Of the 4 years I've been here, 2009 has been my least productive - I guess I owe everyone an apology. I blame a number of things, not least work being crazy busy combined with a complete lack of motivation. I'm writing 2009 off as my 'artistic gap year' - the year I produced next to nothing.

I'm fine with that btw.

For 2010 I'm going back to basics. I'll be sharpening my trusty graphite sticks (if I can find them.. oops), buying some new Bristol Board & really getting stuck in to the pile of reference books I've collected over the last few years but never used. Graphite has always been my first love so it'll be nice to go back to it.
_{I know I've said all this before but this time I actually mean it!}

I'll be shunning digital work for the foreseeable future. The support on dA for my digital portraits has been overwhelming - I really can't thank you enough. I always feel that replying with a comment of "Thanks so much!" really doesn't express what the s really mean to me, so thank you!

On some sites however, the feedback has been less positive. I always thought the comments from cynical observers wouldn't affect me. You know the ones I mean. "Why bother reproducing a photo, that takes no skill" etc etc...

Alas, it seems they have gotten to me, so if I go back to the digital work, I'll be stepping up my game & aiming for something a little different. I've always been jealous of artists like `Rahll & `adonihs so maybe I'll head down that road.

So, until 2010...

'Scout out

Despite the rather excitable previous journal entry, inspiration is sadly lacking. Almost worryingly so. Starting to think it's never coming back.

If anyone has some spare inspiration, please send to the usual address.

Cheers.

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Carlzon & Tom Cruise got featured in this article - '20 Stunning & Surreal Illustrations of Male Characters'. Some of the other pieces featured are from artists here on dA. Check it out!
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So I'm currently in the middle of a week off work. It's great. The sun is shining, family visited at the weekend. It's 12:30 and I've only just gotten dressed. Ok, so maybe you didn't need to know that.

I tend to look out for good photos to use and save them into a 'Future Sources' folder. Occasionally I will have a look back at what I saved and see if I get *that* feeling. Well it happened last night. Finally.

For the first time this year (!) I have a really strong desire to produce some artwork. I know - 8 months into the year and I'm just NOW wanting to create something. But anyway, that's the reason for the latest poll. It might seem limited in subject matter but I have reference photos for each of the people/characters listed.

I also want to get back into working with pencils again. I know I say this every 12 months or so, but it really has been too long since my last graphite piece. I have plenty of subject matter to choose from so this afternoon I hope to get started.

Wish me luck!