Up above, a massive snowstorm Sugarbush 2018, is coming to the northeast, and I’m getting ready to ski in Sugarbush. Im trying something new today, it will be messy. I decided to write my story today without the aid of Yoast. I will rely on my wit, and hopefully, the story comes out exciting read for you.
Massive Snowstorm Sugarbush
Massive Snowstorm Sugarbush 2018
Earlier Uber prices surge because of an accident on the highway caused diversions. I waited a bit while watching YouTube, but then I realized I might be late. So I hurried downstairs. I grabbed my light bag and skis, put on my giant boot bag and called the elevator. After a quick breath, I hailed for a Uber and waited for it to show.
Sugarbush 2018 Massive Snowstorm sitting in a warm car
On my way to Fresh to Go in a warm Honda accord. I got an Uber pool, traffic is terrible, so I got the Uber to myself. We are driving up ocean parkway because of traffic conditions. Earlier, I learned that the bus is 30 mins late, so that means that I will get less sleep for Saturday. From fresh to go, it will take about 6:30 – 7 hours to drive or four days if I walk.
Before getting to Starbucks
Earlier, I was packing for my ski trip. If it weren’t for my reusable ski packing list, I would have forgotten my ski undies. Getting out of the car, I realized its impossible to stand outside. Snow and sleet are pouring out; I decided to pop into Starbucks and see if my ski mates are there. To my surprise, I was the only one. Okay, it didn’t take too long till i wasn’t just me. In fact, i found myself playing a card game called Love Letter.
Sugarbush 2108 Massive snowstorm while waiting at Starbucks
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?
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?
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.
I created this reusable ski packing checklist, so that next time I go, it will be faster to get my pack done. However, I know I haven’t posted in a while, but I’ve written drafts and getting content ready for you. This reusable ski packing list is way overdue. Also, my goal is to evoke a sense of order and organization on the day I leave on my trip. In other words, I have included links to some of the products I purchased that had helped me with my journey. Not to mention, if you do decide to buy something, I’ll get some commission, and you’ll get a chance to support me. Thank you for those that do buy via my links on this reusable ski packing checklist.
Consideration for Cab in Manhattan 🚖
Ask cab driver if they aren’t going to pick up their kid or something. In other words, you can plan to get to your destination on time. Also, if you’re in the city like me, find out from the driver where and what time traffic is an issue. Yet, before you leave, set an alarm on your cell phone to order the taxi. For example, give your self an extra half hour. Later on, I learned that Toyota Camry, Altima can fit a few ski bags and two people. Like you can install the ski bag if the driver pushes the seat back. Yet, if you get an UBER XL, you can provide 3-4 ski bags. Also, if you’re in the Manhattan around 3-9 pm, don’t cross West-side highway from 57, 42, 34 or 23 because it takes forever!
What to pack it into? 🛍
The reusable ski packing checklist has many items. Yet, we need a place to put everything. Thus, I broke everything into simple lists because I wanted it easy to read.
In this section, you should use the items at the hotel, nightlife, car or anywhere on the resort. Yet, if you feel I missed something, please let me know in the comments below. 🕺
U Pillow
Keeps your neck from hurting when you sleep in the car
At first, I wasn’t sure if they would fit because the size was odd on the Amazon link. Yet I just had to go with my regular shoe size, medium in my case and it fit perfectly.
Adding varnish to my day, I decided to visit my girl’s parents place, the night before my ski trip. Not to mention, my girlfriend and I were leaving early in the morning. In the same light, her dad left early for work, so we took the bus to the train station. After all, we took the bus and left for the train. Finally reaching Atlantic terminal train stop and part ways.
The Eventual Packing Cube 🍱
Soon, I made it home to pack for the ski trip. In the same light, I’m glad I started early. Not to mention, I’m not a guru at packing! For example, I purchased AmazonBasics 4-Piece Packing Cube and Osprey Packs Ultra Light. I was able to fit all my regular and ski clothes into a DAKINE Limited Fall Line Ski Roller Bag. Yet, this year I’ve created a simple packing list and used it as a checklist. In other words, it helped me not forget my ski pants! All things considered, I plan to share it with you because it does speed up my pack and it will help you too!
The Chill Zone 🛀
Then I chilled and watched Charisma on Command. To be sure, it’s a show about improving your conversation with people around you. Including, this small gist of useful knowledge:
…Learn how to be more confident, how to make people laugh, how to be more likable – basically everything about exuding charisma. Relationships in life are everything, so we want to teach you to turn on your most confident, charismatic self in the moments that matter most.
The First Ski Trip of the Season 🎿🏂
My Goal was to meet people on the bus to show them my art and grow my ski abilities. Yet, trying not to shit my self. For example, during my visit to my girlfriend parents place, I learned that my stomach was hurting. Before my ski trip, I was getting nervous with my pack. Thus, it made me want to go even more. What should I do now?
Trip Down 42 Street, Times Square 🚆
Bad idea to carry a big double ski big bag down 44 street or anywhere near 6 through 8 Ave. Never again! It’s a mob scene during rush hour. Yet, coming out of the subway, I couldn’t find an elevator at my stop, so I ended lugging my heavy ski bag up the subway steps. Again, so many theatre and restaurant places, but huge lines on the street. As a result, it made it so much harder for me to get to my destination. Thus, next time, I will take a cab, save myself the grief and hardship.
Featured Image 🖼️
I started with a rough sketch using the sketchbook app. Yet, it wasn’t until a few weeks later where I decided to ink it and tighten up the line work. Then, I colored it by using marquee and paint bucket. Finally, I added multiply and screen layers to add shadow and highlights.
Ski Trip Notes 🗒️
Met a friend on the bus that is into Chinese medicine, snowboarder.
Didn’t know who I was booking with
For dinner, I had some salad. Ready to ski some blues.
In the Morning, I got water for my Camelbak 70oz. Will be adding a lemon to keep my energy up.
Had a hard time Skiing with my ski boots. They hurt my bunions on my toes.
Saturday night, had a blast at a local bar. A DJ did a good job keeping us moving on our feet.
