HOME | DD
SolarLunix — Skeletons don't read books
#desk #painting #pencil #rail #railing #solarlunix
Published: 2013-08-05 16:46:25 +0000 UTC; Views: 3224; Favourites: 165; Downloads: 9
Redirect to original
Description
OMG OMG OMG IT'S FINALLY DONE! This is months of hard work, and most definitely my best picture yet!~ . : * : . ~
Click here to see my streaming channel
Head over to ProjectComment for constructive comments.
Related content
Comments: 233
Thanks, I actually used a real skeleton to draw from, so the rib distance was actually a product of a mis-cast with the plastic skeleton that I was using (full size).
Actually, I was originally going to make normal, but I really love doing shapes like this. Each drawing has a basic sketch first and then I go ahead and lay down the outline around it based on what I want to draw. 
Yeah... that's the hard part...
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Don't I know it. But it does get easier, and then one day, when your confidence, skill and expectations align, you find that you can't wait get stuck in all over again.
Of course if you're one of those people oblivious to the mental and emotional turmoil that is almost always there. set to derail any real progress, then I guess you feel that exhilaration and anticipation all the time, in which case, I am envious.
Woah, didn't mean to go off in some random direction, just trying to say, I understand and there is a light further down the tunnel.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
I actually haven't had another masterpiece since I've drawn this one. It's been years at this point since I finished this picture. I got so angry with my skills that I went nearly a year without drawing because of the frustration that I experienced. I'm only just coming back now. You can look at the submission time line here:
solarlunix.deviantart.com/stat… from October 2014 until September 2015 I submitted absolutely no art at all.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
I wasn't implying that you were one of the blissfully oblivious one, oh how I envy them, it was more a comparison. While I won't pretend to know the hardships you have gone through, I can sympathize somewhat. Existential depression, OCD, acute anxiety disorder and a generally neurotic personality, I understand the struggle all too well.
I am of the firm opinion that art is a mind f--k. It will mess you up. Every time something good happens, you start to think that it was a fluke and it won't happen again. Or if things are going well and you finally managed to get a handle on some bit of technique and you are totally riding the high, the next thing you know, the challenge of that technique becomes boring so you look for something new, which means you're back to drawing crap. Your taste and expectations and hopes, almost always outstrip your ability so you are rarely ever happy with what you have done. And all the while there is this constant nagging fear that maybe you aren't cut out to be an artist. Maybe you're not creative enough or your ideas are pointless or you'll never be able to match up to the thousands of other artists who don't seem to have this constant harassment in their own head, so they can just draw, and it is fun for them.
If I was honest with myself, until very recently drawing hasn't been much fun. It might have been rewarding, or when you're in the zone and you don't really think about anything, it might be peaceful, but it was rarely 'fun'. I have spent countless hours analyzing every aspect of my creative process in order to improve not just my skills but they way my stupid brain works, and you know what has been the most significant conclusion was... I need to relax. I know, go figure. I know people say this all the time, and it sounds like the easiest advice in the word, but it isn't. I know. However you do it, relaxing is the first step.
Here's what have found. Minimize your expectations. Increase your chances of success by having an idea ready to go before you start, with thumbnails already done if you can. Have a little faith in yourself. And hold onto the idea that if it doesn't work out all you've wasted is a little time, of which we have more than we realize, and some concentration, which is a renewable resource. If it turns out badly, start again, this time you have the mistakes of the previous drawing to guide you, and if it still turns out badly, either start again, or move on. No idea is so precious that you just have to get it perfect, even though it feels like you do sometimes. Just keep at it, things will get better. I promise. One day you will find that as you relax, and you stop being super critical with every little thing, you find the successes, and those successes build your confidence, and when your confidence is high, that is when things start to be fun again. It certainly explains why the oblivious types have so much of it. Confidence is key.
Wow, so I didn't really intend to write all that, and by all means ignore it, I don't mind. I think this was as much for my benefit than for anyone else's.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Terribly sorry, I didn't mean to snip at you. And so you know if you need to talk you can always message me.
that second paragraph is too real. I always have that problem... Sometimes it's so discouraging to be on here and seeing such amazing art and photography and you just sit there believing you will never ever live up to what they are doing.
