New WIP

There's a new piece a brewin'

Months ago a close friend of mine had a birthday. Yay! I thought how wonderful would it be if I did a painting just for her (she does like my work after all). Since then it's been an uphill battle. Not with her, but with the piece.

Many revisions happened, but to me the piece was too stiff and didn't portray the emotion she wanted shown. This piece is to be hung in the house as a reminder of God's strength shown through our weakness. A motivation and assurance for her.

Although the last revision had beauty, movement, and lush detail....it just didn't have the soul or heart I felt needed to be present.

FINALLY the seal broke and we have a heart felt sketch...but not without pain.

If you look real close you can see all of the erase marks. TONS of erase marks. Over and over. I was going to sell the sketch, but with the amount of erasing and the crease that happened by catching the drawing as it fell towards the floor, I don't believe its sell worthy any more.

I also went through some major emotions and physical pain this past week concerning my own walk with God and my faith. But through the love and prayer of those close to me I feel lifted up, and I know all is well, that God is here helping me.

SO now it's time to put it all together. I'm waiting for my new large 14x20 watercolor block in the mail to transfer. Rach, if you're reading this....don't settle on a frame until you see it finished....I believe this is going to be bigger than planned. ;)

This small thumbnail sketch is the concept for the piece. I will be following this when I draw the whole thing out. More mushrooms in a forest. Yay!

The reference for the figure is taken from http://bobbistock.deviantart.com/gallery/27097211#/d1jj6cd with slight modifications (face and her right arm).

Inspiration

 "The Light"

graphite pencil in sketchbook | 2010

 

One thing that I have noticed, time and time again while out with Candace at bookstores, is that I never truly know the illustrators who have impacted me.  I mean, there are TONS that I adore and get inspired by, but who are the legs I stand on and draw my style, color, and imagination from?  Who are the illustrators whose work I would purchase in book form as a library of knowledge, composition, and drive for my own work?

I am slowly beginning to find that list.  Here is what I have so far...I can't wait for it to grow!

David Christiana 
Becky Kelly
Cicely Mary Barker
Beatrix Potter
Matt Phelan
Brian Froud

I never realized how much these illustrators have impacted my life until I was reminded of David Christiana's work on Wednesday.  I knew of his work, but what I didn't know was I had been viewing it since I was a child through Disney.  Kinda makes sense now.  So I did the sketch up above Wednesday night after spending some time looking at his stuff online.  Fun!

IF - Engangled

{ Entanglement of Purr Love }
graphite & digital | 2009

Debating on painting this or not. Hum. And if I do, whether to keep it all blues or add in slight hints of pinks/reds. Think it would look nice in watercolor. :) But hey, at least I did IF!

Happy December :)

Sketch the Birdie

Yesterday was all about the flowers, today it's about the birdies. Every morning I hear tons of birds, the little ones (like finches), chatting away in the big bushes under my window. My studio space has the most windows in my one bedroom apartment, and there are trees along with many bushes surrounding the house.

The windows in my studio are "special places" for me. One one side of the room where there are three windows sits my couch and coffee table. Every morning I try to take some quiet time with God in that spot. Then there's the window infront of my drawing table. I love to stop, look outside the window, and catch a squirrel in the tree infront of window, or just hear the robins going on and on about that cardinal.

Thus the inspiration for the Birdie.

Have a God blessed day! :)

IF - Celebrate

"Yeah!!!"

IF - Detach

Boys do learn their limits...but you gotta let them fall first. ;)