» September 06 «
OKAY! Finished my newest painting!
Yeup, looks like acrylics are going to be a long term part of my portfolio from now on. Holy cow, I can't believe I slept on these paints as a medium for so long.
» September 05 «
Looks like I'm making good on that painting promise! With any luck I'll be done by tonight and have something new to upload very soon!
» September 04 «
Must.... do... more... painting.
There are IDEAS to be realized!
Also, it is WEDNESDAY, my dudes! 🐸
» September 03 «
Another day, another Tuesday... or perhaps, another TOONS-day!
» August 30 «
My current goal is to make ONE single drawing a fraction as well done as any single scene from Castlevania.
Powerhouse Studios are truly incredible and my goal is to make just ONE drawing as good as any frame from that show.
Currently working on more concept art for two new short film ideas. One will be in collaboration with a lot of other skilled artists! The other is likely going to be all me.
Very excited to make more progress!
» August 29 «
I swear I think about animation nearly a dozen times a day. It's just ambient noise, to my mind.
» August 27 «
My next project is, hopefully, going to be a really moody and atmospheric painting!
I should post it around Halloween but I'll probably post it earlier because I get really excited about that stuff.
» August 21 «
This new animation is going to be about 5 seconds long and it's going to be SO polished! I'm absolutely thrilled.
» August 18 «
Oh no... acrylic painting is fun??? Oh NOOOOOoooooooo.... 🎨🖌️👀✨
This is very exciting for me to learn.
» August 16 «
Part of me has just got used to not being that in tune with pop culture. I see news articles with headlines like "Why is everyone suddenly talking about Achy Breaky Bob?" or "Why we're all obsessed with Lil' David Juicy." and I think... who are any of these people?
I swear that they're just making people up, at this point, to sell ad space.
» August 15 «
Ahh, the joys of having a clean workspace to get paint all over, again, in the next day or two.
—There's something almost primordially joyful about having, just... tiny art... to carry with me. MTG Cards are so funny because I can't really explain why they're so amazing, they just have this quality to them. I love it.
» August 14 «
Okay! Got that paper designed! Now to actually put in the work of actually making the art for the new film!
» August 13 «
For my next short film project, I'm operating on a few new goals. I want to make this project
-As short as possible
-As cheap as possible
-As beautiful and polished as possible.
In the grand scheme of art-demands, animated projects seem to compromise on a few different points, juggling run time, quality of art, and budget. Well, I have very little budget and apparently so does the rest of the industry right now so why not try and balance that out by sacrificing the other thing people seem to have less of, these days. How about run time? So my next project is estimated at less than one minute long and, with any luck, that'll be short enough to animate and fun to watch!
Currently seeing if I can make a more efficient checklist for my animation workflow. Fingers crossed this makes things more organized for me!
» August 11 «
Heck, it's been a while! But guess what? I have ANOTHER NEW SHORT FILM IDEA! More to come, soon, because I think this'll be a really good one!
» August 02 «
Thinking about making a shrine page just dedicated to my favorite early to mid 2000's TV shows.
I wonder just how many people remember TV shows like Dragon Booster, Martin Mystery, Redwall, and Class of the Titans.
» August 01 «
And just like that, it's a brand new month!
And what's been on my mind for the past... while... now... is how the animation industry will evolve and grow over time. See, we’re at a fascinating turning point here in Canada where we have SO many skilled artists and so many skilled animators and seemingly no large scale productions using that skill. Oh, sure, we have TONS of export work to the States and sometimes France but a shocking lack of Canadian shows organically commissioned here… Rest in Peace, Nelvana… They’re not bankrupt yet but, wow, that stock price is shocking.
So what are we to do about this? I think the answer is to look for weird and different formats of ways to sell and distribute our art!
I’m currently cooking up some ideas but I think that there are some viable options out there to explore… And there’s only one way to see what the future holds! Keep striving forward!
» July 31 «
At this point I just need to sit down and make an entire thesis essay about the state of the Canadian animation industry and where I'm excited to see it go, in the future...
I should start making notes... 📝👀
» July 30 «
I've had my cards for a day now and I'm already in love with all of the beautiful art!
