Days ago I started a new journey of creating subway doodles. My art instructor, Michael Korosty recommended I try to develop doodles on the subway. He mentioned that this would be a way to practice my eye accuracy. However, my goal is to practice his technique. In fact, a few days ago, I created a video called How To Draw Proportional Spray Can? Thus, when should I practice his way and is there a way I can still blend into my daily trips?
Subway Doodles 🔊
Wait, why doodle in the subway and why subway doodle at all? Well, it all started with my wish to get good at drawing. Okay, not ultimately, I wanted to get better at accurately landing ovals and proportional drawing. Pause, I still owe you an explanation, I’ve been commuting every day and been drawing random sketches. That’s all it is, and at this point, I’m getting bored that nobody is interacting with me. Hopefully, by me drawing real living organisms, people will recognize it and socialize with me.
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How my Doodles Draw themselves 🤷
It’s quite simple; Don’t worry about anything and draw whatever in front of me. If the subject moves away, then I paint on top or create a new layer in Sketchbook Pro. In fact, I’m using more gestures than accuracy. Even so, I feel as though I’m not improving. In fact, what I want is to do studies of my subjects, but without looking weird. In other words, I started drawing using a part of the technique, but I felt guilty that I didn’t measure correctly.
abstract pillar subway 4
abstract pillar subway 2
abstract pillar subway 3
abstract pillar subway
The little goals of drawing 🤔
Do you ever look at a beautiful woman and stare? If the answer is yes, then you might be an artist. Joking, I don’t know, but see if you can find something interesting, then try to break down its beauty and draw it merely. Similar, imagine your standing in front of a blond woman who is sitting down, and you want to paint hair for whatever reason. If your lucky and she isn’t looking at you, and you might catch different shades of dark and light. That’s called a study if you can then draw that effect and practice it until it becomes stable.
Subway Doodles Sketch Underway V5
To Sum up ❤
Somehow I need to fit all of this into my daily commute. Do a few doodles, practice accuracy and do a few studies. Earlier, I wrote about Phoenix sketches, which is less connected to technique and free to rendering what is in my mind. In other news, above is a picture of the MTA subway train getting ready to leave the station. As always, good luck on your adventures!
I finished the Phoenix, grabbed a few screenshots and shot some excellent video clips. I promise to go into the tools and my workflow in a few minutes. More importantly, I wanted to bring up that my goal is to publish it these every day, but I couldn’t meet the deadline, and if you stick around, I will let you know what transpired. I will go into the software I used to process my images and video clips. Besides, I will discuss my drawing and mistakes and the solutions to these issues. If you stick around till the end of this video, I will walk you through a video time-lapse of the process.
Video Clips Digging into the Phoenix Sketches 🚨
Let’s restart; this whole thing started on the MTA subway train. Okay, I lied this whole thing started a while ago in January when I went on a ski trip to Vermont. I had a couple of my buddies draw lines and sketches over drinks. Even so, I bought this bird to live on the New York Subway system. In other words, I continued the doodle while commuting to work and I had the idea of recording what draw using OBS. OBS created several video clips for me to edit. If your interested read more about it in the article How to use Open Broadcaster Software?
Phoenix Workflow Unwrapped 🎁
Wait a minute, how does this whole thing come together? Well, OBS records and creates video clips. While that’s happening, I use Sketchbook Pro to draw and export screenshots of my bird. Then I bring those video clips into Adobe Premiere Pro. This tool allows me to create an attractive video that I can upload to YouTube. Meanwhile, I use another called Spark to create my featured image. I won’t lie, I’m not good at typesetting and design. This tool is great because it saves me a bunch of time in creating the featured image look. Even so, I want to get better at designing eventually, but now, I don’t have a lot of time. Finally, I use a tool called Grammarly to help me debug my writing skills. In other words, I’m still new when it comes to writing. I would like to communicate my thoughts effectively, so hopefully, this tool is doing the justice.
What do you think of my writing?
Has it improved?
Should I dump this tool?
