#the main thing is that art takes time and effort and practice to improve at but if u give if those things you WILL see improvement

[magpigment]

do u have any art tips?

i have a handful, yeah! idk how helpful they'll be because i'll be quite honest, idk what im doing, but i'll sure try to be as cohesive, comprehensive and helpful as i can!

pretty much my number one tip is the most annoying one to hear, which is unfortunate because it's also the most effective, but PRACTICE.

practice is genuinely the one thing that can improve your art like nothing else can.

experiment with your style, your coloring techniques, your poses, your anatomy, your use of perspective and background, anything and everything can and will help! one thing that also helps with that is finding elements of others art (their dynamic scenes/poses, their coloring or lineart style, the palettes they use, etc) and mess around with that until you find something you like.

ive been mostly doing that to try and improve my digital art because boy oh boy am i not great at that yet, and ive already noticed obvious differences between my digital art from a couple months ago to now.

depending on what medium youre using (digital, traditional) my tips would vary, because im still very new to digital art, and i mostly do traditional art.

for digital art if that's what you're using, just mess around with brushes until you find something that works best for you! dont be afraid to mess around w different methods of coloring and shading, and one thing that ive noticed makes art look a lot better digitally is using interesting color palettes and experimenting with the colors you use to shade and highlight. im not super great at this yet, so take this advice with a grain of salt lol.

for traditional art, you’d have to ask about a specific medium because i mess w quite a few and have different techniques for most, but i hope this helped at least a little, and i’d be glad to try and help further if you’d like! but as just a general overview that’s what’s been helping me A LOT lately and i’ve been improving pretty steadily!

i hope you have a great day ^^!

[rimeiii]

Random demon HCs (SFW)

Eyo, it's your girl, the one WHB poster who's interested in this game for all the wrong reasons with something non-gameplay related for once! Part of what definitely interests me is the demons in general and how they'll play off with each other + the MC. Doesn't even have to be related to the sexy stuff - some of these demons I feel have the potential to have interesting and complex dynamics with each other, particularly the Avisos demons!

So, um. Yeah. Enjoy my brainrot-

(Also I will be particularly biased towards the demons who've caught my eye. Refer to tier list below. So, um. Yeah. Sorry about that orz)

I feel like out of all the demons in Hell, Belial would be the one most attuned to music. He'd be the one to replay songs again and again, probably wearing noise-cancelling headphones so that he'll truly be immersed in the music. He probably used to love singing as a child, so when his voice was taken away, he was completely and utterly devastated. To compensate, he'd take up an instrument (like an acoustic guitar) or learn how to compose, so that at least he can express his love for music and performance...

Gusion desperately wants to cut down on work, but it's hard. He spends countless days and nights just going around solving problems - and there's an abundance of them in Hell. Honestly, he thought of creating systems to help streamline his work and problem-solving shenanigans, but holy shit everyone just loves wrecking those too, huh. After calculating and approximating the time and effort required to perform his duties, merely solving issues as they crop up is the more effective and less tiring solution to everything. Which is saying something, when that in itself is already tiring as fuck.

Leviathan is a gentleman, through and through. Cool, calm, and collected on the outside, he practically perfected the art of hiding away his negative emotions behind a charming smile and a no-nonsense attitude on the battlefield. The only people able to pry away his emotions from beneath the mask are his fellow kings, the demons of Hades, and eventually MC. And even then, he'll only be able to show his most vulnerable sides to his nobles and, again, MC (eventually). It's hard to win his trust and openness, what with his jealousy often getting in the way of him forming healthy relationships with others.

Beelzebub is actually a pretty bad cook. Like, Mystery Food X levels of bad - at least, starting out. Now, though? Well, the people who said they enjoyed his cooking have somehow deluded themselves to think it's good before the side effects kick in. Does it have hallucinogenic properties? Is it a side effect of Beelzebub's tendency to have weird things happen around him? Or perhaps he really did improve on his cooking? Who knows...who knows.

Naberius and Gusion are the perfect drinking buddies. They'd get together at a random pub somewhere in Hell when they have the time, and they'll spend their time getting buzzed while unloading everything weighing them down at the moment. Honestly, this started as an effort to help Naberius - letting out his emotions bit by bit to ensure everyone's safety is much more preferable than letting his anger and annoyance explode to an extent he becomes a Kerberos. Sometimes, they'll be joined by Bael, although rarely as he is standing in for Beelzebub. More often, Satan shows up and chats with them, as amiable as always - and they end up being his main listening ears if he needs to vent. Satan's secrets are always safe with them, and for that, he is forever thankful.

Leraye and Paimon often make things together! The former has a knack for sewing, while the latter has a lot of ideas for clothes and stuffed toys! Working together, they'd be able to create a large variety of trendy clothing and cute plush toys.

I know a lot of people HC this but yes, Marbas would be a gentle giant. While he's aroused by being restrained, I'd like to think the reason why he's always restrained is because something bad happened while he was doing something while not being restrained. Perhaps he accidentally killed someone with his sheer strength, during a more "daily life" scenario. While his strength is his pride, his ability to heal is a larger source of pride for him - which is why he agrees with the notion that putting restraints on him is for the best.

Sitri is a tea connoisseur! He likes tea, knows which tea leaves are the best, how to make specific blends of tea, how long each tea needs to steep in order to bring out a specific sort of flavor...and among the demons in Hell, there are few who can appreciate the finer details in tea brewing like him. Some of these demons include Barbatos (surprisingly enough), Foras, Bael, Bathin, and Paimon. They regularly get together to sample his teas!

Whenever Bathin wants someone to accompany him in his travels, Amon often takes him up on his offer. They'll wander around without any prior destination, dealing with problems that crop up during their travels along the way. They both live in the moment while traveling, letting the winds dictate where they'll head to next. Amon deals with most of the logistics of travel while Bathin would focus more on finding and learning about the points of interest wherever they end up. An MC who enjoys traveling would love being travel buddies with them!

Mammon's way of showing his affection is gift-giving. Though his gifts might come across as overboard sometimes. Because what do you mean he already sent over some more jewels your way? Nobody needs that many jewels, sir! Either way, Tartaros is a prospering land purely because of the many treasures Mammon gives away to his people. Whether or not these overflowing treasures gets sent off to other areas is a different story entirely.

Andrealphus would be the most sympathetic towards MC, I feel. He knows how it feels to lose someone you care about deeply, to have your life ripped away from you in an instant. He had already been in that position a long time ago, and it would greatly please him if MC would let him support them any way he can - up to and including sticking by their side to protect them.

Out of all the demons in Paradise Lost, I feel like Morax would be the one most versed in the logistics involving healing and first aid. Which is understandable - his method of healing involves transferring his patient's wounds onto him in the form of pain. As a result, he'll have to be able to gauge just how far into the healing process he should perform with his abilities - especially on the battlefield. He'd have his nose buried in books during his free time just so he can increase his healing efficacy.

[certainempatheticturkeymuffin]

Feeling kinda nostaligic looking through some of my art.

I drew this in 2021 and I was so proud of it. It was a companion piece for a fic that never manifested, and I loved it so much. It was my first real foray into digital art. Sure, I'd definitely drawn before, but nothing with this amount of effort put into it. It wasn't even the first thing I drew for the LU Discord: the place that got me back into art.

Looking at the results, I think it still holds up, and that makes me beyond happy. I would certainly change a lot about it if I drew it again today, but I love it all the same, because it's something I could see on tumblr and go "oh that's cute, I'll reblog" and I'm near tears.

I think it embodies what my favorite pieces are to draw: sad/angsty pieces of my favorite characters with dramatic lighting. I don't draw many of them, because they require so much effort, but they're my favorite.

