Our SVS Virtual Studio November 2020 🍁

[demotlj]

Over the summer I started doing a nature journal which I find very relaxing but it doesn't generate as many "post-able" paintings. It is, however good practice for line and wash. Here is a recent page (dip pen on hot press watercolor paper.)

[Jacy13]

@demotlj I love nature journaling! This is such a great page of studies. Great work

[Jeremy Ross]

Awesome @kylebeaudette!!!!!!

[Jacy13]

I'm currently working on this stylized crested gecko portrait! I love reptiles and amphibians, but I just realized I haven't drawn many reptiles. So, I decided to change that. Starting with this cute crestie

[VeronicaMui]

@demotlj this is awesome, it really does sound super relaxing! I may have to treat myself to a new little notepad and give this a try too

[VeronicaMui]

Not sure if I’m going to do slowvember...it sounds really relaxing and I could definitely stand to spend a long time on something to improve, but I’m doing NanoWrimo this month so not sure I want to take on another month-long activity.

Right now I’m working on stylizing characters. I’ve always had a hard time changing things from reference photos (any left-brainers out there?!) and honestly thought I just wasn’t capable, but I had a break through in that respect last month, so I’m chasing those results!

I’m super inspired by Maurice Sendak and recently bought a collection of Little Bear and I’m just blown away by his handling of characters, emotions, and backgrounds, so I’m studying that hard and trying to emulate his mastery of those.

This is one of the first real scenes that I’ve been able to produce and be happy with! Background is pretty much pulled straight from Little Bear. It’s not finished yet, I will be adding more and darker line work on the characters and some throughout the grass and tree. I’m wishing I didn’t go quite so dark o the cat because now you can’t really see any detail - the pencil doesn’t show up on that gray. Their skin is a bit too pink and I’m thinking I’m going to have to look for a tube paint that has the exact skin colors I want (probably not going to happen, but I can dream haha) because mixing them is really a tedious guessing game.

This is a piece I just did which I’m considering a pinnacle piece - I just love everything about it, the pose, the lines, the colors, the suggestion of background. I’m really proud of it. Pieces like this help me pull through the days when everything I make seems like trash hahaha. Gives me hope for what I’ll be able to create one day.

Keep creating beautiful art everyone!!

[demotlj]

@VeronicaMui You should go for it. What I find most relaxing is that I’m not trying to create a scene from my imagination but just drawing whatever catches my fancy. Sometimes I’m drawing from life (as I did with the asters) and sometimes from photos most of which I have taken myself while walking outside. And on the days I don’t feel artistic at all, I do research and make notes in the journal so there is always something to do even on down days.

[mcucchi]

@VeronicaMui Thanks so much for sharing this journey. It's really interesting to hear about how different artists handle this kind of a style transition. I'm going through a similar thing in my work these days and it's really nice to see and hear others' perspectives. I think this work has a really beautiful mood. Serene and expressive; I like it very much.

[Katie Kordesh]

Currently trying to add more interiors/ full bleed illustrations to my portoflio!

[VeronicaMui]

@mcucchi thank you for your kind words! so glad to hear you’re exploring too! It does seem like a topic that I don’t hear much about and I believe it does take a lot more conscious thoughts, at least for some of us, than it does for others to find what works for them and how to make the kind of art they want to. Everyone learns and grows differently.

[erinrew]

I’ve been working on this painting for the SCBWI Nov. prompt ‘Sneaky’.

[Georgios Christopoulos]

Currently adding some weird and fun fanart in my portfolio and in my commission example list.
I draw these these for 1 to 2 hours, as a warm up before client work.
Trying new angles,expressions, and things like that..

[Jacy13]

@Georgios-Christopoulos Dang, Gengar is looking vicious! Poor Pikachu, haha. This is really awesome work

[Heather Boyd]

for veterans

[Georgios Christopoulos]

@Jacy13 thanks a lot Jacy!! That Pika wi ll be fine!!

[Coley]

@Jeremy-Ross I totally love this!

[Jeremy Ross]

Thank you @Coley!

[Georgios Christopoulos]

It has been a while since I have made an underwater scene. This is today's study

[ValD]

Hi all !
If you were entering my studio right now you would see very detailed small animals illustrations for a children book... kind of a small encyclopedia ! I had the chance to do the first 2 books of this serie. I would gladly show you but it is still confidential, since the book is not done ! But I can show you the one I did for the "flowers and plants". It is very hard work because professionals review the illustration to confirm if it is 100% accurate... but it is good practice for sure !
You can see what the books looks like in my portfolio here : http://www.valeriedesrochers.com/portfolio/autour-de-toi-plantes/

That said, I don't have time to do the "Slowvember" challenge... but having work to do, it is a good reason right ?

[erinrew]

@ValD Love this!