The Most Important Thing I Took Away From Freshman Year Was That You Definitely Need More Than One Notebook

so no one told you life was gonna be this gay

i got bored so i thought i’d share some art tips ‘cause why not!!

- start with a sketch. seriously no artist i’ve ever met starts a drawing with lineart

- construction lines like boxes and circles are a godsend and the more you use them the more you’re able to make different body types that are proportional. eventually you’ll be using them less and less as you commit different body types to memory

- study some realism first because it’s a good way to build skills in lighting and proportions. this doesn’t mean you can only draw realism obviously, but having that knowledge does help for future reference

- anime is a valid style and fuck anyone who says otherwise

- originality is a myth. take ideas and inspiration from other artists, movies, whatever and build your own style from that. it’s gonna take time but it’ll come i promise

- use references if you don’t know how to draw something. as long as you don’t trace it or claim it as your own, you are totally valid if you look at other poses online for how to draw something. if it’s heavily referenced just mention + credit where you got the pose from

- don’t be afraid to ask artists for tips and tricks. personally whenever someone asks me about brushes n stuff i get super excited and am like “yes here and here and here” and i’m p sure other artists feel the same

- flip!!! your canvas!!!!! you’ll hate it at first but it really does make your drawings 1000x better i promise

- try not to shade too much with black ‘cause it looks muddy. there are some exceptions, like light diffusion and differences in lighting, but if the object is colorful or around something colorful try to shade in a darker color similar to that one

- don’t be like @staff. learn basic color theory

- watch!! tutorials!! and speedpaints!!

- color dodge is so good for glowing. seriously. those glowy effects i use? all color dodge. it highlights the saturated colors while casting the rest in shadow

- overlay is your best friend

- use multiply for shading if you’re not sure what colors to use

- use many many layers, there is nothing worse than doing something wrong and messing up the whole thing trying to fix it because you don’t have a different layer for it

- draw what you want. no rush. no pain. it’s for you. it doesn’t have to be perfect

- practice practice practice!!! drawing is a skill, anyone can learn. y’all should see my drawings three years ago. it’s all practice.

- there’s this weird culture around filling up your sketchbook with only clean drawings and stuff which is, uh. bullshit. your sketchbooks can have whatever mess you want. that’s why it’s called a sketchbook and not a masterpiece book. do whatever you want

- don’t feel discouraged if your art doesn’t get as much attention. time zones + filters + a lot of things may be a factor and it doesn’t mean you’re not good

- don’t compare yourself to other artists unless you’re looking to learn from them because everyone’s style and level is different and you won’t get anywhere if you feel bad because you think you’re “not good enough”

- “not good enough” is also bullshit btw, art is fluid and creative and the standard is whatever you want it to be

- ignore cringe culture that should be abolished immediately anyways

- you don’t owe anyone anything. you do you.

- if someone tells you you can’t draw something, that’s a perfect motivation to draw lots of that thing to spite them

- drawing is supposed to be fun. if it’s super stressful for you, it’s okay to take a break

- experiment!!! there’s so much you can do for art, don’t be afraid to try new things!!

- ily you’re valid

- keep drawing, i believe in you

How we might still get Catrademption and Catradora

With 26 episodes left, and with all signs pointing to the grim fact that Catra will not be going through her redemption arc, yet, many of us shippers are wondering if it’s possible for Catradora to become endgame.  I think for some of us (namely myself) there is concern that Catra won’t be redeemed until the very last episode. But after some careful mulling over, I don’t think that’s going to be the case. Something that I’ve noticed about the show is that certain plot lines tend to go by rather quickly. The Crimson Waste plot line that they hyped the shit out of, and how some of the promotional images were of Catra with the sword, sitting on a throne? Yeah that lasted what? like 1 - 2 episodes.

For all the hype that we’re seeing of Lord Catra, I honestly do not think she’s going to be ruling for long. They showed a sneak peek of Scorpia’s episode, and at the end of the clip we see that the Horde is in complete chaos. This indicates to me the following.

1. Catra can’t lead, at least not without help. 2. Hordak is nowhere to be found. Catra will be the leader of the Horde for 2 episodes, maybe 4 at the maximum. After this she’s either going to be overthrown, or she’s going to briefly swallow her pride and search for Hordak. She realizes that he might be on Beast Island, not because she sent him there, but because he might be trying to get revenge on Entrapta. (The other option is somewhere that we’ve never heard of before. But that’s not likely.) 

Catra finds him on Beast Island, and oh shit he’s talking to Entrapta, and he’s not yelling at her? Catra realizes that something is up and one of the following might happen.

1. Catra hides from Hordak, winds up staying on Beast Island. 2. Hordak spots Catra, and we enter a bit with Hordak berating Catra for lying to him, again. Catra will claim that she had a good reason to, that Entrapta was going to tell him not to open the portal. Hordak makes a comment that because of Catra’s pity recklessness, the portal only succeeded because Horde Prime spotted the signal.

3. Catra is stranded on Beast Island. She’s now at her lowest point, but has time to reflect on certain things.  It will be episode I dunno, around 5 or 7 when this happens. 4. Catra survives on Beast Island.

5. Meanwhile, Glimmer is concerned that the Horde hasn’t been attacking. Adora admits that she’s seen no signs of Catra. Insert plot line here of Scorpia having defected from the Horde.  Shadow Weaver says she can locate Catra, if Glimmer wants. Glimmer gives the go ahead. 6. Shadow Weaver finds Catra. Glimmer commands Adora to go to Beast Island and bring her back so that she can be punished for her crimes.

7. Adora does so.

and season 4 might end in one of the following ways.

