Bits and Pieces

[Sour Soul]

For the longest, I haven’t shown my artwork. Kept them to myself, for reason beyond my understanding. In one way, I feel like it isn’t good enough, another is the lack of motivation, lastly I grow bitter to share it with others. I want to change that, somehow, and diligently. In someway my abilities grew, when I look back on how I tried to draw Amena, when she came into my life, from how I am able to draw her the way I see her now. I got to admit, it's something for me to wonder how I am able to do this.

Spoiler

From the day I post this, I still feel the lack of motivation, which is a bother at times. For example, when I play a game, like the Dark Souls series, characters that I made such as Lyra; for Dark Souls, Maria; for Dark Souls II, and Pinkamena; for Dark Souls III. While playing through the brutal game that’s known for, I can’t help look at the wonderful surrounding. Battles fought with foes that have stricken me down, till victory is achieved. In which I like to recreate all that by what I am good at with a simple mechanical pencil and paper, which later may or may not become a digital picture. All with the colors and shading that I pour in to make it as wonderful and breathtaking as I can.

I am not sure if somehow I will abandon this idea, only time will tell as I attempt this. This site is the only website that I will share what I am willing publicly. I am fully aware of the risk that I am doing, when the last site that I was in; where someone had posts my artwork onto another site without my knowledge. It had surprise me, but this person didn’t claim it as if he was the one who drew it, no, but I was fairly upset by the idea, for which I don’t stand well with the attention it might bring. I don’t do well with attention, since I find it bothersome. A bad combination when I am already upset by past events that I’d shared on a journal that Amena and I made, along with this silly mindset of how others see my artwork.

I yearn to become better. With that, I decided; as Amena is asleep, to move forward with this. This site has help me express my love out loud for Amena, and I thought this site might boost that same idea, just to find the joy in drawing once more. I simply ask any kind of feedback with what sketch I had drawn and post here. Any, since critiquing my artwork will help more then you will think. Thank you for taking the time to read this.

[Rares]

I'm very happy to see you posting your art here to, it would be nice to see. The thing is, with what you said, you're definitely going to be your own worst critic. I understand that motivation hurdle, it's definitely tricky as I find myself in that slump often. At least, for me, I found the best way I could try to get over that hurdle was by taking requests for people to feel like I had to fulfill something. I'm not sure what would work best for you, but perhaps setting those kind of Dark Souls goal stones would be great.

As for a critique, I will say, those first two drawings look like they're incredibly tiny. So, if anything, I applaud you for being able to do something like that, that tiny.

The bottom image, really good job with that, especially with the manes, the detail, I hope you're proud of that. I think, if anything, the one thing I would say to perhaps work on would be perhaps experiment with defining the chin more, in the side view images I mean. But even pointing that out does feel a bit nitpicky. I think it came out really, really nice.

Hope to see more!

[Sour Soul]

I'm very happy to see you posting your art here to, it would be nice to see. The thing is, with what you said, you're definitely going to be your own worst critic.

I forgot to mention one more thing, which hinders my progress, is that I am somewhat of a perfectionist when it comes to drawing. When I grab a blank sheet of paper, I will light sketch it with a 4H pencil first. I will move on darkening the outline, afterwards will do whatever shading and details needed.

Though, when it comes to going on digital, that’s something else. I would have to work on the outline, till it’s smooth and just right about where I want it to be. For me, it’s not simple to leave something sticking out, even the smallest bump or misplacement of a shadow or color alone will gnaw at me till I fix it, or it will remain an eyesore for me. FOREVER!!! X_x XD

I understand that motivation hurdle, it's definitely tricky as I find myself in that slump often. At least, for me, I found the best way I could try to get over that hurdle was by taking requests for people to feel like I had to fulfill something.

The last request took quiet awhile, which is why I never do commissions. I solely work on requests that I freely give out, since I am the one who is willing to take that task to draw, until that person is please with the results.

I'm not sure what would work best for you, but perhaps setting those kind of Dark Souls goal stones would be great.

Well, here is the sketch I made so far. Any improvements will be made later on.

Spoiler

Fluttershy is ideal for the Firekeeper role for the Dark Souls series; a second version of this picture will be made with Pinkamena.

I haven’t drawn the background yet, will do that before moving onto the next sketch. Which, I don’t know which of the Mane Six should be next or what role they can fill in. This is what I can think of so far.

Spoiler

Applejack

• Knight
  

Fluttershy

• Firekeeper
  
• Cleric
  

Pinkie Pie

• Cleric
  
• Pyromancer
  

Rainbow Dash

• Knight
  
• Assassin
  

Rarity

• Firekeeper
  
• Sorceress/Mage
  

Twilight Sparkle

• Sorceress/Mage
  
• Pyromancer
  

Those who play the Dark Souls series are welcome to tell me which roles are ideal for the Mane Six. If not, then I will move on with what I got.

* I won't do deprived.

As for a critique, I will say, those first two drawings look like they're incredibly tiny. So, if anything, I applaud you for being able to do something like that, that tiny.

