Art 52 #6 Digital Heart

My last Heart/Love themed  post for February.
It started as a pen/ink, watercolour illustration and as I often do with these types of projects; became overworked. Since taking my Photoshop class last year, I often play with transforming my images with the help of layers and effects, (I sure do love the selection tools.)
As fun as digital art is I'm looking forward to picking up a paintbrush again after a few weeks and spending some time in my studio on the weekend with real paints and brushes.

Art #52 #5 Happy Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day 

Watercolour, Gesso, Ink, Enhanced in Photoshop

Art 52 #4 Love Birds

I wanted to make some themed card designs this year as it's been a goal of mine to explore work inspired by some favorite illustrators. I'll be focusing on this style for February with a Love theme, (get it? Valentine's day? ) Kind of obvious I know but it fits in with what I've been working on.
This is a mixed media painting of two lovebirds, a subject I thought would make a good Valentine design although it probably wont get that far.
This has multiple layers of watercolour, ink and gesso and a bit of Photoshop to make up for the overworking.
I'm not crazy about it and probably would have just stuck it in a drawer will never meet the Art 52 challenge with that attitude, so lets call it done

Art 52 #5 White Carrier Pigeon

This is a little Valentine's design made with watercolour, inktense pencil and Pan pastels. I never liked working with pastels but this medium has a different quality I'm enjoying. The little round containers are neat too; rather than drawing with a pastel stick you use little sponges or q-tips and have more control over the quantity of pigment dust on your drawing and work surface.

Despite all the mucking around with different mediums I think it's getting closer to the simplicity I've been trying for with these type of designs.

Art 52 #3 Brady's Dog

Yes it's another painting of a beloved pet and the last in this month's Companion theme
This one's a little special as it's a commission from my Grandmother for one of my favorite cousins. This is his sweet labradoodle, (golden doodle?) named Dixie.
She was harder than expected to paint and I am glad to be finished. My first couple of efforts looked like Chewbacca so I was not able to finish in time for his birthday in December.
At least I can count her as #3 of my 52 Art pieces for 2013

And #10 in the 50 Creatures project.

Art 52 #2 Ray

This small watercolour was painted as a birthday present for a teenage girl who misses a recently departed little friend.
Ray was the companion to Casey who I painted a few months ago for her brother's birthday. I never thought I would see the day I would paint two rats, I'm definitely looking at these little creatures with a new appreciation. 

#2 of the Art 52 project, ( #9 in the 50 creature project)

#1 Art 52 Willow's Fish Tray

Okay this wasn't what I pictured for my first art piece of 2013, but it just happens to be the first one finished. At first I didn't think it lined up with this month's "Companion" theme but as it's for my newest little companion I think it's okay. Its also #8 in the 50 creature project.

I painted this little tray for the kitten's feeding area. (a very messy place.)
It was supposed to be just a solid colour but looked kind of plain with just a coat of pale blue acrylic and adding red-orange on the sides was still not enough. I had found a rice paper watercolour monotype of a fish in an old portfolio and as the print was the perfect size it was was adhered to the surface of the tray with acrylic gel medium.

Then I followed the usual pattern of getting carried away by painting a whole bunch of layers and glazes. Now still trying to decide between pouring resin or just coating it with a few layers of of varathane varnish.

I hope Willow appreciates it!