Illustration Friday: Poised

Poised to strike...and poised to sing.

It's a good thing not to judge a IllustrationFriday prompt before the week is over. When I first saw the word POISE, I thought, "These people are trying to kill me." But now that something has come to mind it isn't so bad. I only wish something keeps coming to mind and it is within my capacity to produce it. Because my first idea just wasn't.

To those professional illustrators and artist out there, "What do you do when something is clear in your head but isn't so clear in the outcome?"

Illustration Friday: Subtract

Subtract (c) 2009 Nahellenia

daylight turns to dusk
dusk descends to darkness
sunshine subtracts slowly
left to linger in moonlight
a thousand stars beckon
a thousand crickets sing

dawn gives up the darkness
light comes back again
morning blooms and all is bright
and birds begin to sing
so the day is born again...

subtract it from your life

I did this in my (quickly becoming) favourite style. I did the dark ground in grafite dust then slowly added the definition by erasing it away the sun and the hightlights in the water and sky. The dark tones were added with a pencil then highlights subtracted with the same eraser technique.

Legendary Phoenix

I haven't had time to do my illustration for this weeks IF but that was because I was doing a different kind of art - this time I was the canvas instead of the artist and I now have a LEGENDARY Pheonix permanently etched into the skin of my wrist. It was done on Thursday and the picture was taken immediately after it was complete.

Meaningful and magical, the phoenix has featured in many myths about its origin and symbolism check out http://www.santharia.com/bestiary/phoenix.htm. It also has significance in every major religion and ancient civilisation and was not only a sign of eternity and rebirth but also rising our of adversity.

The sight I love for tattoos is Tattoo Tribe and their explanation for each tattoo is very comprehensive. While I loved their ideas, they are a bit complicated and I wanted something small so I chose a rather simple line version. I think it came out really well.

It is inspiring and beautiful and since it is part of my spiritual development, I think I am on the right track. Here it is...

Illustration Friday: Intricate

I don't think I can say anything about this one other than check out the intricacy of the weave. It was not only intricate in its creation (READ: I couldn't find a shortcut to save my life) but in its crafting in real life.

Baskets like these are constructed from a reed that was initially considered an environmental hazard. Now they are part of a thriving craft industry.

My Happy Birthday

It's my birthday and the joy of seeing another year go by is tempered by the reality of...another year going by. If I want to be something wonderful when I grow up, I think it might be time to start thinking of what that something is going to be. Writing and painting, drawing and research might fill my days right now but there is something missing and I don't really know what it is.

Perhaps this is the year I finally figure it out. It is after all the start of something new...and that is always a little wonderful no matter how you look at it.

Happy Birthday to me!

Illustration Friday: Breezy

Getting an idea is only as good as how soon (and well) one can use it. It's taken me very long to put this one into effect. But I think it is a good effort. Trying to get the pencil as dark as possible was rather difficult but with a little more pressing I think I got it. I should probably try editing it once it is scanned but that has to be a job for another time.

It is interesting to note that I had done something else earlier - this rough sketch for a possible painting came really quickly - and I think it has suitable potential for something in colour down the line.

Thinking in pictures is getting easier...me thinks!