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    Fantastic Mr. Fox Watercolor piece | Version 1 & Version 2 | KM

    Illustration
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    • Maile McCarthy
      Maile McCarthy @Kendra Minadeo last edited by

      @Kendra-Minadeo

      Eek. I hate to say this, but I really prefer #1 as well.

      There's lot I like in #2. It certainly feels more finished. I like the vibrant colors and the way the texture of the paper really shows up in your scan. The story you tell inside the tree is lovely. Lots of sweet moments happening.

      But dang, I love the bad guys. I love the way they relate to each other and to the rest of the image. And I really like the off-set tree. The more centered tree of #2 just doesn't feel as engaging to me.

      Either way, there's lots of great stuff going on in both images. I look forward to seeing more of your work.

      Twitter @MaileMcCarthy
      www.mailemccarthyillustration.com

      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
      • Leontine
        Leontine last edited by

        @Kendra Minadeo maybe you can update nr two by adding the bad guys from no 1?

        Leontine
        "A picture is worth a thousand words."

        https://leontineillustrator.com
        https://www.instagram.com/leontine.illustrator/
        http://www.facebook.com/leontineillustration

        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 2
        • Rob Smith
          Rob Smith last edited by

          I like number 1 as well yet there are items in version number 2 that are great as well. The coloring/palette in number 1 is terrific. I feel like there is more of a story in number 1.

          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
          • Kendra Minadeo
            Kendra Minadeo last edited by

            Thank you everyone! All very valid and helpful points! Since the show is tomorrow and the prints are done no changes can be made. Each piece is a lesson learned. 🙂

            Once again, REALLY appreciate the feedback and will post WIPs sooner to in order to incorporate notes before the paint hits the paper. 🙂

            https://instagram.com/helloitsquokka
            https://helloitsquokka.etsy.com

            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
            • Kendra Minadeo
              Kendra Minadeo @Steve Young last edited by

              @Steve-Young Glad you like the piece. I'm getting some positive responses on social media so I think it might do well. No one else has really seen the first one so they won't know its "missing" the bad guys. 😉

              In terms of the usefulness of computers - I'm moving towards a workflow of:

              • Doing my concept sketches and color tests digitally
              • Then printing the finished drawing on watercolor paper
              • and finally, painting and inking

              This alone would save me TONS of time while I hash out all the important points of the drawing and color palette before I introduce the actual paint and ink. Can't wait. 🙂

              https://instagram.com/helloitsquokka
              https://helloitsquokka.etsy.com

              Carey Bowden 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
              • Kimberli Johnson
                Kimberli Johnson last edited by

                both are really nice, the colors seem a bit more bold in the second version, but I love the movement of the tree in the first!

                They are lovely! I am a sucker for ink and watercolors!

                1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                • Steve Young
                  Steve Young last edited by

                  Once you start painting completely digital, you be able to work x5 quick at least. Its worth the effort to try it.

                  Never give up, always push yourself two steps further than you believe you can go.

                  Kendra Minadeo 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                  • Kendra Minadeo
                    Kendra Minadeo @Steve Young last edited by

                    @Steve-Young I am a bit attached to having an "original painting" for my gallery work, and making prints from that. Though I think I'm game to move to digital for book illustration and painting. But who knows, perhaps I'll get the digital bug and throw out all my paints. 😉

                    https://instagram.com/helloitsquokka
                    https://helloitsquokka.etsy.com

                    Maile McCarthy 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                    • Kimberli Johnson
                      Kimberli Johnson last edited by

                      I went digital for several years and now I have gone back to traditional. The process is more rewarding for me when I work traditionaly but I think knowing how to paint digitally is invaluable these days!

                      But it is very nice to have an original and at least for me working in water colors is far quicker. but every one is different.

                      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                      • Steve Young
                        Steve Young last edited by

                        I agree, I love traditional, though digital is so much more productive.

                        Never give up, always push yourself two steps further than you believe you can go.

                        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                        • Carey Bowden
                          Carey Bowden @Kendra Minadeo last edited by

                          @Kendra-Minadeo said:

                          In terms of the usefulness of computers - I'm moving towards a workflow of:

                          • Doing my concept sketches and color tests digitally
                          • Then printing the finished drawing on watercolor paper
                          • and finally, painting and inking

                          YES! I've been looking into this, too! I just don't know which printer to get - I know it has to have pigment-based ink to be waterproof, and have a straight-feed to handle heavy paper. I would also want to get one that is wide-format. The issue I'm running into, though, is that if I invest in a nice printer, it should also be able to make prints... and so I keep researching and researching because they are so expensive! This fantastic artist always prints her line work, which does save a lot of time.

                          Back on topic, though: I love your illustration(s)! What size paper do you use? You have so many great details that show up really nicely. I have a hard time getting detailed on cold-press sometimes.

                          https://twitter.com/careybowdenart?lang=en
                          https://careybowdenart.weebly.com/

                          Kendra Minadeo 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                          • Maile McCarthy
                            Maile McCarthy @Kendra Minadeo last edited by

                            @Kendra-Minadeo said:

                            I am a bit attached to having an "original painting" for my gallery work, and making prints from that. Though I think I'm game to move to digital for book illustration and painting. But who knows, perhaps I'll get the digital bug and throw out all my paints. 😉

                            Do you have access to the SVS classes? There's a really great section in the Painting in Photoshop class with Brooke Boynton. She paints almost entirely traditionally then tweaks things a bit in photoshop. I really enjoyed hearing her perspective, as she paints digitally with a very traditional mindset.

                            I think you might appreciate her perspective if you ever do decide to move to digital for your illustration work.

                            Twitter @MaileMcCarthy
                            www.mailemccarthyillustration.com

                            Kendra Minadeo 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                            • R
                              Reid Smith last edited by

                              Totally agree with Maile about taking the photoshop class. There are several classes that help from beginner to advanced.

                              1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                              • Kendra Minadeo
                                Kendra Minadeo @Carey Bowden last edited by

                                @Carey-Bowden I bought this printer not long ago on the recommendation from a friend who also does his own prints. I use Epson's Hot Press archival paper for prints and cut down Strathmore 190lb watercolor paper for the originals (OGs). http://www.amazon.com/Epson-Stylus-Inkjet-Printer-CA61201-VM/dp/B002PLQ7LI It was $1100 when I got it. Which turns out to be around .80c a print if I'm doing 5x5s, and $1 for 8x10s. (both are printed on 8.5x11 then cut down)

                                In terms of details on the OG's I think the crow quill pen and ink really brings them out. I do a lot of little splatters that show up as small dots of color all over the page and that seems to give the piece an organic feel with lots of little details. Give it a try. It's fun. 🙂

                                I tend to work on 5x5s alot but I've been expanding into larger pieces like 8x10s and 11x17 or 11x14.
                                Hope that helps!

                                https://instagram.com/helloitsquokka
                                https://helloitsquokka.etsy.com

                                1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                                • Kendra Minadeo
                                  Kendra Minadeo @Maile McCarthy last edited by

                                  @Maile-McCarthy Thanks I look forward to her class!

                                  https://instagram.com/helloitsquokka
                                  https://helloitsquokka.etsy.com

                                  1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
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