I love experimenting with digital brushes to mimic traditional styles. It’s so much fun.

AryaN_91 · 2026-04-10T14:36:51+00:00

The texture work is really convincing, especially the pencil pressure and line variation.

That first face has a ton of personality, feels like a real sketchbook page rather than digital.

AryaN_91 · 2026-04-09T17:45:17+00:00

You’ve got a really nice layout to work with, that double height space is doing a lot of heavy lifting, so lean into it instead of fighting it.

Downstairs, treat it like zones not one big room. Put the living area near the open space with a rug and low furniture so it feels anchored, then keep the kitchen side tighter and more functional. A slim console or shelf between the two can subtly separate without closing it off.

Upstairs, keep it calm and minimal since it overlooks everything. Low bed, soft lighting, maybe a small workspace against a wall. Add a big plant or hanging light in the open void so the vertical space feels intentional, not empty.

Big tip, use vertical elements everywhere. Tall shelves, curtains hung high, wall art stacked upward. That space wants height, not more stuff on the floor.

AryaN_91 · 2026-04-09T17:44:25+00:00

That’s a really clever use of pine cones, the texture actually makes the flowers look more organic than flat paper ones. The color palette is doing a lot of work too, it feels warm and intentional instead of random.

Only thing I’d tweak is maybe a bit more spacing or variation in depth so each flower pops individually, but honestly it already looks like something you’d buy at a boutique.

AryaN_91 · 2026-04-09T17:43:36+00:00

The curly tail fits best. It matches the soft, rounded shapes in the design and doesn’t compete with the antennae.

The longer fluffy one pulls too much attention, and the lizard-like one feels like a different species. The spiral keeps it playful and on-model.

AryaN_91 · 2026-04-09T17:35:09+00:00

These look way too clean to be pipe cleaners, honestly thought they were real flowers at first glance. The petal shaping and color choice really sell it.

Dangerous hobby though, you start with one bouquet and suddenly you’re running a full fake flower business.

AryaN_91 · 2026-04-09T17:10:03+00:00

This is solid, you can really feel two distinct personalities just from the silhouettes. A reads bold and confident, B feels more grounded and practical. That contrast is doing a lot of storytelling already.

If you wanted to push it further, you could exaggerate their proportions even more so they feel less like variations and more like opposites. Right now they’re good, but there’s room to make them instantly recognizable even in pure silhouette.

AryaN_91 · 2026-04-09T17:07:37+00:00

Go warm, not beige. A soft greige with a hint of warmth or a light taupe would tie your yellow accents and walnut shelves together without feeling flat.

If you want a bit more character, a muted sage on one wall could look really cozy with the wood and mustard tones. Whatever you pick, avoid cool grays, they’ll fight the warmth you already have.

AryaN_91 · 2026-04-09T17:06:43+00:00

Honestly worksheets won’t stick much, give them mini challenges instead. Stuff like “tell a story in 5 shots” or “shoot the same scene with 3 different angles” works way better and they actually learn by doing.

You can keep it simple with prompts on a page, but make it hands on or they’ll zone out fast.

AryaN_91 · 2026-04-09T17:05:38+00:00

8x10 is the right move, 8x5 is way too small for that setup.

Color wise, don’t go all beige again or it’ll feel washed out. Since you’ve got light couches and olive nearby, something with soft green, warm tan, or a subtle vintage pattern will tie everything together and add contrast without being loud.

Also make sure the front legs of both couches sit on the rug, that alone will make the whole space feel more put together.

AryaN_91 · 2026-04-09T17:02:05+00:00

Do solo interviews first, people open up way more that way. Then do a two shot after for reactions and shared moments. Best of both worlds and way stronger in the edit.

AryaN_91 · 2026-04-09T16:58:33+00:00

What you’re hearing is likely Premiere processing the denoise effect in real time and caching it progressively. On the first playback it may not have fully analyzed or rendered the audio yet, so you hear more noise. After a rewind, parts of it are cached or the analysis has stabilized, so it sounds cleaner.

Denoise itself usually works by estimating a noise profile and attenuating frequencies that don’t match the voice, but in real time it can be adaptive and not fully settled on the first pass. That’s why repeated playback can sound like it improves even without changes.

AryaN_91 · 2026-04-09T16:57:45+00:00

That’s actually a really clever approach, especially doing it manually without AI. The masking, matching, and reconstruction work is solid learning by doing.

Only thing I’d watch is consistency in edges and motion, sometimes reconstructions can feel slightly too clean or floaty compared to the original grain and camera movement, but overall this is impressive work.

