For those interested, process on my last painting! Everything for this painting, from the initial thumbnails to the final sketch to the color key to the final painting, was done entirely digitally in Photoshop CS3 using a Wacom Cintiq. It should be noted that there were a lot more “initial thumbnails” but I chose to only show the more coherent designs. This is more the thought process behind the painting, and not so much a “how-to” of actual painting technique. Truth is, once I have the lines and a color key, it’s really just a matter of blocking in the big shapes and then adding detail until it looks right. Enjoy! (Click for larger.)
And continuing with my Hansel and Gretel designs… the witch’s candy house! Let me tell you, I’m glad this painting is done, because working on it made me crave cake like crazy. And I don’t even like cake. I’m thinking if I can get a good print out of this one I’ll put it in the print shop. It’ll depend on if I can get the colors to print right and if enough people express interest, though.
All together now! The witch, Hansel, and Gretel… these will probably change, though. I find I’m very fickle when it comes to character designs and can never really “settle.” And these are rough… But it is a fun exercise, and looking at reference for Dutch clothing is really wonderful. Reference is the new black!*
People watching.
Working on a little Hansel and Gretel redesign for fun. Here’s Gretel, looking very dutch. I have a feeling I’m not really understanding the architecture of the “little dutch girl cap,” but it sure is fun to draw. Something like the “George Washington” origami hats I used to make in elementary school.
Work-break doodle. I was thinking of this house that was a couple blocks away from my childhood home - everyone called it “The Witches’ House,” and let’s just say it was a very odd structure to be smack dab in the heart of Beverly Hills.
Poison! A color thumbnail that got away from me, but I like it; it would be a neat experiment to do a whole comic in this way. One day I’ll actually make good on something like that. On an unrelated note, I’ve been getting some good questions over at Ask Sam Sketch regarding art school, prints, book learning vs. street smarts, etc., so check it out!
Last post of 2011! Nothing special, just a scrap page of digital doodles. Although I must say it has been an incredible, challenging, crazy, and surprising year, full of changes both personally and professionally. I’ll try not to be too much of a sap about it, but 2011 was pretty great, so I’m hoping 2012 is just as awesome… Speaking of awesome, today I hit 20,000 followers, which was a very nice “end-of-year” gift… so thanks, everybody!
I hope everyone has a wonderful New Years, and remember to be safe! AAA is offering free rides through its “Tipsy Tow” program. You don’t have to be a AAA member; from 6pm-6am on New Year’s Eve/Day they will take your drunk self AND your car home for FREE. Here’s the number… 1-800-222-4357.
Happy New Year!
Space castles for work. For some reason I always end up with assignments where I have to draw space… even though I don’t particularly care for drawing outer space. This will most likely be my last post before the new year. I hope everyone has an excellent holiday; I’m going to finish off Hanukkah with a bang in Las Vegas! Be safe everyone… see you in 2012!
EDIT: One last thing - please, if you re-blog my work, include a credit and a link back to my blog or website! Thank you!
Last night I watched the new Tron movie… and maybe it was because I had been mentally prepared to hate it, but I have to say I quite enjoyed myself. Visually I thought it was really lovely. Some top-notch action scenes. and I loved the score. So I had to draw Olivia Wilde’s crazy haircut. I didn’t mind the strange askew bangs, I just wish the bob had a little more movement.
A lady illustrator and visual development artist living and working in little Los Angeles. Go Lakers. This is my sketchblog.
All artwork © Samantha Kallis 2011.
