Busy with a variety of artistic media

It's hard to choose some days. I always start with at least two goals for the day, such as finishing a painting and doing a digital painting exercise. Any gigs I get off fiverr.com are done in addition to that, because I have a high drive for learning newer, better techniques than I learned way back in high school and days off during a long period of work and studies.

Last week, I decided to focus a little, however, and I set aside many drawing goals (ie. life drawing studies) so that I could try out some animation, motion graphics, and video compositing techniques I found tutorials for. I ended up downloading an animation software demo that lasts 15 days - Toon Boom Studio.

I've also completed a study in motion graphics that went from basic motion tricks to creating animated logos in Photoshop. I went on just in the past few days, to try to figure out how to add masks to videos, so that people can be highlighted or cropped out for example, even when they are moving around in the frame. Clearly, there's lots to be covered in my bag of interests.

So far a single activity hasn't popped out as 'the one' that I'll prioritize in my personal and commercial pursuits. In the past few days, my animated stick man has gotten more sophisticated, and so has my video masking. Meanwhile, all of those activities require keeping my drawing skills keen. Thus, tonight I set aside most of the computer activities and started a simple watercolour painting exercise using my favourite subject, cats, to try out some quick colour decisions and glazing techniques.

I just wanted to write to keep you interested, and know that I'm not falling off the radar. I have taken a bunch of photos and computer screenshots and need to sit down, organize them, and post them with useful stories about work in progress and my reviews of techniques I've learned recently.

Also, one drawing has been chosen to appear in a group show at Pandora Arts Collective later in November. It's the Forest Kitty ink drawing I previously blogged about. I'm excited about that, and to see the work of my drop-in art group peers on display together.

Happy graphics/video/animation/painting everyone!

Explored an art group in Victoria today: Pandora Arts Collective in Fernwood

On a spur-of-the-moment enthusiasm urged by an email from a friend, I decided to check out Pandora Arts Collective today. My friend had told me about a number of events and groups in the area, and I was familiar with this one's location and impressed by their pro-art website.

I was greeted with warm smiles and a thorough orientation. The studio is wide open space with tables to draw, paint, and do crafts. I believe easels are also available if needed. The drop-in fee is obviously very reasonable at $2, and I had a pleasant and productive time!

The mix of eight or so artists included an artist-in-residence interested in animation, a painter, a jewelry duo, and a few pastel and pencil illustrators. I think I made 8 new friends today! It was fun, and I didn't know what to expect, at $2 a session, so I only brought a sketchbook and pencils.

I see now that the place and the people are suitable for doing any combination of serious, fun, collaborative, and therapeutic art.

The reason I'm sharing this is to encourage people to visit their local community groups and even venture out of their usual circles to meet new artists. I was encouraged to keep working at my confident skills, and indirectly try new things, too.

Sounds like a very good deal, eh?