#also watercolors. but that's a whole other skill lmao

[girlscience]

I tend to forget how much I love traditional art until I see someone highly skilled doing it in person

[leolo404]

✯Astrology Observations Pt.5✯

⚠️Sidenote⚠️: Please take this with a grain of salt for not all of my personal observations will resonate you entirely

✯Fire Placements are mostly the ones who loses energy fast (especially because of boredom) and therefore they need to find an outlet for them to gain their energy back

✯Taurus personal placements in Aries degree(1°, 13°, 25°) may have troubles with handling their own energy because Taurus is more on the slow and calm type of energy but the Aries degree can make it forceful and quick making the person stuck in a situation such as procrastinating the whole day or finishing your damn homework before the deadline. This same goes for Aries personal placements in Taurus degree(2°, 14°, 26°)👍

✯4H stellium in a solar return chart can indicate being very focused in your home life and your family at that year

✯1H stellium in a solar return chart can indicate focusing on yourself more, building up your own values, and finding more hobbies that pique your interest at that year

✯Gemini/Scorpio/Virgo Mercury are the types of people that when someone questions them over something, they already have all the articles and website links to give just to make sure they won't be wrong

✯Water Sun/Moon/Rising are the ones that can soak up all the energy in a room and gets drained after + additional moodswings coming right after (this is automatic)😄👈

✯A lot of people say Aries is the most selfish sign but base on my experience, the real culprit is Capricorn, these folks do be guarding all their stuffs and makes sure no one steals their food (just let me borrow that damn watercolor, damn it!)

✯12H stellium(especially in personal planets) can be in the same level with Scorpios when it comes to good at keeping secrets.

✯But if it's in a Fire/Air stellium then it's not applicable especially air placements can enhance expressing or sharing while fire placements encourages you to be more open

✯Neptune in 5H/10H can indicate dreaming about being successful and getting fame or recognition from the crowd

✯Neptune in 6H can indicate seeing pets in your dreams

✯If you don't have a stellium, please don't feel bad about it because having a stellium can indicate being too focused on that specific genre of a house or sign and this can cause imbalance in your chart but this doesn't mean having a stellium is bad either

✯Mars in 1H aren't necessarily always energetic and active but they tend to be very passionate when they are doing the things they love. Also this, together with Mars in 8H, may have a high sex drive

✯Gemini/Sagittarius placements have a really low attention span💀

✯Gemini Sun with a mix of Cancer placements or vice versa = No one can catch up with their fast moodswings

✯Cancer Mars are super passive but once their bottled emotions explode and they are so done with your shit, they can be really dangerous

✯Pisces/Aquarius Sun or Rising fits so much with the 🌈Indie Aesthetic🌈

✯Difference between Gemini and Sagittarius is that Gemini tends to learn and share the information to others because of its ruling planet, Mercury, which is the planet of expression and communication while Sagittarius learn as well but because of its ruling planet, Jupiter, it may be having a hard time spreading their own knowledge to others. Jupiter rules expansion and therefore the more Sagittarius keeps gaining knowledge the lesser they have time to share it to others because they keep learning and learning

(But of course this isn't always the case and your whole chart matters since this is just base on sun signs)

✯Speaking of expansion, Mercury in harmonious aspects with Jupiter can also be a great indicator of someone who wants to expand their knowledge and skills when it comes to communication

✯Cancer/Capricorn Moon or Rising are usually the parents of their friend group

✯Even if you have no planets in your 9H, if your Jupiter is well aspected or you have a lot of Sagittarius degree(9°, 21°) then you may want to experience many things and try them out as soon as possible. Also you might be interested in traveling

✯6H/11H stellium people are the ones that feels pity for the people who are poor, homeless, and hungry. This is why these folks are willing to join donations or programs to help them out. They want to make this world a better place not only for people but also for the faunas(animals) and floras(plants)

✯Pluto in 2H may have financial upheaval because Pluto represents transformation and if it sits in the 2H then you might experience constant changes or turbulence with your financial terms. Applies to Moon in 2H as well

✯The reason why Scorpio placements are often mistaken as a fire sign is because they are very passionate with the things they love(I mean, arent they the most passionate lmao) and exude that extraversion side of theirs when you have a conversation with them

✯All fixed signs (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius) can be possessive and not just Taurus

✯Libra Sun with Aquarius Decan (10° - 19°) are the true altruist or humanitarians who strives for justice and at the same time, bring others together as one. Also they can be quite famous! This can also apply to Aquarius Sun with Libra Decan (20° - 29°)

✯Sagittarius Rising is the real epitome of a dedicated student but also a party person

✯Water/Libra/Taurus/Leo Risings are the ones that take so long in taking a bath JUST because we are still not done daydreaming and none of us want it to end 🙅🙅

✯Cats with Gemini Sun + Fire Moon are usually the cats that crave attention and love to be petted all the time

[orange-waterfalls]

I Call This One: Bold & Brash!

