Category: Finished Art

Guard Against the Beast

02
Oct
2018

I’ve always been very focused on characters. I love drawing people and creatures. But it also means that I rarely draw backgrounds.

I made a goal to create an image with a very detailed background in order to stretch myself, and then to win a local art contest with that illustration.

Check, and check.

Here it is.

Tanya Hales Illustration, dark horse, unicorn, sword

I’ve come to realize the obvious lately. If I only do the same thing I’ve always done (the things I’m good at and comfortable with), then I’ll never grow any better. I’ll just get good at doing the same thing. And I really do want to improve.

So my challenge for myself is to seek tons of opportunities to do new things, especially the things I’m afraid of. I want to make new kinds of illustrations, lead presentations on art and writing, run a Kickstarter, have my own booth at a convention, and beyond. And ever since making these goals for myself, I’ve been much more excited and invigorated about life.

So what are some goals you can make that will bring you through discomfort, but land you exactly where you’ve always dreamed of being?

ChallengesFinished ArtLessons I've learned

My New Patreon Page

19
Feb
2018

I started a Patreon account! If you don’t know what that is, then just know that it’s a really great way to support me! And then read this! (It’s the information straight from my Patreon page. So if you want to see my page or read it from there, go here!)

Nature Spirts in Photos

 

Welcome, friends! I am Tanya Hales, an artist, illustrator, storyteller, mommy, and lover of ice cream. I’m mainly known for my character illustrations, comics, and cool fantasy stories. Creating art that tells stories brings me so much joy! My goal is to do as much of it as possible, and this Patreon page will help me with that.

Patreon is a subscription service mixed with a tip jar. It allows you to help fund my creative projects by becoming my patron while getting some cool rewards in return! It only takes a dollar or two a month to support me. After all, if I got just one dollar from all the people who care about my art, just imagine what I could make then!

Thank you for all of your support. It’s a dream come true to have even one person want to pay me so I can make more cool stuff. <3

The Nature Spirits2

This project on Patreon is actually a bit of an experiment. Almost two years ago, I fell in love with the idea of making a series of illustrations. At the time, I was also living in a gorgeously green, lush area near Portland, Oregon. Additionally, I had always loved Pokemon and creating my own illustrated creatures. These elements all combined to inspire me to create these Nature Spirits. I made around 60 of them at the time, and this is my opportunity to make more.

So what are these little guys that I’m making? The Nature Spirits are small creatures of the wild who live on the periphery of our awareness. They embody different aspects of nature and can be found any place nature thrives, including in your own garden. They are as fascinated with humans as we are with them.

For this project, I will share with my patrons a new Nature Spirit every week. Those who donate $2 or more can pitch ideas to me for the fourth Nature Spirit of each month. I will then pick my favorite idea and illustrate it. Those at the $5 level will get a behind-the-scenes speed paint video of my digital illustration process. In the future, I hope to expand to making some physical rewards like stickers and postcards!

Thanks again for supporting me. I love you guys!

(Now go look at my actual Patreon page!)

EventsFinished ArtTutorialWork in Progress