Liking Learning

Whether I like it or not

Hello! I’m back in your inbox with more art.

For the first time I think ever, I’m not drawing many people, and that’s because I’m learning to draw other stuff (crazy) and having fun with it (crazier).

When I was in high school, I thought I would get a degree and then slowly get a bunch of other certificates and diplomas to build up my skillset. Then I actually got in to university and decided I definitely did not want to do more schooling then I already had. Call it burnout, boredom, or somehow a combination of the two, but I think I just didn’t like when people associated higher education with worth and didn’t want to be a part of that idea.

But here I am, with a degree, on my way to getting a certificate in natural science illustration. Here’s what I did during my spring term:

And yeah, it’s fun. The intersection of science and art is more than fascinating — it’s inspiring. I’ve learned a lot in just the one term, and it’s definitely influencing what I draw in my personal time, too. I’ve really taken to drawing flowers with my spare time, so I’m working through some of the more popular plants that are native to my area by season.

I also had to take the time to draw some of my favourites from this semester in my own style. Drawing for school has me work with a high level of realism and traditional media, but digital techniques have my heart. It’s a fun challenge to combine my style with scientific accuracy. And to make them move! I love making little frame animations, and it’s especially fun to convey a fun fact with them, like a bears diet or how it gains weight to prepare for the winter.

Lastly, I have this little piece I made not too long ago based off this quote from George Addair. I’ve been wanting to make a composition that can be flipped like a playing card for a long time, and this quote seemed to work with it perfectly.

That’s all I’ve got! I try to have a comic done every season, but I’ve been so busy lately and nothing’s really clicking with me. Comics are HARD. Next time, even if it’s short, I’d like to have one. Hopefully a busy, sunny summer will be inspiration enough!

Until next time!