Final Sketch Thoughts 🤔
Now to the juicy part, the final stretch, err sketch! Okay, fireside chat, I wanted to discuss mistakes and solutions I discovered during my workflow and artwork. At the time of writing the blog post, I realized I needed more time to produce a good copy and content. For example, I didn’t know that creating the time-lapse video will take me more than three extra hours to create, encode and publish. Also, add a few days of coming home late, and exhaustion made it that much more exciting project to complete. Plus, I didn’t do a great job in identifying the focus points. For example, I pictured it all in detail, but I keep forgetting that in life that isn’t true. In other words, the wings, tail and face and all cannot all be in focus. Therefore, I will try to find which part is essential and add more detail there and keeping other parts more straightforward. Thus, allowing me to finish faster.
V4 Phoenix Final
You might want to know ⁉
On the last note, I’m looking at a new tool called Chronolapse to take screenshots over a period. I think it will speed up my video editing process. Anyway, it’s getting late, and this is all I can remember. Please let me know what you think in the comments below?
I’m not satisfied with the WordPress “prompt thumbnail” screenshot. The created screenshot is a result of a pingback. Is it possible to customize the thumbnail? Is it crazy to say that we want somebody to click on our little square box to visit our blog? In my opinion, half of my thumbnail doesn’t offer any useful summary of my blog post. For example, what is the point of showing a small tiny menu and a title? In other words, the main menu is hard to read at that size. Also, why is the name of the post displayed twice? First in white overlayed, then on the image.
Prompt Thumbnail 📚
What I do know is that if I change my theme, restart, then the screenshot changes. What exactly takes the screenshot, I do not know. I do know that it has something to do with the pingback I create using the prompt. For example, today’s prompt is conversant. Last night, I created a blog post on my latest sketches using this technique.
thumbnail of WordPress prompt
Existing Custom Thumbnail
How does it work?
Interestingly, there is a documentation about how it all works. If you’re not familiar with the daily prompts, take a look at the article challenge-instructions. If you want to learn more about the prompts, please read the article comments pingbacks. Granted if you are lazy like me, see how WordPress defined pingback below.
A pingback is a particular type of comment, when you link to another blog post, as long as the other blog is set to accept pingbacks. To generate a pingback, link to another WordPress blog post. If that post has pingbacks enabled, the blog owner will see a pingback appear in their comments section.
This morning I decided to work on my phoenix sketches. Furthermore, I wanted a way to capture a small time-lapse of my drawing. In doing this, it will give me a way to share my progress with you. For example, I can show you all the steps in between as opposed to a still image. Likewise, I used a tool called open broadcaster software or OBS for short. If you’re interested in becoming conversant in OBS take a look at How to use Open Broadcaster Software? With the combination of SketchBook Pro and OBS, I started drawing. Upon finishing the video capture, the challenge of editing and combining the video files is the last step.
Phoenix Sketches are Underway V3
Phoenix Sketches are Underway V3 😍
Wait, let’s go back in time because we lost the plot. On the train in route to work, I found a nice comfy corner seat. Then, I started digging for the Venue Pro 11 tablet and active digital pen in my backpack. It’s not the best tablet, but it’s affordable and satisfies my needs. Also, everything is ready for drawing, but I always get this feeling of eyes watching. Do you ever do something and see somebody gazing for a moment but not interacting with you in any way? When it happens, I wish they would give me feedback on my art because it would help me improve it. What do you recommend I try to do to get more interaction with the MTA riders of New York?
Loudly talking about my picture while I draw?
Drawing things I see on the train?
Sketching MTA trains because it relates to the tin can I take to work every day?
What else should I add to this list?
Why the Phoenix⁉
Okay, so why did the Phoenix sketch? I started this project during my ski trip to Killington, and I wanted to see how far it would go. But, I don’t want to stretch this project out too long. Thus, I plan to set a deadline of this week. Placing a project end date is important because it will help me grow. In other words, I want to experience different types, mystical creatures. For example, I got a book on drawing dragons, and I’m excited to get back to it. In other news, I included the time-lapse video of my Phoenix; please let me know what you think?