The egos x artist! gn! reader

ty @pokemonpunqueen for the request!

A/N: I’ve decided that I’m gonna write for the egos when I can’t think of anything else or I need practice writing lmao. I mean I was doing that before? But I didn’t know it? listen it’s fine it’ll be fine but FOR NOW I thiiiink I’m gonna take requests. Just a few. I’ll stop when I think it gets too much. This is exactly what it says. I focused on like drawing/painting for “artist”, with some references to animation thrown in there. I did Darkiplier, Wilford, Yancy, Illinois, Google, Eric, and a Host thrown in there bc I love him and I miss him

Word count is 1.5k

Enjoy

Egos x artist!reader

Darkiplier

He’ll want to commission art from you

He makes comments about how Mark is a narcissist but also he’s a narcissist.

Oh look, Dark’s asking you for another picture. What does he want? He wants you to draw him? Again? For the fifth time this fucking month? Wonderful.

He likes looking at how you make art of him, be it stylistic or realistic

He will hang them up all over the fucking house so pace yourself

He’s fine if you draw anybody else

Except Mark. Never Mark. How can he tell, you ask? No fucking clue, but he does

Gets a bit worried that you won’t make enough money to live comfortably

Just because not everyone needs a fucking MANSION-

Will always buy things for you if you ask

Likes to be able to support your job or hobby

Sugar daddy? I mean maybe

Makes sure you eat, sleep, drink water, survive--

Leaves snacks for you at your desk for when you don’t want a meal.

Carries you to bed if you fall asleep at a desk

Recommends you wear comfy clothes at all times so you can fall asleep wherever

A bit of an enabler, he’s doing his best tho

If you take commissions don’t be surprised if he threatens to kill someone when they don’t pay or are rude to you

He loves you, that’s all

Wilford

Fucking elated

Draw him!!! Please!!!! Please draw him!!!!! He has coin!!!!! He can pay!!!!!

Ecstatic if you actually draw him like he’ll giggle for an hour straight just looking

Secretly commissions more art from you

So also sugar daddy

It’s always something so obvious so you know it’s him anyways

He likes bright colors and eyestrain for some reason

If you make that, he just. Stares at it. Unblinking. You have to snap him out of it (im not projecting what do you mean)

Gets extremely worried about you not taking care of yourself

Gets someone to fucking babysit you when he’s gone so you take care of yourself

When you get greatly offended by this he settles for texting you reminders

And when you ignore those he texts more

Don’t be surprised if you get spammed by several people and an alarm starts to play from somewhere in the house

You’re gonna be healthy whether you like it or not, asshole

Drags you to bed aggressively

He WILL NOT drug your food with melatonin because that’s illegal. B U T-

He’s a little confused, but he got the spirit

Will advertise your art to anyone and everyone and also on his show and threatens the audience with a gun

AGAIN, a little confused. he just wuvs u so much 

Yancy

I mean technically he’s kind of an artist too so he appreciates your skill and creativity

He’s very nosy and likes to look over your shoulder while you work

If you don’t like him doing that, he still does it, just more secretively

Likes to work in the same room as you. 

That is if you don’t mind constant singing or tap dancing in the background

He shows off your art to anyone and everyone and gets mad if they don’t immediately say it’s fantastic

May or may not have stabbed someone over it, you’ll never know

If you show him something you’re working on, he’ll show you something he’s working on in return

The law of equivalent exchange

You tell him you can make MONEY from things like art and dancing and he goes apeshit he gets so fucking excited

If you’re like an animator and offer to animate his dancing he might actually cry

He’ll deny it constantly every day until he dies

If you make things traditionally he hangs them on the wall Everywhere

You might run out of room

By which i mean you will run out of room as soon as possible

Will never tell you a drawing is bad ever unless it’s like Really Bad which it never will be in his eyes

He loves anything and everything you do u are so precious

You have a permanent support system within the man

Google

Used to see art as pointless

Then comprehended the chemical release it causes in the brain and thought that was fine

Then saw you get really mad with something you were working on and got confused again?