» July 29 «
My cards should start arriving in the mail today!!!
» July 27 «
Okay, last thing to add to this new animation and the scene will be done!
And also, man, I really want my trading cards to arrive in the mail already.
» July 26 «
Oh boy, what a day so far! I'm 80% done some more personal animation and my Magic cards will be arriving in the mail soon! Heck!!!
» July 25 «
Fingers crossed I can finish one more piece of animation today!
» July 22 «
I should make a whole playlist of my favorite 2000's pop music.
It's just got such an optimistic energy to it that I need more of in my day.
» July 20 «
Oh no, I've done it... I've bought Magic cards. 🐭
» July 18 «
I spent the last week working on an idea that didn't end up getting picked up for the group project but, hey, that's how it goes sometimes! I'll get 'em next time!
» July 16 «
Making more art one sketch at a time!
—
Suddenly overcome with the urge to re-watch Invader Zim.
I never really liked that show as a kid. Now, as an adult, I really get it.
The world is a heck of a place these days, eh? 😅
» July 14 «
Maybe I should get into Magic the Gathering...?
» July 13 «
I'm not even from the States but holy crap.
» July 12 «
OKAY! Got THAT finished! It always feels good to start the day with some new art.
» July 10 «
Trying to finish a surprisingly demanding piece of animation today. Wish me luck. 😅
» July 08 «
Man, it feels good to feel liek I'm actually making art progress again!
—I want to take a vacation to somewhere really remote and wild so I can do some serious Group of Seven landscape paintings!
» July 01 «
HAPPY CANADA DAY!!! 🎆🇨🇦🍁🎆
» June 30 «
Happy PRIDE everyone! 🏳️🌈
May today bring you joy and peace!
» June 27 «
Holy cow, after taking WAY longer than I wanted to, I'm finally done my newest short film! I'll try and post it soon!
» June 25 «
Actually making progress on personal animation is kind of insane. This idea has sat on my desk for so long it's crazy that it's finally falling into place!
—ALMOST DONE!!!! I just ahave a few things to edit and then my newest animation is complete!
» June 24 «
A new day, new time for art!
—
So I'm FINALLY making progress on some personal animation and it's so good for my spirit.
It's been though these past few weeks looking at the state of the art scene in my country and how things seem to have been on a downward trend for a while now, so being able to make more work, myself, has become a source of both emotional reassurance and also feels like an exercise in rebellion against the statistics. Like, yeah, thake THAT "declining arts scene" I'll draw and paint as much as I can!
I'll do what I can to personally skew the statistics all by myself if I have to 🖌️🎨🖼️
» June 21 «
I hope I can finish this piece of animation soon...
I say as I've finished three other shots for a side project I'm helping with. 😅
» June 20 «
Testing out some new art supplies. I'm still not used to acrylics but this might be a really fun way of doing more of my art!
Some times it's tough to stay motivated and focused but it's worth the time and dedication!
» June 19 «
Time to buy more art supplies >:D
» June 18 «
Heck, man, making art is expensive!
» June 17 «
At some point I might end up migrating some of my art over to another website I'm planning to make for my broader, less fandom-centric art.
That won't be for a while but it is something I'm considering these days. As always, I'll make sure to post about it here!
» June 14 «
Got my new phone up and working! The cameras on these things are absolutely insane!
» June 13 «
New phone!!! 📱
—Absolutely obsessed with classic Dreamworks animation.
» June 11 «
Always rememebr the most important part of making art: It's supposed to be fun!
Challenging, complicated, and time consuming, yes, but it's also meant to be fun! Get out there and have fun with the joy of creation, that's what it's all about!!!
» June 10 «
The constant urge to buy more art supplies...
—Also, I need to get back into my schedule of doing more master studies of art and animation. That stuff is tough but extremely rewarding!
» June 08 «
You know what would be really cool and really dumb all at the same time? Making an entire book by hand. Like, a one of one original book.
An actual book as a work of scarce art.
That'd be a really dumb idea because it'd be a massive amount of labor for a single object but there's something so compelling about seeing antique manuscripts and books that are made entirely by hand.
