Self Portrait

You may have noticed a new portrait on the header of this blog and on my website. Drawing a self portrait is always very hard for me, but the image I was previously using was over five years old. It was time for an update.

I made an attempt last year, but it was too weird to work on. I was staring at myself in the eye on paper:

I prefer the new one where I'm looking down at the paper. It fits my personality better. Here's a look at the preliminary drawing:

I did have to edit the face for the final so it would look more like me. here's a look at the work in progress from my Instagram stories:

I've also been using this portrait on my promotional materials:

BIlly Goats Gruff

Billy Goats Gruff, watercolor, gouache, and pencil on Rives BFK, 11x14", 2018.

I'm going to the SCBWI conference next month!

One of the workshops is about learning where your art fits in. There's an assignment where you have to depict a villain from children's literature. I had a hard time choosing what to do. In the end I decided to stick with my strengths, and illustrate a story that has animals.

This is kind of a funny version of the Billy Goats Gruff. Poor troll!

I posted a bunch of in progress shots on Instagram:

🐐🐐🐐Super rough beginnings. I've been working on one of the assignments for the #scbwi conference next month. It's to depict a classic children's book villain. I have to much left to do!! . . . . #ny18scbwi #billygoatsgruff #goats #ogre #kidlitart #illustration #illustrator #art #sketchbook #sketch #drawing #portfolio

A post shared by Sarah Ryan (@sarahryandraws) on Jan 6, 2018 at 2:07pm PST

🐐🐐🐐 This has become the drawing that never ends 😭. I should have been done ages ago. At least I'm ready to transfer to good paper and do the color version now. . . . . . #sketchbook #sketch #ny18scbwi #scbwi #kidlitart #childrensillustration #billygoatsgruff #goats #pencil #drawing #art #illustration #illustrator

A post shared by Sarah Ryan (@sarahryandraws) on Jan 12, 2018 at 2:20pm PST

What are the weirdest colors I could use?? K, I'm doing that. . . . . . #wip #gouache #illustration #illustrator #art #drawing #watercolor #gouache #scbwi #process #kidlitart #childrensillustration

A post shared by Sarah Ryan (@sarahryandraws) on Jan 13, 2018 at 5:57pm PST

Narrative Art

Earlier this fall, I started an entry for a children's illustration contest. Unfortunately, I never had the time to finish; I was pretty disappointed.

The them was mystery, and you had to tell a story in three illustrations. I chose to tell a story about missing dinosaur books.

I will revisit these at some point, but I think I need to give myself some more time and distance from them.

Alligator Valentine

This is another design for Groundswell Greetings. It's still going on the American wildlife theme. ai know that American alligators are mostly black and yellow, but I wanted this to be a little more colorful. I made yellow bunnies and a purple raccoon before, so brightly colored animals fit with my other work.

I love reptiles. I'm not sure why I haven't drawn them much before. I should definitely draw more!

Here's a look at my preliminary drawing, and a look at the very beginning of my drawing:

Pet Portrait: Red

Red, watercolor and pencil on Rives BFK, 10x10", 2017.

I  got to draw the adorable Red. He's got great personality, and loads of fun fur.

This drawing was a little bigger, at 10x10".

Here's a look at the preliminary drawing:

I have lot to catch up on, so look for some new blog posts very soon!

WIP: Owls

Here's a look at what I've been working on lately. It took much longer than I thought it would!

In Progress: Pet Portraits

Happy new year!

I'm starting this year by making up a portfolio of portraits, so I can offer some commissions in a month or so.

Here are the preliminary drawings for two dog portraits:

I'm waiting for a new watercolor set in the mail, then I'll start the final copies.

If you follow me on social media you've seen these in progress; if not, I'll link photos below:

Another day, another dog #wip #illustration #petportrait #dogsofinstagram

A photo posted by Sarah Ryan (@sarahryandraws) on Jan 5, 2017 at 5:30pm PST

More puppy progress #wip #illustration #pencil #dogsofinstagram #petportrait

A photo posted by Sarah Ryan (@sarahryandraws) on Jan 4, 2017 at 6:42am PST

Drawing a puppy friend 🐕❤ #wip #illustration #petportrait #dogsofinstagram

A photo posted by Sarah Ryan (@sarahryandraws) on Jan 3, 2017 at 1:41pm PST

Go West! Craft Fest Flyer

I had the privilege of drawing this spring's Go West! Craft Fest flyer. 