If art no make good chemical, why art?

He still doesn’t understand, but that’s ok

You tried to get him to make something once

He just. Kinda. Made a buncha ones and zeroes

You still framed it and hung in on the wall and he got embarrassed

If he could blush, he would

If you draw him he looks like he doesn’t care but it’s at that point he decides he would die for you

Primary objective: answer questions as quickly as possible. Secondary objective: make u happy. Tertiary objective is to destroy mankind

If you draw bing that will disappear IMMEDIATELY you have BETRAYED him

If you ask for a color palette recommendation he Always says the google colors. Always.

You might’ve thought he was going for an rgby type of thing. But then you realize.

He is in charge of your financing. He will tell you the most efficient ways to make money as an artist and you follow then

He is also in charge of making sure you FUCKING EAT A MEAL

“But isn’t an objective to destroy mankind?” shut up he’s not happy about it either

Despite his best efforts he loves you and that ain’t gonna change

Illinois

Doesn’t fully understand

He needs to be outside at all times and cannot stay in one place

And you’re like??? Required to stay still???? For prolonged amounts of time????? Disgusting. Anyway, whatcha workin’ on?

He might ask you to try and teach him

If you do try he gives up almost immediately

Sometimes you just get so into it that you forget to do basic things and he gets upset

(i.e. eating, sleeping, living, etc.)

He gets worried about you

He is a hypocrite bc he does the same

He will drag you to bed, motherfucker

Honestly he might lock your shit somewhere until you fucking take care of yourself. it’s like a hostage situation god

“Where the fuck did you put it” “I have no clue what you mean. I might know if you eat your dinner, though”

Asshole (affectionate)

Sometimes you like make faces when you try to draw a person and it’s hilarious and cute to him

He looks at your drawings the moment you walk away but acts like he doesn’t care

He cares a lot

Will support you no matter what but will also tell you without hesitation if he thinks something looks shit

Listen he’s out of line but he’s right

Eric

Loves you a lot and will support anything and everything you choose to do or make

Drawing? Awesome! Painting? Wonderful! Animation? Superb!

He often wants to buy you supplies or something but he does not know what anything is

Fuck is a chalk pencil???? What are gel pens vs normal pens?????? Watercolor????? What the fuck are you saying??????????

Will subtly drop hints that you could,,,, draw him,,,,, maybe,,,,, if u wanna 

And by subtly I mean he starts to ask and then starts crying

If you draw him he will cry again he loves u so much 

If he ever were to get a tattoo it’d be something u drew. Nothing else is as important to him at the moment

He enjoys photography and film, and likes to try and bond with you over artistic things

I mean. Some things overlap.

You could talk about a single drawing for hours and he’d listen intently the whole time

Don’t ask him for feedback, it’s always some version of “it’s perfect and I love you”

Even if he hates it

Which,,,,, he might hate it sometimes

He’s not a good reviewer. 2/10, very biased

He likes to take photos when you’re in the zone

If you tell him to delete them he will

While secretly making one his home screen

Host

Hey, he gets it

He writes, he understands the hyperfocus

Sometimes he wouldn’t move from his chair for a day because he was busy writing a script

That being said, you probably have to be the one to get him to take care of himself

Or you have to take turns

Otherwise you’re both gonna fucking die

He asks you to describe your art to him and tries to picture it.

He’ll tell you if he thinks it probably looks good or bad

You shouldn’t take it to heart because he can’t see it

He is a bastard sometimes

“Well, what do you think?” “I think it looks fantastic” “Thanks, babe” “...” “... you think you’re fucking funny, don’t you”

He asks if you can draw him sometimes

No, he won’t see it, but he’ll appreciate the sentiment if you do

He will ask for your opinion on his scripts sometimes

If you say it’s bad he gets really defensive

You work in the same room a lot of the time and forget the other is there

One of you has to preemptively order food or like set a timer so you can goddamn Survive

You’ll be fine

[wraith-t0wn]

Your water colour is sooooo good! Do you have any tips or like vids of you doing watercolour that I can learn from?

I have Many Things to say

1. No worries, you’re not bothering me lmao

2. I’m so sorry for answering this so late but I wanted to finish my DTIYS art before answering this and it turns out 4 redraws takes a long time so I’m answering this now before I forget to

3. Honestly my watercolor skills are..not exactly built up. I took out my watercolors one day (see: a week ago) and I’m like “hey why don’t I use proper color theory for once” and it just went on from there

I took a lot of inspiration from the artist @/ fire_bay (you can also find her here on Tumblr!) bc of the way she shades her art. One thing you’ll notice immediately is how she doesn’t just use darker shades of the base color—she uses complimentary colors. She shades with a blue-gray or grayish-green on a base color of red, then a little outline of brown or dark red. I find it pretty useful when coloring with watercolors.