Lately, my next day posts become harder to write. I wanted to publish my hair sketches, but I could not start on it. Usually, Monday or Tuesday I feel okay. After work, I feel drained. I figure, if I workout, do yoga, shower and eat, everything will work out? Not the case, in fact, it becomes hard to concentrate and keep the anxiety from taking over. In other words, I started working on this post, but then I decided to stream on YouTube. Here I am finishing up this post. Earlier, I created a new “WordPress Category” called Sketch-Based Articles to house these types of articles. My goal is to continue sharing my latest creations with this new group. If you’re new to the site and don’t know what I’m going on about, then check out my bio on the Striving to Become a Professional Artist.
Hair Sketches are Underway V2
Hair Sketches are Underway V2
The hair sketch came into existence when I decided that I want to learn to draw hair. I got inspired by the Sketchbook Pro email newsletter or notification. There was a post on HOW TO DRAW HAIR: STEP BY STEP WITH LORD GRIS. Interestingly, I learned that I need to add shiny, wavy areas to dark areas to create believable looking hair. When I finished drawing the hair, I decided that it wasn’t enough. What is hair without a head? SO, the hair sprouted some eyes, nose, and mouth; You get the idea. I’m not good at drawing the nose, so I decided to create a simple box with circles. In other news, I think I did an excellent job with the texture. I copy pasted that image texture around and used a few different blend brushes to spread it nicely around the hairball figure.
What do you think?
Ugly?
Scary
Needs a nose job?
Does the background need smaller doors encrusted with jewels?
What else should I add to this list?
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Late night doodles :)
I like KerDoodle Village sketches because its simplicity inspires me to find a better way to make my art. For example, today’s post, “In the Village 3” I can connect emotionally and understand the thought without needing to read a lengthy blog post.
I’m going to start getting into the habit of deploying my sketches daily. I can’t promise it will be constant, but I’ll try my best. In other news, I titled this series Sketches are Underway, which I’ll explain later. I’ll aim to release them during night-time because I usually sketch during the day. Let me know if this bothers you or your okay?
Sketches are Underway
Sketches
I created a list of titles, and I had to choose one from this list. It was a tough decision, but I went with the Sketches are Underway because it sounded fun and original. Please let me know what you think or if I should add more to this list? Though I know, people don’t do things for free, so I’m giving you a tool that I used to give me idea’s on generating a few titles. In fact, I used a tool called answerthepublic.com because it creates views of what people search. For example, it produces questions prepositions, comparisons, alphabetical and related commonly searched articles. For example, in the search, I typed in sketches and got the results in this link. If you’re new to the site, then check out my bio on the Striving to Become a Professional Artist.
Answer the Public Example
Ordinary “…”
“…” to “…”
Someone who “…” pictures
who makes “…”
the artist who “…”
what “…” to draw
“…” are Underway – Sounds fun
“…” when bored
Sketches of Phoenix
I broke my phoenix at the following points. In other words, you can call these layers with different blending modes. Several people created the full test image. During my ski trip to Killington, I had asked a few of my friends to add lines anywhere they wished. The more lines they draw, the more ideas came to my mind. As a result, I blended a few edges, and I saw a beautiful phoenix. I plan to continue working this and update you with my results. In the near feature, I plan to start my stories again. Such as Mystery: How to Create Flow & Improve Interest?
Full Test
Lines
Red Color without lines
Red Color
Idea
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Tilt Brush
Over the weekend, I decided to experiment further with Tilt Brush VR. It’s a fantastic tool that lets you create art in 3-dimensional space. In other words, you use your hands to control everything from your palette to your brushes. For example, I was able to bring in a reference image and pin it in 3D space. What do you think? Nice eh?
To show my Valentines day experience, I choose to write about it. In other words, I want you to experience what I felt during my day. For Example, people have several ways to celebrate it. My morning started with my alarm waking me up 15 minutes earlier than usual. I had made plans to leave on time so that I can make it for my painting event. After painting, I had planned to have dinner at Salaam Bombay. It’s an Indian restaurant a few blocks away from the Muse Paintbar. Also, it serves buffet-style lunch. Then I went home.
