Honestly, I'm a little surprised that someone else has cleaned up and colored stuff from EC. I had been working on this guy's lineart when EC posted up his journal.

I immediately flipped out because someone had effectively stolen my thunder... and part of my recent "schtick."

I wanted to practice coloring using traditional media again. I've given up on Digital stuff all together. It's simply not my cup of tea and I do better work without it. Also I do love the way watercolor looks. It's very soothing to me.

So In continuation from my last piece, which can be found here: http://www.furaffinity.net/view/17772076/ I decided to do another of EC's pieces. Like a combo from MvC3 I decided to add on to what I'd started to learn so I could make something even more awesome. I mean, that last piece was very samey on the lines and very bold. I wanted to attempt something similar but with less weight.

And then add on the coloring aspect. I seriously want to do more colored pieces because I don't want my tools languishing unused. It just seems silly to have this nice set of watercolor pencils and not try to get better with them. This was also why it took so long.

It took me HOURS to figure out how to properly combine and render with those pencils! How hard to shade, how much to shade and simple things like how much fluid should I introduce or the direction of the stroke. I sorta gave up part ways and just winged it. I had a scan of the lineart so I could recreate the piece to some extent if I royally messsed up.

Also, I took some time to read over EC's journal. I had debated replying but figured this would make a better statement.

Bro, just draw. You like drawing, then keep doing it. Getting better at it or becoming the "very best" are nice ideals but not necessarily for the best. You aren't a camera. You're an artist. You make beauty.

If you feel like drawing is time consuming and you can't sustain hours and hours of working on a piece, solve it. Break up your process to allow for short bursts. If you can't feel motivated, then draw with the notion to simply appreciate putting down lines and such. Enjoy the sensation of doing smooth long lines and smile at the idea that you're doing that and loads of other people can't do the same.

And drawing isn't a waste of time. Who says it won't get you a job or be useful in the real world? Visualization is a huge asset anywhere you go! I make charts that summarize complex stuff ALL THE TIME! I passed exams solely because of that! People like graphs and visual things in meetings and infographics. Having rudimentary ability to draw something is a valuable skill.

And focus on your strengths! You have a particular way of drawing, find out ways that complement your process. The thinner lines in your pieces do a good job of conveying value and texture, find out ways to make them convey stuff like emotions! Make your lines tell a story that words cannot because that's what the visual arts can do. Your weaknesses aren't failing points, they're areas of opportunity. It's all about finding ways to weaponize them to do awesome things.

You're going to do awesome things. You need only keep making effort in ways that you want towards things you want more! It's your journey, don't let someone else take the wheel. Listen to others but be true to what you think. Talk less, Rock MORE!