Been in a rut with my artwork lately. Sometimes, one gets a blockage and must do something new, something different, but it's either difficult to risk an experiment (for fear of failing and wasting time), or it's not even obvious what to do. The creative mind can make up as many problems as it can solutions!!
I'm trying to refine my skills and improve upon what I already CAN do, as well as learn techniques that I enjoy implementing. I lugged out the acrylic paints today so I could get the creative juices flowing.
Did I still love using a brush? I wondered.
left: acrylic, right: ink, watercolor, gouache, colored pencil,
Yes I did. Once I had my fill, I eyed my drawing tablet.
Often I want to throw my tablet (sorry tablet, dear!) out the window because my eyes hurt and I miss real paper. But digital tools allow me to try out fun texture that I otherwise would have to go to great length to achieve. And sometimes I wouldn't know how to create the digital texture traditionally at all.
So I made an inspiration board. As I do when I don't know where to start.
I made a color palette based on colors I liked as well as the pieces on the board, then I chose an illustration that cuaght my eye. This would be my inspiration:
The pointed red hats and desert moon landscape gave me an idea! What about gnomes holding onto star balloons, flying around the moon!?
Yeah!
I tend to work with line as I love defining shape. But I wanted to include some variety and loosness in this illustration, and experiment as well as create a portfolio piece that I was still totally steering. Lots of illustators are using textured brushes with simple shapes, and it has a gorgeous effect- both slick yet wild.
I used Kyle Webster brushes which are so amazing. "Add Noise" and "Chunky Charcoal" made an appearence, and are two of my favorite brushes.
The final piece + a little hope that this could be a real magazine for crystal loving, vegetable growing children...someday....
Annie is an author and illustrator with books available on Amazon and local book stores. She is open for commission, too! She lives in California, and loves tea, bike rides, reading, and exploring new places.