Firebird's Sketch of the Week Series
- Thread starter Firebird
- Start date
We're quickly winding down to a close for 2024 here at Studio Firebird! At this point, I'm only two illustrations away from hitting SIX HUNDRED since January 2021. Do I have it in me to hit 600 in the next couple days? Tune in next time, same Bat Time, same Bat Channel!
Over in EVA-Trek's writers offices, this last week has been the single-most productive block of time I have ever had on the series. I've completed SEVEN 50+ page first draft scripts for season 2 in as many days! Granted, many of those used very detailed script outlines so they were halfway there, but I still can't believe I did it! At this point, I only have to finish four scripts and the hardest part of production is done. I think I might even be able to pull the release date up a couple weeks!
Drawing 597 / 2024 Artwork 130: Cologne from Ranma 1/2
Drawing 598 / 2024 Artwork 131: Kyoko Otonashi from Maison Ikkoku. Had a minor accident with a red pencil as I was brushing off some excess coloring and tried to mask it as best I could, but...
Over in EVA-Trek's writers offices, this last week has been the single-most productive block of time I have ever had on the series. I've completed SEVEN 50+ page first draft scripts for season 2 in as many days! Granted, many of those used very detailed script outlines so they were halfway there, but I still can't believe I did it! At this point, I only have to finish four scripts and the hardest part of production is done. I think I might even be able to pull the release date up a couple weeks!
Drawing 597 / 2024 Artwork 130: Cologne from Ranma 1/2
Drawing 598 / 2024 Artwork 131: Kyoko Otonashi from Maison Ikkoku. Had a minor accident with a red pencil as I was brushing off some excess coloring and tried to mask it as best I could, but...
@Sgt_G Thanks for asking! I've got a few sets that I use:
The main sets with the largest variety of colors are Bianyo 72 Colors Alcohol Markers Set. This will include a decent arrangement of greytones and some fleshtones, but to get some more variety, I get the next couple sets as backup. The strange thing is I've bought this set a couple times as I've run out of colors and the mix has been slightly different each time.
For fleshtone markers, HOMSAILMO Skin Tone Art Markers.
For black and greytones specifically, Shuttle Art 15 Colors Grey Tones Dual Tip Art Marker.
I'm not sure what the forum policy is for linking to Amazon, but you can copy/paste the names here into the search to find directly.
The main sets with the largest variety of colors are Bianyo 72 Colors Alcohol Markers Set. This will include a decent arrangement of greytones and some fleshtones, but to get some more variety, I get the next couple sets as backup. The strange thing is I've bought this set a couple times as I've run out of colors and the mix has been slightly different each time.
For fleshtone markers, HOMSAILMO Skin Tone Art Markers.
For black and greytones specifically, Shuttle Art 15 Colors Grey Tones Dual Tip Art Marker.
I'm not sure what the forum policy is for linking to Amazon, but you can copy/paste the names here into the search to find directly.
And we're back! Studio Firebird welcomes you to 2025, and hopes it'll be as good a year as possible (*willfully ignores everything going on in the world*).
The EVA-Trek writers' room is getting close to finishing the draft for episode 2x14, which only leaves two more scripts to take over the hump before the revision process begins. Just two months before season two premieres!
And now, to this week's illustrations...
Drawing 599 / 2025 Artwork 1: Hitori Gotou, aka Bocchi-chan from Bocchi the Rock.
Drawing SIX HUNDRED / 2025 Artwork 2: EVA-Trek season 2 cast photo - Lt. Commander Hitomi Amagi, MD; USS Nerv's Chief Medical Officer. Extra points if you can spot what reference photo I used for Hitomi's pose here.
It's trippy to think that I've hit 600 illustrations, just a few weeks shy of my art journey's fourth anniversary! I've come so far in that time, and I remain as steadfast in my belief that it was the best decision of my life to start drawing again during the pandemic. It's helped to reignite my creativity in everything I do. It led directly to me creating EVA-Trek, which has made me an infinitely better writer than I was four years ago.
Here's to more years and more drawings! Why don't we shoot for at least a thousand or so, eh?
The EVA-Trek writers' room is getting close to finishing the draft for episode 2x14, which only leaves two more scripts to take over the hump before the revision process begins. Just two months before season two premieres!
And now, to this week's illustrations...
Drawing 599 / 2025 Artwork 1: Hitori Gotou, aka Bocchi-chan from Bocchi the Rock.
