Vyechi | Personal Growth & Mindfulness

Tag: artist

  • πŸ’ Meaningful Connection 2023-M05

    πŸ’ Meaningful Connection 2023-M05

    Welcome to meaningful connection, where I share May’s resonating ideas, thoughts, and realizations for those who want to grow mindfully.

    Meaningful Connection

    πŸ‘“ What’s New?

    I’m super excited about my recent discovery of πŸ’­ Using the open graph view in Obsidian to find topics to discuss during my monthly connection. I always wondered which files had incoming links in the last month. I want to see what my mind has been curious about in May. Suddenly, it clicked. I had to set the created date as part of the filter. Then use a feeling link, depth, and incoming links to find notes. Ultimately, all I have to do now is open my feelings and see what I wrote. The first message is πŸ’­ Blender low poly modeling because it had the most extended connection depth. I think that is an excellent strategy to follow my interests. More so, I got inspired by an artist who organically created a bunch of art. Not sure how to explore that bit yet. However, the artist’s name was Kirsten Zirngibl. A few vital points in thinking where I want to find a way to use Blender to improve my art workflow. How can I be more organic and free? Finally, how can I allow the process to guide me? The thoughts came about because I don’t want to force my illustrations and prefer they come organically.

    πŸ”” What is resonating?

    During May, I chose something that I rated high and now is in my life. Moving further into πŸ’­ Blender low poly modeling, I found a video πŸ“₯ 2D Artists you have a 3D SECRET WEAPON in Blender by Marco Bucci where he wields the Grease Pencil and does a block out of shapes to quickly get me started on drawing my ideas. I was curious about how to combine 2D and 3D together. Then, I wrote down a few highlights during the presentation, and the few that stood out to me were related to my workflow. I can quickly make a scene using simple shapes and start drawing in Blender to plan my ideas. Then continue adding more blocks and lights without color. Throughout the video, I want to make variants of my faces. Clip Studio Paint has models I can draw on top. Also, I like the light moving in Blender because I can control and understand how light plays a role in making my scene alive. Finally, I love drawing in 3D space with a Grease pencil because I can quickly plan my pieces. These helpful resources will guide me and elevate my art further as I grow in my artist journey.

    🌻 What’s Growing?

    For May, I will choose a few things that sprouted to my attention and need to be elaborated upon further. While reviewing my notes, I came across why it is vital to learn empathy. In context, telling my truth to people when I’m ready is a chance at compassion. While taking down the note, I felt curious and inspired, leading to the following thoughts. I can find a connection to practicing empathy for people. Then I asked the question, where can I be myself? I started to witness the thought that I was hurting others by sharing my mind. Then, I should only share my mind with those I trust. A lot of people are injured and afraid. As a result, I need to learn to be more gentle.

    Moving to the next bit that inspired me to was πŸ’­ Saving money with cooking. Then, building on the following ideas points: 

    • Groceries cost $100 + Labor
    • The Monthly is $400, and I don’t feel the balance
    • 50$ for both breakfast and lunch
    • 50*7 = $350 a week if I were to buy out
    • If I choose to eat out all the time. 350*4=$1400 a month
    • $200 Labor a week plus $100 for groceries
    • I’m looking at increasing my budget
    • $300 each week or $1200 per month

    Then I thought of a hybrid system

    • $130 once a month + $100 groceries
    • $300 for other days + $230 = $530 a month

    I need help but prefer to spend less than $100 on a cook. In the end, I went to Thumbtack to hire a professional cook, interviewing many candidates and writing out a pitch to find somebody to assist me in improving my cooking. Meanwhile, I came up with a hiring raise, and I’m eager to share it in case you need it. 

    “Hi, I’m living the keto lifestyle and would like to hire a helper to speed up my cooking. I do the shopping, and you help me cook/prep. What would it cost to hire help you to help me prepare meals for the week on Sunday? How many hours can you commit? Thanks & kind regards, Vye.”

    πŸ₯‘ Mental Nourishment

    Throughout May, I had many thoughts coming and going, but I was able to capture the reflections, musings, and memories. Of such interest, Build a PCU solar-powered hat because it’s a fun memory of my coworkers joking around. The idea is to build a Personal Cooling unit (PCU) solar-powered, ICE, and water-sustaining cycle hat. Meanwhile, I forgot what ICE stood for, but if you have an idea, please leave it in the comments. I did a funny idea generator with my coworkers, which became interesting. I remember feeling joyful, and I had some thoughts about the idea. For example, I want to avoid creating junk and let China profit. Let’s build in the USA. I learned I’m passionate about keeping the money flowing inside the US.