I think to myself "I have all the materials to do that... I could totally do that!" and then I come to my senses and think "Why the heck would I do that?" 🤣
» June 07 «
Gotta love trying to make animation more efficient. It's so time consuming but it'll be worth the effort!
» June 06 «
I hate to be that guy but, every time I see a new social media site pop up I immediately think of how I'd rather just work on improving my own webspace here.
Why worry about having to post on fifteen different websites, all of which have massive restrictions and downsides, when you could just make your own private, ad free, customized gallery space?
I HAVE A CUSTOM DOMAIN NAME NOW!!!
WELCOME TO ARDENTS GALLERY DOT CA
» June 05 «
I wasn't expecting to be having THIS much fun using my acrylic paints? What the heck, since when were they so much fun?? Here's a link to my newest painting!
» June 04 «
Holy crap, it's June! Happy Pride Month!
—
Also I managed to get my new printer up and running and my first test was to scan a painting I did of some clouds I saw. I'd call this a successful day!
Here's a link to them!
» May 31 «
Why the heck is the art of Magic the Gathering so inspiring? This nonsense makes me want to learn how to oil paint. Or at LEAST acrylic paint.
It's just wild to me how good all of the classic hand painted card art looks. I have nothing against digital card art, I think it usually looks amazing! There's just something about the classic Magic art that really makes you feel like you're holding a tiny painting because... you kind of are!
» May 26 «
I played the first game of Dungeons and Dragons, last night, that I've played in years. I forgot how much fun it is to gather together with the gang and share some laughs and some adventures!
» May 24 «
My printer broke 😭
» May 23 «
It works!!! The new banner animation WORKS!!! 🥳
Reject "content mill slop". Embrace making your own spaces online.
» May 22 «
It's difficult to express how meaningful it's become to me to take such control over my online presence. Just for my own sanity, alone!
As I use fewer and fewer of the ultra massive social media platforms, I can't help but feel more free. Unbound by the terms, conditions, and restrictions of the walled gardens that are sites like... well, name any of them, really.
There's this sense of missing out on the frothing and bellowing cultural haze that is sites like Twitter or "X" or whatever else they chose to rename it next, yes, but there's also a sense of peace that comes from being able to refocus in on my own art and my own creativity.
If I have a new idea to share I can just make a new page or even an entire new site! All customized to whatever I want to show off. Now that I know how free that actually feels, man, it's amazing to think I used to limit myself to those old platforms.
Truly, the freedom is worth the effort!
"When will they let me have an "edit" button on Twitter? My gif images are so compressed. I made a typo."
"Yeah, imagine having almost no control over how you post online. Sounds awful."
Also, it looks like I figured out how to properly export gif images! Which means I'll hopefully have a cool animated website banner image once my CSS updates!
» May 11 «
Last night's solar storm was wild! I can't believe I got to actually see the Northern Lights!
It was faint, but I could actually see them. How crazy is that? 🌌🌠🌟
The joy of having big art ideas versus the burden of having to go out and actually make the art.
» May 10 «
I recently got my hands on a reproduction copy of "The Book of Miracles" and it's incredibly inspiring.
I love seeing all the strange symbolism and mystical miracles.
» May 08 «
Actually animating without lag is Godly. This is amazing. 🖥️✨
» May 06 «
I adore having a new computer that actually runs fast.
I'm stunned how much nicer it is to animate without all that lag!
» May 05 «
Copying over all my old files is so freaking sloooow....
» May 03 «
New computer BUILT! And it didn't even explode! Now all I have to do is make sure everything is working as nicely as possible.
Technology is so much fun and so freaking stressful, oh boy. ✨
» May 02 «
BUILDING THE NEW COMPUTER TODAY!!!
» May 01 «
It's gonna be MAY!
» April 30 «
Another month almost at an end.
Recently I've been having a really prosperous time organizing some of my art files together to try and make a personal art book!
Like a scrap book but it takes a lot more effort...
As well, I'm finally assembling all the pieces I need to build a new computer and, with any luck, this one will be future proof for at least the next five years or more.
My current one has lasted me nearly ten before it's started to show it's age!
"Hey, Ardent, what do you use that cutting edge tech for?"
