Here you go. This was a labor of love. Hope you enjoy it.

I hate to be first but I am really happy with this one. I start my classes next week so I made the time this week to finish. Enjoy!

Trying one more time... Here is my entry for the month.

I decided to do another one. I couldn’t sleep last night and this little inn was waiting to be born.

This is so much fun!

Once again I am first. I wanted to combine my inking practice for Inktober with the September prompt. This was a trial run for how I plan on creating art for Inktober: a combination of ink (brush pen and micron) with grey alcohol markers and white gel pens. I know everyone else is going over the top with great ideas but it would still be a shock if you accidentally brought mice for lunch!

The photo is abysmal but I don't have time or the inclination to clean it up in PS. Enjoy!

Here we go:

Sometimes we get in our own little worlds and are so focused on our own work that we don’t really take the time to help others. But I want to publicly praise a few peeps who consistently give very good advice and are always helping others.

@NessIllustration you are so helpful, especially at giving professional advice. You are so generous with your help despite your thriving business. I love how you give back. Thank you!

@TessaW you always give the most thoughtful and insightful advice and critiques. You have a great eye and I am so appreciative when I get a critique from you. I have seen you be such a help to others when they are stuck. Thank you!

@Nyrryl-Cadiz You are such an encourager to others. You are always commenting on others’ work, giving bits of praise. I feel like you are our resident cheerleader. Thank you!

@burvantill and @Coreyartus I can always count on a like from you, no matter how bad my artwork is. That shows me that you take the time to look at everyone’s pics and give them a little encouragement. Also, Lisa puts out the sos monthly studio and that’s a great positive vibe. Corey gives such thoughtful responses that he should consider being an art professor if he isn’t one already.

I know there are others and I could go on and on, but I just wanted to take the time to give a shout out where one is due. I hope you keep it up! You are what make me keep coming back to the forums.

If you have words of praise for others feel free to post them here. Also, if you haven’t taken the time to give back, please consider their example and give back to others. Don’t just be a silent stalker! be a loud encourager!

I had this idea of a smiling alligator, because personally I was rooting for him.

SoI got a big boy illustration job and was hired to complete the cover art for this new series on Paramount+. I have been dying to share! Thanks to @NessIllustration for her help navigating prices/contract and helping me set up my portfolio. They actually chose me based on my portfolio! SVS has taught me so much over the last few years and it is finally paying off! Thanks everyone!

Not sure if that makes me a bonafide professional, but I’ll take it!

Here is my Yeti home. I know it’s not 3/4 view but I decided I was proud of it anyway and wanted to share.

EDIT: I watched the critiques and realized I needed more character development in my house. I really wanted him to read like a Tibetan shaman kind of Yeti. I added a back door to make it wrap around the dome and hopefully get more of a 3/4 feel.

Also, he needed a pet. So I made him a snow leopard.

@carriecopadraws love it! Great job. Very good story telling. You inspire me.

Here is my house design. Time to load it up to the template.

I wanted to go for the words whimsical, adventurous, eccentric, peculiar, inviting, quirky, ornate, scholarly for this idea called Beatrice Boxley’s Home for Brilliant Beasties. In my story Albert’s genius was discovered by Beatrice Boxley who invites him to her home in the middle of Main Street and Academy Road. I want a Victorian aesthetic dripping with the quirky interests of all the animals living in Albert’s new home. Not particularly original but I freely draw my inspiration from Whit’s End, Ms Peregrine, etc.

I plan on adding a pool/fountain, bikes, an observatory, a large bird nest, more flowers and potted banana trees, a rope swing, and a rope ladder somewhere.

Is this hitting the mark so far?

Thanks @K-Flagg @Jeremiahbrown that means a lot!

@kylebeaudette This makes me laugh. Seems like a satire on All Dogs Go to Heaven.

I ended up getting sick after family vacation so this ended up being a rush job. My apologies!

@ruth I was thinking of that scene!

Ringtailed cats are native to the US southwest. They are freaking adorable. They are the state mammal of Arizona which is where Jake lives and I am not above using that fact to make it in the top 16 . Here is Albert so far. I am going for an adorable, mischievous, who sometimes gets carried away with his antics but gets away with it because of his sweet personality. He may or may not manipulate you with his puppy dog eyes to get what he wants.

@K-Flagg I totally get it. But remember that several other comic book artists have also been being picked. So don't get frustrated. Just learn what you need and keep putting your work out there. I wouldn't just look at the comic book stuff but the foundational stuff too. Even though I am a certified art teacher I still have learned tons of stuff from these courses and when I fail to apply them is when I make pieces that are not up to snuff. For example, will's class on creative composition really helped me to figure out what I was doing wrong with my storytelling.

@K-Flagg Here is what I meant.
I used color theory to assist with the focal point. Since your guy is purple I made the background shades if yellow and gold to make him pop. I also added a touch of red to make him stand out even more.