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Description

Hey everyone! Late daily-post here. Hope you're having a good night so-far.

Tonight I have for you: this character design created for Instagram's #septembirb challenge!

Notes:

This challenge immediately interested me because, instead of a daily post (which in my opinion is hard to keep up with), the challenge only asks for 4 total posts. One bird drawing each week of the month. I already work on a lot of social content and have multiple art projects in the works but have decided to take on this challenge for fun! The Magpie Jay was the first on the list of birbs to create. I wanted to get started right away but knew that just drawing a bird wasn't the direction I wanted to go in. It would be out of place for my profile and I wanted to take a unique approach because I'm so quirky.

After some inspection into these birds and their behavior; I decided to turn our cousin-to-the-raven blue jay into an armor clad, sword and shield bearing knight. This was mainly due to the large feathery tufts that extrude from this species' heads and the resemblance of that to a medieval knight's helmet. The birds also seem stern and regal so a stand-up sort of justice bringer seemed appropriate.

Going in to this piece I gave myself the objective of finishing the design in an hour or less. I set up all of my recording equipment and cameras, timer at the ready, and got started... However, I found myself using a decent chunk of time researching and finding reference. Since I didn't settle on a stylistic approach ahead of time; I also struggled to find the path I would eventually take towards finalizing this design. FORTUNATELY my last pen nib for my drawing tablet broke about 10 minutes before the timer went off.

At this point I was too far into the design to quit so I adapted quickly! I decided to begin using the Polygonal Lasso Tool within Photoshop to create borders to color within. This allows for quick creation of solid shapes, similar to creating vector shapes with the Pen Tool in Illustrator (written tutorial here --> www.deviantart.com/carsondood/… ). I did not finish the design within my allotted frame, but this experience added a new style approach to my arsenal!

Next month I will be dropping a tutorial on Instagram on how to utilize this feature to create awesome, unique artworks and characters with it!

-- Thanks for stopping by today! --
Next week is the Plum Headed Parakeet and, I'm already yeeting-out-of-my-seat excited to show you what I have!

For more art, tutorials, and merch, here are my links! (linktr.ee/carsondood )

___

The tablet I use - amzn.to/3lOowG2
(Great starter / intro level tablet that rivals the likes of Wacom's 16inch screen tablet options. I've been using mine for about 4 years with little to no issues. I have needed to replace my pen nibs from wearing down all of the ones that are included. Luckily they have replacement nibs - Nib Replacements - and pens - Pen Replacements - for pretty cheap compared to Wacom or Apple Pencil replacements.)

The ballpoint pens I used to sketch this artwork - amzn.to/3fMQAWo
(These are essentials IMO. I use them for all of my preliminary sketch work and recreational drawing. They also come in a variety color pack which is perfect if you like options - amzn.to/2VEijBM )

My favorite sketchbook - amzn.to/3Arxb58
(I use these for design iteration and sketches that nobody has to see. If you're like me you like to have free rein to customize the outer look of your sketchbooks. This book has all cardboard / cardstock covers that pick up ballpoint pen like butter. Get your cover-art on! The paper inside is also really nice and thick with a bit of grit to it. The final feature is that it can lie open flat 180 degrees. This is crucial for left-handed artists like myself, and there is no protruding binding to get in the way.)
___

Have a good one! <3

Description

Hey everyone! Late daily-post here. Hope you're having a good night so-far.

Tonight I have for you: this character design created for Instagram's #septembirb challenge!

Notes:

This challenge immediately interested me because, instead of a daily post (which in my opinion is hard to keep up with), the challenge only asks for 4 total posts. One bird drawing each week of the month. I already work on a lot of social content and have multiple art projects in the works but have decided to take on this challenge for fun! The Magpie Jay was the first on the list of birbs to create. I wanted to get started right away but knew that just drawing a bird wasn't the direction I wanted to go in. It would be out of place for my profile and I wanted to take a unique approach because I'm so quirky.

After some inspection into these birds and their behavior; I decided to turn our cousin-to-the-raven blue jay into an armor clad, sword and shield bearing knight. This was mainly due to the large feathery tufts that extrude from this species' heads and the resemblance of that to a medieval knight's helmet. The birds also seem stern and regal so a stand-up sort of justice bringer seemed appropriate.

Going in to this piece I gave myself the objective of finishing the design in an hour or less. I set up all of my recording equipment and cameras, timer at the ready, and got started... However, I found myself using a decent chunk of time researching and finding reference. Since I didn't settle on a stylistic approach ahead of time; I also struggled to find the path I would eventually take towards finalizing this design. FORTUNATELY my last pen nib for my drawing tablet broke about 10 minutes before the timer went off.

At this point I was too far into the design to quit so I adapted quickly! I decided to begin using the Polygonal Lasso Tool within Photoshop to create borders to color within. This allows for quick creation of solid shapes, similar to creating vector shapes with the Pen Tool in Illustrator (written tutorial here --> www.deviantart.com/carsondood/… ). I did not finish the design within my allotted frame, but this experience added a new style approach to my arsenal!

Next month I will be dropping a tutorial on Instagram on how to utilize this feature to create awesome, unique artworks and characters with it!

-- Thanks for stopping by today! --
Next week is the Plum Headed Parakeet and, I'm already yeeting-out-of-my-seat excited to show you what I have!

For more art, tutorials, and merch, here are my links! (linktr.ee/carsondood )

___

The tablet I use - amzn.to/3lOowG2
(Great starter / intro level tablet that rivals the likes of Wacom's 16inch screen tablet options. I've been using mine for about 4 years with little to no issues. I have needed to replace my pen nibs from wearing down all of the ones that are included. Luckily they have replacement nibs - Nib Replacements - and pens - Pen Replacements - for pretty cheap compared to Wacom or Apple Pencil replacements.)

The ballpoint pens I used to sketch this artwork - amzn.to/3fMQAWo
(These are essentials IMO. I use them for all of my preliminary sketch work and recreational drawing. They also come in a variety color pack which is perfect if you like options - amzn.to/2VEijBM )

My favorite sketchbook - amzn.to/3Arxb58
(I use these for design iteration and sketches that nobody has to see. If you're like me you like to have free rein to customize the outer look of your sketchbooks. This book has all cardboard / cardstock covers that pick up ballpoint pen like butter. Get your cover-art on! The paper inside is also really nice and thick with a bit of grit to it. The final feature is that it can lie open flat 180 degrees. This is crucial for left-handed artists like myself, and there is no protruding binding to get in the way.)
___

Have a good one! <3