In the picture above you can see a little of my process. I start with a preliminary drawing in pencil and transfer the image to good paper. I always start with adding the colors first, and then I place the pencil linework over top.

If you're in Philly you should definitely stop by on April 30th. It's always a good time!

Heron Hello

Heron Hello, watercolor & graphite on Rives BFK, 8x10", 2015.

I finished another little bird notecard design this week. This time it's a Great Blue Heron.

The notecards are available on Etsy.

I've been posting a lot of in progress shots of my work on Instagram. If you're interested in that kind of this, please follow here:

#wip #illustration

A photo posted by Sarah Ryan (@sarahryandraws) on Feb 17, 2015 at 11:58am PST

Preliminary Drawing: Sirena

Sirena Prelim., graphite on bristol, 10x22", 2013.

I thought I'd post another peek at the work I'm doing for the November show at The Art Dept.

This one's kind of hard to see, so I posted a closer, detail view. I'll be scanning the final soon!

Preliminary Drawing: Marco

Marco Preliminary, graphite on bristol, 16 x 20", 2013.

Guess what? I have a new camera, so I can post photos of my artwork again! (Thanks mom and dad!)

This is a peek at some work I'll be showing at The Art Dept. in November. I'll post more soon... expect some mermaids, gelato, and plague doctors.

Right now the final version is sitting on a wood board half painted, so I'd better get back to it!

Work in Progress

I've been horrible at posting, but working on a lot of new things... here's a little look at one!

Have a good end to your weekend!

Preliminary Drawing: Thumbelina

Preliminary Drawing, graphite on bristol, 11 x 14", 2013.

Here's the start of a new illustration I've been working on.  I don't have enough on my portfolio website; I'm hoping that when this is finished it'll be good enough to add.

I hope everyone is having a good weekend!!

Three Little Birds

Goldfinch, Sparrow, & Cardinal, watercolor and graphite on Rives BFK, each 5 x 7", 2013.

I've been drawing lots of backyard birds... here are three!

I'll post more up soon.

Preview: Capo D'Opera

Oops! I haven't posted for over a month!!! I have been working on all sorts of things; I'll try to post most of them up this month for you.

This is a little peek at my drawing for the Capo D'Opera Art Gala at Trattoria Rustica. This photo was taken when it was still a work in progress; if you'd like to be one of the first people to see the whole finished drawing, come out on Sunday night. The whole event is put together by Rob Jelinski, and there will be wonderful Italian food, art, and music. Click on the picture below for more info:

designed by Rob Jelinski

Illustration Friday: Shiny

Preliminary Drawing, graphite & colored pencil on bristol board, 11 x 14", 2012.

What is shiny?

Stars are shiny.
Diamonds are shiny.

Can you guess what this drawing illustrates? Hint: It's a song.

Hopefully I'll have a final version posted soon!

Illustration Friday: Shades

I've been drawing and painting tiny butterflies in all shades of yellow and orange. Each is drawn with Prismacolor pencils and painted with acrylic ink.

I'm practicing drawing small for Art House Co-op's 4x6 Exchange.

Happy First Day of Spring!!

Work in Progress

 I always like blogs where people show their work process, so I decided to post a little of what I'm currently working on. The rabbit on the left is my preliminary drawing with graphite on canson paper. The one on the right is the finished rabbit with watercolor and graphite on Rives BFK.

This will be a set of five rabbits in different colors...hopefully completed by the weekend! I've been working on my lettering a lot because it's not my strongest skill; I'm liking how it looks so far for this project.

Are you ready for spring?

Work in Progress: Holly Go-Lightning

Holly Go-Lightning: Preliminary Drawing, graphite & colored pencil on bristol board, 15 x 15", 2011.

Get it? Holly Golightly... Holly Golightning??? I think I might be the only one entertained by this idea... I've definitely watched "Breakfast at Tiffany's" way too many times.

I'm going to be posting a lot more projects in progress because I'm starting longer term drawings that could be considered as potential portfolio pieces. The final version of this one will be scanned, so the lighting won't be as weird and the edges won't looked warped; forgive my photography skills!

The background is based on Tiffany glass designs; I find them far more interesting than the jewelry. Did I put too much effort into the background just to cover it up with lightning? Probably! I'm hoping it will be more visible with some color in the final version.

What do you think?

Work In Progress

guess who?