"Vr Chat, drawing cartoons, and Diablo 2..."
*bass boosted sad trumpet*
» April 28 «
I need to make a top 50 list of the best Eurobeat songs out there. Profoundly underappreciated genre.
» April 19 «
Going to go see an actual theater performance tonight! Been a long time since I've seen a real show like this and it's a professional performance of Les Mis, no less!
» April 18 «
Actually moving on to the clean animation pass for this new project!
» April 16 «
Oh boy, it's been a productive few days! Looks like building the new PC is going to be a job on the immediate horizon.
As for everything else, I've been making a ton of progress on some personal art and I hope to have more to show off soon! Fingers crossed, eh!
» April 12 «
Happy Friday, all!
» April 11 «
I need to rewatch Cybersix for the hundredth time. That show was so preposterously good.
» April 08 «
HAPPY ECLIPSE DAY!
» April 06 «
In light of some hilarious nonsense over on the... other... social media platforms, I'm once again thrilled to say that this site is 100% bot and algorithm free.
ALL of the art fratured here is my actual work and made by a real person!
» April 04 «
Really need to finish organizing my parts list for a new computer...
—I also really want to set some time aside to draw some fan art for this one webcomic I really love. SO many cool art ideas, never enough time, eh. 😅
—If there's one thing I'll never get over, it's how you think you've got a good enough playlist and then you'll find a jazz song from 1975 and it'll be absolutely amazing.
» April 01 «
The only April Fool here is ME since I'm still working on this next animated project when I have so many other things I could be doing... but it's just so much FUN!
» March 31 «
Happy Easter, everyone! ✝️ 🐇
» March 30 «
I FINALLY have my newest animation uploaded! I have no good idea how to embed videos but, whatever, this WORKS! Mobile layout is still not great but... I'm not YouTube, this is good enough 😆
Please check it out here!
» March 29 «
Happy Good Friday, everyone!
—Okay, enough waiting around. Tomorrow I'm making a new post!
» March 26 «
The clouds look really weird today. It's pretty cool.
» March 24 «
Holy crap I think I FINALLY have a solid method of archiving and backing up my DVD collection!
» March 23 «
FINALLY done this project! I'll post it soon when I've got it properly composited!
Updates can be seen on my works in progress page!
So many things to put in order, never enough time. But also I can't WAIT to be able to share what I'm working on.
I'm making more animation art AND I'm working on ways to archive and backup my DVD collection to preserve all the animated films that have inspired me!
» March 21 «
Can't believe how good things are turning out!
This new piece of art won't be that popular since it's not very meme-worthy but, hey, I think it's beautiful and that's what matters!
» March 20 «
Let's see if I can paint 5 more layers of this painting before the end of the day!
Spoiler, I can't, but I'll try anyway
I ACTUALLY DID IT??
» March 19 «
The eternal struggle of trying to go to sleep versus staying up late and making art.
» March 18 «
Back from the convention! So wonderful seeing so many good friends!
» March 12 «
Working on some new convention badges! I'll post Ardent's when it's done!
» March 09 «
Finished a new painting!!! 🖌️
» March 08 «
This is the first time I've picked up a paintbrush in weeks! So glad to be back at it.
» March 07 «
I just saw the news about the passing of Akira Toriyama. What a horrible loss. It's so crazy to think how short and sudden life can really be, eh?
I hope his work is read and celebrated for many many years to come.
» March 07 «
The new Dune was so good. Man, what a great adaptation! 🪱
» March 05 «
Thank you so much to all my new followers! I really hope you enjoy the art on my site!
—There are so many good new options for computer components. I've already got a really lengthy parts wishlist.
» March 01 «
It's a brand new month and I'm feeling really motivated to make new art!
» February 27 «
I finally have a new chair! I'm so happy! 🪑
[This is the most relevant chair emoji I could find]
» February 25 «
I'm going to buy a new chair. It's about time I replace my old one.
» February 20 «
I found out about the passing of Sy Sable today. What a horrible loss for the fandom.
Now I HAVE to draw Ardent as a skiltaire.
» February 18 «
Been feeling a really broad spectrum of emotions around art and animation these days.