I drew these two pieces in October and December of last year. I learned how to utilize glow layers, my anatomy improved, and I shifted to a lineless art style that is so much work but gives beautiful results. You can even see that between the two pieces I decided to properly learn how to draw wings.

I've improved so much in only three years and I genuinely owe it to the LU Discord. Even if I'm not as active there anymore, y'all got me back into art. I have over a hundred pieces of terribly drawn (by my current standards) fan pieces for your weekly prompts that gave me the practice I needed to improve, and I wouldn't have even bothered if I didn't want to participate in that community.

Specifically, I want to thank @ahrva, one of my best friends. She who collabed with me and encouraged me into so many writing projects and community events. Thank you, dearly. I wouldn't have had the courage to join the secret santas or art exchanges if you hadn't been right there, super excited to participate. You always compliment my art, and it means a lot when you go "OOOOOO" in response to one of my pieces /gen

I'd also like to thank @wolfy1298 whose art was a huge inspiration, even if we've never really spoken. Whenever I saw your work I was so impressed that I couldn't help trying to emulate you a little. Your colors are something I still envy to this day, your masterful highlights and lineart an inspiration to work harder and improve. Your curvy shapes are also very cute and may have infected me lmao

@author-main your diverse body types encouraged me to properly learn anatomy. I'm taking medical classes, but it's another thing entirely to try drawing the human body properly. I'm still unfortunately lacking when it comes to larger bodies, but your beautiful work encourages me to try improving, even if it's only in sketchbooks that no one will ever see. Your lines are full of personality, and I never tire of seeing your work.

@w1lmutt your compositions and poses are awe-inspiring. I struggle a lot with composing a shot, especially with foreshortening, so your work is extremely impressive. You manage to insert so much personality through body language alone, and it's definitely something I'll be striving to improve. That's not even mentioning your backgrounds! I'm generally in awe of every piece you make. I think I'd die if I had to draw a proper landscape/cityscape lol. I can barely manage a bedroom! Just another thing to work towards improving lol

There are tons more artists i want to shout out and compliment, but it's nearly 7am and I haven't gone to sleep yet lol.

Thank all of you. Even if I only pop in once every few months for the events nowadays, I'll always cherish my time in this community. I'm going to keep improving, and I'm glad to be doing so alongside such skilled artists!

[chiocchi]

Chiocchi!

Big fan of your artistry. I love your art so much! And those graphic novels you have on ao3??? Heaven sent! I use them as an imagery reference if I read any similar trope haha!

I asked the same question to leafiloaf since I love them too, but I'll be very interested to know your artistic journey if you don't mind sharing. How did you start with your art?

Tysm for being in this fandom ❤️

youknowmevj! omg thank you so much! You're too kind 😭🥺❤️❤️❤️ And yess lots of love to leafiloaf

Thanks for the ask! I've never told anyone about it and I'm so excited I'll give you so much unnecessary context. Oops long post.

My artistic journey

I've enjoyed drawing since I was little, but mostly I just drew doodles in my notebook. Anime was a big inspiration for my style and I wanted to create digital illustrations too. When I was a teenager, I tried using a mouse and a PC, and my finger and some app on my phone, but the results were always terrible. I told myself it was because I didn't have a drawing tablet, so "of course my drawings will look ugly" and stopped trying.

However, I promised a discord friend that I would do a drawing for her in December 2020. So, I downloaded this app called "Ibis Paint" on my phone and, with all my effort despite my lack of ability, I drew Harry using the app and my finger jskldhfsa

I was so hesitant and nervous about showing it to her. I could tell it wasn't pretty, just "weird and awkward", and I felt embarrassed. But she told me it was good (LIES) and somehow convinced me to share it with others on the server. Despite feeling shy, I shared it anyway. To my surprise, three people told me it was pretty! I appreciated their kindness.

It wasn't until March 2021 that I returned to drawing digitally and on a more consistent basis. I was mainly doing fanart for a game that I liked.

In May or June (I can't remember exactly), I stumbled upon an artist who created incredible art using Ibis Paint. And I realized that I didn't need a drawing tablet, just more practice and skill, because if they could do it, then I could do it too! That was the moment I began taking art more seriously (still as a hobby, though!).

Due to the pandemic, I had a lot of free time, which I used to watch a lot of tutorials, practice gesture and follow the advice of artists I liked. With every drawing I made, I could see an improvement, which motivated me even more to keep on working hard (drawing became a source of comfort during those depressing times. It was just really fun).

In late 2021, I mentioned to a childhood friend that I wanted to buy a drawing tablet, and he asked me if I wanted his old one, which I excitedly accepted. Finally, I had the tool that would make my art incredible… or so I thought! I was terrible with it. For the first few months, I preferred Ibis paint and my finger. But I eventually got the hang of it! What I love the most are the multiple brushes and pressure settings. I'm such a hoarder, even if I don't use all of them ksklajdl.

In 2022, I participated in several bigbangs and zines, but what I'm most excited to talk about is the tomarry comic that I started.

My tomarrymort art

I've read tomarrymort fics since 2017, but I wasn't active on the fandom. In 2020, I joined a writer's server (all love to Amanda) and met the friend I mentioned earlier. So technically, you could say my love for tomarrymort lead me here kek

Even though my main inspiration was a game, here is some fic fanart I made.

This is my first tomarry art (July 27th, 2021). It's a scene from Genius by the Numbers. I think it looks weird kjdshk

I also made art for A Mating of Convenience, what started in beautiful rooms, Dripping Fingers and for Ale, beloved. (I think I've never posted these before.)

Then two things happened: I saw comic on ao3 (If I'll Ever See You by festivewind) and I was like "WOW! THAT'S SO COOL" and "omg we can upload comics!"

The second thing was me being rejected as a webtoon background artist (naturally, as I wasn't good enough for the specifics) and the spite made me want to do my own so I could improve my weakness (the grind never stops 💪🔥).

I read some of my old notes for story ideas (I'm not good at writing but I still had some snippets of stories). And boom! Love triangle but the 3 of them are idiots (affectionate). Fun fact: the original version had a murder, someone in Azkaban and someone hating the other forever :D

Don't pretend started as an anonymous work because some of my friends knew my AO3 username and I was afraid of screwing up the format (I don't know html) and looking like a fool DKJALKSJL I was also afraid of possible backlash (I'm an over-thinker).

None of that happened (comments were very kind and nice!) But idk, it was nice being anon. I'm awkward and shy and I usually don't know what to say to compliments (Sometimes a "thank you" doesn't feel enough but that's all my brain can offer 😭)

Then I made some tomarry christmas art and shared it on TRoR discord server and someone asked me if I had Tumblr and I said no but that gave me the idea of making one.

Since I planned Don't pretend as being a long story, I realized it'd take me a long time to finish it and I wanted to contribute to the complete tomarrymort works! That's the reason I took a pause and made A Soulmate Like You.

Anyway, I made this tumblr on January 2023, and the plan was to fill it with art so, eventually, when I found the courage to make my works non-anon, I could link to this page. Except that I posted one drawing, and that was enough for isalisewrites to know it was me HJKASDJLA. So I stopped the anonymous thing.

I'm still not used to being "perceived" 👁️👁️ but I've learned it's not bad. People have been really kind and I think I'm less shy now! I'm very happy to be part of this fandom with lots of kind and supportive people and incredible fics and fanart <3

[raven-at-the-writing-desk]

Deuce, Idia: Full Throttle Ahead!!

I don’t usually think Deuce is hot, but that Groovy art sure is making me feel some type of way 😷

Since Idia is the interviewer this time around, I purposefully wrote this piece to make it feel like Idia is the “center”, since he’s very... introverted and stuck in his own mind space. What truly shines here is Deuce’s determination, which does eventually manage to pierce Idia’s stubbornness. 

