making myself stay loose like i'm a rabid dog who won't let go (Patreon)

I have this tendency when making digital art to get overwrought in details. since I'm mainly a digital artist, I've developed a lot of habits over the years that allow me to use digital features to my advantage (layers and layer effects are p sweet), but have also led me to be overly controlling about the process at times. that tightness has often resulted in pieces that lack energy and emotion, a certain je ne sais quoi you can't always explain, but can certainly feel. something I both love and hate about traditional mediums is their unpredictability. that quality can produce a lot of 'happy accidents' that you couldn't have planned, but give the piece a lot of beautiful visual interest.

I tried a traditional approach to these paintings, making sure to do an underpainting/wash, build layers of paint, and pick colors by eye. I also made sure to use gouache brushes or brushes with a traditional feel and tried to lean into the unpredictability of the medium. it's a different mindset compared to my usual approach and tools (lineart, flats, paintover and clean, sharp brushes) and I'm really chuffed to see that the result both looks and feels different! it definitely feels looser than my usual digital art and I'm really excited that I can get such a different look digitally. there was a period of struggle when switching over my mindset and once I leaned into the quirks of the medium I felt more comfortable making something out of the mess and trusting the process.

brushes used (i love these sets!!):

-gouache maxpack

-retro maxpack

artists I'm currently inspired by who do art digitally w traditional feel: 

-holly warburton

-mags munroe

-soupandcats

I also ordered a set of neocolors ii (oil pastels) that I'm really excited to play around with once they come in the mail! I remember using them in high school and really enjoying it. I want to keep practicing loosening up and will share my experiments here once I do! ^.^