Fantasy and sci-fi subjects have always been fascinating to me, from the very beginning of my childhood I remember spending countless hours reading fiction, and I have added into my love of those two subjects the realism of our worlds landscapes and the beauty of human anatomy. I believe the most believable fantasy looks more closely related to what home resembles than the extremes the subject can be. Therefore, I spend a lot of my time focused on folklore, which is to say the country stories and hidden tales where magic, strange creatures, and mystical places only touch our realm but rarely. I try to magnify these subjects, as well as tell the stories that are so prevalent in my head.
The majority of my artwork thus far has been made via pencil, specifically Staedtler pencils and a few different kinds of artist's mechanical pencils (HB, 2B, 4B, and the occasional 6B lead), watercolor paint, (I'm experimenting with different brands at the moment), Micron pens, and I jump between Stillman & Birn Premium Sketchbooks and Fabriano Hot-Press 140lb Watercolor paper.
I usually have a lot of ideas but little time to finish them let alone draw them all up, so I like to keep small thumbnail, or mini, drawings in a box. Right now I find that the bamboo silverware boxes work well to hold supplies, especially if you have to travel much. I use the boxes for organizing my paint brushes (which is a super eclectic mix), my pencils, paints, plein-air painting kit, and my thumbnail drawings that have potential or inspire me.
At the moment I am trying to transition back into oil painting as well. I have loved oil paintings more than just about any other kind throughout my life, and am determined to succeed at them! However, I am a complete student and am focusing on learning from a myriad of resources, from other modern illustrators to fine artists, old masters, to people younger than myself but more proficient in the medium. Though canvas is nice, and I have no harsh feelings towards it, I prefer painting on gessoed masonite board, or wood, which you can pick up from your local hardware store. Right now I am paying close attention to how Donato Giancola, Dan Dos Santos, and the Gerards prepare their paintings, along with studying step by step processes by Howard Lyon, Vladimir Volegov, James Gurney, and Dave Santillanes.
My children, two boys, are very young right now which means my drawing and painting time is extremely limited. I am first and foremost a mother to them, but as they progress into school and activities I pan to step up my education, experimentation, and quality. Until then I am limited to quick sketches, project planning, and plein-air painting. I will post as often about these spare artistic moments as I can.
If you have questions, or advice, feel free to send me a message! I love chatting about art, no matter what level you might be at, or field of art you may be in. There is no judgement here, just a pure love and excitement for the field of art. You can always find me on Instagram, Facebook, or my newly started Youtube channel. All are linked below and I will try to check on them regularly, but the best way to reach me is through e-mail.
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