1000pikachus

[1000pikachus]

Blog update, 5/22/25 (Inc. Pikachus 70-74)

Apologies for the chaos of this post. Let's have a little chat.

As you may have noticed, I've been a little inconsistent with posting. Part of that is still my work schedule, but another part of me has been feeling a little burnt out of drawing for 1000 Pikachus. The project started as a way for me to draw every day. Currently, I am doing that like it's second nature. The experiment worked. I couldn't be happier at the progress I've made.

Honestly though? I've wanted to draw more than just Pikachus. I've had other critters in my head this week and they've been fun to draw. But it felt like I was shirking my responsibility to the blog. And that's no fun. At the end of the day, the challenge is self-induced, and I shouldn't feel guilt for wanting to take a break from it.

I'm going to take a week off from posting Pikachus, and draw whatever comes to my mind that day. It might be more pikas, it might be something else. At the end of the week, I'll see how I feel and make a plan. Maybe I don't push myself to draw a pika every day. Maybe I post a pika whenever I'm up for drawing one, reaching ever closer to that 1000 pikachu mark.

Definitely not goodbye, but looking forward to not having the weight of self-set expectation placed upon me. The freedom to create what I want. I'll keep you all in the loop! In the meantime, thanks for supporting me through my journey. Expect more Pikachus, but perhaps later rather than sooner.

-Quest

[ID: Several uploads of digital sketch pages. They include sketches of Pikachus (a small, yellow, mouse-like creature with a thunderbolt shaped tail. It has red circular pads on its cheeks), Alolan Raichus (a larger, tan, mouse-like creature with a thunderbolt shaped tail that it tends to sit/stand on), and Corviknight (A 7ft tall crow-like creature donning metallic armor-like avian features). The final sketch is of Oliver, a Pikachu, arms up in protest as the author's voice speaks through him.

Oliver: What should I even draw anymore?

Oliver (cont): I want to draw but I'm running out of pikachus in my head)

[1000pikachus]

Study credit, 5/15/25. Current subject: figure drawing (via Line of Action

Legs hard.

Felt like figure drawing for the sake of it. Even if I continue to struggle with legs. And humans in general. One day at a time!

References are from Line of Action, which can be found here: https://line-of-action.com. 1000Pikachus does not endorse or sponsor Line of Action.

[ID: Digital sketchwork of two figure drawings, next to their reference counterparts. The figure is in the same pose, but rotated at different camera angles. The right leg is straight, with the leg slightly bent forward The right arm is on the hip, while the left arm is resting naturally. The first camera angle is from the model's right side, with the second angle being behind and to the left.]

[1000pikachus]

Pikachu #68-69, 5/14/25

Will the Waterium Z remain? Only one way to find out~

In other news our good ol' boy Oliver is having a 'fun' conversation with Rotom. Walk cycles are hard, please help~

[ID:

Image one - A sketch of Quest, a Pikachu (a small, yellow, mouse-like creature with a thunderbolt shaped tail. It has red circular pads on its cheeks). It is drawn on a digital canvas. The sketch depicts Quest pressing their cheeks with their paws and giving a overly-happy expression.

Quest: Because you asked nicely... *inhale*

Quest (cont): (In yellow text, mimicking Pikachu) Pika Pikaaa!]

Image two - A sketch of Oliver, a Pikachu (a small, yellow, mouse-like creature with a thunderbolt shaped tail. It has red circular pads on its cheeks). It is drawn on a digital canvas. The sketch depicts Oliver rolling his eyes at Rotom in rotomphone form (a digital ghost inside a phone with a red case). Oliver walks towards the viewer as Rotom floats above]

[1000pikachus]

Pikachu #66-67, 5/13/25

I'M BACK

Work went from 0 to 100 practically overnight. I have been drawing, just haven't been posting! Expect more the same until July.

Questchu! Trying to find ways to make them different from Oliver, and I suspect the design will change even more before I'm done. Oliver is just a narrative character I'm going to subject to horrible tales of change and adaptation. Whereas this design is just me as a 'chu~

[ID: A sketch of Quest, a Pikachu (a small, yellow, mouse-like creature with a thunderbolt shaped tail. It has red circular pads on its cheeks). It is drawn on a digital canvas. The sketch depicts a 3/4 and side view reference. Notes are made about the differences between Quest and Oliver, including more wavy hair and the addition of glasses. Unlisted in text is a thunderstone hanging on a necklace.]

