Art Update: "It's been a while..."

I have had the opportunity to update recently, but decided to accumulate a little more before I posted this one. I just got the Wacom Art Pen for my Intuos4. It's a little bit of an investment ($99...). It adds barrel rotation (ability for brush tools to pick up rotation of hand) so adds more natural characteristics and of course allows me to turn brush tips so I can get into tiny corners (my biggest gripe)

I don't like using round brushes, so I generally like to stick with ovals, flats, or a "chipped" tip of some kind. I have to get used to the rotating, because Photoshop doesn't show how much, when you're rotating (not in the cursor anyway...), so it'll take some getting used to....

Anyway, I am having a conundrum with Amanda's painting. I am trying to decide whether to crop it or if I should paint before the borders and go back to the letter size. My intention is to frame it. I can drop it, but it will leave white borders on the side, and I'm not sure if I will be successful finding a frame for it. Of course, if I matted it, it wouldn't be a problem. I don't have $ for matte...

So trying to decide if I should continue with a previous background, but I like the cropped version a lot. I just think it fits better, is airy, simplistic... I can try to continue the background, but the problem with it is it feels a bit busy. There are some concepts I want to try, but I don't know if I have room for. Decisions... I might post in an art forum somewhere to get some creative suggestions.




A cartoon version of my own face. Got funny towards the end and technically that was not finished, so not really a complete idea (yet)





From a previous composition. I have been trying to see if I can replicate the same face. Also trying the new pen












Stuff I used to do. Was just to relax



Now for latest from my sketchbook:




























Waiting area of a restaurant outside. It's fine except we had to get up before I could sketch the background (it was a boring parking lot anyway...)



Amanda painting
vs.