#been trying to get myself back into the groove of drawing

[junebug-draws]

alright i will also stop keeping this in my art folder

[prettyflyshyguy]

I drew today! Hooray! I wanted to do more art but Squint and I got caught up prototyping a game instead and honestly. It was worth it. It was fun as fuck and we made so much progress with design in just a couple of hours of us sitting down with a placeholder board and some malifaux models, a space marine and a hordes model in place of a 'shark'. We've been tossing ideas back and forth for a while, and this is a project I've headed from a visdev sense since 2016. That's wild to think about.

Anyway, here's some old art for fun.

[buttercup-art]

hehe drawing some self-indulgent stuff

[niggajotaro]

grrr i want to draw but i dont want to

i want to write... but i dont want to

[via-the-local-witch]

Haven't been doing a lot of miraculous, but found a drawing of Zoe I did on my nanns tablet when I was using it for school, and forgot to send to myself. Plus one of black jack (pjo)

I actually liked it and wanted to draw her and Chloe

Just a simple one to try and get back in the groove but I like them

This was the old one

I don't like a lot of my old art but was surprised because I straight up forgot about it and was pretty happy with it

[yittiko]

I have so many random questions! Who's your favorite turtle or non-turtle character in Rottmnt? Any art/comic advice? What are your future art/comic plans if that's okay to ask? Who's the hardest/easiest character to draw? Sorry im just very excited, you're very talented!

I broke my computer trying to do this lmao

Leo was the one I hooked onto first but Donnie is a very close second. I think after them has to be April.

---

Art/comic advice? Hmmmm.

I gotta go with the typical answer first and say practice is definitely the most important thing. You don't gotta be good at everything you wanna draw, but if you don't try it anyways you'll get nowhere (speaking from experience here bc I'm awful at keeping motivated lol)

For like, comic stuff, I'd have to say just do it. For N.4 I started it without much of a plan because I knew that (for myself) I was just going to keep putting it off forever while trying to make a solid story. Of course, I've had the vague idea and I've been sort of mapping it out as I go, but the chaos is how I think lol.

(Also of course this isn't how everyone rolls so it's easiest to do what makes sense to you)

^^ If you don't have a style or a layout for things yet, thumbnails and sketches are the way to go. It makes it easier to shift things around if you don't like em, or if you can't think of how to do it.

Nothing is ever set in stone, so even if you do start something, you can always revise it as you go. For comic stuff, it's better to ease into the difference by testing out one thing at a time, so that way it's not jarring to see and if you realize you don't like it you can just slip it back out lol

---

For my own plans I think I'm gonna try to start slipping my own stuff back into things. I'm definitely gonna keep rottmnt (because I'm nowhere near where I wanna be with N.4 and because I just love the show), but I need to get back into the groove of expanding my own creations lol

I think I'm gonna be pretty focused on N.4 for a while so I don't have any future other comic plans. BUT, I'm tempted on doing little side stories for it (I currently have two in mind but one I'm waiting on and the other I haven't shown the second main char for yet)

---

The easiest people to draw to me are the twins because I've got the most practice with them and they're pretty angular.

The hardest so far have been Mikey's round(ish) head, April, and Draxum (I wanna throw hands with him every time I decide I need him in a panel lmao)

---

I'm glad you're so excited about all this stuff and thank you! I hope you're doing well!

[crescencestudio]

๋࣭⭑ Devlog #41 | 5.28.24 ๋࣭⭑

It's hot girl (/gender neutral) summer season

HAPPY MAY!!

Hope you're all doing well <3 We're already getting into summer, which is a little crazy to me. The year is flying by! Before I get into what we actually did this month, it wouldn't be a May devlog without our annual Mermay celebration!

Look at those locks. His Ariel/Rapunzel era fr

Since I already had updated Mermay pieces for the Alaris LIs, I decided to do one for our beloved Van this year ^^ Hope you all like it!

