RAW Perth Video Plus Photos

Hi Watchers!

I hope you all had a nice Christmas and a happy New Year. Ok so now that's out of the way here's a video and some photos from last years RAW Perth where I was invited to exhibit my work. It was a fun night, a lot of people attended (around 600 came through the doors). There were bands playing, models modelling clothes, hair and makeup, a couple of specialty stores were displaying their wares including jewelry, burlesque accessories and of all things... knitted male appendage warmers ;). There was also nail painting and a specialty icypole maker (I bought one that was elderberry and basil - very refreshing!). And last but not least photographers and artists. Thanks again to everyone who came and supported me and bought some of my artwork :)

you can see the rest of the photos from the night here

And here's a sneak peak of a painting I am currently working on

Disappointments, Inspiration and New Paintings

"Mistress of the Black Dog" Detail

It's been a while since my last post and in that time I have experienced a few ups and a lot of downs. Yesterday - the 12th of September - "R U OK?" Day was initiated in Australia addressing the rise in cases of depression and suicide attempts.

I am one of those Australians who have been diagnosed with depression and have had thoughts of suicide. This was first recognised when I was studying Fine Art at University over ten years ago. At the time my parents were splitting up and I was failing the only thing I thought I was good at it. I had no energy, no enthusiasm and I just felt constantly sad. My head was in a fog. My mum recognised the signs and got me to a doctor who was able to prescribe me suitable medication and recommended I get counselling. It wasn't a quick fix, my parents were still splitting up, I was still doing badly at uni but the medication helped me to focus, I started to think clearer and I managed to graduate with a Bachelor of Art.

Then came last month where I experience a massive bump on this journey called life... though I should say it was a series of bumps that just grew without any relief in sight (I'm still struggling with it to be honest). I won't go into it at this point (unless any of you would like to know please comment below) but lets just say it had a lot to do with traveling/visas, money, employment and illustration.

Anyway what I would like to say is, if you're doing it tough and you are struggling don't go it alone. Find someone you can trust, a friend, a family member, a boy/girlfriend, your wife/husband, priest, mentor - whatever - even your pet will do, (I know I have vented some of my frustrations to my pet dog Buddy and he gives the best feed back - a happy tail wag and a soulful look) tell them you are struggling and that you need a; hug/support/advice/help/coffee. Sometimes it's surprising just how supportive they can be. Don't give up, keep going and keep your integrity.

Below is two images I did during this difficult period. The first is my take on a nymph of a birch forest. She's preparing to leave the forest as it approaches winter and receives a message from Winter in the form of a raven. Her dress is caught in some of the undergrowth and tears as she glances towards the raven, she longs to bring life back to the forest but knows she must wait until spring.

The second is for the Artorder Inspiration Challenge  run by the fantastic Art Director of Wizards of the Coast Jon Schindehette. If you have never heard of these challenges and you like to create either digital, traditional 3D or 2D art you should definitely give this a go. The challenge is due November 18th 2013, so you have plenty of time to get something in.

When I first started working on this I really struggled. I was trying to come up with a cohesive way to combine my love of trees, Pre-Raphaelite art and my pet dog. At first the tree was the focus but I just kept coming up with ideas that have been done to death... then I came up with the final composition, I can't remember how (I think it might have been during an afternoon nap!) but there it is. I have been reading tonal painting and colour theory in "The Student's Guide to Painting" by Jack Faragasso which really helped me with this. The book is very good and is based on "The Reilly Method", I highly recommend it for anyone wants to grow as an artist.

The next painting "Mistress of the Black Dog" points of inspiration include; Pre-Raphaelitism, Romanticism, trees, flowers, sunsets and my pet dog Buddy - who is also representing "The Black Dog" . As I described above I have had some battles with The Black Dog and at the moment I'm keeping him on a tight leash, though it ain't easy! Luckily the black dog in the painting (Buddy) is not a depressing dog and is a fond member of the family.

Thanks for reading this and watching. I wish you all the best.

Belinda Morris.

UPDATE October 2nd 2013 
My painting "Mistress of the Black Dog" won the "Encouragement Award" at a local arts festival :) You can view photos from the event here. It's ironic... haha I needed an "Encouragement"

And for those who are curious here's my photo references, thanks goes especially to Deviantart stock photo artist *chirinstock who provided the inspiration for the girl and her expression.

NOTE THERE IS SOME NUDITY IN THE FOLLOWING IMAGES

Now here is the next painting "Mistress of the Black Dog";

and for the curious, here's the reference material (minus the blossoms as I used some blossoming branches from my mums garden - it's spring in Australia);

PLEASE NOTE THERE IS SOME NUDITY IN THE FOLLOWING IMAGES

 

 

The Little Mermaid - Nymph Painting Process 1 of 3

So here it is as promised the first of 3 posts covering the painting process for my 3 submissions for the Artorder's Nymph Challenge.

