Suggestions - Pumping fossa + thoughts about style

Reminder: I'm introducing darker themes to my work in 2019!

Patron suggestion! Thanks Raitlin for the species idea, and thank you Aainsley for the kink!

Some studies, a dinky headshot, and then some full body poses. Fossa have these dorky square noses, and they're really fun. Actually, I drew one once before! In 2016.

You can kind of see more of that "volatile" sketching here, too - just duplicating my layer and changing things over and over.

I might do something more finished with this combo if I have time. Drawing swollen/puffy junk sounds like a wonderful time.

Style

Working on this, and then thinking about it afterwards, I actually came to a significant realization... I want to develop my style more!

I've been internally, subconsciously, really conflicted about style for a long time now. Anatomical accuracy, or stylization; bright colors and wacky subjects, or plausible lighting and all the subtitles or form... Looking at my work now, I can see myself going back and forth on that spectrum a lot, and when you have no idea that that's what you're doing... it makes drawing kind of stressful!

I've been naively thinking that I sketch with these sweeping lines and funky shapes just because I don't know any better, or because I have lazy habits, but, no, it's because that feels really good! On the other hand, I try to finish things with super realistic anatomy, I guess because I think that's right... and I always end up disliking it. In the middle sketch, with the second iteration, you can kind of see me start to think way too hard about the legs, and it honestly felt awful to draw that way. That immediately sucked all the fun out of it.

Realism will always have a place in my work and in my heart, but when I think about it, what really gives me joy is fantastical art that is bolstered by realism knowledge. I'm inspired by a artists like SuckMcJones, BoosterPang, DarkGem... There's a lot of people who combine them wonderfully, and I think I'll enjoy art so much more if I can start to consciously go in that direction. Even thinking about it has me stoked to go draw, haha.

On that note, here's a really nice video that explains a way to find an art style. Definitely taking some notes from this.

This idea is still in its infancy, but I'm excited to explore this. Huge huge thanks to Skott for showing me some art that got this ball rolling.

I guess I'll keep you guys posted!