It felt like eternity, but I finally got myself going and started my first artwork of 2021. To say that so many things went on in my life in the period I went MIA is a major understatement. My life since my last post has been a rollercoaster of events and things-to-do-but-couldn't-quite-do, and even when I have been craving for some art time, I couldn't get myself to.
In the end, it got quite stressful that I decided to settle with just not working myself up anymore and just pampering myself by taking a break and indulging in my favorite past times from years ago: reading books and manga, watching and re-watching anime, and sleeping for hours on end.
Christmas and New Year passed (note: merry christmas and a happy new year!) and I found the energy to start an artwork (hooray!). It still feels weird doing something I didn't practice over the last few weeks, but I really enjoyed it!
She glows in the early afternoon light, basked in sepia. Beautiful, but with a heavy heart. And with a far-off look on her face, she hopes.
This work is loosely based off a photo from Pinterest. The prompt was in sepia, after an old artwork I did from 6 years ago. I'd always loved the sepia tone and colors relating to it, so I especially had fun working on this.
As mentioned, I had fun with this piece. I think I could have done more with this. In fact, it underwent many trials and errors halfway through until I got to this version.
Like I usually do, I started filling in all base colors through my base sketch. As I had sepia in mind, I chose colors that I could eventually adjust to a more sepia-ish tone.
Once I got that settled, I started painting on the face. Sometimes, I would start with parts I felt like I would not have fun painting (like the flowers), but this time, as many times before this, I began with the face. It's always been my favorite part to work on.
After working on the face, I felt like time just passed in a blur. I guess I was a little disinterested with the rest of the piece. LOL. I wish I could have been more motivated as it's the New Year, but I guess waiting a little more for change wouldn't hurt. :P
When I finished the whole picture, I started polishing. I adjusted hues and curves, and blurred some of the areas. I also painted on top of the semi-final picture once again for corrections.
This artwork is available on Ghostmarket.io in 3 editions — my genesis mint on the platform.
While I'm at it, I would like to spend this time to thank (with lots of love, haha) 
I hope to say this with more confidence, but I hope this year would be filled with more art than I managed in 2020. Last year had been as wonderful as it had been challenging, and if I had to thank it for something, it's bringing back to me what I somehow lost — fun-filled drawing.
This is a few days late, but I'd like to thank everyone reading this for being part of my 2020. You've been very supportive of my art, which seriously motivated me to better myself in the craft.
Thank you so much, and cheers to a fruitful 2021!
