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My friends, #Selfietember is off to a glorious start. I don’t know if you’ve visited the gallery, but WOW. 😻 I am so impressed with the range of styles and the creative bolditude (not a word? Should be) of the self-portraits so far—and we’re only in Week 1!! I can’t wait to see what next week brings…
But first, let’s have a look at the selfies so far. Here’s a gallery of portraits from participants. (Please visit the gallery for credits.)
And another:
And here are mine.
Some observations from me on the process/whole enchilada so far: I’m really preferring working in digital, rather than analog. Why? Surprisingly, not because I can erase more (heh heh 😈), but because of a stylistic choice.
Different tools give you different mark-making abilities. Analog tools, specifically pens, pencils, and markers, have more “drag” on paper; you slow down, you can get a bit more precise. When I use my Apple Pencil in Procreate, I have to move quickly, because Procreate will “correct” a mark to make it a proper line or circle. Drives me crazy. I know it’s just trying to be helpful. I also know I can undo that, but still.
Long story longer, what it means (speaking to those of you who dig such observations) is that I’m doing this quick, kinda staccato line that’s making things very interesting. It’s also busting me out of a repetitive groove where I’m “drawing a hand” instead of drawing the actual hand in front of me. Ever have that happen? You get used to drawing eyes a certain way, and then, one slightly overcast day, you notice that all your portraits have the same eyes, though they are not the same people. Cue creative angst.
That’s where using different media comes to your emotional rescue. Different tools, different feelings, different results. Will I do the whole month of selfies in digital? I don’t know. As a great philosopher said, “Ask again later.” 🎱
If you haven’t yet joined #Selfietember, it’s not too late! Just start from today; you can always go into October, and even overlap with Inktober (if you’re not following those prompts exactly). Or just have somewhat less than 30, but still a bunch, of mighty fine selfies. 😻
How’s your #Selfietember so far? What tools are you using? What are you watching these days? How are you??? Leave a comment!
Having fun, following my own inner guide and Danny Gregory and you. So far, 7 days, 7 selfies! Thanks for being so inspiring.
Having a blast with this - more fun than I had anticipated, to be honest. And yes - I completely agree with your observation that you can't get too precious/slow/precise with the iPad or Procreate suddenly takes over at the wheel! Thanks for hosting this - I am LOVING seeing what others are coming up with. Also, thanks for the Inktober reminder... this challenge is making me think I should give Inktober a go....