La Parisienne - WIP

This is a piece that I'm really excited about and wanted to share my work-in-progress.  It will be a digital piece and in fact is the prize for the winners of the last contest.   I though they would appreciate a peek.   I inked the lines a while back but in the middle of coloring it in Photoshop, my mouse cheesed out (haha...pun).  Anyways, one may inquire as to why I don't use the more preferable Wacom to begin with.  It's because I no longer have a dedicated work area and my round dining table is too small to accommodate a 9"x12" tablet ergonomically.  I may still have to break it out for the remainder of the painting even if it mean I'll be working on the floor.


Some of you may recognize this darling.  She turned two years old a couple of days ago.  Let's hope I finish this piece before she turns three!

Pen on Paper, 9"x12"

Percy's Picnic

For anyone that does not yet know,  my brother is a writer.  A witty, brilliant writer.  He's also a bum.  A very happy and well adjusted bum, mind you...but make no mistake about it...he's a Le through and through.  While he was born with the literary talents, he is unable to draw a decent rendering to save his life.  (His stick men however, are commendable).  I on the other hand, through years and years of training in scientific academia, can write a logical thesis like nobody's business which is all fine and well, but there are very few people with the fortitude to endure one of my dissertations.    


We have (had) grand visions of collaborating on the greatest children's book ever created.  It was to be epic, dazzling, a melding of two genius creative minds for a toddler masterpiece, that serendipitously, whose audience would not have the verbal aptitude or manual dexterity to criticize our work.  Didn't I say it was genius...save for one factor.  My brother is a bum and I, in all fairness, a quasi-bum.  


Fearing a chicken or egg scenario that would ultimately thwart our plans to conquer the world one alphabet book at a time, I began some preliminary character development.  Granted, I didn't entirely conceive these characters from scratch as they, by happenstance, were referenced as some of this week's sketch subjects (previously mentioned in my last posting).  Still it's something to take a squirrel, a meerkat, some lavender, some other kind of reddish flower and weave a compelling story around one delightfully whimsical illustration of the combination.   Admittedly, 'delightful' might be tooting my own horn but given the choices (lemur, llama, orangutan...dog), I think Percy came out alright.    


Introducing Percival S., the squirrel.  He's British by the way.  Imagine him with a cute squeaky little British accent.    Click to see larger version.

Monkey Business - Weekly Sketch

This week's subjects are again from the WetCanvas forum - the theme was zoo critters with some flowers,  shrubbery and a domestic pet thrown in for good measure.  It's usually a dog or cat...always a dog or cat I've noticed.  People really like them.  This time it was a dog.  I didn't draw the dog.


The first piece is a quick pen and watercolor wash I did as a warm up.  Monkeys.  Three monkeys to be clear.  The second, a lemur.  Just one.  The third which is in the next post for reasons that will become apparent includes said zoo critters,  flowers, shrubbery...but no dog.  Have I mentioned yet that I didn't draw the dog?

Micron & Watercolor on Paper, 5"x8"

Watercolor on Paper, 5"x8"

M. _ Water Garden & Cockerel - Weekly Sketch

This week's sketch is a 'two for the price of one'.  I frequent a pretty neat art forum that has some awesome artist (mostly traditional) and some not so awesome ones.  Some days I'm humbled while one other days I get a nice ego boost.  It's a learning opportunity either way.   They have daily, weekly, monthly events/challenges that I've begun to participate in.  It lets me hone my skills, paint subjects I usually wouldn't consider and lets me explore beyond my comfort zone.  I also like the help and suggestions available from other professionals.


This week's references were irresistible to me for their sheer potential.  I chose these two because well...I've never drawn either ever before and felt it would be a challenge to paint them in watercolor.  Boy, was it ever.  Watercolor is a beast that takes some planning.  While there is some measure for corrections, you can't simply paint over as you would acrylic or oils.  Still - I'm having a blast even if I'm not entirely pleased with the results.  Would like more contrast and I probably need to expand my color palette as it feels a little dull.  What do you expect for the bargain deal price of 2 weeklies for the price of one!


Almost forgot!  There is an easy challenge attached to this one.  First person to tell me the location (city) of the subjects in the paintings gets a print of my next piece (not going to say what it is just yet though).  Bonne chance!

Watercolor on Paper, 5"x8"

Watercolor on Paper, 5"x 8"

Panda - Weekly Sketch

I broke out the Faber Castell brush pen for this week's sketch.  Many artists I know love this pen for its line quality.  I'm not an inker per say but I'm always impressed by the work that other artists do with this pen (Check out Michael Stovall's blog).   The brush tip has proved to be more durable than the Tombows thus far.  The ink is even and smooth but I've heard that they tend to run out fairly quickly.  I've been yearning to try the Pentel brush pens, which are refillable, in comparison.


Sometimes I get the urge to draw something ridiculously cute just because I can.  There are very few things that I can think of which fits the bill better than a Panda.  Perhaps a baby panda...Awwwwwww!

Pen on Paper, 5"x8"

Heather Skies - Original Postcard Giveaway

In appreciation of Anthromorphologie Facebook followers, fans, likees or whatever is the terminology these days, I will be giving away free stuff from time to time.  Cool stuff like prints, art supplies, custom portraits, original artwork and perhaps even a certain little baby boy if he doesn't stop crying right now and take a nap.  All you have to do is be a fan and follow directions.


I did this piece as a warm up after my extended hiatus and to try out my new Winsor & Newton Cotman colors.  Truth be told...of the 45 additional colors in my new palette, the only debutante to make it into this exercise was Cerulean Blue.  I don't often do landscapes but I'm trying to incorporate more into my repertoire if only to break up the day.


This quaint hillside scene is painted on 140 lb Strathmore CP postcard size watercolor paper, sealed and ready to be mailed out to one lucky fan.  Wouldn't it be nice to open your mailbox and get something other than bills and solicitations.  Of course it may get a little wear and tear courtesy of the USPS but I'm sure it'll only add to the charm*.  Just comment or "like" this posting.  I'll draw a name from the respondents and post the winner on July 10th. 

Watercolor on Paper, 4"x6"

*I cannot be responsible for lost or stolen mail. In the event that it is lost or stolen, artwork cannot and will not be replaced as it is an original.  Additionally,  there is no refund since it is free.

Connor - Weekly Sketch

I'm playing catchup this week since spending the extended memorial weekend in Austin.  I brought down my sketch kit with the intention of getting some work done but alas, utilized the better part of my trip shopping, eating and sleeping.  It was nice but back to work now.  I haven't been completely unproductive though...just haven't had a chance to scan anything until now.  


Here's the first - some quick sketches of the little guy.  Back in high school and college I would doodle in ballpoint pen next to my lecture notes.   These days it has replaced a pencil as my tool of choice for sketches.  I find that my penciling style is often too rigid and contrived.  The loose pen lines appear more organic and interesting.

Ballpoint Pen on Paper, 5"x8"