Gallery of Shadows and Reflections

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. )

Yesterday's Prize Drawing is now closed and comments will be taken to screened.  Thank you for participating!  

Good afternoon, friends!

So, here we are nearing the end of December, as well as 2011. This month has been a rocky one for my family and me, but we've all gotten through it more or less intact. I didn't hold as many Free Sketch Days as I'd hoped, but when I was able to, I was very excited about the turnout and the wonderful prompts given.

And today, being near the end of the month, it's time to hold my monthly prize drawing! The prize is a free digitally inked and colored image of your choice, from this month's Free Sketch Day posts (which I'll link to here). Anyone is eligible to apply-- just leave a comment here and state which sketch you would like to see completed. Tomorrow morning, I will write down all the names on scraps of paper, put them in a bowl, shake them up a bit, and draw one name at random. The winner will be announced in the morning, and I will create and email him/her a full-color, full sized, high resolution piece of art based on the sketch of their choice from this week's FSD. (Please allow at least a week for completion of the image; I'm a very busy gal!)

Here are the sketch compilation posts for this month for the FSDs held since the last prize drawing:

12/27-- http://shadows-gallery.livejournal.com/24647.html

12/13-- http://shadows-gallery.livejournal.com/23007.html

11/29-- http://shadows-gallery.livejournal.com/21261.html

Choose any one sketch from these links and comment on this entry to apply for the prize drawing.


As always, I take private commissions for finished pieces. Also, any tips accrued on this page at any time will (unless otherwise specified by the tipper) go towards funding finished artwork that will be voted on by all of you when the cost of completed work is reached. There is currently $3 in the Tip Jar, so another $17 will fund a completed, detailed black and white drawing; an additional $37 will fund a digitally inked and colorized illustration; and an additional $97 will cover a simple digital painting.

I hope everyone is having an enjoyable holiday season!  Until later,

Amyla

Today has been dedicated to personal artwork.

I've been working on an illustration for a friend's fanfic novella. And I had a wonderful image hit me that I just had to draw, which I think will likely be my next painting.

Both are below the cut :)

( These are slightly large, and the first one might not be work safe. )

Attention friends:

I am holding a Holiday Sale!

From now until December 16, my commission/crowdfunding-total prices will be the following:

Black and White Drawing-- $10 (usually $20)
Example (to see the full sized images, click thumbnail):


Digitally Inked and Colored Drawing-- $30 (usually $40)
Example:


Digital Painting-- $75 and up (usually $100 and up)
Example:


Please do remember to allow time for completion of artwork!  More complex pieces and digital paintings will take longer, so if you're wanting it as a Christmas gift, be sure to get your order in a.s.a.p.  I can take payments in smaller increments if it's easier.  Send me a private message through Live Journal for more information or to order a piece.

I take payments through PayPal.  For easy access, click the Tip Jar icon below.

I hope everyone has a wonderful winter holiday season!  Cheers!

ETA: Today's polls are now closed.  Thank you to all who participated!

Good morning, friends! After a flurry of sketching, I've settled on four possibilities (some new, one old) for my next painting. 

And here, I am giving you an opportunity to vote on which of these sketches will be brought into being as a digital painting.

During the course of painting, I will post updates on the image, with some words on technique and process. Once it is complete, I will post the finished piece at a smaller size, watermarked, and make it available for sponsorship. Anyone who helps to sponsor the painting, whether it be a dollar or fifty, will be sent a link to a free download of the full sized image. Sponsors who give $90 or more will also have the option of receiving a 15x15 canvas print of the painting, in addition to the download. The image will be available on Amyla's Designs for purchase on a print, coffee mug, tee shirt, and other merchandise.

The theme for this Sketch Voting Day is The Fae.  Put your vote in the comments.




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( CLICK HERE for sized up images )