#59 I have learned something!

Even writing this post, I can't believe the picture at the top was made by me.

Don't get me wrong, it's not perfect, probably not even good, barely passable. But for me? I remember my first art of Ekko (check: pixel above), my 14th post here. I thought that was the peak of my abilities, that I will never be able to do anything better. But look at this!

I guess, whoever is praying for my downfall, must pray a little harder. More breaks than arts, mistakes than successes, meltdowns than good days, but I'm still here.

Getting to this shape used to take me so long... now it comes natural, without thinking. At this point, I'm already planning next steps, eyes, hairstyle, pose.

This is the most reliable method of making eyes for me. Dark part at the top, light on the bottom with even lighter spot in the middle and some shining in the dark part.

You might not believe, but I actually listened to my own advice. The hand is on the different layer than a face! Please do that! I'm begging you! It saved me so much trouble later.

It's crazy how much expression changes when you add more elements. Before the right eye looked dull, uninterested. Now it's giving playful vibes (I might also be hallucinating, who knows?).

The ears got a little more 3D thanks to the thicker and darker left side and the shadow next to it. Neat little detail.

I went beyond and searched the web, how to make things look fluffy. I had very little pixels to work with, so the effect isn't too great, but the general idea is to make the light round spot at the middle and darker shades at the edges while keeping the lines longer.

A little fix to the hair, general rounding and clearing.

Eyes on the right site, class! Hair don't have to be smooth, adding some messy parts can make the pixel look more alive.

My love, one and only, star in the night sky: light line!

The hand is a surprisingly fun thing to pixel. I was sure it will take me an hour, but I got it after only a few tries.

I don't really know how to explain that... make a darker spot in the middle, choose a place for fingers to meet and make lines from there. The right shading makes all the difference.

I was fighting with the arm for over 30 minutes, but I hope the rest of the pixel will cover how weird it looks.

Wow, that was an experience. Two and a half hours of recording, not counting breaks to think and plan the next steps and research.

But I did it! And you can too! The progress might feel insignificant, but that's ok, in some time, you will look at yourself and be proud of how war you have come! I believe!!!!