Drawing SIX HUNDRED / 2025 Artwork 2: EVA-Trek season 2 cast photo - Lt. Commander Hitomi Amagi, MD; USS Nerv's Chief Medical Officer. Extra points if you can spot what reference photo I used for Hitomi's pose here.
It's trippy to think that I've hit 600 illustrations, just a few weeks shy of my art journey's fourth anniversary! I've come so far in that time, and I remain as steadfast in my belief that it was the best decision of my life to start drawing again during the pandemic. It's helped to reignite my creativity in everything I do. It led directly to me creating EVA-Trek, which has made me an infinitely better writer than I was four years ago.
Here's to more years and more drawings! Why don't we shoot for at least a thousand or so, eh?
Congratulations on reaching your milestone. 
May you have many more to come.
Thank you for the suggestions on the markers. My wife is in discussions with our god-daughters. One wants a wood burning / wood carving set of tools instead.
For the local Christmas toys-for-tots (albeit a different charity), we built about a dozen art kits: a zip-lock bag with 72-pack coloring pencils, 36-pack crayons, and a sketch pad. I'd like to think we inspired at least one future artist.
May you have many more to come.Thank you for the suggestions on the markers. My wife is in discussions with our god-daughters. One wants a wood burning / wood carving set of tools instead.
For the local Christmas toys-for-tots (albeit a different charity), we built about a dozen art kits: a zip-lock bag with 72-pack coloring pencils, 36-pack crayons, and a sketch pad. I'd like to think we inspired at least one future artist.
That sounds like a perfect starter art kit! Good on y'all for paying it forward!Congratulations on reaching your milestone.
Thank you for the suggestions on the markers. My wife is in discussions with our god-daughters. One wants a wood burning / wood carving set of tools instead.
For the local Christmas toys-for-tots (albeit a different charity), we built about a dozen art kits: a zip-lock bag with 72-pack coloring pencils, 36-pack crayons, and a sketch pad. I'd like to think we inspired at least one future artist.
Holy shit, that's a game changer! Thanks for letting me know about that!!
Hey all, just a quick update for those that haven't been in the various threads in TNZ this week:
Due to the stress and chaos going on this week with the wildfires tearing their way through Los Angeles, I'm going to be taking a break to relax and de-stress over the next few days. So, no illustrations this weekend.
Most importantly, I'm in an area of LA that hasn't been directly affected by the fires so I haven't had to evacuate, and I'm okay! Just dealing with a lot of smoke clogging up the air. With all that going on, I'm not exactly in the mood to be very creative.
Studio Firebird will reopen next weekend!
Due to the stress and chaos going on this week with the wildfires tearing their way through Los Angeles, I'm going to be taking a break to relax and de-stress over the next few days. So, no illustrations this weekend.
Most importantly, I'm in an area of LA that hasn't been directly affected by the fires so I haven't had to evacuate, and I'm okay! Just dealing with a lot of smoke clogging up the air. With all that going on, I'm not exactly in the mood to be very creative.
Studio Firebird will reopen next weekend!
Much appreciated! Going from the windstorm that knocked out my power on Tuesday to driving into work Wednesday morning that looked literally like entering hell was... not exactly how I pictured my first week back to work after my holiday vacation going.
And we're back! Studio Firebird reopened its doors this week after taking some time off.
Drawing 601 / 2025 Artwork 3: EVA-Trek season 2 character design sketch - Shizuka Hiratsuka, the new teacher for Shinji's high school sophomore class aboard the USS Nerv. Shizuka originally comes from the Oregairu light novel/manga/anime series, and was someone I thought would be a good fit with the Evangelion characters.
Drawing 602 / 2025 Artwork 4: Taro Sakamoto, the titular character of Sakamoto Days.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm about 30 pages left from finishing the first draft of EVA-Trek's season 2 finale script. If I can maintain my current production and release schedule, season 2 will have taken me exactly one year to complete, nearly 1/3 of the time season 1 required.
Drawing 601 / 2025 Artwork 3: EVA-Trek season 2 character design sketch - Shizuka Hiratsuka, the new teacher for Shinji's high school sophomore class aboard the USS Nerv. Shizuka originally comes from the Oregairu light novel/manga/anime series, and was someone I thought would be a good fit with the Evangelion characters.
Drawing 602 / 2025 Artwork 4: Taro Sakamoto, the titular character of Sakamoto Days.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm about 30 pages left from finishing the first draft of EVA-Trek's season 2 finale script. If I can maintain my current production and release schedule, season 2 will have taken me exactly one year to complete, nearly 1/3 of the time season 1 required.
Similar threads
