#nov comic isnt posted yet

[myonmukyuu]

Art Summary: 2024

I've been posting my art online for 11 years! wowie!!

My yearly review is under the cut (1.8k words):

Previous: 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023

Happy new year everyone!!! This is actually the first time in a long time that I've not posted my yearly summary on the 31st. I was a bit caught up with visiting family and being a good host so I didn't get time.

Anyways! Time for my year in review that no one reads except for me the following year. 💪💪💪

How this year went:

I think this year went... alright? Let's see, what did I get up to...

Ah. Okay! Art-wise it went "alright" but life-wise I had a pretty good year! Got a boyfriend! Got a cat! Went on two holidays (Japan, USA)! Visited family! Met a lot of online friends! Went to a bunch of concerts! (YOASOBI, Nijigasaki 6th, Hololive Down Under, Miku) A pretty eventful year ✌✌✌✌

But this is actually an art year in review so I'm going to focus on that! And... yeah, I think I went 'alright'. I don't feel terrible about how I went, but I also don't feel amazing? C+ or B- I think...

How did my art go?

Like I said, I think I went 'alright'. I felt very rocky several times in the year with periods of art block and a good chunk of time where nothing I drew felt 'right'. Was it burnout? Maybe. It took me some time to find my footing again. It also didn't really help that I had a lot of "interruptions" throughout the year. Traveling, getting sick, artist alleys and stuff really messed with my momentum. I did a lot of individual little works rather than comic works. I'm not exactly happy with that but it's something to look at for next year.

In terms of raw, technical skill I'm not really too far from where I was last year. But to be fair, after drawing for a decade that's to be expected. While I want to be always improving, I know that's not always immediately visible. That being said, my shikishis are a lot better than the first ones I made! (But technically it's more like my traditional skills are catching up with digital skills???)

Like I mentioned earlier I spent a lot of the year feeling "lost" when drawing. It was kind of like I forgot my own style? In my eyes that made a lot of the work shakey in quality at best... But excluding that fact, I'd like to highlight that I should probably revisit fundamentals. I think when I'm feeling lost, stronger anatomical fundamentals and linework would probably ground me a bit better. Will that be something I look at in 2025? Who's to say 🧍‍♀️

In terms of comic works I think I under performed in terms of quantity. And IMO they were affected by me feeling "lost" while drawing some of them. If I were to revisit them I'd probably touch them up.

I liked how the comics turned out though. 😊 (more in the next section)

My 2024 Goals and how I did:

This is the part where I read what I wrote last year and check if I acted on them at all ✌

As always, it doesn't really matter to me if I fulfill these goals or not. What's more important is the "why". It's good to be aware of what is important to you and what isn't.

“Draw more comics.”

Last year I was dissatisfied from a lack of comics. I think I released 1 doujin... and posted 2 mini-comics? So I don't blame myself for being so dissatisfied. Like I said, I’m a story-teller first, illustrator second.

I blamed an art block that had me eventually scrap a 20 page comic that was drafted and lined. I wasn't satisfied with the storyboarding at all. Because I was burned out, the storyboarding was done in a very direct/ dull way so I wasn't happy with it. But, it was a cute idea and I probably should've finished it. (It's like throwing a month of art into the void.)

While I've decided not to salvage that comic, I've taken the experience to heart. This year when I went to the US, I was interrupted while working on a comic I will be uploading somewhat soon. It took about 5 months to finish the comic. Which is a lot for a 14 pager. And that reason is because I was similarly dissatisfied with it. The paneling and the script just felt like it could be better and I wasn't happy working on it. But instead of randomly dropping it, I just re-storyboarded it until I was happier. The comic isn't posted yet, but I like it sooo much more than the initial draft! So my lesson going forward is to put more focus on my personal satisfaction. This isn't my job, it's a hobby I'm passionate about so I should always prioritise my own feelings!

I did end up drawing slightly more comics though. So technically I've "fulfilled this goal". I still don't feel satisfied with my productivity but it's an improvement.

“Push those shikishi to the next level!”

This goal is pretty self explanatory. Like I said, I think I've improved my shikishi craft quite a bit. I've also experimented with various materials like craft flowers and foil! The road of improvement is long and I still have so much more to learn but I'm fairly happy with how I've done.

There is one stipulation though, which is...

“Do artist alley, but don’t burn out!”

...burn out from doing too many artist alleys.

