, San looking at you confused still half asleep as you finished getting ready. "I'll visit Lotte World with Eunhee today, I promised her." Pressing a soft kiss to your husband's temple as he nods, a little bit sad he can't join due to work before you leave the room getting Eunhee ready now.

"Where are we going?" Eunhee looked at you curiously, her tiny arms holding onto your neck, her tiny legs kicking a little bit as you walked along the sidewalk in the direction of KQ. "We'll visit the uncles and prepare a little surprise for Daddy." Her eyes light up upon hearing that there will be a surprise for her daddy.. or because she'll see her uncles. Entering the elevator you press the floor of the practice room and let Eunhee stand on her own now, taking her hand as you lead her to the dance practice room. "Yuyu!!" Eunhees high voice screeches upon seeing the tall man, everyone turning to the two of you as Eunhee runs up to Yunho who immediately picks her up. "Hello little princess!" Yunho beams at her, he was always so sweet to her, often being the one to offer to watch her for a weekend or evening when you and San wanted to spend some romantic time.

"Eunhee darling come here for a second." Yunho sets her down again as you sit down on the floor, softly taking her hands when she reaches you. "What do you think about being a big sister hm? Would you like that?" She thinks for a second, looking at you nodding slowly. "If I stay Uncle Yuyu and Uncle Min's favorite!" She answers, making everyone laugh and Mingi cooe at her answer. "You'll always stay my favorite baby!" Mingi calls over, making you smile. "But yes.. I'd like to be a big sister!" She beams at you, making tears rim your eyes as you pull her into a hug, she has grown so much. "You'll soon be a big sis baby." You tell her, making her giggle and smile. Soon she was wearing her personalized shirt along with all of her uncles, Yunho holding the little girl in his arms right now.

"Okay, San should be here soon! I'll wait for him outside and then bring him inside!" Rushing outside the room, you close the door, looking around for your husband. After around ten minutes he finally arrived, looking at you confused. "Darling? I thought you and Eunhee were at Lotte? Where is she? Is she okay?" He looks around for his little princess worried now. "She is with the boys right now, you have to put this on though!" Holding up the blindfold now, he grows even more confused but lets you put it over his eyes. "I'm a bit scared, but I'll trust you." He tells you, taking your hand softly as you lead him into the room.

Taking one last deep breath, before taking off Sans's blindfold. It takes a few seconds for his eyes to get used to the lights, as he now looks at his fellow members and little princess, at first not noticing the shirts, but after ready them a few times his eyes grow wide as he now looks over to you, who was now holding the positive pregnancy test. "This isn't a joke, right? Are we getting another child? You're pregnant again?" His bag lying on the floor now as he looks at you with tears in his eyes and a big smile on his lips. "Yes, I wanted to surprise you." Your own tears in your eyes now, as San pulls you into a tight hug, picking you up and spinning you around laughing. "I'll be a dad again!" He giggles as he presses a soft kiss to your lips. "I love you so much." Laying his forehead onto your forehead, before looking down he sees his little girl tug on his pants softly to be picked up. "Who will be the best big sister?! You will be Eunhee!" He smirks at her as he picks her up onto his hip.

Soon everyone joined the hug, San was beaming all over his face. You were glad that he was this happy and excited and how supportive everyone was. This would be a long 8 months again, but you cannot wait to soon hold the new addition to this already big family.

[gryphons-n-kelpies]

Updates, Tiers, and Snapshots

Hello, Stardusts.

It has taken me a while to state this out and have been pacing back and forth when it comes to how to word things.

Ever fighting my laptop, DITO is ready to go outside of a few touchups. I cannot release any of it or do more for it until I get my laptop upgrade. Likewise, I cannot do much of anything as my laptop is currently fighting me on everything. It's hectic and hell for me, but I am still doing what I can when it lets me.

I am currently working on a dual 3 tier level giveaways where I will give back to two communities at once.

