Hey Loki, I've come with questions for you \o/
They're pretty heavy though, I have to say, so I decided to limit myself to four, haha.
Myysttt!! Thanks for your questions!! They're all super deep and I'm afraid I'm just a potato who doesn't put much thought into what I do so I'm not sure if I answered your questions correctly, but I gave it a shot!
Also totally fine-- I love criticizing my own art, really keeps you on your toes and makes you pay attention to what you're lacking! Haha
How has your practice changed over time? I'm curious to see what kind of developments that you personally see in your work :-]
Practice as in... practicing, or my process? Cause in terms of how I practice art, it hasn't changed much which is a problem in and of itself because I tend to not do any loose drawing which is a huge crutch when it comes to drawing haha! Almost everything I do tends to end up finished, which means I have a much smaller output than my friends do.
But as for my process- I've definitely started clamping down on layers. I think it's perfectly fine to have a million layers, but I used to have the problem of having SO many that I couldn't find anything anymore! I'm more flexible with painting over stuff now, so that's definitely a huge change, because now my colors also blend a lot more easily since they're all on the same layer. Making baby steps towards improving my colors;;;
What kind of art do you most identify with? And does that type/style of art contain themes you pursue now or possibly hope to pursue in the future?
Manga/anime styles for sure haha-- Especially either semi-realistic styles a la Final Fantasy, or really hard stylized works with thick lines and sharp blacks like Miwa Shirow's. I'm usually trying to achieve something in the middle between those extremes, so I love those kinds the most. As for themes I'd like to pursue in the future... I dunno- I don't usually think of themes in my art mostly because I don't usually draw to send a message, I draw characters for myself and for my friends. Perhaps I'm misunderstanding this question as well? LOL I'm really just a complete hobbyist so I don't think too deeply into my stuff.
Is there anything you dislike about your work, or possibly the art world?
I've mentioned it before, but I hate my colors!! Hahaha I feel like color and light is such an important way to convey the true potential of your art, but I just have 0 conception of color theory and lighting. I just can't wrap my head around it, so everything I do is guesswork- whether it's anatomy, colors, muscles-- I'd really like some confidence in fundamentals so that every drawing isn't like climbing a freaking mountain without any equipment.
As for the art world, I have always disliked art majors/schools- though that's generalizing the statement too much so let me explain: It's something I've been aware of since I was a kid which is why I didn't go to art school myself, but I think it's just so... regrettable that some people can go through 4 years of expensive schooling only to come out with art that's not even on par with high schoolers. It's just such a shame that these schools are deluding their students-- and the students deluding themselves, into thinking that they'll ever have a chance in the industry when they're so subpar. Art majors and art school are great for the people who have the work ethic, the talent, and the right mindset-- but I have a few friends who I'm just like how can you not recognize that this isn't a field or industry in which you can do the bare minimum and expect to succeed? It just baffles me how much money and time they're wasting when they're clearly not passionate enough to survive. @___@
What's the best piece of advice you've been given?
Given? Hmm... I guess I wouldn't call it 'advice', but rather scathing criticism. A long time ago I knew someone who was notoriously rude and after posting a drawing I was rather pleased with, she replied, "What's wrong with his face- his eye looks like it's melting off of his face." (Lets say she said it more colorfully than that.) And then she proceeded to post a bunch of pictures about facial anatomy and mocked my drawing by redrawing it in her style where it looked like the eye was sticking out of the lower cheek area-- and I was SO pissed off for about 6 hours before I realized that she was damn right. It wasn't phrased or conveyed very nicely, but I've definitely not had that problem ever since haha...
