Referenced from a frame of Elijah Wood as Frodo from the Lord of the Rings.

I work as a paraprofessional supporting high schoolers with IEPs in their classes, and afterschool I supervise elementary schoolers at an afternoon program to help pay the bills. Sometimes the little kids get frustrated that our art supplies are old and kinda suck, so I take the crappiest, stubbiest pencil and do stuff like this to show them that practice matters more than the tools. It’s enough to impress them a bit even if all I can see is my struggle through figuring out how to get soft shading with a wonky #2 😂

I’m not very good at realistic drawing in general, so this is also a way for me to do my own practice. I only made it part way through my art degree before running out of money and I didn’t really get any life drawing experience, and it’s not my favorite, but I know that doing it anyways will help the styles I do enjoy lol

I used an image of Anok Yai for reference. Seeking constructive criticism as something doesnt look quite right. Thank you!

Usually I don’t have any idea of what I’m going to draw and “discover” it as I go, but this time I had a clear vision in mind.

I thought of a hunter crouched low, with eyes like a tiger who’s about to pounce.

Every year feels more difficult than the last one. Why do it in the first place I ask myself. But then with people generating "art" with AI and whatnot, it gets more and more important to keep doing too.

Just wanted to share this drawing my mom did in high school in 1974. This is chalk on black paper. I'm hoping to inspire her to start doing art again! ❤️

10/.?

8 hours for this result.

A joy to draw.

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An ancient stone bridge spanning Starfall Vale, The Spine has endured for centuries.

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I'm really happy with how this turned out. It seems like a pretty simple drawing but I ended up creating a bunch of test drawings and color pallettes for this one, so I included a photo of all of that as well.

Please let me know what you think, and what I could improve in the future

Been a few years since I drew personal work. Burnout, becoming a dad, moving across the country, lots of situational depression, denser schedules, and more responsibilities. I know my mental health is in a good spot if I'm drawing. Getting all my ink pens out of storage felt like meeting with a beloved friend I hadnt talked to in years. Inktober was such a great idea.