Bitten Strawberry Advance

 This weekend was busy with Thanksgiving, the wifey's BD, garage end-of-year cleaning, and trying to write the first pages of a new book after eleven years of inactivity. 

As you can see, my plate is full. That's why I'm looking to avoid any possible commitments. I can't split it in half. All those above are the stuff on the side plate; the main course is to continue retaking my artist-illustration-forgotten career.

Right now, I'm working on the bitten strawberry piece. I'm using Strathmore pastel paper and more than one pastel pencil brand. Of course, the 0.5 mechanical pencil and Q-tips. Here's what I've got so far.

Today is Thanksgiving Day

 We know it's common sense; being thankful should be an everyday thing. Start by saying we do not even need to remind ourselves of the reasons why establishing comparisons is not generally a good idea: It exposes us to becoming arrogant and entitled. Just be thankful. If you can find a good, solid reason for which to be specifically thankful is even better. 

Now, we must remember this day is not only of spiritual gratitude related to God as our provider; it's also directed at being thankful to other people who have extended a helping hand to us, those who have welcomed us and helped us in times of need. I have had, and my family has had, many instances in our lives when others have come to our help in difficult times. To these people, each one of them, to the ones I knew in person, and also to the ones I never knew but were behind actions that played in my favor, I am thankful and grateful for being the recipient of your disinterested kindness.    

Bitten strawberry

 In my previous work—the fork with the red pepper—I originally intended to use a strawberry but had none. We have strawberries again, but I wouldn't repeat the fork idea. So, I just came up with this concept of a bitten strawberry, and I think it looks good. The strawberry survived the photo session but was finished right afterward. It's keto-friendly. 

By the way, I started the keto diet in mid-September and lost 23 pounds. When I started, I weighed 223 pounds and was also lifting weights, so apparently, I was gaining more weight through muscular mass. I suspended weightlifting entirely and started the keto diet, and that gave me immediate results. Right now, I'm at 200 pounds, but I started plateauing around two weeks ago.

So, starting today, November 26, I'm using a small home treadmill that one of my daughters is letting me use. Every day, I will try to walk 30 minutes or more to help break the weight loss barrier. 

According to Google, when you plateau while in keto, you have to exercise more or start counting calories. I won't do weightlifting until I reach my ideal weight. From then on, gaining muscle mass will be an entirely different story. Let's see what happens. 

First Airbrushed Markers Effect

Since I came up with the idea of incorporating an airbrush into my artwork again, it took me a long time to put it all together. Today, I just completed the very first successful try at airbrushing with markers using actual artwork. In this series of images, I'm showing how I had to complete a pencil drawing of my wife and me for her BD and then plan how to add a slight touch of color with the airbrush. In the name of perfection, I had to use the Cricut machine to cut perfect initials and then create transparent vinyl masks for mess-free art. Ultimately, that move paid off, and the result is bright and crisp. Our initials are right next to our hands.

If you are wondering why solid blue letters are in the second picture, it gives me an idea of the positioning before airbrushing. The real stencil masks are in the third picture with all the tape.

Materials Used: Kodak mini projector. U.S. Art Supply Sketch paper for mixed media. Mechanical Pencil 0.5 by NIC Pro. Sketch pencil 14B by Pandafly. Q-Tips. Yasnay Alcohol Markers. Markers Aibrush from Micro-Mark store. Airbrush Quiet Compressor from Hseng. Vinyl film by Vvivid. Cricut vinyl cutting machine with Cricut free design software.  

Airbrushing Masking Supplies

 I received the vinyl to draw stencils on for airbrushing. Precision knives are used to cut the drawn shapes, and the transparent film transfers the stencil onto the drawing itself. This process is detailed but will allow for the addition of exciting effects. To cut the stencil shapes you can use a Cricut cutting board.

In my subsequent work, as a gift for my wife's BD, I will draw our hands together and add our initials with the airbrush, just as a color touch effect.

Creative Anxiety

I've been working on this piece since around 7:00 AM today. It took me between 6 and 7 hours to complete. 

I decided this was more aptly titled "creative anxiety." It is that feeling of having an impulse of the will to create art and then suffering an unexpected interruption. 

Frustration and tension lead to anxiety. One of the most common reasons is realizing the need to add something to an art creative process, putting in an online supplies order, and then having to wait, interrupting the flow. That's what this piece intends to say.

Yes, I know what you are thinking. There is no need to remind me. I have been on both sides: having something to work with and not having anything to work with.

Materials Used: Pastel Strathmore paper, 0.5 Mechanical pencil, 14B Sketching pencil, White Pastel pencil, Posca Marker, and Q-Tips

Locking hands

 I have invested some money in supplies to add airbrushing to my artwork, but now I'm pausing while I put all the supplies together. Today, I'm receiving more materials, such as vinyl stencil paper, transfer paper, a set of precision knives, and transparent acrylic cutout materials I plan to use for airbrushing masks.

While all that happened, I had this idea of interlocking hands. I took a few photos of my hands locked in tension and this image is the one I liked better. 

Does it mean tension? Creative anxiety? It originates along these lines.

This is my next work. I'm back to pastel paper, and I might use charcoal pencils this time around.

Not as Hot as it Looks

 This is actually a sweet pepper, it does taste sugary, but it looks like it's going to burn your mouth. Great for snacking with some salt and lime juice. We love them at home. Great for Keto dieting.

I used a 0.5 mechanical pencil. For the color, I used Crazy Art pencils. For the highlights, a Conté crayon and a Posca marker. 

I feel like I'm expressing myself better. I will soon incorporate airbrushing with markers to add some creative effects.

Testing Hseng Compressor and Airbrushes

 I received the Compressor replacement from Hseng. This one works properly and is nicely quiet, perfect for working inside my home without disturbing anyone. I have two different airbrushes: one from Micromark, which comes with a few adaptors, and the other from Copic. See the video below to check them out.

New Work - Fork and Pepper

 I wanted to do a metallic effect because it takes a higher skill level. I'm satisfied with the results. The image online only reflects a little. When seen in person it's way more evident.

I'm using the mechanic pencil 0.5, and regular colored pencils. The lighting touches are a Conté crayon and a Posca marker.