Zentangles Vol. 1

(Why volume one? Because shhhhh. There will probably most likely be more.)


So I realized that I haven't posted any of my artwork in a while, and I don't really know why that is. It's not like I stopped drawing once I graduated, though I do admit that now that I have a full time job, it does kind of put a strain on my free-time/ability to function.

So I've decided that I want to start posting my artwork again because why not. This is a creative space, no? :]


One thing that I've been doing a lot of lately is doodling random zentangles/ patterned pieces. Though I have a confession to make-- I didn't know they were called zentangles until like... two years ago. I always just referred to this type of art as just non-representational works (thanks, good ol' art history class) so now I feel so pretentious calling them zentangles. Don't judge meeeee. Eh.

The thing that I really like about zentangles is that I find them so mindless and stress relieving to do. There's no pressure to draw them "right." You don't have to worry about proportions or shading or have making them look like something specific. They're just so.... monotonous but in a really good way? Does that even make sense?

 The way that I usually start mine is that I typically choose a motif or a couple of motifs. Then I just repeat those shapes over and over until I have a general flow that I like. It also helps me to think about positive and negative space, and whether I'm leaving any room for the eye to "breathe" (such as how I left large spaces of plain black and white in the above ones).

And not all my designs are successful either. Like the one above? Not much of a fan. But I like to keep my mistakes and finish them because I sometimes the process of just creating something is what is important, not necessarily the finished product.

I also bought a 24 pack of sharpies not that long ago and am having fun just messing around with them. By no means is my coloring neat, but hey, at least this was fun.

(Fun fact-- this one was actually made from cutting up and collaging some weird demon money that this eccentric magic shop owner gave me....long story, not shady at all....)

And sometimes the zentangles find their way into my regular, more representational drawings. I actually thought about cutting my hair like that (that's why I drew this) but then I realized that I am a giant baby nerd and would miss my hair too much.

But like I said-- I hope to get better at posting my artwork some more. When I started this blog, I really thought I would be doing more of the artsy posting, but that got a little bit away from me. So my question is-- would y'all like to see more? Or would you like me to explain my process/any art processes? Because I'd love to do more of that if you all are interested :]


Linkin up:
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March/April Sketchbook

Heeeey friends :]

I thought I would share a peek at my sketchbook from the last two months. There isn't anything too special going on, but I'm going to try and sketch more over summer to keep myself fresh. So here we are!

Here we have some pencil sketches of one of my OC's [with one of my fave quotes from Christopher Palu. I love that man so much. Y'all don't even KNOW.]

And cats because yeah.

At one point I took my students on a field trip to the Art Institute and ended up doing some studies of the Greek sculptures they have there.

Because come on-- marble sculpted fabric? Art-gasmic. I have mad respect for anyone who can carve marble.

I also recently got into the show Attack on Titan, which is pretty cool. Armin is def my fave character because I have a weak spot for my fellow nerds.

And Eren of course because why not.

I haven't been doing a lot of full-color drawings lately, but I did manage to finish one of my OC Esther.

And last, but hella not least, I think it's pretty well established how much I love Party King Thrandy. Ugh. I can't.


Linkin' Up:
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January/February Sketchbook

Remember that one time that I said I was going to do monthly sketchbook updates? Yeah, I forgot last month's haha. But I didn't mean to! Promise! Things and stuff have just been crazy and yeah.

I haven't had the MOST time for art these past two months, but I've been trying to sneak in a sketch here and there. I was able to do a few things at the beginning of January before school started, but ever since then I've been a bit more sporadic.

But I do have a few things to share:

I don't know if y'all know this... But I FREAKING LOVE THRANDUIL. You know-- Party King? Legolas's dad from the Hobbit? No? Just me? Okay, well I love him because he is just so fab. So so fab.

Then just sketching some crystals [and I love how you can see the ghost of King Thrandy in the background haha].

I also drew a picture of my friend's original character for her, Delaney, but I still don't really like how he turned out...

And then Jaqen H'Ghar because yeah.

At the beginning of January I also went on a big blue Sharpie kick. This would be exhibit A.

Aaaaand exhibit B. Have I ever mentioned how much I love drawing hipster hair? Because I def do.

\

Finally, the last one is completely my roommate's fault. She lent me her markers and told me to draw something uncreative. Which then turned into a reference from Don't Hug Me I'm Scared. [If you value your sanity, don't youtube that. Trust me.]

Anyway, I just thought I'd show y'all a little bit of what I have been up to!

Linkin' up:

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December Sketchbook and Goodbye 2013

Is it really time to say goodbye to 2013?
Really? I just got used to writing 2013 as part of the date...

Ah well, such is life. On to bigger and better things, right?

For my last post of this year, I thought I'd share some of the highlights of what has amassed in my sketchbook since the last time that I shared my artwork. Nothing too fancy, but I wanted to put it out there anyway [and maybe turn this into a regular monthly update thing].

I love sketching wings.

And cat facial expressions. THEY'RE SO PRECIOUS. Especially since the one on top is basically a self-portrait...

And who doesn't love red pandas? But for real though-- does anyone know what kind of sound they make? Because I imagine it being like a muffled hrrfrrfrrrr or something.

I also managed to ACTUALLY do some colored sketches too. This one was inspired my compass roses.

And sexy magicians. Nuff said.

Oh yeah, and welcome my newest OC-- Micah. He's another precious babe :] Because I have an obsession of making a disproportionate amount of male OCs... I regret NOTHING.

I mean come on, look at that little faaaaace! [and the amount of washing out that my scanner did!]


But anyway, I hope to be able to draw more in 2013. The last semester really limited my amount of free time, but hopefully I'll be able to accomplish more in 2014--


[maybe] Linkin' up:
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Art Post

So I took some pictures of some of the art I finished a little while ago. I'm allowed to share my art, right? Right. Otherwise it just sits in my sketchbook, which then proceeds to get thrown on the floor, which then proceeds to get sat on by Kitty.

This one was for my friend Ginger because she had a biiiiiirthday last week. So I drew her her pirate character, Senka. Pirates are always good, yeah? Seriously, it would be great to be a pirate for a week. Boats, swords, and SO MUCH FACIAL HAIR. Sign me up, man.

And then some time ago I drew my Betta fish Apollo as if he were a human. Cause he is always a Grumps McGee.

And I think I'm going to start sharing my art more regularly haha.