Day 104.5: Birth of a Grasshopper

Instead of doing more than one image for today and yesterday's post I'm going to do a progression of images so you can see my process. First I research the type of grasshopper I want to draw. In this case it's a Mormon cricket. I found out these little guys are actually grasshoppers and known for their steeling (which works into the illustration I'm making. All the research I did was on the internet. I looked at several different images and started drawing. 

This first drawing was just of your average grasshopper. I didn't realize at this point that I would be drawing a Mormon cricket. I switched steeds and went with the Mormon cricket not only because of it's criminal intentions, but also because this grasshopper is more squat and has smoother features. The smoother features and fatter body worked really well with my style.

The drawing on the left was very close to my final illustration. The lines here were still loose, but more defined so I knew where to draw my lines. On the right is the final line drawing. I used the pen tool to create the lines so it has a smoother overall look. I could have drawn the lines freehand, but they wouldn't have been as smooth. Insects require a smoother line in my opinion, so that's what he gets. Even if he doesn't like it. This guy will be in my illustration later entitled the grasshopper and the ant.

Day 102: And Now For Something Completely Different

Though my goal right now is to work in the styles I'm going to be using in my children's portfolio I like to branch out and try other things. I like designing characters that are rendered really well and look like paintings. I don't have the practice in to do them quickly yet. I'm also working on refining my skills.

The place I usually go to get ideas is www.conceptart.org. Right now they are doing a Wizard of Oz in their Character of the Week. I haven't finished yet (and may not before their deadline), but I'm still going to show you my goth Dorothy as my sketch for today. If I do get the chance to work on this and finish tomorrow I'll be sure to post it (but that will count as a sketch too, because it's very involved). If I don't finish tomorrow I'll try to get it done somewhere down the road (along with all my other piles of sketches) so you all can see the final piece.

Edit: My computer screen is really dark (even at the lightest settings) How does this look on your computer? I want it to be dark, but if it's too dark I'll bump up the brightness. 

Day 101: A Stupid Hat

This is another drawing inspired by Edward Lear:

There was a Young Lady of Dorking,

Who bought a large bonnet for walking; 

But its color and size so bedazzled her eyes, 

That she very soon went back to Dorking. 

~Edward Lear

Day 100: A Yellow...Um...Thing

I honestly didn't know what to draw today. Maybe I'm a little burnt out. I didn't want to not do anything, because then I'll feel super pressured tomorrow to do two drawings. So here is a yellow bear cat thingy. Hopefully tommorrow will be a bit more ... um not yellowish.

Day 99: Toto

I'm working right now on a drawing of Dorthy from the "Wizard of Oz". I'm not really that far on it, and it's one of those things that I might never finish. I knew that I wasn't going to get it done for today, so I decided to do the next best thing - I drew Toto. I didn't want to spend too long on him so this is a quick sketch of the little guy. I hope you like him.


I know I'm behind at showing sketches. I really need to move the files from my old computer to this new one. I hope it wont take too long before I can get things moved over. 


I'm off to see the Wizard er Dorothy now. I'll be here again tomorrow!

Day 98: A New Computer

Yesterday I picked up my new computer monitor. Yesterday was a busy day so I didn't get a chance to hook everything up until late (I also didn't get a chance to do any drawing yesterday). This first sketch is kind of a left over from Easter. I had done a loose sketch of a similar bunny. After drawing the bunny I decided to add what the bunny was looking at.

You must be at least this tall to eat these carrots.

I've been running around doing things for most of the day. So after I did the bunny picture I was completely lost at what to draw. I just started playing around with my pen tool and I got this cute mousy thing out of it. 

I love this new computer. The monitor might actually be too big now... no, they can never be too big. Hopefully doing my artwork will be a lot less stressful now!

Day 96: Bedtime Dreams

I think one of my biggest reoccurring problems is sleeping too much. I love snuggling in my bed and I love the wild and fun dreams I have. I'm pretty good about getting up early if I get on a schedule, but when I get sick I tend to go right back to sleeping too much. Also, these late nights working on the computer don't help either. Even if I'm not drawing I'll stay up too late doing other things on my computer. So here is me, in bed sleeping. In real life I'm a bit bigger...  

Wish I was here.