look back on the year and see

Earlier this year, I decided I was going to try my hand at realistic painting.  My efforts have certainly been very educational! I learned very quickly that I wasn't very happy working in Photoshop, unlike many of my peers who seem to thrive in it.

I was very thankful for SAI and it's amazing Brush features. Even more thankful when I learned to make my own and customized it to fit my preferences for blending. The end result is much smoother pictures.

Before 2010 winds down to a close, I wanted to repaint some of my favorite pieces. It was an exercise to see how much I've improved. And an outlet to how anal I am about my work.

The first of my forays into painting. Honor is far more fleshed out in the repaint, looking less anime and just a bit more human. He's also featured with sharper cheek bones, broader shoulders and darker hair. I had to completely repaint his mouth and ears as well. What a difference eight months makes!

Van, however, was painted back in August and was already better to begin with compared to my Honor painting. But there were things that bothered me with his design so I indulged and painted him again, sharpening his features and adjusting things that were too long or were too short. Deepened his color here and there as well to really bring him out.

All in all, 2010 was a very good year for me artistically. I found new ways in which to grow and will be plugging at them some more until I've overcome more and more obstacles. :D Eventually, I will pwn the internet.

I'm kidding. Maybe.

See you in 2011!