Trying to kick my butt into action

[Niquey]

Hey CA members who inspire me so much! I've been lurking for a short time now. I found this place through Matt Kohr from his website CtrlPaint. I've never been a part of a forum community before so please excuse my noobness.

I'm having a hard time finding time to draw, but I really want to push myself to. I had done a hundred day streak of drawing everyday starting around July last year and ending in October, posting on Deviant Art, and I saw such amazing improvement in just 100 days. I floored myself and showed myself that I can, I Can, I CAN!!!1!!1!one. I plan on making it into a video to use to motivate myself, and even others who would care to watch, whenever I feel deflated.

I found when I had made myself post to DA often, I was able to keep on a pace. The second I stopped posting there, my frequency fell off. So!! I'm hoping posting here will keep me accountable, at least that's what I hope. I also hope this sketchbook will one day be good enough to be a source of inspiration to other growing artists, as the current master artists are an inspiration to me.

Finally!!! I really, REALLY appreciate critiques! The more constructive the better!

To start off, here are the most recent sketches I have, to give you guys an idea of my starting point.






This below is the most recent one. I just did it today in about 20 minutes, after which I relived my 100 day streak, going through post by post on DA, and feeling the rollercoaster ride of what it was. Then finally comparing it to how easy it was to do this piece. Even though I know I still have a ways to go, it still feels good to see progress. ^^


On a side note, I've changed my Chinese name in my signature to something pronouncable! 多明 (duō míng) Feel free to call me that! Or Niquey if you prefer

[Velocity Kendall]

Welcome!
It looks like youre doing the right things, practicing and observing carefully when you draw.
i find the trick is to make it fun; if you want to get fit its a lot more fun skiiing than doing a million pushups; same goes with art, if youre drawing stuff thats interesting to you, from your surroundings, or books, whatever inspires you, it makes practice fun.
Just keep on working, dont feel bad if you burn out or take time out for a while, everyone takes breaks, and dont give up. Do that and youll do great!

[Niquey]

Thanks. And you're exactly right. When I started doing that in my 100 day streak, things definitely flowed much better and consistently. Thanks for commenting!! :]

[krysjez]

CA is amazing. I'm in your position, except less motivated. Enjoy your stay here.
(hello CT!)

[Niquey]

@krysjez: Hey a fellow Ct-er! ^^ And yes! I'm thoroughly enjoying CA myself. Thanks for stopping by!



Below is another Loomis Book Sketch(~20min). One thing with Loomis, you won't have any shortage of old wrinkly men to draw 8D

[Niquey]

More practice with Loomis. (~ 30 minutes) I have to say, I rather enjoyed the chubby guy's head

[Niquey]

Practice with facial expressions. I used this picture from Deviantart. The third down from the top right (Stubborn ^^) I tried to stray from the reference and make my own character after the basic structure was down, but I only ended up changing up the hair a little bit and the left side of the face and such. Eh... But it was fun to do nonetheless. About 30 minutes long.

[otherscape]

Great sketches so far. I was looking at your DA and d-amn you improve fast. Keep it going!

[TYPH0NI5]

Wow great start. That's it I'm doing heads tomorrow haha! Cant wait to see more!

[p sage]

Haha... cool expression in this latest work

[Niquey]

@otherscape: Haha thanks! 8D I'm tryin'!
@TYPH0NI5: Portraits are my favorite. Good luck with yours!
@p sage: hehe thanks

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More expression work from the same reference http://www.deviantart.com/moreliketh...28174#/d39uacu The fouth down from the right- confident. But, idk. That wasn't quite the feeling I got from the expression...lol




And is....is that....is that a swarm eyebrow??!?! Oh I tried to save her! Really I did! But that brow...it ..it was too strong for me! I couldn't....aaahhhh......

[lionheartGFX]

very good portraits! and vert funny and tricky expressions those are really hard to do is amazing practice, lets see some figures and more stuff! you got a very good line

[natii]

I love the upper old man's expression, you nailed it! I looks like he just got up and he is opening his window to a fresh spring morning!

[Niquey]

@lionheartGFX: Yes. I need to do figures! hehe But I'm working through Andrew Loomis and want to finish it up some time soon. Thanks for commenting!

[Niquey]

More wrinkley men from Loomis ^^ I would've completed the first line of faces on the page, but I ran out of time, so there's a WIP piece to fill the space 8D

[Niquey]

And finished the page. The 3rd head gave me a bit of trouble but I figured out the problem too late :/

[Niquey]

Here's some more work. I worked in my irl sketchook so I had to scan them in. I was too lazy to do that in the week, so I waited till..... the the next week....*cough* I much prefer sketching in my sketch book. I am able to use my whole arm more freely, since i have but a small bamboo tablet.

Anyways, the first pic below I did in one sitting, and the second was over a couple days. I didn't get in all my art days, unfortunately, but I will try again this week!