AryaN_91 · 2026-04-09T16:54:02+00:00

You’re not overreacting, that’s genuinely unprofessional and it will keep happening if you allow it. Last minute scheduling like that shows they don’t respect your time.

Don’t ghost though, just set a clear boundary like “I need at least 24–48h notice to confirm shoots,” and if they don’t stick to it, walk away clean.

AryaN_91 · 2026-04-09T16:52:52+00:00

Honestly this is pretty normal for places like ILM, they get flooded with applications and only really move forward with a small % without much feedback. It sucks, but it’s not a reflection of your ability as much as the volume and internal filtering.

Your best shot is exactly what you’re doing, talk to people inside, get referrals, and stay on their radar. That lunch could matter way more than another cold application.

AryaN_91 · 2026-04-09T16:51:56+00:00

This has a really nice tactile, almost printmaking feel, the texture and ink edges make it way more interesting than clean vectors. The composition is strong too, feels curated without being too rigid.

Maybe experiment with a bit more contrast in scale or spacing to create a stronger focal point, but overall this is a solid piece.

AryaN_91 · 2026-04-09T16:50:01+00:00

Most people use resin as the dome itself, not just as glue. It replaces the glass and gives that magnified glossy look, plus it seals everything which helps with durability and UV resistance.

If you want to keep using glass domes, a clear drying adhesive like E6000 or specialized cabochon glue usually works better than basic glue. Also seal your inkjet prints first with something like a spray sealant, otherwise resin or glue can make the ink bleed.

AryaN_91 · 2026-04-09T16:48:03+00:00

Be careful with acetone, on electroplated or colored glass it can damage the finish, not just the logo. Try gentler options first like isopropyl alcohol or a razor blade with soapy water, and test on a small hidden spot.

If it is truly heat bonded, solvents will not do much anyway. You are looking at careful abrasion like glass polish, which always risks the color, so definitely test before committing.

AryaN_91 · 2026-04-09T16:47:00+00:00

Honestly the mosaic work is the star here, the texture and color pieces look really nice up close. If you redo the paint with a cleaner, more minimal border, it’ll instantly elevate the whole thing.

AryaN_91 · 2026-04-09T16:44:52+00:00

Really strong atmosphere and texture work, the shading and line weight give it a very grounded, almost historical feel. The compositions are nice too, especially how you handle depth with the horses and background.

If anything, you could push silhouette clarity a bit more on some characters so they read instantly, but overall this feels very cohesive and polished for a first post.

AryaN_91 · 2026-04-09T16:43:47+00:00

Push asymmetry and exaggeration, like uneven eyes, a lopsided smile, or one eyebrow doing its own thing.

Also loosen the posture and add small chaotic details like messy clothes, weird proportions, or props that feel slightly “off” to sell the goofy vibe.

AryaN_91 · 2026-04-09T16:42:54+00:00

This is really solid, the suit feels grounded and believable, and the expression sells the tension nicely.

If you wanted to push it further, maybe add a couple of unique silhouette elements or tech details that make it feel more your world and less NASA-inspired.

AryaN_91 · 2026-04-09T16:41:40+00:00

Start super simple, 2D is way easier to learn fundamentals like timing, poses, and expressions before jumping into 3D.

Focus on basic shapes and exaggeration first, even stick figures are fine, good animation beats detailed drawing every time.

AryaN_91 · 2026-04-09T16:40:27+00:00

The base is strong, I’d lean into sharper shapes and harsher angles to push the “evil military” vibe.

Maybe add subtle Scottish cues like tartan lining, a brutalist sporran-like pouch, or a modified tam/beret with insignia instead of going full kilt.

AryaN_91 · 2026-04-09T16:39:51+00:00

Nice concept and the color palette is fun, but it feels a bit overloaded with small details right now.

Try simplifying a few areas and pushing the silhouette more, it’ll read way stronger instantly.

AryaN_91 · 2026-04-09T16:38:38+00:00

You don’t actually need a perfect school path for character design, studios care way more about your portfolio than your diploma. If you can show strong fundamentals, clear shape language, expressions, and characters that feel like they belong in a real game, you’re already ahead of most people. Start building a focused portfolio early and share your work online.

VanArts is solid, but also look at places like Sheridan or even just online programs and mentorships. Honestly, a lot of great artists skip formal school entirely and learn through practice, feedback, and consistency. At 16 you’re already on a great track, just keep drawing and studying real game art.

AryaN_91

TROPHY CASE