[1000pikachus]

Bonus #5, 5/12/25

Not sure if I want to add pichus and raichus into 1000Pikachus yet. I still have a lot more to learn about drawing Pikachu, but this felt like fun to do.

Who's this young pichu? The world may never know~

(Including me. I don't know who this pichu is haha)

[ID: A digital sketch of a Pichu (a small, yellow, mouse-like creature with a short thunderbolt shaped tail. It has red circular pads on its cheeks). It is painted on a digital canvas. The sketch depicts the Pichu leaning up, arms back for balance. It has a distraught look on its face as it shouts upwards.

Pichu: B-BUT MOOOM!]

[1000pikachus]

Study credit, 5/12/25. Current subject: figure drawing

My Final Fantasies~

I realized today being a Hyur is great for learning how to draw because I have a rigged 3d model with a huge databank of gestures I can pull off of if I ever needed to. Will keep that in mind for the future~

[ID: Digital sketchwork of a figure drawing, next to a player model from Final Fantasy XIV. The figure depicts a casual pose, left arm holding out a floating mage tool called a Planosphere (several circles spinning inside of each other while tarot cards swirl around it). The right arm is out and across the torso. The player model is wearing a white button down collar shirt with white leaves as a pattern. He is wearing khaki shorts.]

[1000pikachus]

Pikachu #65, 5/11/25

I missed a day, apologies about that! Busy weekend at work. That might happen more often while we're in busy season.

Picked up a new screen protector for my tablet and it's made my tablet experience like three times better. I've got felt nibs in the post as well which will be an incredible upgrade.

Back to the Pikachus! Oliver gets told a surprising truth. Is Pokemon Dreamgate a game at all?

[ID: A sketch of Oliver, a Pikachu (a small, yellow, mouse-like creature with a thunderbolt shaped tail. It has red circular pads on its cheeks). It is drawn on a digital canvas. The sketch depicts Oliver sitting on a tree stump, legs hanging off the sides. His right hand is on his knee, while he is holding the left up to stare at his paw in concern.

Oliver: So, this is real.

Oliver (cont): Huh~]

[1000pikachus]

Pikachu #63 (WIP#2), 5/9/25

Thought this would be a good sketch to attempt a full drawing on! Too bad this left arm is dumb and I need to move it. I've had my fill of lining for the night though, so!

Coercing myself to do backgrounds, we'll see how well it turns out at the end

[ID: A sketch of Oliver, a Pikachu (a small, yellow, mouse-like creature with a thunderbolt shaped tail. It has red circular pads on its cheeks). It is drawn on a digital canvas. The sketch depicts Oliver stanced with his right leg forward, left leg off the side. His right arm crosses over his torso, while the left is tilted back behind him. He carries a serious expression. The background is a rocky, mountainous terrain]

[1000pikachus]

Pikachu #64, 5/8/25

So, I've got a contender for 'character I just want to draw non-stop'.

Since Pikachus are based on squirrels, I've been drawing a squirrel character based off of my Pikachu's build to better understand my shape language better. It's been hard to draw Oliver because I just want to draw this squirrel, even if they're effectively the same character! Hence~

This is a rough 'chu though. Ah well. Can't all be winners, ya know?

[ID: A sketch of Oliver, a Pikachu (a small, yellow, mouse-like creature with a thunderbolt shaped tail. It has red circular pads on its cheeks), and an anthropormorphic squirrel. It is drawn on a digital canvas. The sketch depicts Oliver and the squirrel doing the double spiderman point, with Oliver taking the left and the squirrel taking the right. Both are pointing at each other accusingly.

[1000pikachus]

Pikachu #63, 5/7/25

Ready for a fight, it seems.

[ID: A sketch of Oliver, a Pikachu (a small, yellow, mouse-like creature with a thunderbolt shaped tail. It has red circular pads on its cheeks). It is drawn on a digital canvas. The sketch depicts Oliver stanced with his right leg forward, left leg off the side. His right arm crosses over his torso, while the left is tilted back behind him. He carries a serious expression as sparks erupt from his cheeks.]

