I’ve written a middle grade fantasy novel called The Restoration Codex, and now I’m doing illustrations to go along with it!
This is a character named Marden. He’s a cocky, humorous curl-crested aracari.
I’ve written a middle grade fantasy novel called The Restoration Codex, and now I’m doing illustrations to go along with it!
This is a character named Marden. He’s a cocky, humorous curl-crested aracari.
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.
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?
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!)
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
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!)
I made this illustration to support one of my good friends who just finished writing a middle grade novel about young superheroes! I can’t wait to see it go places. 🙂
These are her main characters.
I like to make an annual self portrait, but I never finished this one. I got a haircut. So now I need to illustrate my short-haired self.
I was just looking through my art and feeling really nostalgic for the characters in my comics. I haven’t worked on my comics in ages. That makes me pretty sad… These illustrations are between one and two years old.
Here are some more portraits in my “Faces of Friendship” series. The featured friends are “The Charismatic,” “The Cat,” and “The Dog.”
A while back I painted myself and my husband. Now I’ve painted my baby too!
This is Nina’s one-year-old portrait. I’m really enjoying experimenting with this painterly style. It’s very different than what I typically do, so I have a lot to learn. I wouldn’t mind creating more of these semi-realistic portraits to improve my skills. Maybe I will!
I’m working on a big project. There will be lots of really cool creatures. These first three are Nature Spirits. There will be more to come.