^^^(ART CREDIT: FIRE_BAY [Instagram]) ^^^

And also, say for a character like Janus, whose entire left side is covered in brown-green snake scales, I’ll primarily use green and some blue for the shading because it just

it just looks right

Honestly the only thing I have to say after all this is to observe other artists, use complimentary colors (in moderation) when shading, and also outline your work again when you’re done—it’ll make the whole thing pop out more. I’ll probably make a gif set of my coloring process when I finish this DTIYS, so keep an eye out for that! I might tag you :D

As for anatomy? Shit man, I’ve been building up my anatomy skills for almost 6-7 years. The best I think I can tell you is that

1. The body is made up of simple geometric shapes. You’d be surprised!

2. Study other artists! Steal like an artist: take what you like from another artist and try to incorporate it into your style—and then develop it from there. I started off drawing humans because of a DeviantART Minecraft comic. I just built up from there.

3. If you can’t find good references, make your own! It helps a lot.

4. Expand. Make sure you can set out of your comfort zone.

5. Take your time! Practice often or whenever you can, but try to enjoy your journey. One day you’ll look back and see how much you’ve improved. It’s a really good feeling.

none of these rules are set in stone and should be taken as cold, hard, fact. Once again, take your time and don’t try to rush. You’ll improve, trust me. These are just some general things that I find other artists saying, including myself because they well—they help.

[enchantedamusedslightlyconfused]

73 questions.

I was tagged by @wescoasts @machine-gun-casie (BABES)

Almost all my friends have been tagged and I don't wanna be that asshole so ill try not to be. I tag @awkwardrocker @backoftheroomandnotbelonging @trixiehoe @she-who-is-timey-wimey

On a scale of 1-10, how excited are you about life right now?

Well it’s finals week so about -864. After that I have two weeks of legitimate nothing where I will bake my heart out so we’ll see

Describe yourself in a hashtag?

#yikes #ughshesinherfeelsagain 

If you could do a love scene with anyone, who would it be?

Milo Ventimiglia, Kells, Rook.....being a music video love interest is only my life’s pipe dream 

If your life was a musical, what would the marquee say?

And that’s on daddy issues and no supervision...

What’s one thing people don’t know about you?

I used to model like went to modeling school and got paid for it type shit

What’s your wakeup ritual?

get woken up by my dog tired of hearing my alarm, walk said opinionated quadruped, feed quadruped, get dressed, COFFEE, then take life as it comes

What’s your go to bed ritual?

melatonin gummies (gotta make anxiety fun), skincare when executive dysfunction will allow, brush teeth, fight dog for my spot in bed (moving a 90lb animal is no joke), turn on my sleep playlist or use my ambient noise app, stare at ceiling

What’s your favorite time of day?

witching hour followed by golden hour

Your go to for having a good laugh?

lately tiktok and Kellyvisions, previously vine compilations or Netflix specials

Dream country to visit?

Ireland. I NEED to go to the motherland. My families castle is still standing and I get in for free. its on my bucket list FOR SURE. 

What’s the biggest surprise you’ve had?

getting into nursing school and chiropractic school. I’m a loser and I’ve never had a surprise party. I’d melt in puddle of love tbh

Heels or flats/sneakers?

Flats 98% of the time. Heels are reserved for business casual necessity, Halloween, or if I’m feeling myself 

Vintage or new?

both, depends on the item

Who do you want to write your obituary?

Amy-Sherman Palladino 

Style icon?

lmao a what? on the real though catch me fucking with those eco-friendly kitchen witch vibes. All the dainty jewelry, linens and converse/docks fam

What are three things you can’t live without?

my dog, my family (found and blood), healing people however I can (medicine ruined me for any other career and its sucks you guys)

What’s one ingredient you put in everything?

tbh salt, I question a recipes validity if salt isn't involved 

What 3 people living or dead would you like to make dinner for?

Kells and the band (I'd be too nervous for a one on one), a dinner party with my MGK fam, Elvis

What’s your biggest fear in life?

Failure, not accomplishing anything 

Window or aisle seat?

window all day everyday, on the wing preferably cause I like to feel the landing gear #pilotsgranddaughter 

What’s your current TV obsession?

