STarting off 2026

A new character enters into the composition of Miao Ying, a fiery blue light of lighting! This change may come as a surprise, and honestly it’s a bit of a surprise to myself on how quickly I committed to such a change to boot. I knew getting into this project, there was always laying at the possibility of playing with another light source with the hand gesture, as well as how the cape is structured with the larger fold dividing the parts. Originally thinking I may just try and illustrate a more natural light setting, and have the back be of a cooler shadow tone. I even based the back as well as did a test of the cooler ambient light back on a section of cloth it see how I would like it, and also to give a break from painting so much red lol.

Back to the blue light, this really came as continuing to blend out the red cloth, things can get tedious. Sketching is where I find a lot of the excitement in painting comes, and with some refinement in there too which makes things come alive. But there is only so much you can do in a session that you need a taste of something fresh on the piece. The right side was staring at me, so I grabbed procreate and just threw down some colour quickly just to scratch my curiosity. Turns out I was pretty stoked on it, and just gave the ol’Fuck It attitude and plugged it right in.

Of course this is just a sketch and it’s far from refined, but it does what a sketch is supposed to do. Give you a vibe, see how the colours and values placed are conversing with the rest of the elements around it, and position you to make those refinements easier. Just work from big to small and move along. This marks a really good phase in my recovery on the brush. Choices like these is what reminds me how much fun painting is, and taking risks is also a part of that too. Which can only come when you let yourself be open, and build trust in yourself that you can tackle whatever comes your way. That also means solving possible unforeseen problems throughout. And finally, this is the kind of territory that when I take a piece of work into, it mostly leaves a lasting impression both to myself and if I’m lucky, others that view it.

That’s all that’s been on the desk for now. Next week we return to The Doll-Maker on Day 2 video tutorial, where we take things from touching up his face, to painting his cloths and possibly the Cat, if I can remember correctly. And don’t sweat, I’ve included Pinocchio himself in the video process which you will get. That’s a special fun one which gives my approach to painting wood grain texture in 2 different finishes, and caps it off with the eyes n cheeks :)

Have a wonderful start to 2026 and of course happy painting

Bb