Mina...
22. Animation/Illustration Student at SJSU. Dabbler, creator, artist, model. aspiring polymath.
Proper Introductions
|
By Mina Caustic, on February 19th, 2011%
I don’t post my art much right now as I’m sure you’ve noticed. While I’m in school, I don’t feel very creative, nor do I feel like my work is any good. But, I do like to share occasionally, and here are two paintings I painted for class recently. The first painting was graded a B- (and I understand why—while the egg looks like an egg, there are problems with the egg’s core shadow and reflective light) and the second painting is in the process of being graded. However, I feel like I painted the branch more “right” than I have painted other things in the past. I didn’t step back much from it while I painted it, so unless you get a good look at it, it feels mediocre (sigh). Both have problems, but I’m rather proud of them. I’m slowly learning how to paint the right way, as opposed to slapping paint down to mess with it for hours and hours.
(This was resized to fit my blog size. Click to view the full picture.)
I also did this silly little self portrait recently with my tablet to test out Sketchbook Pro. I’m not fond of the program, honestly. Personal critique: my color sense isn’t intuitive yet. I need to work on it, and keeping up interesting shapes even in simple drawings.
This weekend I drop my external hard drive off with my friend in hopes to bring it back to life. Two hard drives have died on me in these two weeks (which has caused some unfortunate distraction). On the up side, I return to work, and I have started belly dance with my good friend and teacher, Michelle.
By Mina Caustic, on December 4th, 2010%
I’ve been desperately needing to clean my make-up brushes. Make-up artists have told me in the past to simply use shampoo, and it just doesn’t… really… work. My foundation brush showed signs of tarnish from the metal, my liner never got fully clean, … I think you get the idea. As an artist, however, I have multiple kinds of paint brushes. In order to keep those clean and free of different types of paint, I need real brush cleaner. The Master’s brush cleaner is my weapon of choice, and I realized—I could totally use it to clean my make-up brushes. I have to say, it was the wisest decision I could have made. All of my make-up brushes are now back to life and back to their original color. Brush cleaner = amazing.
I’m going to take a second to talk about decent brushes for a discount price. I got most of these brushes from Sally’s—save for the MAC liner brush and the MAC foundation brush. But, not all of us can stock up on a full brush kit from MAC, NARS or some other high end cosmetics line. Please do consider Sephora’s brush kits (they are really amazing), or if you’re a student like me, check out your local Sally’s Beauty Supply. Sally’s offers a discount card for $5. That discount card did it’s job and then some for me time and time again when I dyed my hair every 2 months, and it works for all of their stock beauty supplies. Check it out! You won’t be sorry. Also, sign up for websites like Make-Up Alley. They have reviews for all kinds of beauty products, including Sally’s and Sephora’s specific cosmetics and tools.
Do not use your cat to apply make-up. It will end in blood and tears.
Last weekend, I reorganized my art table. I wanted to show everyone. I love my art table now! I can actually use it!
This past week, I also played with my acrylics. I have quickly discovered that while I like to complain about not using acrylics in my painting class, I, in fact, have forgotten how to properly use them. That’s art school for you.
I decorated my winter sketchbook that’s due for my major.
Here’s the inside, with a small plaque I printed. There are cat and squirrel gesture drawings at the bottom.
I hate these hand studies, but blind and semi-blind contour sketches are great exercises for warming up. The other page is actually full now, but the drawings are no good.
Last weekend, I also bought a bunch of new yarn. I no longer had space in my small yarn bag for all of my things. I repurposed this shelf that I had, and it’s perfect for yarn.
Oh, as an aside: I am writing articles for a feminist fashion magazine run by my friend Maddie Maschger. It fits more of a modern incarnation of Riot Grrrl thinking and lifestyle (different than my native goth environment), but it’s worth reading through, whatever your leaning. Please forgive any awkwardness in my main article—there was a fudging at the final stages of publishing and we couldn’t implement my edits.
WITHOUT FURTHER ADO: Check out Missfits Magazine!
Blog stuff: Dear readers! Do you like the purple background on the blog? Please tell me what you think. I’m growing fond of it. I have also written an About page. I’ll be updating it when I think of more to put in it. I’m also trying to figure out why my widgets aren’t working on my sidebar. Hrm. WordPress.
By Mina Caustic, on November 15th, 2010%
I’m definitely not finished with my school projects. However, I spent a long weekend working on a frustrating assignment, and I feel like I’m coming out the other end of this ordeal finally. We have to do it once more, but we have more time to work through it now.
Meanwhile, this came in the mail today:
A super cheap (Amazon had a crazy deal on it), decent tripod. It’s perfect for what I need. The cat did not come in the shipment today.
This tripod is made of aluminum, so it’s super lightweight. It’s sturdy and has that professional look, even if it’s fairly simple. It has good reviews and is considered a well made, yet low-end tripod. Some of the Amazon reviews say that it at times comes faulty. The leg locks feel a little flimsy compared to Max’s equipment, but that’s to be expected. I think that as long as I treat it well and keep it properly stored (this tripod came in its own bag), it will last for as long as I need it.
Here is a test shot. The post-it was for focusing purposes. If you ever wanted to know how I look when I’m working on four hours of sleep and as a consequence have no time to be pretty for others, this is me. Basic jeans, t-shirt, and chucks (actually, these are again, chuck wannabes from Payless. Airwalk has their own version of lo-tops). I need to figure out a better way to use lighting, and I’d like to get a better backdrop going. Any ideas?