***Chapter 6 main story and Wish Upon a Star spoilers!***

Imagine this...

“I’m more brawn than brains, so I want to go to a dorm where I can work on that weakness.” Deuce beamed, clenching a fist. “My goal’s to be an honors student, so... I’ve got to study hard, and I feel like Scarabia’s the place for me to do that.”

Working on a weakness, huh...

With inquisitive eyes and upturned brows, Idia peered at the birthday boy.

I... kind of get it. It’s like when you’re trying to build a balanced character in a MMORPG, but you overinvest your skill points in Strength instead of distributing it evenly between Strength and Intelligence... and then you wind up down the class and the skill tree you don’t want, but you’re too late into the game to restart, and it’s all one big, hot mess...!!

“Th-That... sounds like too much trouble...” Idia mumbled. “A-At that point, you might as well just work with what you already have instead of wasting even more time and energy trying to rework your character...”

A-And it’s not like eating a ridiculous amount of eggs in your cup ramen will do anything for you!! Those nutrients are... All for your muscle!! None for your brain!! But I guess you’d be too dumb to realize that... With all the eggs you chug down, you’d think you’d be an EGGhead too, but no!! At this rate, your build’s just going to end up looking like Coach Vargas’s...!!

“You think so?” Though Deuce’s face shone with keen earnest, his mouth folded into a slight frown. “With all due respect, Shroud-senpai... I don’t agree!”

“H-Huh?” Idia jolted at the rebuttal.

What kind of a shounen protagonist line is that?! These meathead jocks really are way too perky for me to deal with...

“I’m not satisfied with the way I am, so I want to change.” The peacock green of Deuce’s eyes was serious. “Rosehearts-senpai, Schoenheit-senpai... Lots of the people I look up to are doing the same. We all want to be better, so we’re putting forth our own efforts--even if it’s hard, even if it takes a lot out of us!”

Tch. There he goes again, mouthing off like he knows better. This is just like that time he dragged me out of my room to do that stupid Star Sending! It’s a rerun of an anime episode that no one liked!! Must be nice to be so blindly optimistic...

Idia’s face scrunched up in revulsion. Expelling a sigh, he groaned, “Y-Yeah, I get it, I get it... Y-You don’t need to--”

“Shroud-senpai!!” Deuce suddenly cried, seizing his upperclassman by his clammy, pale hands.

“E-Eeeeh?!” Idia’s fiery hair flared in surprise, sending a wave of heat through the party venue. “Wh-What is it?!”

Keep me OUT of your peppy happy-go-lucky ‘you can do it if you really try’ speech, PLEASE!!!

“I know you can do it too!” Deuce declared enthusiastically.

Y-You’re crushing my hands, Deuce-shi!! I need them to gaaaaame!!

Idia’s internal wailing projected outward as a frozen look of horror. Eyes wide, fingers shaking.

“Do you remember the Star Sending?” Deuce continued, totally oblivious to his upperclassman’s distress. “I couldn’t dance to save my life. But!! I was passable at the ceremony, because I practiced until my feet felt like they were going to fall off.

“And you, senpai...! You and Ortho saved the show! You made everyone’s wishes come true. I know you can do that again.”

Deuce grinned, at last releasing his grip on Idia. “Both of us! We can definitely improve ourselves together!”

Improve? Together? Idia shivered at the though. Who would... willingly do such a hopeless thing?

The night, deep and vast and speckled with constellations, flashed through his mind. Streaking stars twinkling as they descended upon the world. The audience quietly gasping in the darkness, pointing up at the sky.

Ortho amid it all, playing among the lights, his laughter just as bright as any star.

“Mission cleared. Hehe, are you proud of me, Nii-san? I punched through that cloud like it was nothing, thanks to your Stargazing Gear!”

“You’re the one that’s amazing, Ortho. You’ve...”

A new image of his brother laid over that vision--the royal blue of Ignihyde, its crest emblazoned upon Ortho’s arm. The pure joy in his eyes, metal coattails flaring out behind him.

His College Gear.

... grown up so much.

Idia softened.

That’s right. Ortho has changed a lot. Then... maybe, just maybe... I can change, too... One step at a time.

He slowly reached out a trembling hand, curling it into a fist.

The birthday boy stared at it. “Shroud-senpai?”

“D-Deuce-shi...” Idia hesitated. Pride, swallowed. Courage, summoned--like a magic spell.  “........................... Y-You can... do it... b-becoming an honors student, I mean...”

There was a skip in the conversation, a moment of shocked silence.

Then...

“Senpai!..!”

Deuce’s fist connected with Idia’s--a solid knock between their knuckles. His shining eyes met Idia’s, an unspoken but resolute promise forged between the two of them.

“I’ll make you proud!!”

“Hihihi... G-Get back to me when you can ace your exams.”

“Will do!!”

Deuce’s smile was so wide that Idia feared his face would tear in half. Thankfully, it didn’t--instead, Deuce turned serious, placing his hands on Idia’s shoulders.

“Wh-What is it now?!”

“Shroud-senpai... Will you do me the honor of pieing me with all your might?!”

“W-With all my might?! Are you crazy?!”

"Nope! Just really excited!!” Deuce replied, smashing a fist into an open palm. “You should come at me full throttle!! It’ll be the first step for both of us toward our goals! For me, that’s being an honors student. For you... that’d be opening up a little more, right?”

Idia’s mouth opened and shut like that of a dazed goldfish. So astonished, his words couldn’t properly form.

“This is the start of something new!” Deuce insisted, slipping a paper plate of whipped cream into his interviewer’s hands. “Whenever you’re ready, I’ll take you on!”

Idia reluctantly stared down at the pie. His stomach seized, anxiety twisting his intestines into uncomfortable shapes and angles. He had never backpedaled so far in his life than in that very instant.

M-Maybe I can’t understand normies after all!! It was a mistake, a mistaaaaaake!!!

“C’mon, Shroud-senpai!! PIE ME!!”

“AAAAAAAH, WHATEVER!! I’ll get it over with already!!” With a frustrated shout, Idia took ahold of the pie and wound up his throw.

“H-Happy b-day, Deuce-shi!!”

SPLAT!!

[amkblogs]

BOOK REVIEW

THE SUBTLE ART OF NOT GIVING A FUCK

-by Mark Manson

Hello everyone, myself Aadesh Khande, today I would love to talk about the book that changed the way I think and live this world over the course of only 2 months.

I got this book online after reading many recommendations as to why this book is so helpful and all. The title of the book was catchy too.

So let's start:

1: Happiness is the byproduct of solving our daily problems with ways either creatively or by working hard. It is never a constant state of emotion with human beings, no one is always happy, in today's world our actions and thoughts and purely dependent of how we feel rather than what we actually need to do. Happiness plays a big role in that as someone would think that happiness leads to other positive emotions but to find happiness in the first place we have to work hard to achieve that level of emotion.

2: Responsibilities are one of the biggest motivators or demotivators in our life. Suppose a person always blames his bad life decisions to the environment or people around him he will never be happy with the state he is in because this time taking responsibility to change his "own life" is a great demotivating factor which doesn't aligns with his ego hence making him seek validation and approval of others. So if we take responsibility to everything that happens to us or even what our thoughts would be after a catastrophic event should be in our own hands. Yes, seeking validation from others might ease the pain you're feeling for short time but it really creates a shallow hole in your personality.

3: Failure are the most painful yet the most memorable moments of our life which teaches us just how much effort we lacked and to never make the same mistakes again. In this book Mark smartly points out that failure and suffering are corelated as failure inevitably makes us rethink our effort practices and to improve them. Whereas the suffering part is the most joyous as the suffering that we are in now in present moment to achieve something is the same we would laugh about in coming years because, we know that, what type of person we are is shaped by the intensity of suffering we went through in order to achieve it. So don't be afraid of failure and strive to suffer as much as possible because it is better to enter the battlefield and fight rather than sit outside and think about it.

