Seagullink and watercolour
Oooooh, I am such a bad blogger! Sorry, for the lack of posts, and I'm really grateful to my readers and friends that you still bother to come back and check. I'm afraid it's that time of year when there are just not enough hours in the day to fit everything in. If I don't get the garden up and running then we won't have any vegetables this year. What I really need ( but I'll whisper this so no -one hears me!) is a couple of days of rain. Then I could catch up on all my indoor jobs without feeling guilty!
Anyway, this painting above is the fourth in a set of card designs I have been working on. All these are now available as prints (A4) in my Etsy shop. Now the children have two lovely weeks of Easter holidays, so I doubt I shall get much painting done till they return to school.
BUT, among all the busy-ness of this last week, I did find time to pluck up the courage to contact local illustrator, David Wyatt, who was just as nice as could be. He invited me round, made me a great cup of coffee, and gave me a brilliant pep talk. It was just what I needed, and I came away feeling positive, and knowing exactly what I need to spend the next six months doing! It was fascinating to see his working process, although it did make me realise that actually, traditional artists are going to struggle in the industry if they can't 'go digital'. The ability to make alterations to images at the drop of an art directors hat is vital, when it could take a couple of weeks to repaint an image traditionally. I can see, I need to start saving for photoshop and a tablet!
13 comments:
Not a bad blogger Danielle, but a person who has a full life!
So depressing about art going digital! Had decided last week I needed to save up for photoshop also.
Oh dear about the digital news. I know that everyone is going that way, but I really like old fashioned "real" media--the watercolors on the actual paper, and the way ink lines look, and the FEEL of it all. Back when I did printmaking, I loved the metal plates in all their physicality even more than the prints.
...but way cool that you called him, and had a great visit.
What a boost that must have been, to visit an artist like that. Not all illustrator surcom to digital though, one of my favourites is Babette Cole who uses traditional methods yet up to date and extremely successful.x
I need coffee and a pep talk today! :) Glad you got one, Danielle! I don't think my brain moves fast enough to keep up with the digital pace. It seems there's a new software version of Adobe Photoshop every other month.
Wow hon - interesting thoughts on illustrators needing to go digital! Makes sense I guess - but I don't like it much. Have you checked out Picnik yet?
So glad you got some good support - always nice when it's there!!
I don't think you are a bad blogger - I agree with Gail - we have lives too!!! I adore the seagull piece!!! Beautiful work!!!
Sarah
I love your work and it makes me a touch sad to think of artists going digital. I love original art! That being said, I am a photographer that went digital a couple years ago and I love it.
It's such a busy time of year! And I too, hope we never lose the ability to "get our hands dirty" in the world of art!
Thankyou for your comments everyone! I'll clarify the digital bit though! I don't think it will be the death of traditional illustration forms, what I really mean is that we will need to have both skills. To paint an original illustration, but then to scan it in, and be skilled enough in photoshop to digitally manipulate or alter as required by publishers. I was surprised to discover just how many 'traditional' artists do this now, although, on reflection I suppose it is obvious that it is the only thing to do. If a publisher decides they want a small element moved slightly, but you don't get paid for the repaint, only the final approved piece, it is not financially viable to spend days redoing the piece.
I'm quite looking forward to playing with it!
I just today started following your blog..I love your artwork...and see some fellow bloggers have beat me to ya..Ha Ha..I will be investing in your cards of the goats ( love them and my husband loves them), and of the ravens...next payday...Love them all though...Wonderful blog, illustrations, and family (animals and human)....
Smiles,
Sonia ;)
What a wonderful visit, and yes, I suppose photoshop is a plus for any artist...That said, I'd be clueless as to how to make use of it (I'm a bear of very little brain when it comes to anything digital, hehe)...
~ Carolee
Don´t worry, you are not a bad blogger :) you have a lot of things to do (I know exactly th way you feel) Beautiful watercolour.
Hi Danielle, thanks for dropping by. Have a great Easter.
Kim x
ps. I had to smile at you riding down the jumping lane. It sounds like great fun :)
Hello Danielle - Just popped back as I wanted to let you know that I've left you an award at my blog - it's for being an inspirational blogging friend! I know you are not one for passing these things on, so don't worry about that! Just wanted you to have it!
Caroline
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