Journals85
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So yeah, it's been 2019 over here for a while now.
Hoping it's gonna be a great one!
2018 has been an interesting year to say the least. Stuff happened, some good, some bad. But I was usually too busy to notice most of it.
Though I will say that the videogame industry was pretty comedic, for all the wrong reasons.
But for me personally, 2018 was okay for the most part. Some great stuff mixed in with some meh. I won't get too into the latter.
For starters, I got a part-time job as a programmer at a small engineering firm! I mainly do front-end dev for them, but also some occasional library porting.
I also have a sort of side-business going on, designing and manufacturing low volume devices for people, mainly sensor monitoring stuff. I get to do all sorts of stuff, from electronic and mechanical design, programming, to 3D printing, component sourcing and assembly.
It's been great getting experience and doing something other than just studies all the time. Finally being able to pay for things myself is awesome as well.
My car's been getting a little more attention since I can afford the replacement parts. New front shock absorbers, changed oil and filter, a lot of cleaning, and some small fixes and improvements. I still love driving and working on my Colt, such a fun old car!
Also replaced or upgraded a few other things of mine, like some of my computer's components, my 3D printer, drawing tablet and phone. Now I'm a little less out of date!
My art suffered quite a bit this year unfortunately. Partly due to the juggling of work and studies, but also due to some personal stuff going on. The motivation and/or time simply wasn't there.
I did get to do Inktober, and finish all 31 drawings at least! I'm pretty proud of having done that. I really enjoy working with ink, and got to experiment with some extra things to mix with it.
So yeah, a new year!
For challenges, I'll be doing pic-a-week once again! Pic-a-fortnight did not work out for me last year, the spacing made me forget about it too often or postpone a lot. Weekly is more frequent.
Here's to an awesome 2019!
Hoping it's gonna be a great one!
2018 has been an interesting year to say the least. Stuff happened, some good, some bad. But I was usually too busy to notice most of it.
Though I will say that the videogame industry was pretty comedic, for all the wrong reasons.
But for me personally, 2018 was okay for the most part. Some great stuff mixed in with some meh. I won't get too into the latter.
For starters, I got a part-time job as a programmer at a small engineering firm! I mainly do front-end dev for them, but also some occasional library porting.
I also have a sort of side-business going on, designing and manufacturing low volume devices for people, mainly sensor monitoring stuff. I get to do all sorts of stuff, from electronic and mechanical design, programming, to 3D printing, component sourcing and assembly.
It's been great getting experience and doing something other than just studies all the time. Finally being able to pay for things myself is awesome as well.
My car's been getting a little more attention since I can afford the replacement parts. New front shock absorbers, changed oil and filter, a lot of cleaning, and some small fixes and improvements. I still love driving and working on my Colt, such a fun old car!
Also replaced or upgraded a few other things of mine, like some of my computer's components, my 3D printer, drawing tablet and phone. Now I'm a little less out of date!
My art suffered quite a bit this year unfortunately. Partly due to the juggling of work and studies, but also due to some personal stuff going on. The motivation and/or time simply wasn't there.
I did get to do Inktober, and finish all 31 drawings at least! I'm pretty proud of having done that. I really enjoy working with ink, and got to experiment with some extra things to mix with it.
So yeah, a new year!
For challenges, I'll be doing pic-a-week once again! Pic-a-fortnight did not work out for me last year, the spacing made me forget about it too often or postpone a lot. Weekly is more frequent.
I also wanna make a couple of basic synthesizer modules, make some noise and stuff!
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Monthly Update (January)
4 min read
Figured it was time for one of these again. Planning on doing these on a monthly basis again.
It's been an eventful month!
First off though, I've been sick for the last week, probably will be for another week or two. The plants are at it again, and my nose does not agree. So the past few days in particular was rather terrible for productivity.
Studies: While classes only start this week, I've had to do some vacation training at a company for one of my university modules. I did some computer vision work for a local surveillance/IoT company, which was pretty exciting and challenging. Learned a lot as well, and might have secured a more permanent job for later. It's also why I haven't been able to do much in terms of art and other projects, as it was pretty much full-time. Buuuut, the place has an awesome coffee machine, which is always great.
Art: Not a lot going on here. My pic-a-fortnight challenge is taking some getting used to. I've actually thought I missed a week because of the longer gaps between deadlines. But my perception of time is a little out of whack, due to work. I'm actually still on track, just need to remember to use my little chart I printed out. However, I need to use the time I have to put more effort into my drawings.
I've slowly been trying to get back into digital art as well, but that's been rather difficult so far. I'm waaay more out of practice than I initially thought. I'm not even sure how I used to do digital art all those years ago. But, I'm hoping with some practice, I can get back into it. I miss some of the cool possibilities that digital offers.
