Tuesday, May 11, 2010

IF-Fearless

This weeks prompt for Illustration Friday is Fearless. I haven't been able to get anything completed recently. Actually I have hardly had time to draw at all. Cyan(my 14 year old) had testing all week long the week before last and then last week I had appointments all week long and though I have several pieces started I just couldn't seem to get one of them done. I was so tired this weekend I didn't even pick up a pencil. So, today I started a new one.  I'll have to make myself go back and finish the others though. But for this one I decided that my grandson is the most fearless person I know and  my daughter has wanted me to do a new illustration of him for months now. I haven't done one since he was a baby and it was actually my first digital illustration. I decided to post them both to see how much I have progressed in a year and a half. I did the bottom one the day I first tried a trial version of painter and fell in love with the program. Actually, I think I used painter essentials for that one or whatever version came with my Wacom. 
So, I decided to do a new illustration of my fearless grandson.  My grandson is blind, he sees a little light and shape in extreme contrast. But, you would never know it to see him. Like any other 2 1/2 year old he runs, climbs, jumps, and meddles in and on everything. Most children who are visually impaired tend to be cautious and fearful of the unknown. But Myles has no fear, he investigates everything around him with gusto and most of the time with only the slightest encouragement he is willing to try anything new. He absolutely amazes me on a daily basis. Any way this is my fearless boy, Myles the Magnificent! Sorry I am behind on posting new work, hopefully I will get caught up soon.  Thank you for visiting and for all the supportive and kind comments that you leave! You all rock; I love it and appreciate it!

31 comments:

  1. Hello Karen my dear friend! This is such a wonderful illustration of Myles. He looks like a delightful young lad. I know his mom just loved this! Wow it looks like you took to digital creativity right away. Your first work was amazing! I look at my first digital work and laugh. (I remember being so proud) I love your style and heart.

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  2. Ah, Myles the Magnificent, indeed! Such a beautiful story behind such remarkable pieces! Really, did you use Wacom or a magic wand for these? Hehehe... :))

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  3. This is precious! The focus on the face and softness all around is just stunning, and from the pictures you've shown, the likeness is perfect. What a beautiful boy!!

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  4. awwww thank you. You all are the greatest support system and I appreciate it so much! Guess you can tell I am a proud grandmother. My daughter hasn't seen it yet, I posted it as soon as I finished it last night.

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  5. Awe I really like your illustration. The hair in the top one is really cool. I like how soft it looks. And the smile is incredible. So cute. ^^

    Thanks for the comment on my illustration. :)

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  6. Excellent detail! I can tell you are more free (more sure of yourself?) with the more recent one. They are both beautiful though.
    ps. thanks for your comment!

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  7. Hello Karen, well this is pretty magnificent in itself (Karen the Magnificent as a a ring, eh?) Well those eyes have that inner spiritual glow.

    It's amazing how far you have come in so little time.

    I think the big improvements are lost and found edges and the consequent ability to control focal points as well as adding movement and depth (got a big head yet?).

    The backgrounds on your new work really work in better with the foregrounds - but you have given me a penchant for flat textures.

    How is zero2illo? Hopefully I'll have second to drop in!

    see you

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  8. No big head yet Andrew, but I appreciate all the lovely compliments. Sometimes I feel like I get lucky and it all works out nicely like this one did. I do love patterns, but the second one is more like my traditional oil portrait work. I haven't been able to do as much with Zero 2 Illo as I would like, but I do check in daily. I'm trying to work on new portfolio pieces though I haven't been able to get two per week completed.

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  9. I'm going to start calling you the "Evoker" Honestly you are able to catch all the emotions of life in your fabulous artwork. They are all both so magnificent. I bow before your greatness he he he he! No, but seriously, you really capture emotion in your paintings and illustrations. It's not an easy thing to do either. You have out done yourself with these. You know, You just keep being a wonderful and loving mom to your kids. This is not just a responsibility to them, but an awesome gift. I know that they will have stories to tell their own children one day. God is a redeemer of time where we are concerned and He will buy back what has torn, stolen, or lost. Cherish these new memories that you are making each and everyday.
    Hugs to you,
    V

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  10. Hello Karen, these illustrations are fantastic. They almost look like photographs! The hair and the eyes, THE EYES!!!

    Your grandson is indeed fearless. Most children are fearless but those with challenges are even more so and they inspire the grown-ups. Take care Karen. Thank you for your constant visits. Things have been hectic in my life lately. Trying to handle and balance things. Blogging is a nice distraction.

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  11. Lovely work Karen.... such intensity in the eyes!!! Myles is truly a magnificent, fearless boy!

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  12. What a beautiful beautiful and sensitive illustrion! It's lovely! And shows his personaily so well.

    I just bought Painter 11, and am really really clumsy with it. I can't imagine making a picture like this.

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  13. Wow, you are all so great, thank you so much for your constant support! It really does keep me producing and posting my work.

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  14. Beautiful work, a question: you first do a painting and after treat it with the computer, not?
    kiss and hug

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  15. Thank you! Roberto, I do it all on the computer these days(I used to do oil portraits and pastel portraits), I did 98% of this one in painter X then added a texture in photoshop.

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  16. I took the day off is how the illustration happened. i needed a break from other stuff so I took sometime and came up with this illustration. It was a stretch for me. It was fun though!

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  17. Absolutely gorgeous! Not only is this portrait just a thing of beauty in itself, but there's such soul in that wee fella's face. I feel like I know him now. He's lucky to have such a gifted grandma!

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  18. Karen, it's so hard to type in the bowed down position that I am in. You truly are magnificent! I want to ruffle Myles's hair and pinch those cheeks. What an adorable and courageous little boy he is! Your portraits are utterly fantastic. I am awed by how real his shirt looks in the first portrait (holy cow, really? your first digital illustration!), and the beautiful depth of his face in the new portrait. I love the softness around his face and the deepness of his beautiful eyes. There is so much love in these portraits!

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  19. awwwww, thanks everyone. Bella dear, you and V. made me tear up, thank you so much, I do love him and he is so amazing, of course I love them all, but there is something special about toddlers I think, it's just a special time.

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  20. WWOWW, Karen, I am continually amazed when I visit you. Myles is gorgeous..you just know how to touch people..truly, this is a wonderful, wonderful work of art. There is such love in this post...thanks for the uplift today!!

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  21. he is stunning, the eyes especially, you would never know if he is blind... wonderful drawing of your beautiful grandson.

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  22. Great portraits Karen. You've really mastered the program! Keep up the good work!

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  23. I'm trying to catch up a bit this week Karen, and had to come back to comment on this awe inspiring portrait of gorgeous Myles! I can't believe you did the earlier one so quickly, let alone this recent one which is absolutely stellar!

    Myles, like so many of our precious children is indeed fearless - what an inspiration he is to all of us and lucky beyond belief to have a Grandma like you who is an inspiration to me!

    Love and hugs, xoxoxo Susan

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  24. your portraits are so very beautiful!
    thank you for sharing this he is the meaning of the word ;)

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  25. You are an incredibly talented portrait artist. These are both great :)

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  26. What absolutely beautiful and sensitive portraits!

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Thank you for taking the time to comment! You are the best!!!