You know how you think you have everything ready to go, and you are so sure that you can start making the pages for that webcomic you dreamed of ever since high school? Well...After sharing my story (spoiler-free synopsis) with another fellow artist, I found a lot of unpleasant flaws with my story. So it was back to square 1, rewriting. 

This month indeed has been rough. Especially with me wondering, "how am I ever going to make a living with art?"

More like "what is the best course of action to take?"

Well...I guess it's better to show you, then tell.

But I'm faithful that God will get me through this rough, unclear time. Even now, I'm listening to a wonderful Chris Oatley podcast interview with Sarah Marino. All artists go through this crippling disease of self-doubt, and the struggle of soul-searching and finding your true passion. I definitely know that I'm not cut out for teaching, even if it is art. I'm an artist first, but I feel like I'm letting that define my soul purpose, when it's not.

I'm a Christian who still has lots of problems like any regular person, I'm a sister, a daughter, a friend, and the occasional entertainer. And to all you struggling and aspiring artists out there, hang in there.

Now with the situation on Eruti...well, I'm still writing, but I got this crazy idea of taking a break (again) and work on some short story webcomics instead. To get my bearings together. I really want to tell these stories. 

Until next time, God bless, peace, and take care.

Oh and here's some other stuff I posted on my tumblr first (I prefer to compile a bunch of stuff, rather than blogging every single, minute doodle.

 Some fanart and homage to the General Yi Soon Shin, and the movie "The Admiral: Roaring Currents."

A gift doodle for the child I sponsor through WorldVision. 

Eruti Chapter 1 is in works

The reason why I don't put much content on deviantArt or even tumblr, is because I was thumbnailing the first chapter for Eruti. Last night I happened to finish page 1.

Also, it took longer because I ended up ditching a different version for how to start chapter 1. So about 2-3 versions of the chapter were scrapped after being fully finished or 1/4 done. This below is the reject. But there's one chapter that I will recycle.

I've also been testing out Clip Studio Paint, to get the feel for it. I still need to get a grasp with the coloring, though.

On the side note, I've begun getting into Ragnarok Online (not the 3d 2nd version). Not sure if I'll be investing time in Guild Wars 2, though it is a good game. I'm just easily discombobulated by the 3d navigation, while fighting and dodging.

Wacom Cintiq 13HD woes

Now I know I'm being too hard on it because it's spanking brand new and I haven't gotten used to it.
But this thing is ridiculous with it's calibrations going wonky with adobe Flash, Gimp, and Clip Studio Paint.
I just got a new windows 8.1 desktop 2 weeks ago. Liking it so far, and I mainly got it because I needed something powerful to handle the work I would be doing.
Today I tried setting it up, and nothing came on. I had the drivers installed and everything.
Then when I went to Microcenter to get an HDMI to DVI adapter, it worked.
Next problem: The pen calibration was off. I think I uninstalled and reinstalled those drivers and the tablet about 3-4 times, including the ones on the cd and the newest one online.
Now I'm pissed because I had purchased Clip Studio Pro, and liked it (for now, still trying to figure out how to use the brushes. Not used to them). But the calibration on that is way off as well.
Sure, i can access the toolbar settings. But when I try to paint, ink, or draw with pencil, the cursor is like 3 inches apart from the pen itself.
It works fine on photoshop.
But then, I couldn't seem to download Flash, the trial version, and the same thing happens there. pen calibration is off.
I don't know if I need to configure something in the settings of those programs
Or if this cintiq is derpy with Windows 8.1
I'm frustrated. I've wasted probably $2200 for both the pc and this cintiq, and I get this bullcrap.
I wanted the cintiq to help me draw better and more efficiently, especially since I plan to work on my comics.
Instead, I'm scouring the internet for answers.
Wacom, you disappoint me.
Either they're so invested with their new Hybrid Companion rather than their predecessors, I might as well return it.
It's too soon to throw in the towel, but for now, I hope the tech support can help.
If any of you have problems like these, feel free to share.

Got Clip Studio Paint

I tested Clip Studio Paint (pro version), and it's pretty good so far.
Though I do realize how drawing with the bamboo tablet is still somewhat of a disconnect.
But nonetheless, here is the result

Now some explanations.
As you can see, 2 characters from Once Upon A Time
I was weepy at the mid-season finale, and then in one of the later episodes (RIP Neil).
I saw the Dark Crystal yesterday and love it.
The weird version of Shadow is a version from my brother and our roleplay from old days.
Here Shadow is a battling commander of his personal fleet, of the trinity wars.
Let's just say Shadow lived long enough and grew more powerful enough to be summoned to end the reign of Luistring. Sonic? Sadly, Sonic in our roleplays takes multiple versions and personas in the multiverse. The original Sonic made a deal to give the universe a chance to be rid of Luistring's power. Which involved putting a reset on the universe. It wiped him off of existence, nearly everyone started over again.
I'm not going to go on in huge detail. But yep, that's Shadow in his outfit. His retinas are actually synced to the wrist band.

Paintings and sketches at Haiti

First off, wow it's been a while since I posted anything on this blog. I'm always on tumblr posting stuff, and my deviantart.

2nd, I got back from Haiti yesterday. A week in Haiti was pretty amazing. Not much sketching cuz I enjoyed spending time talking and hanging with my team. 

Highlight for me:

At the Mission house and orphanage, I was given the honor to paint something in the new toddler house. I did not expect to be doing some actual art there, but God must have wanted me to do this. The opportunity sounded fun, and it was. It was the first time I actually pulled an all-nighter, and I had fun jamming out to my music by myself. That was 2 whole days with a really limited palette of white, creme, red, green, and blue. That and working mostly at night with some dim lighting. But I still pulled it off. I'm really thankful God gave me the strength and the juice to finish the paintings. Lots of people loved it too. 

I took the picture of "lion king" twice because the colors look weird at night.

Here are some of the sketches and planning I did for the wall paintings. I couldn't put the dragons in. I also experimented with the style I wanted to go for. I had to think of something simple to do within 2 days, since we were leaving soon.

Some sketches I gave to some children at the orphanage.

Some sketches I did for myself.

 

Oops, got my foot. This be some stuff for Eruti. Funny thing, I almost ended up ripping off from Guild Wars 2 and turning them into tree nymph people. I scratched that idea and decided to make tree nymphs and the Alfins separate.

Merry Christmas 2013

URGH!! 1 semester done, and now 1 more to go.
But for now, I'm gonna enjoy my winter break.
And for the holidays, I bring you:

For the Christians and "How to train your dragon" fans. Happy Holidays.

Hiatus of stuff

Welp, I've got a job now, as an art teacher.

And the first year is seriously rough. But it's supposed to be.
But because of all the madness, it means all of my projects will come to a stop until further notice.
And that Shonen Jump Contest really isn't a priority anymore.
But somehow, I do intend to complete the comic and at least post it somewhere.
So don't expect much activity right now.