Illustration, Design, Editing, Art
Update #4 Razberrie… I really like how her personality just pops, and her eyes truly hold you. I think I have reached the point where I am done, except for gracing it with my signature. Hoping my customer feels the same.
Portrait Update #4, “Razberrie” ©2012 alecia goodman to present
Its amazing what I can get done without my little monster under foot. Update #3, This portrait is moving right along, hope to be done really soon. Ever so grateful for the short break and said little monster got to have grandparent time.
Portrait Update #3, “Razberrie” ©2012 alecia goodman to present
Update #2, finally… this week has been a doozie and a half. Hoping that next week is better that’s for sure.
Portrait Update #2, “Razberrie” ©2012 alecia goodman to present
First I want to apologize for my hiatus. We have had 3 weddings in the last month, which has taken a bit of weekend time. Also my toddler is fighting naps and the impossible quest of potty training. Hoping to get back on track with my art and working on a tutorial to start trying to do my drawings digitally with my Wacom (the tutorial is through Lynda.com and is the Mastering Brushes for Corel Painter 11).
Recently I was asked by 2 friends that I love to design the graphics for their Save the Date card/magnet. So what do you think? I was able to use the beautiful typography (originally designed for Country Chic only a bit different) this time. It has a different feel with the colors, graphics, and picture. This color combination worked so well, especially with the picture and graphics.
Amanda Beyers & Nate Gladfelter Save The Date Card ©2012 alecia goodman to present
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 want to apologize for my hiatus of the past couple of weeks. I actually went on vacation, a first in a very long time.
Yeah!!! I am so elated to be finally done with this one. The hope was to finish this one quickly, oops (someone forgot to give that memo to my toddler).
It was smaller than the portraits I completed as of late, 8.5″ x 8″ approximately. Media was Oyster Canson Mi Tientes. I think the colored paper complimented the colors in P.G. well. I had some difficulty working on such a smaller size, keeping with my usual detailed approach. I think larger pieces though challenging at the same time may be easier for detail. As with most of my work a sharp point is extremely important and with a smaller size even more so. I did find that I had to slowly build up the media and do some mixing of colors mainly through pencil application. This was tedious but the result was well worth it.
I hope that this gift goes over well; surprises and thrills all at the same time. What do you think?
Final Portrait, “P.G.” ©2012 alecia goodman to present
Here is the final invitation for the Country Chic wedding. I think it turned out beautifully and am excited to see it printed.
Final Ralston/Rivers Wedding Invite ©2012 alecia goodman to present
I am back to P.G. hoping I can finish this soon and begin work on an adorable baby chimp. Having some difficulty getting the correct mixes of oranges and creams. I am amazed by all the colors that are browns in my pastels… some are gold, rusty or just gray. I wonder if its taking longer since its a gift whereas a commissioned piece seems to fly. The good news: It looks like I am closer than I am to finishing if you look at it from further away. So maybe I am getting close, though I still have a ways to go.
Portrait Update, "P.G." ©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.
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