Fresh Update

I really don't use my blogs enough, so I'm going to start posting more. Probably more so after I'm done with my job in a few weeks. The same update is being done to Facebook *new account* and tumblr.

For now, just a quick, clean, little update.

A Magical Finish

Worked off and on yesterday, on the recent pinup I sketched. I had gotten most of it done in about 3 hours time, but it just didn't feel finished to me.

So a few hours later I came back and played around with the colors, and this is the outcome.

Soooooo much better, yet it's definitely a "Close but no Cigar" for me. So I did one last play around with the colors, and got the look I wanted, added some texture. And I made two versions, one with text, the other without. "AND" two other versions that just have some sepia tones to it. But I'm sticking with the more saturated pieces.

Still can't decide which I prefer the best,  even though the text one has a very old fashioned poster feel, I think it also seems like a cute graphic novel/Comic cover. My sister demands I now actually do that with this. Sounds fun, but for now I'll just stick to it being only an illustration.

Art is © to Claire Belyea

You may not use these images under ANY circumstances.

Gotta Love Pinups!!

I've been a fan of pinups for as long as I can remember, heck even before I knew what sexual visuals pinups were, I just saw them as pretty women who embraced their femininity. Such as Jessica Rabbit, Red Hot Riding Hood from the old tex avery cartoons, I always loved their designs. And I just love love LOVE Retro.

Sketched this in Photoshop, Normally I use a brush with the opacity on so I can slowly work up layers on my sketches, but this time around I just went with a solid brush, sometimes it helps to change technics a bit. Her hair looks like a Retro Barbie. :D I think she'd be best suited as a magicians assistant.

Painting : Concept Sketches

Two days ago I got hit with a moment of inspiration...not on a mind blowing scale, but enough to pique my interest. It's very rare for me to picture what I want before I draw it, I usually just go with the flow when drawing. Planning is not my strong suit *needs to work on that* I wish I could be lighter with my sketches...I naturally press to hard.

She will be done as a digital painting, and as the thumbnail/s depict. Sort of like a portrait, a painting of a painting...go figure. The story she is from *yes this is a form of fanart* she is more so a plot device and is good *as far as we can tell* with this painting I'm going to paint her in a different light, har har a pun.

Call it a devious "what if" depiction. I was never fond of her much anyway *save for being visually appealing when depicted* she's to much of a flirt for my taste. People are not to be used!!! But what can I say.....pretty has it's dark side.

Illuminating

Felt like getting in a little digital painting practice. Let me tell ya, translucent objects are not easy. Non the less, I liked the challenge.

Took me somewhere around an Hour and a half. So it's a speed painting...just not super speedy. But I'm surprised by how much detail I was able to get in at that amount of time.

Image Used : Stock Image

Old Commission : Ariel

Well, not old OLD. I finished it earlier this month, very early in the month.

Now, I'm fairly happy of the outcome, and the customer was as well, so that's what really matters. Sitting positions have never been all that easy and I feel I pulled it off pretty well. I think my favorite version of this commission is the sketch, I was really happy with it. Though after reviewing this after not looking at it for a few weeks...the mistakes pop out *CURSES!!* Ah well, the trials and tribulations of an artist I suppose. MUST LEARN FROM THIS! 

But as I said, the customer was satisfied and that is all that matters. Truthfully, commissions really help me to challenge myself more.

Old Character, New Look

Or should I say, fairly new look. I haven't changed to much on the design of my character "Eddie" since I was already very happy with the look she had, but she needed some improvement.

Here is the old design from around 08'.

And then this years 10' redesign.

Obviously my style has greatly changed over time, as you can see this isn't just a character ref sheet like the last one, but a picture I am working on. According to the thumbnail at least.

I'll be doing a quick background sketch, and then this goes straight to Manga Studio to be inked!! And then baaaaccckkk to Photoshop to color. A lot of back and forth work.

Holy Deadline Batman!

So two days ago I was talking with my younger sister, apparently she was trying to come up with a gift idea for a friend's birthday that was to happen on Friday. I said some things, including "You could make something". But she turned them all down, when out of nowhere a light bulb went off in my head. She may have a hard time making something, but I don't. So I offered I'd make an image for the birthday girl as a gift. *ended up being a joint birthday so I had to make two* I called it a commission, but said she didn't have to pay me, come on..she IS my sister. The only thing I said she had to pay for was to get them printed. Seriously though, I love Staples! $5.50 for two 5x8 color photocopies AND trimmed! *hearts*

So I finished the first one yesterday, took about two and a half hours total. I think this is one of my fav pieces I've worked on in a while.

And then this is where the deadline came in, I had a late night, didn't get up till 11:12 am. Our grandmother was coming around 1pm to pick us up, to go and get the art printed, and the mother of the birthday girl was coming around 2pm to pick my sister up for the party. Oh boy! @_@

So I had to work under high pressure to finish it, which I'm happy to say, I DID! YES! And with time to spare. I hope it doesn't seem to rushed, I really tried to make sure I put just as much effort into it as I did with the previous one.

Reason as to why they're dancers, these two b-day girls are in my sister's dance class. So she suggested I do something dance related. There is also a small difference between what I've shown and what they got, their versions also have their names on the pictures. But for personal reasons I felt it was better to leave them out when I post them on my art sites.

Anyway, I pray I'm never placed in such a shortly timed predicament.

Long time no see!

Seriously, I need to update this thing more. >:/

Currently I've got some ideas rolling around in my head, but nothing on paper as of yet, so right now I'll just show the latest completed piece I've worked on in the last month or so.

High Fashion, taken to a more literal standpoint. :D

I had a lot of fun with this one, not to mention one of my better coloring jobs.

After doing this, and realizing I'm ever so close to completing my GED and getting ready to enroll into RSU. I think I need to start up a portfolio, I'd definitely place this in it, but I think I need to work on some NEW art instead of leaning on my old stuff. Really challenge myself you know?

What is a Mermaid Cookie?

Wonder why I picked such a name as Mermaid Cookies? Well it all goes back to an inside joke between a close friend and myself, a dorky inside joke, but an inside joke none the less. So in the end, you'll never know what a Mermaid Cookie "truly" is and/or means. MUWHAHAHA!

Back when I payed more attention to my Gaia account, I opened a temporary Art Shop *People commission me but instead of getting money I get Gaia Gold and or Objects for my avatar* it was a great way to start, and I dubbed my shop Mermaid Cookies! I made a mascot to go along with it, A Mermaid who loves cookies : Madeleine *Named after the french "Small Cake"*.

She really was a cute creation of mine. And even though her only use was to signify my art shop for the time being, I still love her to bits and had to draw her once again, with a bit more detail and enthusiasm that is.

Her first appearance was in this image : http://fc02.deviantart.net/fs29/f/2008/142/6/5/Art_Shop_Front_by_artistic_minds.jpg

Quite a difference no? I hope to draw her again soon. :D