It's been nearly two and a half months since I first started painting for the NeonMob card series, and finally I finished the last leg of paintings just last night! :) I'm happy to share that I have submitted the series for NeonMob administrators' final checking and approval. Since it is on approval queue, I do hope that the administrators get to review it before the first month of 2017 ends :) (Wow, I never realized how quick January of 2017 was. Like it just flew out the window!)
I wanted to share why the experience of really doing an artwork series is point-blank a really beautiful and memorable one. When my good friend introduced me to NeonMob, (shoutout, thanks Soph!!! You the best!), I was immediately fascinated by the idea. Trading cards? Collection? Artwork Submission? Sounded good to me. Having just recently gotten back into drawing and painting, I think part of me thirsted for the challenge. I read the Creator Handbook right after I joined the NeonMob community, and was really ecstatic to start sharing my re-discovery and passion for art. The creating process of this card series started out as my personal brainchild in the making. I've always loved cottages for one--the ambiance of serenity, the simple and naturalistic lifestyle--these are only some of the reasons on why cottages are so appealing to me. Plus, it's always been a dream of mine to someday retire in a Hobbit house like in Lord of the Rings / The Hobbit, so you can pretty much guess how the concept for the card series came about. The first few months into the creative process were pretty giddy. I enjoyed researching, sketching, and watching digital painting tutorials. I learned a lot simply watching other artists' processes, as digital painting basics are pretty much the span of my knowledge. Special mention to Matt Kohr, whose Photoshop Rendering Basics taught me a new way of seeing the whole process. I love how clearly Matt is able to explain and redirect your focus towards certain topics as he is discussing them. He has a special way of instructing that directs one towards the logic and science behind the process of digital art, which makes the process all the more relatable for most beginners. I started out with this habit of sketching my ideas and posting them on Instagram and Twitter for a start. The response and encouragement/support has been overwhelming. It's been a whirlwind. The process of learning and re-learning, applying concepts and principles to the art and composition were the biggest challenges I had to face while doing the artworks. Some didn't always turn out the way I wanted them to, but perseverance and patience does wonders. I learned that it is so important to be patient and gentle with yourself, especially when committing unintentional errors, or realizing that you could have done things a different way. I also realized and appreciated the valuable support and guidance of the people I am surrounded with. I am eternally, from the bottom of my heart, grateful for the encouragement and motivation that every single one of them has given me. It's unbelievably overwhelming and inspiring to realize that there are friends and family who can love and support you all the way through. Shout out to my ever-supportive and loving parents! As well as to all my great friends, and the friends whom I have met along the journey and gave me support in countless numbers of ways. I cannot even begin to tell you how much it's meant to me. :) You know who you are!! From my inspired heart to yours, a heartfelt thank you! You guys are the best :) After completing the paintings, I immediately felt a sense of absolute relief at finishing, a bit of a hangover (Wow! I completed a whole set!) and a sense of accomplishment. Though I realize there are always points for improvement, I'm pretty happy with the overall result, and am proud to say that I've really made an effort to unite the concept through the coherence of the paintings as well as the style of digital painting that I've developed as time went along. I can undoubtedly attest to how I'm improving art-wise, though more importantly, I am a big believer in the significance of the journey. The journey, aka the totality of the experiences and the system in which you apply your knowledge and skills, is one of the most beautiful experiences you can ever go through. The journey--it just changes you. You definitely cannot change overnight, but the journey gives you a multitude of chances to start developing habits and adapting to smaller changes. In all honesty, that's what this journey meant to me. It is simply an affirmation of a beautiful truth: that I am now allowing myself to become devoted to my soul's purpose and passion.