    On a more serious note, see what I did there. I have encountered issues with my digestion as I continued my journey with the keto lifestyle. πŸ’­ My digestion cant handles the fiber, and I wanted to find a solution. For example, I can’t suddenly increase weight, fat, and carbs because my body can’t fully handle fiber. I needed to find a healthy balance, so I felt some strength and fear during my discovery. I needed to find a healthy balance, so I felt some power and anxiety during my discovery. Then other thoughts came, such as my weight kept fallingβ€”stomach pain from overeating. Also, not confident if I’m going into fat-burning mode while on a Keto lifestyle.

    🚿 Stream of Consciousness

    Well, we are at the end of May’s review, and my biggest complaint is my loneliness, for the most part. I’ve been praying for spiritual guidance using the Healing Code to discover why my past trauma is holding me back from seeking freedom. Throughout my hints of inspiration to run and do something drastic, I almost always have some terminator in my mind to keep me from attaining spiritual balance. However, to keep winning, by the end of June, I will be attending πŸ“₯ Meditation retreat at the NJ Mahasi Meditation Center, where I will do the Vipassana Meditation. To my surprise, it’s similar to any regular type of meditation with the following steps. 

    • Bells throughout to notice my body tends to drift.
    • Identify objects, thoughts, sounds, and emotions.
      • Say emotions
      • Don’t judge, and let go.
      • Go back to the breath.

    Meanwhile, it’s intense because I will be under meditation for ten days straight to gain insight into my demons and seek freedom from the control of negative emotions. I am seeking a release from the impermanence of feeling but a transient loving force.

    On a lighter note, I’m thinking of doing a live stream https://www.twitch.tv/vyechiΒ while I try to read my blog post. So, feel free to jump in if it starts or catch the highlights later attached to this blog post.

    Well, that’s it for May; feel free to share your ideas or if you have something on your soul. If you want to know how I became an artist, subscribe and follow my blog for more.

  • Drawing Plan Ten: Morning Half Hour Week Drawing Studies

    Drawing Plan Ten: Morning Half Hour Week Drawing Studies

    Hi, friends, starting up my drawing plan ten. Yesterday, I completed my 56-morning pages, Im impressed I lasted this long. The other day, I learned about numbering my values when I draw. It’s another way to get better at shading and showing forms. In the morning, drawing plan nine took longer to finish, and I remember not enough sleep that day. Today, I need to finish by 7:30 am because I want to go biking. The other day, I was supposed to visit my mom, but she fell ill for the weekend, so she told us to stay home. Anyhow, let us move on to drawing plan ten.

    (more…)
  • Drawing Plan Eight: Morning Half Hour Week Drawing Studies

    Drawing Plan Eight: Morning Half Hour Week Drawing Studies

    Hi, friends, starting up my drawing plan eight. The other day I decided to import Trent’s gradient maps into Clip Studio. That was a pain. Halfway in, I lost a whole strip because I forgot to save. I must have spent the entire day on the task. My goal was to finish that up and report back to Trent. However, I can’t figure out how to give it to him. It seems the only way to share it is to publish it online with Clip Studio paint. You’re probably wondering what the heck is a gradient map. I found a tutorial as I was writing drawing plan eight, you might want to check it out.

    In summary, a gradient map maps your values to your colors, so if you have a range from light red to dark red. You can check out my DeviantArt page. I have an example where I put together all my art studies, and the underlying color has the gradient map applied. Anyhow, let us move over to today’s drawing plan eight.

    (more…)
  • Drawing Plan Seven: Morning Half Hour Week Drawing Studies

    Drawing Plan Seven: Morning Half Hour Week Drawing Studies

    Hi, friends, starting up my drawing plan seven. I’m doing well with my morning pages, writing the 53rd set the other day. Yesterday, I spent the day on not streaming on IGTV, but mostly Trent’s Gumroad. His experience in drawing is exciting and how he grows as a concept artist. It moved me to continue doing my rock studies. Also, I reached out to him over Twitter to chat about his weird fingers in Olluf with the Moonkins concept art. Even though I had to do chores, feeding myself, and going to work eventually, I managed to squeeze in two to three studies. In the end, we need to move to illustrate plan six for today.

    (more…)
  • Drawing Plan Six: Morning Half Hour Week Drawing Studies

    Drawing Plan Six: Morning Half Hour Week Drawing Studies

    Hi, friends, starting up my drawing plan six. I’m obsessed with a Bluetooth transmitter, and it all started yesterday. Do you know about the Bluetooth device? Anyway, I want to get better at world-building so I can get exciting drawings. Eventually, I want to move past the drawing studies and have something interesting to illustrate. Similar to my man Trent Kaniuga. He is a great concept artist. He is writing a short story called Twilight Monk and drawing his characters, like my friend Nenad. The other day, I posted a new banner on my Deviant art page; it was from my rock studies collection. It was a lot of work, but fun, no doubt. So, I need a plan for my drawing project six.

