UNFOLD *IF

The mysterious land of digital painting is beginning to unfold. I’ve had a personal goal of recreating my mixed-media painting technique with Corel Painter X’s awesome digital tools. I think I’m getting pretty darn close. Can you tell which one is “fully digital”? I didn’t even use the clone tool, just tracingpaper. The biggest clue is the yellow light source in the upper corner image. For which I will reveal that sometimes yellow color pencil will scan more intensely than intended because of its translucent quality when light bounces around the scanner (hint). I could still use a little more contrast and warm light in the lower dominate image, but I plan go back and rework it more because I haven’t collapsed the layers yet (hint).

I just learned this THIS week. Cooooool…Icy cool . (happy dance)

ADAPT *IF

Adapting to new situations isn’t always easy. In the story, the little girl is reflecting upon the words of someone close to her heart. I can’t say more than that or I’ll give away too much.

I’m still adapting to digital painting. So far I really like the line and hope to come up with a color wash technique that complements the pencil without the rest of the image falling flat.

CRACKED *IF

Not cracking up yet.

I’m still working out the bugs with digital painting. This is just a zoom in from the “Many Voices” poster. I like some of the qualities of the image, but it needs a bit more polishing. The original sketch is scanned, but most of the digital color is too loose. Currently I’m evaluating whether or not I should draw directly into the computer and am still learning all I can about Corel Painter. Eventually, I do see myself working digitally, but this transition phase feels like it’s putting my back at the beginning. Though, the feeling may not last long.

I would love to get comments from other artists or blog sites about artists who have made this transition or perhaps still prefer to scan sketches but finish a piece digitally.

Hope you all out there had a safe Memorial day.

HEIRARCHY *IF

Although the manuscript for this story needs more work, I think the text for the little girl’s thoughts works well for this week's theme.

“I think the Emperor is smart already.
There is nothing in his cup, and that’s alright by him.”

In the story, the Emperor gains confidence through the help of his little daughter.
Perhaps hierarchy has more to do with the way we perceive ourselves than the position we hold.

IMPOSSIBILITY *IF

Is it possible to shift gears and start creating my artwork digitally after everything I’ve put into my traditional artwork?

I started off this piece on paper, gouache, and color pencils like usual, but it wasn’t the image in my head. The theme for the image is “Many Voices”. How appropriate because the voice in my head kept telling me that the picture was all wrong. I abandoned the paper, turned to the dark ominous screen on my desk, and wondered if the image needed another path. I scanned the rough sketch and began to practice different brushes in Painter, a computer art program. It would only be my second attempt to complete a picture this way. Would I run out of time before the deadline? After several redoes it has come to this. The warm sepia undertones provided the foundation, waves of color kept me guessing, and a little mouse with a shushing finger to his mouth told me it was alright for the many voices to stop.

POISE *IF

Define: suspense or wavering, as between rest and motion or two phases of motion: the poise of the tides.

Poised or stuck! I’m working out some issues with an illustration I’m trying in Painter. Plus I thought the dragon looks more poised than I feel at the moment. Awhile back I posted my first digital illo. I felt the line was too dark before so I’m going lighter. Plus I really love sepia! I’m always trying to learn something new. I wonder where this look might take me and should I pursue it?

SUBTRACT *IF

Is someone feeling a little left out today, less than a part of something bigger, a self proclaimed minus one equals Mr. Zero…

No, no! Take a step back. You are no Goose Egg!

You are a Bunny, unique in many ways. Do not be so hard on yourself. For one reason, EVERYONE, not just little bunnies (which adds up to a lot), have felt exactly the same way; not just today. And if everybody, including little bunnies (which is more than one bunny can count), would subtract all those days of feeling the same way. Then perhaps, Little Bunny, you are not so alone.