Recent personal works 2017

I've only completed two works for myself this year so far, but they were both time intensive and fun.
The first was this Prismacolor drawing, 11x14, on Strathmore tan toned paper. My camera blew out the oranges a little bit, but this photo is mostly true to the original. I worked hard to make this drawing more painterly and complete than my usual commissioned drawings. I love the contrast of the blue curtains with all the warm tones in the figure.

 Here are two detail photos of the drawing, though the face close up was taken before the drawing was complete. I wish the freckles were more visible in the final version.

I love how bright and luminescent the shirt is, and I especially love the colors in the hands. Again, the orange is a little exaggerated by my camera.

My second work was drawn in Copic and Prismacolor marker on white sketchbook paper, 11x14.
Not everything turned out as I wanted, but for the most part it turned out good.

 
The large flower isn't perfect, but I love the intricate details of the stems and leaves around it.

  Here is a close-up of the figure.

Joshua and Miyazaki

 This drawing is 11x14" and uses Prismacolor Markers and Pens, Copic Markers, Sharpie Oil-Based Markers, and Graphite Pencil. This was the first time I used the Sharpie metalic markers, and I was pleased with the results; they were reflective and shiny almost like a gold leaf painting!














 The reason for the painting title, "Joshua and Miyazaki" is the t-shirt Joshua is wearing. I debated on whether or not to use the details in his shirt, but in the end I decided it was one of the things that made the original photo so successful. This shirt was purchased on Teefury (I think) and depicts characters from several of Miyazaki's movies.

I definitely like how this drawing turned out.

Blanket Fort

This is an illustration of my kids building a blanket fort for their new sister. It was created with Copic Markers and Prismacolor markers, with minimal Prismacolor pencil. The drawing is 11x14" Please click on the drawing to see it better!

Eli

This was drawing I did when I was messing around and experimenting. It is completely drawn in Prismacolor Marker and Copic marker, on 11x14 paper.

Eli, 11x14 marker

Art Alley, Rapid City SD

This is an 11x14 drawing of an alley in Rapid City, SD. It was rendered in Prismacolor markers, Copic Markers, white Sharpie, and a G2 Pilot pen. It was my first attempt at a cityscape, and it was a lot of fun! The part I like best is the wall to the right. The parts I wish I could re-do are the bricks that make up the road, and the towers in the background.

11x14 marker and pen

Forest hike

This is a pen and marker drawing completed with Prisamcolor markers and Copic markers, and a Pilot G-2 pen. I love how it turned out!

11x14 marker on paper, 2014

Here are some close-ups of sections of the drawing.

















































































































I should mention that many of the forest elements were inspired by the work of artist Philippe Fix, though modified to fit my style.

Black furniture

This is a drawing of a vanity I used to own. It was painted black in life, which isn't too interesting in itself, so I had fun experimenting with adding other colors to make it more exciting.  I created it intentionally sketchy and imprecise; I love how it turned out.  This drawing is about 11x14, done with pen, and markers- both Prismacolor and Copic.

 

Vanity 11x14, January 2014

detail: left side

detail right side

Afternoon memories

This was a drawing I did on a whim, to record a moment I wanted to remember. I didn't worry about perspective or accurate details, I was more concerned with recording the feeling of the day. I think I'd like to do more drawings with text integrated into the picture.

11x14" marker and pen. 2013

 

 

Marker and Crayon: Autumn scene

I did this drawing while I was on a trip and didn't have all of my art supplies with me. I had paper, and had brought a handful of my markers, but I hadn't brought colored pencils. So I grabbed my daughter's crayons! It wasn't very planned outbut it was a lot of fun anyway. When I got home, I threw in a few more details with pencil.
Later, I decided to fix a tree that was driving me nuts,by redrawing it on another paper and gluing it on. Now it's a collage too.

11x14 marker, pencil, crayon and paper colage

Third Marker Illustration



11x14"

 This is the third drawing that goes with the two in the previous post, illustrating the client's memories of a roadside park he remembers visiting in his youth.
It is drawn with Copic and Prismacolor markers, with some details in Prismacolor pencil.

Marker illustrations

These were some recent drawings I did for a friend, to illustrate some of their personal family stories. Both are done with Prismacolor and Copic marker, with some details done in Prismacolor pencil, and are 11x14".
The first (my favorite) depicts the kids of the family back in the sixties. They used to visit a petshop where they'd tap the glass on the fish tank for fun, even though there was a sign saying not to tap it.There was also a Mina bird in the shop that would always "talk" to them as they came in.



The second shows the family cat, who disapeared during a tornado, but reappeared months later. The family story goes that the cat must have been visiting OZ with Dorothy. I like my general layout on this drawing, but wish I would have planned some things better, like the placement of the tree in front of the cat. Also, the apples were a last minute thing that could have been planned better...I hate the one on the far left!
I do love the sky though.

Devils Tower, WY

Prismacolor marker with some new Prismacolor pens I picked up for finer detailing. White pencil detail on the hay bales. Devils Tower- turned out pretty good! 11x14"

Bainbridge Island, marker

11x14 Prismacolor and Copic marker and ink. Also a little white Prismacolor pencil in the clouds.

Another attempt at marker. The color is a little off in the sky (the real drawing is brighter and lighter) but I love the blue trees!
11x14, Prismacolor Markers

Marker and Pen

Over the last year, I have been experimenting with Prismacolor markers. I like how it can look somewhat like watercolors when combined with black ink detailing, though I'm still learning how to blend different colors with the markers. My gray and peach are done with the Copic brand marker, which I love for their paintbrush-like tips, on wider brushwork . They're just super expensive! I also experimented with adding Prismacolor pencil in the details.  Each of these drawings is 11x14".

 

 

Finished in October 2011

August 2011

Spring 2011. This one has pencil in the detail of the faces.

I really enjoy this medium, though I could use a wider variety of colors, and more practice.