Introduction
Hello! I thought it would be a good idea to share some of my old drawings to show the progress I have made over time. I will also describe my personal thoughts during each time period and how it affected my art!
(A lot of drawings are not recorded because they were deleted out of shame, erased due to computer failure, were given away, were damaged, or threw away for different reasons.)
(A lot of drawings are not recorded because they were deleted out of shame, erased due to computer failure, were given away, were damaged, or threw away for different reasons.)
The Undocumented
In my sixth grade class (2006), one of my friends taught me how to draw a brick wall. I found it interesting how you can see something more in depth, and know it enough to draw it. That brick wall sparked my interest in drawing. I began drawing in class and decided on taking art electives the next year.
During middle school (2007-2008) I learned a lot about shading, about shapes, lines, perspective, and more. The teacher and other students said it was apparent that I could draw, but I was very shy and modest about it. Even so, I ended up receiving the Platinum Award for Advanced Art.
I'm very thankful to have had Ms.Cutler as my first art teacher. Sorry, I was too shy to ever visit you after I left!
I took an art class freshman year (2009) in high school. We worked on the principles and elements of art and had some projects where we would incorporate it, and others that were more playful and let us use different mediums. Around the same time, I discovered DeviantArt and photo-manipulation. Photo realistic art like "dahlig's" inspired me to get a Photoshop trial and attempt it myself. I learned the basics of Photoshop like cropping, blurring, collaging, changing the lighting and color, layers, and brushes. Sadly, the trial eventually expired. I also later had computer problems and couldn't get the old files.
In 2010, I didn't have as much exposure to art I mainly only drew for friends or in boring classes. All of my drawings were mainly graphite on copy paper. I knew I could draw, because a lot of people would admire it, but I would keep brushing it aside thinking it wasn't such a valuable skill to possess.
During middle school (2007-2008) I learned a lot about shading, about shapes, lines, perspective, and more. The teacher and other students said it was apparent that I could draw, but I was very shy and modest about it. Even so, I ended up receiving the Platinum Award for Advanced Art.
I'm very thankful to have had Ms.Cutler as my first art teacher. Sorry, I was too shy to ever visit you after I left!
I took an art class freshman year (2009) in high school. We worked on the principles and elements of art and had some projects where we would incorporate it, and others that were more playful and let us use different mediums. Around the same time, I discovered DeviantArt and photo-manipulation. Photo realistic art like "dahlig's" inspired me to get a Photoshop trial and attempt it myself. I learned the basics of Photoshop like cropping, blurring, collaging, changing the lighting and color, layers, and brushes. Sadly, the trial eventually expired. I also later had computer problems and couldn't get the old files.
In 2010, I didn't have as much exposure to art I mainly only drew for friends or in boring classes. All of my drawings were mainly graphite on copy paper. I knew I could draw, because a lot of people would admire it, but I would keep brushing it aside thinking it wasn't such a valuable skill to possess.
2011 (Age: 14-15)
In 2012, I rediscovered DeviantArt and was inspired by "Shivita" to draw furries. I spend most of the year drawing them with a mouse on Paint Tool Sai. I also took and ROP Animation class during the summer. No one told me there was such a thing sooner! We mainly did traditional animation on paper and learned the basics. The art teacher enjoyed my art and wanted me to visit the following year. Shyness, however.. again, kept me from doing that.
2012 (Age: 16-17)
Traditionally, I drew a lot in my sketchbook. I would scan most of the drawings and make them digital by tracing over it. I at times drew for friends. Near the middle of the year I was able to buy a Wacom Bamboo Tablet that I used until 2016. The first drawing being the purple dead dog looking one. I did a lot of art trades with people on DeviantArt, but inside I was trying really hard to be a perfectionist. I also redid my characters so many times. I began making new accounts again and again, and I lost my following. I also wanted to look for my style, not seeing that I had one; so I would want my drawings more chibi and sometimes more realistic. I would try doing backgrounds at times. I added texture, signatures, watermarks, animations. I made a lot of progress this year.
2013 (Age: 17-18)
Even though I started college and had more free time I didn't create nearly as much art as I did in 2012. I did a little realism in the beginning of the year but I just didn't feel the same motivation or felt inspired. I was more concentrated on cross country and college, as well as my own research on the wold... I still wanted to improve my drawing. I had random moments throughout the year where I would try to draw something. This is the year where I learned there was a thing called the "art block." Which I feel happens when you give in to the thought that says "No; Maybe I should- , I don't like it - , Nevermind," and never starts and idea.
