Shawoman

After coming back from CTN Expo and seeing all of the awesome concept artwork out there, I think it's time for me to output a little, before I can figure out what I want to do in life.  I may be working in black and white for a little while to get back to understanding my fundamentals:  Form, Light, and Composition.

I want to thank everyone that I've spoken to at CTN that gave me great advice--there is a long list, but they know who they are.  These are individuals who have mastered their technique and style, and are beautiful individuals with great minds who are willing to take the time to give back to the younger generation.  I am truly grateful to have met and spoken with all of them.

This is the first thing that has come out of my head for a long time.  I've been so scared that my work wouldn't come out perfect digitally, but I was really weakening my foundation skills.  So, I'm going to try to stop working from my photographs so closely, and just observe from life.

Sweet Sensations

I wanted to do another pose painting with the round brush only.  It's been a while since I've used this basic brush, but I find myself really loving it anew.  Need to practice more loose poses and finally getting a hang of layering lighting strokes.

Shatter

Since I did a Love one, I thought to make a pair and might as well do Hate...  This Mucha-inspired painting has many symbols that relate to hate:  Vines, thorns, broken mirror, wilting flowers, bracelet chains, the color green, etc.  I wanted it to be Envy, Wrath, Self-deprecation, and wanting to be things one isn't because the ego is diminished and thinks it's imperfect, all in one.

[*I'd say "have fun" finding all of the serpentine patterns in this one, but even I haven't counted all of them this time!]

Process:

Tired of Housework

I've been looking at a lot of Norman Rockwell  because although I've seen his paintings, I didn't pay attention to the stories he was telling.  I was referred to look again and, boy, did I miss A LOT.  This is a piece that started out as a figure drawing of a woman's profile, and it kind of morphed into something else within an hour.

Stung

Yay--my 77th post [Lucky doubles]!  "Stung by love," super metaphorical, a la simplified Mr. Mucha~

[*See if you can find all the "hidden" hearts!  HINT:  There are 47!  <3]

Process:

Playing with Fire

Trying new painting techniques, practicing as many different styles as possible, focusing on value lighting...and of course, always observing anatomy.

Gael Monfils

This guy has the most extreme knee-ankle poses I've ever seen in sports.  I don't watch TV and I am not a fan of any particular sport or team, but I stumbled upon this guy and had to draw him...except he looks ALMOST normal in these drawings.  Maybe I was trying too hard to make it "look right?"  I don't even know.