For writing this month, I spent a lot of it catching up on Etza edits. Being totally transparent, I wasn't Completely Happy with their route when their draft was finished. But now that I've started the editing process with Wudgey, I'm really excited to see how their route is shaping up!!! We've been fleshing a lot of little interactions out with their route, and I can already see Etza's character really starting to shine with these edits ^^

I've also been chipping away at Kuna'a's route! While it's nowhere near finished, I'm hopeful that this upcoming month will be the month of Kuna'a now that I don't have a bunch of releases I'm trying to balance. His route is also one of the ones whose outline is more fleshed out (Druk and Etza I would say were the least fleshed out, which might be why they also took a bit longer). So I'd love to see Kuna'a's first draft complete/almost complete by the next devlog!

This month, I had to dust off my art skills tbh LMFAOIJSDF. It's been.... a WHILE since I've made CGs since I've been in the writing and coding dungeon for so long. So most of this month's art updates are me getting tilted from redrawing an ugly sketch over and over.

I DID manage to get the Van Mermay piece out. And I also was able to sketch out Kayn's Tragic End CG; that leaves only one CG that has to be sketched out! Currently, six of their CGs are finished, two need to be rendered, and one needs to be drawn still.

And since Kayn's CGs are mostly done, I've started drawing Fenir's. I was actually able to finish one because I basically Locked In when I made it, so here is a sneak peek!

Kisses his little pink nose

You might notice there's not toooo many updates on this month's devlog. The reason for that is because this month, I spent a lot of it recovering both mentally and physically. April shenanigans and those back-to-back releases took a lot out of me, and after going full speed basically since this year started, I learned I REALLY needed a break. That coupled with the concussion I got made it so that most of this month was focused on recovering and then getting back into the groove of things.

Another thing I tried to focus on this month was finding a balance in my workflow. Going into this month, I felt like I was on the verge of a mental breakdown almost every day, in large part because I have a lot of big things I'm trying to accomplish this year. Between finishing my dissertation, Alaris, and a personal big event that I have to plan, I have a lot on my plate this year, and it's made it easy to get overwhelmed as the months pass by. So I wanted to find a balance between all three that didn't make me feel like I was also falling into insanity. After talking to beloved Wudgey of @herotome fame, I've started adopting a schedule that gives me enough structure and flexibility to feel like I'm making progress without going crazy and getting lost in the sauce.

While it's still early in the process, I'm really happy with the balance I've hit, and I'm feeling much more like myself now compared to a month ago!

I caught up on quite a few things in my backlog this month, which made me happy ^^ I always like to learn from and support other devs, so finally being able to return to that helped with the recovery process <3

I don't have any actual fanart pieces, but there are a couple of games I'd like to highlight!

First of all, of course I must talk about our hot girl (/gender neutral) summer cross-promo. If you haven't checked out these games, I can't recommend them enough!!

Links to each game can be found on the Alaris Game page under the magic and mystery otome section!

Specifically, Save the Villainess, The Good People, and Thorn for the Villain are amazing games if you're into thriller/political games layered with mystery

The Silent Kingdom (which I played recently and is AMAZING) and Dual Chroma (Otojam 2023 ALLY) have added mechanics of RPG for exciting action-adventure fantasy stories

Lost in Limbo, Obscura, and Snow White Ashes are BEAUTIFUL dark fantasy games. I've played all three of these and they have some of the most beautiful writing and visuals... BIG FAN OF ALL OF THEM.

Mask Beyond Lies and Sigh of the Abyss have that epic fantasy adventure appeal to them, in a way that I think is similar to Alaris! And Pearlglow Cafe (another Otojam 2023 ALLY) is a very lighthearted and charming game for those of you who like the comfy vibe that most of my stories have!!

Some other games that I played are Favor (@favorvn) by beloved @concreteparasite which is SOOOOO stylish. If you've played Binary Star Hero by Connie, you can expect that same stylish, dark, sultry vibe from Favor. If you haven't checked out either of those games by Connie, I can't recommend them enough, especially if you like yanderes. There is so much aesthetic and atmosphere to them!

I also played Where Winter Crows Go by @prikarin who is a VERY talented developer (and one I'm sure many are familiar with). I had a lot of fun romancing Crowe and both the MC and him have such strong personalities, it was so fun seeing their dynamic!!!! The CGs were also made by anta, who is the dev behind Thorn for the Villain, and they're BEAUTIFULLLLL. Each one has so much style and rly has a professional look to them. Can't recommend enough if you haven't played already ((heads up that it is another yandere game for those who can't do yandere!))

