I’m not in a very cheerful mood….and it’s showing in my work. I redid the wheel illustration and I’m still not sure it conveys the happy, cheerfulness of going to an amusement park and riding the ferris wheel. I personally never liked the ferris wheel. To me it was boring and slow but to a good friend of mine it is magical. I’m trying to find the magic but all I keep thinking about is carnies, and “Something Wicked This Way Comes”. I prefer Ray Bradbury’s depiction of a carnival, mysterious and creepy!
I decided to have the ferris wheel break the border. I really like when contained things leave the space.
Now on to a third panel. What wheel shall I paint now?
P.S. Erik, if you are reading this post.. I went back and made sure I only hand one space after a period. It doesn’t come natural but I will get it one day.
Finally finished this wheel after many repaints. Still not completely satisfied with it. I’m going to put it away for a spell. Hopefully time will give me fresh eyes.
I’m working on a new book. It’s a simple book, which makes it complicated for me. The pains of editing effect illustrators as much as writers. The theme is pretty basic ..yet extraordinary, so how do I portray these things in a way that also celebrates them? To simple, and they seem unimportant…to complex and the subject is lost. I’ve been thinking about this for a few weeks now. While on the bike, I thought I came up with something perfect. Adding a textured/crackled background would give it a very different look while keeping the subject from being overwhelmed. I usually use this really cool crackle stuff but of course, I was out. I couldn’t find the same product and decided to try a different one. The effect wasn’t the same. Instead of looking antiqued and aged, it looked run down and dumpy. I’m going to paint it again after I find the correct crackling agent. It’s so frustrating but I will get it right!!!
I haven’t been illustrating, though I have two things I need to work on. Right now, I just want to paint so…I paint. I started a succulence series awhile back and never did much with it. I’ve recently returned to my cacti and have re-fallen in love with them. Perhaps it’s the spring weather that draws me to paint those blooming prickly pear. Who knows, I’ve alway been fascinated by succulence. Below is a cacti I found in San Miguel. It was right outside my friends door. I was waiting for the shuttle to take me to Leon and found this wonderful cactus.
This painting is not finished. Just thought I would post the process.
close up the prickly pear.
Zoomed in a bit.
I’ve laid down the color for most of the pears, Now I start adding shadow, highlights and details like the linty spikes. That’s were the fun starts. I’ll post again when I’m further along.
My boys are finishing up their hockey this week. It’s always bitter sweet. I’m happy that I’m not always at the rink …in winter clothes (even though it’s 80 outside) But I will miss seeing my kids play on the ice. It’s really one of the highlights of my life. But now, I can’t complain that I don’t have any time. Trust me I’m still busy but with the new freedom, I will be writing and painting up a storm. Right? I’m going to enjoy this weekend …and