For the FFXIV community, I will offer a free TC and sticker of Wuk Lamat, Erenville, then Koana (Latter two can be interchanged once Lamatry'i is finished and put to vote). For my own DITO community, Pinups of Alec, Morogh, then Sidney will be offered, along with the older pinup of Morogh that I have extras of.

Both giveaways will also offer free art. This is something to help tide over the wait. Keep in mind that depending on what is going on in the background (printer likes to cause issues right now), physical prizes might take some time to be sent. News on current conditions will be announced when the tier is reached.

The three tiers are intended to help give myself a new laptop and improving my workspace. The tiers might come by faster once one could expect~

To help me reach my goals, one could commission me through the 'Quest to 100' even if they are not ffxiv based. Prices will not be this cheap once I achieve one or all of my goals as I am using this to experiment how to draw faces and to test art techniques as I go

Yandere LI's can be requested for free by anyone. Keep in mind that they must be from a existing project that has been around for more than a month, I know where they are from, and the creator is +18. If one wants to support me while having me draw the Yans, there is a $10 discount.

Lastly, For those excited to play the DITO Demo. As a bit of a countdown, I'll be launching four snapshots. First will be intro to the other three. I will launch each one within each tier. A small vote has decided on what the focus will be around (as well as what the pinup lineup would be)

Thank you for your patience. I will keep everyone posted on the progresses of everything as we truck along.

[assortedfruitsnacks212]

This is a post about art. But because art is my whole world, it's about so much more too.

Attached is a photo of a small stack of printer paper. It doesn't look like much at first, just a few scribbles with a mechanical pencil on cheap paper. At least one page has a coffee stain on it. Others have been erased so much that their texture's starting to fray - and that's saying something for printer paper.

For me, this stack of paper is the way home. I've been lost for a while, longer than I care to admit. I could always see the lights in the windows, no matter where I was, but I had no idea how to get there. So every time I looked, I'd smile sadly to myself and think, "I'll find my way someday." Then I'd duck my head and keep moving.

These messy sketches are me finally reclaiming my place in the world. It's scary as hell, but with each one I claw another hole in the wall that's kept me away.

Looking back, I'm not sure I can explain where the wall came from. All I know is it's been there in some form for many, many years. As a little girl, I was a breathless whirlwind of creativity. I'd take a small pile of printer paper just like this one, staple it together on the sides, then fill it with drawings and stories like a comic book. I had little concept of what I was "allowed" to make or what a "good" drawing is. My only goal was to keep going till I got bored.

Somewhere along the way, I absorbed ideas that weren't good for me. I forgot what art meant to me in the first place, how it was my vehicle for telling breathless, whirlwind stories. When I started working professionally in 2014, something even worse happened: I began to compare myself to other artists. That and a mounting wave of anxiety all but destroyed my ability to create. By the time the pandemic came around, I couldn't draw without my hand shaking. That little girl who used to go through stacks of printer paper, who still lived inside me longing to create, was so scared of failure that she couldn't hold her pencil steady.

So I walked away.

Since then, I've done everything *but* make art. Don't get me wrong, it hasn't been a waste of time - far from it. But inside me I still carried that little girl, and she was... sad. Sad that we didn't get to draw anymore. Sad that she had to wait for who knows how long. Maybe forever.

Over the past four months, life has conspired to put me in a room with that sad little girl. I've had no choice but to sit with her, observing her grief and confusion. Over time, I've gotten angry.

How did I let this happen? She used to be so beautifully happy, the kind of kid I would kill for. And I let the world tear her down.

Now I'm going back to my roots. I'm grabbing stacks of printer paper, without the staples this time, and drawing whatever inspires me. Some drawings aren't that great. When my little girl panics over it, I tell her, "It's ok. No one has to see this, and you're drawing on cheap paper anyway. Just turn the page over and try again."

And it's WORKING. My hand isn't shaking anymore. I'm even starting to look forward to drawing. My little girl is happy again, lying on her stomach on the carpet in the living room, illustrating her own private world in a homemade comic book.

The timing couldn't be better. As if the stakes needed to be *any* higher, I'm in a position now where I need to rely on my art again for an income, at least for a few weeks. It's definitely not what I would've chosen, but I've risen to the challenge, accepting commissions and slowly but surely fulfilling them.

