Monday, June 27, 2011

M is for Mandrill

This week's entry for Ben Towle's Animal Alphabet is the Mandrill. This one demanded color & I only had time for a quickie, so it's completely digital (Photoshop.) I'd really love to work this up to a full-fledged painting someday.

I took considerable liberties with the chest hair pattern for alphabetical purposes. ;-)

Monday, June 20, 2011

L is for Lacewing

This week's entry for Ben Towle's Animal Alphabet is the Lacewing.

White gouache (applied with a flexible crow-quill) on black charcoal paper, with a PS tweak or 2.

Edit: Ben asked me about the pen & gouache technique so I thought I'd add a few tips.

First, mix a small quantity of gouache to a light-creamy consistency (I use a clean empty ink bottle since I always have those handy), then apply the gouache to the underside of the nib with an old brush (it's bad for the brush so don't use your good ones).

Keep a water jar handy for when the gouache starts to dry on the nib-- just touch the nib to the surface of the water & it will make it flow again. Keep scrap paper handy to get the flow started when it's stubborn, & be sure to shake the nib after each load of paint or you may be unhappily surprised with a sudden blob. If you have any more questions just let me know!

Monday, June 13, 2011

K is for Kiwi

I'm friends with several lovely New Zealanders (none of whom I've met in person, but I still feel as though I know them!) so my choice for K in Ben Towle's Animal Alphabet was a natural.

Ball-point pen, marker & white gouache on brown paper, fiddled in Photoshop.

p.s. Ben has a great interview out on Comics Reporter

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Voyage to Another Bloglet?

For reasons best left to psychiatric specialists, I've decided to start yet another blog! This one is called "Oddments & Curiosities." It will post on odd days, & feature odd creatures such as those you see here. Or completely different-- I really have no idea. You'll have to follow to find out! ;-)

Monday, June 6, 2011

J is for Jaguarundi

Ben Towle, the creator of the wonderful web comic Oyster War, also runs a weekly challenge called The Animal Alphabet Project. I'm a bit late to the party, but I do love drawing beasties, so here's my first contribution.

J is for jaguarundi.

Ball-point pen, marker & white gouache on brown paper, with a bit of Photoshop fiddling. ~6x7"