स्टूडियो StudioTour

First, I'm confused why there is another language before my title. It's a mystery. I typed "studio", and the mystery font appeared. So those of you in who can read it have a special invitation to the the studio tour! And maybe the translator link will help everyone else! My studio will be on the Port Townsend Studio Tour, October 10th and 11th, from 10am-4pm. There will be 47 art studios on the tour this year, with all kinds of art represented. Port Townsend is a little seaport with a very cool Victorian center. It's a great place for restoring your soul! The website describing the tour can be found at: http://artporttownsend.org/2009/
Come visit!

Selfish giant rethinks world view

The Selfish Giant has banished children from his garden and built a wall to keep them out. When Spring arrives in the countyside, his garden remains snowy and cold. He is rethinking how he has affected the world around him.

The story is by Oscar Wilde.

Life is fragile! Egg family journey

The egg family has gone on a journey. Happily, the word has spread that child car seats save lives, because life is fragile, and eggs know this only too well!!

Evolution of an illustration

Here's how I work when creating an illustration. First, I generate lots of ideas in thumbnail sketches. I try to not get stuck on the first idea that comes to mind, as better ones may come up after some thought. The thumbnails are small versions in the same proportions as the final illustration. Time is well spent creating thumbnails. Usually there will be more than one idea that makes a good composition, and that can be developed too.

Next, I paint a value study in the same media I plan to use for the illustration.

Then I paint two or three color studies using the value study for a guide.


And finally, I make a pencil sketch, sometimes ink it with waterproof ink, and paint the illustration. A few changes can be made to composition at this point, but not too many for it to work.

A few new illustrations

Here are illustrations from this week. They are done in watercolor and ink, and one uses gouache also.

Shoeless in Seattle

Might be shoeless in Seattle, but these just wait patiently for a walk!

Recent illustrations

We'd better warn Jack of what's to come. I don't think he's read the story.