    (more…)
  • Drawing Plan Two: Morning Half Hour Weekend Drawing Studies

    Drawing Plan Two: Morning Half Hour Weekend Drawing Studies

    Hi, friends, going to start my drawing plan two, yesterday, I had many ideas, some failed others went okay. I completed my 48 pages for the Artist way, I’m happy about that, and I plan on finishing my 49 pages today. I wish that I shared my morning pages, but it would be an endless stream of consciousness. You will probably be left confused and excited at the same time. So, I’m not sure if that is a good or bad thing. Do you write those morning pages? It takes me 30 minutes to write three pages. In other news, I don’t have any streams today, but you can still check out in the link at the end of the post.

    (more…)
  • Drawing Plan One: Morning Half Hour Stream Drawing Bunnies

    Drawing Plan One: Morning Half Hour Stream Drawing Bunnies

    Hi, friends, going to start my drawing plan one, yesterday, I had an okay day. I wrote my morning pages. Now I’m up to 48. Each set consists of 3 pages. It’s similar to a previous story I wrote about the Artist way. I’m going to try to write out my plans for each day in a short post. I think it will be useful for me to do so because it will allow me to plan my day and keep a diary of what I prepared the other day. The other day I had done my IGTV stream on Instagram on tracing using the DIET plan from the Rueben Lara website as a guide. It went reasonably well. Then, I spent several minutes procrastinating if I should buy Trent’s Kaniuga tutorials. I think I spent like four hundred dollars or more of his stuff. Let’s jump into drawing plan one.

    (more…)
  • Stubborn Artist Who Loves A Challenge

    Stubborn Artist Who Loves A Challenge

    Stubborn Artist

    Not every day is about drawing, but being a stubborn artist. Moreover, you can say that painting is more natural than thinking about why you draw in the first place. I know your probably thinking, another rant! Hold on, its an exciting rant with a solution! If you stick around, I will show you how to make progress through the challenges. Plus, the emotions that go with sketching and my feelings.

    In Perspective

    "It's just a hobby."
    "Nothing serious!"

    Let’s dive in! To me, its always been an investment and being a stubborn artist. Furthermore, I do my best to improve my foundation. However, I genuinely don’t feel that way in all my pursuits. Besides, why is my mind always pointing me toward money? For example, I can think of one or more things.
    For instance, stress at work to drive me towards something that I have a greater passion β€” merely drawing and improving for what end? Then, I have thoughts like I can’t quit my job for art or I don’t care to appreciate other peoples art. There, I said it! Don’t hate. For example, I know it takes many human hours to create a piece of art, but it takes seconds to fall in love with it!

    Big Ideas & Questions

    But if it means nothing to a large number of people, then it is just a hobby. Time spent learning; self-taught in practice.

    stubborn artist
    Imaginative Illustrators Meetup Stubborn Artist
    Imaginative Illustrators Meetup

    So what now? Why is Vye practicing? Are you trying to build a studio? 3D Artist in the making. Ha ha ha.

    stubborn artist

    Seeking Adventure

    Perspective Stubborn Artist
    Perspective Stubborn Artist

    Then I think I can be the next comic book page turner? What is pulling the Vye node? Every day I draw, its about discovery of what I can improve. I know brains are not born with artistic ability; Why then am I trying to shove into my mind? To what end? Therefore, the plausible solution is that the challenge of it keeps me employed. Likewise, I feel the same about my job. Thus, I want to fall in love with art and not feel like a stubborn artist. I am curious about why people draw and how they discovered a passion for art. I will not settle for “I am good at it.” I learned fast; Therefore I continue? Seeking adventure and I challenge you to keep the conversation the in comments below and share your views on the subject.

  • Imaginative Illustrators Of NYC: How to draw?

    Imaginative Illustrators Of NYC: How to draw?

    Looking forward to going Imaginative Illustrators of NYC, wait! πŸ›‘ New readers? Welcome to my blog! It might be worth reading my intro at striving-pro-artist. Hey, I got to look out for the newbies, but, meanwhile, I’m sketching at lighting speed, looking for purpose and running into challenges every day. While on my journey, I came across a meetup called “Just Draw” and immediately fell for it. Artists of many skill levels mashed together to draw a prompt for the day. I wanted to write more about it, but I wanted to experience the community, and warm up to it. We meet up on Saturday’s and draw for a few hours. During the event, at halftime, we share our progress and describe what we did. Occasionally we go out afterword for dinner or drinks. Although, I don’t prefer the drinking scene.

