Monthly Archives: February 2012

Photo Pair ~Between the Lines

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In case you aren’t yet familiar with my regular feature, Photo pairs are designed to show one of my photographs alongside a fashion editorial image. I hope you enjoy. Read between the lines.

Images: Between the lines by DCTdesigns and Prime Time by Francois Nars for Vogue Nippon Beauty Sept ’09

Technique

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I am constantly striving to hone a method of illustrating that works best for me. I used to work with colored pencil. Then wanting a softer, blended look I began experimenting with watercolor. That just hasn’t seemed to work for me. My drawings became a hybrid-watercolor and pencil.

Then it all changed. This weekend I discovered markers. I know where have I been?……illustrating under a rock? To be more specific I discover Copic markers. After all Arturo Elena uses them.  I think I am in heaven. I love color and they have plenty to choose from. This allows me all sorts of options for blending and shading.

With markers I found I could create the saturation I was after. It allowed me to be more precise in application and build up the color and create depth in shading. Now mind you I can often overwork a piece to death. I have not mastered subtly or the art of using negative/white space as Anna Kiper so perfectly illustrates in her book.

There is definitely more refining to do as I develop my technique further. I am still using a light flesh tone watercolor base for the skin and colored pencils with the blend tool for texture. I love the warm and cool grey tones and pale yellow for a touch of highlight.

Armed with my new find I revisited two of my early sketches Tatiana and Knuckle Punch bringing them color. I still have more practice to do on leather since negative space seems to be a key. Remember not my strong suit. But for a first go I am really pleased. I think I have finally found a medium to work in.

Images: DCT

The Weekend ~ 2/24/12

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I know….it’s a Christmas sketch. This week I had big plans for Mardi Gras inspired art full of beads and masks. I even did a few sketches featuring pancakes for Shrove. I just never got around to completing them. So instead this one had at least the hint of Beaded adornments.

I still have more to do on her. Since I have a tendency to overwork a piece I will have to be careful.  But I will say I do love how her coat came out.

So the weekend is upon us, Oscars coming to visit, February’s ending and March is oncoming. Oh where oh where has the time flown. I have been up to my eyeballs this week with tax season and client reports. However I have been able to carve out time this week with friends. A few of whom I haven’t seen for a while. This has been a welcomed reprieve.

I am constantly striving to maintain balance in my life as I have a tendency to push myself, overwork, over do. This ability can often come in handy as a deadline looms. Each time I push myself to my limits I certainly know what I am capable of. However there is a shadow side to this same trait. If I am not careful I can wear myself thin. These days as I am ever conscious of this behavior pattern and trying to make sure I stay righted. This means I have to decide what has to give. So this weekend’s lecture class had to be rescheduled. With no voice I was not going to be able to talk about the finer points of Product Development for 4 1/2 hours.

Yesterday I had an exciting milestone. I made my first Etsy sale. I was surprised and delighted. Now mind you I am one to remain realistic…this is my first sale in two years. But these days I will take the wins where I can get them. Maybe I will post a few more items for sale.

As always I hope you enjoy your weekend and here is the Weekend Reading List. Til  Monday.

 

Weekend Reading List:

 
Images: Ornamental Antlers by DCTdesigns