As probably guessed by my most recent piece, I have finally discovered the wonders of Steampunk. I have been interested in this genre on and off, but had no idea what it was called, nor what it is made of. However, I finally was pulled in by an image or two, looked it up on Wikipedia and other sites, and pretty much fell in love. I've already designed some accessories and started another drawing, so expect my next works to involve Steampunk!

Steampunk, from what I have gathered, seems to be “what if electricity wasn’t invented and everything ran on steam power instead?” The style of dress and travel (blimps/air ships, trains, and steam cars) are focused on the science of steam-powered things. The clothing is based off of that mechanical element mixed with Victorian styles of dress. If you have ever seen the Disney movie “Treasure Planet” (based off of “Treasure Island” ), it has a very “inventor” feel to everything. Most people into the genre make or aid in making their own unique and unusual mechanical accessories, such as the “flight wings” that pop out of backpacks. It takes historical elements and blends it with the present in an interesting and unique fashion.

As for my style, Steampunk usually requires a tighter one. Therefore, my looser works will be challenged with incorporating the mechanical style into them. I am hoping to practice color as well. So, even though I feel my coloring sucks no matter how much theory I know, I am going to keep trying and doing my best with different coloring mediums. I think that I'll get it eventually. After all, it took me eight years to become good with proportion and line, and decent with composition, and I'm still working on those.

I am also hoping to eventually get a drawing pad for my computer and start learning how to use that in Photoshop. I may even borrow one from the school if I have time this semester.