This is where I leave you for a time. School begins again next week and, anticipating the huge workload that it'll bring, I'm taking a leave of absense for DA. I'll still be here occasionally and looking at comments, replies, favs and such and the gorgeous art of my watchees. I just might not be able to reply with all the 'you're welcomes' and such like. I'm saving my time for longer, useful comments. So If you have been faved or watched by me, it is my pleasure.

I know my gallery isn't very big and I have little to fill spaces with but take a look at my ever-growing favourites and collections. All art in there is briliant and deserves a look. Also, if you think I might like some artist, comment or drop me a note. I love finding new people.

I've also started using Mozilla Firefox recently. If you're not using it already, go to [link] and download it for free. I can't believe what I've been missing out on for all these years where I've been sticking to IE. And Firefox is faster. It has extra things on DA for happier Kaelas.

I hope all you in the Northern Hemisphere had a beautiful summer and may the stars brighten your paths, the snow fall only lightly and the wind be kind until I return.
Au revoir, mes amis!

As the lovely Evy tagged me I thought I ought to fill this meme out.

~ Artist Baton ~

◆ Your name?
You can call me Kaela or Lizzie or Lisara. None of which are my real name but ... stalkers fear.

◆ If possible, your age?
Somewhere in the range of 15-17. My birthday is coming up.

◆ When did you start drawing?
At a very very young age like in pre-school but I started seriously drawing 2007 in art class.

◆ Which hand do you use for drawing?
Right

◆ Which is easier to draw - male or female?
Female. I can draw kids that are guys but not adults. Muscles and anatomy is hard.

◆ Which is easier to draw - long hair or short hair?
I think it depends on the style and what you determine as long and short.

◆ Is it easier to draw the head facing towards the right or the left?
Left

◆ Is it easier to draw the side view of the face or the front view?
Front but I do like to draw when the head is slightly turned to one side (normally the left as I look at it but their right).

◆ What do you have problems in drawing?
Can you rephrase the question please?
No, seriously, everything until I work out how to draw it. At the moment, I would say... grass. T'is hard.

◆ What do you like to draw?
Animals! Faces, in particular, eyes. And you nkow, butterflies and apples are quite fun, and easy.

◆ Are you a traditional artist or a digital artist?
Mainly traditional but I am a doller. And I'm trying to start digital art.

◆ Where do you start drawing from?
The base outline and then the face - probably the nose until I get bored and do the eyes.

◆ What is your drawing habit that you are aware of?
I never draw. Well I do but a good proportion of the time I’m not actually drawing when I’m sitting in front of my art.

◆ Any tips for coloring/shading?
Use colours for depth. When trying to give the impression of cold, use a blue tinge for highlights and a greyish pink for shadows. For warmth, orange or pink highlights and purple shadows. Don't worry about keeping to the same shade - experiment. Also completely different colour highlights can be so fun.

◆ How long does it take to finish a piece of art?
I'm still working on a drawing from July 2008. Enough said.

◆ What music do you listen to while you draw?
My playlist has LOTR soundtrack, Narnia soundtrack, Dragonforce, Wicked soundtrack, Coldplay, Pink, some Shrek songs, Evanescence... so I think I can pretty much say, all sorts.

◆ How long does it take you to come up with an idea?
Huh? I never really try to come up with an idea if that's what you mean. So are you asking the time it takes from the idea first forming to me knowing exactly what to do? If so, it develops as I work.

◆ Your favorite drawing utensils?
3B pencil. The trusty Eraser.

◆ Your favorite color/the color that you use a lot?
I mainly draw in pencil so grey, I suppose. My favourite colour is darker than bright and slightly desaturated turquoise.

◆ Your favorite style(s)?
Realistic and semi-erm. not really anime or mange. Jus tlook at my favs and find out.

◆ What kind of artist are you aiming for?
Something somewhat decent.

◆ Thank you. Now please fill in the next columns by writing the names of the artists that match the criterea. Artists tagged must fill in this baton.

I think most people have already been tagged but if not, sorry!

Cute:
Cool:
Stylish:
Tasty:
Smart:

Sorry for the slightly pessimistic and the 'meh' view on things.

Trapped in the middle of a heatwave, a girl who loves winter doesn't survive so well. At least I don't have sunburn yet.

Am I just being silly? But, I took some photos at my sister's birthday party, which were nothing special and the lighting was terrible. I find that without asking or telling me, she's put them on her facebook including two pictures of me and my friends, one of whom is very against socially networking sites, except DA. I got annoyed because, though they were not good pictures, they were still mine and she didn't ask permission. She also told me to either 'grow up' or 'get a life', I don't remember which, when I complained that she put one of my (said) friend up. Am I over-reacting or should I have some right to my photos?

I'm quite busy at the moment with school work and I'm preparing for the final of a debating competition which we've been working towards all year - I think it has been 5 debates altogether.
Shameless plea: The motion is: 'This house believes we overprotect our children.' We are proposition so are arguing for the motion and any opinions or points for or against would be much appreciated. Just send me a note or comment on this journal.
NOTE: I just want ideas not a debate on my journal so if you want to respond to a comment, do so nicely.

What else is going on in my life? Drama. We have our assessed practical on Monday so I've just been practising a lot but we definitely aren't ready. Oh dear.

But I'm working on some more dolls including an entry for Cat's Battle Royale pageant - [link] Go check it out.

Been adding a lot to my favourites so check them out too.

Working on (artwise):
Battle Royale Entry (doll) - barely started - face stage
Horse and His Boy (drawing) - working on since last July so, you tell me.
Gift for Keke (doll) - barely started
Gift for Laura (doll) - almost done
New Avatar (doll) - base chosen

Life's being pretty good to me at the moment, giving me some free time so, as you can see, I've finished a doll. Thanks to the people who have already faved her. I really do appreciate it; I feel so special!

To make this a bit more like a journal/blog, I've been relaxing all week, been reading a lot of Jane Austen and watching some of my favourite programmes on TV - it's my half-term holiday in case you qare wondering. Most of my exams are over and I'm off on work experience next week. *Excited*

I would just like to say again, do please look at my favourites, if you have time. I have some beautiful digital art, photography and some traditional things in there but the work is definitely superb and well worth the look.

Quite a shameless plug... but... I'd like to draw your attention to AutumnVale - a forum for dollers and any computer artists (so photomanipulators and digital artists). We also support people with other artistic talents with some traditional art boards but the admin requests that we have only members that practise at least some type of computer art. We're a lovely close-knit community at present, so check it out. It's a great opportunity to make new friends and request more critique on your work, while being completely free with no catches or any type of paid account. [link] - And I hope to see you there.

Thanks for visiting.

Kaela