4: Uncertainty: This was the most eye-opening piece of knowledge I've ever came across as this was something that we tend to look over our daily lives. As evolution, humans tend to predict the future situations based on relating it with our past. Mark says that all the values and metrics by which we measure our standards should always be open-minded and we should consciously think about what we should trust and what not. If you are afraid to go to the stage to perform it is your brain telling you to slip back into comfort zone by telling you that "stage isn't meant for me", that's the exact problem with people, they are certain about what's going to happen to them in near future which is entirely not true. Just trying the thing you fear once will not only satisfy you but it will also bring a sense of accomplishment. So the only thing you should be certain of in this life is that nothing is permanent and you are inevitably going to die.

5:Learning to say no is probably the most triggering thing any human can do is today's so called "connected world" because not aligning your values with other people is inhumanly and immoral. The big part of this problem might have to deal with the way our politics is shaped but in our day-to-day life we can't go on without just agreeing on with people without giving it a single ounce of thought as to "why did I just agree with that guy". I think the main reason for this type of behaviour is due to our underlying need of seeking validity from others and "trying to fit in" where you know your opinions aren't valued nor is your time then it may be a good idea to stand up for yourself and save yourself from all the drama by just saying to the other person's request/opinion/advice. We have only one mouth but two ears so be careful about what you're hearing and try to say no more often(Saying no to opportunities is not an ideal case as it is going to shift you away from your discomforts).

So that's it, if I had to summarise what I just blabbered about then:

1: Try solving problems(life based)

2:Take responsibility for what is happening in your life.

3: Embrace failure and suffering.

4: Be uncertain about everything and try to do what you fear the most.

5: Learn to say no.

[boredkaiju]

What got you into art?

Well, I doodled a lot as a kiddo and suppose I just kind of didn't ever really stop. I think the first time that I can recall really wanting to make an effort at getting good at art was when I started reading Dave Pilkey books (the guy who wrote Captain Underpants, and yes, that was my favorite book series as a kid, lol). Two main characters, George and Harold, always made comic books as part of the stories, and I remember thinking how fun it looked. At some point I think it made me think I wanted to make comic books for a living (I did try to make a comic recently and it is still not finished and been on haiatus for too long. Whoops. c':). Over time I just kind of kept doing art stuff in some capacity all the time. I remember starting around middleschool I would carry around a pencil and pocket-sized sketchbook with me everywhere I went all the time. Other than little cartoons, I tried to draw real things I saw around. I highly recommend doing that as art practice btw, learning to copy a real object you see onto paper is crazy helpful for improving. Late into highschool I got it in my head that I wanted to do landscape paintings. My dad does those as a hobby/side-job; I've been able to tag along with him to local fine art galleries where some of his paintings have been on display before. It's always a fun time. After I finished highschool, I immediately quit my job at McDonalds and, other than an unpaid internship and later very low hour part-time job, I basically spent all my time taking art lessons, reading art books, and painting. Did it for 8 hours a day as often as I could. There's an account somewhere where I used to upload some of my paintings. Happy to share it if you're curious, just DM me :) As much as I enjoyed landscape painting, my passion was always really in cartoons. Eventually I decided to """get a real job""" because being a landscape painter wasn't really something I wound up wanting to do as a job. I don't regret the time I put into it; it was tons of fun and helped me improve an insane amount. Still, wanted to do fun cartoon art, so I made my DeviantArt account around 2019 and started trying to improve my cartoon art. Wasn't great to start but my experience with painting classes helped me know how to learn fast and bridge my skill gap quicker than I would have otherwise. Sorry if that answer was longer than you were wanting uhhhhhh TL;DR I got into art because of Captain Underpants lol

[tradinginvestment]

Mastering the Art of Trading: A Comprehensive Guide to Becoming a Great Trader

TRADINGS

miro.medium.com

Introduction

Financial market trading is a science and an art. It calls for a combination of patience, discipline, expertise, and knowledge. Being a great trader requires time, effort, and ongoing education; it does not happen quickly. We’ll go over the main ideas and tactics that can make you a profitable trader in this extensive tutorial.

Understanding the Basics

miro.medium.com

TO Becoming a Great Trader JOIN NOW

DevCreating a strong trading plan is one of the first stages to becoming a great trader. Your objectives, risk tolerance, trading methods, and money management guidelines are all outlined in your trading strategy. It acts as a road map to help you make trading decisions and maintain discipline when the market is volatile.

eloping a Trading Plan

Educate Yourself

In the trading world, information is power. Spend some time learning about risk management strategies, technical and fundamental analysis, trading strategies, and financial markets. You can improve your knowledge of trading with a variety of available materials, such as books, online courses, and seminars.

Mastering Technical Analysis

Technical analysis is a technique used to forecast future price movements by examining price charts and trends. Gaining knowledge in chart reading, trend detection, and technical indicator use can help you gain important insights into how the market behaves. Regular practice of chart analysis will help you improve your technical analysis abilities.

Understanding Fundamental Analysis

Evaluating the underlying variables, such as company earnings, geopolitical developments, and economic indicators, that influence a financial instrument’s value is known as fundamental analysis. Making educated trading decisions based on the overall market situation can be facilitated by having a solid understanding of fundamental analysis.

Risk Management

miro.medium.com

Developing Discipline

To keep your trading strategy consistent, you must practice discipline. Remain true to your trading strategy, abide by your guidelines, and refrain from making rash decisions. Recall that minimizing risk and long-term capital preservation are the main goals of trading, not always being correct.

Managing Your Emotions

Emotions have the power to impair reason and cause rash trading decisions. When the market is turbulent, practice controlling your emotions by remaining composed and logical. Examples of these emotions are fear and greed. To avoid burnout, take pauses when necessary and refrain from overtrading.

miro.medium.com

Continuous Learning and Adaptation

Since the financial markets are always changing, it’s critical to keep abreast of industry trends and modify your trading tactics as necessary. Learn from your experiences on a constant basis, record your success in a trading notebook, and don’t be afraid to attempt new things.

Building a Support Network

miro.medium.com

Conclusion

Being a successful trader is a path that calls for commitment, self-control, and never-ending education. You may improve your chances of making money in the financial markets by learning the fundamentals of trading, creating a sound trading strategy, being proficient in technical and fundamental analysis, controlling risk, and maintaining emotional stability and discipline. Recall that trading is a long-term undertaking requiring patience and perseverance rather than a quick way to get rich. You can reach your trading objectives and become a profitable trader by adopting the appropriate mentality and strategy.

[zanyzendraws]

AN UPDATE REGARDING MY PROJECTS

Hey guys, it's Zen! Remember how I said I'd update you all every week on process regarding Hanashima's Advanced Class?

Haha- uhhh, obviously that didn't happen.

I mean, heck, aside from reblogs and the occasional post, I've been practically dead on this tumblr.

If you're actually wondering as to what's up, prepare for a long post! I wanted to explain this and my next course of action, alongside another project.

Press "keep reading" for more!

Okay, so it'd be best to divide this into sections.

(Apologies if I fail to articulate anything here)

WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH HANASHIMA?

As you know (if you came here for my original art and projects), Hanashima's Advanced Class is deemed to be my main project on this tumblr, as most colored OC posts (and OC posts in general) have been dedicated to this project of mine. And I vowed that I'd work on it and update everyone every week. However, I've decided to put this on hold. I'd like to be transparent regarding such reasons.

Long story short, IRL responsibilities have been making it difficult, and this project is a high-stakes project that I want to do when I'm ready.