Valentines Day Experience in Review 2018
Valentines Day Experience in Review
I came to work early today to paint. I left work around 6 pm and walked down Chambers street. I used google maps app on my 360 Google Watch while listening to my favorite podcast. “Your Moms House.” Then, I made a right turn on Greenwich street and walked a few blocks and saw a big sign, Muse Paint Bar. I took off my headphones and sent out a few messages and walked in. I expected a restaurant bar, kind of like two business in one. A counter at the front, the hallway filled with canvas and painting easels. The instructors were bartending and signing us up for the lesson. When I got my self-registered, I hung my work costume in the closet and walked over to the back to find my seat. I got a call from a friend about a ski trip and walked into the bathroom downstairs. Lots of different paintings for sale. I saw a picture of bears and a lady riding it away from the sun. It was worth 750$.
Finished Two Birds In Front of Moonlight – Muse Paintbar
Unfinished Two Birds In Front of Moonlight – Muse Paintbar
Two Birds In Front of Moonlight Side – Muse Paintbar
Two Birds In Front of Moon Light – Muse Paintbar
Beautiful Paintings – Muse Paintbar
Painting Easel – Muse Paintbar
How do people decide the worth of a painting?
Time spent
Stress level
Similar paintings
What else should I add to this list? I’m Striving to Become a Professional Artist, I wrote that article because I want to get in bed with the field. For example, the best way to do so is to ask questions and experience it.
Leaving Muse Paintbar
We finished painting and said our goodbyes. After using the bathroom and washing my hands, I got back upstairs to grab my art and went with my friend. In my mind, I thought what a horrible experience. I left with a beautiful picture, but I felt like I can’t reproduce what I had created. In other words, the class shows you step by step how to break down a painting. What do you guys suggest I do in a class like that? In other words, how do I make the most out of this experience? Don’t get me wrong; it’s a great idea for Valentine’s day experience. For example, the fun will be when you and your partner try to work together on a painting. If you’re interested in trying it out and want to thank me, you can use my referral code, Muse-71E2s. When you apply it at checkout, we both earn $10!
View of Freedom Tower Closer – Muse Paintbar
View of Freedom Tower – Muse Paintbar
Salaam Bombay (Quick Overview)
It is a short walk over to Salaam Bombay. When we got to the place we ate and order the following items
What do you think of my writing style and grammar?
I signed up for premium version “Grammarly” because I want to learn how to write better. Be that as it may, I was thinking of joining more art contest. For example, I checked ArtStation and deviant art. I noticed the beneath the waves contest. I was thinking of doing it even though it’s over. What do you guys think?
In other news, I want to find a way to share the current progress of my drawings. In other words, small nib bits of my experience making it. People don’t give feedback because they want something in return. I am not sure how to work this out. Completely unrelated, I got an email from my favorite computer hardware company, EVGA. Can this be a suitable reward?
They are running a giveaway. If you want to win extra gear from EVGA, please check out this page https://wn.nr/qhsM9A. It will give me and you an entry into the contest.
A day in February. It is a festive day like no other, where a hint of romance fills our lungs and holds our hearts strong. You know that rush, maybe writing your first letter, standing in line trying to make sense of which flowers to get. Making it special.
Valentines Day starts and ends in February. Yet, feel free to continue celebrating it every day! It is a festive day like no other, where a hint of romance fills our lungs and holds our hearts strong. You know that rush, writing your first letter, standing in line trying to make sense of which flowers to get.
What does Valentines Day mean to me?
This holiday is unique because everybody tries to show the other half their love. Also, we celebrated it on February 14. It is a festival of romantic love, and many people give cards. Yet, people forget and need a reminder. In other words, you can use find out the next day by visiting When is Valentine’s Day in Year?
The night before the big day! 💕
In a fury of trying to plan my special day. I decided to book my day with Muse or a Movie ticket. I am suspicious of Muse Paint Bar because I’ve never been to any of the events. Also, I booked a movie with AMC, “The Shape of Water” because it is a good match for my taste for this day. In other words, it is a movie for a couple to watch because it has a few scenes of love and bonding. Though I want to paint, they had no more tickets! Thus, I booked my movie ticket’s last night and went to bed.
