It's been a pretty intense time for me with a lot to do lately, until it calmed down quite suddenly. With less to do all of a sudden, it struck me that it's been about 4 years since I decided to learn to draw and maybe do art. That would be four years of learning and trying. It really doesn't feel like it, but it was a good time to think it over, how it has gone and if it was worth it.
Really, I've been thinking of packing it in for a while, on the one hand. It doesn't feel like I'm improving or really getting it. I'll never be anywhere near as good as a proper artist, and sometimes it just feels like the result of the effort is a waste of space.
On the other, much bigger, hand, it's been intense lately and I've had a lot of comfort from drawing. It's been a relief and an escape from everything, and I'm really happy that I've had the chance to escape down my briefcase when it all got a bit too hot. Doing art really gives you something, after all. It isn't the waste of effort that it felt like, you do get it back. Pretty shallow insight, everyone's heard it, but it's different when it happens to you, I suppose. I'd recommend anyone to give it a chance, because it can really help you when you're in a squeeze and need out for a moment.

I'll see how it all develops and what I'll do going forward, but I think I've still gotten something out of it all anyway, something quite valuable. Something I'll keep with me, and keep doing.

Four years later; it was really worth it.

I've been gone for some time, but I've returned to see I've accumulated 200 favourites! Thank you all very much!

While I'm wary about chasing numbers, they do indicate I'm doing something right. I'm still unsure of what the convention of thanking for faves are, and I'm awful at doing it. But I really would like to thank you all.

Now, art-talk. While I've had a bit of an involuntary break, it still feels and looks like I'm improving. Things come together more like how I want and they become less difficult each pass.
I didn't want to have a "style" when I started, because that felt like I could abuse it as a crutch. I wanted it to grow, rather than simply choose one. Now, though, I think I can say I'm developing a sort of style that isn't just a consequence of lacking technique and experience. I'm pretty pleased with that.

As a treat for the occasion, if there's something you'd like to see or have done, sound off.

Once again, thank you all for the favourites. I'm awful at thanking, but it's helpful feedback, and it's nice to know this stuff is nice for someone else!

Thank you, and all the best!

It's summertime, and the living is easy-ish. Time for a breather.

Now, when life puts on the squeeze, my strictly amateur drawing endeavours has to go first. Spend enough time away, and the lack of practice makes the simplest things feel tricky again. Still, I've been able to snatch some time with my pencils and pretty birds, and most of the practice is still in there, luckily. Also a spot of luck, the weather is cool enough to work in.

Still, it does mean that I'm not really progressing as I'd like. Then again, getting the opportunity to draw at all is good enough at this point. Every little bit helps, and even if I've got to lower my goals, so be it. It's time for some quality time with my boids.

Have a happy summer! Don't forget to take a breather every now and then.

So, thought it'd be fun to do a bit of a quarterly report here, only it's about a month late. It's a nice little diary, as well as a sign of life from me.

Fortunately, winter is finally retiring for now! Unfortunately, I developed a fine case of big red King Charles sausage fingers around new year. It got pretty bad this year, and I couldn't get much drawing done, on top of everything else coming down at once. It doesn't hurt, particularly, but it itches, and drawing makes it worse. The short of it: sausage hands, no art to speak of made for a few weeks.

My hands are fine again now, though. In time for the coronation, which means I can't show off my on-point sosig-fingers, but I'll take it. So I'm back in the saddle again, and I'm also going through some sketches that have piled up in my briefcase during the busier part of spring. They're tolerable enough to splash some paint on, and show off.

Still, while it's all work, work, work, I can at least draw without itches again. It's a nice stride I've gotten into for now, and we'll see if I can keep it.

Happy April! Looking forward to May and beyond!

It's been about a year or so since I joined the club. And since the calendar year is about to turn over, it's well about time with a bit of a review.

Some time ago, I decided to put an effort into learning how to draw. It was all the rage, developing left-behind skills when the latest big bad flu was doing its first world tour, and I took my chance. I've always liked to be someone who can draw decently, but injury and a big load of time made it too difficult to whistle and walk away when I caught myself and asked why I didn't put the effort in.
Some time after that, I felt it'd be more fun to share the good ones somewhere. They were becoming good enough that I didn't feel ashamed for anyone to see them. So I faced the inevitable, surfaced from my long-term lurking and joined in.

Result thus far: 44 pictures, varying quality. Tolerable works.

I'm learning new tricks, but I can't quite tell if I'm getting better. I'm still finding my style, one that's on purpose rather than necessity. I'm getting more efficient, and just making a good sketch doesn't feel like the obstacle it used to. Can't say if they're getting better, but every picture is a bit less of a bodger to make.
Of course, making a big, meaningful improvement would mean going back to sketch lodsaboxes and tyres and skeleton bits again. I can't bear to look at a shoulderbone again yet. I'll bud against the ceiling for a while more. It's nice.
The downside of being in a vast pond of very good and talented and experienced artists is that your limitations become very clear, and you feel very, very small. Modest goals and a sense of perspective is quite important. It's good to look what you have in front of you, stuff wot you done, and try to be pleased. It's not much, it will feel, but they weren't there until you sat down and drew them. A big, fat pond is made of drops. Small comforts, but they're there.

Statistics:

Pencil status: good. Most used pencils now remarkably shorter.
Rubbers depleted: 1½
Baps (full): 39.
Tea drunk: equalling the total displacement of an average corvette.
Prevailing themes: Unicorn princesses and their natural states and enemies. Also quails.
Wild card ideas this year: armed sea-gulls engaged in labour disputes.

That is about it. We're halfway through winter! The work continues, and I'll see how the next year goes. Besides more and better drawing on my part, I hope for victory for Ukraine, more tremendous discoveries in fusion power, a smashing coronation and a fantastic new year to you all!
If all goes well, there's a little christmas treat coming up.

Happy christmas!