Gallery of Shadows and Reflections

It's been a very productive week, with three character portraits completed, fourteen sketches for Free Sketch Day, and two crowdfunding projects and a prize drawing illustration started.

Character Portraits:

From left to right (from the last two weeks):  timelord1's Rowenne Kennock and Jaerus, ellenmillion's Torn World character Ivarra, timelord1's creature the Uilebheist, and just_the_ash's character Angamarth.

 



Prize Drawing Illustration:

I completed the line art for minor_architect's prize drawing illustration.  I'm calling this one Firespirit. (Note: nudity, so full size sketch is not work safe!)


Crowdfunded pieces:

Blocked in the flat colors over the sketch for the waterfall painting, as yet untitled.



And completed the line art for Trickster.



Remember, the waterfall painting and "Trickster" are open for crowdfunding!  Contribute to whichever one you like by clicking the "Tip Jar" icon.  Be sure to specify what you want tips to go toward, and let me know what your LJ ID is so I can keep track of everyone and send out perks when they're ready.

So, I thought I would put together a little tutorial on how I create the character portraits for my weekly Discounted Character Portrait Days. I create these images in Gimp using a Wacom tablet; this tutorial will focus more on technique and less on the technical aspects of the program and tablet.

This is a portrait of timelord1's character Jaerus. She gave me a detailed description and a picture reference for his armor, which can be found here under the first character description. She also specified that she pictures Jonathon Rhys-Meyers in the role, so that gave me an idea of what the character will look like.

Click image for full size.



The very first thing I do is scour the web for references. As she has given an actor as a reference, I look for images of him. In other character portraits, I try to think of appropriate actors/actresses and use them as references. I don't always aim for a strict likeness; sometimes the reference is used very loosely just to give a *feel* of the character. But in this instance, I'm trying to give more of an impression that the characterresembles the actor, without really going for a tight likeness.

( There are a LOT of images under cut. )

Well, the sinus infection seems to have eased up a bit.  Still feeling a bit "bleh" but mostly better, I hope.

Will probably do Free Sketch Day next week, and Character Portrait Days.  I might also start a new crowdfunding project based on FSD prompts, but I might do that the following week instead.  Or maybe I can start work on two or three of the runner-ups that were voted for?  What do you guys think?  Several projects in the works at once, so people have an opportunity to fund and/or follow the ones they like the most?  Yes, I'm still trying to figure out the best way to work this crowdfunding model.  It's sort of new territory for me in practice, though I've been familiar with it in theory for some time.

Edit:  Also, I'm considering what to do about the exorbitant shipping rates on Zazzle.  Since I went ahead and bought a paid account on there, basic shipping is free for me, so I may just set up a page for people to pay here and let me manually ship their prints and other orders, rather than have them pay insane shipping rates.  Much cheaper for people wanting prints and such.


Caught up on the last of last week's character portraits today.  Both of these are timelord1's characters.   Left is "Firthlun" and to the right is "Adonais."  As always, click for larger versions.

Okay, I finished the last of last week's $5 Character Portrait Day drawings just now. I was going to post them tomorrow, but may as well do so tonight since I'm all about the insomnia at this point apparently. ;)

( Four large images under cut. )

Good morning, friends list!

Today, I am going to begin a new weekly event, which will be held two days a week in addition to my once-weekly Free Sketch Days.

$5 Character Portrait Days

 Have an original role playing character, or an original fiction character that you would like to see realized in a drawing?  

Each week on Wednesday and Thursday, I will open up for black and white character portrait commissions.  These will be head-and-shoulders portrait sketch-drawings, as pictured below.

How to put in your request for your $5 Character Portrait:

1)  Comment on this entry with:


Please note:  I cannot take paid commissions of previously copyrighted material from television, movies, books, etc.  Please be sure any request you make is for characters who belong to you!

2)  I'll create the art and send it to you in a PM on Live Journal.  If you have your message options set to off, please give me an alternate email so I can send you the art.  Also, please be aware that these images will be more rendered than the sketches I create for Free Sketch Day, so it will take a bit longer to complete them, especially if I have several in queue.  I promise that I will get to each and every one of you who comments with a request, though.

3)  There will be a pre-set "Buy Now" PayPal button at the bottom of this entry for payment.  Each portrait is $5. 

And, that's about it!  Have at it!

An example-- click to enlarge.

Note:  Please also bear in mind that I'm currently caring for an Alzheimer's patient who needs constant supervision and frequent hands-on care while creating artwork, so turnaround time will be slower than normal.  I'll attempt to get to everyone's artwork by the end of this week.