IF: Skull

I told myself I was going to do Illustration Friday this week, but when the topic was "skull," I was disappointed. Anyone who knows me, knows that skulls are not my subject choice. But I am happy I pursued the assignment anyway because I was able to find a way to paint a skull so that I like it.  There's a story behind this one. Even if you don't know the story, the painting speaks to me Memento Mori. (Remember you're going to die.) As dark as that seems, it's actually a positive thought that puts priorities in their proper perspective!

Tail

This week's Illustration Friday word: Tail.

I wasn't planning on participating this week, but then I got a drawing bug... I'm glad I did, I like this one! I'd love to put it in color with a nice backlight and cast shadows. I'll have to file this in my book of ideas for another time!

Moustache

Illustration Friday: Moustache

For a several weeks last Halloween, my 3-year-old son would steal my eye liner and pretend to be Zorro.

 

 

Pecos Bill

I had a bit of a break in the illustration process, so I grabbed the time to paint a variant cover for my husband's indy comic. It also coincides perfectly with this week's Illustration Friday topic, "Wild."  Here is the link to purchase Pecos Bill #1 here: http://indyplanet.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=7435

For updates on the progress of #2 coming SOON! And more fun from Brian Du Pont at Colring Book Press, click here: http://colringbookpress.tumblr.com/

IF: Wool

I am going to experiment with a new process. Here's a sneak peek at this week's Illustration Friday word, the sketch for "wool"

 

I inked it! I think it looks great! I saw another artist who does this before she lays down watercolor. I thought her watercolors lacked color, but then, she didn't spend very much time in the color, trying to deliberately achieve an aged look. So I wonder what will happen if I added bright colors to this?  I've never been a believer in adding black for a darker hue. Yet this isn't mixing color. It's painting over an ink wash. Hmmm... I wonder what it will look like? Update to come. I think it's fun to experiment!

Here is the final piece. I can't decide if I like it or not.  I love the limited palette, the structure, and the textures, but those things could have been done without the ink wash.  What did the ink wash underneath contribute? Is it worth repeating? I think grey for value changes is not as powerful as adding more color, layers upon layers of beautiful color.  But then again, the muted colors give a comfortable feel. Is that it? I can't put my finger on it.  Is this a process I will try again?

IF: Storm

This week's www.illustrationfriday.com word: "Storm"
I loved the popcorn dragon so much, I decided to draw him again!

IF: Myth

Illustration Friday Word of the Week: Myth



Unfortunately, I didn’t get this one posted to Illustration Friday on time.  I didn’t intend to participate this week, being preoccupied with my son’s birthday, and a commissioned piece due at the same time. But the idea of a dragon popping popcorn stayed in my head until I just had to get it on paper at the end of the week. I’m glad I did!  If I’m going to do a myth, it’s got to be dragons. I know it’s typical, but I’ve got boys at home. They don’t care about mythology! But they can sing every word of “Puff the Magic Dragon” from string and sealing wax to giant’s rings and painted wings.  Plus, home-popped popcorn is a favorite of my family. The boys watch it popping over the stove, giggling with excitement at every pop.

Hey.. Painted wings! “Wings” is the word for this week.  Hmmm….  Ideas are brewing…

IF: Ocean

Illustration Friday word for the week: "Ocean"

 

My little boy has been into Titanic for a couple years now. It's kind of an odd thing for a boy to like until you realize its just a glorified "CRASH" in the water.  I have looked at many books about Titanic and watched him reenact the scene in the bathtub many times. To him, it's a cool crash. But I can't help imagining those women, sitting in the lifeboats, watching the Daddies die. 

IF: New

When I think of the word "new" the first thing that comes to my mind is a new baby.  This might not be as unexpected as the approaches I took for other Illustration Friday words, but it is certainly my content area.  I feel I nailed the word "new" rather than simply "baby."
I am inspired by what I heard Marshall Arisman say in an interview, which was to explore your choice content, draw what you know about, and style will develop over time. 

Chosen Last - glow!

From pages 16-17 of "Chosen Last," the second book I illustrated for Orange Hat Publishing. "Chosen Last" really tugged at my heart strings with it's message of unconditional love and acceptance. You can order it at http://www.amazon.com/Chosen-Last-Ariel-Oehmichen/dp/1937165264/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1356113296&sr=8-1&keywords=chosen+last

I submitted this piece for Illustration Friday's word of the week "glow." For IF, I think it is always better to submit new art made especially for the word of the week, rather than finding something I already have that fits.  The idea is to create something out of the ordinary, a challenge, a creative exercise. However, this week is Christmas. Hello last minute to-do's! 

Here we see the GLOW of the moon as well as the GLOW of the GLOWbugs!

Snow

This week's Illustration Friday word: "Snow"

These two kids are dressed in their best snow gear, but they have cast their sled aside in favor of watching "snow" on TV.

It would have liked to watercolor this, but time is really short the week before Christmas!

Explore

 

 

 This week's Illustration Friday word was "Explore." I had a lot going on this week, so I was pressed to finish this by tomorrow. (Hey, it's the Christmas season!)
I would love to hear how others might interpret this. I packed it with food-for-thought, and feel that saying anything might detract. 
Artistically, I am trying to use watercolors. This is my 4th attempt, and I like the bolder colors, but feel they could be bolder yet and with more varied layers of colors. I am actually hoping that in a few weeks I'll look back and realize how weak my painting skills were.
Also, I am trying to break away from realism in a unique, fun way that I enjoy.  Realism has always been what I've done previous to this blog. (I should post some of my old stuff.) But I don't feel it has a lot of value for illustration.  For this painting, I played with Micons to add line quality.  I am excited to see where these painting experiments take me in the months to come!