Roadies forever, pry that series from my cold dead hands (also Gilmore Girls and Criminal Minds)

Favorite app?

tie between Tumblr and Pinterest (im an aesthetic slut)

Secret talent?

I am bomb at disney princess songs, the girls I babysit for treat me like a jukebox at bedtime, cutest thing ever

Most adventurous thing you’ve done in your life?

delivered a baby has hands down been the coolest thing I’ve ever done

How would you define yourself in three words?

I fucking hate this question. always have. empathetic, resilient, intuitive 

Favourite piece of clothing you own?

overall: my senior prom dress. its emerald green, backless, with a slit to upper thigh chefs kiss 

everyday wear: Colorado sweatshirt

Must have clothing item everyone should have?

I second Jude: over sized hoodies

Superpower you would want?

nonspecific healing powers so they aren't limited to physical ailments

What’s inspiring you in life right now?

Colson

Best piece of advice you’ve received?

HA. probably that the body remembers more about trauma than the mind and your seemingly irrational physical reactions to things are your brain’s attempt to protect you

Best advice you’d give your teenage self?

his mistake does not define your worth. I went for a variant of these boys aint shit don't judge me cause she needs to hear it

A book that everyone should read?

Harry Potter series (yes the whole thing), Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson, Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson, The Giver by Lois Lowry 

What would you like to be remembered for?

empathy, the way I made people feel

How do you define beauty?

FOR THE LAST TIME ITS SUBJECTIVE, things that give you peace, it could be a song, a person, a sunset, a scone, a leaf. If it makes you stop a second and exhale then its beautiful to you

What do you love most about your body?

holy trigger question Batman...my eyes, my hair color, texture, and its ability to grow

Best way to take a rest/decompress?

drive with the windows down and blast music while singing at the top of my lungs

Favorite place to view art?

unexpected places, like street corners, carnivals, just somewhere it takes you off guard and makes you stop and pay attention

If your life were a song, what would the title be?

it’d be one of those crazy long 2000s fall out boy titles for sure, subject matter yet to be determined 

If you could master one instrument, what would it be?

violin hands down, it hits me different

If you had a tattoo, where would it be?

I have a bunch planned, plane on my right shoulder, Kells related between 3rd and 4th ribs (maybe lower in case I ever need a chest tube), watercolor portrait of my dog at some point location TBD

Dolphins or koalas?

dolphins are stoners and they're super smart, but koalas cause they’re grumpy af and honestly same

What’s your spirit animal?

again Jude and I are vibin: I've been identifying with a phoenix as of late. according to pottermore im a greyhound though (yes a patrons is a wizarding spirit animal. fight me)

Best gift you’ve ever received?

seven year old me was stoked to get a functional microscope and metal detector, I was in my egyptology/archeology phase, I still have them lmao

Best gift you’ve ever given?

oh hell idk...I made my cousin cry once cause I made cupcakes for her birthday party, they were cherry limeade flavored and had little straws and everything. that was pretty cool, granted she was seven. I also made my teacher cry cause I made sea salt caramel chocolate cupcakes for her going away party. I guess my baking brings people to tears

What’s your favourite board game?

candy land, battleship, cards against humanity even though there isn't a board

What’s your favourite colour?

forest green atm

Least favourite colour?

bright yellow/orange, its offensive to my general The Dirt Mick Mars disposition

Diamonds or pearls?

pearls (actually opals though)

Drugstore makeup or designer?

not picky provided they are evironmentally friendly. I really like Besame Cosmetics though

Blow-dry or air-dry?

air-dry, I don't have the patience for blow drying

Pilates or yoga?

yoga

Coffee or tea?

COFFEE, im still learning to like tea

What’s the weirdest word in the English language?

holy shit how much time do we have, my favorite weird word to say is fistula or omphalocele (they're medical conditions, don't goole it unless you have a strong stomach) 

Dark chocolate or milk chocolate?

dark chocolate

Stairs or elevator?

stairs 

Summer or winter?

neither FALL BITCHES   winter if I had to pick cause I love Christmas 

You are stuck on an island, you can pick one food to eat forever without getting tired of it, what would you eat?

burgers

A desert you don’t like?

red velvet cake....just why is it a thing that exists 

A skill you’re working on mastering?

baking scones or shit that’s flaky in general 

Best thing to happen to you today?

being tagged to do this twice, I felt special for a hot second (thanks babes)

Best compliment you’ve ever received?

that I would make a good doctor (I handled a scary pt situation like a champ, they didn't know I threw up after I made sure my pt didn't die. puking in a foreign country on the download is a skill in and of itself)

Favorite smell?

bergamot, baking bread, baking spice cakes at Christmas

Hugs or kisses?

