Sketch 1 for April Challenge

Tree budding at a friend's house.

Drawing in Illustrator for the first time... again.

It took me a while to figure out the pen tool again. But considering I don't remember much from our class with Doug, I'm pretty happy with my progress. Some stuff I'm figuring out on my own, some of it I have a vague knowledge. Definitely got a ways to go.

Illustrator CS4 Tutorial: Blend Tips

SO COOL! You really have to watch this!

http://www.layersmagazine.com/adobe-illustrator-blend-tips.html

Frank Frazetta

Hey everyone, for anyone who doesn't know him you should certainly look at his work if you are a fantasy art fan. Frank Frazetta. Another tip for anyone who hasn't started this already. For inspiration make a folder on your computer for a digital archive of all your favorite works by your favorite artists. Back to Frank Frazetta...

I found a lot of his works off this article:

http://www.arthistoryarchive.com/arthistory/fantasy/Frank-Frazetta.html

April Challenge

Today is the first of April. It is also a beautiful day for the first day of a spring month. I thought we could celebrate a little with some green in the layout, and a new challenge. Fun! Since last month's challenge was a bit of a flop, I'm going to give you something really REALLY easy, and conducive to enjoying this nice weather.

Go outside!

You have thirty whole days to take pictures or sit down and draw outside. By the end of April, or anywhere in between, you should have two sketches posted. It can be anything! From a trash can to a tree. As long as it comes from your outdoor expedition.

The only POSSIBLE exception is that is downpours heavily for 30 days straight. But, even then, just find a window.

March Challenge: English Miniatures

Kylee, 2.5" diameter, acrylic

At the beginning of this month, I began reading one of my art history books from school, Five Centuries of British Painting by Andrew Wilton. It's a shame I never had time to read it when I was actually taking the class. :P Anyway, the book starts with Holbein and the Tudors. I decided to focus on miniature portrait painting.

Miniatures derived from illuminated manuscripts, and in England they took off during the early Tudor period. The miniature was a unique art form because it was intimate. The viewer had to pick it up and hold it close to see it. It was either round or oval in shape, sometimes inscribed with text. Miniatures were displayed in cabinets, or worn around the neck or waist as an item of jewelry. This is where lockets come from. They could also be pinned near the heart. They were portable, and popular as gifts for lovers. They were also usually covered, a way to keep it a personal secret. Miniatures were especially used as a part of courtly love. They were given to show favor.

While, traditionally, miniatures were meant to be held close and worn as jewelry, I've decided to take a different approach to this art form. I will still be working small and applying colored backgrounds (like Holbein), and will try to keep to the standard poses. However, I will be displaying them as you see here, matted. This is only the first one I've done so far, my test piece, I guess. I plan on doing a series of these, and eventually will display them in grid formation next to each other. My purpose for this miniature style is not secretive, and so I will not be treating that way. Instead, I am sort of incorporating that pop cultural design element, bright colors in formation.

I did not get as far on this challenge as I'd hoped, but I'm glad I know what direction I'm going in currently.

Wolf.

Decided to color that old wolf doodle I did a few months back. (don't forget to full view)