2014 (Age: 18-19)
This year was more productive for creating art. I decided not to do what my college counselor recommended, I took almost all art classes. I was able to try different mediums and learn on what kind of paper to use for certain projects. I drew/painted a lot of still lifes and it helped me see better, therefore improved my realism. The classes helped understand the fundamentals of art: Color. Shape. Texture. Space. Form. Unity/harmony. Balance.
2015 (Age: 19-20)
I continued school for one more semester and took pottery and printmaking. However, I decided not to continue in the fall because I didn't feel like it was helping me with my style as much as I would have liked. I wanted to create more from my mind and mental/emotional inspiration than drawing what is already there. I also began learning about " negative feelings." I was a very quiet child growing up, and held a lot in. I didn't quite notice how much until after high school. But this is when I began learning more about my emotional side... and I became very emotional.
I did a lot of self-help techniques and got really into spirituality and self development. This year involved a lot of traveling, though not far. As the year began getting better I fell into a heart break and a deep depression. It that actually helped with putting better ideas and color into art. I also got into music at this time and got myself a guitar and bass. Near the end of the year I felt better though had a new emerging conflict.
I did a lot of self-help techniques and got really into spirituality and self development. This year involved a lot of traveling, though not far. As the year began getting better I fell into a heart break and a deep depression. It that actually helped with putting better ideas and color into art. I also got into music at this time and got myself a guitar and bass. Near the end of the year I felt better though had a new emerging conflict.
2016 (Age: 20-21)
I decided to go back to school for the Spring Semester with the intention of socializing and meeting other artists. I also started my first job at a PetHotel. We began getting busy and I began falling back on projects in school. I became too embarrassed to return to class with unfinished projects. So, I sort of never returned...
I continued working and it began taking a toll on me. To sum things up: I was emotionally unstable. We also had some family problems that had been developing within the past year, and it was about to resolve itself in a big way. My parents ended up moving back to Mexico and I moved in with my sister. I left my job and everyone within a good distance from me. The inner me wanted it; I knew that it would help me focus on my art and become who I want to be. However, loneliness isn't fun and I was feeling it throughout it all. I began losing confidence, I was afraid to go outside, I was afraid of finding a new job. I slowly picked myself up. Soon got a job at Michael's an arts and crafts store which gave me the financial stability I needed it also helped make me more social and open. I decided to return to school for the social factor, but I quickly felt like it wasn't for me. I blocked the "perfectionist" in me who kept me from starting anything because of fear of failing. I sketched a lot more but wouldn't call most finished pieces.
I continued working and it began taking a toll on me. To sum things up: I was emotionally unstable. We also had some family problems that had been developing within the past year, and it was about to resolve itself in a big way. My parents ended up moving back to Mexico and I moved in with my sister. I left my job and everyone within a good distance from me. The inner me wanted it; I knew that it would help me focus on my art and become who I want to be. However, loneliness isn't fun and I was feeling it throughout it all. I began losing confidence, I was afraid to go outside, I was afraid of finding a new job. I slowly picked myself up. Soon got a job at Michael's an arts and crafts store which gave me the financial stability I needed it also helped make me more social and open. I decided to return to school for the social factor, but I quickly felt like it wasn't for me. I blocked the "perfectionist" in me who kept me from starting anything because of fear of failing. I sketched a lot more but wouldn't call most finished pieces.
2017 (Age: 21-22)
A lot of things began changing in the beginning of the year. At first the energy felt stagnant, but I pushed through and did a couple of drawings and would change mediums often. I had another break up which felt very needed. I moved out from my sister's place and moved in with a friend. I transferred jobs, got my car stolen along with my easel and other things like my passport. However, the car appeared though it needed some repairs. I got a second job, and eventually was overwhelmed (felt like all I was doing was adulting and not following my values). I quit one and stayed at the other. I regrew my social circle, had an awesome birthday party. But, I had my car stolen again while at work, this time the car didn't survive. Life in general still had improved this year and so did my art.
2018 (Age 22-23)
I began experimenting with copic markers. I sketched a lot more often and finally finished my first small sketchbook. I drew random people on facebook