I have been working towards a particular style, perhaps even subconsciously for quite some time. Some highlights were vibrant colours, minimal line weight, lots and lots of detail. It's something I think came from influences and artists I'd admired through the years (Moebius, Geof Darrow). The problem has always been fighting the need to get a post out, get some engagement online versus taking the time something like this needs. When the algorithms shifted, and my online engagements dropped, I sort of disconnected from the whole thing. I stopped posting for large chunks of time (well, larger chunks of time) and really didn't see a point.

More recently, I've come to realize that the joy in a lot of it was gone, and I was just chasing likes on Instagram or Twitter or whatever, even though I'd never had great engagement to begin with. I started drawing again, just for me, and realized that was the point. To create something for myself, to maybe push myself to do something new or challenging, and to not care if anyone noticed. Hell, the irony in writing all this on a blog that I'm not even sure folks check anymore is not lost on me.

This artwork is the result of me slowing down, realizing as close to the picture I had in my head at the time, and just revelling in all the tiny details. I doubt I'd do this consistently in the future, as rewarding as it is it takes a lot of time! However, I am proud of how it turned out, and hope someone, somewhere finds a little joy in it, knowing that I did first and that's all that matters.

Labels: Forest, forest spirit, Photoshop, spirits

Well 2012 has already gotten away from me a bit, hasn't it? No resolutions this year for the simple fact that it leaves me with no feeling of having missed something by the end of the year. Last year turned out to be one of the worst I've experienced personally, and 2012 is already shaping up to be one of the best. Such a contrast in such a short time leaves me re-evaluating quite a few things for the better. Life really is a wild ride; my only goal is to do what I can and learn to let go of the things that fall short.

On a lighter note, I have new artwork to show! This illustration stemmed from my wanting to try something completely different, and feeling that a 9x36 inch illustration would fit that bill perfectly (strange I know). I call this one "The Spirit Well". I had written a short poem sort of explaining the story a bit, but felt it wasn't working. If I can get it together, perhaps I'll post it as an extra post down the line. For now I'll just post the finished art piece. This was done with brush pens (on 3 9x12 inch pieces of bristol), a few smaller pens and Photoshop for colour.


Followed by some details:

Labels: mother, soldier, spirits, The Spirit Well, witches

I've always had a fascination with the Victorian era. I think it's fuelled by things like steam punk and Jules Verne stories, but I like the idea of it. It seems like the perfect setting for a proper ghost story. This piece is sort of borne out of that; I wanted to depict a seance or some other communion with the dead. Simple as that.

This originally started out as a doodle that sat for quite a bit in my sketchbook. I have problems with some parts of it, but as a whole I think it gets a pass, so I decided to finish it. I'm continually trying to capture the moods I want while not overworking things in Photoshop. My previous tendencies leaned toward throwing as many layers at a piece to see what worked. I'm trying to stay more conscious of that as I (hopefully) progress.

Labels: ghosts, medium, seance, spirits, Victorian