I reached the halfway point of my own epic art journey.
This was the first time that I had created an original piece of art every day for 15 days.
https://steemit.com/steemit/@robbieallenart/my-1st-15-days-of-inktober-drawings-and-illustrations
Now the real test began as I faced the second half of Inktober and marched forward, refusing to turn around and look back.
The very act of turning up every single day to produce a detailed and quality ink Illustration/drawing was not the only obstacle of resistance I had to overcome. I had a big move from Queenstown, New Zealand to the Gold Coast, Australia fast approaching, and I wasn’t quite ready for it yet.
But that wasn't the only thing threatening to hold me back.
Heartbreak.
“Stab the body and it heals, but injure the heart and the wound lasts a lifetime.”
― Mineko Iwasaki
I had also recently broke up with my girlfriend at the time, which was very difficult to experience.
And so I decided to use it and express how I felt in a drawing. A sad piece, two lovers sharing their final hug, standing alone in the rain.
Day 16; 'Flood of Emotion' 😥😭💧
Up until now, only the two of us knew the significance of the artwork, and who the identity of the two characters are in the drawing.
I think expressing how I felt at the time helped me to deal with the situation a little better, at least. But it wasn’t easy.
And then it was time for a more fun, imaginative and creative piece...
Day 17; 'Use Your Imagination' 💭🌟☀️🐝🐉🌌💫🎨 How often do you use yours?
This piece was inspired by a combination of motivational speeches, myths and legend, poetry, and storytelling.
I wanted to remind both myself and the viewer, of the importance and power of the imagination. We all have the ability to visualise a better or ideal situation, goals to work towards, and things to strive for.
We can also generate unlimited free imagery from reading books, which can be used as creative fuel in our productive personal projects. We can ‘play’ with creative ideas and come up with unique and original concepts and insights.
For the next day, I decided to try something a little different. I took my sketchbook on public transport in the Gold Coast, and decided to draw the unknowing commuters.
Day 18; 'Urban Sketching Gold Coast' 🚉☀️
Sketching people on the G:LINK tram in the Gold Coast, Australia!
This is also called ‘Urban Sketching’ where the artist draws people as they go about their day, usually in an urban setting.
There is a whole community of urban sketchers online http://www.urbansketchers.org/ where some artists improve their skill practicing in pencils, inks, and watercolours.
This can be awkward when the person you are drawing suddenly looks up and looks directly in your eyes. Some realise straight away that you are drawing them, and their expression is usually unforgettable.
Day 19; 'Jeffrey Catherine Jones Comic Study' 🎨
This is my ink study of an ape from one of Artist Jeff Jones excellent artworks which was published in one of his comic books. 🐒📙
I really like his and Frank Frazetta’s style. They both use bold shadows, strong brush strokes, dramatic scenes, vibrant colour and they are both able to tell a story.
Now who can’t relate to this next one?
Office goers, corporate workers, and modern day slaves on the 9-5 grind and graveyard shifts who feel they are not on their life’s truth path, and are getting ever more desperate, fantasizing about taking the real courageous leap of faith, arms outstretched and free like a free eagle, or phoenix rising up and out of the ashes, into the heavenly domain of realizing their dreams and aspirations…
Day 20; 'Born An Original' - Please don't die a copy. 🌌✨💫 Are you being TRUE to YOU? 💭
You were born an original, but society, social conditioning, school indoctrination and herd mentality have moulded you in the cog that has one purpose, to fit snugly into the massive wheels of normality and conformity, rotating and spinning, dizzying and fizzing out the brilliance of the shining light that was once you...
What was once within you, seems to be without, and you’re running around in the dark clutching onto the walls, and feeling lost, so totally and utterly lost. But it doesn't have to be this way.
Wake up…
You have unlimited potential. Do not waste it.
Day 21; ‘Enter The Cave’ 🔮🌌🔦💫
And now we venture a little deeper into the psychological domain.
To go into the underworld, out of the light and into the darkness of your own house...
Deep down below, you know what awaits, a beast you have refused to confront for so long. But now it is time. You arm yourself with sword and shield, ready for battle, and a latern to reveal the path.
The dragon metaphor.
This is a metaphor for the early stages of necessary 'shadow work' in psychological terms which every individual must undertake. Carl Jung's work on the shadow is a very important, but probably the most difficult area to explore. Who wants to confront their dark side at the end of the day?
People would rather pretend everything is always fine, and shove those rising, dark feelings back down before they get a chance to show up and cause us more 'problems' in their already overly hectic and busy lives.
The shadow Is like a baby dragon.
And will only grow stronger and more powerful if it is not acknowledged, accepted and integrated.
Eventually it will force its way into the conscious domain in a destructive fashion, causing us far more problems then if we initially had the courage to confront it.
Day 22; Frank Frazetta Study Of A Wild Cat Watching Over A Bungalo From The Jungle. 🌌🌿
This was another Frazetta study I just had to do.
The original artwork really struck me. The powerful use of lights and darks, confident and excellent, all done with one tone. Masterful really, and again it tells a story.
I would love to have had a long conversation with Frazetta, discussing his ideas, processes, tips, and general advice.
Back to the mythical and the psychological…
Day 23; 'The Confrontation' 🔮🔦
Part 2 of the journey following 'Enter The Cave'
‘The warrior, equipped with a sword, shield, spear and lantern, descends into the depths of the cave to confront what awaits within the shadow.’ - robbieallenart
Also inspired by a Frank Frazetta piece.
Day 24; 'Face Your Dragon' 🔮🌌🔦
Part 3 of the journey following 'The Confrontation'
‘The Warrior realises that he does not require his weapons to do battle with what is concealed in the shadow. He only needs to reveal and acknowledge the Dragon awaiting within, by coming face-to-face with it, shining his light on it, and making it conscious.' 💫– robbieallenart
Day 25; 'Gold Coast Woman'
And to conclude my 25 day effort out of 31, here is my final ink sketch of a Gold Coast woman.
That was as far as I could go for my first at attempt at Inktober. I did my best every day, and I was overall pretty happy with my effort, even though I set out to complete 31/31.
I knew that I would return to the challenge, and eventually complete a 31/31. I learned a lot, and I noticed how productive and focused I could be, whilst learning how to use a new medium and tool, drawing with ink brush pens.