Thrila's Sketchbook

[thrilafrommanila]

Hi I'm thrila, I've lurked on ca long enough and have popped into some of the other forums here and there. Now I have finally decided to post some sketches and works of mine.

Some of this stuff is about a year old, but due to an insanely bad artist block that wouldn't go away, I still am at the same level as I was about a year ago.

Any and all critiques and thoughts are welcomed and thanked for.

I'll try to update often, but sometimes that is hard for me.

1. an oil painting for class based on a song. mine is based on the song "alice" from the ps2 game shadow hearts:convenant
2. this is sadly drawn from a photo (someone told me nicely to lay off that when i accidently posted in a different forum-thank you!) of my boyfriend and i.
3. a layered woodblock of my 3 cats from printmaking.
4. a little doodle i did that i hope to expand on

[thrilafrommanila]

here is some more stuff

1. drew while at work. its a section of the dry cleaners i work at
2. monotype print of my hand
3. *sigh* another drawing from a photo of my little brother. trying something new by drawing in a more "line-y" style.
4. *double sigh* ^^ but this time from a photo of me.
5. a vector i did from a photo of my boyfriend and i.

i'm so sorry for all the photobased stuff :er:

[thrilafrommanila]

1. another monotype, a self portrait because i had to
2. my crest (i have a thing for them) i totally failed at the tiara on top. i want to redo this soon, possibly as a vector or something
3. just something i did while playing with my watercolors

i'll post more soon! :sungod:

[thrilafrommanila]

these really aren't good at all. i have to practice drawing digitally. but i think i'm going to leave photoshop alone for a while and just continue drawing on paper :davi:

these were done without reference, wihout thought, and without motivation. i just did it because i haven't been able to draw anything all summer and if i didn't stick to a piece for once, i was going to go crazy.

[a la bapsi]

thank you!
I'm loving that pencil drawing of the legs and shoes. <3

[Robyn Graves]

I love your oil painting and your monotypes. Your watercolor sketch is also making me smile. You're probably already aware of this, but the left (our right) eye in your self-portrait is a tad bit too high. And that's just me stretching for something to be helpful with.

I'd love to see some more from you soon.

[thrilafrommanila]

I love your oil painting and your monotypes. Your watercolor sketch is also making me smile. You're probably already aware of this, but the left (our right) eye in your self-portrait is a tad bit too high. And that's just me stretching for something to be helpful with.

I'd love to see some more from you soon.

thank you so much for the comment! yeah, i noticed the eye about two months after i had drawn that. and my response was :wtf:

i'm hoping to post more soon, i am slowly overcoming the artistic slump i was in ;)

[bakatron]

i actually dig the vector style stuff. can we see more of that?

[the ANGRY filipino]

hey! Nice sb! Vector ones look cool.
Would love to see more pencil work too!

[thrilafrommanila]

i actually dig the vector style stuff. can we see more of that?

well i have some stuff, but they about 2 years old. i've been playing with my vectors again here and there but nothing completed as of yet.

i used a stock photo for the kokeshi doll one, but sadly i no longer have the link to it.

the two tshirt and apron ones are pretty recent. the robot ones were for class (note: the cute small robot is taken from tofu bot, i got lazy.) and the muffin toppe one was when i had the idea to open a muffin/cupcake shop but it never went through. and also, the "thrila is my homegirl" one is just a joke one i did. but i ended up vector john wycliffe into it for my dad.

[thrilafrommanila]

and here is some pencil stuff, also a tad bit old. the weird pod one was from waaay back in freshman year of high school, i think the self portrait is as well but i can't remember. i want to redo the pod one, i still think it's pretty cool.

the floating angry girl is an old character i used to draw named daisy. she was a dead little girl who used to cause havoc amongst those around her.

the pen one is the reverse of the self protrait monotype.

[Robyn Graves]

thank you so much for the comment! yeah, i noticed the eye about two months after i had drawn that. and my response was :wtf:

i'm hoping to post more soon, i am slowly overcoming the artistic slump i was in ;)

xDD Ooh, I hate it when that happens! At least you can use the experience to build off of for your next portrait!

Slumps are a pain. Whenever I feel like I'm on a roll with ideas, I write down a couple and accompany them with a quick preview-sketch and stockpile them for when I'm in a slump. I find it also helps to keep a binder of photos or sayings that inspire me.

EDIT: I would buy and wear the top middle shirt. And I like that portrait much better than the one I mentioned before. Nice use of angle!

[thrilafrommanila]

xDD Ooh, I hate it when that happens! At least you can use the experience to build off of for your next portrait!

