Shyness is a common trait that many people share. I for one, consider myself to be a shy person. It’s difficult for me to open up to people and to express myself. It???s something I???m working on but, it???s a big part of who I am.??
While looking into what ???shyness??? is for inspiration purposes I am reminded that there are different types of shyness. A classic one is embarrassment when someone puts you on the spot or makes fun of you, of course, you???ll feel uncomfortable and look for ways to excuse yourself out of the situation.??
Another one is bashfulness, someone can be complimenting you and put you on a pedestal and honestly, that attention can be a little much.??
The one I went for this illustration was hesitation and doubt. I feel those are the ones that I commonly face in my day to day life. Though I see that there is nothing wrong with being shy, I can see how it can hinder your development into the person you want to be.??
For me, being shy kept me from doing a lot of things in my life because I either felt that I didn???t deserve it (whatever ???it??? was), or it was because I felt no matter what I said or did wouldn???t matter because no one cares. My shyness bounces between different reasonings, but these two are quite prominent. Being shy has kept me from reaching anything that was rightfully mine, and the basic things I was entitled to. Looking back on it now it???s a little frustrating how I didn???t act when it would matter, but I???m getting better at letting those things go and allowing myself to be more self-serving.
For this illustration, I didn???t want to go for anything that would appear ???cute???. I didn???t want to portray shyness as some cute attribute, because to me personally, me being shy doesn???t come off as cute, it???s more annoying than anything else. I also didn???t want to go for a classic hiding the face away or blushing, because there are several ways to depict shyness. Irregular speech patterns, the volume of your voice, fidgeting, avoiding eye contact, and so much more. I feel those methods don???t get much credit in the visual seen.??
In the end, I went along with the idea of shyness hindering your actions. Making you stop yourself before you allowed yourself to go any further. I used hands because I felt that was a better way to depict expression without the need for a face. I drew four hands, each handing depicting a more dejected motion from the one before it. I felt it was a good way to show that shyness can keep you from reaching out, stopping yourself short from getting what you want, or what you need. And I feel it plays well to this imagery I have of wanting to go for something, but quickly deciding ???no???, ???forget it???, ???it???s not worth it???.??
I???m quite excited about how the image turned out. For a lack of colour and other visual elements, this one stings you in the heart!??
For the most part that???s it for now, and I???m hoping I can get through these prompts by the end of this year!??
Until next time!