SAD Book Fanart -Gale from Hunger Games

Here is my Sketch A Day: Gale from Suzanne Collins' Hunger Games. Pencil on Vellum

The Warded Man WIP

I've added more layers to Arlen, the main character from The Warded Man. In the next step. I will pull the shadowed face out of the dark background so the edge of the face isn't so lost. Need to paint the spear too.

Finishing Projects SAD

One of my many goals is to finish up some projects that have been gathering dust around the studio. Most of these older projects are intimidating me for one reason or another. Either I'm unsure how to proceed with the medium or I'm not happy with the initial concept. Though I like the look of this one (top drawing), I'm uncertain what I want to convey. Yesterday, I spent some time reworking the fairy in this bottom sketch, trying to make her look less coy and more sad and dejected because she's been caught in a snare. Um....decisions, decisions.

The Warded Man WIP

Continuing with the character sketch of Arlen from Peter Brett's book, The Warded Man. Finished the sketch and now will continue in Photoshop, experimenting with brushes and layers. It's a little too dark but I can fix that later. Right now, I'm trying to create the mood of the piece and I want him emerging from the dark, showing that finally, he can confront the night and all that comes with the setting of the sun. I also wanted him fading into shadow to show the pull of the Core on Arlen's soul and what remains of his humanity. Those of you who have read the book will hopefully know what I'm referring to.
I enjoyed using vellum for the sketch. I was able to draw his face on one side and then turn it over to draw the tattoos. Gave them more depth, plus if I had to erase the wards, I didn't mess with the rendering of the face.

Surreal Experience

My daughter walked into a local craft store with her children and sharp-eyed Olivia noticed a box of Verithin pencils with my image on the packaging. Talk about a weird sort of thrill. I can see why all of you professionals get such a rush from seeing your work on a book cover and such. Of course, she bought if for me. I wasn't expecting them out until 2010. Guess it all depends on a store's ability to move the older inventory. Here's the original drawning and the box. Despite the fact we woke up to snow and a broken heater, this has made my day a tad bit sunnier.

New Moon Fun

Ever since Lord of the Rings, I've been a sucker for midnight shows with family and friends. I actually stood in line for 8 hours in sub-zero temperatures (with elf ears) for The Two Towers. Thankfully, we now have the newly inspired reserved seating which frees one from standing around all day (and night) staking one's territory. There's something about attending a film with fellow fans. The energy is palpable and it's just plain fun.

So of course, I had to go with my daughters (in-law too) when New Moon premiered this week. We actually attended a "Fur Party" since my oldest daughter is a confirmed Jacob fan since reading the books. I don't know what it is about these books. I discovered them long before all the hoopla. They take me back to my teenage years when longing and love were all consuming and not necessarily reasonable nor healthy. Sometimes you connect with a book and you don't really know why. You just do. (I must state here that I was disappointed with the final installment, Breaking Dawn. Ended just too happy).

I wasn't a huge fan of the first movie. And Rob Pattinson just doesn't fit my idea of Edward, but then again, who does? But New Moon was a faithful, angst-driven rendition of the book and I came away satisfied. Made some wonderful memories with family and friends too. We usually make t-shirts for our Twilight events but ran out of time. This was one of my ideas for Team Jacob. Yeah...a little swooning at my age keeps the heart pumping.

SAD Book Fanart

Finished reading this great book, The Warded Man by Peter V. Brett. Quite intrigued with the characters and where he will take the story in the next volume, The Desert Spear, due out next April. My Sketch A Day (which I hope to finish this week) is of the man character, Arlen.

This is what the author said about him in an interview: With Arlen, I wanted to write about a hero who had to really earn his special abilities. I was tired of heroes who were born to privilege and power, or who were given some magical trinket that made them special. I wanted to tell the story of a normal person who had to suffer and knowingly give up everything that made him human in order to survive.

New Approach to Paint Intimidation

Obviously, I haven't been "whapping" my canvases enough.

[Thanks, Lynetta]

SAD

SAD's...Sketch A Day. Two are for an illustration I'm trying to do for Name of the Wind. Girl just came out of my head. One of my goals after IMC was to fill every page of my sketchbook with both sketches and art-related notes before returning the next year. Have many pages yet to fill.

Cat Sketches

I have my first children's book commission. The author is a wonderful 72 year old lifetime educator. She's self-publishing which is an avenue many authors are taking these days. The title is A Grand Cat and it's based on the true story of Fred the cat. Right now I'm developing the storyboard and book dummy. I'm also playing around with the style and look of the illustrations. The author has given me a free rein in both. Right now, I'm simply studying cats and their expressions and anatomy. After I feel confident with that I will put the photo references away and develop a cat based on memory and characterization. That's the plan.