Okay I've yapped enough. If you've made it this far, you are god's strongest soldier LFMASLDIFJ. See you all next month with hopefully some exciting progress!

[jirlshi]

My Avatar's Character Sheet

Hello everyone! I've been having issues with my creativity and drawing, I barely drew these last weeks, and I was quite demotivated. Still, I bring today my avatar's character sheet, that I've been working since December.

Don't mind things like drawings and fanarts and similar, while is nothing romantic or ships with other characters or similar.

I'm working on getting back to drawing and posting more, in digital and for myself, has taken a good while but I'll keep trying to get back in groove.

Either way, I hope you all have a very good day!

NOTE: For those who don't know what means the "Unlabeled flag", it means:

"Term used by individuals who do not wish to label their identity with more specific terms, such as lesbian, bisexual, agender, and so on" in more or less words

For personal reasons I can't really identify with any other flag, right now is the best way I can define myself and I wanted to share this, cause I was quite surprised the term existed.

[fernskullyarts]

Hiya pals!!! I have risen from my art block grave. I missed y’all, I’m so sorry for ghosting you guys lol I have never been great with keeping up with posting on social media🥲 ALSO happy belated birthday to Jungwon!!! I’m very late but I finished drawing this yesterday❤️✨

-

If you’re interested let me tell you what Ive been doing in this art hiatus🖤✨

The past months I have lost my motivation and inspiration to draw. Everything I drew I hated and I was very frustrated with the process of bettering my art skills. Along with that I would also get into the bad habit of wanting to make art for multiple things at once but not knowing what to start with so I would just not start anything at all! So with that I stopped drawing everyday like I used too and started to doodle every once in a while. Only recently am I starting to get my groove back! I’m learning to love and be okay with making bad art again in order for me to move forward with improving my art!!!

Also lately Ive just been trying to focus on bettering myself and my mental health along with focusing on the things that make me happy! So that’s what I’ve been doing in the meantime in this art hiatus! Currently still loving Kpop bands so don’t be surprised if there’s more art to come lol- I’m honestly really happy and excited that I’m gaining my love for drawing back, I absolutely hate when I want to draw but just can’t. With that being said I’m ready to draw all the things I’ve been wanting to no matter if it’s a sketch or a fully rendered piece! I also hope if any of y’all are in an art block or anything like that, know it’s ok to have breaks cause it will be better for you and your art when you are ready to pick up a pencil again! Or at least that’s what I think💕✨

Thank you for coming to my tedtalk LOL love y’all 💕😚

[madlificent]

Sunbeam

As I've said lately, things have been stressful. And my drawing mojo has definitely been effected by the stress, but my partner keeping me sane through a shit time and Valentine's Day inspired me to try and make something to get back in the groove.

Sorochi (left) and Eve (right) are a fairly new relationship in the current draft of Crystal Heart. I've alluded to it before, but Sorochi's story very much reflects my own to some extent. And something I have come to realize about myself is that I am sapphic as fuck. And the more we stepped back and looked at Sorochi and Aurora's relationship, the more we realized it just wasn't really working for the story. So, enter Evelyn "Eve" Raine.

Her budding relationship with Ro is a primary part of Sorochi's character development in the story. Sorochi has come to terms with her transness and fully embraced it, but now she's questioning who she really is beyond her trans identity after years of solely focusing on transitioning.

Also enjoy my very tiny snippet of a curb in Alexandria. One day I'll have to start drawing this city in all of its multi-tiered insanity.

If ya like what I do and wanna support me (and get access to posts early and stuff I won't post elsewhere), consider subscribing to my Patreon here! <3

[mewtwoandme]

So I wanna try to get back into drawing, but I'm still not 100% ready to go back to the story arc just yet. Look, the next part is much longer, and it's gonna be daunting to tackle, so I'm unashamedly procrastinating okay!!?? XD

But anywhooo, I've been having thoughts of a possible what-if AU (no, it's not about baby alt. Huey, sorry) that has been on my mind for a while now, and I'd like to do something with it, like a short comic perhaps :>

I figure it's a good project to get myself back into the groove.