For a longer explanation, I've started college and that's been taking up a good portion of my time, as I wish to put academics first. Sure, I could just write it in my downtime, but such times are scarce. In addition, there's a lot of things I wished to do with Hanashima.

Putting it simply, Hanashima's Advanced Class is my most ambitious project.

Firstly (and most importantly), there's a lot of heavy matter that I wish to discuss within this particular storyline, and some are insanely sensitive topics that need proper research. Not just regarding how these topics or concepts work, but also representation of said subject matter, how it would affect character behavior and foreshadowing, how to represent these issues with sensitivity and tact- you see where I'm getting at here?

I fear that with college work, it would affect the way I research these matters. It could be my perfectionism, but when it comes to representation of very real matters, I want to put in my full effort, and I'm unable to do that with multiple things on my plate.

Especially when it comes to representing these matters, the last thing I'd like to do is not research carefully enough and end up misrepresenting such issues / reinforce certain things (or even worse, offend or harm the very people that have gone through said events). Admittedly, my fears about this have been somewhat stressing me out on top of school. I can't research because of school, so when I write down anything regarding this project, I find myself second-guessing or even wanting to constantly scrap my works in progress. It's for this reason that I believe that putting this on hold would be beneficial not just for the sake of future audiences but also for peace of mind.

Secondly, my art at the moment, is not at the level needed in order to finish even planning this series. I'm currently taking an art course at my college so that's been assisting, but with what I feel is my best storyline (and most meaningful one), I want to make sure that my ability is where it needs to be. I want to be able to properly convey the emotions of the characters, the beauty of their world, and implement all the visual motifs and/or aspects that I've imagined, but I can't do that until I improve as an artist first. In addition, I feel that I'm not experienced as a comic artist yet- I need more practice with my visual storytelling, but I don't want to make a crapton of mistakes right off the bat with what I (personally) deem to be my "magnum opus."

So! What do I deem to be the solution?

Number one, putting this project on hold.

Number two, I'm going to work on my other project titled Madeleine Macabre's House of Monsters.

But wait...

BUT WHY THIS COURSE OF ACTION?

"But Zen! You can't handle the Hanashima project! Why do you think the solution would be to work on ANOTHER project instead?"

Well, I have my reasons.

This project is significantly easier to write for compared to Hanashima's Advanced Class.

As I've mentioned, Hanashima's Advanced Class is what I deem to be my magnum opus. I feel that Hanashima in particular has the best characters I've written, and there's a lot of arcs that I'm excited to put into action -- though these arcs and the storyline in general require lots of research due to lots of sensitive subject matter.

Madeleine Macabre's House of Monsters, however - is the complete opposite.

I'm not saying that I think lowly of the project - not at all in fact! This project is fun to work on because I get to be more creative with its world and characters, especially since it's a more supernatural-based environment (whereas Hanashima's is more like a mirror to our reality).

I will say, however, I'll say that Madeleine Macabre's House of Monsters is significantly more lighthearted and self indulgent than the other project. I don't feel as stressed writing it, and admittedly, writing it feels more natural in regards to my current skillset. That in mind -

2) I'm able to practice my craft with this project!

Here, with this project, I'll be able to further practice comic layouts and backgrounds and whatnot. Also, characterization and just my ability to tell a story through visuals (and in general)!

Consider this project to be my little "guinea pig" of sorts when it comes to my work.

TLDR for this section; Since this project isn't my magnum opus, I feel like it'll be easier to release and practice with, and I won't feel too pressured to avoid making mistakes.

HOW WILL UPDATES WORK?

I probably won't update often (like I promised previously), as it's almost certain that'll be a promise I'll fail to keep.

If anything, I'll only update when I feel that I've either made significant progress or if I'm proud of something in particular. I mean, you can expect doodles of some of the characters every now and then, but I'm definitely attempting to set more reasonable goals and expectations for myself.

Most likely, they'll be tumblr posts. That, or videos good for either a TikTok or Youtube shorts format. Maybe once in a blue moon, I'll make videos about these characters (though I highly anticipate these won't come until I'm nearing the actual comic's release).

Anyways, that's all! If you managed to read all the way here, thank you so much! I hope you'll stick around to see what I have to offer with this project.

Stay Zany, everyone!

~ ZanyZenpai

[allyj4908]

My philosophy on beauty

Throughout history the social standards of beauty have always been dictated by magazines or the media, some cant look at people and see the natural beauty said person has just how much more beauty that person has. Now I am sharing my views on beauty and what it is through makeup, fashion, and the media.

            Does makeup enhance one’s beauty? In my life and through my experience, I have seen the way makeup empowers people, helped some show their beauty in the ways they love. People like drag queens and kings use makeup to change their identity and confidence levels, temporarily they are someone else. Others love to show off their awesome skills, or maybe they just like dressing up. I personally notice the way that my eyes look so much brighter when I have concealer on, the way eyeshadow makes me feel that much more seen. Is there such thing as to much? No. there is no such thing as to much makeup, thought maybe there is such thing as wrong makeup at the wrong time, such as if you were to wear rainbow coloured eyeshadow to a funeral. Obviously, there is very heavy types of makeup, just mind your own business and move on. How is it an art? Makeup is something that takes time, practice and effort, it’s a service people pay for when it’s a special day or even just to feel a little better. People practice it for years to do it for a profit. Makeup is used in movies, shows, videos, etc..  Makeup is a powerful tool that can create whatever you think it can. These are all examples that qualify as art, a makeup artist is still an artist.

Does style enhance beauty? I don’t believe style enhances beauty, your style is your own, if it makes you feel good, your beautiful, however I do think the clothes you wear enhance your best features. For example, if you have an apple shape body and you want to look your best an a-line dress would be great for you, since your top heavy it will bring attention to your waist. How does the fashion industry influence views on beauty? This entirely depends on which industry your referencing, certain industries can influence the wrong views on beauty, though in most of my experiences I’ve noticed the fashion industry only influences what you wear, not your views or standards on beauty. If anything, the fashion industry helps improve views on beauty by showing it comes in many shapes and sizes.

            How does the media influence beauty standards? Through my experience the media shows that beauty is something everyone has, but still wants, though many have beauty they still desire it. People always compare themselves to others through the media, good or bad almost everyone does it. The media influences beauty as something you need to achieve not showing you the beauty you already have. How can young people be critical of the media? I believe they are critical of the media plainly just by being on it or around it, letting it be your main source of knowledge or ideas. I’ve seen many people withing the media become critical of it, there’s reason media platforms have age limits or restrictions, young people don’t need to become part of the growing issues the media shares and provides.

This is entirely based off of my own experience and opinions about beauty and the standards that drag along with it, in life everyone will have their own experiences and opinions within this topic.

Hopefully this philosophy makes sense.

By Alyssa

[mrcollege-ac-uk]

Invest in Yourself: Why a Top-Up Degree is a Wise Decision

In today's competitive job market, investing in your education and professional development is crucial. A top-up degree curriculum allows students who already hold qualifications, such as a higher national diploma or foundation degree, to get a full degree. This article explores some of the numerous potential career benefits of earning a bachelor's degree in the United Kingdom.

Earning a bachelor's degree is essential to developing both professionally and personally. It equips them with the resources necessary to achieve their professional goals. If you already have an HND or a foundation degree and wish to complete your bachelor's degree, you can save time and money by completing a top-up programme. Paying for a course to brush up on your skills and knowledge is a great investment.

What are The Advantages of a Top-Up Degree?

One of the main advantages of getting a master's degree is the increased flexibility it provides. You can tailor a degree curriculum to your specific interests and career goals from among the many excellent options offered by universities in the United Kingdom.

Whether your background is in business, engineering, medicine, or the arts, there is always room for further education. Top-up degrees are designed so that the final year of study can be completed in less time than the traditional three years needed to earn an undergraduate degree.