Slumps are a pain. Whenever I feel like I'm on a roll with ideas, I write down a couple and accompany them with a quick preview-sketch and stockpile them for when I'm in a slump. I find it also helps to keep a binder of photos or sayings that inspire me.

EDIT: I would buy and wear the top middle shirt. And I like that portrait much better than the one I mentioned before. Nice use of angle!

:) which shirt again? because i started up a zazzle account and i'm thinking of using the building crashing robot as a design as well as the crossbone strawberries. once i get it done i'll post the link.

i think your binder idea is better than what i have, a bulletin board that is falling apart. thankfully i have a binder and a ton of photos, now i have a projecy for today :D

and i never thought about the writing down ideas part, i gotta try that next time!

thanks for the inspiration!

[Robyn Graves]

:) which shirt again? because i started up a zazzle account and i'm thinking of using the building crashing robot as a design as well as the crossbone strawberries. once i get it done i'll post the link.

i think your binder idea is better than what i have, a bulletin board that is falling apart. thankfully i have a binder and a ton of photos, now i have a projecy for today :D

and i never thought about the writing down ideas part, i gotta try that next time!

thanks for the inspiration!

The one with the blue crossbone strawberries. It's adorable. The crashing robot is excellent too, but the crossboneberries shirt is more my style.


I'm glad I could help, really. xD; I'm kind of new here. I was on Deviantart for about a year, but it was hard to find some good constructive criticism there. I think this place is a better place to grow. While I'm on the topic of my newbishness, would you mind telling me how to thank people's posts? I don't see any button for it, and I'm not sure if it's a code thing or what have you. </lame>
EDIT: Never mind, I figured it out. xD; It was so obvious...

[thrilafrommanila]

The one with the blue crossbone strawberries. It's adorable. The crashing robot is excellent too, but the crossboneberries shirt is more my style.


I'm glad I could help, really. xD; I'm kind of new here. I was on Deviantart for about a year, but it was hard to find some good constructive criticism there. I think this place is a better place to grow. While I'm on the topic of my newbishness, would you mind telling me how to thank people's posts? I don't see any button for it, and I'm not sure if it's a code thing or what have you. </lame>
EDIT: Never mind, I figured it out. xD; It was so obvious...

alright i'll keep that in mind then, i had completely forgotten i had those designs until now :geekg:

i've been on dA for about 5 years already, and except for the critiques i can count on one hand, it isn't that great of place. i do still use mine though, but as a means to network (people don't like when they say that it's the myspace of art).

and don't worry, it took me about a week to find out how to thank people's posts ;)

[the ANGRY filipino]

those cute little kimono ladies made my day!
And nice pencil works too!

[MM Howard]

Wow, I really love your sketchbook. Your pencil work is awesome and I think my favorite out of your digital work is your t-shirt designs. I want one!

And ditto on DeviantArt.

[thrilafrommanila]

thank you both the ANGRY filipino and MM Howard! i hope to post more pencil and vector work soon, as well as paintings since i've been getting ideas all day long.

like i said, i plan on posting those tshirt designs on my zazzle account soon, i just have to tighten them up a bit.

i also want to vector my daisy for the tshirts as well as probably start a small comic about her, but i have to think of a story first.

thank you all for your nice comments! believe me, this is such a breath of fresh air from deviantart :D

[parascytheJack]

pinoy rocks!!! nice bright colors very expressionistic and lovely...
san ka sa manila?

[trout]

thanks for stopping by my sketchpad. you have some fun stuff in here.

[parascytheJack]

hi thrila, thanks for visiting..i got my first portrait..hehe just in case you wanted to take a look...but have you visited the philippines?

yes..i know thrila in manila of ali...at araneta colesium if im not mistaken...

[parascytheJack]

thanks for the comment i really appreaciate it...i know i have a lot to learn and i guess its not that bad for a 3rd attempt on digipaint...my journey in digital painting is just begining anyway...and i'll be meeting a lot of people who could also help me improve in my skills..people like you..chow!!!

[parascytheJack]

got you in my sub list too...hope to see more of your work soon

[dcriler]

You've got a great start to a wonderful SB here...my favorite piece is the last portrait in post #11.
Keep it up, let's see more work!!!

[Radio24]

Hey, this seems like a strong start to a sketchbook. Also, good to see you've moved on from deviantARt, although its a great place for new mugs and also for reference photo.

