My "Flexible Friend"...

With these...a present from TBG for Xmas bless his heart...

And with the help of this, my "Flexible Friend" (thanks to TBG's parents BLESS THEIR HEARTS!!!)

I have been able to work on THIS...

And THIS..

And THIS..

Update on the Villa in Pen and ink

Here it is...the final version.

It was really fun to experiment with the pen and all the different ways of using it. Rendering buildings, trees, roofing, stone walls, shrubs, and then later to add the 3 color washes, starting with a whisper of ink and then ending with a darker version. It looks a bit rounded and that is due to the camera lens.

I also realize that this would be great technique to use with water color. I think the color would really bring it to life.

The second piece is another freer technique and is a copy of a piece from Torsten's portfolio.
It is interesting how the photograph of the work brings out the faults and now looking at it I
would like to have another go at it. But ...I think I won't. Interesting tho and lots of fun. A real introduction for me as I have never worked with this Media and in this way.

Serious happiness...

Started my first day of the Wed A.M art classes. all went well , with the possible exception of a case of the inflating course fee, but...humumm... I am so all fired up about this it though a bit more than I had been previously told is still well more than ok.

So this morning when I arrived RIGHT AFTER re-hashing the fee structure again, granted in another language which always makes it a bit dicey, we began ...at the beginning... with EYES.

I say this because in my fashion illustration days I always...no matter what I was illustrating... I ALWAYS began with the eyes. Upper lids first, a set of thick and sultry lashes and then the irises, dark shaded and so smoky the pupils are indistinguishable, followed by a set of finely arched and artfully pencilled brows, an aquiline nose and thick matte red lips a-la-80's. Oooh I loved it...

...and then perhaps a sleek up-do, some dangly earrings, a sexy armpit and then the dress...a slinky curve revealing dress cut out of the finest jersey with a back cut down to there a touch of ruching over a flat belly and a shoulder pad, yes those Dallas shoulder pads, .... or perhaps a floating ball gown with a fur stole, an elegant pant suit with oh-so-strappy heels...Oriental satins, Thai silks, Italian brocades and French tulle, all opulent and gorgeous...ahh yes those were the opulent 80's...'

But wait I digress...

So this is what we began with today and it seems it DOES all begin with the eyes...

The examples...

and mine...