I did explicitly remind myself not to do too many, but I ended up doing 4 this year. I think this had a direct impact on my productivity and my overall satisfaction.

Don't get me wrong, I really enjoy doing artist alley with my friends. It's very rewarding. But it's also clear that I've been shooting myself in the foot. While I enjoy making shikishi they're not very sustainable for populating an artist alley table. When they've sold, they're gone. And it becomes empty space on the table. It isn't like prints or keychains where you can mass-produce some more. It could take me weeks to fill my table again. And I think this is where my productivity feels very strained.

"There's a con coming up... so I should prepare! I guess I should put this comic on hold while I work on shikishi/print stock." <- this ended up happening a lot this year. When it comes to making comics I'm really momentum-based where I have to basically hyper focus. So when my momentum is broken, I have a hard time going again...

And focus issues aside, when I combine it with the holidays I've taken I just haven't had as much time to work on comics in general.

It'd be convenient if I aimed to print every comic I made as they're completed (then you'd have a cycle of new prints on the table every time) but I'd rather aim towards thicker books/ bigger projects.

My problems would probably be solved if I made more prints or keychains and the like. I wouldn't have to be so pressed. But again, I know the issue just stems from me. I don't enjoy those things as much and I really want to specialise in shikishi and hand-drawn art along side my comics.

This year I want to be more selective with my tabling. Either that, or draw faster lmfao .

“Actually start planning that next story”

LMFAO what a big joke. I didn't do much on this.

I actually changed my sights to a few more scale ideas, so I'm not terribly fussed by this. Priorities change sometimes, y'know? What's important to me is that I'm still working towards something.

Goals for 2025:

With all of that in mind, here are the goals I've set for 2025! There's a lot so I don't expect to do them all. I would be happy to select a couple of things 😊. Step by step y'know?

"Draw more comics" (Repeatable Quest)

Continue my setsuayu anthology

I'm working on a bunch of little setsuayu stories I'd like to combine into a collection! I don't know if I'll finish for sure, but I'd like to make more progress.

Make non-setsuayu works

I've been bouncing ideas in my head for R3B1RTH comic ideas. And YuShizu. I've always liked these characters so I'd like to finally dedicate some time to them.

Honestly this goal is so incredibly malleable. I don't see it productive to set a static number of works I'd like to release. Because what really matters is if I make work I end up happy with. I could even end up drawing comics that are completely different in topic but still feel satisfied!

"Improve at art" (Repeatable Quest)

I made this goal super broad too because there's a number of things I want to try doing.

General:

study painting techniques

I think more practise with realism and still-life painting would do wonders for me. It'd give me more familiarity with tone and values that would help me in general. I also would like to make little shikishi with still life!

study composition

Recently I bought a textbook about this topic. My composition skills... could be better! It's truly a mystery how I've made so many comics. When I feel stuck with comics, I get the feeling that not being familiar with composition techniques contribute to that.

Traditional:

Continue producing shikishi

This one is a no-brainer! I still want to do artist alley! I still want to practise shikishi more! Not too much to say here specifically since everything else contributes to this.

Learn how to paint

When making traditional pieces, I'm not limited by media. So why not go more multimedia? Specifically I'd like to try a workshop with watercolour painting, or even gouache! Copic markers, although fun to use do have weaknesses. It'd be good to learn more about different media and how they interact with each other to create more interesting pieces moving forward!

Continue to experiment with craft/media

I did a piece with foil this year and it was pretty neat! (but a bit shoddy since it was my first time haha). I'd like to go further and continue designing pieces that use other materials in different ways.

I've also bought special inks that I'm excited to use as well!

"Improve my actual health"

Okay this one is the hardest goal... For context towards the end of this year I've been really tired. By what? I'm not that sure. I'd take multiple power naps a day and still feel sleepy. And I'd get 8 hours of sleep each night... And it's not like I'm restless when sleeping. I sleep perfectly fine but there's always a blanket of exhaustion....

Anyways I think I should eat healthier and get more exercise in. I think it would help my productivity more. (Less snackies for me 😢)

If anyone read this, damn that's crazy!

Let's have a good year!

[susurra-el-arroyo-manso]

The scenes I do have pictures for are linked below with page #s and a quote from the scene. Obviously this is all spoilers.

