bookcover done

bookcover done, originally uploaded by alida saxon.

"Underwood"
22"x15" w/ 1" border
Colored Pencil on Black Stonehenge paper

I'm pretty pleased with how it turned out. Even the scanner behaved well and got reasonably close to the true colors of the work.

I meant to get a halloween drawing done for today, but it's looking tight. If I don't finish in time... happy halloween!

bookcover wip5

bookcover wip5, originally uploaded by alida saxon.

This probably the last update before I do the finished scan. Most of what is left is the highlighting on the tree and the caution tape, a full treatment on the signs, and then just an overall touch up on colors.

bookcover wip3

bookcover wip3, originally uploaded by alida saxon.

Defining the trees, starting to get some of the harder lighting in, and applying snow.

bookcover wip 2

bookcover wip 2, originally uploaded by alida saxon.

Colors are looking a bit garish in their first layers. I'm happy the sense of depth is building all right, and still working on how I want the tree to look.

Winter

winter, originally uploaded by alida saxon.

This week's illustration friday theme is "cold"... and I think of winter, given a persona. Might use it as a base sketch for a bigger piece later.

bookcover wip1

bookcover wip1, originally uploaded by alida saxon.

Working on a new piece, a possible book cover. I am thinking of creating a snowfall, which should be interesting.

Pomegranate

Pomegranate, originally uploaded by alida saxon.

"Pomegranate"
6x6 inches w/ half inch border
Colored Pencil on black.

And here it is done. The last step was to run over the flesh of the half facing us with white, deco yellow and a touch of yellow ochre. Then Scarlet Lake on the seeds, as well as white again for the brightest highlights.

The skin of the pomegranate saw some Scarlet Lake, Carmine Red, Yellow Ochre, Deco Orange and White. Really happy with how it turned out!

Pomegranates wip 4

Pomegranates wip 4, originally uploaded by alida saxon.

Getting close to the finish for this one. Next I've gone over the table with Yellow Ochre, and then a touch of Deco Yellow along the horizon to emphasize the light source.

Then for the background I layered in Indigo Blue to cool it down. I also put some Indigo Blue in the shadows of the fruit, but not as much as in the background. Only in the very core of the shadowed areas, leaving the edges warm with the last layer of Tuscan Red.

Next scan will be of the finished piece! There's work to do on the flesh of the fruit, as well as the skin. I left these last, because it is always best to finish your backgrounds first. Environment greatly affects the color of things, and you'll find what you thought was great work to look flat or off color if you don't follow this rule.

Pomegranates wip 3

Pomegranates wip 3, originally uploaded by alida saxon.

Sick of this yet? Again, just two more colors. I'm glazing the colors, in much a similar way a painter goes about layering colors in slowly.

I've gone over the fruit with Crimson Red. I run right over highlights with the red, with the full intention of bringing those back later. It softens the intensity of the white, and creates new colors like the subtle pinks in each highlight.

The shadows I go over with Tuscan Red. Tuscan Red is one of the great colors for enlivening shadows from simple black.

Pomegranates wip 2

pomegranates2, originally uploaded by alida saxon.

Only two colors added so far over the white. Mineral Orange over the table, and in areas on the fruit. In the black spaces, the deepest shadows, I've softened up the dark paper with Black Grape. I'm going to warm up the shadows a little so they aren't quite so stark as bare paper.

lost

lost, originally uploaded by alida saxon.

Quickie for this week's Illustration Friday theme "Lost". Originally in blue pen, but I converted it to greyscale.

Pomegranates wip 1

Pomegranates wip 1, originally uploaded by alida saxon.

I needed a break from a larger project, so I started on this little piece (6"x6"). I begin with white, sorting out my brights and giving a foundation that makes it easier to work with yellows on black paper. Most of the yellows tend to be terribly transparent, and need a little help.

As for composition, I changed it a little from the photo I took. I shifted the horizon line so it didn't run right into the edge of the cut pomegranate. More later!

Cloudburst

Cloudburst, originally uploaded by alida saxon.

Those of you have followed a while will have seen this already. I did this last may as a demonstration piece during the art show/open house.

I've decided to put it into this year's art auction for WGBY to raise money for Public Television. All framed up and looking pretty now. I'll post a picture of it when it's closer to the auction (In November). Now I just need to get glass and frame up my show piece. Getting organized!

Sea of Stars

Sea of Stars, originally uploaded by alida saxon.

This week's Illustration Friday theme is "Float" so I did this piece today. Took more time on it than I usually did. Worked on it in bits through this morning and afternoon. Probably 3-4 hours total.

Earthman

Earthman, originally uploaded by alida saxon.

"Earthman"
9"x6" w/ 1" border
Colored pencil on black

Well here's the last of the set. Did you see this one coming? ;)