Some days it's really tough to stay super motivated.
» February 15 «
One more day until the weekend!
—I could write an entire book on my hot takes about animation...
» February 14 «
Happy Valentines Day, everyone! ❤️
» February 13 «
I finally have a piece of traditional animation posted on that page!
And that makes this the first personal animation I've done this year that I've finished!
» February 12 «
One of my next big personal goals is to experiment with some extremely different art styles. I haven't drawn anything cubist or impressionist in a long time!
—A big personal goal of mine is to do a "Renaissance" art series where I try out as many different art mediums and styles as possible for the fun of it. I mean really wild and different ideas like making a series of drawings and binding them into a one-of-a-kind book. Or maybe trying out painting on canvas!
» February 11 «
The joys of looking up computer components.⭐🤩🖥️⭐
» February 09 «
After building this website, I'm going to try and help make a website for some of my friends!
It's going to be an interesting challenge.
Finally sitting down to do more personal art and it's so freeing. I've missed this.
» February 08 «
Just put in an order for a bunch of anime I've wanted to watch. Very stoked to add them to my collection.
If I take photos I might upload them here or maybe to my scraps folder just for fun.
» February 06 «
I've basically finished uploading the last of by back catalogue of art and now I can focus on using this space to upload all my NEW work!
—My next goal is to make my website RSS feed compatible. Big thanks to Rio McCloud for the advice on finding a good reader!
» February 03 «
I've been slowly making a list of all the things I want to draw and sketch.
While my job has been keeping me very busy, I'll have a lot more time in the near future to do more art.
I say this as my sketch book collects dust... heck...
» February 02 «
I need to look into good options for an RSS reader.
» February 01 «
And with this, all I need to do is finish uploading my back catalogue of art!
Moreover, in the last version of my journals, I was updating them from bottom to top, and now I'm going to start updating them from top to bottom like a sane person would. 😅
Every day I fight the temptation to buy an obscene volume of classic anime DVD's. There're so many cool works of art I want to collect.
—Exhausted from drawing all day. Now all I want to do is draw more for myself. What is life?
» January 31 «
Actually fixing these hyperlinks and I feel like a wizard.
—This new format is so much better, I'm so happy!
—After a LOT of behind the scenes work, the site is UPDATED!!!✨ 🎆 🎇
» January 30 «
Just gotta focus and actually fix these broken hyperlinks.
» January 28 «
I need to study more classic anime, this stuff is so good.
—Oh boy, it's been a push but... I've managed to update ALL 14 of my individual website pages. I have no idea why I made this much work for myself here but, oh well, they're FORMATTED! Now I just need to fix a ton of broken hyperlinks and this project will FINALLY be ready to launch!
—This new Journal format is much easier to use, this is great.
» January 24 «
IT WORKED!!! Solving a coding issue, on my own, feels like such an accomplishment every time.
—With any luck this fix will actually work...
» January 19 «
Dang, art block got hands.
—
I need to actively re-moralize my art brain. I've nearly fallen out of the habit of drawing for myself because my brain is starting to categorize that as "work" and I need to defeat that thought with a thousand punches. Being a professional artist, I get a LOT of critique on my work but I've begun to internalize it the wrong way, taking it too personally, and I need to defeat that.
My art IS good, in fact, and it can ALSO be a lot better. But, first and foremost, it's actually GOOD, and I need to remind myself of that a lot more actively, these days.
I am determined to get better at art, one step at a time.
» January 17 «
Tenacity and spite.
» January 16 «
I'll try not to vent-post TOO much on this page but it looks like this is going to be a very tough winter.
—Oh... looks like I'll be getting a LOT more time on my hands very soon...😓
—Work has been kicking my butt recently. Rest assured that I AM going to properly update this site soon! I already have a few new sketches I want to post, soon.
» January 08 «
I finally bought a lava lamp!
» January 04 «
Okay, most of my code is working. Now I just need to... actually implement it the way I want it to wrap.
» January 02 «
I'm so freaking close to a proper site update, I can FEEL it!
—Okay, back to trying to make this site mobile friendly!
» January 01 «
HAPPY NEW YEARS, EVERYONE!!!