Unlocking New Career Opportunities

Earning an additional degree can broaden your employment prospects. Many companies place a premium on employees who have earned a bachelor's degree because of the breadth of knowledge and experience that comes with it. An additional credential shows that you are dedicated to developing your skills and knowledge base. Because of this, you may become a more desirable job candidate and develop further in your chosen field.

Enhancing Skills and Knowledge

Earning a top-up degree allows you to go more deeply into your topic of study. You'll take advanced classes and have easier access to faculty knowledge and facilities. Employers are willing to pay more to get their hands on the specialist knowledge and abilities that this programme can provide.

By improving your analytical prowess, critical thinking skills, and practical knowledge, for example, among other things, an advanced degree can help you become a more well-rounded professional.

Recognition and Accreditation

Top UK universities fully acknowledge and approve such top-up degrees. This guarantees the degree's worth and legitimacy on par with that of a standard bachelor's. Earning a master's or doctorate after earning a bachelor's degree is widely recognised as an indication of academic excellence and professional competence by both employers and professional organisations.

Flexibility for Busy Professionals

The ability of working professionals to fit their studies into their schedules is a major benefit of continuing their education. Many people who choose for a top-up course are unable to attend college full-time because they are already working or have other responsibilities.

To help you juggle your education with your other commitments, many top-up programmes provide flexible study choices like part-time or online classes. This adaptability allows you to further your studies without sacrificing your current financial or personal responsibilities.

Recognition of Prior Learning and Experience

Acknowledging prior learning and expertise is another attractive feature of advanced degrees. A top-up degree will consider any prior work or industry experience you may have, allowing you to build upon that foundation. By skipping over material that is not necessary for your advancement, this acknowledgment can save you considerable time and effort.

A top-up degree might shorten the time it takes to complete an honours degree by recognising and appreciating the prior learning and experience you have already acquired.

Networking and Collaboration Opportunities

Gaining an advanced degree also opens doors for future partnerships and contacts. If you decide to take a supplementary course, you can expect to be a part of a varied and interesting group of students. The variety of people and ideas you'll be exposed to will enhance your education. Building a solid professional network through participation in group projects, talks, and networking events is an excellent way to advance your career. Working with students from different majors and walks of life can help you learn more about the world and make relationships that will last a lifetime.

Gain Competitive Edge in a Global Job Market with Top Up Degree Courses

A top up course can set you apart from the competition in today's global employment environment. Many jobs today require individuals to not only have the required experience and education, but also a strong desire and ability to learn new things on the job.

Getting a master's or doctorate after completing a bachelor's degree demonstrates your dedication to learning and advancement in your field. It shows that you're dedicated to your career and prepared to put money into improving yourself. An additional degree will set you apart from the competition and show that you have what it takes to succeed in today's dynamic and ever-changing workplace.

Boosting Confidence and Personal Development

Earning an additional degree can do wonders for your self-esteem and professional prospects. Your confidence and sense of accomplishment can grow substantially as you take on new tasks, work through difficult situations, and reach new levels of success throughout the course of the programme.

Earning a master's degree might help you develop your critical thinking and analytical skills because of the extensive coursework, critical thinking exercises, and independent research that is typically required. Completing a graduate degree adds prestige to your resume and shows employers and peers that you are committed to developing yourself both personally and professionally.

Enrol in Top Up Course Today!

A top-up degree is a smart choice for those who want to invest in their education and advance their careers since it allows them to do it on their own time, validates their past knowledge and experience, opens doors to professional and personal growth, and gives them an edge in the job market. It expands your options in the working world, helps you learn new things, and gives you the edge you need in the competitive modern job market.

So, take advantage of the chance to invest in yourself by pursuing an advanced degree, and look forward to the life-changing path that lies ahead. The time and effort you put in now will pay off in your future happiness and success.

If you want to get ahead academically and professionally, getting a second degree is a smart move. A top-up degree can be an efficient approach to further one's career because of the variety of accessible undergraduate degrees, the adaptability of study options, and the potential for upgrading existing qualifications.

Investing in yourself and setting yourself up for future success by learning new things and expanding your horizons academically and professionally with degrees from reputable institutions. Getting that extra degree is an investment in your future that will pay off well in the long run.

[cursedphoenix]

V; Main - Takes place in Asheville, North Carolina, modern day, but the muses can travel accordingly.

V; Past - Takes place in the late 1600’s in Salem, Massachusetts. Tancred is the the black sheep of his family, his coven, and the village. Ever the rebel, he’d rather get up to hedonistic hijinks than cause any real harm, but he will fight for his beliefs if needed.

V; Royal - Tancred (21, male) is the king’s young nephew who became a ward of the court at a young age after the slaughter of his family. He is rambunctious and reckless with his love, but will always protect those he cares about.

V; Descendants - Available upon request. Tancred (19, male) is the son of Sarah Sanderson and Billy Butcherson. Raised on the Isle of the Lost, Tancred grew up to be a roguish and cunning youth with a silver tongue and a heart of gold. When Mal, Carlos, Evie, and Jay were all chosen for the Auradon transfer program, he held no anger or ill will toward them, but he was intensely jealous of their opportunity to escape. More than anything, he wanted to be able to make a better life for himself and his mother. Winifred had killed his father (again!) as soon as she found out that Sarah was pregnant, and would have killed both her and Tancred if not for the intervention of Mary. Leaving the Isle would mean finally escaping from his wretched Aunt Winifred and starting fresh in a new world. It would also mean that he could finally practice magic. Every spell his mother had taught him, good and bad. Every potion recipe, every charm, every ward, every hex, every hypnotic arcane song. He bides his time, waiting for the perfect opportunity.

V; Wizard - Tancred Sanderson (between 16 and 25, but I’d rather play him as an adult) is the son of renowned witch and singer Rhiannon Sanderson and an unknown but powerful American wizard. He grew up never wanting for material necessities, but craving the affection that his mother would rather direct toward her fans. Upon enrolling in Hogwarts, he was swiftly sorted into Slytherin, where he was immediately accepted…at least on a surface level. He learned early on to keep things close to the vest, use charm to get his way, and put more effort into potions and transfiguration to keep Professors Snape and McGonagall off his back. Defense Against the Dark Arts wound up being his best subject, however, until his fifth year, when Umbridge took over the class. In fact, all of his grades had begun to decline, as he’d discovered over the summer that his mother had been developing cirrhosis of the liver and denying that she was sick, concealing it with Pepper Up potions and glamours. When he’d finally confronted her about it, Rhiannon blamed him, stating that he was the reason why she always drank. Raising him while being a successful superstar had been too much of a chore. He began looking for a cure, and in sixth year, under Professor Slughorn, he finally found that he genuinely enjoyed Potions, improving rapidly enough to earn a spot in the Slug Club! He stayed out of politics for the most part, although Voldemort’s return was certainly a wake-up call for him. It didn’t quite matter, at the moment. His mother died just after his seventeenth birthday, and in the midst of this tragedy, he did manage to get into contact with his father, Aiden Fairchild (played by Ian Somerholder), and build a relationship with him. Though reeling at first, he managed to push through, growing more reckless as his seventh year approached. Unlike most of his Slytherin classmates, Tancred actually did fight valiantly in the Battle of Hogwarts, finally channeling all of his pent up rage and rebellion into scorching any Death Eaters who crossed his path. Tancred became an Auror after graduating, teaming up with his father to hunt down any lingering dark wizards.

