Koi & Ginkgo update…

I went out today and took a digi-pic of my progress on my Koi. It was a bit too overcast outside, but at least you can see that I’ve been working on it:

Koi & Ginkgo

I was going to make the koi black and orange…but the combination just didn’t look right, so I opted for white and orange. A bit more shading, tweaking the water, etc…and it’ll be done.

Some new stuff…

When I don’t have a commission, (and even when I do), I’ve usually got a couple of side projects going on. These WIPs (works in progress) will get done sooner or later.

First off is “Ixchel”, the Mayan goddess of the moon, motherhood, fertility, etc. I was thinking of doing a series of goddesses from different cultures. Right now, it’s just a thought. Ixchel is shown here with her consort, the rabbit. I’m really happy with her snake head-dress. But, I’ve reached a block with her…trying to figure out the color for the background. I’d like a twilight thing with the moon & stars, etc. Yes, I know that most artists do the background first, but not me:

So, because I’m blocked, I start something new. That helps me to stop obsessing about the blocked project, and sooner or later I’ll get back to it and can proceed.

This is a drawing of a Koi, in a pool with my favorite leaf, design-wise, the ginkgo. All I know right now is that this koi is going to be bright orange, with spots of some kind, which I think will contrast nicely with the blue of the water, and the green & gold of the ginkgo leaves. I might even add some metallic ink to it:

Yes, I know it’s a crappy scan. But have you ever tried to fit a piece of 12″x16″ watercolor paper into a document scanner? Not easy. I usually don’t fill the paper with an image, but I did with this one. I suppose I should bust out the digi-camera, photograph it outside, and then just upload. Yep, that would be easier. The only pic I’ve uploaded that way is my portrait of “Aidan” (on my “Commissioned” page). The rest are scans. But, you can get the general idea, here. I’m very happy with my koi so far. Still a lot of pencil there, and sometimes I can’t wait to start inking, as you can see.

Koi and Ginko

Now..on to my very first zentangle. I posted about zentangles previously. No, I didn’t buy the kit. This was just an experiment. It’s black Pigma Micron pen on a 4″x4″ scrap of Arches hot-press watercolor paper. I like it, but I think I kind of over did it:

So, that’s what I’ve been up to. I’m thinking of posting a WIP page (works in progress), because I think the whole process, from the initial sketch to the finished piece, is pretty interesting to see.

I’ll get around to it one of these days. Maybe.

Lisamarina©1991-2008

NOTCOT!

It’s one of my “artcoolness” links, and I have to tell you, it’s a feast for the eyes. I try to take a look every day or so, because THAT’S the place to go if you’re interested in design, graphics, food, trends, fashion, etc.

Treasures abound. Things you never knew existed. Just go there. And then try to tear yourself away. It won’t be easy.

LiveJournal: Where’s the art?

I decided to take a look over there to try and check out some artists.

All I found was teeny-boppers and people whoring various items to the general public. Yep. PayPal’s really big over there.

I’d just like to know…what is up with LiveJournal? Are they all 15 years old ? Do they all love glitter, the color pink, “hot chicks, dude” and Japanese rock stars? Who the hell IS Kumiko Gackt? Is it a he or a she? I couldn’t find any artists.

I know Audrey Kawasaki has a blog there, so it can’t be ALL bad. But I couldn’t find anything eye-catching there at all. Maybe it’s because it’ s so hard to navigate the site. Or maybe it’s not hard at all. It’s probably that I don’t like the format, or the “myspace” influence there. “Add me”? I don’t THINK so.

LiveJournal is like the bastard child of blogger & myspace.