Starting a Self Study Series

 Hello fellow Noodlers alike, whether you’re new here or a long time reader of my very neglected blog, welcome to this new post. 

I chose to post today because I have 2 in person interviews this month and I’m very nervous but excited over the new chapters in my life. One of my online interviews want a 16 page portfolio which is absolutely terrifying but today and yesterday I decided to begin a Life Study Series. 

Above are the two A4 portraits which are a part of this small project/series. In my personal opinion I feel my fineliner one worked really well and it looks very vintage and dramatic. I chose pinks/purples/reds for the colouring pencil one as it’s one of my favourite palettes. I am planning in part 2 of this series to do natural colouring pencil and watercolour. 

I chose not to post these on my social media because I’m fragile with these pieces. My references were me in my Binder and shorts, I wanted to study the human body okay, I didn’t feel comfortable in sharing myself near naked because I hate my body, I’ve destroyed myself mentally and physically in trying to love myself. I struggle to accept my weight is actually fine and I despise seeing myself naked. Anyways that’s too much information.

See you for part 2 

-Noodle

My Original Characters(MAIN)

 Hey everyone, fellow family and noodlers. This update is more a me talking about the characters in the up coming comic I’m making; I don’t like setting dates as it’ll stress me out but the pilot episode will be up here hopefully the 27th November to dedicate it to Esme the dog who turns 4 that day and to remember Toffee who passed on the 25th of last year; also I want to celebrate my birthday in a unique and creative way. Anyways here’s the main characters to the coming comic 

This first character is Crystal. She is the lead guitarist and singer of the fictional band, her main influences being proto-punk and glam as well as new romantic music. She is pansexual and currently dates Delta and is Moon’s younger sister. Her personality comes in two forms, she’s naturally an introvert who’s quiet and rarely talks and has so little to say but loves writing her feelings, but on stage she’s wild and vibrant and really let’s go; I was inspired by Kate Bush and Joan Jett and Siouxsie Sioux when making her personality because both women have the calmness then the wild energy. Her fashion sense is very feminine and DIY - after all she loves to make and thrift clothes, that was inspired by Regine Chassagne of Arcade Fire as she has such beautiful clothes and always looks like a carnival. 

This second character is Moon; whom I earlier discussed as being Crystal's sibling. They are indeed non binary which means they don’t identify as male or female. They are Lesbian and date Petal. They also play keyboards and sometimes take over vocal duties. They are most commonly seen wearing a beanie or baseball cap. They love to show their binder as a mark of their pride. 

The third character is Delta. He dates Crystal and lives with his Aunty Nova. He plays the drums in the band and likes to thrift clothes and collect crystals. He also likes to create album artwork concepts with the help of Alpha, his best friend. 

The fourth and last character is Alpha. He plays the bass guitar and likes to keep himself to himself. He is best known as the forest guardian and is half wolf. When he’s angry he turns full wolf. He’s an introvert who adores reading and drawing yet there’s rumours and stories that say he’s a psychopath. When with the band he feels at peace and likes to watch the band from afar. 

My latest collaboration

I did this watercolour painting here as a collaboration with my friend Brie and they loved it and I did upload my process video to TikTok (doodlenoodle02) I will try and upload it here too. I love to paint things as it gives it a vintage and soft look which fits my style really well. We decided to make our favourite album covers from the 90s, I chose Sonic Youth - Dirty as my favourite as at the time of deciding what to do I had just ordered this online and it was going to take a while to arrive. I’m hoping to do more album covers in my style, collaboration or not. 

Commonly Asked Questions 2

 I decided to do a part 2 so I didn’t neglect this blog again so here we go. More questions I’ve had to answer a few times.

Comfort Drawings?

I usually find if I’m in a dark area like I am now I’ll use purples more and try and draw my characters having fun because it takes my mind away from the darkness. Sometimes it’s hard to do because you’ve began having severe issues with the trauma of what’s happened; yet happy characters seems to make me much calmer 

Best Album at the moment?

I have to say I’ve played a lot of this album by pure accident and it’s Age of the Understatement by The Last Shadow Puppets. I know, it’s not been on my list but I do love how theatrical it sounds and can hear a lot of Electric Prunes in it. 

New drawings?