23 Theriverbeyond Dec 24 2023 https://theriverbeyond.tumblr.com/post/737636729130024960 Gideon's Mother

40 Catsarma Oct 6 2022 https://catsarma.tumblr.com/post/697415042253062144/this-was-gonna-just-be-a-funny-doodle-from-gideon """Whole Hog"""

46 Anaeolist Feb 3 2023 https://www.tumblr.com/anaeolist/708263300501307392/anyway-i-love-this-scene?source=share """I have work for you"""

49 Sbeana Aug 4 2023 https://www.tumblr.com/sbeana/724754318914453504/i-like-when-gideon-was-sassy-in-an-environment?source=share """Like hell I would nonagesimus"""

105 Synnyi Nov 8 2022 https://synnyi.tumblr.com/post/700385385458565120/id-like-to-see-your-eyes """I'd like to see your eyes"" -Dulcinea"

167 Chkntenders Aug 10 2023 https://chkntenders.tumblr.com/post/725278002217402368/like-for-the-amount-of-dinner-parties-harrow-is """I want to eat a dessert"""

202 Lovelycloudsart Mar 2 2023 https://lovelycloudsart.tumblr.com/post/710730625153417216/underrated-gtn-moment-in-my-opinion """Look"" ""at the key"""

263 Corvophobia Jan 13 2021 https://corvophobia.tumblr.com/post/640212048034283520/miss-camilla-the-sixth-are-you-free-on-saturday """Go loud"""

263 Sermna Mar 7 2024 https://sermna.tumblr.com/post/744319203652304897/this-probably-isnt-very-canon-compliant-but """Go Loud"""

266 The chehkov sept 13 2023 https://thechekhov.tumblr.com/post/728385394699321344/harrows-necromantic-power-includes-the-ability-to """The ninth house will represent the sixth"""

300 Kangaruthi Mar 4 2024 https://kangaruthi.tumblr.com/post/744036370352390144/gideon-the-ninth-page-300 Weary and soft

355 Softseaside August 8 2023 https://www.tumblr.com/softseaside/725104100236247040/one-flesh-one-end-gideon-the-ninth-fan-comic """I could not do the slightest thing my house expected of me"""

374 Andry-di Dec 23 2023 https://www.tumblr.com/andry-di/737708821884141568/hohoho-merry-chrismax?source=share """I won’t leave her"" -Judith"

380 Naomistares Feb 19 2025 https://www.tumblr.com/naomistares/742774168023678976/ianthes-little-cannibalism-moment-except-its-not?source=share """You lied to us"""

394 Destructivemaiden Nov 27 2021 https://www.tumblr.com/destructivemaiden/669031861807448064/show-some-love-for-unhinged-coronabeth?source=share “Who even cares about Babs?”

405 Sermna June 18th 2024 https://www.tumblr.com/sermna/753556940099026944/my-name-is-cytherea-the-first-she-said-lyctor Cytherea

412 Broresteia Oct 1 2021 https://www.tumblr.com/broresteia/663883547035254784/heres-a-lil-comic-i-drew-up-of-pgs-412-414-of?source=share """I need to be inside you"""

441 Andry-Di https://www.tumblr.com/andry-di/737960510030544896?source=share """Lord please undo what I have done"""

No page # yet:

Conqueredrainbow, nov 19 2020, “I’ll still do it” https://www.tumblr.com/conqueredrainbow/635099068999368704?source=share

Pierogish, mar 30 2024, https://www.tumblr.com/pierogish/746385066022862848/exploring?source=share ""exploring"""

Aaardvarks, apr 1 2024 https://aaardvarks.tumblr.com/post/746603233749893120/love-that-this-is-what-gideon-thinks-about-while

Pygmypouter Jul 21, 2023 https://www.tumblr.com/pygmypouter/723427666962874368/this-place-is-a-message-and-part-of-a-system-of

Toughinkart, dec 20 2023 https://www.tumblr.com/toughtinkart/738106987352604672/you-ever-think-about-how-canaan-house-is-probably

Malefertile, oct 31 2020 “Quinn and Pent"" https://www.tumblr.com/malefertile/633503962128056320/this-is-just-a-test-page-to-see-how-a-gtn-comic?source=share"

I love all of these so much! If people know of other illustrations/comics of specific scenes, I'd love to include any of those too (esp. if you have a page number lol). I think something for the ambiance of drearburh would also be a good addition. Basically I'm very open to suggestions!

I don't know if this is genius or madness but I'm printing out every illustration/comic I can find of scenes from Gideon the Ninth & turning it into an illustrated book. With attributions to the artists of course. I have 40 so far.