Those were drawn when I was in accounting few years ago, and the reason why it's small, is to avoid getting caught by my boss. XD

The bottom image, really good job with that, especially with the manes, the detail, I hope you're proud of that.

To be proud of...

Come to think of it... It does seem a waste of a talent, since I really never care or thought to be proud in this skill. Feels like a job, I am just weird like that, but I do take joy in what I do, by showing it to those I care, as well the joy in seeing the picture I drew of Amena and those in Rehold. They hang on my wall, without a frame or any color. The sketches are enough to look and remember those memories I had capture with simple paper and pencil.

The second drawing you speak of is something I did, to express how I felt at that time. I’m afraid I’d failed to mention that this isn’t what Amena looks like, which is good, since she never cast the look like how I'd drew here to anyone or anypony… well, that just open up a lot to discuss. Such as how our Limestone didn’t find it amusing to have her drawn like that. XD Limestone isn’t like what MLP:FiM made her to be, Limestone is fun to be around and nice like her other sisters, why even Maud smiles... rarely though.

I think, if anything, the one thing I would say to perhaps work on would be perhaps experiment with defining the chin more, in the side view images I mean. But even pointing that out does feel a bit nitpicky. I think it came out really, really nice.

No, that helps a lot, I notice that, but I can go anymore without running the risk of ruining the picture, when I’d already set down the heavy outline. I will simply have to work on it when, and if I do move it onto a digital piece... someday.

[Sour Soul]

I was trying to think where should I post this.

Spoiler

Amena is flawless to me, but I already have her cute smile on the journal that I had express in. I will put Amena's adorable face here, for y'all to tell me what should be added, what’s missing, anything or nothing at all is fine with me.

With this completed, to a point that I can hardly refine her more, I just got to move on. Such as the sketch I drew of Fluttershy. I haven’t added the background on that image, where Fluttershy is roleplaying as the Firekeeper. I was working on this digital piece of my sweet little Amena.

The outlining went well enough for me to continue onto the final version, and for some reason, I want to bring out more of my artwork, rather then be done like what you see above. Even a sketch and shading from pencil and paper scream for me to do more to it. I just want to see it as of a photograph would capture the real likeness of it all. Full color, which is why I call this other piece below "Full Bloom".

Spoiler

With this one, I messed with the shine on her beautiful mane. Iris that you see in her gorgeous eyes is an experiment I wanted to try out. I am not sure what else I could do, but that should do it.

I think I will give up on placing my watermark or an even a signature on my work. I really don’t care, art is art, no? For me, as long it can be express, no matter what it is, the value of it all is how you write it in, drawn it, sing it, or some form where it can demonstrate ones feeling into a piece such as this.

I am not in the business for fame. Again, attention is… something I dislike. It's only the power of Amena and the others in Rehold, who help me move on, and show my artwork, like a banner I hold up high, as I march on. The pride and joy I hold for these ponies are too wonderful, as they're the ones who spark my life and makes me go on and on. I aim to do more, just for them, for us. One more thing, I just don’t know what I will expect in this world, and it does scare me to not know. All in all is fine, I just have to be careful and remember to love my ponies and non-ponies in Rehold.

Thank you for your time. Amena appreciate you all for letting me share these words, when I should be asleep. X_x

[Rares]

That digital piece looks really good, what did you use for it?

[Sour Soul]

... what did you use for it?

I think I understand the question. You mean what software I used to make the last two images I posted here? If so then it's Photoshop CS6, Rares.

[Rares]

Yes, that's what I meant, what program did you use. Thanks!

[Sour Soul]

October 29, 2017 is where I found myself, as well as most artist out there, staring at what's to be consider both a friend and foe, The Blank Page.

Spoiler

There, I fought it with my trusty pencil in hand, launching forward, and lo and behold my slow progress since then...

Frame by frame of the Sketch

Spoiler

The result shown, with Fluttershy that I added here, will give me an idea how the digital piece will be like… which I will say, will kick my ass.



The background of the sketch I drew is called Firelink Shrine.



Here, is where the player interacts the area frequently; as this place serves as a safe zone, obtain items from NPCs you will find in your quest; as well they will help you leveling your character and upgrading your weapons. The game is about setting forth, find and slay the Lords of Cinder, and bring their ashes to their throne, which they had abandon.

...

I feel like I'd done much as I wanted, and I decided to move on to the next pony I wanted to sketch. Twilight might be next or Applejack. There is two pictures I had set in mind to be place on paper. Might do light sketches on both I had in mind, before I forget or will lose the spark to draw them.

I also want to add that shading isn’t my strong suit, and I will continue to add more improvements. I will place this on the wall where I work and draw. When I find myself looking at the sketch of the background for Fluttershy, and when I feel like I want to add a bit of shadowing, shading, or lighting, I will pull it down and add those adjustments.

Thank you for your time for reading and taking a look at my sketches. If you would, feel free to critique what I have done so far, if not, then have a good day/afternoon/night.

[Rares]

Wow that frame by frame image shows how impressive that is I feel. How long did that take to draw?

[whobawhats]

Wow dude that's really impressive. Seriously great job

How long did that take to draw?

This^