HUGS CAN SAVE THE WORLD

If you made a documentary, what would it be about?

gifted kid fall off

Last piece of content you consumed that made you cry?

In These Walls - Machine Gun Kelly

Casual Sabotage - Yungblud

genius assholes...

Lipstick or lip gloss?

lipstick for special occasions but actually tinted chapstick or lip stains 

Sweet or savoury?

savory to eat sweet to make for someone else

Girl crush?

Brittney Furlan Lee, Alexis Bledel, Lauren Graham 

How you know you’re in love?

you look at them and just say yep. them. usually while they're doing something stupid 

Song you can listen to on repeat?

imma out myself but Swing Life Away - Machine Gun Kelly

If you could switch lives with someone for a day who would it be?

the grass is not greener ya’ll. id rather go back and relive days 

What are you most excited about at this time in your life?

hopefully passing my first trimester of chiropractic school. fingers crossed pls

[gihu]

Hello ! I’ve been wanting to start drawing but to really learn. Do you have any tips ? How did you start drawing? I love your art !! 💕

Hello friend!! So sorry for the delay, I’ve been p busy and also was a little shook that anyone would ask ME for art advice??? bc tbh i’m hardly at that level yet LOL but also maybe it’s a good thing you asked me bc BOY have I struggled and BOY am i struggling now!!  putting this under a cut bc i tend to ramble

So one thing I won’t say is “JuST pRActICE” which is what a lot of tumblr artists say and that irks me even though it’s true and valid advice it’s just…not that helpful. At least for me. Another thing I won’t say is “I popped out of the womb with a pencil in hand!!” because I can’t relate. Being from a pretty conservative Asian family/country kinda suppressed what desire to pursue art, even as a hobby, in me as a kid. I started learning how to draw in sophomore year in high school because I got REALLY fucking obsessed with One Piece LMAO. I lived and breathed OP, I was watching dozens of eps a day at one point. That one tumblr post that was like “the best way to get better at drawing is to become obsessed with something and draw it a million times”? Probably the most solid advice I’ve come across. Anyway, that obsession led me to wanting to create fanart for the first time (that was my starting point for wanting to become an artist, which eventually led me into stop motion, thanks One Piece)! I did start attempting to draw the characters right away, but I also started watching a bunch of youtube videos and using figure drawing sites to practice anatomy. I’d recommend starting off with learning anatomy! Learn the proportions of the face and body, it’ll help a TON. but you’ll have to learn how to enjoy the process of studying bc there’s so much studying to be done if you want to learn how to draw. Other tips (that helped me personally): 

-don’t aim to finish a drawing 100%. By that I mean skip rendering the details, it’ll slow down your improvement. try to aim for 60 or 70%. also, some may disagree with me on this but try to avoid using color at all when you’re starting out! you may get overwhelmed and it’s fact that drawing and knowledge of values are far more important. i’ve heard a professor compare color to icing on a cake: it makes the cake pretty but why would that matter at all if the cake base tastes like crap??

- don’t doodle mindlessly. a tip i hear often is to doodle lots and lots but…i don’t think it helped me improve at all. you need reference, something to compare your drawings to so you can throughly analyze how to improve them. nearly every single artist i know, including myself, uses reference for their drawings. it’s ok to doodle to jot down ideas and stuff, just not for learning. 

 - draw from life as much as possible!! it’s more helpful than drawing from photos or art because translating from 3d to 2d really trains your brain by forcing it to analyze more. also, photos tend to be distorted and alter reality. copying/referencing art can be helpful but only if they’re master paintings (sargent, monet, etc.) IMO. please don’t copy from tumblr artists, even for practice LOL. try to avoid their tutorials as well if you’re a beginner you probably won’t be aware of the mistakes they make, and unwittingly incorporate them into your drawing habits. there’s tons of art book PDFs out there, they’re your best bet! 

