Reworked Faery

This was a faerie I reworked this week as she still needed some revising in the face. Calling it done.

May I present, "Pluck, Defender of Daffodils".

Look out for her come springtime. She's likely to challenge you if you attempt cutting a few stalks of daffodils from your garden. She's been known to carry sharp-tipped sticks and often resorts to bitting, although it's against all the rules of fae-human interaction, not to mention, very unladylike-like.

Christmas Card Final

I ended up going with a simple 4"x8" card in an envelope and then did some ecrue note cards for my clients and artist friends.

I would like to spend more time with this but need to get it printed. I do feel a sense of accomplishment designing our cards for three years running. It's getting a teeny bit easier each time. I did have to print this out fairly small so I could paint it quickly. I plan on printing out a larger one to paint after the holidays. I'm starting to like watercolor more and more. Doesn't frighten me as much as it used to. A little progress, perhaps?

Back Home From IMC

Returned home late last night from IMC. I have many photos to download and post and will do so after Father's Day celebrations. In the meantime, I wanted to share some unexpected good news. My colored pencil/watercolor painting/drawing was selected as the Best of Show on Ann Kullberg's online Member's Show by juror, Nicole Caulfield. Feel very honored. Happy too.

Pluck Final

Finished with this experiment. I ended up using more saturated colors on the flesh. Maybe too much. So, I learn something with each attempt and my confidence increases ever so slightly. This is what I've learned from this:

1. I love sketching on vellum. It erases easily. I can check for errors by reversing the image, like looking at your sketch in a mirror. I also like how it scans, as long as I have a piece of white paper behind it.

2. So far, Lanaquelle watercolor paper is my favorite. It prints well and receives the watercolors beautifully. It's surface is smooth enough for the application of colored pencils.

3. Though I love the strong pigments of Dr. Ph Martin's, I prefer pan watercolors for the convenience.

4. Um....I believe in faeries.

Couple Layers of Watercolor

I scanned and then printed this out on Lanaquelle watercolor paper and then, using Dr. Ph. Martin's watercolors, started building the layers up on the painting. I will do a few more light layers before pulling out some of the shadows, highlights and detail with Prismacolors (sorry for the poor photo).

Warded Man in Colored Pencil

As usual, I wasn't happy with how the oil painting version of Arlen was going, so I turned to my old stand-by, colored pencils. Once I had built up several layers I took some solvent and brush to the waxy layers and blended away, creating some depth in the shadows. Still have his robe and sword to do but I thought I would post this photo.

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.

Experiment Concluded

Well, the more I looked at those hard edges, the more I didn't like them. I also discovered that the three layers of fixative prevented my colored pencils from fully grabbing the vellum. SO, I decided to stop and repeat the last two steps. This time I printed a sepia toned copy of my original scanned sketch on to the vellum. Very pleased with the results. Also, after looking at some firefly reference photos, I realized that they give off a yellowish-green glow; not an orange-yellow one. Duh! I've never seen one in person. Also, I didn't fix the printed side since my printer uses water-resistant archival inks. Made all the difference. The vellum received the colored pencils beautifully. After playing around with some colors, I realized that my original concept was way too day-lightish. I went with a much more moonlit look and prefer it, although it's not as vibrant.

So, with this experiment concluded....would I use it again? Not sure. While I do love the luminosity, that's achievable with other mediums. The one thing Sergio doesn't reveal in his article is what he uses on the final to back it. I imagine any solid white paper would work. The vellum alone is way too fragile. Of course, under Sergio's masterful hands, this technique produces distinctively glowing illustrations. I can't possibly expect to achieve the same results without his skills and experience.

I am most grateful to artists who are willing to share their process. People like James Gurney, Dan Dos Santos, Donato Giancola, and many others who open the door to their studios and their techniques probably underestimate their value to artist-wanna-be's like myself. It is so helpful. I think with one exception, every artist I've emailed has replied and generously imparted information to me. There are other lesser known artists I follow who post their works in progress and I always gain new knowledge watching them work. My hope is that this meager experiment has been helpful to someone out there. I know I've learned alot. Thanks Sergio!

