Nate

Avery

I'm finally feeling comfortable with digital color.  After 3 years of self taught trial and lots of errors and learning and re-learning, I'm finally feeling more confident.  In this portrait of Avery,  I focused on not using black to describe my shadows.  Instead I used cool purples and blues.   My favorite part of this picture are her cheeks. 

Sisters

The last couple of months have been so buys I hardly had time to do anything other than draw.    I was able to complete 36 portrait in 46 days.  I'm naturally slow... with about everything I do.   Having deadlines and being able to meet those is a big deal for me.  Now that the pressure is off I'v slowed down.  I stated spending about a week on each picture and I paint about 4-6 hours a day.   And I started back with drawing in color with is one of the best parts about daring.  Having limited hours I try to be as productive and focused as possible.  I struggle with the staying focused part but having only a few hours in the day helps that drive.

Abi

This little girl was such a joy to draw.  Her little facile expressions jus radiated happiness, making the last few days enjoyable.

The Gap.

This last week it seems I have had an extra hard time drawing.  I think sometimes you go though those little ruts...or big ruts. .  I just have to figure out how to push past them and to keep drawing.  I have to remind myself why I draw to begin with.  Ira Glass says its because I have good taste but its really because I just love it!  

This quote from Ira Glass has been on my mind lately, so I decided to share it. 

"Nobody tells this to people who are beginners.  I wish somebody told me.  All of us who do creative work, we get into it because we have good taste.  But there is this gap.  For the first couple of years you makes stuff, It's just not the good, It's trying to be good, it has potential, but it's not.  But your taste the thing that got you into the game, It's still killer.  And thats why your work disappoints you.  A lot of people never get past this phase, they quit.  Most people I know who do interesting, creative work went though years of this.  We know our work doesn't have the special thing that we want it to have.  We all go though this.  And if you are just starting out, or still in this phase you got to know this is normal and the most important thing you can do is do a lot of work.  It is only by going though a volume of work that you will close the gap.  And your work will be as good as your ambitions.  And I took longer to figure out how to do this than anyone I've ever met.  It's going to take awhile its normal to take awhile.  You've just got to fight your way though. " - Ira Glass

Little Princess

I'm working in Corel Painter but I'm still trying to get a more of a traditional look and feel.  By using one of their stock 2B pencil I'm getting a little bit closer to the look I want.  With 2B pencil you can see a grainy texture (I was using a stock airbrush before).   I'm also trying to tighten up my style which is one of my hardest skills to achieve.  I love the loose strokes of painting but I having been able to master.  I get better results when I get it as clear as I can.  I'm also focusing on resembling  the people I'm drawing, so keeping close attention to shape is a must.

Thank you to Nikki for letting me draw her little princess.  She was the winner of my "Like and Share" competition on Facebook. 

Enjoy!