Sketchbook Project: Kraken

Kraken, pen, watercolor & acrylic ink on watercolor paper, 7 x 10", 2011.Add caption

I'm chugging along with my "Uncharted Waters" sketchbook for the Sketchbook Project! This one was really fun to draw!

This time I drew Krakens; they're giant squid-like sea monsters that attack ships somewhere in the North Atlantic near Norway. Although the line "Release the Kraken!" is the most memorable from "Clash of the Titans", Krakens were not a Greek invention (although they have plenty of sea monsters that might have inspired Kraken stories later). 

Rumors of Kraken attacks reached their height in the 17th and 18th centuries, and they were widely accepted as real creatures. Carl Linnaeus even classified them, and gave them a scientific name in his writings (to read about more crazy stuff that he classified, I recommend Naming Nature by Carol Kaesuk Yoon.)

Although these Kraken stories are interesting, I really drew them so I'd get the chance to draw all of the tentacles!!

Illustration Friday: Separated

Hibernating fox, pen, watercolor & acrylic ink on watercolor paper, 7 x 10", 2011.

This hibernating fox is separated from the winter weather; he's snuggled up in his warm burrow.

Here's a close up of the fox since it didn't photograph so well:

I hope everyone is staying warm too! It hasn't snowed in Philadelphia since late October, but it's finally gotten cold enough again for some of the white stuff.


Update! (1/6):
 Here is a nice scanned version... the colors are much better than my photos:

Look for prints soon!

Sketchbook Project: Uncegila

Unceglia, pen, watercolor & acrylic ink on watercolor paper, 7 x 10", 2011.





 I'm still working on my "Uncharted Waters" sketchbook for the Sketchbook Project.

This time I picked a creature from Native American mythology. Uncegila was a giant river snake who polluted water (notice my little fish skeletons in the background). She was killed by twin brothers, and when she died it created the badlands in Nebraska.

I love snakes and reptiles... they always seem to get a bad rap in mythology and world religions!

Sketchbook Project: Charybdis & Illustration Friday: Round

Charybdis, pen, watercolor & acrylic ink on watercolor paper, 7 x 10", 2011.

I'm continuing to work on the Sketchbook Project with my theme, "Uncharted Waters". So far every page has been a water creature from various world mythologies. This time I drew Charybdis, the whirlpool from The Odyssey.

Charybdis was the daughter of Poseidon who was changed into a sea monster by Zeus. The whirlpool is caused by her swallowing water three times a day. She was the downfall of many sailors!

This drawing also works for this week's Illustration Friday because whirlpools go 'round and 'round and 'round and 'round...

PS: I finally got with the times and made a Facebook Page! I know a lot of people who follow this blog have had one for ages. Like my page or post your link in the comments so we can find each other!

RedRock Fashion Illustration

RedRock, graphite, watercolor & acrylic ink on watercolor paper, 12.5 x 16", 2011.

I took some time to work on Illustration Rally's fashion illustration rally. It's in collaboration with RedRock which is a fashion label from the UK. I really had a lot of fun drawing the clothing on this illustration. They specialize in re-working vintage clothing; I wanted to give the illustration a retro feel, but still look appealing to a modern-day customer.

Here's a close-up:

and a peek at my preliminary drawing:

  

I don't usually draw fashion illustration, but I saw this as a good opportunity to try something new and maybe expand my portfolio.

Holly Go-Lightning & Illustration Friday: Vanity

Holly Go-Lightning, graphite, watercolor & acrylic ink on watercolor paper , 15 x 15", 2011.

I finished my Audrey Hepburn illustration! It also fits with this week's Illustration Friday. Holly Golightly was certainly vain... although I think that that was just a cover for all sorts of crazy.

I LOVE Audrey Hepburn movies; she's such a classy lady. My favorite is probably Sabrina, but Holly was so fun to draw.

I usually photograph my drawings, but this time it's scanned (and stitched together by my multi-talented boyfriend, Zack). The scan is certainly a lot neater than my usual photography!

If you'd like to see the preliminary drawing go here.

Sketchbook Project: Blue Men of the Minch

Blue Men of the Minch, pen, watercolor & acrylic ink on watercolor paper, 7 x 10", 2011.

 I really need to get moving on the Sketchbook Project to finish by the end of January deadline!

My theme is "Uncharted Waters", so I've been drawing mythological water creatures. This time I drew the Blue Men of the Minch. The come from Scottish mythology and are said to cause shipwrecks and storms. They are a little like merpeople .... except they're blue! They can be outsmarted by clever sea captains by either answering a riddle or speaking in rhyme and making sure to have the last word.

I had fun drawing the beards... I guess you can tell!