#traditional scribles | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

eternalshadeart · 9 months ago

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I've been doing digital art for almost 2 years now, with little to no practice on actual paper for these 2 years, and that got me thinking did I Lose my touch with traditional art, Haven't picked up an actual paint brush in so long. Its easy to get lost in the vast possibilities that digital painting softwares offer, ranging from hundreds of brush textures, to tools to make your shaky lines smooth, making the perfect circles, filing a solid colour in an instant.

Where you absolutely dont have to wait for your oils or watercolor to dry up before going for the next layer, and most importantly no need to spend dollars on art supplies and if you make any mistake the undo option is always there for you.

It did make painting easier in a way, but it also comes with its own cons, when I started digital painting I felt like I had to learn from scratch how to use the particular software, and had to learn to paint all over again. Tho it catches up quick but still figuering out how to use each tool, how all the functions, brushes, layers, blend modes work. It does take some time.

Nevertheless I ventured from my point, so since I've been painting dgitally for 2 years I figured its time to indulge in some traditional work, touch base and see If im still worthy.

I tried painting a couple of small canvas and got stuck figuring out what to draw, to have the exact outcome planned out because if I decide halfway through coloring my background that I dont like how it looks, I dont have a ctrl Z to help me this time, I'll have to paint over the whole thing and start from scratch. Painting on the canvas directly is a commitment and theres a looming pressure that the outcome should look beautiful and completed, and I already have enough anxiety, not really excited about been anxious about the thing i love.

One warm afternoon I picked up a tiny notebook I had, bought it on a whim last year and it has been sitting on my shelf since then, its a 4"x4" pocket notebook with decent paper quality, perfect to try out the random black gel pen I found lying around. And I got to it, found a cozy warm place and made a small pen sketch of a tree. The texture looked nice, i did mess up a couple timeson the leaves but since its just a disposable paper I didnt worry much on it, just covered it up with more scriblings. It felt pretty good, ad I realised with digital art the one thing I'm missing is customisign how I organise and decorate my work collection.

With digital software all your art is stored as mere .png or .jpg or whichever format you prefer, but thats it, its just a photo album, unlike a sketchbook where you can decorate the cover, add a couple of sticker or notes to it, stick a dried flower you found, or just about anything creative.

The overall feel of a sketchbook is entirely different and I dont have to worry about each page looking like a finished work.

I love painting digitally but painting on a sketchbook is almost nostalgic, so I finally started one.

Got myself a small A6 sketcbook with a pretty floral cover,cut out the pen sketch i did and glued it on the first page, and thus started to fill each page with totally random unrelated paintings.

So anyway this was a lengthy way to tell you how painting on a sketchbook somehow made me improve my art, and felt incredibly amazing, tho I've completed just couple pages, each page looks beatifull in its own way, and i got to try out a couple of pens, and paints that I havnt used in so long.

got to try doing simple portraits, tried to double tap multiple times on the page (stupid muscle memory).

so anyway here are a few pages that I have completed, and if you did read till the end, thanks for bearing with the (rant)?

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laythornmuse · 7 years ago

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Where We Begin, Chapter 19

~Claire at 20 Weeks~

“Christ!” Claire exclaimed as she turned to inspect her profile. “I’m huge.”

Claire eyed her bump and pulled the fabric of her dress flush to her skin.

“Jamie?”

An inquisitive grunt sounded from the window. Jamie had his nose buried in the newest issue of Horse and Hound, no doubt rereading the controversial article that had he and John in an uproar for the last 24 hours. His frown was etched into his cheekbones, and if she wasn’t feeling so…enormous, she thought, she’d probably leave him to his grumbling.

The last 6 weeks at Lallybroch had been a mixed time of highs and lows. While the reporters were scarce in person, both their phones were habitually set to vibrate and they both agreed after the first week to avoid reading anything on the internet.

Harvey’s prosecutor had called a few times for statements, but so far the hospital felt they had enough to bury him on his conduct alone. Geneva was a different story. As interviews were conducted, the extent of Geneva’s involvement became harder to trace. Eventually, law enforcement decided Harvey was the stronger lead to chase and dropped Geneva’s investigation. Still, restraining orders were filed, and deep lines were drawn in the sand between Jamie’s business and the provost’s daughter. John’s relationship with his brother suffered as he pressed for his niece to disclose her involvement. Jamie took to spending more evenings with John as his family became more estranged and in turn, John found himself spending more weekends at Lallybroch.

The immediacy of the trial was only trumped by Claire’s quickly progressing pregnancy. After finding an obstetrician and confirming she and the baby girl Fraser were in good health, their second ultrasound delivered more startling news: A high-risk pregnancy.

“Any spotting?” Her doctor asked as she examined the ultrasound. “No. No cramping either…” Claire added. She met Jamie’s gaze and squeezed his hand as he shot her a reassuring grin.

“Well…” the Doctor began.

