Reflection #14

       This week was really busy, and I honestly didn't accomplish anything. The week was consumed with prom planning, prom, and the like. Even still, I could have made time to draw, so this is mainly just laziness. I really only draw when I feel like it, which definitely isn't the best way to accomplish something. That's how I did the first semester 20% project, too. Time management has always been the biggest issue for me with this project. I think because it's a long term project without one distinct goal, I find myself completing it at my leisure. I really need to remember that even though there aren't any specific milestones I have to reach, I should still be making consistent progress. After all, this is a school project and I don't have a lifetime to showcase my work. Later on in life I will, but as of right now, I need to be looking towards that final due date, not viewing it as something that I can just do whenever the mood strikes me.

Reflections #11-13 (yikes)

I'm really terrible at remembering to update this blog. It's so easy for me to forget for some reason. I have been continuing to make progress despite this little unintentional hiatus, though. I went back and redrew my first couple of drawings. I couldn't think of anything new I wanted to draw so I just redid the older pencil drawings.


 
I don't think they came out as good as my other drawings in this style, but I still prefer them to pencils drawings. They're much more fun to make and look at. That's what occupied weeks 11 and 12.

This week, I got sort of tired of doing the same old thing. I sat down in my room with my little bin of markers to begin another drawing. I looked around my room, and the faded design on the top drawers of my dresser caught my eye. I took some paint and a paintbrush out of my bin of markers and traced over the design. Then, I free handed the blank drawer underneath it.

I'm not sure if this would count as "drawing" but I'm being kind of liberal with that definition because I've already departed from my original goal, anyway. I had a lot of fun doing this because it felt a lot less like work. Usually, I'm aware that this is for a project, but while painting these drawers, I didn't even think I would end up writing about it. I'll probably end up painting all of them within the next few weeks, even though that won't end up being a part of this project.

Reflection #10

I'm going to be completely honest and say that this week, I accomplished absolutely nothing in the world of twenty percent time. It has been a very stressful week with that May 1 college decision deadline hanging over me every day. I still could have found time to draw, so it's not really an excuse, but drawing and twenty percent time just didn't cross my mind. This coming week, I am committing myself to draw at least one thing that I am satisfied with, on top of other attempts.

Reflection #9

This week, I really didn't make much progress towards my goal. I bought some glittery markers and played around with them, but I didn't take much time out to seriously use them. I just have a few miscellaneous doodles (mostly furbys) laying around now. I wouldn't say this week was a total waste, but I don't have much to show for the week. I still got a little practice, but nothing substantial. Next week, I plan on making more drawings similar to the last set I posted. I really enjoyed making those and I'm pleased with how they look.

Reflection 8

I actually began having fun with drawing this week (probably because it was more coloring than actually drawing). Either way, this is the first time in the course of this project that drawing/coloring felt more like a relief of stress than a source of it. I colored the outlines I made during spring break using markers and highlighters. I wouldn't consider the finished results realistic in any sense, but I like them a lot better than what I've done in the previous weeks. The first one I colored was this,

which became:
 
I had so much fun coloring it the first time that I traced the outline two more times and did it again.
Then, i realized that I still had one more drawing to color.

This time, I just colored it once.


While this isn't really what I set out to do at the beginning of the semester, I'm actually very satisfied with these drawings. I don't know if they would be considered "good", but I think they're really cool. These just seem much more "me" than my previous drawings. I'm excited to continue experimenting with color and other styles in the coming weeks.

Reflection 7

This was the week of spring break, so I didn't draw that much. I just made two basic outlines for me to finish later. I planned on using a lot of color to finish these. I did trace to make these outlines, but I still consider myself a beginner, and I don't feel it's necessary to get past tracing before I feel confident enough to do so.
 

Reflection 6

Now that we're caught up, I can post my newest drawing. So far, it is my favorite. It looks a little more cartoonish than the other two, but I actually like it better. I think I might try to move on to a bit of a different style now because realistic drawings can be a little boring to me anyway. I don't know what made this one come out a little different, because I didn't use a tutorial or anything. I guess I'm just figuring out what works for me.

Again, the hair isn't realistic, but I think it almost works with this drawing. Unfortunately, I can't find the photo I based this on, but if I do, I'll just add it to the post later.
I think for next week going to learn how to draw hair and then move into an even more cartoonish style, possibly using color.

Reflection 5

I am way behind on reflections, so I'm just going to provide updates from the last three weeks in this one. I have been working 20% time, I just haven't been updating the blog.
I finished my first drawing. I think it looks pretty bad and flat, but that's okay because it was only my first attempt.

The line through the middle is where I folded the paper, so I won't be doing that again.
Here is the photo I based it on:

Clearly, the hair needs a lot of work, and the shading looks too soft and not accurate to the photo.

I then began another drawing. I tried watching tutorials to improve, but I feel like I learn better through a lot of practice and trial and error.
Again, the hair looks like a stringy mess, but I think the shading improved a little.

The eyes look very cartoonish and the hands are very strange looking, but I think over all it is an improvement from the first drawing.
Here's the photo I based it on:

I'm beginning to realize that all the mistakes jump out a lot more in a photograph than they do when I'm looking at the actual paper.

Reflection 2

This week, I continued working on the drawing I started in week one. I began attempting to shade it even though I really don't know anything about shading. I'm just using this drawing as a sort of benchmark to evaluate where I am now so I can compare it to my drawings towards the end of the year. I plan on finishing it before the next twenty percent time so I can use that time to watch tutorials and learn tips before starting the next drawing,

Reflection 1

This week, I found the picture that I want to draw first.

It took me a really long time to draw the outline, and then it ended up looking nothing like the picture so I just traced it. I figured that's okay because I have to start somewhere. Hopefully by the end of the year, I'll be able to do it without tracing.

