Beginning Watercolor

Lately, I have been switching up my medium and been giving watercolors a try.  Wow, am I having fun with watercolors.  Now, I know I'm not perfect yet but the more I do the easier it gets.  For many years I have used color pencils.

The watercolors I am using are Holbein Artist's water colors, 24 colors.

Does this mean I am giving up my color pencils?  Absolutely not!  I'm just broadening my horizons.  I think it is important as an illustrator to try new mediums.

Here is what I've done so far in watercolors.

I hope you enjoyed my illustrations.  I will continue practicing/learning more about this wonderful, versatile medium.  

Until the next time, it's back at the drawing board for me.

SCBWI April "Draw This"

Have you ever wanted to see a fairy dragon?  Well, this little girl got the surprise of her life.

This illustration was for the SCBWI "Draw This"  April illustration challenge.   The prompt word was "Surprise."

This illustration was done in watercolors and the background was done in SketchBook Pro.  

I hope you enjoyed this.  If you want to check out my other illustration challenges then click here.

It's time for me to get back to the drawing board.

Illustration Friday Week 19

This week's Illustration Friday challenge produces a false impression of reality.  This poor little croaker is not happy with who he is so when he sees himself it's quite an "illusion."

Have you guessed the word yet?  Yep, the topic for the illustration challenge is illusion.  I knew right away what I wanted to do with it.

This is what I came up with.

Below is my rough draft.

Hope you enjoyed this illustration.  Can't wait to see what next week's word is.  If you want to check out my other challenges click here.

Until next time, it's time for me to get back at the drawing board.

April Pinch Punch Post

This  is the second month I have participated in Twitters Pinch Punch Post.  The prompt word for April is "Magpie."   And my little bear finds herself with a magpie on her head.

Here is what I came up with.

I colored the bear and the magpie in watercolor and then I inked it.  I then took a picture of it and opened it in SketchBook Pro and finished it.  

Here is my final:

 As you can see I added some highlights on the hat and dress, and put in the background. 

Hope you enjoyed this illustration.

Until the next time, it's time for me to get back to the drawing board.

My First Tear Sheet.

Well, I finally got it done.  If you are wondering what I am talking about, it's my very first tear sheet.  Tear sheets are printed samples of your artwork that you send out to publishers.  Remember when I talked about them in my earlier post entitled, "Boy Illustration."

Well, I didn't do a series of emotions like I originally said, but I will do that on my next one.  I will continue to update my tear sheets as I continue to add to my portfolio.  

So now I have no more excuses, I will start sending out my tear sheets to the right publishers who publish books to my style of art.  

Until the next time, it's back to the drawing board for me.  

Illustration Friday Week 18

This week's Illustration Friday Challenge finds a lobster not quite ready for the pot.   The topic for this week is "hot."  There's nothing hotter than a boiling pot of water well unless maybe the sun or fire.

This is what I came up with.

Here is my rough:

I used pen and ink and then digitally colored it in Sketchbook Pro.

I wanted to update this post because I do not want people to think I am trying to promote harming these cute little crustaceans.  I do not eat lobster.   I just wanted to depict what a lobster might be feeling.  

I hope you like this Illustration Friday edition.  If you would like to see more than check this page out.

Until next time, it's time for me to get back at the drawing board.