Preliminary Sketch for IMC

This is the first drawing done as part of my assignment at the Illustration Master Class. On the first day there, we had our drawings critiqued and then we had to do new concept drawings. Tomorrow, I will post the revised drawing.

Our assignment was to take the title "The Trouble With_______" and we were to fill in the blank and then generate a concept drawing for the cover of a childrens book with that title. My idea was a book titled "The Trouble With Invisible Dragons"

On Crutches and Finishing Medusa

Well I overdid it again. Today I helped with yardwork and managed to pull the plantar thingy again in my foot, just stepping down off a stone wall out front of the house. I was in agony and had to retreat to the shady porch and it has not gotten better this afternoon. So, out came the crutches and I am doing my Tiny Tim impression. I plan to hobble to the gallery/studio tomorrow and try finishing up either Medusa or the cover illustration for a childrens book, that I started in Massachusetts at the IMC. Anyone who knows me, knows that I always sign my art before it is finished. Especially if it is a piece that will take a long time to do. I learned years ago, that my OCD personality makes me finish something that has my signature on it. I used to start paintings, put them in a corner when a new idea came along and then they got forgotten. At one time I had stacks of canvases in a corner, waiting to be finished. I am always thinking of new things to paint, I just don't have enough time to do them all. There are other things I do which keep me on track with my art career. I have a prioritized to do list. I actually number my to do list and complete them in order if at all possible. Anytime I do something out of order, instead of just scratching it off the list.....I have the compulsion to redo the entire list.....It Must Be Neat. Like I said.....OCD. Hey, I even recycle paper towels.

New Sites to Check Out

Here are two new sites to check out. Very Informative!!!!!

www.doughoppesstudio.blogspot.com/

www.theartofiainmccaig.com

Studio Critiques

This is a shot of the day one studio critiques. Iain McCaig is bent down in the center of the picture and is showing how to try out composition changes on transfer paper laid over the original artwork. Rebecca Guay is on the left leaning in to watch.

I am still recuperating, head cold has gone to the chest.

Back Home Again

This is the dorm that I stayed in at the IMC in Amherst Massachusetts. Very Pretty!

I am home again and managed to bring home a nasty head cold from the IMC. I will write more after I have recuperated. My plantar faciatis is on the mend and I am staying off my feet for a few days to let it heal. I can't believe all the walking I managed to do on my poor foot.

It's official, I lost 10 lbs just from all the walking. They fed us like we were kings and you all know my legendary appetite. I hope to keep up the walking here at home.

Back to the office now, I have so much catching up to do.

Fair Well to Amherst IMC

Today was the last day at the Illustration Master Class. I managed to work on my painting a final time for two hours. Still not enough to finish it or even make me happy with it.

Our last lecture was on the business end of being an illustrator. Nothing good is ever easy and this next step of breaking into the field and landing jobs will be nothing short of building a pyramid.

I also have learned that the children's book field may not be where I really want to go. I was much more drawn to the book cover art and the sci fi art. I will work this year to build a great portfolio and then throw my hat in the ring, so to speak.

Well, off to shower and then to sleep. I am leaving here at 6 am for home.

Last Day at IMC is Tomorrow

I painted furiously all day today when not in a lecture. Rebecca Guay lectured today about the importance of body gesture and finding that essential moment in an illustration. If you have never seen her artwork you will be enchanted by her work. Tomorrow is the last day and then its that lovely 10 hour drive back home for me and then the next day is father's day. I plan to sleep until noon and then do something nice for the father of my son.

I know I can't finish my painting by tomorrow, so I will finish it up when I go back to the studio in the Ice House next week.

Off to my final lecture today, "Why I Paint" Donato Giancola.
I am so tired, but I can now go up the flight of 15 steps at the school studios, without stopping and still have breath enough to speak. I think I have lost 10 lbs.