And this came in the mail last week (with one or two other items that aren’t as interesting). I’m super excited. I feel like I have the bare basics of a starter kit, but it actually feels well rounded now. I took the below image with it.
I’ve been feeling really creative these past couple of days.
Over winter break, I have a sketchbook to work on for school. I originally was going to use one of these cahier notebooks by Moleskine, and I even customized it to my liking. I really haven’t felt comfortable with it, though. It feels like a travel notebook or something similar, and while I love the thin aspect of it I just haven’t felt that it’s the right decision. It can handle washes fine, but it gets wrinkled easier and the paper itself is light weight (which is bad, it feels flimsy and easily damageable).
Enter, this pink book. It’s by Studio Goods and the paper feels just right. The paper is archival quality. I wish it had a little moleskin style pocket and rubber band, but I may find a way to put that together myself.
I’m finding a love for deep hue, colorful sketch books. This one is no exception. Hot Pink (or Orchid as it’s called) is a color I’m somewhat resistant to, but I had to have it and use it. Decoration will commence eventually, in the vein of my beloved green book.
I really have to take a moment and mention this green book. It’s by Global Art Materials with the branding “hand*book journal co.”, and boy, it feels like a fancy sketchbook. The paper feels like watercolor paper. The small details get people curious about it when I have it out at school. Even the elastic ribbon that keeps it secure looks fancy. If you ever see one of these in the wild, check one out. Of course, yours will not have all my swirly scribblings on it.
Mmm, art supplies.
P.S. I have a fashion show focused on hair coming up in a couple of weeks. Cross your fingers for me that we’ll get a photographer out to shoot!
By Mina Caustic, on October 28th, 2010%
Until next week, I won’t know if I get in. However, I want to share what I submitted. Granted, some of this has been posted already, and some of what I put into the portfolio is in previous posts. There are changes to some pictures. I hope you enjoy what I’ve selected.
 
Click the link to see the figure drawing (nudes).
Continue reading Portfolio Selections
By Mina Caustic, on October 22nd, 2010%
I was debating uploading this as it isn’t finished, but seeing as it’s been almost a week I need to show you the reason for my absense.
Presenting: my illustration class’s final project, in its beginning stages. The perspective has been worked out. This shot is mainly to show how the building would look taking up space. I need to add a few more details to it (decoration, my teacher says it’s finished otherwise), and then I get to start planning out the final illustration. We’re doing city paintings. I’m stoked!
This week, my major is accepting portfolios for mid-program review (a big deal). I’m spending a lot of time and energy working on getting my work sorted and ready for this, as well. Having regular homework on top of portfolio work is tiring, to say the least.
It’s all over next week, though! Cross your fingers for me!
By Mina Caustic, on October 19th, 2010%
Several serious links, nerdy links, and girly links this week.
———————
Gala Darling: One of the more popular blogs I’ve run across. She gives sound advice and consistently tries to please her readers. Inspiring, really. I purchased her year’s work of podcasts.
Americans Are Horribly Misinformed About Who Has Money: Whatever your political leanings, I find it always good to look over charts like this. It’s good to know the facts.
Neocon Like Me: An amazing article on ridiculous spending on the American University in Iraq and the gross incompetence of many of the people working there. Why is it still there?
The Billion Dollar Home is Complete: For gawking, more than anything else.
Six Dangerous Products Men Use Daily—And What To Use Instead: I know that men aren’t the targeted audience of this blog. I do know that my male friends sometimes happen by it, and they may be interested in this link.
Molly Crabapple: Another amazing blogger. She’s putting out illustrations of artist monkeys right now in alphabet shapes. I love it!
By Mina Caustic, on October 11th, 2010%
This is an illustration midterm for Intermediate Illustration. Our classes focuses on light, perspective, and learning to paint with gouache (which I’m still getting the hang of). It has its flaws, as this particular project was to help us continue to get comfortable with perspective and gouache simultaneously. It was a slow-cycling warm-up, so-to-speak.
By Mina Caustic, on October 9th, 2010%
It’s midterm season at SJSU. Animation/Illustration students are sleeping little and working through the night. That means that this art dump isn’t an impressive one. Next week, there will be more.
Head studies from stock photos. I still feel really awkward with facial rhythms, but that’s what practice is for.
Yeah, I really don’t know why he kind-of looks like Obama. It’s not meant to be Obama.
Drapery study:
I didn’t go to life drawing this week. Too much to do.
But, on the bright side? Yesterday, I missed a talk by James Gurney (i.e. author/illustrator of Dinotopia and illustrator of a myriad other things) at my school because I had an important class to attend. During my class’s half-hour lunch break, I learned he was still chatting with some of our professors after class. I jumped on my bike and rode full-speed over to the building where he was speaking. I was able to introduce myself, shake his hand, and walk with him and a few others for a few short minutes. So, I met James Gurney, and I now have a great story to tell.
By Mina Caustic, on September 28th, 2010%
Today I’ll be posting a sketchbook page, and a few sketches from the last few weeks of life drawing. Last night I just wasn’t feeling it and the last drawing shows it. I’d rather show some other stuff I’ve done.
My disclaimer with life drawing: I draw naked people, and while I don’t claim to be any good, I think it’s good to have something from the weekly sessions documented somewhere. If you are under the age of 18 or find it offensive, don’t look.
Continue reading Life Drawing & Sketchbook
|
Comments are closed 
