ramonn90
Updates!: Unlocking Past Content, Dramatic Gesture and Boosting Motivation
Published: July 23rd 2024, 4:24:16 pm
Hey everyone! Here are some important updates for today.
Patreon Content
Some new patrons have been asking for tips about topics I've already discussed in past articles, and many of them don't have the resources to subscribe to higher tiers. So I've decided to unlock content from previous years. Here's what you will find depending on your tier:
Golden Guardian / Art Apprentice / Canvas Conqueror
All text articles with art tips from 2023.
Mastering Maestro
All text articles with art tips, plus process videos and PSDs from 2023.
Style Seeker
All text articles with art tips, plus process videos and PSDs from 2023, 2022, 2021, and 2020. I'll update in the next couple of days.
Have fun!
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Dramatic Gesture
On another note, I've been exploring more serious ideas in my recent illustrations, and surprisingly, people have reacted more strongly than usual. I'm not sure why, but I assume it's due to the "dramatic gesture" in the drawings, specifically the shape and silhouette work. I'll explain.
Dramatic Gesture is a combination of theatrical gestures in which characters express emotions, such as a bit of "admiration" mixed with "sadness" in "Care" or "tragedy" in "Bending," my two latest illustrations. I usually make compositions oriented towards funny, cute, or badass subjects, but I've recently felt drawn to more serious topics. I guess I was doing what felt right.
Why do people care? To be honest, I don't know. I've been treating colors and values similarly to previous characters, yet what has changed is the tone of the scene conveyed with body posture and gesture. I'd love to take credit for these viral pieces, but the truth is, I have no control over it. Will I continue doing this? Probably not. Like many things I do, I'll keep at it until I get bored, then I'll try something new.
What I'm trying to say is there's real value in trying new things, regardless of your style. For me, shifting from a humorous style to drama for a while isn't bad. Try new concepts and techniques too; that's my advice.
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Boosting Motivation
On a personal note, you might have noticed I've been a bit less active, not only here on Patreon but also on social media. I've needed to take extra steps in my personal life to balance my professional work. By personal work, I mean more exercise, better eating habits, and rest. When I started Patreon, I was working on so much more content while doing freelance work, leading to serious burnout. Now, I need to manage Patreon plus additional game development tasks. Surprisingly, I feel my art has improved by just slowing down. So, more isn't necessarily better, depending on the context.
That said, I'm probably not the best at giving advice about working less, but I've been obsessed with balancing my life for over two years. If you feel you're working very hard and not seeing progress, take some time to reshape your plan. Slow down and step out of your work loop. Try things that might not be part of your daily routine. Perhaps this Sunday, just having a nice walk or talk with an old friend might bring back balance.
I don't see myself stopping art anytime soon, but I feel that those days of creating art just for fun, not work-related, might bring out some of my best pieces. We'll see.
Stay healthy!
