SHOP
I added two of my drawings from Peachtober to my TeePublic shop! Check it out!
COMICS
I said to expect some dog art, soooo…
Comic #58
Comic #59
Prints of my comics can be purchased at INPRNT!
ART
If you recall from last month, I decided that this year I want to focus on my comic strip, anime-style and cartoon illustrations… as well as sketching characters and backgrounds…
I figure going into the second half of the year, it would be good to re-evaluate not just how well I’m doing focusing on my goals, but also whether my goals accurately reflect the direction I want to go.
I’ve had a lot of time to think about this — the last month was much less occupied with making art and was largely spent taking care of a very cute but not very bright puppy!
If I remember correctly, after Peachtober I was super excited about focusing on cartooning. But gradually the “focus” has expanded to include anime-style cartoons, and environments or backgrounds. It became so broad that it was basically “draw whatever I want.” Which is great as a concept, I should be making art I want to make. But it’s not exactly helpful as a personal guide or directive.
I think a lot of it is that I’m inspired by all kinds of art. But that doesn’t mean I want to make it myself. And my specific interests do ebb and flow, if you’ve been following along there are times where I’m like “heck yes, kawaii art is so fun” and “eh, I love it, but it’s not fun to create” and also “I think I accidentally made kawaii art and really enjoyed it!” So a lot of it depends on mood, maybe — my own or the mood of the piece I want to make.
That’s largely a matter of style. But also some of it is a problem of inspiration too. My goal was to make cartoon character designs. But I struggle with the elements that go into a character. I’m not really interested in hair styles, fashion, or like action posing. I’m far more inspired by nature — landscapes, the sky, the stars and space… so then of course I’ve found myself working on landscape or environment illustrations instead, where the character is not a main element.
I think I really do want to work on cartoons. And a lot of that includes characters. I think I even want to focus more on simple cartoons (“Calarts” versus anime-style). But also, and this is weird to admit, but I feel like I have no idea what I’m doing. I love cartoons, but I don’t think that way by default. It’s difficult for me. I have to practice and study a lot. But I love it. I love the work, and I enjoy the final results.
Alright, so now what?
I think my goal should be to spend the second half of this year refocusing on simple cartoons, a la “calarts” style. Very much like what I was working on enjoying so much in Peachtober last year. I think some kawaii and anime-style elements are totally fine, but maybe shouldn’t be the first consideration for approaching a piece anymore.
For subject matter, I want to continue to challenge myself to work on character designs. But I also think if I want to draw anything else, especially landscapes, why not? Especially if I use it as an opportunity to work on it in a cartoon style, keeping it simple and using color as a large component of interest (have you ever noticed how dang pretty cartoon backgrounds are?!). Also, maybe try to combine those nature elements that I find so inspiring with my goal of character design. Characters don’t always have to be human, right?!
So here we have it:
Draw what I want, but cartoon it!
The good news, is that in June, I kinda got started on this new goal with the small moments I was able to sketch. I’m really enjoying sketching cartoons with colorful ink pens, as well as brush pens and alcohol markers!
I can’t imagine why I feel insecure about my cartooning… other people draw all kinds of cute sketchbook pages and I make this while watching all the Star Trek movies for the first time. (But to be fair, how else would a whale wear a Starfleet uniform?!)
I’ve been replaying Assassin’s Creed Odyssey during puppy naps.
For July, I think it will be a matter of just carving out more consistent time to make art, for starters. Admittedly when I get the puppy to rest for a bit I’ve been far more interested in either a nap or filling my creative well, so to speak, with video games or movies (obviously). But the puppy is already getting a little more chill in the last week or so, and I anticipate being a bit more ready to work consistently again. Which means, hopefully, a new cartoon illustration, and maybe a separate new t-shirt design too! Yay cartoons! (And keeping to my comic schedule too, of course!)
I hope this was interesting ramble! Thanks for reading!
Bee Sauls Art 