Music: This may or may not become a new category in these updates.
As mentioned in a previous journal, I acquired a MIDI controller, specifically a Novation Launchkey Mini. I've still only been able to make some random noises in it, still figuring out the settings and instruments.
Another music-related project is making some CV-based synth modules. Aiming for at least an oscillator or two, and a few filters. Also got some schematics for a MIDI-to-CV converter, so I might be able to control analog modules with a computer and my Launchkey!
Ideas for an FPGA-based synth has also been floating around in my head, after acquiring a cool little FPGA development board.
Tech: Some pretty cool stuff here!
My new laptop has been working pretty nicely, which I am pleased with. Though, it's a little on the hot side while gaming or doing heavy processing. But this is the middle of summer now, so that's to be expected.
I got yet another mechanical keyboard, this time for my campus computer. They're so much nicer to type on, so I thought it'd be a justified purchase for writing reports. Now I don't need to carry my home PC's keyboard back and forth whenever deadlines approach!
But the best bit of tech news for January is my new retro addition that I got from my nerdy mouse friend, Anoyomouse: A working Commodore 64! With tape drive, printer and display. It only needed some light restoration and cleaning, and now it's ready for all the glorious 8-bit bleepy-bloopy action! For the most part at least. Finding game cassettes in 2018 here in my area of SA is pretty much impossible. (I know of a single cassette at the moment) However, I'll be building a cassette drive emulator soon, so I can load games onto it more easily. Another option is to restore an old 80's cassette recorder I have, and use it to record programs and games to cassette from a PC, and then use those in the C64's original tape drive. Maybe I'd even take a stab at making a game myself!
That's about it for January. Pretty cool month, save for being sick of course. February is gonna be interesting, have a bunch of projects I wanna do, getting back to studies and doing some part-time work for pay and experience.
It's been an eventful month!
First off though, I've been sick for the last week, probably will be for another week or two. The plants are at it again, and my nose does not agree. So the past few days in particular was rather terrible for productivity.
Studies: While classes only start this week, I've had to do some vacation training at a company for one of my university modules. I did some computer vision work for a local surveillance/IoT company, which was pretty exciting and challenging. Learned a lot as well, and might have secured a more permanent job for later. It's also why I haven't been able to do much in terms of art and other projects, as it was pretty much full-time. Buuuut, the place has an awesome coffee machine, which is always great.
Art: Not a lot going on here. My pic-a-fortnight challenge is taking some getting used to. I've actually thought I missed a week because of the longer gaps between deadlines. But my perception of time is a little out of whack, due to work. I'm actually still on track, just need to remember to use my little chart I printed out. However, I need to use the time I have to put more effort into my drawings.
I've slowly been trying to get back into digital art as well, but that's been rather difficult so far. I'm waaay more out of practice than I initially thought. I'm not even sure how I used to do digital art all those years ago. But, I'm hoping with some practice, I can get back into it. I miss some of the cool possibilities that digital offers.
Music: This may or may not become a new category in these updates.
As mentioned in a previous journal, I acquired a MIDI controller, specifically a Novation Launchkey Mini. I've still only been able to make some random noises in it, still figuring out the settings and instruments.
Another music-related project is making some CV-based synth modules. Aiming for at least an oscillator or two, and a few filters. Also got some schematics for a MIDI-to-CV converter, so I might be able to control analog modules with a computer and my Launchkey!
Ideas for an FPGA-based synth has also been floating around in my head, after acquiring a cool little FPGA development board.
Tech: Some pretty cool stuff here!
My new laptop has been working pretty nicely, which I am pleased with. Though, it's a little on the hot side while gaming or doing heavy processing. But this is the middle of summer now, so that's to be expected.
I got yet another mechanical keyboard, this time for my campus computer. They're so much nicer to type on, so I thought it'd be a justified purchase for writing reports. Now I don't need to carry my home PC's keyboard back and forth whenever deadlines approach!
But the best bit of tech news for January is my new retro addition that I got from my nerdy mouse friend, Anoyomouse: A working Commodore 64! With tape drive, printer and display. It only needed some light restoration and cleaning, and now it's ready for all the glorious 8-bit bleepy-bloopy action! For the most part at least. Finding game cassettes in 2018 here in my area of SA is pretty much impossible. (I know of a single cassette at the moment) However, I'll be building a cassette drive emulator soon, so I can load games onto it more easily. Another option is to restore an old 80's cassette recorder I have, and use it to record programs and games to cassette from a PC, and then use those in the C64's original tape drive. Maybe I'd even take a stab at making a game myself!
That's about it for January. Pretty cool month, save for being sick of course. February is gonna be interesting, have a bunch of projects I wanna do, getting back to studies and doing some part-time work for pay and experience.
