Illustration, Design, Editing, Art
“Inktober Day 4: Goblin Kiss” ©2016 alecia goodman to present
Posting from my phone this evening. We were hit hard by a storm earlier and have had no power.
This drawing for Inktober is prompted by “Goblin.” It was inspired by Froud, I have loved his work for quite some time. After drawing this is am tempted to write a back story to go with it. What do you think is happening or already happened?
Illustration Friday is Kiss… this drawing represents both Goblin and Kiss.
Illustration Friday Spin ©2015 alecia goodman to present
This week’s Illustration Friday topic is “Spin”. Recently I participated in a Winter Exchange and my giftee proposed the idea of coffee art as something I could do. I hadn’t done one before so I created this coffee art, a spin on coffee paintings. This was done in sepia ink on white Canson Tientes pastel paper. I was nervous about this one since its not your typical coffee paintings but I think my giftee liked it.
“Charlie”, portrait ©2014 alecia goodman to present
Not too long ago I had a blonde haired blue eyed baby boy. We went to a play group at the local hospital here. We met some wonderful moms and dads… making many friends for life. One of these moms, Sarah, let me be part of a super secret Christmas present for her husband. It was a portrait of their fur baby Charlie, a beautiful lab and so sweet too. I finished the portrait and was ready to ship it to her as they had moved, miss them terribly. I was heart broken and sad to find out Charlie wasn’t doing very well at all. As requested I held on to the portrait for an additional week while the family said their good byes. Thank you for letting me create this portrait for you. Media gray paper and charcoal pencil
I submitted this to Illustration Friday for the category of “Strong”. I believe there are strong bonds of family between friends and fur babies.
I am always amazed when I come to the close of a portrait. The spirit or personality of a piece takes life and well to put it simply, glows. This is Rudie, and if my client agrees I do believe our journey together through shadows is over. What do you think?
Warm grey Canson Mi Tientes, Pastel Pencils…
#4 Portrait Update, “Rudie” ©2012 alecia goodman to present
Illustration Friday’s topic this week is explore. Right now I truly feel like that is what I am doing with this portrait, exploring. My reference photos are extremely dark and a lot of information seems to be missing on one side of the face. So yes, I am truly exploring and inferring information as I go. Its a challenge for sure, at times a bit of a struggle too. How do you think its going? When its challenging I tend to need some encouragement. Thank you.
First picture is update before started to day and second is where I had to finish.
#2 Portrait Update, “Rudie” ©2012 alecia goodman to present
#3 Portrait Update, “Rudie” ©2012 alecia goodman to present
This is a stretch I know for Illustration Friday. This week’s topic is “zoom”. Portrait wise I zoomed through this one. Its possibly one of the fastest portraits I have done, YEAH!!! In total about 15 hours or so (still need to get better at tracking my time too), I know I need to get faster and continually working toward being so, but still keeping the detail.
Its done, its done….
Final Portrait Update, “Razberrie” ©2012 alecia goodman to present
Portrait Update #3, “Razberrie” ©2012 alecia goodman to present
Portrait Update #2, “Razberrie” ©2012 alecia goodman to present
Portrait Update #1, “Razberrie” ©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.
"Dakota", portrait update ©2012 alecia goodman to present
“Popularity” Illustration Friday’s topic this week. I know this post is truly stretching to fit the parameters, but I just finished this beautiful portrait and wanted to share it (We’ll have to see if the client agrees). Popularity I think this is possibly every preteen, teenage boy’s and girl’s challenge. Always feeling that they are the wallflower and trying to make it into the spotlight. I think with age comes the wisdom to realize popularity is not truly that important, its the beauty inside that matters. Being comfortable with yourself and liking yourself, I think is a challenge for everyone at any age. Dakota is a beautiful dog, I am hoping that I just provided a glimpse of her personality and the beauty it holds.
"Dakota", first portrait update ©2012 alecia goodman to present
Illustration Friday’s topic this week is “Forward”. Ever since I saw the Disney film, “Meet the Robinson’s“, I have really liked that motto “Keep Moving Forward”. I was a little nervous about the new portrait I started this weekend, Dakota. The portrait is a bit complicated and challenging as it will end up hanging next to her sister “Grace”. First I had to get sizing correct and approved. The paper had to be the same, which I found after searching since Grace had been done a bit ago. Luckily everything seems to be working so far. Hoping I will be able to finish the portrait this week, but we’ll see just how far I can get… especially since Dakota has a lot of fur.
Finding Grace ©2010 alecia goodman
Here are the initial sketches and beginning of the drawing for Dakota.
"Dakota", sketches ©2012 alecia goodman to present
"Zeus", final portrait update ©2012 alecia goodman to present
I know its a bit of a stretch for Illustration Friday’s “Twirl”… Still if I think about the idea twirl, I think of how many times I have twirled pencils to continually create a sharp point. I overcame a lighting issue in my studio. Frustrating how reliant I am on bulbs etc. This beautiful dog, Zeus is now completed… YEAH!!! Of course I am still awaiting approval from the client. Let me know what you think everyone.
The portrait was approved… Now I am definitely “TWIRLING” in a happy dance.
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