[sillygoblinantics]

Just minding my business trying to get myself in the groove of Bonnie’s day out and….

Do I have permission to just use the “that’s you Lily” art?

Lily you’ve shown to never appreciate a story and whine about it being too long and either skip/not read OR refuse to fucking finish it!

EAT YOUR FUCKING SOUP LILY YOU ASKED FOR IT SO EAT IT

It’s almost like it’s a fundamental aspect or structure to writing… maybe make your own opinion rather than constantly stealing others.

Here’s food for thought: maybe the reason everything looks the same to you, it’s a sign that you have not really broadened your perspective of media?

Lily.

Sometimes skipping for the plot cuts context from anything that might’ve been mentioned in the silly unrelated storyline.

You do this Lily, you’ve done this, admitted to doing this and by god do I wish I could link a compilation video of you saying these things to point to as reference

You know those moments are still important to the overall story, right?

Moments like that help the audience or reader (which was implied as being the topic) better know the multiple facets of the cast/character. But those moments are also interwoven with the plot via reflection and worry, just the general thoughts the character(s) have of the threat or plot in the story. It’s not all quiet and peaceful in the slice of life moment. That is the calm before the storm.

I would recommend Lily some books but she doesn’t read anything or even reread to fix her own writing.

But for you guys! I’d be more than happy to recommend these for yall starting out or needing refreshers!

Save the Cat! — Blake Snyder

Visual Storytelling • How to Speak to your Audience without Saying a Word — Morgan Sandler

The Writer’s Journey - 3rd Ed • Mythic Structure for Writers — Christopher Vogler

And these!

Oki ima go back to drawing now

[igglemouse]

It's only the first trimester but this pregnancy thing is already a bit rough, at least more than I imagined. I never expected it to be easy but I do get tired of having to run to the bathroom. Yeaaa, lets not talk about that!

Instead lets talk about waffles, more specifically, chicken and waffles! My appetite has definitely started to change as I find myself more likely to completely clean a plate but I don't think I've had any specific cravings yet? I mean, right now I'm craving golden waffles and slightly crisp fried chicken drenched in sweet syrup, does that count?

Naturally the scent of waffles wafting waffly through the house is enough to draw Pascal down to the kitchen. I'm pretty sure waffles are his favorite food and the way he lights up before digging into them tells me that I might be right.

He takes a few bites, makes a groan of approval, then turns his attention to me, a bit of concern on his face. "You okay?" He asks with his mouth half full. "You spent a lot of time in the restroom this morning and-"

"Yeaaah, just one of those things I guess?" I say trying to pass it off casually. The constant nausea is common during pregnancy, right? Probably nothing. "It'll be okay!"

"Yeah," he mumbles, getting right back to his meal.

That reminds me, Pascal hasn't really talked much about this whole 'we're going to be parents' thing too much and by too much I mean not really at all? He's told me that he'll be there for the baby and for me and that matters but I do wish he was a little more involved.

I think he saves most of his enthusiasm for mud baths. It's a ritual for him, I think. I can understand why, it can be very relaxing sinking yourself into a puddle of earthy mud and letting the world melt away. I understand he kicks a ball around for a living but it does take a lot out of him. Athletes really push their bodies past limits. It must be a ritual of his at this point.

As for me, I find my own way to unwind. Grooving to Latin pop, the infectious beats fill the room and gets my feet to move but not too much. Sure would hate to trip or something buuut I'm hoping my little one is vibing to the music too!

Doing laundry isn't in any way more fun than dancing but it has to get done. Even if the sun is bearing down on you, making you sweat, and...why doesn't Pascal have a washer and dryer again?

But I wasn't going to spend my entire day under the sun, especially when Sara decided to drop by again. She's been coming over more and more lately, I don't mind, but as I've mentioned before she's a bit nosy. Always asking questions and trying to pry, just a touch annoying actually, but there's something endearing to it? It's almost like little sister energy, if that makes sense? Maybe that's just me wishing I had a little sister.