    Imaginative Illustrators Feature
    Imaginative Illustrators Feature

    Imaginative Illustrators: City nights

    The past two meetups were about video game concept art and city nights. I came in with the plan πŸ€” of using 7th Dragon 3 Code: VFO art book for reference material. City Nights wasn’t precisely what the art book contained, but since I was drawing and toning with pencil, it was okay. While drafting my scene, my mind forced me into a tense state. I am new, and I want to impress. Also, it was loud and distracting, but spacious. The skilled crowd of artists spoke about what they created and used various artistic languages to describe the work. Overall, they left me impressed and was entirely into coming back again.

    Imaginative Illustrators: City Nights
    Imaginative Illustrators: City Nights

    Prompt: Video Game Concept Art

    Back again with Imaginative Illustrators! Okay, the second run in was about environments, villains, heroes, and weapons. Hold it! βœ‹ I am afraid, I said to myself. I have never drawn scoundrels and protagonists or armaments for that matter. My solution to that issue is to always go in with an open mind. I would recommend that for anybody who is starting out. In fact, the worst thing is that you show up and you can always leave. Luckily for me, I have done a beautiful waterfall picture in the past, so I felt confident. Do you face these issues in your routine? Where do you go? What do you do?

    This slideshow requires JavaScript.

    WAIT… I have more SWEETS to give!

    I spoke to a few artists at Imaginative Illustrators that give me a lot of things to check out. In fact, I have a screenshot of a Google Keep with a wealth of information! For whatever reason, I’m impressed that the Cranberry Cafe, has a bathroom on the second floor! Truth! I didn’t know they had a bathroom until I came back a second time. πŸ˜‚ In other news, do you know whether I should get another mentor? I’m currently reporting to “The Studio Fine Art Gallery.”

    Google Keep Art Tips
    Google Keep Art Tips

  • 7th Dragon III Code: VFD – Healing Waterfall

    7th Dragon III Code: VFD – Healing Waterfall

    Round 21 - 7th Dragon III Code: VFD - Magical Waterfall
    Round 21 – 7th Dragon III Code: VFD – Healing Waterfall

    7th Dragon III Code: VFD

    Today, I want to be an artist. Ha! I’m an artist every day. I see things. If your new to my blog, please check out striving to become a professional artist so that I can give you a proper introduction. A few weeks ago a coworker approached me and told me 7th Dragon III Code: VFD game he had purchased. It came with an artbook. He knew I was into digital art and recommended I draw a waterfall scene from the game. Specifically, he wanted the Cladeon Environment. Immediately, I signed up and started painting. I used all my knowledge from my earlier experience with the Nightmare to produce a free magical land with waterfalls. While I didn’t have art direction from Dronstad, I focused on making sure my land looks as realistic as possible. Creating shadows on the outer parts of the drawing, reminding myself where the light is flowing from and slightly stressing myself that I don’t know much about composition. The artwork started on June 11 and ended July 14.

    This slideshow requires JavaScript.

    How I pushed through my struggle?

    Honestly, I haven’t played 7th Dragon III Code: VFD *, but I had watched him play it. It reminds me of Final Fantasy 7 because of the odd in shape character graphics. While rendering my art, I started to fear that my brush strokes are going on autopilot for the past few weeks now. When that happens to me, I get bored, and It’s usually a signal that I need to move on to another project. Before I got to this point, I went through a few challenges, while developing my skills. My experience and confidence came to me from my previous drawing for Dronstad with the Nightmare painting. While drawing, I got comfortable with Jason’s texture brushes. However, now I feel like I’m relying too heavily on them. The brushes create unplanned happy accidents as I render my art. I want to go out on a limb and say I’m a fake artist! πŸ˜­ Then I remind myself that I’m the one moving and make the brush strokes. The ideas are coming from my brain, and it’s my struggle. So I digress. I’m bored now, and I want to take on a new challenge. I want to be able to plan out my drawings and spend less time rendering. Again, I said it before in the Nightmare, no studio is going to hire somebody who takes weeks to finish a single piece of art. Unless you’re a well-known artist with a trustworthy reputation, then this might not apply.

    Mom saw the 7th Dragon III Code waterfall landscape.

