The Eyes Have It

A break from GAfilk reports...



Since I started drawing/painting for money, I realize I've cut way down on drawing for the pure fun of it. Blatherings is my "fun" writing outlet (as opposed to paid assignments), and I'm determined to keep drawing for fun as well.

I suspect some of you other artsy-creative types may feel similarly -- writing or drawing to someone else's specifications is a completely different animal from writing or drawing for the pure fun of it. I could be drawing EXACTLY THE SAME THING as something I'd doodle on my own, but if it's because I -have- to do it, it's work.

So not only am I going to keep doodling for doodling's sake, but I'm also going to keep experimenting with different styles. A cartoon-y style seems to suit me the best right now, but it doesn't mean I can't keep experimenting and learning more about other styles and techniques.



Hence the eye drawing above! I was trying to draw a realistic face and realized that I totally suck (did I mention before I sorely lack formal training??). So I figure it's about time I get practice drawing individual elements first before trying to put them all together.

For this drawing, I followed this eye tutorial. I used the Chalk brush in Corel Painter since I figured it was also a good chance to learn how to use that tool as well. My eye isn't nearly as good as one in the tutorial, but it's a heckuva lot better than my own attempts.

The tutorial also spurred me to try the "Soft Light" composite option in Corel Painter, which I've never tried before -- I usually opt for the Default or Gel. Next, I need to practice drawing different types of eyes. Longterm goal: learn how to draw realistic eyes without a reference.

And once again I marvel at the wealth of info and learning opportunities made available by the Web. Yes, there are downsides, but as far as I'm concerned, they're far outweighed by the benefits.



This weekend I'm hoping to start catching up on a ream of favours and commitments I've promised particular people, including LJ user icons, CD blurbs, bookmarks, mini-bios, cartoons, drawings, posts and paintings, as well as at least one custom song I donated at an Interfilk auction ages ago (but am still waiting for details). My goal is to get most of these off my plate within the next couple of months.

If you think I've forgotten something I owe you (I'm talking about specific commitments, not the mega-long general LJ user icon wish list), feel free to remind me!

Speaking of long-overdue favours, here's a poem I owe Thesilee, long overdue from a meme I volunteered for back in 2006! (I very rarely commit to memes and 'tag me' memes but I couldn't resist this one)

A SILLY POEM FOR THESILEE
(with some badly botched German, even!)

I like to doodle
and ask for a *knuddel*
from you even though your time may often be booked
With a *schluchz* and a *schnief*
I turn over a new leaf
with a *hüpfspringrumtanzknuddelwieverrückt*!

THE END



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