She does remind me of an old friend I had back home, in Selva. A softer version of her, a less confident version of her, but a version of her all the same. Candela was her name but that's a story for another day.

As soon as we sit down Sara dives right into the topic of Pascal. Completely expected, remember, she's the nosy prying type after all but I decided to turn the tables back on her and ask her about her own love life.

"Umm, remember, I'm not so fortunate," her reply is hesitant and her voice cracks a little, letting me know this is more of a sensitive topic for her.

"Sara, you're way too hard on yourself! I know you've had some luck-"

"What's luck if I'm sitting here single," she interrupts, set on putting herself down I guess.

"Sara, you're young, we all are," I say, wanting to defend her from herself. "It's really not that big of a deal being single. Sometimes, it's better than being stuck with someone that's abusive."

"Yeah...well, for now, I'll live vicariously through your relationship so lets hear about it." The smile on her face is forced but I agree. I don't want to force her to talk about her.

So I tell her about Pascal and me but there really isn't any excitement because there isn't much to go on about? We are just sort of...living together? No big adventures or vacations, nothing overly romantic, we've just been sharing a space and going through life day by day I guess.

"You're going to have to pull him off the pitch long enough for you two to do more together," Sara suggests. It's a good idea. The SPL, which stands for Sims Premier League, has an offseason doesn't it?

After Sara leaves the house feels a little quieter. That's alright because I'll always have ice cream! It's the sort of thing that can bring joy to any evening and so I step right over to the kitchen and pull out my nifty ice cream making machine and make me a bowl of it. because, why not? Feels like a butter pecan kind of day to me and it's feeling like I'll be needing two bowls!

One thing I think I have to consider when it comes to living with Pascal is that I've been doing most of the chores. Whether its scrubbing countertops or washing the dishes or doing laundry out in near 100 degree heat, it's me doing it all and here I am vacuuming so that we're not inhaling dust. Makes me wonder how he was keeping this place clean before me? I'd ask Pascal to do it for tonight but...

The mechanical whir of the treadmill and the pounding of his feet had told me he was busy. I quietly slipped inside of his workout room, which, now that I think about it, looks like it would be better suited for a child but maybe that's a discussion for another day.

I have to squeal out a hello to get his attention and once I do; "Does the offer still stand?" I ask, voice raised to be heard of the rhythm of his workout.

"Huh?" He kinda shouts back, a little out of breath.

"Moving in, does it still stand?" and I shout right back.

"O-oh! Yeah! Of course! Of course it does!" He stammers back and gives me a smile. I'll leave him alone for now I guess.

So yeah, it looks like I've mad my decision or rather, fate has made it for me.

I do have some concerns but that's expected, right? No one is perfect.

Honestly, if I were not pregnant with his child I do not think I would have made this decision but now that I am I want to do everything right. That includes raising a child the usual way. Mother, father, a house, a family, that kind of thing. It's at least worth a try, it's more than what was done for me growing up.

I'll miss this place. I wasn't here for long but that's the story of my life. I don't tend to stay in places for too long. The universe always nudges me on to my next chapter and on to the next episode..

Frida Varela Index ~ Next Episode 6 'Familiar Connections'

[kuuttituutti]

I have tried to write this post many times, cause words are hard but i'll try. First I feel like i need to awknowledge that I am aware how lucky I have been and how glad i am that I had the opportunity to do art as a proper job. I am very happy and i enjoyed my job a lot.

But i have to say that it has been kinda daunting to pick up the drawing tablet again, cause rn my brain automatically goes "work mode" when i do so. Even though I am done. I got payed and all the files have been sent. I can draw whatever i want. But it feels a bit hard rn. Maybe i should try to do some traditional doodles or other kind of art than digital drawings. Maybe that will get me back in the drawing for myself groove.

This is my what, 3 year of doing art as a summer job. But this last one was the most professional i'd say. And even it might take a while to train the brain out of digital drawing = work mode, im still very happy and proud of the work i did. This was also the first time i got payed a true good industry rate and that surely has grown my ego st least 3 sizes. Sorry this is a ramble, and thank you if you read

[daintev]

A little rough drawing of my persona for funsies :]

Really don’t have much to add other than I’m switching up my persona a bit. Going back to a white shirt and trying blue-grey pants, I found the values just looked better that way.