I can't believe I'm here.

[layanasstories]

First of all, I am not a doctor nor did I study any form of medication. So all you will read is made up stuff that sounds intresting...

Secondly... have fun reading!

----

Oblivion

NINE

A month has passed since our first meeting. We've been on a few dates, he's told me more about my past. We click nicely, but I don't feel a real twinkle yet. That's why I'm taking it easy. I work my five days a week, trying follow my daily routine as best I can. Only today is different.

Three weeks ago, just a week after I met with Jake, I went to see a neurologist for the first time. One who specializes in amnesia. He was shocked by my story. And furious when I showed what pills I had been given to take. I haven't touched them since Jake told me not to take them. The neurologist, Dr. Jeffrey Millward, had told me that he didn't recognized the pills at all and wanted to do research for himself what exactly is in the pills. Today I'll get the results, he had called me yesterday and indicated that he wanted to speak to me urgently. I didn't tell Jake about my visits to Dr. Millward. I know I shouldn't keep secrets. Only I didn't want to give Jake false hopes that things could be all right again, as far as my memories are concerned.

I'm waiting in the chair, facing Dr. Millward. He is still busy working on his computer. "Sorry for the wait, but I really need to get the report." he doesn't even look up. It takes another five minutes, but then I hear his printer and he jumps from his chair. When he has taken the papers from the printer, he sits down in front of me. "Okay, I've done the analysis on the pills. And I've requested your records from after the incident. MRIs, scans, photos, blood work. I'm not going to beat around the bush, I'm deeply shocked." his face is soft, as if he is going to tell me terrible news. "Layana, I'm so glad your friend told you to stop taking the pills. They're pure poison. It's a custom-made pill. It contains substances such as arbiturates, amphetamines and alprazolam, among other excipients. These substances are highly addictive, so I'm surprised you didn't have any withdrawal symptoms.

But coming back to custom-made, these pills are specifically made to suppress your memory and bring any recovery of your memory to a halt. He looks at me and asks if I can still follow him. "Yeah, I'm definitely still following it. In other words, these pills are made especially for me because they don't want my memory to come back.". "Precisely!" he answers. "But there is also good news. I've seen all your photos and the like, the damage you described was exaggerated. The damage is not that bad, and after four years it should already be healed. What I want to do is a new scan of your brain. We can do that immediately after this conversation. There's also one other thing we can do, it's experimental, but I want to give you the choice. We have a medication, which purifies unwanted substances that come from medicines and/or drugs from the body. This could just speed up the process of restoring your memory. The only known side effect is diarrhea. This can last up to three days and drinking water is the most important."

He reaches forward and puts his hand on mine, the way doctors do. "Listen, what they did to you is indescribable. And if you want, I can and will testify for you if you want to report them. But besides that, I want to do everything I can to help you get your memory back." I sigh deeply, hope is a dangerous commodity. Only this time I think hope is justified. "Fine. Let's do it all. The scan, the medication.". He squeezes my hand in recognition of my choice.

The new scan showed that the old one had been manipulated. Yes I had some damage, but certainly not as bad as it was said. And now there is no damage to see at all. My brain should be working like no other. Which made the doctor realize that the pills had been working for longer and deeper than he first expected. I was on the drip for three days, to flush all substances from my body. And I noticed that all to well, almost three days non-stop on the toilet. But I no longer had nightmares. More and more images came back to me. The doctor had warned me that I would not get everything back, just the vast majority. That was enough for me.

On day four, when my diarrhea had stopped, I was allowed to go home. I certainly don't have all my memories back yet, so the doctor advised me to look at lots of pictures, listen to stories, and most importantly, visit places, anything to trigger the memories. And that's what I intend to do.