- carry a sketchbook around and just draw as much as possible. use your free time to draw from life. make it a habit. the more you draw the more you’ll add to your muscle memory and visual dictionary

- find out what interests you about the world, and incorporate those interests into your art! is it the way clothing falls across the body or the way light casts shadows? do you have a particular interest for teeth or hands?? i think hands are quite amazing 

- idk if i’ll be able to explain this clearly but whether you’re drawing comics or making “aesthetic” work, CONCEPT will always be more important than how your art looks! by concept i mean idea, message, etc. The clarity of your message is also important! it needs to be readable

- don’t blame your tools for your lack of skill. when i was starting out i wasted so much time researching and accumulating a bunch of art supplies that i didn’t even use, thinking that better tools would increase the quality of my art. the only tools i needed turned out to be pencils, pens, some watercolors and later, a basic tablet. award-winning films have been made with iPhones alone.

- lastly…JUST DO IT. technical skills are important but what’s even more important is your passion and desire to create. what’s holding you back? fear of being judged? that’s dumb! the best art-related quote i’ve heard is by andy warhol:

“Don’t think about making art, just get it done. Let everyone else decide if it’s good or bad, whether they love it or hate it. While they are deciding, make even more art.”

isn’t that beautiful? this changed my whole outlook on making art! i mean, you won’t ever be able to make art that appeals to everyone but you sure can make art that some people will like! there’s an audience for everything! so don’t be needlessly burdened by what you think others think of your art and make art for you and you only. one thing that i did that i deeply deeply regret is quitting drawing for 2 years up until this past summer, and that’s only because i didn’t think i’d ever be good enough at drawing. so i just gave up. it makes me so sad because even if i drew for just 10min a day i could’ve improved so much in those years! please don’t do what i did

- some helpful websites/youtube channels: schoolism (the best and most affordable online art class i’ve come across, $35 a month but they have legit instructors from disney, pixar etc.) Line-of-action (for figure drawing) croquis cafe (more figure drawing bc you can never do enough) sycra (youtuber who makes tutorials, one of the few that trust completely. i especially like his video on iterative drawing) 

man that was long! but there’s so much to talk about still! btw it’s admirable that you want to learn a new skill! i believe that if you truly want something to be better at something, you will, 100%. if you ever have more questions, feel free to shoot me a message, my inbox/DMs are always open, even if i might take a while to get to it :)

[trout-scout]

6,7, 8, 11! For the artist asks

6. Which artists inspire you right now?

Eric Ravilious! if I could watercolor like that I'd never do anything else! I need to get my ass in gear and order a ravilious wall calendar before the year gets going too much.

7. Favourite works of all time excluding your own?

The Unicorn in Captivity tapestry

Wanderer Above the Sea of Fog by Caspar David Friedrich

Ravilious' various depictions of the chalk pictograms/ Westbury horse

This painting by James Gurney https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E6vD8EhVIAIM9Qm?format=jpg&name=medium

(among SO many others lmao)

8. What do you like most about your own work?

I'm pretty good at figuring out how to use color and 'effect' to enhance things even if the subject matter is beyond my skill, haha! I also enjoy the way I choose to depict beestes i.e. basing them on real animals and-or prehistoric megafauna/dinosaurs.

11. Favorite comment you've ever received on your work?

honestly someone saying like 'thank you for the whole delicious meal' on my nsfw heisenberg , that shit comes straight from the heart.

[themeltedheadaches]

ALL THE SHAKESPEARE ASKS

ANTONY: What bad habits do you need to break?i need to quit 1) cracking every joint in my body (especially my neck, it’s started to make distressing crackling sounds), 2) popping my jaw like why ???, 3) biting around my cuticles when i’m stressed, 4) scratching at my skin when i get upset like……………….pls