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Bye bye 2017! Hello 2018!
4 min read
It's that time again! Crazy to think it's already New Year again.
This journal is gonna have two parts, some remarks about the past year, and some plans and hopes for this new year.
2017 was a very interesting year for me.
I completed my final year project for engineering this year. It was quite a challenge, but I managed to create my first synthesiser! It's by no means anything particularly useful yet, only illustrating the viability of the concept. But I would like to make an improved version for myself someday. I learned a lot in the process, both about the project and field of audio synthesis, as well as myself.
I still have another year of studies left, but with the project and a few of the difficult modules out of the way, things will be a lot calmer. So I'll be able to do more stuff this year!
I managed to complete my pic-a-week challenge! One drawing each and every week. Even with the couple of close calls, it ended up being a lot of fun.
Got to try some new techniques here and there, drew some species I haven't tried before and generally had a good time.
Also got a new laptop a week or so ago! After 5 years of service, all the reports, projects, games and art took its toll on my old Acer laptop. The keyboard is pretty much toast, with many missed keypresses. And one of its two GPUs have been dead for a few months, so it hasn't been running on all cylinders for quite a while. Even on idle, it can burn one's hand if you touch the exhaust outlet. Battery barely lasts an hour too.
Replacing it is a new Dell Inspiron 15 7577, with ample amounts of power to handle the sort of work I do and the games I play. It even has a fancy IPS display, so I have way less worries about colour accuracy when I move a fraction of a degree like on my old laptop. (And now I can finally say my New Year's resolution is 1920x1080 xD) And in spite of having proper hardware, it doesn't look like a gamer's wet dream, so I can use it in meetings and stuff without being "that guy". Really like the external design!
I also acquired a small Novation MIDI controller, which I want to use to get into making music.
So far I've just been making random noises in Ableton Live, but I'm learning about music production in the process.
So, for this new year, I have some goals I want to reach again.
For art, I'm going to do something similar to last year, and draw at least one drawing every two weeks. Pic-a-fortnight! The reason for two weeks instead of weekly is so that I can focus on quality more. While I did manage some nice pieces for pic-a-week most of the time, there were some pieces I felt were lacking. So I want to take a little more time with the entries this year in order to have nicer results. I'll still do some sketches in between if I can, but the actual entries would be properly detailed pieces. Also want to do more commissions and art trades! (After finishing the few commissions I already have, of course)
For music, I want to, well, get into making music. At least make a song or two, mostly electronic. (No vocals plz, I can't sing)
For electronics, is kind of related to music. I want to build another synthesiser, but a more conventional and therefore useful one! Likely modular or at least semi modular.
So yeah, Happy New Year everyone!
May you all have an awesome 2018, and best of luck with your goals and resolutions.
This journal is gonna have two parts, some remarks about the past year, and some plans and hopes for this new year.
2017 was a very interesting year for me.
I completed my final year project for engineering this year. It was quite a challenge, but I managed to create my first synthesiser! It's by no means anything particularly useful yet, only illustrating the viability of the concept. But I would like to make an improved version for myself someday. I learned a lot in the process, both about the project and field of audio synthesis, as well as myself.
I still have another year of studies left, but with the project and a few of the difficult modules out of the way, things will be a lot calmer. So I'll be able to do more stuff this year!
I managed to complete my pic-a-week challenge! One drawing each and every week. Even with the couple of close calls, it ended up being a lot of fun.
Got to try some new techniques here and there, drew some species I haven't tried before and generally had a good time.
Also got a new laptop a week or so ago! After 5 years of service, all the reports, projects, games and art took its toll on my old Acer laptop. The keyboard is pretty much toast, with many missed keypresses. And one of its two GPUs have been dead for a few months, so it hasn't been running on all cylinders for quite a while. Even on idle, it can burn one's hand if you touch the exhaust outlet. Battery barely lasts an hour too.
Replacing it is a new Dell Inspiron 15 7577, with ample amounts of power to handle the sort of work I do and the games I play. It even has a fancy IPS display, so I have way less worries about colour accuracy when I move a fraction of a degree like on my old laptop. (And now I can finally say my New Year's resolution is 1920x1080 xD) And in spite of having proper hardware, it doesn't look like a gamer's wet dream, so I can use it in meetings and stuff without being "that guy". Really like the external design!
I also acquired a small Novation MIDI controller, which I want to use to get into making music.
So far I've just been making random noises in Ableton Live, but I'm learning about music production in the process.
So, for this new year, I have some goals I want to reach again.