Winter Faerie Update

Before I left for IMC, I had a mini workshop with Hala Wittwer, my former mentor, before she left for her new teaching position at Cal State Fullerton. She taught me a few new techniques that I finally tried out this month. I started out scanning in my sketch and then applying a PhotoShop under painting (see top picture). I then printed that out on a sheet of Epson Velvet Fine Art paper and finished with light acrylic washes and colored pencil layers. I'm not too sure I like the paper. The first layer is especially difficult because the paint soaks into the paper so quickly, you can't manipulate it. Perhaps I need to wet my paper more. I will have to keep experimenting. I did like the surface after my first layer of paint and pencil but spent too much time smoothing out the edges of the first layer of acrylic wash.
She also told me about the Incredible Art Board and I love it and would highly recommend it. It doesn't warp, tape doesn't tear the surface off like it does with foam core board and its light so you can carry it around. You can also staple your paper on it and use it over and over again.

Portrait Final- Waiting Approval

Here is a scan of the portrait I've been working on. This sweet woman is actually 95 years old. Amazing. Although I love the layering and transparency of colored pencils, they have got to be one of the slowest mediums out there. Whew!

Portrait Update

I'm finishing the hair and did more on the face and clothing. The client agrees that we need to lighten the far side of her face, since it's too dark in the photo. I'm realizing the 'value' of a value guide, especially with the whites of the clothing. A value guide is a white credit card sized card with a hole punched out of the middle of it. Mine is laminated but it doesn't have to be. You place it over an area of the photo reference and see the value of the color in the hole and then do the same on the corresponding spot of your drawing. For me, it usually needs to be darkened, especially on the lighter value areas of the photo. My brain tells me, the clothing is white with yellow-green accents. No where does the photo match the white of the value card. The earring will probably be the lightest area of the whole portrait. The brain is constantly at odds with what the EYE actually sees and what the brain THINKS it sees.

**Thank you for all your suggestions on the previous post. I haven't had time to explore other options, but I appreciate the honest opinions of my family members and blog posters.

Another Portrait Update

She was looking at me and saying, "so where's my mouth?"

I had to comply...

at least the first few layers.

Portrait Update

I hesitate to post this phase of the portrait since this is one of its funny, weird points. This lovely woman looks more clownlike without her mouth, but I promise she will come together once her other features are complete.

Still building up the layers on skin and beginning on mouth. I've put the first layer of French Grey 10% on background. Will start on hair and ear after client's approval of this stage.
Detail of face so far.

New Portrait Commission

Beginning another portrait commission. This time, I'm back using colored pencils. There is something therapeutic about laying down all the light layers and watching the image emerge ever so slowly on your paper. I'm very excited to be doing this one. The richness of her skin tone in contrast to her clothing will be challenging and hopefully I can capture the nobility of this regal woman's visage.
Here is the first couple layers of pencil. I will start establishing the darkest side of her face (the right) so I can use that to gauge my values.

I always like having the eyes in as soon as possible. If they start looking back at me (and sometimes speak to me) then I know the portrait may have a chance of succeeding.
Colored pencil goes through alot of ugly phases. Right now, with only one eye and no mouth or hair, it does look worrisome. Patience is a requirement for this medium.

Scanned and finished

Olivia's World is completed. Now on to other belated projects.

Almost Done

Another photo showing the progress of Miss Olivia's Realm. I will scan it for the final proof.

Update on Liv

Still laying down more color. Will work on both Liv's face and cat's. Hope it's still to your liking.

Adding Color

Starting to lay down the colors, trying to match the color swatches you have sent me. Next, I willl start on her facial features.

Enchanted Portrait - Olivia

Second phase before I start with color. Tell me what you think of T. These are photos, not scans.

Season Maiden Update 2

I have made the suggested changes on this and started applying color, although this isn't very true due to the lighting. I started with colored pencil, then will use watercolor on the border and then, I'm going to seal it and attempt oil glazes on top. I tried it on a small picture and liked the luminosity it created. Drawback: time consuming! But it's rather therapeutic and has helped with my Harry Potter withdrawals.