Tuesday, December 09, 2008

Illustration Friday 2 - Similar

{ Watercolor with Black Prisma Pencil, 2008}
{Preliminary Drawing, 2008}
This was just supposed to be a watercolor practice piece, but as I was going, I thought it would be cute if the kitten and the butterfly had similar color and markings.
Watercolor is a medium that I have only dabbled with in recent years. All of my favorite illustrators use it, but during my last few years of school I worked almost exclusively in oil. After I got out of school I just used oils because it was what I was used to. In the past few months, I have added to my 2009 goal list, to have a proficient watercolor style. If I spend all of my time loving the way watercolor looks, why not at least try? I was heavily inspired by my new friend and colleague, in the Des Moines area Sara Butcher. Visit her blog, you'll see what I mean. During my sophomore or junior year of college I had a pretty nice watercolor portfolio started, but after a teacher suggested hanging it on the wall, it was all stolen. 1 full 22"x30" watercolor, and 3 half sheet pages. I distinctly remember the teacher saying that by my senior year of college I wouldn't want to use them for my portfolio anyways. Well...I DO have one color copy of a portion of one of them (that is it!) and I think I would still use them for my portfolio now...if I could.
Long story short, this is my first REAL attempt at going for a style in watercolor, and for my first little shot at it, I am satisfied that I will continue. I see blemishes and mistakes, but I always do and overall, I like it.

22 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hey Candace! I guess we were posting at the same time :)

I love your watercolor images. I agree, it seems like it would be so easy and yet it really takes some getting used to after being away from it for awhile. John Shroades calls watercolor painting a "performance"...which I think is a great way to describe it.

How horrible that someone stole yours! Let's sick Oliver after them! hehe

teri

Anonymous said...

I saw your entry on IF (since I made an entry myself) and had a look around in your blog. I really like your artwork!

Archie and Melissa said...

hi candace!
oh i love it! you look like you have been working with watercolors for yesrs!
xo
melissa

Cynthia DiBlasi - Fine Art said...

Hi Candace! I really LOOOOVE this! How cute!!! What a perfect idea, and you did a fabulous job. If you love watercolor art, you should absolutely stick with it. Check out this artist,
http://www.rothaniko.hu
she is my watercolor hero. I love the way her website is presented.
Also, I am so devastated to hear your work was stolen! You should try to re-create those pieces (because you can) and to put your mind at ease. Looking forward to more watercolors!

Roberta said...

Wow! This is really cute and your watercolor technique is great!! Guess you'll have to add some more of these to your portfolio girl!!

Rui Sousa said...

Lovely cat, really nice one!
regards
Rui Sousa

Carli said...

I think it is so cute. right now my two year old is going through a stage where he meows and tells us he is an orange kitty. I am going to have to show him this one. I think your watercolor looks really good. I am horrible with watercolor.(too Impatient). keep up the good work.

Bella Sinclair said...

Are you kidding me? Your watercolor is fabulous! The colors are great, and I really like the softness of the background. I adore watercolor, but I'm too scared to try.

Shame on the person who stole your portfolio. I guess they loved your art, too.

Dark Wizard said...

oh shit dis cat be so cute

Kathleen Rietz said...

Candace, this is adorable!

Gifts of Creation said...

THis is adorable and creative!!
I love it!!

Mônica said...

I think you did a GREAT job, Candance. I love the soft colors of the sky and grass. You'll do fine with watercolors! :-)

Koya Moon said...

I'm glad you chose to do this ... such a sweet face!

Paige Keiser said...

What a cute and original idea! Lovely illustration.

Edrian said...

this is great, just like the rest of your illustrations! I would definitely encourage you to add more watercolor pieces to your already fab portfolio! And good for you for thinking of goals for 2009! You're ahead of the game!

As for your stolen work, what a shame!!! Something similar happened to me with one of my favorite paintings which was 5' x 7' and stolen in a move!

cathleen said...

Your work was one of my favorites from the start.

flower girl said...

Hi Candace!! this is just adorable and sweet, very soft colour and lines! I really like your style and work . lovely cat =)

Curious Art said...

What a sweet kitty! Mine would be in attack mode, I fear... But I guess this one recognizes a kindred orange-stripy spirit.

What a horrible story about your stolen work-- no wonder it put you off watercolor for a while!

Natura said...

:) lovely expression. Looks like he's a mischievous kitten.

Anonymous said...

Dang girl! That's a pretty impressive first real try at a watercolor style. I think you'll be filling up your portfolio with more of them in no time.

lil kim said...

great illo!

Random York said...

This is extra sweet Candace! You are doing great work!- Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!- John