Admin Post: Community Check-In for September

[goss]

Tomorrow will be the last day of the month, and we'd love to have you check in and chat with us. How have things been with you?

Did you get a chance to take part in any fandom activities in September, or have you been working on any personal art projects? Are you currently trying to meet a deadline? Feel free to share upcoming challenges that have got you excited, any frustrations you've been experiencing, possible goals for the next month, and so on.

Also, are you considering taking part in the Inktober challenge? If so, will this be your first time? If you've tried it before, what has your experience been like?

Comments

[syntheid]

This is also my first time trying Inktober, I was just. Very uninterested in trying to use ink previously. But lately I've been trying to do more ballpoint pen anyway, because my goal this year was to try to finish this sketchbook (not going so well, I'm only 1/4 of the way through ahah), which is spiral-bound, so pencil keeps smearing everywhere. Seemed like a good time to try ink.

My plan is mostly to do ballpoint pen quick sketches (or possibly brush pen if I'm feeling up to it, but still quick stuff) of either figures/animals/skeletons/environments, and then on the weekends at least do one more finished ink wash monochrome with gold accents (I got a gold uniball gel pen for that). I made a list of uncommon myths, monsters, and creepy animals so hopefully if I'm feeling uninspired it'll be easy to pick one, but I'm not really doing a prompt-a-day sort of challenge since those don't work that great for me.

Kind of focusing on trying to 'darken' my art style (aka get more a more creepy and ethereal aesthetic), really push my values into blacks because I always end up with washed-out shadows because I'm too timid, and also get a bit better at creature design, though, so yeah. I kind of expect to not really finish, because RL will probably force me to stop at some point, but going to try anyway heh.

[goss]

but going to try anyway heh.

That's the spirit! *high-fives* Same here too. *g* Both work and home life is scheduled to be super hectic in the 2nd and 3rd week of the month, but I'm ready to give it my best shot.

I made a list of uncommon myths, monsters, and creepy animals so hopefully if I'm feeling uninspired it'll be easy to pick one

Hey, that's a great idea! Especially since I know that there'll are certain days to come when I'm going to experience high levels of anxiety or be extremely drained, and I just want to turn my brain off - not usually the most conducive when it comes to producing art (for me, anyway).

I think I'll make an "Inktober Inspiration" folder consisting of:
(1) Interesting reference pics (especially with particular poses or lighting effects I want to try capturing)
(2) A list of ideas that interest me (like mash-ups, pairings, characters, creatures, etc.)
(3) A list of really easy drawing/warm-up exercises that the average child can accomplish in about 15 minutes (for my most taxing days, when I want to just get something out on paper, but lack the energy to brain.)

Thanks for the idea. :)

[mekare]

ink wash monochrome with gold accents

Sounds great! I actually have gold ink at home but found it responds less to the pens than black ink due to its thickness. So the pencil idea is neat.

Good luck with your plan!