Illustration Friday - Flawed

{Charcoal on BFK, 2009}

I did this last night in the figure drawing class that I am taking. When I woke up this morning, I saw the theme was flawed. How perfect! Not only is the human body innately flawed...so are my drawing skills. While I know I have improved over the past few years, I still always see flaws and things that could be worked on. Happy Friday everyone!

Illustration Friday - Climbing

{Watercolor in Moleskine, 2009}

"Ladybug was climbing all the way up to the tallest flower to see what Mouse was reading."
I did this in my Moleskine watercolor sketchbook today. I don't know that I am overly pleased with it, but it was nice to steal away a little time for myself. I have a lot of little projects going on right now, and most are not in my children's style. I got this done just in the knick of time!

Oliver Sketches

{Sketchbook, 2009}

Oliver will be 1 year old in March! He has calmed down only a tad since I brought him home as a bundle of energy and fur, but at least now he takes naps, and I can draw him. He has some very distinct positions he likes to sit in. My husband, Ken, calls him a "kitty loaf" when he sits with everything all tucked in. (because he looks like a furry loaf of bread!)

One More Spot!

{Digital Spot Illustration, 2009}

The client decided to go with a bear that was more wild, and less teddy bear. (I agreed with his decision) But now I can show this little guy!

Some Digital Spot Illustrations

{Digital Spot, 2009}

{Digital Spot, 2009}

{Digital Spot, 2009}

These were some digital spots for a client, but we decided to go with a more minimal idea, so I thought I would post them! I think they turned out cute! I think I especially like the flowers with the bee.

Illustration Friday - Pale

{Watercolor Moleskine, 2009}

This is my first try at using a Moleskine. I bought the watercolor one, because I tend to like a pretty large sketchbook, and I figured if I was going to spend that kind of money on a sketchbook, I wanted to have some watercolor paper in it. So I have to say, I kind of get the "rage", the size is pretty cool, and the paper is supreme.
Anyways, this is supposed to represent the phrase, "by the pale moonlight"... I had a lot of fun just going for it without any planning or preliminary sketches. I flew by the seat of my pants.

Sketchbook!

{Sketchbook, 2009}

{Sketchbook, 2009}

These are some recent sketchbook pages to take a peek at. I am SOOO busy! I am trying to finish up a job here, and I have several commissions to get going on too! Can't wait to post a new illustration sketch that I have been working on. Look for that near the end of the week!

Blog Banner Almost Done

{Watercolor, 2009}

This is my blog banner so far. I tried to do the lettering in watercolor but it wasn't working. I still need to add the title and mess with the color in Photoshop, but here is the raw watercolor.

Edit: I finished it up by eliminating the background as suggested by my fellow illustrators in a critique blog I belong to. I wanted it to be large and welcoming. I hope you all like it.

Illustration Friday - Resolve

{Sketchbook, 2009}

This year I resolve to be less uptight and more "go with the flow". This quote is really inspiring to me: " Life isn't about waiting for the storms to pass. It's about learning to dance in the rain." This sketch is for my new blog banner that I will be creating in an almost completely traditional illustration method. I can't wait to get it all finished up and put 'er up!

Illustration Friday - Clandestine

{Watercolor, 2008}

"Once all the presents had been unwrapped, the kitty found a rather clandestine spot!"

Happy New Year to all! This is my last illustration of 2008. Its another watercolor spot illustration. I have been doing these to prepare for a larger watercolor illustration with deeper backgrounds and more action. I hope you all get what you wish for in 2009 and have very creative endeavors. Also, Ken and I made it back to Iowa in one piece. We had a nice time in Michigan, but I am glad to be back to my studio.