See, for me, I won't draw if it's not fun. I cycle through things to make sure that nothing becomes too stale or annoying. You'll find me drawing one day crocheting the next and playing with a camera the day after that. I interlace this with writing and programming. Relaxing for me is letting myself put it down, when I come back I'm usually relaxed and find a solution to what had me stuck.
I have been known known to throw my drawing pad when I can't figure it out though...
Trouble is that you know what you want to draw and can see it but you can't translate the image in you mind to the page. I have no trouble with visualisation, just translation. The good thing with digital is that it only costs electric, not a billion notebooks and pencils, which is why I have started to find digital less frustrating despite it taking me much longer to draw something. I really should try getting back to traditional again rather than focusing on only digital...
dont worry, I read every word. It means a lot
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
I know you weren't being snippy. No inflection on words, so I understand why that last comment might have come across annoyed or something. It was probably a bit much, sorry.
I'm actually in a pretty good place right now, and I am creating more and better work than I ever have. And like I said, it is actually fun again, in case that wasn't clear. I just wanted to share, so that you understood that you are not alone in your frustrations. I probably got a little carried away. I think one of the greatest drawbacks to being artists is in most cases other aspiring artists don't see the emotional and mental turmoil that takes place behind the work, so they assume that they are the only ones suffering for their art, so they get discouraged.
It is good to hear that you have a lot of different creative things going on, good for you. I do something similar with projects, moving back and forth from one to another, with a little writing thrown in, and it does take a bit of the pressure and frustration off.
And don't worry about going all digital, I work almost exclusively with digital, so unless you really enjoy drawing pencils, which has its own charm, go with works best for you.
I'm glad you got something positive from my words and sorry again for going on so much.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
I'm glad you're getting on well right now and thanks for your consideration
Yeah, it helps a lot to move back and forth between projects.
I really like pencil drawings, and some of my stuff will be sent soon hopefully so maybe I'll get back to doing more drawings traditional again.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Thanks.
I look forward to seeing what you come up with next.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
First-off, I really like the different angle of the entire piece. I love the shading on the small details. It's really amazing to me. I love the look on the windows, like fog rolling in, outside. Just the shading on the walls is so cool, but I think the prime example of how nice the shading is, is to look at the skeleton's pelvis. The subject matter is what really drew me to this piece. I really like this concept. Not to sound corny, but I can't stop looking at it, and trying to figure it all out. Every time I think I've got the answer, something new pops up in my head.
The only things I can think of that you could work on are: The girl in the mirror seems a little "leany" (my vocabulary right now, I swear...) or skewed, and she as a whole, seems different than the rest of the picture, somehow. The other thing is that the darker shadow coming off of the dresser/desk onto the wall seems like it could have been blended in a bit more smoothly.
#projectcomment
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
I'm really glad you like it. It was extremely fun to do for my beginning drawing class.
Yes, I wasn't happy with the way she was leaning but I had already committed to it when I noticed her leaning. Erasing it was absolutely impossible because I already had the dark bits around it.
As for the shadow, I just copied a shadow that I seen from a desk in my room. Maybe my lighting was a little bit too harsh compared to the lighting I had in the picture.
Thank you for taking the time to give me such a lovely critique.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
I know that feeling when you know something isn't right, but it's too late. D: I hate that. XD *laughs* Thanks for drawing it~
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
This looks very nice. It is a really unique thought. You did well. Your using that shape for a frame is a very interesting idea.
I think it would look better if the background was colored. The book's outline in the skeleton's hands could be a little clearer too. I like the girl in the mirror. I am guessing that is how the skeleton looked in life. It would be nice to see a little more of the room but it's not necessary.
I like this because of the child and I look forward to seeing more of your work.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
I was taking an art class when I made this, and was restricted to pencils. I'm also really really really bad at colouring traditionally, it always ends up wrong. I usually leave my best traditional works in B&W for this reason.
