I think I need to do a round-up (wtf have I been doing??)

I feel like I've been really busy, but judging from my social media you'd think I'd given up on art! No excuse for not posting - I just haven't been taking photos or putting in any effort.

So, I thought I might need to do a round-up of what I've been up to. Partly for my own sanity, so I can get back on track. I've updated below on my sketching, painting, and book covers. Followed by a bit of a life update and what I think I'll do next.

Sketching

I have really been enjoying drawing recently. After realising I really liked using a cheap mechanical pencil, I decided to buy a still-cheap but nicer mechanical pencil (which still has the same lead, it just looks cooler and is nice to hold).

Stickers

I've been calling these stickers (to myself) for lack of a better term. Basically, my partner and I wanted to design a pattern for using in our house. I've been drawing little elements we could add to it - which is something I was planning on doing anyway so I could use them for actual stickers.

To be honest, I got a bit bored halfway through. I realised that the Goth Moths were the most interesting to me because they were completely made up. I want to do more designs that aren't real, and that combine ideas (e.g. moth with skull, safety pin with eyeball, etc). Feel free to comment your suggestions and I just might draw them!

Work sketchbook

I haven't been in the office as much recently, but I did do a page in this and took almost no photos.

Daily Drawing Challenges

I didn't do any challenges for March or April as I didn't find any (of interest to me). I plan to do more in the coming months if they have themes I want to do.

You can see Creatuanuary here and Faebruary here.

Painting

I've been doing a bit of painting here and there, but haven't really gotten into my project ideas like I wanted to.

Stickers

Same deal as the "sticker" drawings! So, if you like these, maybe you'll see them as stickers one day. Or maybe they'll end up as a design in my house.

Paralysis Poem

I was contacted by the horror author Amanda Ruzsa, who will be publishing a book of dark poetry soon (hopefully next month, but follow her for updates!). She was looking for artists to provide artworks based on her poems. I won't post the whole artwork yet, but I showed a bit of work in progress before I stopped posting online for no particular reason.

Book Covers

I've made a start on creating a book cover portfolio. Still in the brainstorming and sketching phase, but I had posted the Jane Eyre concept on Instagram. I've got a few others now that I'm roughly sketching, and want to start painting the Jane Eyre one soon.

I'm going to start with public domain stories, even though most of them have been done to death. If you have any suggestions, comment and let me know!

Life Outside Art

As usual, life has been busy, so I haven't done as much as I'd like with my art. In saying that, some of that life stuff is pretty cool.

Say Cheese

I wanted to make my sister a memo/poloroid holder for her birthday. So I did. She likes cheese. I didn't even think of the connection between the phrase "say cheese" and photos until right now.

Also made a cheese pen holder, and bought some other cheese-themed gifts. It was pretty fun to watch her open these.

Steampunk Festival

I've never been to the Steampunk Festival in Oamaru before, but I will be going this year! I'll probably just check out some of the free events and generally hang around. I've been sewing a few little pieces to wear (none finished yet). I don't usually post the progress of my crafts online but I'll share the final products (probably).

Wedding

This isn't the kind of thing I normally talk about on this blog, but I got engaged in January so I've also been a bit busy thinking about a wedding! Haven't got anything planned yet but I love the brainstorming and researching.

What's Coming Next

I've said it before and I'll say it again - my priorities may change based on what I hear from subscribers. At the moment, I'm planning to focus on the two art projects I mentioned earlier ("sticker" designs and book covers).

I've been thinking about the shop again though, and may consider re-opening it in a limited capacity next year (IF there's enough interest!). Let me know if you are interested and what you'd like to see.