[1000pikachus]

Pikachu #62, 5/6/25

Why not make Oliver pose like in my figure drawings?

(I might do this more often - it looks so dynamic!)

[ID: A sketch of Oliver, a Pikachu (a small, yellow, mouse-like creature with a thunderbolt shaped tail. It has red circular pads on its cheeks). It is drawn on a digital canvas. The sketch depicts Oliver face forward, leaning with a strong left curve. His left leg is holding most of his weight, while the right is stretched out. His right arm is held out, while the left is up and curved towards his head.]

[1000pikachus]

Study credit, 5/5/25. Current subject: figure drawing (via Love Life Drawing's "Fresh Eyes" 10-day figure drawing course -Day 5)

Tackling the 'Day 5' assignment, which means drawing directly referencing the figures. I can't show the models due to copyright, but hopefully these look all right!

Bit of a distracted week, since I've been crafting a lot in Final Fantasy. Might be a slow week here at 1000 Pikachus, and that's okay.

[ID: Digital sketchwork of a two figure drawing puppets. The puppets are constructed of basic shapes, posed in similar manners models would be for figure drawing. From the model's perspective:

1st: The model is turned to the side, hips and butt pushed out. The right leg is forward and bent nearly 90 degrees, while the left leg is straight out and at a 45 degree angle. The hands are above and a bit behind the head for balance.

2nd: The model is facing forward, leaning left. The left leg is holding the weight, bent at the knee. The right leg is stretched out off to the side. The left arm is over curved towards the head, while the right arm is stretched out loosely.]

[1000pikachus]

Pikachu #61 [WIP #1], 5/4/25

Oliver ponders the situation they're in.

[ID: A sketch of Oliver, a Pikachu (a small, yellow, mouse-like creature with a thunderbolt shaped tail. It has red circular pads on its cheeks). It is drawn on a digital canvas. The sketch depicts Oliver looking over a stat screen, right paw on his face as he thinks aloud.

Oliver: Why Pikachu?

Oliver (cont): I could have been a dinosaur

Oliver (cont): A sword

Oliver (cont): A set of keys

Oliver (cont): Instead I'm their friggen mascot?

<Pause>

Oliver: Why do I feel this isn't a coincidence?]

[1000pikachus]

Pikachu #60, 5/3/25

I had art block today, so it took some real effort to pull this out. The thing that Oliver is holding is a special scroll tube. Looks... inconvenient!

[ID: A sketch of Oliver, a Pikachu (a small, yellow, mouse-like creature with a thunderbolt shaped tail. It has red circular pads on its cheeks) and Rotom in Rotomphone form (a digital ghost inside a phone with a red case). It is drawn on a digital canvas. The sketch depicts Oliver walking behind Rotom, who is floating backwards. Oliver is carrying some sort of box or tube. A secondary sketch was drawn next to the two; an attempt at a forward walk cycle.]

[1000pikachus]

Pikachu #59, 5/2/25

Starting to get closer to the shape I want, but I just gotta figure out how to do it in front-facing poses. Apologies about the delay!

[ID: A sketch of Oliver, a Pikachu (a small, yellow, mouse-like creature with a thunderbolt shaped tail. It has red circular pads on its cheeks). It is drawn on a digital canvas. The sketch depicts Oliver leaning against a bar table, feet hanging off a stool. He has his right hand on his face, while the other is resting on the table. A window is in the background.]

[1000pikachus]

Pikachu #58, 5/1/25

Trying some new shapes, thanks to an art study I've been doing.

I'll be sharing some of those art studies soon! Just had to make sure I could post referenced drawings with credit to the original artist. Until then, have a bashful zapmouse~

[ID: A sketch of Oliver, a Pikachu (a small, yellow, mouse-like creature with a thunderbolt shaped tail. It has red circular pads on its cheeks). It is drawn on a digital canvas. The sketch depicts Oliver shyly waving, giving an awkward smile. His left arm is behind his back. An arrow points to Oliver, indcating 'This is a Pikachu'

Oliver: Uh... Hi?]

[1000pikachus]

No 4/30 Pikachu

Strained my thumb using my tablet. Gotta listen to my body. Expect a new Pika 5/1!