BEATRICE: What is the achievement you’re most proud of?honestly this is sad but going back to public school after a semester of homeschooling!! it would have been so freaking easy to stay in independent study but i didn’t do it and i’m really proud of myself for pushing so hard. i’m grateful to myself, too, bc i’ve grown so much and met so many wonderful people in high school :)BENVOLIO: What comes to mind when you think of peace?books, cats, walking in a garden, tea, reading aloud. watercolors. my mom’s gardenia lotion. more often, when i think of peace, i remember this feeling i got at my uncle’s memorial - all these tears were being pulled out of me and i was grieving but i was surrounded by people who loved me and understood, and my cousin gave me a poem he wrote as a prayer, and reading it i just felt myself relax and i just felt soothed. it’s weird to say that that was a feeling of peace, but it was, and that memory is actually a comforting one.BIANCA: What do you want most in life?balance!! i am a very intense person and feel things A Lot, and i want to be able to balance myself. it’s “no self-control for days” or “don’t let yourself eat for two whole days” for me, literally, and it’s not healthy!! arghCELIA: Do you want to fall in love?i’d like to! but my last experience was so toxic and disingenuous i’m a bit scared :(CIRCE: Would you rather be loved or feared?loved CLAUDIUS: What is the worst thing you’ve ever done?honestly……………idek, there’s a lot of things in my life that i would do differently but idk if a particularly bad thing stands out? probably not trying hard enough, in generalCORDELIA: Do you consider yourself a good person?i’d say so! i hope so.CRESSIDA: What makes you feel trapped?i cannot wake up later than 10:30 or the day is ruined and i will be a useless self-pitying mess DESDEMONA: Do you believe that the truth will set you free?i’d always rather know the truth than any other alternative, so yesEDGAR: Do you want to make your family proud?yes!!EDMUND: Do you ever wish you’d been born someone else? If so, who?not really. GERTRUDE: Would you (or have you) ever cheated on a significant other?no and no HAMLET: Do you prefer to think things through thoroughly or act on impulse?i act on impulse so much omfg it hasn’t really ever gotten me into trouble but Oh Boy Will It One DayHECATE: Do you consider yourself an introvert or an extrovert?introvert omgHELENUS: Do you believe in God?yeah but not in a christian sense at all tho (judaism ftw)HIPPOLYTA: What is your biggest regret?not putting myself out there more! i want to share a lot of my work with The World (aka the internet or even just in school) but it’s so hard for me??? and i regret it now that high school is ending!!HORATIO: Who do you love most?i honestly probably have the most unconditional and gentlest love for my older bro, we support each other so casually and naturally and i’m so lucky to have such a good friend in him. i have the most overwhelming love for my friends tho, it just kind of bubbles up out of me when i’m around them and thinking about them!! i love them!! i’m so lucky to have them in my life!!!!!!!!!!!!!JULIET: What is your favorite luxury?chocolate, tea, fun soaps/perfumesLADY MACBETH: What is your favorite thing about yourself?my eyes!! they are my one feature that somehow never disappoint. the rest of me is a disaster lmaoMACBETH: Have you ever killed anyone? Would you?no and i certainly hope notMALCOLM: What does honor mean to you?doing everything you can not to fail, following things through, being loyal but not blind. having dignity. picking your battles. having bravery but also kindness as two top priorities.MEDEA: Do you have any quirks?i can’t sleep unless it’s on my right side, i read horror movie wiki pages so i know what happens but don’t have to see the actual movie, i have a terrifying ability to accidentally spoil books, i hate tomatoes, balloon animals make me cry (it’s sad when they pop), etc.MERCUTIO: Is there anyone you would die for?yes! any of my friends, and most of my family.MIRANDA: Is happiness a choice?it can be. but not always!OBERON: Does reputation matter to you?lol i am one of the proudest people i know OPHELIA: Is there anything you regret not doing?see the hyppolyta answer!ORSINO: If you could have any material thing in the world, what would it be?a pet!!PARIS: If you had the chance to rule the world, would you?if i could rule it as a united force, then yes!! taking AP enviro sci has made me so anxious to get started on trying to help fix/prevent the mess our environment is in PORTIA: When did you lose your innocence?OH BOY i think i still have small bits of it! i don’t think we ever fully lose our innocence, it just loses a little bit of its shinePUCK: Do you consider yourself a mischievous person? actually yes, especially if someone tells me not to do something and i can annoy them by doing it. i live to tease people.ROMEO: How far would you go for love?Ridiculously Far but not so far as to degrade myself. if i think i deserve better or aren’t getting all that someone can give me in fair trade, i won’t go any farther than i already haveROSALIND: What does your ideal day entail?sleep, tea, beach, milkshake, some kind of poetry performance, shopping, concert, macarons, bath, warm milk, early sleepROSALINE: Which people from your past haunt you?ugh honestly i’m trying not to let anyone keep effecting me!!! the past is the past and it may be Nasty but ya just gotta learn from it, is the perspective i’m trying to get withSEBASTIAN: Is violence ever the answer?short-term yes, long-term noTITANIA: Do you believe in magic?:)TYBALT: If you could kill one person without consequences, who would it be?honestly probably no one b/c anyone i’d pick would have too many domino effects and it would be so badVIOLA: How skilled of a liar are you?sometimes i think i’m a Super Liar and i’m the most impenetrable person ever and then i realize that i’m actually the least subtle and can’t tell a big lie to save my lifeVOLUMNIA: Describe the biggest sacrifice you’ve made.i let patrick read as hamlet this week in ap english and let me tell you it was rough :(