not to mention the fact i feel like i kinda understand all the fundamentals of rendering. hard/soft shadows, highlights, materials, layer modes, different methods (value painting, cel, etc.) etc., but knowledge isn't skill, but apparently applying knowledge even a little is my nemesis when rendering

i legitimately find this so incredibly frustrating bc it's REALLY demoralizing to just feel like my brain doesn't get such a large step in the artistic process, but also one that seems so fun and also one i WANT to learn but feels like i'm just constantly hitting walls with...

Also as a small aside: The poster that's cut off is for "Dreamsea Library". Just doing some worldbuilding :)