Lady and the Tiger

For the last few years I haven't been able to come up with digital pieces that were 100% to my liking. I never created anything from beginning to finish - I always gave up in the middle. No matter the amount of tutorials I would look at, I'd just figured I could create something great without even trying anymore. I never challenged myself to do anything I wasn't used to doing, and as a result my art since I've joined DA has been flat, flat, flat and uninteresting in theme and composition.

Yesterday I started this, thinking it'd be another digital fail like before. But honestly, I'm tired of drawing the same easy things I've always drawn. I'm tired of avoiding detail and being lazy in all my artwork - letting my cockiness (yes, I'll admit to it on occasion) get in the way of making something I'd be proud of.

Lady and the Tiger was a challenge for me. I drew this over two days with four hours of sleep - longer than I've ever bothered spending on any digital artwork. At a few points I wanted to give up; to say this is complete crap and I can't finish this. But I forced myself to continue drawing, instead literally saying 'Okay you can do this' over and over again in my head.

Maybe all this does sound corny, but I feel secure in saying that I did the very best I could do on this piece. I see all of my practice with digital media reflected in this painting and I really am proud to know I succeeded.

I'm not the best of the best, but I want to recognize this picture as a major stepping stone in my artistic career.