    She started saying the following words;

    Π£Π΄ΠΈΠ²ΠΈΡ‚Π΅Π»ΡŒΠ½Π°Ρ сила ΠΆΠΈΠ²ΠΎΠΉ Π²ΠΎΠ΄Ρ‹. ΠšΡ‚ΠΎ смотрит Π½Π° это Ρ‡ΡƒΠ΄ΠΎ ΠΏΡ€ΠΈΡ€ΠΎΠ΄Ρ‹ ΠΈ ΡΠ»Ρ‹ΡˆΠΈΡ‚ ΡˆΡƒΠΌ Π²ΠΎΠ΄Ρ‹ Π²ΠΎΠ΄ΠΎΠΏΠ°Π΄Π° сквозь Ρ‚ΡƒΠΌΠ°Π½… ΠΏΡ€Π΅Π΄ΡΡ‚Π°Π²ΡŒ Ρ‡Ρ‚ΠΎ Ρ‚Ρ‹ ΡΡ‚ΠΎΠΈΡˆΡŒ рядом Ρ‚ΡƒΠΌΠ°Π½ рассССтся Π° Ρ‚Ρ‹ вновь ΠΎΠ±Ρ€Π΅Ρ‚Ρ‘ΡˆΡŒ Π·Π΄ΠΎΡ€ΠΎΠ²ΡŒΠ΅ ΠΈ силу ΠΆΠΈΡ‚ΡŒ. БлагословСн Π“ΠΎΡΠΏΠΎΠ΄ΡŒ ΡΠΎΠ·Π΄Π°ΡŽΡ‰ΠΈΠΉ для нас всС Π½Π΅ΠΎΠ±Ρ…ΠΎΠ΄ΠΈΠΌΠΎΠ΅. Mom

    Translation

    The amazing power of living water. Who looks at this miracle of nature and hears the noise of the water of the waterfall through the fog … imagine that you are standing next to the fog will dissipate and you will regain health and strength to live. Blessed be the Lord who creates for us all that is necessary. Mom

    Final Thoughts

    I hope my art and notes helped you out. If it did, please share your thoughts in the comments below, so that I can benefit and others too.

    21 Paths to Fantastic Unwinding Journey

    See more of my artwork

    https://atomic-temporary-126178348.wpcomstaging.com/2017/11/08/art-dancing/

    https://atomic-temporary-126178348.wpcomstaging.com/2018/04/19/wild-west-art-competition/

    https://atomic-temporary-126178348.wpcomstaging.com/2018/02/20/sketches-underway/

    * Note(s)

    Thank you if you do decide the game and the artbook because you will be directly supporting me.

     

  • πŸ“’ Findings On How To Timelapse β±

    πŸ“’ Findings On How To Timelapse β±

    Ultimately got to my video timelapse finished with the help of Adobe Photoshop, Premier and After Effects. I had forgotten to write how much seconds between shots. It might have been 30 frames per second or FPS. I hope the video comes out right. Nobody watches them anyway, so who cares right? While talking with a friend over the phone, I discovered that about 600 images had a freaking orange color background. The result of leaving my Chronolapse recording while I had closed my tablet. During this time I had joined the Challenges Wild West Key-Frame Concept Art Competition. I’m hoping to get good feedback from the hosts.

    Findings On How To Timelapse β±

    Meanwhile, I’ve been forcibly squeezing my brains to come up with an ending for all my YouTube video’s, but nothing seems to come out. YouTube has the annotations at the end of the video that gives me many options to get traffic moving to my channel. For example, I can have them subscribe, view a playlist or a random video. YouTube will place annotations at the end of the video, 20 seconds before the closing. My issue is that I want a way to speak and have a charming character appear on the scene. I got the idea from watching another YouTube  channel called “Draw With Jazza.” The solution is to use Adobe Character Animator, with the help of a webcam and an animated character I can make this happen. I’ve even written out a speech, what do you think?

    ~Want to discover more about me, subscribe to my channel so that you can get notified of new videos, meanwhile. Visit my blog so that you can learn more about art, see my portfolio, join the community and more. There are more videos over here. It’s a wrap, good-bye, for now, I’ll catch you in the next video.
    ~Please Like and Subscribe and Ring the Bell!

    Perseverance is Thin, Can You Assist❓

    Many days later, I finally published my video (see video above). No clue what I’m doing, but passionate to get to my goal. As an artist, I haven’t yet identified with a niche. What kind of theme’s do you like? For example, do you a fantasy or with a story? Should I put all my effort into making a new style or should I look at others? Maybe I can combine techniques I love and make a fantastic idea!?

  • Video Clips & Phoenix Sketches are Underway V4

    Video Clips & Phoenix Sketches are Underway V4

    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 πŸš¨

    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 πŸŽ

    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 πŸ€”

    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
    V4 Phoenix Final

    You might want to know β‰

    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?