Busy as a Burdened Bee

Sorry I've been gone so long guys! I've been overwhelmed with classes and friends and stuff..... 

Social life sucks, that's for sure. 

So a lot has happened in the months I've been gone. I did a cosplay of Skullkid- hopefully I can get some pics up soon. Happy (late) Halloween by the way! 

My Illustration class has pretty much consumed my free time (including my free drawing time). I'm not sure I even remember the plans I had originally made for Wanderlust and the Past of the Masked Knight novels before school started. So I'm really sorry if I let anyone down. Hopefully, I can get back on track soon. I'm not sure what I'll pick up first, but I know a lot of people are sick of the cliff hanger in the Life of a Star Warrior. I'm very sorry about that. I'll see if over Thanksgiving Break, if I can get a chapter uploaded. 

Wanderlust has been taking some curious twists and turns lately. For the most part, I'll be honest here, the franchise has lost its luster. I don't feel driven to write or draw for it anymore, but I'm trying really hard to recharge myself. Next semester, I'm taking a Sequential Art Course ( Graphic Noveling ) where I'll learn how to professionally craft a right proper GN. To boot, my favorite art professor, Pohle (Who's freaking awesome and German- I wish I could adopt him as my grandpa. He's AMAZING) is teaching the class. After seeing my portfolio, we got to chatting and he told me he used to teach a class on graphic noveling. Then the next class period he announced that he was going to do it again- lol giving me a very particular look that said- you better take this chance and run with it kid. 

Hopefully, this summer will be just as splendid. Pohle has offered a trip to his hometown, Berlin (only the, you know, capital of Germany) and very badly wants me to come so that I can extend my knowledge of graphic noveling beyond Manga. He is still wanting to push me forward, but does not despise my style, which is nice lol. But he also doesn't necessarily adore it's anime influences. However, my art is also rooted elsewhere. For instance, my favorite Irish artist Jim Fitzpatrick, has influenced my direction quite a lot. Recently, I was given a high compliment online on Our Art Corner when someone commented that my style reminded me of the artist Yoshitaka Amano, who previously did art for the older Final Fantasy games (such as my all time favorite, Final Fantasy 2 on the SNES. Pretty sure you can still download it for free on the kindle fire). At first I was like, eh.... great. I've been pegged as an anime solo artist. Nope. Yoshitaka was actually very closely similar and I'd like to learn more by studying his art. It's very beautiful. It reminds me of lace. I think it will help me with design and understanding where to put my details without distracting from the important features of  the subject.

I've learned a lot guys. lol I knew I needed to learn more about art, but Professor Pohle is the first I've had who's actually pushed and molded me and given me the hard criticism I needed to hear in a gentle way- then he gives me mini lectures that help me understand fully what he wants of me. I can't wait to show you guys the art I've done in his class. It's not much, but it was a LOT of work. A lot more than I've ever put into my own work. I think I've finally found my master to apprentice myself too. Which is awesome and I'm so thankful to God that I pushed through the last two miserable years to get to this point. 

Also, by the way, Pohle's drawings are the most AMAZING tastiest art sketches you'll ever witness. When he gets his website up and running, I'll send you all a link. I still sometimes have a hard time believing that I get to learn from someone so masterful. He's around his sixties, German, and his favorite fun thing to draw is Steampunk. lol HELL YEAH. If that doesn't tell you how awesome he is, I don't know what would. 

I'm also taking a Printmaking class. lol I'm.... getting there in it. It's kind of more than time consuming. But it's a wonderful new realm of art that I'm really enjoying. 

However... that all to say, my two core classes are kicking my butt. Xc Which is the opposite of fun. I only have a few weeks to get my grades up or its bye bye college. Ugh. The pressure's on. But hey, I'm sure I'd figure something out. I've never failed a class before in my life. All I need from those two are a couple of ripe C's. I'm an art major. I need A's in my major! lol 

Hmm.... anything else to mention? Social life is insane.... as always. I've had a really hard time with friends, especially this year and the last. My depression has been kept under my thumb, thankfully. 

OH YEAH! I'm also creating an 8-bit RPG! Of course, the Wanderlust cast is in it! And OF COURSE, I'll make it available to you guys. It's a small game and my first run using the program. So it's likely to be less than fantastic! But if anything, it'll be a fun experience. ^^ 

Anyways, sometime this week- hopefully- I'll get the chance to post some artwork up here! ;D Love you guys. Miss you all dearly!