As far as your artist block, the first thing you must learn is the critical balance of self criticism. True, you must be your first critic, thats the only way you'll learn from your mistakes, but you must also appreciate your own work. Don't get frustrated if your drawing or painting w/e doesn't turn out like you'd hoped. That never happens. You must have acceptance, accept your current state, and keep a positive and open mind. This is the only way you will improve.
Never say "this piece sucks". Putting yourself down and critiquing your own work are completely different things. Also, leave some critiquing up to us, that [I]is[I] why you have this SB, isn't it? ;}

So, what I see here looks great. It could be better. I'm seeing lots of class assignments, or so it seems. Make sure to go waaaay above and beyond those assignments. Strive to be the best yyou can, that comes through... of course, practice. Lets see some more figure study, more perspective study. And, don't give up on digi painting. Keep doing it while you draw! You can do both, and the more experience you get, the greater mastery of the tool you;ll have. kinda like an rpg :]

So, sorry for the rant, just felt like writing. But, find something to get inspired! who are your favorite artists? keep a folder on your computer with your favorite pieces, and if you're feeling uninspired, just watch the slide show. It works everytime.

Hope this helps you in your path, and it really is all about the path, not the result. keep up the good work, I'll stop by periodically.

-r24

[darkenuf]

i like your style
but flat colours mess with my head

[wilkerson]

Your compositions are generally pretty good, you have a picture making ability. The technique is good but I see style over substance in some works. I think there needs to be more attention to secondary details rather than the central subject dominatiing as much.

[thrilafrommanila]

dcriler - thanks, my dad thought the same which is why i even have it scanned in the first place, it was actually the reverse side of a monotype in one of the earlier posts.

Radio24 - i already said this in your sb but thank you sooo much for your comment!!! it really has helped me a lot, your words striked me like an epiphany and now i don't feel as if i am going to fail as soon as i put pen to paper. thank you so much :hugsmile:

darkenuf - thank you for pointing out the color issue. it's weird, i'm so use to mixing colors manually and getting col outcomes, but it seems more difficult digitally. i guess i'm just going to have to practice. and btw, this piece below was done before i read your comment, so don't think i'm not taking your words into consideration.

wilkerson - thank you as well for your comment. i am going to start focusing on my secondary details a lot more now, especially since i am concious of this problem. i wonder though, is style represented more in the digital pieces or my other pieces, or both? in terms of paintings and drawings, i always tried to be as realistic as possible. digitally though, i know i always fall back on my sort of anime-style :( and like i said to darkenuf, i did this latest piece before checking my sb so don't think i'm not taking your advice into consideration

it's a little doodle thing called play with me too. sort of a more journalistic drawing than anything else. but i want to work on it more and expand it. but i want to actual paint it. i'll post wips soon when i figure out what to do with the background.

i know my anatomy's weird, i didn't reference this at all and i got lazy on the hand. (i finished this about 20 mins ago) it's also very shaky, i have yet to figure out how to make clean lines digitally, i did it all in photoshop.

anyway, feel free to rip it apart, i'm asking you to. i'd like to fix it as much as possible before i attempt to paint it.

[wilkerson]

I appreciate your positive response to crits. In response to your question about which pieces (digital or traditional) I was talking about its a little of both, I wasn't being specific just kind of generalizing. For example I think portraits can and have been done successfully without backgrounds but I like the feeling thats created when you're viewing and try to connect the 2. It might just be personal preference...I was also talking about details on the subjects but I think you got my meaning. You're probably on your way though, keep posting stuff.

[Radio24]

hey thrila,
glad you appreciated my words, and thanks for stopping by my book
:]
As you've stated, the hand needs work. It'll be hard to find ref for this but you could always look in a mirror. Imagine the body as a machine, the way it's put together makes sense. Try to understand the way it fits together as much as possible. watch the shoulder, take a look at the skeleton and how the top of the humerus attaches to the clavicle and scapula. figure out where these things van move, where they can't.

Something that confuses me is the curved line on the paints, going perpendicularly through the legs. Also, try to sit the psp down, set it in space, giveeit some perspective (you could even 'cheat' and transform it in PS).

As far as shakiness, try to do some digital gesture sketches, practice making quick and informative lines. It'll take time, but don't forget to push yourself.
remember patience. As some Zen masters say, keep a beginners mind, always
now lets see more!

[M4ze]

Cool, decent style, you seem to be best at flat renderings.
If you dont already know her check out chiho Aoshima k? one of the best of the "superflat" movement IMO.

[Radio24]

i forgot to add, you've got some lines that are unnecessary. Her rightbreast - where the line continues upward. Because the shirt is there, that line would continue straight to her left breast along the bottom. Here her clothing takes precedence over her body. same with the upward line on the shoulder.
nice job with the hair, and nice smooth coloring job.

[darkenuf]

no problem
is only me but i like to see a little depth
and if u use shadows start subtle and then work to the harsher side of them
thanks for the comments btw

[amazed]

hey , thanks for the visit, I think you have some strong work going for you here, especially the designs. So drawing from life and all that, what I like to do when I have a few minutes spare time, and draw my left hand, I dunno, just something you could do.

