Slow, slow progress. But I don’t hate this piece as much as I did a couple days ago. I have no idea why but I was having some serious issues with the gradients. I mean, normally, I can rock a gradient like no one’s business, but lately? Totally. Sucking. Ass. Then again, I think I might have been trying to emulate the reference image a little too strigently, which is a problem I always have. I always forget that my audience won’t be seeing the reference material so why am I trying to duplicate it so much? Once I remembered that, I think my expectations were adjusted to a more reasonable level and I was able to work without constant inner dialogue and chastizing.

It was a refreshing change.

I think I’m doing well for my deadline. I’ll probably need this weekend though because I might wanna hit First Thursday so I’ll need an extra bit of time. But by Sunday night, I think this baby will be finished and be ready to ship! And that means I only have one more to go! Yay!

In other news, I have decided that I might not take the acrylics painting course (now) - even though they would allow me to take it for credit. I think I prefer to take a course in something new - something I have never done before - with an instructor I have never had before. Taking the acrylics course - while it makes a lot of sense - its the safe route. I mean, yes, I could improve my technique and stuff. But I don’t think I will necessarily come away with any amazing realizations, ya know? But if I take a course in a new subject, well, I won’t rest on my laurels and I can actually challenge myself because truth be told, I’m not entirely sure how much I challenged myself in the last acrylics course. I mean, I totally enjoyed it and I was very productive, but challenged? Not so much.

So that being said, I think I’m going to register for the Chinese Ink Painting (shui-mo) class that starts on January 26th. It will be very challenging, but I think I like working in ink and it will be a completely new style of painting. That’s pretty intriguing. Plus? The class is on a Saturday which is pretty much awesome.

And how did it get to be December already? Ugh.