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.

Emmett and Faery Children Sketches

Finished up this sketch I did of non-movie version of Emmett Cullen in graphite on vellum.

Just some sketchbook doodles scanned in and then toned and highlighted in Photoshop. Playing around with slightly exaggerated anatomy of children to adapt into faeries.

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.

Winter Faerie Study #2

Got rid of the feathers and changed background a little. Did more refining on the sketch as well. Wonder which type of medium to use??

Winter Faerie Color Study

I came upon a small picture of a cardinal on a branch in snow in a magazine and instantly imagined a little faerie on it's back collecting berries in winter. This is a scan of a quick sketch, painted in Photoshop very roughly to get an idea of color and such. I think I need to downsize the feathers in her hair. A tad too much.

Reading by Fireflies

This is all ready to be matted on the board and painted....FINALLY!!!!!! (lots of little critters in there if you look close enough).

Painting Update

I've been switching off between these two oil paintings, allowing one to dry while I work on the other. I painted over all that yellow on Autumn and that helped me with the background. I'm starting to build up the layers on the main figure in Fireflies. I can't wait until I'm know what I'm doing and I can proceed much faster on these projects. A step at a time, I guess.

Firefly Update

I'm starting in on the foreground. I've managed to compose a picture with so many light sources, I'm not too sure what to do. Probably make the dominant two the moon and the fireflies.

Third Time's the Charm

Here is the third and last version of Reading by Fireflies. I've layed down an acryla gouache wash and built up some values then sealed the wash under two layers of acrylic matte medium.

After allowing that to dry for several hours, I begin with layers of oil glazes, starting with the darkest shapes and background. I'll let it dry overnight and begin tomorrow with a second layer. These photos really distort the colors for some reason.

I picked up a tablet of this canvasy type surface that said it was for acrylics. I figured, what was good for acrylics would be good with watercolors. Well, when they say acrylics, believe them, because it buckled and turned blotchy with the application of watercolors. Lesson learned. Back to some hot-pressed illustration board I go.

Newt and Horace

Well, that wasn't fun!! I'm just getting over the flu. So much for the sketch a day idea. That knocked me off my feet. Have some catching up to do with alot of things, but here's my sketch for today. I thought that even in the faery realm, they must have need for ground shipping. Not every one can fly their mail around. We humans refer to ground shipping as "snail mail". I tried to think of another slow animal and came up with the chameleon. He also has a hard time keeping his mind on the trip....especially when food flies about.

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.

Enchanted Portrait - Olivia

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

Liv

Here is my first attempt with the new scanner. This is a portrait of Liv as a fairy. Liz, your final proof is on it's way, as well as Dallas. Thanks for your patience through this whole computer mess. E: let me know what you think.

Okay, Dallas. I've reworked many things about this portrait that were bothering me. The fairies in the foreground will be darker, as will the leaves at the top of the picture, creating a frame around you as the viewer looks into the painting to you and the book. I've made the fairies in the foreground larger and more interactive with the viewer, encouraging them to come and join the enchanted story hour. The fairies look a bit nudie, but they will have more coverage as I continue. I also closed your mouth, but can change that back. I will be lifting your wonderful brows to great more animation in your expression. Also, I added 2 more firefly lamps to balance out the moon and your head. I lightly added white to show you where all the little fairies are placed. PLEASE let me know what you would like changed. Thanks.

Fireflies

Slowly building the bottom of Fireflies, defining the leaves and adding mushrooms to the roots of the trees.

Fireflies project for Dallas J. My lighting wasn't the best when I took these, but it gives you a rough idea.

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.