If I counted correctly (and also excluding alternate versions and such) I've drawn 94 pictures this year. (With one still to come. ;3) - which doesn't quite hit the number of 97 from last year, but it's still quite an output! :3
Whenever a year goes by, I worry about my progress in art. At some point, improvements of an artist go from major strides, to tiny baby steps, because of the increase in experience and quality. If you look at some of my pictures from 2012 and before, you will see major differences in anatomy, expressions, level of finish, etc. From the last two years to now, the changes are not so apparent.
But this year I still managed to squeeze in some new techniques like Feburary, July and October, that stand out from my usual stuff - especially July. It's always a great experience when taking a risk in trying out something new pays off. And the reward of a picture unlike anything I've ever drawn before, is certainly worth all the work put into it.
From my usual pictures, I find a lot of them highly enjoyable as well, because I try to focus on things I like to draw. It means that variety is lacking in some areas, but I believe that first and foremost, I need to have fun while drawing and not try to broaden my horizon at every cost. Trying out something new can be fun, but I see no reason why it should come at the expense of drawing the things that I love.
And while, as usual, it was tough for me to pick a picture for each month, looking at the choice for April was saddeningly apparent. For me, this year was filled with a lot of wonderful events and experiences and so I sometimes think that it was a good year in total. - but then but seeing this picture always brings back the sad truth, that
\n\t\t\t\t\tAkira7 is no longer with us. I miss him so very much and there are times where all the things we talked about come flooding back.I haven't mentioned this here before, but when we attended his funeral back in April, we talked to his parents. And they told us that he had taken his own life. It pains me deeply. Every now and then I tell myself that I should have done more, talked to him, supported him, but then I think of all the other people that were such close friends with him and the fact that none of them could have seen this coming. It's this feeling of being powerless, that hurts the most, because we all deeply cared for him. His departure, if anything, has shown me how important it is to be compassionate and to care for the people around you. Because you might never know what dark thoughts haunt them.
I'm glad I could at least honor his memory with a picture and a donation to the Eurofurences charity. I'm sure he would have liked that a picture dedicated to him could raise a substantial amount to help save animals.
Looking forward to 2019 I am very excited to take on new commissions. I have worked out all the details and am ready to face the onslaught of new picture ideas. I will not make the same mistake again of creating a huge waiting list, but rather will try to do monthly commissions, so people will have a better chance to get picked.
For my own stuff, I definitely want to do more character development. That means to withstand the urge to turn every idea into a porn picture. :P But I've grown to like many of my own characters so much, that I just want to use their potential to create fun ideas. And hey, once I am more confident in drawing more narrative stuff, maybe I finally will be able to get a comic project off the ground.
As for Patreon, I am currently toying with some ideas to make pledges more appealing, but still without withholding art to those that cannot or decide not to donate money. Maybe I will do polls or let people suggest new ideas. We'll see. :3
There is one more picture coming this year, so keep tuned for that. All that's left for me to say is that I am incredibly thankful for all the support you guys have given me over the years and that I am excited for 2019! :3
Thank you!