I finally have time to write again, but it's been hard getting started because I had to take such a long break I'm now having analysis paralysis. Similar with my efforts to learn "realistic" digital painting techniques *yay perfectionism!* So while I work through that, I'm learning new things instead, like using illustration-style tutorials to really dig into how to use different software so I'm not limiting myself to just treating it like it's paper. And it's been SUUUUPer fun!
I don't have formal training, and as fun as it sounds, I can't, like, quit my job to go to art school, haha, so I'm trying to search out ways to learn techniques on my own other than just experimenting and missing the important features. I think maybe this is a good lesson in what to do when you're in a rut and hyper-analyzing whether every effort you make is "right" or "good enough" - try something new, and give yourself permission to follow some guidelines. Is this guy a 100% original work? No, he's an adaptation of someone else's method--and he taught me a ton without stress and indecision!
This little Arondir is based on the Fjordwind character tutorial here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tjFseBal2_4 and I totally <3 him! Bronwyn next, and then some WoT characters - definitely need to try a Mandarb with this method!