Morning Love 💑
I woke up seeing breakfast on my table. An egg, toast with cheese and tea. My mom must have made it after rushing to work. On my way out of the bathroom, I read an email from Muse, saying that a few more spots opened. Immediately, my heart rushed, and I notified my friend of the news. I got the okay to cancel the movie tickets and bought us two tickets! Yet, this whole excitement reminds me of the time I went to VR World because it’s new and made me feel nervous.
Random Gift Idea 💝
I remember a while ago getting a small emoji pillow for my friend. It’s cute and nice too hug. If you’re not sure what to get, that might be a possible idea.
love ring
What do you feel when you do something new⁉
I can add your feelings here with your name. Also, I can do a count off.
A few weeks ago, I went to VR world. It is a new place for me; thus I remember feeling nervous. I ask myself this question: Does everybody get this feeling when they visit a new site? Great day, nonetheless, I remember looking for places to visit while in the area. I noticed that ThinkGeek was sharing a store with GameStop. After VR World we decided to walk up 5th Ave. So for that reason, I discovered stores and, a few churches along the way. For example, we stopped at Muji, Microsoft store, and Uniqlo.
VR World
VR World in Manhattan
Being a nervous wreck, I walked up to the place. Okay, I was kind of excited too. We got greeted by the front desk and then asked to register. Yet, the registration form crashed several times. It took me forever to fill it out. In other words, the keycard is a permit to keep ourselves in line. Anyway, the guides explained to us how to use our key cards. For example, if we are late we lose our spot. Each keycard allows for a single queue. While not every VR station requires a keycard. Finally, we got everything in order, we went through the gates and started exploring.
VR World: Interesting Games
While exploring the games, I noticed a VR game called Icaros. It’s a workout station, where you use your body weight to travel through magical circles. I left that one alone for now and walked upstairs to try the bathrooms. On my way out, I walked over to a game called Tilt Brush, but it wasn’t working. At the corner of my eye, the girls were trying out Boxing and Fruit Ninja. Yet, I didn’t share the same excitement and walked over to the rock climbing section. “The Climb” is cool, when I got in, I thought I was going to die! I remember the lady helping me from pooping my pants. I spent most of my day trying out Tilt Brush because I love to paint!
Taxi Color Picker Tilt Brush
Taxi Side Tilt Brush
Taxi Wheel Tilt Brush
Finger & Tilt Brush
What happened at ThinkGeek?
We popped in, and I noticed that it is sharing its space with GameStop. For those that don’t know, it’s a store for famous movie and game merchandise. For example, if you’re interested in collecting comics or figurines. Yes, I saw Captain America’s large shield, for those Marvel fans! Yet, fascinated by stuffed Pikachu dolls, I spent a few minutes taking pictures. We started getting hungry and found ourselves walking towards the food court.
Walking Up Fifth Ave
My sister didn’t have an unlimited MetroCard, so we ended up walking. I didn’t mind it at all. Also, I love walking because it’s part of my workout. When we got to the food-court, we spent a good hour deciding what to eat and eating… We ventured off to the makeup store. I recall the girls looking for masks and makeup remover. Leaving that, we continued walking up the ave.
Amazon Store: Virgin
On the fifth, an Amazon store appeared. I found a fascinating book for a friend. He loves his dog, Men & Dogs (The Men And Series). I like it because they show which dog and men go well together. On our way to the Microsoft store, the girls got cold, so we stopped into Muji. Yet, I never heard of it. It’s a beautiful store. It’s meant to be an office supply store. For example, I have never seen so many pencils and pens laid out in circles to try. In other words, they have little post-it notes that we can draw and test. I love this model. I must have spent a good half hour testing pens and drawing. I took the liberty in writing my blog address.
