Aen'Raa (Hi Res + Extra Thoughts)

This is the high res (~3600 px) version. Thank you so much for your support. <3

A painting for Guy9 of FA! Aen'Raa showing off some of his talent in draining and devouring the energy around him. c:

This one was a lot of fun to do, even though it was a bit similar in pose to the ref sheet, I will admit. But I'm pretty pleased with the result. I'm trying to be more aware of leaving unimportant things less detailed while using smaller brushes in focal points, and while I don't think I necessarily nailed it 100% here, I think there's some promise showing.

Thanks again, Guy, for letting me work with you!! And I hope ya'll enjoy. <3

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WHOOF. Big man.

Okay, no, but seriously, this one was a ton of fun, no pun intended. I did the character sheet up last year around the time the pandemic started. Some of you may remember seeing a glimpse of it over on Twitter around then. I never really officially posted it. But I figured now that I'm returning to him to do a painting or two, I should probably make it all official! Guy9 will have more of the details of this character on his own pages, but suffice to say, this big alien dude definitely has a penchant for getting bigger using the energy around him.

It was sort of difficult, in a way, to work with something I hadn't touched in a year, and yet strangely comforting that it was my own design that I got to return to. I think part of it was nerves, after how this spat of burnout had effected me, but I'm very pleased with the result of the painting! I think my ref sheet skills still need some work -- I don't know how to do good line art just yet, or haven't figured out what I want it to be digitally is more accurate. So it still feels a bit messy there. But I definitely have been trying to be looser with details that aren't as important, like his boots and feet in the painting, compared to a focal area like the face. Same with contrast or in saturation. I'm hoping that comes through...!

It's also been strange to be enjoying drawing and painting again. Don't get me wrong, I still dislike thumbnailing, and getting me started is definitely a struggle when I'm left to my own devices, but at least -painting itself- isn't feeling like pulling teeth. I think some time away helped, honestly. It also gave me the space to really think about what kind of content I'm delivering -- to that end, I really need to try to figure out how to get personal work added into my workflow. It's so strange, having an idea or two I actually want to paint, of my own decision, outside of a commission. I suppose I just need to work harder, then, or longer to make sure I can get that stuff made...? I'll have to figure it out.

Anyways, ah, enough rambling about me. I hope you guys have been well. Thank you for those who have stuck with me during this recent weird period, and a double shoutout to those who recently joined up! I know I say it a lot, but I truly wouldn't be able to do what I do without your help and support. Love you guys. I'm trying to get back into streaming as well, for those who enjoy having something on the side during the work day or in the evenings. I know people have enjoyed the conversations and vibes there in the past. I am going to try to be making a bit more conscious of an effort to be live when I can. Might be only a day or two a week at first, but baby steps -- I kept trying to dive all the way back in and uh, yeah, hey, that was a dumb idea.

I hope you all are doing well out there, staying safe and healthy. Please keep staying safe, even as vaccines and things are rolling out. We're not out of the woods yet, and I don't want to hear any of you got sick when the finish line is in sight...!! Love ya'll, and I'll check in with you again soon. <3