V; Star Wars - (okay I don’t have a whole lot of ideas for this one yet…)

V; vampire - same as the main verse, but Tancred gets turned into a vampire at some point. He still has his magic, but it’s greatly weakened due to his corrupted blood. Not that he’ll admit it, of course. Besides, his new vampire abilities make up for it somewhat. He’s faster, stronger, unaging, able to walk on walls and ceilings, able to shapeshift into a bat or black cat, and can read and subtly influence the minds of others. Drinking blood is…unpleasant, unless he has permission to combine it with sex in some way. He’s also sort of beholden to his master, the vampire who turned him, which is far less than ideal. He misses his home and his coven, but doesn’t know what to tell them. All in all, he’s miserable, but putting on a brave face for the sake of his precious master. Killing him will free him from the vampiric curse, but will use up one of his nine lives.

V; Marvel - Shortly after waking up from the sleeping curse, Tancred was captured by Hydra. They experimented on him. Trained him. Broke him, or at least tried to. Injected him with the super soldier serum. Experimented on him some more. Then he met and became close with Wanda and Pietro Maximoff, the only bright lights in an otherwise dark and dreary place. They became like siblings to him, and when they broke out, he escaped with them, casting any and every spell he could to aid them. (Credit to @illbringthechaosmagic for helping me develop this one! 🥰)

[pradeepagarwalacademy-blog]

Master the Art of Consistency and Focus for IIT JEE (JEE Advanced)

The IIT JEE Exam (or JEE Advanced) is the most competitive in India, and to crack it, you need to put lots of effort, hard work, and dedication into it. But is hard work enough? If this question is coming into your mind, then you are in the right place. We help you with amazing tips that help you know how to crack IIT JEE without pressure while enjoying every moment of your journey to success. 

 Here are 15 amazing tips to follow

1. Set your goals and objectives - Once you have decided to be in the race for IIT, the first thing to do, is to write down our goals and objectives. Then start breaking them down into smaller tasks. These smaller tasks should be tasks you can accomplish and are attainable before you decide to push yourself to your limit. Doing that leads to higher morale and increased productivity.

2. Divide preparation in different levels - It is always better to study with a step wise approach. Whenever you start a new chapter, first complete the NCERT level including all derivations that may come in board exams, then practice all problems of JEE Main level and finally practice all problems of JEE Advanced level. This will make you feel more comfortable and you will be able to complete the chapter much faster.

3. Stay motivated - The essential part of studying for the IIT JEE exam is to stay motivated. Never think that you cannot do it; always think that you can. Make sure to keep in mind what your goal is and how you will achieve it. You know that it is difficult and that dedication is required to compete in the exam, but always think about why you want to do it.

4. Stay focused - As humans, we are easily distracted. Unfortunately, during this day and age, distractions are everywhere and easily accessible. The fact is that focus is slippery and can easily be lost. There are several things we can do to stay focused while we work or study and improve our productivity. Setting a routine and forming habits are critical here.

5. Understand the nature of exam - Not everyone can be a topper. Obtaining a reasonable rank is the objective of most students. Please understand that the questions that are asked in IIT JEE exam can be divided in 3 types: easy, medium and tough. Even if you leave the tough questions but solve the others with accuracy, you will certainly obtain an amazing rank. So, take it easy and do not worry about tough problems during preparation if you do not have sufficient time.

6. Prepare a schedule and a timetable - You must first prepare a long term schedule and then a timetable that you follow daily. Please don't make it strict for yourself, as there are more chances you'll give up soon. Understand your capabilities and build strategies around them. Some students need less revision and some need more. Accordingly, keep sufficient time for revision in your schedule even if it means practicing either less number of difficult problems or not practicing them at all.

7. Track your syllabus and stay updated - Always keep track of your progress and syllabus to understand where you stand. Based on your experience of your preparation you had up till now, do not hesitate in revising and updating your schedule and time table for the balance period.

8. Monotask, do not multitask - This means you work on one thing at a time. This will give you better control over your task. Be the boss of your time and not let the time control you.

9. Take short breaks - Whenever you study, do it with focus and concentration, but once you take a break, relax your mind and enjoy the time peacefully. If you worry during your short breaks, it will distract your mind while you study for the exam.

10. Make notes and use sticky notes - This is a very useful technique for many reasons. Firstly, making notes automatically brings in a lot of concentration. Secondly, you generally write only after giving a sufficient thought and analysis. Finally, these are your own notes. They help you in your quick revision. Use colourful sticky notes that help to draw attention to important details and help you remember the things you jot down.

11. Work smarter rather than just harder - It is the Quality over Quantity which is more important. Studying with concentration and analysing the principles and concepts with a clear mind will bring in efficiency and you will be able achieve the same targets in much less time.

12. Speed and Accuracy - You must develop a habit of solving a problem correctly the very first time. Speed and accuracy automatically develops by solving a problem with a good approach and a relaxed mind. Solving problems accurately becomes our habit which can only be inculcated by practice. Accuracy can never be compromised with speed.

13. Keep formulae and concepts handy for easy reference - I tell students not to put oneself under pressure in memorising formulae. Just keep them handy for easy reference. As you keep practicing problems, you will experience that with continued usage of formulae and concepts, they easily become your own property.

14. Don't compare with others and don’t follow others - Concentrate on your studies. Don't worry about what others do and don’t get influenced by them. Everyone is different, have different way of grasping and presenting things. Be focused on your own target.

15. Work on your weak points – If you are following your routine and doing your best but still lacking behind, then you need to choose the best coaching institute for IIT JEE  that will help you work on your weak points and make you achieve your goals. If you understand your strengths and weaknesses, you will achieve your goals, as you can work smarter to make your weaknesses work in your favour.

 Make Sure To Plan Accordingly

You must be aware that if your goal is to crack the exam, the competition is very high. So, you must prepare and plan your studies accordingly. To help you prepare for the exam, enrol yourself in the best IIT JEE coaching in Gurgaon. Pradeep Agarwal Academy is a renowned coaching institute that makes learning easy to adapt and understand. With the help of professional guidance and by following the above tips, it is easy for you to rank in the IIT JEE exam.

You can reach us at:

Mobile no: +91-8448084352 , +91-8448084353 Emai id: contactus@iitcoachings.in Website: www.iitcoachings.in

[bvannn]

Weekly Update Feb 10, 2023

Struggling a bit but did some stuff this week still. Main issue was getting my computer fixed, which I was able to do. In the meanwhile I did some sketches on paper, as well as a few after I got my computer fixed.

I made progress on the test animations for the eventual TRG animated, although I have not thrown together any promotional drawings for colosseum yet. More importantly, I have found issues in a number of pieces with the rigs that will need to be replaced. Tim needs one new arm, and Emile needs all of his arms replaced. I hope to fix these tomorrow, although schoolwork will take priority. These should be faster fixes than the legs, although again, Emile will likely need added joint pieces in each of his shoulders. He is the oldest rig and thus the most scuffed.

Animation itself is running smoothly when I have time to work on it. The new tweening method is working wonders, and the old method remains for instances where it doesn’t work, like when adobe decides to break someone’s arm randomly. This saves steps and allows more minimal movements to be much easier, which should make everything smoother and more natural looking. The fan animations are meant to be practices to ease me into animating for eventual original animation, so I am willing to put in more effort than is necessary if it means building skill. Progress on the final test is locked behind making Emile’s new arms, but I’d say is one third done (in terms of frame number, a little more than that). Buying myself time for deciding a proper clip, which has not been set in stone, although I have enough to work with should I finish faster than expected.

The Nintendo direct was this week, and it showed four niche mystery detective-type games: Ghost Trick, DecaPolice, Professor Layton, and Rain Code. I hope they are all reasonably priced, since I’m not so hot on cash right now (surgery is expensive). I do hope they can also help with inspiration stuff, drawing the DecaPolice protagonist has already helped with drawing different face shapes than I’m used to with my style. Expect more of him.

