Illustration Friday - BOOK

My entry for this week's IF topic - Book:

IF - Book                                                             (c) Liz Stevens Illustration 2012

I was going for a kind of reverential feel in this one because that's how I feel about books in general.  I love them, wouldn't be without them, in every format, but printed and bound is best.  I certainly have lugged around enough of them in my travels.  My favorite store is a book store and my favorite thing to do (when not drawing) is to curl up with a good book and read.  

This poor guy isn't exactly curled up and comfortable, but he's definitely intense about it, and I hope he doesn't stay up too awfully late reading!  lol This is a "good book" in every sense! 

Enjoy & thanks for visiting - please leave a comment if so inclined!  -L

Illustration Friday - Crooked

IF - Crooked                                                      (c) Liz Stevens Illustration 2012

Here's one I've been working on  for Illustration Friday.  Being that it's feeling much more like fall (and when I think of fall, I think Halloween of course), and the fact that I've been drooling over Edward Gorey's luscious illustrations, I decided to try my hand at a Gorey-like image for this topic.  This couple is "crooked" but in a different sort of way!  You can decide if it's good or bad, no judgement here!  ;)

The main thing I discovered is how easy great illustrators make things look - and how hard it really is to imitate someone's style.  My poor attempt needs some more line work for sure, but I thought I'd share it anyhow.

Cheers!  -L

Illustration Friday - Imagination

I just posted this on my Enter the Dragon post, but in reality I finished this one with IF in mind.  Last week's topic was "Imagination".  I can't think of anything that fires the imagination more than a good story, and one of my favorite storytellers is J.R.R. Tolkien.  So in honor of my brother who passed away last week, and my dear Tolkien, I submit my rendition of the Golden Wood, Lothlorien.

Lothlorien - The Golden Wood                       (c) Liz Stevens Illustration 2012

I'd like to think that my brother and Tolkien are comparing notes up there in the aether somewhere, telling stories and sharing a pipe.  Miss you both, dear fellowes.  xoxo

Enter the Dragon 2

Progress made on my dragon drawing:

Dragon - progress!                                           (c) Liz Stevens Illustration 2012

As you can see she's developing nicely and if I can get a good scan, I'll take her into photoshop and start coloring.  I haven't worked on the background yet.  I guess I should be working on that now, seeing as it's already Saturday; and week two is coming up!

Dragon Detail                             (c) Liz Stevens Illustration 2012

In the mean time I did finish a color drawing I'd started a while back.  This is my imaginary version of Lothlorien, inspired by Tolkien's Hobbit.

Lothlorien - The Golden Wood                      (c) Liz Stevens Illustration 2012

So there I am for now, more progress to come.  :)

Enter the Dragon

I'm naming this post after an insanely fabulous idea I saw on the Muddy Colors blog ( muddycolors.blogspot.com ) which I found whilst googling the amazing art of Justin Gerard.  He is one among many of the giants of the industry who is doing absolutely gorgeous work in the fantasy/scifi/comic genre.  I found him by attending his panel at Dragon*Con and was just blown away by his stuff.  Plus his panel was extremely informative and entertaining.  He's funny, bright and so so talented.  I was just in awe.

www.justingerard.com

I am also inspired by Elizabeth Malczynski Litton who illustrated Anne McCaffrey's Dragonsong trilogy paperback edition in the 70's.  I met her at the con and she was just the nicest lady.  Her work makes me want to draw and draw and draw so I can maybe get to someday be as good as she is.

http://thedragonstudio.com/

The Muddy Colors blog group is doing an "Enter the Dragon" celebration of dragons.  Since I'm always looking for an opportunity to motivate myself, and having just come back from the con and suffering fantasy withdrawl... I decided to do my own Enter the Dragon celebration.  Who doesn't like dragons??  So in honor of Dragon*Con, Justin, and Elizabeth...  here are some shots of my latest excursion into dragonland!

I'll post more progress pics as this one progresses.  

rough sketch 

Detail

My goal:  at least 2 finished dragons in 2 weeks.  Also I will try to emulate Justin's technique of doing the initial drawing in graphite and then taking that into Photoshop to color comp.  Wish me luck!  

- Liz