So I'm feeling like I'm floating and I just can't get on a path and face a direction right now, it's confusing but I feel like I'm stuck. I'm no longer heading forward and I don't even feel like I'm improving anymore so I'm in need of an outside opinion..

Personally I feel like I've come away from my realistic approach, all my work feels cartoony and smoothed over and to be honest, I'm starting to really hate it.. It all feels so similar now, especially since I was put off using references so I'm relying a lot more on my memory of animal shape and form and when that happens, you tend to smooth over the lines and it looses it's gritty realistic individuality.

When I do paint realistically I put in so many hours into commissions, for example, my current realistic soft shaded commissions (like this > http://www.furaffinity.net/view/10937105/) can take up to 10 hours for like £30-£50 so it's a lot of work but I do believe in quality always.

I've also noticed that my traditional work has come very far and I'm really enjoying being able to work realistically there, since I don't know any other way traditionally ^^

I know a lot of you guys do like my current style but it seems like it's similar to other styles and I hate that about my work, I want my own style to shine through and not have it compare to anyone - so lately, I really just don't feel like my work is good enough..

I think I'm feeling the pressure of having to earn money since I am now basically providing for my family, my mum never has any money so I've been paying for the house the last 2-3 months. I return to university in less than two weeks and I'm feeling the pressure from that too, I just don't feel good enough since they reject my realistic preference and prefer me to have a simpler style for my animation but I'm finding it hard to balance basically..

So I wondered what you guys thought, what do you enjoy about my work and what don't you like?

Do you even think I'm too expensive?

*braces myself for criticism*

I'm really eager to improve and get out of this rut.

I'm also wanting to draw more species of animals, I'm always given wolves to draw

Thanks for reading

~Indi