Sunday, March 27, 2011

Nimue's Lament

Nimue's Lament Illustration
Based on the song by Alkaemy.

This involved a technique I've never used. It involves a wash of watercolors, color pencils, and then glazes/washes of acrylics on top. It was a very time consuming technique with just layers upon layers:
Do I like it? I'm not sure. I did rather enjoy the process when I was doing it. I think it fit this piece and I wonder if I would be able to achieve that same look and feeling with other materials. I'll be repeating the process again on the self portrait piece I'm planning on.

I still kind of want to do the second sketch I came up for this idea. Though granted I've thought of ways to (hopefully) better the composition. I don't feel like this was the best illustration ever, but I am happy that I did it. This is my first real illustration since I graduated SCAD. Just need to scrape the rust off and get going again. 

Friday, March 18, 2011

Graphite or Charcoal?

Last weekend or so I was just feeling pretty creative. I was just in one of those moods were a lot of ideas were coming to me. I keep a little notebook where I write down prompts for ideas. I also doodled a few ideas out.

I came up with one new idea I rather liked. Originally I was just thinking "Oh I'll just do it in pastels." But then I thought about it and realized perhaps it would be better to do it in pencils. It's the kind of picture that could work very nice in monochromatic tones.

I am a fan of pencils myself. In fact I realize there's often something nice about my sketch work that doesn't transfer into my final drawings. (In truth I've thought about exploring doing graphite drawings, and then taking them into photoshop and adding just a color layer on top.) But back to the question at hand, what kind of pencils to use? Do I want to use graphite or charcoal?

I think they both have their pros and cons. I haven't used good ole graphite pencils seriously in a long time. The same could be said about charcoal. I think I'm leaning more towards the charcoal though only because of it's darker and richer tones. The piece needs some darkness and richness. As previously stated my pencils haven't been used in a while. I do currently question the state of these pencils. I may be needing some brand new pencils.


I'm hoping I can carry through with doing some of those ideas. I first need to finish the two pieces I've started. Daylight saving's time has been a very bitter adjustment to me.

Sunday, March 13, 2011

Nimue's Sketch and Colors

 My progress on the Nimue's piece. Ended up choosing the second piece. I added more to the left which is not pictured here, so the person isn't so centered in the image. Spent the day looking into doing color schemes. The image below is based upon my scanned sketch, not the final image which adds more to the left.

I have a few favorites, but I can't quite decide. The lyrics state it's night time and that it's summer (or at least I was going for the more summer/tropical vibe). Not all the schemes fit that exact detail. I'm slightly leaning towards 1, 2, or 5.

I also started work on a self portrait piece. I just got it drawn down onto the final paper. It's also for an online group I'm doing.

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Revamp 2.0

Let's try this yet again.

Alright so here's something I've actually been working on. This is some sketch ideas for an online group I'm part of. It's an art group that offers monthly challenges for children illustrations. This months theme is to illustrate a song of your choice, which is pretty open ended for the group.

I picked the song Nimue's Lament by Alkaemy. Some of the lyrics I focused on:
Somewhere in the darkest night
Peace will come, as the spirit flies
As you weave a spell by another name
Snow falls whith the summer rain

 ...
Far beyond the crystal sea
I can hear all your whispered dreams
And the endless signs of the ones who love
They live on in the stars above

Then I will come to you my love
Whith the passing of the days
And I will set you free each time
Your heart is bound in chains


I'm thinking to possibly do this in watercolor washes and color pencils. I don't know if I'm feeling up to chalk pastels. Plus I do question why I'm so attached to pastels. Why do I have that mindset of "EVERYTHING MUST BE IN PASTELS."