1. Adora goes to retrieve Catra, but just as they’re about to leave, a glaring of Magicats show up, subdue Adora, and kidnap Catra. 2. Adora arrives and notices Catra is now among those who are like her. Adora tells Catra that she needs to come with her. -insert another scene where Catra berates Adora for telling her what to do.- In the end, Catra winds up leaving with Adora.

3. Adora retrieves Catra, brings her back to Bright Moon. The castle is attacked by the Magicats who are there to rescue Catra.

4. It’s revealed that Catra is a princess, causing everyone to be shocked, and Catra giving a big NO!

Oh, and some bit about Horde Prime making his way to Etheria.

So cut to season 5. Adora takes off to speak to Light Hope, and tells her that Glimmer might want to execute Catra. Light Hope says that if this happens, things will truly be out of balance and that Catra must live (for now). Adora asks about Queen Angella, and Light Hope doesn’t answer.

Horde Prime has arrived, and things are going to hell. Glimmer still wants to execute Catra, but someone convinces her that now is not the best time. (double irony points if it’s Shadow Weaver.) They throw Catra in prison. Catra escapes, runs to Beast Island where she sees the Magicats being attacked. Something hits her. She realizes that it was never power she wanted, but acceptance. Cue Catra going after the Horde.

Members of the Rebellion spot this, Adora goes to talk to Catra. Catra tells Adora to leave her alone. Adora says that she thought Catra wanted the Horde to win. Catra says that was before she found what it was she truly needed and wanted. Adora offers to help, but Catra tells her that she doesn’t need her help.  Adora leaves. Catra can’t go against the Horde any longer, and the Magicats have been forced to retreat. Catra runs to find Adora, and confesses that she does need Adora’s help, but that she doesn’t want it. We get this thing about Catra not wanting to be in Adora’s shadow, bla bla bla, insert a heartfelt apology here, bla bla bla.  The two reconcile and join forces against Horde Prime and his army.

Horde Prime is defeated, the Rebellion celebrates. Catra gives Adora a quick peck on the lips, then blushes. Adora smiles and kisses her back.  The show ends with the two of them holding hands.

OR

-SARCASTIC PREDICTION AHEAD- Catra remains Lord Catra but completely revamps the Fright Zone. She turns it into a capitalistic centric shopping mall/warehouse. Etheria has no choice but to submit to the Horde.

But for $5.99 a month they can subscribe to Horde Prime and receive packages in mere hours.

Swift Wind is the one to topple over the Horde. Catra learns that capitalism is not the way to go. Everyone cheers. Her and Adora make out.

Some tried and tested art tips <3

1. Don’t force inspiration, just immerse yourself in things you enjoy and it’ll come to you naturally.

2. Experimentation in different art techniques is a good way to find a style and medium you are comfortable working in. Be brave and try out stuff!

3. Every artist has a file/drawer/bin full of failed or embarrassing attempts. However much you want to destroy them, it’s good to keep a few of them so you can look back and see how far you’ve come! Or better yet, something you once hated could reveal itself in a new light and turn into something you love.

4. If you’ve hit a ‘block’ whilst working on something and you start feeling frustrated with it, either work on a completely different area of your artwork, or put it down and have a break from it. You’ll come back to the part you were struggling with and see it with a clearer head, and be ready to tackle it again. At least overnight is how long I give it.

5. Ever wanted to try out charcoal? Or pencil? Or markers? Or polymer clay? There is nothing stopping you getting some supplies and giving it a go! It’s recommended that you buy a cheaper version of whatever you want to play with, so you save money if you decide it’s not for you. But! You can also buy a small amount of a decent quality medium. Just one grayscale Promarker, for example, could be used to add shadows to your existing drawing technique and give you a feel for it. Or just one block of light colour Fimo clay will go a surprisingly long way and if you have paints at home, you can try those out in your finished piece. Then you haven’t spent LOADS of money, but still have quality items to play around with.

6. Every artist feels intimidated by other people’s art, but instead of feeling put off, remember that person had to start somewhere, and most likely also has insecurities about their own work.

7. If you’re having a bad day, or are suffering with depression, or going through something awful in your life, absolutely use art as a way to channel your emotions. People think that this means “I’m feeling sad, so I have to paint something sad, then it will help me feel less sad because the sad is on the canvas”. Creating something happy, or some fanart of something you love, or something indulgent will have the same therapeutic effect, and you may even find it more helpful, just let yourself get lost in whatever it is.

8. Putting artwork online for exposure is always daunting. You’ll usually get different “vibes” from different platforms, so it’s worth posting your work in various places. If you are happy and proud of a piece, never let anyone else make you believe otherwise. 99% of interactions you get will be positive or constructive, and that other 1% are usually from people just trying to get a reaction, or have no talent themselves.

9. Don’t let anyone tell you that art is a waste of your time, or that it won’t get you anywhere in life, or that it’s pointless. That’s what’s so nice about art, it doesn’t have to have a point! It can have so many different applications, and comes in so many different forms, and there’s no time limit or pressure if you’re just creating stuff for the fun of it, so it’s always there when you need it.

10. 9 tips didn’t feel like a full list, so this is just an extra point to tell you you’re an awesome person and that you can do it <3

Ellen: So I hear you’re a fan of Zootopia

Me: Yeah it’s my favorite movie

Ellen: *shoots me in the neck with a night howler pellet*

Me: Omg Ellen you didn’t

Last, but not least, redesign for Balt McConnel—formerly Keithan! 

A maned wolf-thylacine, often mistaken as a “fox w/ a… rat’s tail?" Hard-worker w/ a heart of gold—always eager to work whenever he has to & when others ask. He doesn’t know the definition of “taking a break.”

And a comparison between his old & new design!

I saw an opportunity and I took it

These are so pretty :0

fashion icon

smash that mf reblog if u hate pedophiles

Concept #46

Hero is just a teenager. Villain finds out that they're going to prom, and they decide to make it a night to remember.