MAY REWARDS!!

Happy June Everyone!  

Enjoy your May Rewards (and everything else) from this link below:  drive.google.com/drive/folders/1WC8Taf1JmAVz1LmENCLf91FfdPlKtsyR?usp=sharing 

***THE LINK ABOVE WILL EXPIRE JUNE 30th 2022***

(let me know if the link works) 

Here are some Youtube links to the videos if you don't want to watch them:

Part1: https://youtu.be/gVHyBq_4Urw

Part 2: https://youtu.be/Fna2l-Uon5w

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This month has been a suuuper busy one again...but I'm finally done with the busy months. Its time to prepare for my first convention... Lightbox!

This is an in person event happening in October this year in Pasedena California. I plan to make a few new paintings and prepare some prints to sell/give away while I am there. I have never tabled at a convention before so I am really excited to meet people who enjoy my work/videos in person! 

When it comes to videos, I spent a BUNCH of time making this video about Digital Art Tablets here: https://youtu.be/IaooGghYRL4 It kind of flopped, which is disappointing considering the incredible amount of effort I put in purchasing tablets, driving around, and editing. Not to mention testing all of the tablets for weeks. However, I'ts doing its job because at least its out there. It should be relevant for years to come. It also taught me again about the importance of focusing on my brand, and how much people appreciate my work. This is because the simple voiceover video of the EKKO painting did SOOO well. I didn't even talk about the process, just blabbed on about my own improvement so far. I plan to continue in this vein whenever I can. 

Speaking of art, this month was fantastic. I learned alot of anatomy (focused on the shoulders which I will be sharing with you in detail this month) and made some BIG strides with color and quality. Again I firmly believe its best to make the very best stuff you can make, and worry about speed later. Its so nice to be happy with what you make and see others truly enjoy it. 

I learned a bunch about color, which I shared with you in the two lessons in the google drive/youtube links above. And I even dabbled more discovering myself as an artist. I really love how 3d and stylized the work from Arcane was, so I studied it really closely. I ended up deciding not to even post the Mermaid because its simply not in this style, and the subject matter is quite far from what I see myself doing...I enjoy concept work but not for monsters/creatures. And I love big illustrations but only when they are designed and intimate like my profile picture on Instagram. 

I also did a little bit of a political/controversial piece with the Amber Heard painting! It got me alooot of flack/criticism and I know I lost a few art mutual followers on IG. But I stand by it. Surprisingly enough I received a large amount of positive engagement as well. More than normal.  I'm quite partial to the topic of men's abuse and how little attention it gets. For many of us, the court system is the scariest factor, so I think this was significant for many men. But at the same time, I won't lie - I find Ambers face quite appealing and really did my best to capture her features and hair, as well as avoid mockery/bullying text in the caption. (you know the whole use of the "turd" word by know etc) I intentionally do not want to see what she has to go through to leave the court office this past few weeks since the public has been allowed so close.  I feel quite emboldened as an artist to be taking steps outside the safe area like so many artists before me, and so many (traditional especially) do today. 

But thats enough about that, I find myself also really really interested in fanart today. I am more and more inspired by what other creatives have done and really find it interesting. One example is that I just finished the new season of Ghost in the Shell SAC 2045. The ending is quite complex and extremely challenging to I think...most people's morals. I really want to draw/paint a few characters that were inspiring + some of the beautiful moments in the show. Its a little tough getting over the idea that I'm not making much progress without doing unique stuff, but thats for another post. 

Hoping you have a great rest of your day,

Josh