Below the Surface

Below the Surface

10x17 inches

Medium: Mixed

Prints ($16.95 and $26.50), Original Painting ($1500.00), and closeup detail shots -available here-

In the depths of a wishing well.

Some in progress shots:

 Initial brainstorm sketches and thumbnail. Originally the pair at the top were children.

 Somehow that got changed once I got to the final sketch.

 Color rough, mockup in photoshop. I've found that with the techniques I'm using these days with the texture of the ink and medium, because it's so random, I really need to plan out the colors and values beforehand a lot more than I used to. In order to optimal make use of the randomness, I have to have much more intent on where to focus it. The texture only happens if I do it in one go, and don't touch the areas (unless I've sprayed with fixative) afterwards, because further messing around and brushing layers over those areas only blurs and obliterates those textures I love.

 Getting started with initial base layers of colors.

 Refining.

 And more.

 Trilobytes, bones, and tea!!!!

 Almost done. Thought I was done. But when I scanned this and then flipped it horizontally in photoshop I didn't like how the upper area was balanced. The skyline/trees/ground felt off. 

 So I went back and worked some more on the upper portions. After scanning and flipping it once more (to get a fresh perspective), I was much more satisfied this time.

Western Redbud

Had a lot of fun with the nasturtiums a few days ago, so here's more in a botanical illustration vein.

Western Redbud. Native plant here. There's a small bush planted just across the street from me by our local watershed group. A few years ago a large live oak tree fell over into the ravine due to weakening of the roots in the hillside after a long spell of rain. I was sad to see it gone, but a host of other native plants were quickly planted in the following months. 

Watercolor pencils & watercolors.

In the springtime it has the most brilliant purple-pink flowers dripping off the branches, and I really want to draw that next year. But for now it's got bean pods, which bear a trace of that magenta color, which also shows quite strikingly. Next year I'll have to try and catch it at this stage:

Another batch of matted pieces

Another batch of matted pieces that will be available at Dragoncon art auction. Having fun with these.

Nasturtiums

Experimenting with watercolor pencils, and an attempted foray into botanical illustration. I've always loved botanical illustrations, and I have this lovely set of watercolor pencils that need more playing with, and an even lovelier pot full of nasturtiums outside my front door. Last year, my friend gave me the pencil set, as well as a large watercolor moleskin, and it was really too nice to just use for scribbles and sketches. So, a year later I have finally found a use for it. I'll be doing more of these hopefully. After all, I have a whole book to fill up now.

A quicker sketch I did earlier that day, which was what prompted the more finished drawing above. I couldn't resist revisiting those bright golds and oranges and the patterns. 

Labyrinthine - full series

Labyrinthine series. Four seasons.

Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter

Prints ($10.00) and closeup detail views can be found for each by clicking on the links above.

Lunch

Tomatoes in the garden are finally ripening.  It's SUMMER! Couldn't resist drawing those lovely plump curves. Took it as an opportunity to play around with some watercolor pencils I have too. I've had them for a really long time and just never really gotten the hang of using them. I think I might try messing with them some more. 

Done with watercolor, ink brush pen, watercolor pencils, and salivation (that basil smells YUMMY!)

More matted pieces for Dragoncon

More matting and drawing today. Got a few more of them done. Here's a peek at some more of what will be on offer in the art show auction at dragoncon. These are prints with hand drawn ink on the boarders of the mats.

 Dreaming Beyond the Gray

Smoke and Flame

Where the Shadow Used to Fall

Midnight at the Crossroads