“What?” Claire blurted out. “Is something wrong? Is she okay?”

“You’re fine,” she began, patting Claire’s hand. “Baby is fine. Your placenta is obscuring your cervix a bit. Not uncommon for 16 weeks since baby has a lot of growing to do, but given your history I want to play it safe.”

Claire let out a breath. “Agreed. What do you suggest?”

“Well, you aren’t spotting or cramping. That’s excellent, but until the placenta shifts, I’d recommend a few weeks of pelvic rest.”

“Pelvic rest?” Jamie asked. “As in bed rest?”

“Not so severe. Just a break from strenuous activity until your next ultrasound. No exercise, heavy exertion or sex.”

“Oh,” Jamie nodded, his face turning a slight shade of pink. “All right. Well, we’ll…”

“What kind of sex?” Claire asked, her face contorted in concern. Jamie’s mouth gaped a bit as his head turned back to her.

“I’d avoid penetration, mostly.”

“Because of ejaculation or…”

“Hmph.” The redness, Claire noticed, was rising up his neck.

“Possibly, but also to avoid irritating your cervix.”

“So orgasms are fine?”

“Yes, just no excessive jarring.” The doctor scribled a note in her chart. “Let me grab these pictures off the printer.”

When the doctor exited their exam room, Jamie shot Claire a look of disbelief. “Christ, lass.”

“What?” Claire exclaimed.

“I’m just surprised you left out your preferred positions, given what else you wished to discuss,” He grumbled.

“Jamie,” Claire laughed. “I’m pregnant. She knows we have sex.”

“I know, but…” he grimaced. “I don’t mind going without ye for a few weeks if it means you’re well.”

“This isn’t about you!” She exclaimed, barely holding back a cackle, when his lips formed a small pout. “I’ve been insatiable lately. I don’t know if I can handle a few weeks away from you, or have you not noticed?”

A small smile played across his lips as he leaned closer. “Aye, I’ve noticed.”

“And of course we’d abstain if we had to but…” she flushed as his brows rose at her. “Well, we don’t have to.”

“Hmmph.” He pressed his brow to hers, his eyes locked to hers until they wore matching grins “You greedy thing.”

In the following weeks, Jamie had accommodated her graciously, loving her thoroughly and as many times as it took to satisfy her. He’d hitch her knees over his shoulders, or in the dead of night, would hold her back to his chest and open her thighs with his own, letting his fingers coax her to a trembling release.

Claire mentally counted the days since that appointment and realized today made her exactly 20 weeks, a benchmark that consequently lined up with her delicate swell ballooning to a pronounced mound overnight. Horse and Hound would simply have to wait.

She crossed the room until she stood a foot from his knees, and waited as he put the magazine down.

“Sorry. What did you say?”

“I’m enormous.”

He raised a brow. “You’re still wearing normal clothes. Even your trousers.”

“That’s because…” she huffed and stopped, not wanting to start a conversation on the fit of hipster trousers and knits. “Look!”

She lifted the hem of her sundress and stepped between his knees, placing her swollen, 5-month belly into his hands. His grin widened in surprise as his fingers spread across her tight skin. She narrowed her gaze as he let out a soft chuckle.

“Oh you’re no help at all,” she said begrudgingly as Jamie leaned forward to kiss her stomach.

“There ye are, mo nighean,” Jamie said softly to her belly, and despite the nervous energy flowing through her, she felt herself worries deflate. “Don’t worry about your mam. She’s just surprised you grew so fast.”

“Jamie…”

“Claire.” He spoke her name softly, reverently as his fingers slipped down her belly to loop into the sides of her knickers. He pulled at the elastic, letting it snap gently at her skin.

She let out a sigh. “Am I so obvious? My insecurity?”

“I don’t see insecurity.” He whispered against her skin. “I see freckles, and creamy skin that smells like lavender…and a gorgeous ass that’s tight and fills my hands…”

“And a pot belly…”

He snickered. “I like seeing ye this way, in truth. You seem to shift the energy of every room you walk into, pulling all the good and laughter and light to ye before radiating it out tenfold…”

“I think that's just for you…”

“Nay,” he whispered, picking up her hand and bringing it to his lips. “John sees it too. Called me a lucky bastard just the other day.” He grinned before his lips settled into a stout, thoughtful line. “In another life perhaps, John could have envied me for meeting you first.”

“Liar,” Claire scoffed. “John views me as a sister.”

“Because he has to,” he murmured. “I’d kill him otherwise.”

Claire shuffled forward, shifting until she could settle onto his lap. “Even if your right, which I don’t think you are…” she toyed with the buttons at his neck as she dropped her eyes. “It would hardly matter. I’m positively crazy for you, James Fraser.”

A smile lit his eyes as Claire leaned forward for a kiss, though his hesitance made her pull back. “What is it?”

“Are ye feeling up for a walk to the stables?” His voice was an octave lower as his fingers interlaced with hers.