Microsoft Store: The Goal
My goal is to try the Hololens and the Surface Pro. I don’t agree with the price since I don’t own it, but I want it for drawing. Also, Microsoft wasn’t doing the Hololens demos that day. I remember an employee saying that they are bringing in the big wigs for demos. The store itself is fantastic. I didn’t even know it had more than one floor. The second floor has a setup like the Apple store on Soho in Manhattan. Computers and laptops. Employers were helping and teaching customers. To my surprise, I discovered a sizeable flat touch-screen TV. I started drawing on it, and I loved it so much. Yet, I forgot to take a picture of the image.
Uniqlo: The Flag Ship Store
After leaving Microsoft Store, we walked across the street and entered Uniqlo. The girls were browsing and using the bathroom. I was questioning everything about the technology. I’ll admit, I am a bit skeptical. Also, I never owned Uniqlo clothes, so I can’t say if this technology works. Being at their flagship store and it is significant. I felt a bit intimidated. In other words, I didn’t even know what to buy. When it was time to leave, we all getting something warm downstairs from Starbucks. For example, I got a hot chocolate and candies. I don’t remember what candy I got, but it was good.
Testing the reblog feature. I learned that I can’t reblog unless I’m doing this on the business plan using the Share feature on the reader! Read more
Reblog Reader
about reblogs and my particular issue. In spite of the seriousness of the situation, I forced to stifle my anger and found a workaround. Thank you Dronstad for writing and publishing Steam Dreams! It was a pleasure drawing your story. Side note, did you know that I went skiing this weekend? Wait, I’ll discuss that later. I want to show you some cool pictures of the Steam Dreams!
Steam Dreams 🍬
Steam Dreams
A huge factory floor hissed, puffed and clanked from all of the metallic hands that built rockets. A song traveled in the polluted air, a song of busy steam engines, analog computers and coal-burning in the furnace. All of that is seen from the ground by a small computer enchanted with rockets that lined […]
Mechanika
The inspiration for the Steam Dreams drawing came from a book called Mechanika. Please note that if you do choose to buy from that link, I’ll get a small part of your purchase. Thank you for those that do decide to buy it!
Delve into a world of imagination populated with giant robots, strange vehicles, alien creatures and other fantastic inventions. For generations artists have created imagery destined for the entertainment of others, and now you can too.
~ Mechanika
~ Let me know if you need a cool looking featured image!? 😉
I went on a ski trip to Vermont, Stowe. It was great, despite icy conditions and some of my comrades getting injured. My goal now is learning how to better control myself during icy slopes. I can’t carve the ice and my feet start hurting when I try to slow down. Does anybody know how to do this? Getting home was hard on us because we left a bit later in the day. In other words, we stayed till the lifts closed. I arrived home at 2 am and went to bed at 3 am. Also, the crazy part is that I have to get up for work at 8 am.
A few days ago, I had looked at my WordPress follow button because I don’t like how it placed and it’s style. I needed a way to hide and show the follow my blog button. In fact, my inspiration came from the original style. So, I started googling for helpful WordPress Plugins. For example, I need a way to attach my follow button to the bottom right and fade it when the user scrolls the mouse wheel. Despite my journey with WordPress support, I managed to find a few plugins/CSS to help me with the result I needed. Here is a list of useful items that helped me:
Headroom.js is a lightweight, high-performance JS widget (with no dependencies!) that allows you to react to the user’s scroll. The header on this site is a living example, it slides out of view when scrolling down and slides back in when scrolling up.
Ad management plugin with many advanced advertising features. Supports all kinds of WordPress ads including Google AdSense, contextual Amazon Native Shopping Ads, Media.net and rotating banners.
The nice thing about this combination of plugins is that I can customize the look and feel. In other words, I popped in some JavaScript, CSS and got a few new features. For example, when the user scrolls down, the button hides or doesn’t bother you while you read my posts! Also, that alone was a trill because of how fluidly it disappears. Yet, Headroom works on your call to action and navigation headers. In other words, hide your header until you need it. Please let me know if you feel that I should add more to this list?
I added some ads in between posts. What do you think? Bad idea? distracting? How do you plan to make cash from blogging? Let me know in the comments below?
