Illustration Friday: THEATER

This is an illustration concept/color study for my picture book, QUINCY. He’s got a touch of stagefright…

Illustration Friday: RADIO

Illustration Friday: PEACE

I just finished this watercolor painting for another project, but I think it evokes “peace.” This is my husband’s grandmother, in the Veneto region of Italy.

Illustration Friday: REPEAT

Just a quick scribble to get back into the swing of things with Illustration Friday. This week’s word reminds me of the repetitive nature of babysitting/parenthood. I love my child to pieces–of course–but the monotony of day to day care can wear out anyone.

Illustration Friday: SURVIVAL

This isn’t the most sophisticated concept for the word survival, but I enjoyed drawing a fish closing in on a dragonfly.

Illustration Friday: SEARCH

This is a character for a story I am working on. He is searching for the lion he befriended as a boy.

Illustration Friday: REFRAIN

Illustration Friday: SHADOW

This sketch show’s the boy’s shadow revealing a bit of a crush on his friend.

Illustration Friday: TAIL

I have so many lizard sketches and paintings, but when my adorable neighbor stopped by and wanted me to draw her, I thought this could pass as a submission for PONYTAIL. She is a terrific model–she painted while I painted. Far better than drawing someone watching tv. Her expressions were engaged in what she was doing, while tv watchers always come across as zombies.

 

 

Illustration Friday: ENERGY

My son asked if we could draw before he started his homework. I said sure. Of course! So we decided to do something for Illustration Friday. This week’s word is ENERGY. This little creature has just had the first sip of her coffee in the morning… Something I can relate to.

Illustration Friday: POWER

I was mucking around with this image, and realize it’s probably the least powerful image to go with the IF word of the week. Perhaps it represents lack of power? I know it’s a stretch. Just wanted to post something new.

Illustration Friday: SURVEILLANCE

Surveillance is the topic for this week’s Illustration Friday. And look what I just found… on the floor. No idea who drew this. Could have been anyone.

Illustration Friday: SWEET

This is a page from a book dummy of mine. 

Illustration Friday: TENSION

Two versions for “tension” this week…

Illustration Friday: LIQUID

As I am working on a deadline for another project, this is just a simple 2-minute sketch.

Illustration Friday: FUTURE

Here is a simple doodle for FUTURE. This topic has endless possible interpretations… so I may post another one before next Friday. This is my version of student drivers in the future.

Illustration Friday: TRAIN

Using the characters from the last week’s word, I thought the little boy with the viking hat could train his new pet.

Illustration Friday: WILD

I’m still working on this oil painting, and the camera phone is taking fuzzy photos – but I still thought it was worth throwing this on the site for Illustration Friday.

Illustration Friday: URBAN

Here is a quick watercolor for my version of URBAN. I had sketched out some funnier cartoons, but I decided on something simpler. I have seen folks hang out frm their apartment windows in the North End in Boston, in urban areas in Italian cities, and from time to time, in New York city. Although I don’t smoke, I stare out the window sometimes myself.

Illustration Friday: EGG

This week’s topic for IF was a little Easter-oriented, but this doodle came out instead. It’s either an exploration of self-doubt or the need for a career change. Below the new cartoon is a watercolor I did in September 2012.

Illustration Friday: YESTERDAY

The word this week is “Yesterday.” My version is how I entertained myself as a kid.

Illustration Friday: WHISPER

I know this is a stretch, but I needed something for whisper. Imagine the cellist playing very softly. In reality, the musician at Chelsea Market was playing very lively classical music. I sat about 5 feet away at a table in the main corridor with my husband, enjoying the music while sketching.

Illustration Friday: WOOL

Totally silly. I apologize to any Goth fans out there.

Illustration Friday: STORM

MYTH

This version of Medusa as a mythological creature was painted quickly in oils, then the color altered slightly in PhotoShop. Lots more detail could go into this image, but at the moment I am a bit too busy. Will be fun to add to it later.

 

SNOW

A fancy peacock would of course, create a fancy snow angel. But the penguin thinks the peacock is just showing off.

STRETCH

This is a very quick scribble I did before going on a sketch crawl with a friend of mine. It was the first idea that popped into my mind, but I couldn’t resist. If I have time to do another one, I will dig deeper. But sometimes a happy cat stretching in a sun spot is enough.

Illustration Friday

WHISKERS

Although I’m on vacation in a house with two adorable cats and a dog, I wanted to draw something less obvious – like a camel or a catfish. I saw photos of camels that were cute, but the catish whiskers were longer and more dramatic. The pencil I was using didn’t get dark enough, but it’s the best I could do away from my usual art supplies.

ZOOM

Zooming on rollerskates…

TREE

So in the spirit of quick sketches before getting into the work of the day, here is my ideal tree sketch. A great old oak with a tire swing. Enjoy!

SHY

Just a super quick sketch to enter Illustration Friday this week.