@drawingwithyu

For physical art - when I was 8, my parents finally saw my passion for art and enrolled me in a local art center. I was in the class once a week almost every week for a few months, and right as I was about to move up to the more advanced classes, my parents pulled me out for other activities instead. From then on I wasn't able to draw or paint as much due to lack of time with school and lack of supplies, so I gave up on art for years. I would sketch and doodle occasionally throughout the years, but I never had the opportunity to take another class after that. The portraits, drawings, and everything you see above are pieces I did all in the span of Jan 2021-Mar 2021. I haven't drawn recently due to work, but will be back on it soon enough!

For digital art - nope! I've been waiting to get my iPad and finally got it this year. I'm experimenting with it and just learn based on short clips on Instagram from my favorite digital artists, or from the occasional TikTok! Otherwise, it's all experimentation.

I've found that it helps to find an image I really like, and then put it next to me as I'm drawing, zooming in here and there as I'm focusing on a particular feature of the person or image. It helps me picture the proportions in my head and how they would look on paper - I lightly sketch a pencil outline, then start coloring on top of that while softly erasing the pencil outlines. I've tried the shape methods (drawing circles and ovals and squares, etc.) but they don't work as well for me. Also, the key to the colored pencils is Prismacolor! I love love love Prismacolor colored pencils - once you go Prismacolor, you can never go back. I also use a blending pencil and an eraser pencil (pencil but instead of lead, it's an eraser). I also love using Strathmore paper!

Considering the amount of time, effort, and used materials, I have made it a personal goal to only draw for myself. I have done paid commissions before for various requests and art styles, but they take a lot of time that I unfortunately no longer have. I've been considering continuing my portrait series, and if people like them enough I might sell art prints! If you're interested, shoot over a message - would love to gauge interest!