I’m stealing this idea from Hayley at Eventide because it seemed like a great way to wind down the year on this journal and to remember all that’s happened here in 2011!
I started this blog waay back in 2009, which feels like forever ago, and looking back helps me realize how this blog has grown into so many interesting pathways!
My top blog posts of this year (not including popular posts from previous years that are still some of my most highly viewed topics) aaaare:
1. Evolution of an Artist’s Alley Table Parts 1 and 2
I like to keep a record of how I display my artwork for my own purposes and so others might learn from my trial and error. These posts cover how my displays for art shows have leveled up over the years! I hope it saves ya’ll money and helps you to make your wares look their best!
2. DragonCon 2011 Con Report
The con report/review for my biggest event of the year! I like to do a con report for every con I go to so that other artists might benefit from my working experience there. DragonCon has always been my favorite event to go to each year and I learn something new no matter what! There are also plenty of links to great costumes and silly videos we made in this post.
Because everyone likes free stuff! This was my first ever book giveaway and hopefully not the last!
5. Commissions, Portfolio Reviews, and Study Sources
A comprehensive blog of study sources for traditional artists wishing to learn more digital work and those interested in game art. Also announced my call for
Portfolio Reviews in this blog (which I’m still taking on an ongoing basis!)
A glimpse at some of the many pieces I had going on for this year’s DragonCon. Many of these pieces were sold before they were properly photographed, so this entry is the only record of them!
Another artisan craft tutorial on how to set a stone in a leather mask.
An in-depth review of my experiences with Artfire, another website much like Etsy that exists to serve the handmade market.
9. Sketch Diary: Angel of January (
Parts 1,
2,
3, and
4)
An in-depth walkthrough of my piece
“Angel of January” detailing the creative process, working with photo references, and learning new digital tricks.
Probably the most difficult entry for me to write, as it took admitting some of my failures of being an artist this year. It really helped me get my thoughts in order, however, and put me in a better position to start thinking of solutions!
Now, onward to 2012! I hope that my entries continue to provide helpful info to other creative professionals! I write this blog not just for myself, but you, the readers, so if you know of any topics you’d like to suggest for me to cover in the coming year, please feel free to suggest them here in comments!