As for OC related projects, not much to share this week. Outline progress was unfortunately minimal, though structural progress on the secondary story is progressing, although my intent was to make more progress towards the primary. Hopefully work on this can be done in my photography class, as the professor has kindly asked me to not animate during lecture (because she doesn’t like the clicking of my mouse, a fair reason).

Inktober 52 was almost missed entirely this week. Next week will likely be the same, due to the homework pileup, though Tomorrow and Sunday buy me time to get caught back up.

The only real OC related thing I did that mattered this week was the lineart test. Any time I’m self conscious about my art I try something new to improve, to which the test greatly helped me get the hang of where to and where not to use sketchy lines. I hope to incorporate this in the test animation as well, though that will be a finishing touch, and the proper movement and expressions should be focused on first. People do seem to still be enjoying my style, despite it being different from most others I see. Nice comments do a lot for my confidence, so I hope to make more content that warrants them.

Spring break is coming up, but also looking to be busy with doctor visits and meetings to arrange living arrangements (both looking to be effectively resolved, I’m not in any danger for a while). I should still have plenty of time to work, but until then, progress on everything will be sluggish, and which project I work on will depend on my mood. Next week I fill try to focus on fixing everyone’s arms, chipping away at the test animation, outline work, art style tests (including fanart probably), and hopefully a TRG Colosseum promotional drawing or a few.

[themeanpea]

2023 Art Reso

So it’s already 2nd of Jan where I am, but fuck it I wanted to make a new year’s resolution post anyway :D

I’ve always identified as a pragmatic optimist - I want to believe that good things can happen, but if they are to happen they must happen while being grounded in reality. I kinda want to…change it up this year though. I want to be a bit of a dreamer and embrace that side of me. Life’s too short to stay in the doldrums of reality all the time, and it’s kinda limiting to do that too! You don’t really know what’s possible or “realistic” unless you take a chance.

So going to be a bit bold and daring on my art resolutions, stretch goals abound:

Character Drawing

Goal: Cover weak spots in drawing characters; issues that consistently appear in all my pieces.

P0 list is below:

- Fabric studies: EDGE CONTROL, 3D volume and rendering of fabric folds; not too fussed about the material itself as long as the basic fold volume is captured with good 3D form and shape language)

- Head studies: structure of head from multiple angles; facial proportions (distance between eyes, forehead height, etc.); facial features (3D volume of eyes, mouth, nose, ears, etc. how to simplify and stylise to my aesthetic tastes)

- Hair studies: 3D volume of hair, how to simplify and stylise using good shape language/capturing the silhouette effectively

P1 (these are lower priority because I can do passable versions of them in my art, i.e. they do not stick out as a weak point)

- Expressions, Hands

Style Studies

Goal: Improve and finetune my personal art style and aesthetic.

P0 focus will be on drawing and lineart; P1 is rendering.

- Master studies on drawing style; the goal is 1:1 copy, no need to extrapolate or personalise when doing master studies, just focus on achieving similarity.

- Not too sure if I should aim for quantity or quality. My experience has shown that higher quantity with a “passable” quality will get you to good quality eventually, whereas low quantity with high quality feels more like a one-time effort with less organic learning. So…focus on quantity with passable quality (it can’t be shit quality otherwise you’re just practicing the wrong thing repeatedly).

Dynamic Art

Goal: Make art look more dynamic, better “flow”, characters look alive and in motion.

Tbh the path to achieving this feels a bit more abstract to me, but I’ve distilled some practice areas based on some features that I’ve noticed in “dynamic” looking art.

- Gesture drawing: I never really practiced this, so my gesture drawing is weak. I mostly just referenced static poses, e.g. standing, sitting, from Pinterest. There are lots of courses on gesture drawing online, so will take a look to try to absorb some of the main principles (which are honestly unknown to me lmao) and do some timed gesture drawing as well. The goal will be to draw characters in movement in a natural and “flowy” way - exaggeration is needed in body movement.

- Linework: I’ve noticed that a lot of dynamic looking art has really good linework. This is especially obvious in lineart-only pieces, but even in partial/fully rendered works I notice that the line strokes and brushstrokes just look so dynamic and good. Line weight and direction contribute…wondering how to get better in them though. This is a bit of an unknown to me - so will need to do research.

- Lighting: This is more on the rendering side of things. Dramatic lighting schemes, strong separation of “light” and “dark” areas with daring emphasis on the protrusions of 3D shapes helps to create a very dramatic and dynamic look. Studying the structure of the face and dynamic lighting photography on the face could help (since the facial volume is the easiest to get “wrong”, you’ll need a strong understanding of the face structure to use dynamic lighting effectively instead of carving the face into an unappealing or inaccurate mass of shapes).

- Composition: I tend to pose characters very statically in the middle of the canvas, so I think a first-step improvement would just be to make them take up more of the canvas, to crop away some edges if needed, e.g. hair bits, shoulder (I get precious about keeping the entire character in, which makes the piece look a bit stiff at times). I think some style study is needed to supplement portrait studies for this, as I noticed most real portraits do not carry the full dynamic quality of drawn portraits since you can indicate movement in drawn portraits. I can focus on effective single-person composition first, with a stretch goal of handling multiple people in a frame.

- Perspective and camera angles: Related to composition. A dynamic pose can only go so far if the perspective is from a regular eye-level and we’re staring at the character straight on. Will need to work on drawing the human body in perspective and studying how different camera angles can convey different moods. The human body in perspective part might be a bit of a stretch goal tbh but let’s see how far I can go with it. Perspective is challenging enough when it’s not the human body lol.

[mobileappdesign]

Week 3 - Camera, action!

In class:

In third week, I looked into the topic of camera hardware. During the class we had a conversation how camera can be implemented into our apps as well as how to use it effectively to create some playful and exciting experiences. When we think about cameras usually the first thing that pops to our mind is that the camera is utilised to take pictures or capture important moments for us. In digital media world a camera can be something completely different rather than just a piece of hardware that takes pictures. Apps like GlitchCam or Glitch! helps the user to add the glitch effect to the photo, but it’s not limited to just this activity. Both apps have many different filters that can transform the simple photo into a piece of art.

App ideation:

Later, in class I was brainstorming my first mobile app ideas and I was sharing my thoughts with others. My first draft idea was about a mobile game app that features GPS and location as a main feature hardware. The game will be based around the heritage and historical sights in cities. The main purpose of the game will be to encourage younger audience to visit these types of places and learn some bits of history related to these places as well as about their own home city. With creating and developing this app I would like to achieve more exciting and interesting approach to the history among the potential users. Next step involved creating a suitable name for my app. I decided to use some helpful tools to help me out with this problem, so I searched and tried few name generators. After few attempts I manage to generate “Heritage Explorer” name and I was satisfied with this, I decided that this name will perfectly fit the general idea and purpose of the app.

Practical class:

During the practical class I was introduced to another library called p5.js (https://p5js.org/). This library can be used for creating graphic and interactive experiences based on the core principles of coding and processing.

Camera implementation, logo, and design:

After class I was quite sceptical about the implementing a camera into my app idea. I wasn’t sure if I will find any way to use it in my project. I decided to do little bit of research on my own and check if I will be able to come up with any interesting ideas. I realized that camera is very versatile tool, and it could be easily expanded and improved in the future. Camera hardware will be used to take photos of the visited sights. I also decided to start designing my logo, in order to do that I just written down some ideas what I want to include in the logo. I wanted my logo to include elements like: earth, pins and buildings. I never had a hand to design; my graphic design background is pretty much not existing. The only time when I had experience with Graphic Design was when I took some Graphic Design course in Year 12, it definitely helped me to understand some basic principles of design as well as rules, but it’s not enough for me to feel confident in this area. This logo was done in Photoshop within 15 minutes. That was my first that I came up with, I wasn’t impressed with my work, but I needed something quickly. Based on my effort and final product I decided to change the logo later.