Digging up old sketchbooks

Sketchbook

I was beginning a bit of spring cleaning the other day and came across an old sketchbook. I used this book from high school into college but never really got to mark up all the pages. Here are a few highlights of what I was able to crank out at the time.

I always liked the way this book came out. It kind of represents a more hopeful time for me; I felt more imaginative and yet not challenged then. (Compared to these days, it’s a challenge to just begin with the first stroke sometimes. That’s just RL getting in the way.)

Looking back on old work does help me realize that I have gotten better and it’s somewhat re-inspiring. At the least, I can establish that technique has evolved and I can believe my imagination can work again.

Playing around with Paper

Sketchbook

Tablets are a strange thing. They are that in between tech of awkward portability. You’re either lugging around something too big (10″+) or something too little (-7″). With the capabilities of a cellphone and a proper laptop, where does it really fit?

I’ve been playing around with my mother’s iPad with some art programs for it and a stylus. Paper is the application I’ve been using. What I really like about the app is the simple interface. However, I would like to be able to get a full pallet of colors without having to pay extra for it.

Drawing on the iPad is something to get used to. As there is no inherent pressure sensitivity, you’ve got to relearn what it is to draw with your hands. I love to draw traditionally with real paper and pencil, but I like the fact that I could draw digitally and push it straight to email or web post.

Do I want a tablet like an iPad to be able to draw digitally wherever I go? Maybe… I’m still undecided. It is an expensive piece of a equipment for not much output. And yet it’s still new, still portable as a notebook and pencil and fun. Does it beat drawing on a laptop with a mini Wacom tablet? I don’t think so. There is so much more flexibility when it comes to the software and hardware combinations you can get with that kind of setup.

Would I ever forgo my sketchbook and pencils for any of the above absolutely? Never.

NaNoWriMo Begins!

Writing

Life has been pretty busy the past few weeks. It will continue to be busy as the holidays are coming up. However, November is all about writing.

I’ve tried almost every year since undergrad to complete a novel in a month. There are a few stories I’ve begun that I most definitely want to see finished one day with the goal of self-publishing. Personal goal this time would be to at least get halfway there, at 25,000 words. Eep.

Cheers to everyone else trying. Good luck! If you would like to participate, check it out.

More ink

Sketchbook

Titles are terrible. Perhaps I’ll use song lyrics in the future.

This one I cheated a little and had drawn in pencil first for some of it. I might ink in some more shades for more dimension. And maybe put in another arm…