Thesis Development

This is a page straight out of my directed study journal where I'm annotating the development of my thesis. This is some sketching for an illustration of Sarah from Hebrews 11:11

In Progress 2

Here he is again! This time I've blocked in some color and refined the values some more. I think the reflected light is going to be fun in this piece as it bounces back and forth between the boards and the figure. Hope you're enjoying watching my process.

Until next time, peace.

Kerne Erickson

I recently bought a set of postcards painted by this artist. I was reluctant to send them as I fell in love with their retro look and soft colors featuring various travel destinations in Hawaii. Then I realized that Erickson does other images I've seen too... like this San Francisco image:



I may have to purchase some larger prints... love, love, love!

In Progress

An oil painting in progress for my Situation and Environment class with Zhaoming Wu. This is the first stage. The line drawing is done with a small flat brush and then I blocked in the major values with a large flat brush. The paint I used is a mixture of ultramarine blue and van dyke brown. I 'watered down' the paint with Gamsol to cover large areas thinly.

I've started using Gamsol as a medium instead of Turpentine or Turpenoid because it has almost no smell compared to others and is much easier on the environment. In addition it much less flammable. So far I'm liking it as it feels thinner and more like painting with water than a medium.

Purple Ruler

A painting from my Situation and Environment class. Oil on Linen. 20x24. I call it "Purple Ruler". :)

Sold.

Razzauti, Roman and Rahab

So I wandered through a couple galleries in Lahaina while I relaxed on Spring Break... I really enjoyed the work of Andrea Razzauti. I'm inspired by his refined drawings and beautiful colours. His work is on display in the Lahaina Galleries (there's a sister one here in San Francisco). This is his "In Toscana".

I also enjoyed another artist's work on display next door at Sargents and was inspired by his story: Roman Czerwinski.

Now back to my thesis! Here's a couple of conceptual thumbnails for my book which is in progress...

Self Portrait with Bridge

A Self-Portait with the Golden Gate Bridge... to practice painting in Photoshop.

A Detached Ear

Another day's work... playing with warms and cools in acrylic.

Original available for purchase.

Oteino

All in a day's work... Oteino's head scarf is straight from Ghana.



Original oil painting available for purchase.

Inspiration

I can't stop looking at impressionists lately, especially Mary Cassatt. I love the energetic brush strokes and unexpected uses of colour. Today I'm studying this beautiful painting by Claude Monet from 1875, "Woman with Parasol":

www.bethanyillustrates.com

My new website is now done with lots of recent artwork uploaded. Take a look around:

Bulletin

View a nice comment on my portraiture by Grant over at Veer here.

Boots

So, I'm back at school for Spring 2009... and this is my first painting. It's 16"x20" oil on canvas limited to a monochromatic color palette with titanium white for the lights and ultramarine blue / raw sienna mixed for the darks:



Also, I'm endeavoring to get my website back up and revamped before my thesis begins stealing my time away. Almost there... keep watching! www.bethanyillustrates.com

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Calgary's Skyline

This is a recently commissioned oil painting I just finished. Calgary's skyline with the new LRT design in the foreground:



And, for interest's sake, here is the initial pencil sketch:

Oh Canadia!

Been on winter break for the last couple of weeks, recharging my batteries and trying not to freeze back in Calgary, Canada! Lots of time spent with family, friends, dogs and hot tubs. I may have picked up my Mom's still good 40-year-old oil paints for a day or two as well.

Side note: I found this amazing lamp at Canadian Tire. I didn't realize I liked Canadiana until I moved away. Who knew!?

Nelly Furtado

This is one of my first forays into painting portraiture digitally. Hopefully she's recognizable!

BTW, I'll be updating my website in January. Keep checking back: www.bethanyillustrates.com

Lenny Kravitz

This is a celebrity portrait that I completed recently. It connects to Lenny's self-proclaimed "Love Revolution".

I have to admit, I love his music.

A Work in Progress

I finally bought an easel... the "Weston Full French Easel". I like it as I can fold it up and put it away when I'm not using it. Here it is in action with a recent painting in progress...

Oh, look!

My flying pig made it to the front page of IMAGEKIND! Toot, toot...

Also, my portraiture is featured on VEER's portfolio pages!

Purchasing Prints

Check out my greeting card gallery on IMAGEKIND, I've just uploaded some new images!