Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Those that can, Do; Those who can't, Teach

I have good news and bad news, internets.

Good news: I now have a job teaching 2nd-5th graders art once a week for a month, and perhaps adults as well, through the Vermillion Area Arts Council. A paid, art related job, yes!

Bad news: I'm not quite comfortable with opaque paint, aka anything that is not watercolor. The classes I'll be teaching focus on watercolors but will also include tempura for the kids and acrylics for the adults. I've worked with both before, but I'm not nearly as comfortable with them as I am with conte or watercolors. Classes start on March 13th.Which means I have exactly three weeks to cram as much knowledge of acrylics into my head as possible.


Challenge accepted.


In between weaving and pet portrait commissions, I have been longing to do some fan art. I like to experiment with new media when I do fan art because there is no "portfolio pressure." I'm unlikely to sell a piece of fan art or to put it into my professional portfolio. Also, the character, setting, and situation are already predetermined. I just have to pick a scene and/or character that suits my fancy.

Having just read Elfhome, Wen Spencer's newest sci-fi/fantasy romp of elven deliciousness, I decided to do a portrait of one of the characters, Thorne Scratch on Stone. Since I read the advanced reader copy ($15 until July 1st, then $5), I want to do a portrait that includes no spoilers. I decided on a literal interpretation of Thorne Scratch's name.

Here's my (really) rough digital mock up:

Things that should be in the mock up but I'm too lazy to do with a mouse: intricate black spell tattoos on her arms and thorns on the multiflora rose canes (aka the red things). And maybe black or yellow beads in her hair? I don't remember them in the book, but most folks with her job have them.

What are your opinions, before I put paint to canvas-board?

The beautiful stock is provided by the following:

Woman by Jagged-eye, who can also be found at DMAC Studios
Stone texture by ShinimegamiStock

Thank you!

Disclaimer: Thorne is owned by and copyright Wen Spencer. As is anything Tinker-Wolf-Elfhome related. I just visit, a lot.



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