Second Semester 20% Time Proposal

My 20% time project for the second semester is becoming a better drawer. I say "becoming a better drawer"  rather than "learning how to draw" because anyone who can hold a pencil can draw, but I want to become a decent drawer. At the end of the year, I will redraw the first illustration I attempt at the beginning of the semester and compare the two. I will need to learn a lot of different basic techniques because as of right now, my skills are pretty much limited to doodling cats and Christmas trees in the margins of my notebooks. It will be easy to acquire materials for this project and to practice it anywhere and anytime, but actually improving my skills might prove to be a challenge. I will be able to complete the majority of this project in school, but I can work on it anywhere.

Reflection #10

This week has been more productive than most. I finally sewed in the zipper to that skirt I started a while ago. In all honestly, it looks a little sloppy as a whole, but it is my first attempt at making my own clothes, so it was expected. I also significantly shortened a long skirt that I bought from a thrift store. I'm getting back on track with my initial project goal, which is a relief

Reflection 9

Now that we're all caught up, I can tell you what I've been up to this week! I had this dress that I've never worn because it's an awkward length for me and it just looks wrong. So, I took some scissors to it and hemmed the edge. I think it looks really good now, ad it was pretty fun to do. I have a much better time modifying ad fixing existing articles of clothing than actually creating my own. Maybe it's because I start with a finished piece and work backwards so it doesn't seem like I have any work ahead of me. I want to continue doing things like this because I like it a whole lot better than starting with nothing and trying to create something. Maybe I'll create a couple of SUPER simple pieces (ie. no zippers and buttons) and then shift my focus to modifying old clothes.

Reflection 8

My 20% time goal should have been to be more prompt and less forgetful because this post is about a week late (oops). Anyway, on week of Thanksgiving I just sort of piled up some ideas in my head and bought a zipper and some buttons to finish the skirt. I really need to move on from it and learn to just finish something in one sitting because apparently if I don't, I just drag out the task as long as possible.

Reflection #7

This week, I did some "productive procrastination." While I have no physical proof of any progress, I did some helpful purusing of the internet. I found a great youtube channel with step-by-step tutorials on how to make various articles of clothing. What's best about it is that the girl whose channel it is has a very similar style to mine. I'm definitely going to use some of her tutorials in the future.

Reflection #6

This past week, I began searching for other small projects to begin. I know that wasn't the best idea considering there's still a half-finished skirt draped over the chair next to my sewing machine. It's just difficult for me to finish tasks. I often find myself eager to begin new projects, but bored with them once they're underway. I thought that maybe if I attempted a to create something almost impossible for me to not finish, I would be motivated to pick back up on my skirt. I made a simple, unremarkable coin purse-type thing. I'm not really sure what to call it; it's pretty much just a cotton envelope. It didn't even inspire me to finish the skirt, so now I'm left with a weird little pouch and a half-finished skirt. I'm just going to force myself to finish the skirt right now, because it's taking me an absurd amount of time to get around to it. Knowing myself, that's how I'll have to finish every garment.

PART TWO
I finally hemmed the skirt! I would have finished it up by sewing in a zipper, but I don't have one. I guess buying one is next on my to-do list. I'm also thinking about lining it, but that's subject to change. All in all, I think it's coming along nicely. I also hemmed some of my mom's pants last week, which isn't really a 20% goal, but small tasks like these build my confidence and improve my skills. I'm excited to continue this project and to be back on track.

Reflection #5

Sorry for the tardiness of this post. I've been really busy lately and I quite honestly just forgot to provide an update on my 20% project. Last week, Last last week, I hemmed a skirt, but not the skirt. I ordered it online as part of my Halloween costume and it turned out to be several inches longer than I expected. I was okay with that until 11 PM on October 30th, when I realized it would be impossible for me to fall asleep if I didn't do something about it. That's when I got to work. It was surprisingly easy--granted I did mess up once. The final product isn't exactly runway-ready either, but it served its purpose. The mild sloppiness definitely isn't noticeable unless you're looking for it. This built my confidence for working on the skirt. Also, I'm beginning to think that maybe my 20% goal should be less focused on creating something and more focused on learning and practicing.

Reflection #4

My newfound interest in sewing has made me the household seamstress. This past week, I've been tasked with repairing some of my dad's work shirts. I'm begining to find sewing more relaxing than stressful, but that, of course, is only for simple tasks. More daunting jobs (like sewing in a zipper or hemming a skirt---which I have yet to do) still have the tendeny to be frustrating. That's partially why I'm putting off finishing the skater skirt I started making a week or two ago. I'm just afraid I'll ruin the work I've already done on it. I researched techniques for hemming a circle skirt and how to sew in a zipper last Thursday's class. It gave me a little more confidence, but I'm still worried about messing up. I know making mistakes is part of the learning process, but I'd rather not. I sincerely plan on finishing (or at least attempting to finish) the skirt this weekend, though.

Reflection #3

Getting frustrated with my inability to sew pleats, I decided to abandon that skill for a while and learn something simpler. I used my class time on Friday to learn how to construct a circle skirt. It requires minimal sewing, and a pattern is not needed. I began making one on Sunday. I think it's coming along well, but I still have to sew in the zipper and hem it, which are apparently the most difficult parts. It's not perfect. though; it's just a starting point to familiarize myself with the process of making a piece of clothing.

Reflection #2

In class on Friday, I read about different types of pleats. I really like pleated skirts so I thought it would be a useful skill for me. I learned how to make box pleats, inverted pleats, and knife pleats. I think I would actually use knife pleats often because that is the type of pleat used to make kilt-style skirts. Over the weekend, I bought some fabric to practice on, but I had a lot of trouble making neat and even pleats. I need to continue practicing sewing knife pleats throughout the week.