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a week ago
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Hi there I have some updates for my commissioners mostly.
Starting next month, I’ll be switching my prices to EUR since I live in Europe, and converting to PLN has been very expensive for many of my clients. As well as for me.
So, the slightly bad news — prices for full commissions will increase a little.
But the good news is that I’m lowering the prices for sketch commissions. Lately I’ve really felt how my love for drawing — the one that got a bit lost while working for the capitalist machine — has finally come back to me. My sketches have become much faster and better (in my humble opinion), and I’m currently developing a new type of sketch commissions that I think you might really enjoy.
✦ Also, just to keep you updated — new slots for full illustrations and sketches will open on Sunday.
Thank you so much for supporting my art. Honestly, what I’m doing right now has finally brought my emotional side back. I feel inspired again. On Saturday I drew a comic just for myself while listening to a new track from my favorite artist. Comic with my own characters...... The last time that happened was a very, very long time ago. Probably when I was around 16–18.
Anyway, I truly hope this energy leads me to interesting projects.
And since I’m already writing this post, I’ll take the opportunity to ask you for some advice:
✦ I want to level up my skills in composition and color. I’d appreciate any studies, tutorials, or resources that may have helped you at some point. I’d also love to hear a critique of my work if you see any weaknesses and know what direction I could move in to improve.
✦ Do you know any convenient payment systems that don’t take huge percentages? I’d be grateful for any information.
✦ Most likely I’ll be posting most of my sketch experiments and developments on my TELEGRAM CHANNEL. I’m also in the process of creating a Discord server because I thought it might be a good idea for doing streams — but I honestly have no idea how Discord works at all TwT
Thank you for your attention
The first exercise I remember was mixing a colour, and then adding a small square in the center of it that was the opposite/inverted colour. Easier said than done when you've got to blend the colours yourself!
The second involved a 4x5 grid, and simply selecting and placing colours we wanted to reflect a mood or scene (since this was a beginner's class it was "seasons"). The idea was to establish a colour tone that communicated the mood/scene without allowing for details.
As far as composition goes, studying how basic shapes play in relation to each other and on the canvas will help. Literally just black shapes on a white piece of paper does marvels!
Obviously, studying "established" paintings and photography will help refine your eye too, as the best pieces, regardless of their era or school, will reflect a deliberate use of colour (or light in the case of B&W photography) and composition. No idea where you are specifically, but going to museums and seeing works in person makes a huge difference, too!
Book-wise, I understand that James Gurney's books ("Color and Light" and "Imaginative Realism") are very good. You might not be interested in a realist approach, but understanding how to reflect things realistically also allows you to play with them. You need to know the rules to break the rules, as the saying goes. I'm also a fan of Molly Bang's "Picture This: How Pictures Work", as it deals specifically with composition and contrast in a very fundamental, understandable way.
Of course, take all this advice with a grain of salt. Take or leave what you like! I like to think I kinda know things, but I'm also no artist (as my FA page proves!). Good luck!
And while the first exercise probably doesn’t make much sense in digital, the second one could actually work as a kind of minimal challenge.
Museums really are important!!! Unfortunately, in Warsaw, where I live, the painting scene is pretty limited — and it’s specifically painting that inspires me. There’s much more focus on design and installations here. But luckily, I have some pretty good connections among artists, so from time to time there are genuinely inspiring exhibitions to be found.
The only small issue with books is that I personally prefer studying them in physical form.
Thank you so much!! At the very least, the “seasons” idea feels really interesting and very fitting for what I’m looking for. And the basic shapes idea might work really well too!