Sketch Progress for New Book Project

Back in September (that was a long time ago!) I started on a new book project, now titled Dimplemeyer's Design, that was put aside for awhile during the holidays so I could finish some other projects with more strict deadlines. Fortunately for me, the author of this book was gracious enough to allow me to take a break. Now I'm back on the project working on the final sketches before I start painting. Here's the evolution of one of the sketches from thumbnail to (almost) final sketch. I will be posting a few more in the next few weeks.

Thumbnail sketch just to get the gist of the narrative and idea.

Slightly more developed sketch with atmosphere and detail in the character. The stereotypical gesture of the character isn't doing it for me. But sometimes you just need to get it out of your system. That's what sketches are for.

Setting the composition. Still not satisfied with the character's actions...

Tight, detailed sketch fixing a lot of problems with proportion, composition, narrative, etc. Now the character is holding a dying flower which recalls an earlier event and also holds some symbolism in the story. (Hurray for symbolism!)

That's as far as I've gotten so far on this sketch. Next is to add value/lighting, and color before I can move on to the final painting. I'll need to finish all the sketches before I can do any painting, so that wont be for awhile. Plus I will be taking a month off to backpack through Europe with my husband (WOOHOO!) so that will put a hold on things even more. This book WILL be finished this fall (I'm determined!) and hopefully published shortly after. But we'll see how things play out. More to come!

India

This drawing is from last semester, but I liked it and wanted to post it. :) It is actually from a picture a friend took with me in India a few summers ago...she was a very small elderly lady, and very cute!...she sat in the mush pot while we taught the kids how to play Duck Duck Goose!

A Sketch

Something from the sketchbook. Maybe I'll color it...

Brea Art Gallery

Some exciting news came in the mail today! One of my drawings was accepted to hang in the Brea Art Gallery! The show is called Made In California, anyone in California could enter, and my drawing COULD be sold! The show will run from June 1st-June 27th with an opening reception and award ceremony on May 31st. Come and see the show if you get a chance! I will probably send out a reminder when the show starts.

Here's the selected drawing:

"Made In California"

The Bubble

I'm entering this in a contest for the Brea Art Gallery (as well as turning it in for an assignment). We'll see how it goes! The theme is "Made in California".