Preliminary Drawing

Saturday was a stormy start to last weekend.  It was nice to pull out a lamp, set myself up in a comfortable spot, and draw while listening to the thunder.

This sketch is of my brother holding a small spyglass that belonged to my grandfather.

Painting of Juliet

SOLD

On the Easel

A recently completed oil painting on board.  Thanks to my cousin Paige who modeled for me.

Angel Head Study

Adding Some Color

When I was younger I used to shade a drawing with colored pencil, getting the layers pretty thick, creating a wax like support for subsequent acrylic washes.  This keeps the paper from wrinkling and gives a fun painterly look.  I was playing here with different costume designs.

Feliz Navidad

Illustration Update

I recently did this illustration for the Choice Eats tasting event in New York.  You can swing by the Shannon blog to read more about it.  I also updated the ole portfolio with a few of the pieces I've had here on the blog.  Check it out.

The image below is a snippet from another I can't show in it's entirety just yet.  Trying to go for the retro look.

Sketchbook Scan - expressions

I've had a big project that I've been working on the last few weeks.  I've gotten a lot of practice drawing with my arm instead of my wrist, and using the side of the pencil more than the tip.  It helps with speed, fatigue, and proportion.  I can't show any of what I've done until sometime next year, so I sketched this stuff out.  Mostly wanted to play with expressions.  Happy Thanksgiving to all those in the States, and a great weekend to everyone!

Sketchbook Drawing - Ringwraith

Recent Illustration

I still need a better photo of this one, but I thought I'd go ahead and put it up. I painted this for my portfolio and after some editing and cropping hopefully for the blog header above. It's roughly 17" by 9 1/2" oil on board.

All You Need…

Sometimes all you need is a Great Helm and a two handed Iron Mace!

This one is acrylic on illustration board.  It's been some time since I got my hands in the stuff, and even longer since I've done a senseless bit of something for myself.  Brought back a few childhood memories!

A few months ago I finished this piece.  It's not one of my favorites or my best I think, but it looks much better than it did when I painted it in 2008.  And no, I do not have the courage to show that one to you.  It looked like a face on a shovel (really bad neck anatomy).  I had tried to paint over it and actually posted a close up back in January 2010.  You can click here to see all the posts on this one… sketches and stuff.

As I've said before, there are a few other paintings in the works, but the year seems to be picking up pace, not slowing down.  Hope to post them soon.

Update

Very random stuff drawn while waiting for a delivery.

Big thanks to everyone who has offered support here on the blog and in emails.  Your encouragement is greatly appreciated!!!  To sum things up without going into too much detail, it's always difficult when you have doubt in the things you were sure of (directions in life, plans that were made).  Everybody goes through it one time or another.  You just have to keep moving forward!

Random Sketches To Preserve My Sanity

The Wager

A night shot in the rain… Better place your bets!

I've been having a rough time lately, so I'm not sure when I'll be posting again.  I am however in the preparatory stages of a painting I'm anxious to share.  It's hard fighting back the urge to post my progress.  Maybe I'll do something closer to the painting's completion.

Climbing the Family Tree

The Cianachta or Clan Cian! ("Race of Cian") At least that is what has been found in recent family history digging.  This genealogical research started back in January after my grandmothers 80th birthday, which went very well fortunately.  My mother being the prime historical investigator, uncovered a few fun things.  Actually more than any of us thought possible.  Much of it appears to be accurate, but for myself I like to just imagine a bunch of blue faced celts living and surviving in a time that I'm glad I didn't live in, except in my overly fantasized imagination.

Alright, time to start the weekend!  Oh and the genealogy breakthrough name?  It was Carroll.  Finding the relatives coming to America in the late 1800's was the hard part - another century I'm glad I didn't live through.  Weekend!

Sketchbook drawing - Warrior

A lot going on right now, and since I need to post something, here's a sketch for part of a painting I was doing… and still might do.  It's important not to desire vain things in life, but man I wish I could carry that look!

More from the sketchbook

Been watching Errol Flynn movies the last few nights; The Adventures of Robin Hood (one of my absolute, all time, ever since childhood favorites!) and Captain Blood.  In addition to the above pages, I wanted to get a few good sketches from the movies, but it didn't happen.  Maybe next time.

Sketchbook Scan - Romans and Gauls

To the left is Vercingetorix the Gaul, who gave the Romans serious trouble until the battle of Alesia in 52 BC.  To the right, a Roman soldier and a Gaul in forbidden love.

Travels of the Game Warrior!

I'm glad I didn't have this game when I was a child, or else I never would have gone outside.  I spent this past weekend breaking heavily from any thoughts of work (first time in a long time), and submersed myself in the virtual, medieval world of… 

Mount & Blade - War Band!

My brother downloaded the game just the other day.  He started and grew to be a count.  I started as a female warrior (to see the variation of game play) and turned out to be a joke.  I'm one of those, "do this and see what happens" people, so the results were a bit funny.  The game play is awesome!  You get to:

Receive encouragement from your men!

Vanquish enemies!

 

And meet old friends…

The game is more for teens with the blood sprites and stuff (you can disable that).  If you're interested in this kind of thing you can check out their website at Tale Worlds.

Sketchbook Scan

I may add to this page later, but wanted to go ahead and post now.  I've put this little book down for far too long.  Bad habits you know - drawing on envelopes and paper found on the floor.  Hey, I'm sure you do it too!