Process 1 - The Thumbnails

This is where I work out my ideas (plus an anatomy study) . There are a few elements of the story that I considered addressing including the number of oysters attached to her tail (there were 8). I mainly focused on her admiring the statue of the prince in her garden and considered various poses.

Process 2 - Experiment

Here I experimented a little with colour, wash and masking.

Process 3 - Refinement of Ideas 

this is where I started coming closer to my final design - this time including a friend. And here's my reference for the whale.

Process 4 - Rough

Again here I had 2 final book cover concepts to choose from. I was going to go with the left thumbnail and started creating a sculpture I could work from for light and shadow reference, however the clay I ordered was delayed and I was about to start house-sitting so I chose the one on the right and used this image for referencing the face of the Little Mermaid. I was also influenced by this artists' underwater photography - the next best thing to seeing a real mermaid!


Process 5 - Cover Rough

This is where I worked out the basic layout of the cover with title placement (again I deviated slightly from this as I felt the whale was too obscured by the text).

Process 6 - Detailed Pencil Drawing

Here is where I was finally able to let loose on the picture, putting all the necessary elements into it - bubbles, coral, fish, whale, beautiful girl. And in case you were wondering about the flowery garland on her head it is in reference to Hans Christian Andersen's Little Mermaid;

At last she reached her fifteenth year. "Well, now, you are grown up," said the old dowager, her grandmother; "so you must let me adorn you like your other sisters; "and she placed a wreath of white lilies in her hair, and every flower leaf was half a pearl. Then the old lady ordered eight great oysters to attach themselves to the tail of the princess to show her high rank. "But they hurt me so," said the little mermaid. "Pride must suffer pain," replied the old lady. Oh, how gladly she would have shaken off all this grandeur, and laid aside the heavy wreath! The red flowers in her own garden would have suited her much better, but she could not help herself: so she said, "Farewell," and rose as lightly as a bubble to the surface of the water.

Process 7 - The Finished Painting
 

When I got to this point I was so glad to have it finished I forgot that I didn't have a scanner on hand as I was house-sitting at the time and with not having a car I caught a bus and a train to get to the most convenient office supply store to get it scanned.

This is how the painting looked after some colour correction and levels adjustment.

And this is how the picture looked once I had placed in the appropriate setting for the "Book Cover" theme as part of the Artorder's Nymph Challenge. (On reflection I wish I had submitted the simple white border version without the title treatment as most people only submitted their pictures that way. However the competition was so talented I don't think it would have made much of a difference if any).

Since this competition I opened an Etsy store and received my first contact from a customer wishing to buy the original. At this point I realised I had best make my painting more presentable and set about cleaning up the border and adding the gold frame as I intended. I also added some iridescent paint to add another dimension to the painting.

I am currently in the process of getting the painting properly scanned so that after it's sold I will have a decent copy of the original. I will be offering prints of this painting once I receive the file and confirmation of print costs, so keep an eye out for that. If you have any questions feel free to contact me on facebook.

NEXT TIME.... THE WATER THIEF!

Social Networking

Hi everyone. Just letting you all know you now have a place to buy my art it's through Etsy and here's the link. At the moment I only have originals for sale but I am in the process of researching print options, if anyone has any suggestions of places to get the work printed I would be grateful for the help.
And Facebook... I have been resistant of having an art page through Facebook because it feels like I'm blowing my own trumpet but if I want to sell some art, starting a Facebook page is a step in the right direction. Here's the link.
ENJOY! :)

New Pathfinder Iconic - Amiri - Plus Pictures of Medieval Costume

After a couple of weeks sewing a medieval costume and completing it in time for Medieval Carnival I finally had time to finish my latest Paizo Pathfinder iconic - Amiri.
Inks on watercolour paper.

Amiri

So I thought I should show you what my costume ended up looking like (it's the first costume I've successfully completed with some help from my mum). I have some more photos from the event, so if you want to see them let me know. It was a fun day.

Marvel's the Dazzler

Here's my latest Marvel hero... the Dazzler! I couldn't decide which to post so I've posted both versions I did of her, one using a brush and the other a quill. Let me know if you prefer one over the other.

The Dazzler painted with a brush

The Dazzler drawn with a quill

Pathfinder Iconics - Lini

After getting a positive review from a Paizo Art Director at GenCon last year, I have finally got around to starting the Iconics she suggested, starting with Lini. The final is in pencil and ink on watercolour paper (which has a slight texture to it). I will do the next Iconic on a smoother paper to see the difference it might make. The Iconics will be in grey-scale first, then be coloured in Photoshop. 

I am also working on a Marvel character sheet having already done Luke Cage (70's version) and The Wasp (60's version). The character sheet theme will be a progressive chronology of their first appearance in Marvel comics. Look out for The Dazzler, she'll be posted next.

Lini and Droogami

thumbnail

 

basic sketch

tight sketch

final sketch with some inks