Somber Bunny

Behold, my final in-class painting for Situation and Environment, a clothed figure painting class! I'm pretty happy with how it came out and am always enamored when stuffed animals are used as props.

I think I learned a lot more about painting skin this semester between this class and my Figurative Painting one. Still no master by far, but starting to really understand how to describe those bony landmarks, accentuate and explore color, as well as define depth. Hey, it's something. Now to integrate what I've learned into my own illustrative style...

Ah, faces in profile. Years ago, the concept terrified me and my faces were absolutely horrible. Still working on breaking old habits that are no good, but I feel like I've made some ground (I would hope so after so many years in art school.... @_@)

Also, some may have noticed I didn't post this past Friday--gasp! I was really in the thick of finals and it just escaped me. My first miss in schedule since I started posting regularly.... Felt a little bad about it, but it shan't happen again!

Better late than Never

Haha! You all thought I was already going to miss posting regularly, eh? Well, I guess I'm saying that because I thought it myself earlier today but furiously worked on and finished what I wanted to post....


a self-portrait a year in the making!


When I say a year, let me clarify. I started working on this last Spring of 2011 as a Portrait Painting assignment. I really worked hard on it but even felt it was lacking when I turned it in. I was determined to work more on it, but, you know... life. And so it was that it sat with the other paintings, waiting to be re-worked or painted over for future attempts.


I still really liked the painting and needed to strengthen my painting skills as well as my portfolio for my impending second Midpoint Review. Henceforth, I set to painting. Below begins the process.

Blocked in the darks...

...and then painted furiously because there were no more in process. This was the final version I turned in as the assignment. Sorely lacking, but it was the best I could do at the time with the time I had (what I learned that semester: three studio classes were too much for me, thanks).

working on it some more...

Clearly I realized, there's not that much color in my skin! Who was I kidding? White paint with a tiny smidge of skin here I come! (also had a much stronger light source)

And there it is! The "finished" product! I'm much happier with it and think I like it... I just need to look at it in the morning with natural light and when it's a bit dry--it's super shiny, shiny!

What are your thoughts? I was thinking of adding some freckles details, even though that wasn't in the photo ref., but I'm not sure if it will detract too much. : / 

Must ponder.

I feel much stronger about my overall painting and drawing skills, but also, of course, want to further improve. It seems that just when I start feeling comfortable again I realize that no, wait, you suck.   =_____=

Having said that, each drawing and each painting is that much more practice. I am constantly learning and that's what's exciting.

Also exciting... my blue hair from last year. I want to go back, but I don't have the strength in me to do all that dying again.

It sure was sweet though...

And Another is Vanquished!

Summer semester has finished once more! I must say, this has been my favorite semester at AAU yet. Anatomy for

Artists and Expressive Drawing... both classes nurtured my favorite things about drawing--the human figure and experimentation! I'm happy to say I've learned a few things, be it muscles of the body or the wonder that is matte medium.

So, what happens after the end of every semester? Lots of scanning, photographing, and re-working! Uh, not to mention drinking copious amounts of coffee while sitting at home, basking in the freedom of each day.

For now, take a gander at these life drawings done on toned paper. More to come as the digitization proceeds.

The interlocking of forms is something I've heard before when drawing the figure, but this concept really was hammered in and made more sense to me now. Check out that ankle.. aww, yeah.. interlock into that foot.

On a surprising note, I never thought I would actually come to LIKE charcoal. Accept, begin to grasp its benefits, sure... but actually think about using it in my own time?! Toned paper, charcoal pencils, and white pencil.... pretty sweet. Now to experiment with colored pencils as well.

Oh, and have I mentioned how sweet Sanguine pencils/conte is?