I’m planning on making more drawings of Crystal and Delta together as well as re drawing some albums. At this moment I’ve only got ideas in my head because I’m planning to move out and will need to pack supplies and my iPad up so that they are safe and will be handy when I get to my new place. 

New collabs?

I’ve had one in my head for the past few months which is a redraw of the Sonic Youth - Dirty album cover. I haven’t done it as I want it done traditionally and I’m packing my art tools up soon so it wouldn’t be possible yet. 

That was it for commonly asked questions 2. I will come back during my packing and relocating and hope everything goes to plan 

Concept Art

Developing

Initial Ideas

For the past 2 days I have been working on a new universe. Above you’ll see some very rough biro drawings. I have decided to do what 10 year old me wanted, a Pokémon universe. I decided to rewatch some of Galatic Battles which is series 12 of the show and I was doodling out during the second episode and this came to me. I showed my boyfriend these concepts because I needed a strong opinion if I was to do what younger me wanted. My boyfriend loved them and today I did some colour testing and came up with their name 

Their name is Corey and they’re non binary. Their main Pokémon is Mudkip. I decided to make them a skater kid and for them to subtlety reference their pride flag as well as looking very blendable. Tomorrow I’m doing the final introduction drawing and doodles of mudkip. 

Commonly Asked Questions 1

 Hey everyone, it is Noodle here deciding to start updating their blog more as I feel I want to contribute to the world. Originally I was planning to make this a book on Wattpad where I’d give tricks on being a good illustrator, however, not everyone wants to download or sign up to it. Anyways here’s some commonly asked questions I get and me trying to answer them.

Where are you based? 

I’m based in Northern England at the moment. I like the beaches and country parks here, especially one where I met swans half the size of me! 

Did you always want to draw?

Not quite. I originally wanted to be a guitarist in a band. Which is why music is a recurring theme in my work. In recent times I’ve seemed to blend them so well that the comic I’m planning will definitely reflect the combination 

What will the comic be about?

It’s following the younger characters, especially Crystal and Delta who are in a band called Wolves. I am planning for it to have dark and light moments and at this moment I’m about to storyboard and doodle out a rough version. 

Are you an introvert or extrovert?

I’m an introvert. I’ve always been one and it definitely shows in my recent choices of music. I’ve been playing a lot of gothic music at the moment. 

TV shows/films that inspired you?

Wow okay, this is a crazy and varied list but here we go!

- Mighty Boosh 

- Last of the Summer Wine

- End of the F ing world 

- The Wrong Mans

- It’s a Sin 

- Sing Street

- Control

- England is Mine 

- Trainspotting 

Musicians to play when drawing?

This is a list I play at the moment on a loop:

- Arcade Fire

- The Last Shadow Puppets

- Depeche Mode

- The Stranglers

- Blondie

- The Cure

- Siouxsie and the Banshees 

- The Kinks

- The Rolling Stones

- Blur 

Critique

What is critique?

Crtique is where someone talks to you about your work; they usually talk about what they like or dislike or hate or love about your work. This could be shortened down or at a long length to help you progress on knowing what needs to stay the same and what needs to be changed. 

Why do we get critiques?

We get critiques because we want to know what is wrong or right with our work. Nothing is perfect! The critique also lets us talk to a possible target audience and get to know their likes and dislikes; they might think your drawing of Jeff is in the wrong color, however, they might like the style used. They will also do this to ee your adapt and overcome obstacles. 

How do we critique correctly?

We can critique correctly by being honest to the person which means telling them things that may appear harsh to them, however, you want them to succeed so you must let them know what's strong and what is weak in their piece. examples of how you can tell someone about their work are: "I loved the colors of the drawing of Jeff, however, I want to see it in a cooler palette.", "The story of this character is a bit flat, maybe you could approach it from angle X" or "I admire how much hard work you have done, can you try and take it further this way?" 

How to take critique?

Some critique is done harshly and can come across nasty, don't think that (or at least do not overthink it) you must thank the person for their comments and take it in and try and add it into your work, so Jamie could tell you that it feels like you need to work on markers more to develop it further; you implement this into your work by doing more marker work. 

The effects of critique

Critique makes you a stronger creative person. Not only does it make you feel mentally stronger, it boosts your confidence in sharing you work with others, it also helps you with accepting you will do good and bad drawings. It can also help you in knowing what direction of life you should take.