Sketchbook - Value Study and a Change in Tactics

I was given a gift of the Imperial Edition of Elder Scrolls Online.  That package included a rather intricate statue of the main bad guy, which I used for this study.  It was probably a bad choice, but I wanted to challenge myself.  The proportions are way off, but it was fun trying to preserve all those highlights while pushing the shadows.  However, I don't think my current training method is working out.

I haven't practiced my fundamentals in a very long time, and while those skills don't seem to disappear, they have certainly rusted.  That is probably where I need to focus for the next few weeks.  I've jumped head first into the watercolors, but I'm having a very hard time maintaining proportion and perspective.  This can be worked on with sight measurement and "seeing" exercises, but its not very interesting.  I will see if I can come up with a way of showing it without boring the hell out of you.  I still want to preserve the continuity of this blog, but skill improvement is my ultimate goal.  Tell me what you think in the comments below!  Until next time, stay strong and keep drawing!

Trading Addictions

As anyone who has spent any time painting can tell you, art supplies are expensive.  Finding the money in the budget to buy materials is really difficult.  So I decided to free up what I could by quitting my nasty habit of smoking, and am currently sixteen days nicotine free.  I've tried quitting many times in the past, and have not been very successful.  This time feels different though.  There is definitely something to the idea of trading an unhealthy addiction for a healthy one.

Just wanted to share that with everyone.  I will be posting more of my current works later today or tomorrow.  Until then, stay strong!

Hello and Welcome - an introduction

My entire life, the arts have called to me, but my belief that talent was something you were born with held me back. I've recently come to the realization that talent is a myth, and all those talented artists really just worked their asses off to master their craft. So, that is what I'm going to do.

I am a father of three children, and work a full time job just to make ends meet. Basically, I'm just like most of the world. I've decided that I've spent enough of my life not really pursuing my dreams.

For as long as it takes, I will be studying, practicing, searching, working and interviewing until I can say that I have mastered my craft. Since the idea of mastery is fluid and no artist truly believes they are a master, this could take a while. I'm looking forward to this challenge, and I'm looking forward to sharing it with you.