[frogsandfries]

Finally

I actually had a really great day today, for a change. Got up, put the diamond painting on the wall in the closet in the office, since I'm still working on it and not ready to mount it yet. I did a bit of work on and in the original sketchbook. I was reminded why I went back to making my own sketchbooks:

Since I'm using the ATC format to keep my art kind of in check, I like to mark two frames onto each page. In the Walmart sketchbook with the nice actually art paper, I can have the pages front and back, which is pretty cool. However, since it's a pre-existing book created to be entirely blank, it doesn't have my frames, I have to draw them in. There's no way that I'm aware of to print them into a pre-bound book. So I kind of end up wrestling with the sketchbook so I can put my frames in. This is fine, I've already bought it, I'll use it till it's full. That's actually quite a tall order since it's like 100 sheets or something. I did tab every five pages but I haven't been using it lately, so I don't remember exactly. I do know it comes out to about two hundred sides, or about four or five hundred frames--that'll be almost two whole issues!

The point being that I have to wrestle to mark like four hundred frames onto these pages while the book wants to do book things, like flip pages or flip entirely shut on me. So I'd like to get that done, and then, tracing these templates, I don't always close the corners--I didn't realize what trouble that would be. And then, I'd marked some frames in pencil, the thought being that I would mark them in pen when I was finished inking the art inside the frame. However, I didn't have a template at that point, so those penciled frames were all the wrong size. Good thing you can't get pencil back out of this paper. That's the only bad thing.

After I'm done filling this Walmart sketchbook though, I'm just going to stick with making them myself. That way, whenever we get a printer, I can even upgrade to actually printing the frames on the paper. Maybe one day, I'll get so fancy, I use sketchbook paper to make my sketchbooks lol

After trying to do a little more setup and cleanup on the sketchbook, I cleaned up some of these new frame thumbnails so I can read them better, and I finished out sketchbook day by making a few pages of new sketches.

I like having the sketches done roughly. If I want to, I can kind of absentmindedly build them up like during work, or more deliberately set aside some time for them. Then I can just relatively quickly get a bunch inked. I'd like, once I've worked through the old thumbnails, to have a really solid chunk of new thumbnails to look through to keep continuing with the story. If all this set up means that I can mostly just ink, all the better.

I have a long, looonnngg way to go with even making new sketches from the old thumbnails, never even mind tightening the rough sketches and heading in to inking. There's still about two hundred or so old thumbnails, and that's not even counting the ones that I notated needed clarifying and some of the clarifying frames I'll be making as I really explore the way the frames flow. I'm estimating that I have about two more issues to go before I need the new thumbnails. That could be about two years. I think I'll be really grateful to have that material and maybe slow how much my style ends up naturally changing. I hope with the new art program I'm using, it will be less than two years. I'd be really excited if it took even ten months to complete each issue. I've recently gotten like six frames done in two weeks, which is solidly better than I have done--taking into consideration that I haven't been able to spend as much time as I have in the past. For example, in my last training period at my money job, I probably spent most of the eight hour shift coloring frames, and then work got extremely busy toward the end of this period. It's been exhausting. But I'm heading into a new training period and of course, I'll be keeping my tablet nearby for notes.

If I could work full time on this graphic novel, I could probably do two frames over three eight-hour periods, or one text-heavy frame in about fourteen hours.

I experimented with making my handwriting into a font, but the font maker I was using was.......I dunno. I'd have ended up either spending further weeks perfecting the font to usability, or spending about the same amount of time resizing and repositioning letters as I presently do. I made a valiant effort to save myself some time somewhere, and maybe I'll try again at some point, but it looks like lettering is just going to be a time-suck. It took so long to get the letters right in the first place only for them to not fit together the way the guides in the program led me to believe. Maybe I'll try afresh with a bigger pen size........but then..... I'd have to get my letters as a transparent object so I could get them the right color and position them...... ugh.... never mind.....

Edit to say, I was really really groggy while writing this, like falling asleep, but basically, it felt good to get so much work done on the graphic novel. The end of issue one feels so close, which is leading me to try to do a ton of prep work for issue two and beyond. I know this project is going to be pretty huge, at least a couple hundred pages by the end.

I'm looking forward to getting a ton of work today, since I'm not working again today.