I've been feeling lately that my work needs to go to that next level, and I'm trying to figure out if I can do that in watercolours. I'm not sure - I still get really frustrated with them sometimes, and I feel that I can't always get the effects I like. I looked through my collection of children's books and other artist books and all the styles I was really drawn to were more of an acrylic or oils look. I'm not giving up on them yet, but I'm trying my hand at acrylics to see if that gets me where I want to go.
I sat down and wrote out things that I enjoy doing:
- incorporating drawn patterns or collage
- simple shapes and characters
- limited colour palettes (complementary especially)
- lots of texture!
and I thought I'd try to redo this rather simple illustration I did digitally years ago, in a few different styles to see what grabs me:
this was the first one I did. still feels a bit too much like a child's drawing, i think maybe it's the outlines.
this one is getting a bit better... I like how with acrylics I can make the collaged paper part of illo as opposed to it sitting on top of the paint. I used coloured pencil for a few outlines, but only where they were needed. This is feels good so far - may keep going with this for a bit...
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A Year Ago…
2 years ago
5 comments:
Hi Lil Kim. I have to agree with you. The last one is very interesting and beautiful. It has an wonderful feel to it. Also it looks very loose and spontaneous. Really wonderful job!
Sometimes its hard to try different things, isn't it? You should keep going with acrylics!! :o)
hi kim,
thanks for the nice comment regarding my monster on monster mash :)
these paintings are beautiful! i like all three! i really like the lines on #2 - it evokes alot of emotion.
the way you inocorporated collage in #3 is quite yet stunning --- i can't say it enough, but all three evoke real emotion and beauty.
Personally I prefer your original to the 1st watercolour attempt. But, #3 is by far the stand out image. The boldness of the colour and the little pattern texture in the snow is a great detail.
I know what you mean by being frustrated with your style. I suffer from the same thing but I think it helps me to progress, keep trying new things and hopefully make each illustration better than the last.
I like the middle one better for the texture and especially the thick blue outlines. Beautiful !
Yes, I like the bottom one alot!!!! The way the collage peeps through is both subtle and draws you in. Lovely!
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