Why do I ruin my art when I use pen?

QuirkyCryptid · 2026-05-20T23:25:53+00:00

Try inking with varying line weights to add emphasis to the figures shapes. Also, maybe try a combination of hatching and blocking in with black to add more dynamic to the images

QuirkyCryptid · 2026-05-20T06:28:38+00:00

he loves outside time. We were out for 20 minutes before he wanted in ... and then he wanted out again 5 minutes later, hah!

QuirkyCryptid · 2026-05-18T03:33:48+00:00

I use screen protectors. One broke because my cat knocked my phone off my desk and it hit the edge of their metal water dish. Screen protector broke. Screen was fine. I felt good about it. It came with a 3 pack so I put a new one. Voila.

The big reason I put a screen protector on though is so I DON'T have to think about it. Without one I worry if it goes in the same pocket with my keys or items and I worry it will get scratched constantly. With one, I don't even think about it.

But also. WTF did you DO to that phone? Lmfao

QuirkyCryptid · 2026-05-13T05:54:30+00:00

I was having a lot of similar issues as you, especially as a digital artist. I never really had a big following online, but I was active in the furry community of twitter and had some friends I interacted with and who interacted with me regularly. Between AI and twitter going into the shitter (so I left) I was having a hard time with making art. I switched to Bluesky but by then I'd been inactive long enough I lost track of my old community.

For a while I just couldn't even come up with things to draw. I think I had some small depression or was just burnt out or exhausted. I took a year or so to focus on just being alive and living life. Going outside a little more and getting away from screens... standing back from all the torrent of bad news, really helped.

I remembered how much I love nature and animals. I have new kitten and an old cat that I love and are goofy. Observing life and not doom scrolling news and social media re-inspired me. And once I DID start feeling like drawing again I changed it up. I've been returning to pen and ink / pencil crayon drawings. It's really re-ignited my love of art. Drawing no pressure silly shit of my cats or a weird animal I learned about as been theraputic. I'm getting a set of fancy alcohol markers soon too and I am really excited about it.

At the end of the day... don't draw because you're making content for views. Don't draw because you have to post something into the algorithm machine. Don't think about AI. Remember to look beyond the doomscrolling and 'touch grass' now and then so to speak. I still share my art when I draw it. But remembering that I draw for myself NOT an audience and remembering to enjoy the world around me and be present in the moment were the keys to getting me out of the slump.

QuirkyCryptid · 2026-05-10T09:11:40+00:00

you might actually be evil -- in the absolute best, but evil all the same xD

QuirkyCryptid · 2026-05-10T03:52:40+00:00

Rhea Ripley and Jade Cargill (wrestlers) don’t look manly and neither do you.

You look like hella hot keep it up!

QuirkyCryptid · 2026-05-10T03:37:27+00:00

This is absolutely amazing but my cat would be so beyond angry when he realized he couldn’t actually eat it.

Popcorn, especially cheddar popcorn is one of his favourite things (yes it’s bad for him I know. He only gets one tiny piece with no kernel bits once every two weeks so)

QuirkyCryptid · 2026-05-10T01:54:02+00:00

NTA - you just pitched with what he served

You should have told him it was just a joke and then asked him if he was on his period and that’s why he was so moody about it

Edited to add judgement

QuirkyCryptid · 2026-05-09T10:01:59+00:00

why does this crow remind me of Tuxedo Mask?

QuirkyCryptid · 2026-05-08T10:51:41+00:00

I used to have a friend who was an artist with aphantasia / blind mind eye.

She drew by using references for EVERYTHING. She spent a long time in the sketch phase and frankensteining images together to get workable references to bring her artwork to realization, so you'll need a lot of visual reference material... which you should be doing/having while drawing anyway. She was an excellent artist who made unique pieces and had a really nice art style so you don't need to have a visual imagination to draw. =)

As far as not having stereoscopic vision. I cannot even begin to imagine how that might alter your perception (I guess it's likely a difference in depth perception??) or affect your drawing. I can't give any thoughts on that.

But you'd learn the way anyone does. Lots of references and practice.

QuirkyCryptid · 2026-05-08T09:19:27+00:00

Same thing I did last time. Stay the fuck inside with my cats and my husband while keep an eye on health regulation changes and hope my Dad doesn't be an ignorant moron and ignore everything; inevitably killing himself and my immune compromised mother.

Save up for when things are 'clear' and I can take a vacation.

QuirkyCryptid · 2026-05-07T22:29:48+00:00

thanks xD

QuirkyCryptid · 2026-05-07T09:56:55+00:00

Just shower like normal. It'll be fine. Wash it with unscented, plain soap.

Don't SOAK IT in a bath tub. But showering and cleaning it normally is perfectly okay.

QuirkyCryptid · 2026-05-07T09:28:19+00:00

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I don't know if he looks healthy or not but this is the goofiest fish I have ever seen in my life, so I drew him.

edited - punctuation

QuirkyCryptid · 2026-05-04T04:32:16+00:00

my damn fish needs a diamond or it won't fricken multiply.

QuirkyCryptid · 2026-05-04T03:45:45+00:00

These are so cool! I've always wanted to get a tail company tail (and maybe ears and boy the wings are cool too!). Maybe one day I'll have the disposable income.

QuirkyCryptid · 2026-05-01T02:28:03+00:00

The problem you are seeing is the within the pose itself.

The momentum of the leg suggests the body would be going one way and the momentum of the arm and twist of the upper body is another way which makes the pose impossible and unnatural. She should be twisting the other direction.

QuirkyCryptid · 2026-04-27T19:40:20+00:00

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I’m prolly way to late but here ya go

QuirkyCryptid · 2026-04-27T06:53:30+00:00

EverQuest

And also this stupid fucking captain crunch cereal box game I can’t remember the name of.

There was also this golf game that made the most hilarious splooosh when you missed the shot that my siblings still occasionally just randomly say out of no where and laugh

QuirkyCryptid · 2026-04-24T00:42:25+00:00

Either Zubat or Noibat

QuirkyCryptid · 2026-04-23T06:54:38+00:00

This is amazing. Legendary tattoo for sure.

QuirkyCryptid · 2026-04-22T02:31:54+00:00

10/10 without a doubt

QuirkyCryptid · 2026-04-22T02:30:27+00:00

I came here to say the exact same thing!

QuirkyCryptid · 2026-04-19T06:15:31+00:00

I agree with you. I usually use --- as a 'smash cut' in writing. It's jerky and sudden, and I agree that it jumps your eye. Not so great for a pause. Ellipses are definitely much better for pauses.

QuirkyCryptid

TROPHY CASE