[Hauxe]

Graphic design seems like your strong point. I really dig those t-shirts you have going for you there. Bank on your sense of clean line work and color from that and apply it to your artwork.

Keep working with vectors, but a knowledge of anatomy is always, always helpful. I have the same problem with my lines looking a little too 'sketchy'. If you have to use too many lines to draw something, then you don't really know what your drawing.

Check out Andrew Loomis. His name is all over the place on these boards. Google him, you can find .pdf's of his book for free all over the place. Copy some masters. Oh and keep up the good work :)

[bakatron]

ah. im glad youre posting more.

one thing i'll recomend is doing some more life studies. that will pump your art at a higher level.

[the ANGRY filipino]

Hi thrilla! we need an update here!
Dont let the slump monster get to you!

[thrilafrommanila]

i'm really sorry for such a delay in updating. i've been in over my head in projects! i shall be updating tomorrow and replying to everyone's posts!

just so everyone knows, the update will mostly be of school projects because alas, schoo leaves very little time for my own art. ;_; but i am managing to squeeze in some time here and there.

[thrilafrommanila]

Here are a couple of life drawings for you guys. Even though there is something off with the second one, it is my favorite. I have more life drawings from the past month, but I have to get pictures of them since they are on a HUGE pad.

These were done in september, thankfully i've warmed up A LOT more after a terrible life drawing hiatus.

[thrilafrommanila]

This is some stuff i played with in al.chemy program. i want to expand on them, either as paintings or drawings, whatever.

it is going to be a series based on my personality and it's transformation through high school

[thrilafrommanila]

this is a class project i had to do. we had to design to book covers for books called the jihadist and the infindel. the jihadist was suppose to be about a saudi arabian boy who is going to become a terrorist. and the infidel is about christian extremists. to my knowledge neither of these books exist, it was just something my teacher made up. so please refrain from hateful comments, i was just doing my assignment.

[thrilafrommanila]

sorry for all the school assignments, but school and my new job have kept me so busy that i have very little time for my own personal work. though i am in the process or redoing my website.

this is another graphic design project where we had to make a logo for a nightclub that was called circus dog. it featured tons of sandwiches, beers and exotic drinks and we had to include that in the logo (or not if it didn't work)

the first is what i originally came up with, but because of the critique received, i had to redo it from scratch. the second one was received well but i still have to go back to it and remove the balls it's juggling because it was thought to be "too busy"

[thrilafrommanila]

yet another graphic design project, this time for a fictional biographical film of actress josephine baker who would be played by halle barry. we had to make t-shirts promoting the film and it had to include the title name and also halle's name. i don't like the second one too much because i find it kind of boring, but if anyone is curious, i just pasted a picture of halle barry's face onto a photo of josephine baker and then traced over it in illustrator.

it is kind of creepy how similar the two women are in the face -_-;

[thrilafrommanila]

this is yet another assignment, but for typography class. we had to design a poster using the first letter of our last name using a specific type from a list given to us. i used bodoni, since it is one of my faves. the words around the border are lyrics from dashboard confessionals "hands down"

[thrilafrommanila]

hello?

[Grief]

hello?

ahoy.

thanks for popping on by my sketchbook. the vector work and t-shirts look great (i'd wear 'em), keep it up.


but you need to fill out this sketchbook, so post more!

[thrilafrommanila]

thanks grief, well, if i don't fall asleep tonight i will try to get some drawings and what not done. but i've been so sleepy as of late, bah my body is made of fail

[thrilafrommanila]

bumping~

[the ANGRY filipino]

hi thrilla! sorry it took me awhile to drop by..I've been away for a few months myself..but now I'm back! gotta draw if we want to improve right?
love the school projects, and your al.chemy piece.
And if you ever did make those t-shirt designs, I'd buy 'em! specially the one with the sexy female figure in front.
Keep posting ya'hear?

[thrilafrommanila]

:android: ah i let this thing die. give me time people. i have new work, i just need some time online ;A;

[Janos]

Nice vector-pics. I am not talented in that department, but I like what I am seeing. To say teh truth though, if you changed the balancing balls and the made the word dog more readable, the first design is much stringer for me. The font might be changed but conceptwise its a hell of a lot better than the second one.

Cheers mate

[thrilafrommanila]

Nice vector-pics. I am not talented in that department, but I like what I am seeing. To say teh truth though, if you changed the balancing balls and the made the word dog more readable, the first design is much stringer for me. The font might be changed but conceptwise its a hell of a lot better than the second one.

Cheers mate


thanks. in terms of the circus dog, that's funny you liked the first one. no one i should that it was very good. but thanks, i actually liked it more :D