“Yes.”

“Good. Get your wellies, lass.”

Ten minutes later, she stood with Jamie by Losgann who was cheerfully munching on her hay under her tent.

“I’ve been thinking,” Jamie began, his hand running up Losgann’s nose. “You’ll be needing a horse of your own soon.”

Claire let out an abrupt laugh, a jovial silliness taking over as she chased Jamie’s hand down Losgann’s side. “Oh is that so? For when I’m off my pelvic rest?”

Jamie smiled. “Aye. And its tradition as well. Every member of the family has their own horse, and with Donas insistence on me, Losgann here will be needing your company, I think.”

Claire felt a ripple of emotion flutter through her chest. “Jamie…” she started, her eyes unexpectedly growing damp at his gesture. “But, she’s yours.”

“Aye, and so are you.” Jamie winked at her as he pulled her closer. “I asked Losgann. She likes ye just fine, Sorcha.”

Claire found herself speechless as Losgann seemed to agree by wuffling against her curls. She let out a tearful chuckle as she worked her fingers into the think hair between the horse’s ears.

“Jamie…thank you,” she whispered, meeting his lips As he stepped closer to her. “I won’t be able to ride her for several months though. Won’t she get lonely?”

“Nah, besides she’s in no condition to be ridden now. Not until she foals.”

Claire looked up and stared at him as his words clicked into place. Crossing her arms over her chest, her mouth gaped as she observed Losgann’s thicker flank.

“You knocked up my horse?” She asked sharply.

“Well, Donas, but…” Jamie said with a sheepish shrug of his shoulders.

“You let the biting monster knock up my horse?” She exclaimed louder, though a smirk tugged at her lips now.

“You don’t hold my bites against me, lass,” he said huskily against her ear, before dodging her swinging fist. “And the studding calmed him down some.”

“Oh, I’m sure! You bloody…Scot,” she barked out in laughter, as she clipped his side one more time before she allowed him to sweep her into a kiss.

“When is she due?”

“Och, not for another 10 months or so. We just confirmed it the other day.”

“Poor thing. That’s a long time to be uncomfortable.”

“I thought ye’d have some thoughts to share with her,” he said as he grinned.

“Oh. Last bit. Losgann has a gift for you, so you really feel part of the Fraser clan.”

“Is it chaps? Or my own smart riding boots? Perhaps a dressage…”

Claire’s mouth slammed shut as Jamie presented her with a handsome new leather bridle that had thistle leaves stamped into the leather strips that would adorn Losgann’s nose and face. On the ear strap, Claire found a CF perfectly embossed into the leather…

And on the bit strap, a delicate titanium ring, smooth with diamonds embedded flush against the metal.

“I thought to myself, what kind of ring would I get a doctor, nevermind a surgeon, who cuts and rends disease with her hands all day long?” He started quietly as he unfastened the ring. “Titanium, obviously.” He rolled his eyes and a laugh burst from her lips. “Something quietly beautiful and smooth, strong but delicate, like her.”

Jamie knelt in the mud at her feet, smile unwavering, and kissed her hands as Claire bit her bottom lip, willing herself to remain quiet until he spoke the words she hadn’t realized she’d been waiting a lifetime to hear.

“Marry me, Claire?”

She molded her lips to his, dropping down to her knees in front of him.

“Of course I’ll marry you.”

His arms circled her tightly as he let out a joyous laugh. The tears streamed down her cheeks as he slid the ring onto her finger, and pressed kisses to her eyes, cheeks, and forehead.

“I love you,” she whispered to him. “I know I don’t say it enough, but always know how privileged I feel…to love you, and be loved by you.”

“I know, lass. And I love ye, as well.”

Present Day

She spun her wedding band on her finger as she eyed Geneva, muted and shrunken. She certainly didn't appear to be a threat but given the last few months…

“You know you can’t be here…”

“I know,” her eyes locked on hers. “And I’ve never tried before but…” she let out a trembling breath. “You’re in danger. You and Jamie both are.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Harvey was let off this afternoon. The judge threw out the case…”

“How?” Claire barked. “That’s not possible…he…”

“I know but you have to listen, please!”

“I don’t-”

The air shattered around Claire’s head as three shots sounded outside the office. She and Geneva ran towards the door, out towards the mass of people gathered.

It was the type of chaos that can only ensue when blood, alcohol, and violence are combined on a palette. No one would move out of her way. The screams and shouts were too loud to discern words, while other stood by frozen from shock. Pushing forward, Claire first saw John, his knee in the middle of Harvey’s back as cuffs appeared in his hand, seemingly from midair. Jenny appeared next, screaming directions into her mobile for a helicopter transport. Her hands were covered in blood, trailing down the skirt of her dress, and across the grass…to…

“Jamie,” Claire whispered.

#don't kill me #laythornmuse #where we begin #chapter 17 #LTM Where We Begin

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