I recently got together with a model friend of mine, Amanda, who has modeled for me in years past but has gone on to fame and glory. I was just checking in to see if she would like to model for a painting with a formal and perhaps a period type outfit. She is not only involved in theatre but is an accomplished costume designer and seamstress. She mentioned that she was currently into Steampunk and had recently completed a new outfit. I could not have been more delighted!

Below are some in progress photos. I am thinking of adding some ghosted gear imagery in the background and perhaps a bird escaping from the cage to reappear on the right side of the painting. I'll play in photoshop first then decide how to continue.

Try a New Technique

So here is a new technique I tried called, peinture à l'essence. It was a technique developed by Edgar Degas to mimic the look of pastel but because it is painted using traditional oils, it does not require the protective glass in the framing. Although Degas abandoned it, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec adopted it and used it the rest of his career.

It starts with using a piece of cardboard for a palette. This allows the oils in the paint to be wicked away into the porous board. The artist uses turpentine to get the drier paints to the right consistency and then the panel (an unprimed, untempered hardboard or chipboard) is painted using more of a pastel technique. In this technique one is not supposed to "paint" with the brush but rather draw with various layers of color. The paint dries almost immediately allowing you to continue with the next layer.

Although mine is perhaps more textured than some, I found I really liked this technique.

Posting a Bit of Inspiration

My brother sent me a link for this new animated short by Ryan Woodward. It just got turned down by Sundance Film Festival and he's feeling a bit bummed - Show him the love! This is amazing!!!

Thought of You from Ryan Woodward on Vimeo.

Thought of You - Behind the Scenes Preview - ROUGH CUT from Cambell Christensen on Vimeo.

Be Creative - With Yourself!

Having trouble coming up with new ideas? Have you found that all your fantasy/mythological creatures look the same? Then try using better reference - like you!

The challenge: Create a self portrait but combine animal references to make a brand new you.

I started with a photo I had taken of a European Goshawk (my favorite hawk).
Then I had a friend take a photo of me in the same lighting as the hawk (or as close as we could manage).
So then I looked through my files (in particular recent trips to the zoo) for other animals that had a similar lighting scheme and pose. I found this camel.
And this alligator was in the right ball park
So next - find the most creative way to mix them all together. My effort is found below.
My sons came up with a great name for this creature - CHAD! It stands for Camel, Hawk, Alligator and Dad :)

SCBWI-WI Illustrator Contest - Part 5

With the adjustments in place I grabbed my piece and headed for Racine, WI (by way of Madison to pick up my brother who was coming along). I am so grateful I took the time for the last minute changes. The piece was well received and spoken of enthusiastically. And if it garnered some modest award, you didn't hear it from me.
I'm quite anxious to see what the contracted illustrator of the book will do with this scene. I can't see this scene any other way. Hope you like it and keep an eye out for "Seed Magic" when it is released from Peachtree Publishers.

SCBWI-WI Illustrator Contest - Part 4

Having transferred the drawing onto a piece of double thick illustration board (via projector), I fine tuned it, sealed the board with acrylic matte medium and got to work.

I spent a full day painting and when I was done I had a problem: a major color (the bricks) were competing with and drowning out my other elements. I had painted the bricks to be warm, like the setting sun was illuminating them. The birds were supposed to jump out but instead they could not compete with the bright wall. So I scanned the image and tried some possible solutions in Photoshop. Below are the two options I settled on.
The answer was to go with the first option and so early the next morning, hours before I had to leave for the SCBWI retreat with my finished piece in hand, I began to make the necessary changes.

SCBWI-WI Illustrator Contest - Part 3

Next, in Photoshop I tried out some color ideas. These color sketches were done on separate layers so that I could make adjustments easily.
At this point I still have the street lamp in the lower left hand corner but as I approach the final piece I will decide that it is more of a distraction than a help in the composition.