I'm glad you like the shape. I really enjoy doing these shapes, it feels like it's me, you know? As for what the skeleton looks like in life, well it's supposed to be a play on the looking in the mirror and seeing the skeleton... this is what the skeleton sees.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
First up, I love how this was done all in pencil, the shading and lining is so detailed. e.deviantart.net/emoticons/l/l… " width="26" height="17" alt="
Otherwise, this is a great piece dear! Well done! e.deviantart.net/emoticons/l/l… " width="26" height="17" alt="
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
I'm not very familiar with traditional drawings (seeing as I can't draw for anyones life) But wow! This is lovely! The shading creates such an impact, the angle is very surprising, but it works so well, almost like a piece of a shattered mirror. On a con side the figure's face in the mirror is a little un balanced and a bit cartoonish(which is fine!) but you have plenty of time to work on human figures(so don't worry ^^.) This has so many little details too! like the glare on the window pane, and all the joints in the spinal cord of the skeleton, to the calander on the dest and the knobs on the drawrs. This is amazing and beautiful. A simply stunning job!
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
this looks great , I assume it has some deep meaning but what t is I don't know - sorry . you did a good , maybe add a little dark out lining or something to make it easier to so ?
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Love the B&W scheme to go with the concept. The unique framing is nice, and the touches of details accentuates the beauty of the image.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
If you don't read Books Skeleton, why are you holding it?
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Lovely concept, you're right they got no eyeballs to read the book XD
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Hehe, that's true, that's true!
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Thanks, I thought it was a great prompt
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Does this wonderful peice have a meaning behind it.
This is amazing and I have to know what inspired you.
the currents are really detailed and the little details like the knobs on the dresser are amazing also!
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Well, what inspired it was my art teacher showing me the skeleton in the mirror so I wanted to do it from the skeleton's perspective. While the title was inspired by the The Adventures of the Bailey School Kids Series.
Thank you, I really want to try this again sometime to be honest.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
There are three things that pop into my head when I see this:
1. This looks like anorexia but even more extreme.
2. Is this skeleton a dead person? If so, does said-person still believe she's alive?
3. The diamond position instead of a regular landscape rectangle is something I never really see.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
It's a play off the skeleton in the mirror drawing, I can't remember who did it though. It was an art assignment from my university.
I really like doing the odd border thing, but I'm not sure how well received it is.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Beautiful work with the soft coloring/shading, it's a very good work
the only thing I can point out is the reflection in the mirror, the perspective it is not in the right angle, but I know that can be difficult sometimes, but still, it's a very good drawing, very interesting, amazing work keep it up
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Thank you.
I did notice the perspective was off, but I hadn't noticed until it was too late, and I had a good shade on it. I just didn't have the patience to go back in and redo that entire section. Maybe one day this will be a drawing I revisit!
Thanks 
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Awesome work on this ^^ I love the amount of details you included and how well thought out the concept is
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Thanks, it took AGES. I worked on it for a drawing course I did, where the only project for the entire semester was this single piece. He always pressed me for contrast and I am still amazed that this was done by me. I'm really glad you liked it
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Well, it would seem that this particular skeleton heard the title and thought "challenge accepted", eh?
I love the surreal atmosphere of this, actually. It seems rather dream-like.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Thanks, I quite enjoyed doing this piece, and I wanted the book to be ironic like a series I used to read as a kid.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Pencil was my first and still my favorite. This is wonderful well done!
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Thank you, I consider this my best work, I really have to try to top it.
👍: 0 ⏩: 2
Ps not only do i think it was rendered wonderfully but i also love the concept
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Thank you, my art teacher really knew how to push me to my best. I feel like I should do more like this. I'm not sure about the keyhole thing anymore though, people were saying it was weird...
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Well it's always up to you the artist ... to me weird is often good cause it's unique ... with my experience especially with art, one can't please everyone ... that's kind of the great thing about art, having different views and likes etc ... like most things creative, we all have our personal tastes.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Aye, I just haven't decided, I know it's unique but while I draw for myself, I also want other people to enjoy it, you know?
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Yes of course. Im just saying although there might be some that don't maybe like it, therell always be those that do
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Aye, I do miss doing it.... I should try it again 
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
I have no doubt you will and I look forward to seeing it
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Thanks for the vote of confidence
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
| Next =>