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paper cut art workshopSo it was my first time attending a paper cut art workshop with my friend Kim. It was hosted by the Learning Village in Meridian Campus, QC. The feeling of being there in the moment was like child's play in a sense, it was a wonderful and positive feeling--getting the feel of paper, cutter and scissors and letting your imagination wander--and the people around are so talented and creative as well. Kim mentioned that Meridian is an international school specializing in arts and humanities, and most of the students are so artistic in so many different ways. I felt a bit of nostalgia while spending time there as well. The atmosphere was so friendly, free and childlike and I loved it. Our speaker's name is Ryan Villamael, (He is on IG as @cutfelt) he just came back from a Singapore exhibition and he showed us a lot of his past works and projects and they were just downright amazing. Inspiration-wise, I really felt his art and his passion. He uses other media like felt paper and fabric, and his tools for paper cutting are simple as well. I admire how he is not afraid to take on big challenges and how dedicated he is to his vision. He described going through frustration, not knowing what an artwork's result may be--and seriously, the results are amazing. I know that frustration all too well, and to be able to rise above that fear of failure and fear of the unknown is such an incredible feat. You simply have to remember that passion and love for what you are doing is greater than your fear. I've got to hand it to him, paper cut art is not easy. It requires a lot of patience and discipline, but on the other hand it is completely enjoyable and a great de-stressor. It's also pretty therapeutic. It's something like calligraphy, you can always practice it in your spare time and get better at it. Also, it's very tool dependent--you need a nice, even cutter and a handy pair of scissors. I am amazed at how ordinary media can create such beautiful works. Our classmates were just so talented and full to bursting with ideas, and immersing myself in the same atmosphere inspired me to stop thinking and just go with the flow. I'm looking forward to attending more unique and amazing classes/workshops like this! Time to save up some extra moolah :) Time for the good news!I'm just downright amazed by how intentions can really turn a wish into reality! I'm beyond stoked since Neonmob administrators just approved my submission/pitch and I'm beyond blessed :)
I'm excited to start working on the series, and I look forward to sharing insights on my journey here soon :) Heyo!! My first "Listopia" entry to jot down some stuff that have been on my mind this past week: 1. Inspiration - Charlie Bowater I really love this artist's work. Her name is Charlie Bowater, she's a Brit and she loves Sarah J Maas's books (the Throne of Glass series). I found out recently that she was acknowledged in Sarah J Maas's latest book Empire of Storms, and that she's been posting some fan art for the series on her IG account. Charlie Bowater's stuff is amazing. I first discovered her work while I was surfing through Youtube, stumbling on a video she did for Imagine FX (a digital art magazine). Linking below. I know it's a reaaaally long video, but it's worth the watch because you can see her painting process in real-time. She's got some amazing stuff on her Deviant Art and Instagram accounts as well. Her subjects are mostly fantasy women--she does incredible details and a lot of drama and composition go into her paintings. 2. NeonMob My friend recently told me to check out this art selling application called NeonMob, wherein people can get cards created by different artists and trade them with each other. It's not a super famous application as of yet but from the previews I've gotten once I installed the app, I am interested in becoming what they call a "creator". They've got this whole manual about posting a submission for their approval. And what really draws me to this is the fact that you can submit anything you want as long as the content is not nudity or whatever, and you can be creative about it. The idea is to be able to submit artworks like a whole series or story because the cards ideally revolve around one theme. If I ever do plan to submit I will think about my concept or theme. 3. Art Station
I posted this blog before I remembered that recently I've been getting some inspiration from this website. It's a website that's similar to Deviant Art, but more straightforward. And the interface is a lot different as well. What's distinct about it is the fact that Art Station has a section for Jobs, wherein companies looking for graphic artists or conceptual designers can post job openings for hire. Also, it's a great place to showcase artworks. For one, visiting the homepage is already a pretty good look into Art Station. The latest art can be searched or filtered via the media chosen, (whether 2D or 3D), etc. You don't have to look far to find great artists actually. There are great artworks and challenges to join as well. |
Nonsensical whimHi, I'm Ashley. This is my blog on journey towards discovering art and documenting my learning experiences. (Particularly Photoshop, Digital Painting, Sketchup/V-ray, Interior Design, fun tutorials I've discovered and the like). wordpress:TUMBLR:Archives
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