I’ve got a lot to do regarding art related things for school so I have little time to draw for myself. This was just something I drew mindlessly without much thought, just sorta did whatever. Been getting some art block recently so I’m focusing on getting into the groove of things again.

[chimkin-samich]

Hi!

I have had a block for both writing and drawing for several years. I look at your works with longing in my eyes and think how wonderful it would be to draw regularly again. I was never particularly talented and had many gaps in learning to draw, but I enjoyed it. Now I don't know how to start drawing or writing. My laptop is full of unfinished stories. I have lots of ideas for drawings, but it's hard for me to get down to work.

Therefore, my question is: Do you have any advice for people who haven't drawn/written for several years and would really like to get back to it, but can't motivate themselves, have no ideas, etc.? Or quite the opposite. They have lots of ideas, but for some reason they can't draw anything?

Greetings and have a nice morning/day/evening/night!

Hello! Sorry it took so long to respond, I wanted to make sure I could respond properly to this so I thought it over a lot, I’m going to put it under a read more cuz it’s gonna get long lol

I (sly) am kinda in the same position as you at least when it comes more to art, writing ive kinda cracked the block but still trying to break through the ice, all the art on our blog is Ferals art, I only complete the line work and shading (but not always) I haven’t drawn any of my own stuff in probably a few years but I’m trying to get back into it cuz I miss it as well, I completely get the whole feeling of looking at Feral’s art and wanting to create my own but finding it so difficult to do

For the art aspect my plan is to start at square 1, start how I first starting drawing, which for me was to look up refs, animals and draw them by sight, just to get back into the groove of trying to bring back that muscle memory, maybe you started by tracing images, you could trace only the rough outlines and then shade and detail them, just something simply and easy, you probably won’t be happy with the results (I know I certainly won’t be with my own) but it’s a start

Look up things that you enjoy, draw your squad, incorrect quotes to do with ocs maybe even draw them out, try and keep it simple, you don’t need to create a masterpiece on the first day back, any attempt is a step forward even if you dislike it, try it out at least once a day everyday, a simple doodle just for fun or to exercise your muscle memory again, the first part is gonna be hard and messy, that’s totally ok! All that matters is the attempt!

For the writing aspect try and keep it simple as well, focus on making short one-shots or even just bullet point dialogues, your old unfinished writing isn’t going anywhere, when you feel comfortable enough to attempt to continue it just go for it!

I had a big gap in my writing periods and sometimes I still go a few months with out touching any of my stories, blocks happen and are normal, something that I try to get back into is read other people’s work, both to see the writing style and to get some inspiration to continue my own works

When I actually get down to actually writing my story I just dump down the story as I think it, I just keep writing even if it looks messy and grammatically incorrect to at least get the story moving and progressing. After I have the rough story down, is when I go back to correct spelling mistakes, add more details/dialogues or events in between to create a much better flow for the story

I usually do this multiple times for each fic I create, usually in between pauses (either due to blanking on ideas or just cuz I wasn’t feeling it) so whenever I reopen my doc, I just reread and add on, then I do it again one or two more times once it’s completed

I struggle a lot with perfectionism when it comes to my art and writing, and unfortunately it’s a big killer for my motivation, especially when I see others that make better works than me. I’ve been slowly unlearning that urge to make everything perfect, by just allowing myself to have messy and rough works, it’s not always going to come out how I want it but at least I got it as close as I could in the moment with my current skill level

I like to tell myself, the more I keep doing it, the more I’ll improve, and I’ll always be able to come back with more ideas and skill to remake this better than my first attempts, just because I did it doesn’t mean I can’t try to do it again

Being easier on yourself does wonders (I know easier said than done unfortunately 😭) but your practically having to relearn skills that have gotten rusty, even if you were doing great before, your gonna have to build back up to that point, it’s just like exercising a muscle ✨

I hope this was able to help! I wish you much luck in your journey back into art and writing!