Illustration, Design, Editing, Art
“Snaptor the Snail Bird” Work In Progress ©2017 alecia goodman to present
Do you like birds? What about a snail bird, named Snaptor? Combining two very different animals to create a whole new species. Baby birds can seem reptilian and ugly, but I think this fella is kind of cute.
For now I’m going to be sharing sketches, followed by final drawings once finished.
“Bashful Fox” ©2016 alecia goodman to present
Foxes have been tricksters in stories for a very long time. How many of us as kids read Roald Dahl’s “The Fantastic Mr. Fox”? I loved his books especially Witches, James and the Giant Peach, and Gremlins. This particular fox, I’ve been told by my kids it’s a baby, is rather shy. I know that Inktober is over, but I think this guy may just need to be inked. What do you think? And Inktober has spurred other sketches and commissions too.
“Inktober Day 31 Dragon” ©2016 alecia goodman to present
Inktober Day 31 Dragon, my final drawing for this October is actually a baby dragon. My son is going to love this one. He’s been wanting me to draw a dragon badly. Happy Halloween! #inktober2016 #drawlloween2016
My dear friend had to say good bye to her fur baby Cole yesterday. My heart aches for her, he was such a sweet lovable dog. Thankful I was able to create this beautiful portrait.
“Cole”, portrait ©2013 alecia goodman to present
Hello everyone its been a while I know. This last year, 2013, was an emotional roller coaster ride of really good and really bad.
We welcomed our new baby girl, Imogen. It has been quite the ride with a newborn. Trying to learn her schedule, she is so different from our first.
Imogen Newborn, photography by Baby Bloom Photography
Sadly though we had to say good bye to a very dear friend, of whom I went to college with, Jaime Peterman. My heart has been thoroughly shattered. My friend taught me how to sew. We took on making our own fairy coats, one of my first projects. Being inspired by Katwise and Enlightened Platypus, very beautiful coats from recycled sweaters. Ours were done with Goodwill sweaters/coats and fleece. I should clarify that we did not follow any pattern and came up with our coats on our own. Jaime was an amazing color wizard. She had the most colorful sparkling spirit and I miss her so much.
Steampunk Day (Cowtown photography), Wichita Kansas
Being in an emotional funk I took a break from creating and focused on being healthy, taking care of myself and my family. It was hard to want to create when I was just sad or overwhelmed with emotion. Luckily this pregnancy went so much better than the first. No high blood pressure and no pre-eclampsia, and she wasn’t full breech either. My swelling was normal not to the extreme either.
Jaime’s Butterfly Fairy Coat, photography by Alecia Goodman
Alecia’s Woodland Fairy Coat, photography by Jaime Peterman
I hope that 2014 holds many wonderful surprises for me and my family.
The Genus for a Chimpanzee is Pan. Which is also the name for the mythic faerie figure who protects nature most often pictured playing a flute.
I am making some progress. His personality is really starting to come through.
Portrait update #2, “Chimpanzee, Monkey Business” ©2012 alecia goodman to present
This cute little guy is about 2, my monkey and him see to have a lot in common. I have been so busy haven’t done a personal piece for a bit unless you call P.G. personal since it was a gift. I have started this little guy 4 times though. I was really excited about some Derwent Tinted Charcoal I picked up this week. So far I am not thrilled with it hence the 3 previous drawings. Sad I know, so to keep a possible artist’s block from hitting me square in the face I am moving on to charcoal, Generals (the orange ones). I have another idea for this chimpanzee, pastels hmmm… we will have to see when I can work that one in.
Here’s my start, the fourth one… hope to get more done tonight.
Portrait update, “Chimpanzee, Monkey Business” ©2012 alecia goodman to present
I am happy to announce that my customer loved their portrait, “Renna”. I am a little sad that I won’t be seeing her adorably cute face on my drawing table any more.
Final Portrait, "Renna" ©2012 alecia goodman to present
Some tips and things from working on this project. I used Derwent 9b pencils (recommended by Blue Bird Art House), Sanford Design Ebony (Jet Black Extra Smooth) and White charcoal pencils on a mixed gray paper. I always start with a very light sketch, if you go too dark fixing or shading later could be impossible. From there I focus on the eyes, then the nose and mouth. Eyes catch a person and the facial expression holds them there. It also shows more of the personality of the person. From there I work all over the place, holding to the idea that I am working on the project as a whole. Keep your pencils extra sharp. I try my best to never smear or smudge things, I think it ruins the drawing and you lose a lot of contrast and detail. On that note, when using white try to pull it through shaded areas of graphite so that it looks continuous. At the end of every project I use a spray fix to keep the drawing from smearing or smudging (especially during transit). And of course I take a picture for my records.
Frustration: I had another pencil sharpener die, lasted 1.5 drawings which is an improvement over the last. I purchased another electric this time a Stanley® Bostitch® Executive Electric Pencil Sharpener. Hoping this lasts longer. I know with really soft pencils, hand sharpening is recommended. However, since my car accident this is near impossible. You should never absorb the impact of the air bag with your drawing/sharpening hand. Just for the record, not my fault either.
Here is the wrap up from sketch to finished drawing, “Renna”. Sorry for the lighting issues, I started using my new camera. What do you think?
IF-Return, If you saw Renna from start I hope you returned for the finish.
Well I think I am done. I always reach a point on a drawing where I have to step back and realize if I do too much more I will destroy the beauty I created. Hence the less is more creed, it does hold true more often than not. Still I am not going to hold my breath, I don’t think I could pull off the smurf look. Besides its my customer who makes the final call so I am hoping my customer likes it as much as I do. Once its approved I will sign it and I will post one final update on Renna. I will try to move through my process and provide some tips on drawing a portrait and/or working with this particular media.
Portrait Update #8, "Renna" ©2012 alecia goodman to present
I am really excited that I have this portrait almost done. I know I have some more tweaking to do here and there, but it is getting really close. One of my biggest challenges is to make sure I don’t get too much detail going on in her shirt, but enough to show its there and allow the baby to pop.
I am a little sad to be getting ready to saying good bye to this sweet little face and not seeing her beautiful smile as I work daily; so precious. What do you think?
Portrait Update #7, "Renna" ©2012 alecia goodman to present
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