Sketchbook Tour.

Sketchbook Tour.

Happy Saturday my lovelies! How’s your week been? It feel like ages ago since my last post but it’s only been two weeks! Last weekend I decided to take some time out for myself to just relax, as it was a pretty stressful few weeks for me, so taking some me time was needed. But good news, as you can see, I’m back!

In my weekend off, I spent some time relaxing by doing some of my many hobbies; in particular – working on a new art project! Part of the reason why I decided to work on my new project was because I was talking to my amazing work colleagues and it was said that I should do a sketchbook tour! And you know what, I thought that it’s a great idea!!

For those of you that don’t know about my past, I have always loved art. Whether it’s drawing, sculpting, painting, photography or printing, I absolutely love it! At school I did a gcse in art and design and then another in fine art, and then in sixth form I did a-level art and design alongside textiles and IT and then I finally went on to do a pre-degree in art and design! After all of that I then worked in a small art gallery for several years!

I’ve also taken part in several life drawing lessons, which I will tell you now, it is not as weird as you might think! You may think that drawing a naked person in front of you is very intimidating and possibly even funny (which on my first lesson I will admit I did giggle a bit), but you quickly get used to it and it soon becomes a very relaxing experience.

So, because I’ve spent so much of my life studying art, I have quite a lot of sketchbooks. And so, today I’m going to be giving you a sketchbook tour and showing you some of my favourite pages from my many sketchbooks!

Let’s get into it!

I created the following sketchbooks during my gcse’s:

These ones were from my A-Levels:

And here’s my work from my pre-degree!

I’ve got a huge folder full of drawings from way way back in the early 2010’s and then I have life drawings too, so here’s some of my favourites from them!

And, after all of those, here’s my life drawings! Please be aware that life drawing does mean you’re about to see naked bodies!! So if you’re not into that then please scroll through.

And finally, here’s a page in my most recent sketchbook!

Recent Sketchbook

Well, that’s all of my sketchbooks and individual pieces I have to show you today! Have you got a favourite piece?

Looking back on my artwork and how it’s evolved, changed and improved over time was something I didn’t realise would be so much fun! And it’s given me some well needed motivation and passion boost to keep on drawing more and more. Thinking about all of my artwork reminds me of how much time I have spent practicing drawing, and how much of my spare time I would spend on my hobby. I think part of the reason why I spent and continue to spend so much time on creative outlets is because I used to live in the middle of nowhere, so going out to play with friends wasn’t really an option, so that is part of the reason and the other reason is that it’s super relaxing to sit with music playing and a pencil in hand!

And with all of that said, that’s all from me for today! I’m off to go do a bit of work and then start on a new piece! Wish me luck!

Have a great weekend my lovelies!

Love,

Victoria Blog Signature
Sketchbook Tour!

Why I’m Refusing To Make New Years Resolutions About My Body.

Why I’m Refusing To Make New Years Resolutions About My Body.

Hello my lovelies! I hope you have all had a happy Christmas and a very peaceful few days in the lead up to the end of the year! And of course, because we’re coming up to the New Year, New Years resolutions are popping up all over the place.

Which brings me to this post. For as long as I can remember, I have made New Years resolutions each year; and EVERY SINGLE ONE has been about how my body looks and my weight. It’s always along the lines of: I will lose weight, I will drop a dress size, I will change my body, I will go to the gym 6 times a week, I will stop eating certain foods etc. etc. etc.

This year I REFUSE to make a resolution about changing my body.

Now, some of you who are subscribed to my blog will know that I have spoken out about my body image issues and having suffered with Anorexia (see my previous post about it here!). Well, this past year I have been lucky enough to get some help and support and I am happy to announce that I am in recovery!

Writing this post came from seeing everyone’s resolutions on social media, with the majority of them being about their bodies and how they want them to look; and before I started my recovery journey, mine would have been like that too. I started thinking about what I want for the new year ahead and for the first time in.. well forever, I don’t know what my resolution should be if it isn’t about my appearance.

Here’s why I’m refusing to make my new years resolutions about my body:

  • My body does NOT need to change to be beautiful. It already is.
  • Resolving to eat less food/calories is stupid, food is fuel and we need energy to do all the amazing things we want to accomplish.
  • Food is not ‘good’ or ‘bad’ it’s just food.
  • Taking up less space does NOT mean I am a better human being.
  • Losing weight does not solve all your problems.
  • Spending hours in the gym trying to make my body into something it’s naturally not supposed to be is useless. And boring!

Here’s when it’s okay to make a new years resolution about your body:

  • Deciding to get help with a medical condition or something you’ve been struggling with.
  • Deciding to love your body.
  • Resolving to develop a healthy relationship with food and exercise. And no I don’t mean deciding to go on a so-called ‘healthy’ diet that makes you hate yourself and feel guilty for eating!!

So, because I am not making any resolutions to do with changing my body here are some resolutions that I AM making:

  • Riding my bike to work instead of driving so I become more confident in cycling. (I just got my first bike this Christmas!)
  • Read more.
  • Continue writing my blog, it’s by far one of the best things I decided to do this past year and I absolutely love it!
  • Learning to love my body more for everything it is and does.
  • Wearing clothes that I feel comfortable and confident in, regardless of what other people think.
  • Raise some money for charity. (you can check out my JustGiving page for MIND here if you want to!)

Those are just a few of my many resolutions for the new year; and I just want to share with you how much I truly appreciate every single one of you for reading, commenting, liking and interacting with me on here. You have made my year so happy and I can’t thank you enough for all of your support! What’re your new years resolutions? Let me know if the comments!!

I hope you all have a great New Years Eve and a very Happy New Year! Love,

Victoria Blog Signature

P.S. Thank you for voting for me and all of the other amazing bloggers nominated in the UKBloggerAwards!!