Final Draft

VC: Here is the final draft. This is a scan in two parts, then seamed together in PhotoShop.

Portrait Update

Here is the update on VC's portrait. Let me know if you want any changes. I will be detailing and refining the chain. Just wanted you to check everything else.

VC, Here is the third draft of the portrait. If it's ok with you, I was thinking of losing and softening the edges of the picture all around her, allowing the chair, her necklace and clothing to fade away into the paper. I still have work to do on her neck and jaw. Tell me what you think.

Thumbnails for Future Projects

Here are some of the thumbnails for Dallas's portrait and one for the Eragon illustration.

Spectrum 14

One of my personal goals this year was to enter a painting to be considered for publication in the 14th annual "best of fantasy art" book, Spectrum. I never expected to make it. But low and behold, I did! I can't believe I will be in a book that also contains the work of artists I have admired for so long. The piece I entered is "Prelude to a Kiss". It's my take on the Sleeping Beauty tale and I used my daughter, Hilary for the model. The book will come out in November. I have alot of work ahead of me to get my website and work looking professional and consistent in style.

The Season Maidens

One of the goals I have this year is to prepare a plan to become a legitimate illustrator...someone that an art director would consider hiring. I know I have to work very hard to get there. Quarterly postcards are one means of contacting AD's, so I thought I would do a series of Season Maidens....sort of an earth goddess theme. I have always been a fan of Alphonse Mucha and thought I would attempt a similar design approach. Fortunately, I have four daughters who are willing victims to model for each season. Here is the first I will try to do. This is Audrey, my third daughter and she is the Goddess of Fall. Would you believe she is blonde under that wig?! I will have the thumbnails up later.

First Assignment: Reading by Fireflies

This is a portrait of a young woman in my neighborhood. She's an avid reader of fantasy and a kindred spirit. She was very specific with the details of this portrait. She wanted to be in a tree, reading to fairies, with a moonlit forest. Here are some of the photo references.

Welcome to my studio

This is where I will be posting my art projects, assignments, commissions and random, inconsequential ramblings. My studio is actually located in the formal dining room of my house. Outside, on the rooftop of the dining room is my dragon weathervane. When the wind blows, he squeaks and twirls around and the sound is a comfort as I work away at my drafting table. Inside, above the entrance to my art room, is a sly dragon, designed by my daughter Erinne, that says, "Kim's World". Grandchildren: Beware!

You can also see my two Spidey friends that help me when I have a question with anatomy. They are articulated in 64 places. The hands are the best! One reminds me to get to work while the other one tells me to stay calm.