For art, I'm going to do something similar to last year, and draw at least one drawing every two weeks. Pic-a-fortnight! The reason for two weeks instead of weekly is so that I can focus on quality more. While I did manage some nice pieces for pic-a-week most of the time, there were some pieces I felt were lacking. So I want to take a little more time with the entries this year in order to have nicer results. I'll still do some sketches in between if I can, but the actual entries would be properly detailed pieces. Also want to do more commissions and art trades! (After finishing the few commissions I already have, of course)
For music, I want to, well, get into making music. At least make a song or two, mostly electronic. (No vocals plz, I can't sing)
For electronics, is kind of related to music. I want to build another synthesiser, but a more conventional and therefore useful one! Likely modular or at least semi modular.
So yeah, Happy New Year everyone!
May you all have an awesome 2018, and best of luck with your goals and resolutions.
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7 Years on dA
2 min read
It's been a while since my last journal, but I noticed the date of today.
Today marks my 7th year here on DeviantArt!
It's been a pretty interesting 7 years. 165 pictures, met lots of new friends, tried many things artwise, got a graphics tablet (two, actually), improved a loooot and generally having a fun time with the whole online artist thing.
And that's just here on dA, IRL also had tons of stuff in the last 7 years as well; getting my first car, starting my engineering degree, fixing a ton of electronics, getting to know some online friends in person and some other stuff as well.
Today, while I was tidying up my room, I came across some of my old drawings from between 4 and 6 years ago. I was amazed by how far I've gotten since then, but also surprised at what I occasionally managed to pull off way back when. It's pretty nice to reflect a bit on the progress one has made and where one started. Kinda inspiring actually!
But I also wonder why I never finished some of the drawings, some of them were really nice. I may either finish them someday and post them, or use some of them as a sketch to make some digital art of, when I get back into digital someday.
Here's to many more years of art! I'm not planning on stopping any time soon.
This box full of art supplies shouldn't go to waste after all.
Today marks my 7th year here on DeviantArt!
It's been a pretty interesting 7 years. 165 pictures, met lots of new friends, tried many things artwise, got a graphics tablet (two, actually), improved a loooot and generally having a fun time with the whole online artist thing.
And that's just here on dA, IRL also had tons of stuff in the last 7 years as well; getting my first car, starting my engineering degree, fixing a ton of electronics, getting to know some online friends in person and some other stuff as well.
Today, while I was tidying up my room, I came across some of my old drawings from between 4 and 6 years ago. I was amazed by how far I've gotten since then, but also surprised at what I occasionally managed to pull off way back when. It's pretty nice to reflect a bit on the progress one has made and where one started. Kinda inspiring actually!
But I also wonder why I never finished some of the drawings, some of them were really nice. I may either finish them someday and post them, or use some of them as a sketch to make some digital art of, when I get back into digital someday.
Here's to many more years of art! I'm not planning on stopping any time soon.
This box full of art supplies shouldn't go to waste after all.
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New year and onward
2 min read
First off, happy new year everyone! Hope this one is gonna be better than the last.
Speaking of better, I've challenged myself to draw and finish at least one drawing each week this year. Even if it's just a simple sketch. The whole barely-one-a-month drawings of prior years doesn't sit well with me, so I figured having a set goal rate would help the issue.
So that makes for a minimum of 52 pictures this year, of which one is already done. It's actually more than than was posted in the last two years combined!
I also want to do some digital art again soon. I haven't done a single digital piece in the last two years either. Which is rather sad, since my Wacom is gathering dust at the moment. I don't even use it for doing touch-ups on traditional works lately. So that's something I want to change as well.
Same goes for coloured traditional pieces. I have a ton of pencils and other media I want to try out, so more experimental pieces are also on the list of goals.
Blueshift commissions are still running at $20 a piece, so comment or note if interested! I'll announce other commission types and options as time goes by, and current ones are finished.
tl;dr
* One drawing a week, minimum
* Moar digital
* Moar colour
* Moar experimental stuff
* Moar commissions
Speaking of better, I've challenged myself to draw and finish at least one drawing each week this year. Even if it's just a simple sketch. The whole barely-one-a-month drawings of prior years doesn't sit well with me, so I figured having a set goal rate would help the issue.
So that makes for a minimum of 52 pictures this year, of which one is already done. It's actually more than than was posted in the last two years combined!
I also want to do some digital art again soon. I haven't done a single digital piece in the last two years either. Which is rather sad, since my Wacom is gathering dust at the moment. I don't even use it for doing touch-ups on traditional works lately. So that's something I want to change as well.
Same goes for coloured traditional pieces. I have a ton of pencils and other media I want to try out, so more experimental pieces are also on the list of goals.
Blueshift commissions are still running at $20 a piece, so comment or note if interested! I'll announce other commission types and options as time goes by, and current ones are finished.
tl;dr
* One drawing a week, minimum
* Moar digital
* Moar colour
* Moar experimental stuff
* Moar commissions
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