l'elephanteau art studio

SUMMER PROJECT: SWIMMER

2010-11-11T07:32:00.000-08:00

Well, I finally finished my summer project and, as always, eagerly ready to start a new one. This was really fun. I loved working on this piece. It was fun trying to figure out all the water droplets. Not sure I've precisely captured their delicateness. And his mouth seems puffier than intended, but overall it was fun and challenging.

IF: acrobat

2010-09-23T10:16:00.000-07:00

This is a portrait of the squirrel that I watch everyday as she dances across the fence that lines my backyard. She's the most amazing acrobat I've ever seen.

IF: immovable

2010-08-31T19:37:00.000-07:00

This week's challenge, immovable, perfectly describes my son whenever he sees an animal. He loves to crouch down to its level and try his best to engage it, and removing him from this endeavor is next to impossible. This image was rendered with watercolors and colored pencils on Stonehenge paper.

IF: star gazing

2010-08-26T20:46:00.000-07:00

on the shore: sketch/finish

2010-07-26T06:58:00.000-07:00

Trying to beef up the illustration portfolio so I thought I'd do a series of Ethan at the lake pieces. These are a combo of watercolor and colored pencil. I'm trying to capture the light and speed of the watercolors but maintain detail with the colored pencils. This is my first attempt at using the two mediums. Pretty pleased with the result. Also including the pencil sketch which always makes me melt with love for my little boy.

Swimmer Update

2010-07-26T06:56:00.000-07:00

IF: Giant

2010-07-08T19:08:00.000-07:00

This week's IF challenge is "Giant". Whenever I hear that word, I always think of Jack and the Beanstalk. It's one of my favorite fairy tales.

New Project: Swimmer

2010-05-27T13:41:00.000-07:00

In the spirit of summer, I'm doing this.

I saw this ESPN ad of Jim Fiscus in one of my magazines and had one of those "lightning-strike" moments of "I need to draw this." So here it is so far. I'm chin-deep in my least favorite part of the whole thing, which is always the first third of any project. It's a time full of self-doubt and indecision. I'm hoping it passes soon.

Fairy Forest from the Fairy Series

2010-05-27T13:15:00.000-07:00

Medium: Prismacolor Colored Pencils on Canson drawing paper

Trying to stretch the brain a bit by veering from the photo-realism technique and trying something more illustrative.

"First Round" finished!

2010-05-06T11:07:00.000-07:00

Actually finished this a few months ago; I just haven't had time to post it. But here it is. I think it's okay. Slight morphing here and there, and the colors aren't as bright as they are in the photo, but trying different techniques and tools to combat the dulling wax "bloom" that often accompanies colored pencil projects.

I showed my boss the piece and she liked it, but she was most impressed with the fact that I filled the ice to the brim of the glass. Ahhhh, corporate mind washing.....

"First Round" week 1

2009-12-17T12:38:00.000-08:00

Just finished this week's work. Pretty happy with the results so far. A little nervous about starting the water glass.

"First Round" sketch

2009-12-17T12:36:00.001-08:00

The sketch, which is usually the hardest part, went pretty well. It's a direct size transfer so i didn't have to mess around too much with magnification.

New Project: "First Round"

2009-12-17T12:30:00.000-08:00

Took this photo one day during my lunch break. I was struck by the awesomely beautiful colors of the wood grain, the reflective play of lights in the water glass and the eerie ghost of the rolled up napkin. I knew I had to draw it.

I'm DONE!

2009-11-19T20:11:00.000-08:00

Just completed my second intensive colored pencil drawing last week. It took about six months of off-and-on working, but it's finally done. Again, not thrilled with my composition for this piece either. Need to put more thought into the reference photos for future works.

Here's the soundtrack for this piece:

Lush Life: A Novel by Richard Price
The Piano Teacher by Janice Y. K. Lee
A Mercy by Toni Morrison
"One Cell in the Sea" by A Fine Frenzy

IF: Unbalanced

2009-11-19T20:10:00.001-08:00

IF: Wrapped

2009-08-20T08:57:00.000-07:00

Did this piece during my brief visit to art school. I was, and still am a bit, obsessed with drawing fabric. The inspiration for this was a statue of a Muslim woman I saw in one of my art history books. I loved the graceful lines of the piece and wanted to emulate it. It's all done in pencil, mostly 9B of course.

IF: Cracked

2009-05-27T11:37:00.000-07:00

Ah, my return to IF after a brief departure. It feels good to be back!

Shying away from colored pencils for the moment and exploring new tools and techniques. Been playing around with Adobe Illustrator so decided to do this week's challenge using the software. Very pleased how quick I whipped this out. Instantly saw this little guy in my head when I saw the challenge title. I like the fact that he still seems happy even though he's cracking up. I can definitely relate!

IF: Fleeting

2009-04-16T21:42:00.001-07:00

Just sneaking this one in under the deadline. Had trouble visualizing a "fleeting" image. Even the hubby was clueless. I finally found inspiration on Wednesday when I made pancakes for my son and myself. I try to make us pancakes at least once a week. It is a very special time just between the two of us. I don't know why but this pancake-eating event brings pure peace to my soul, and I always think about the preciousness of it and how one day we won't share these moments. So, I think this image symbolizes many "fleeting" moments: the joys of childhood, simple pleasures, a mom's special pancake time with her son... Of course, later that same week, the kid was driving me crazy and so I was having trouble sustaining the inspiration and thus felt no desire to draw our special moment. But, he went to bed early tonight and so I was able to finish.

IF: Poise

2009-03-29T07:41:00.000-07:00

A throwback to my earlier years, for this week's challenge, when I practically lived in a dance studio.

IF: Legendary

2009-03-20T11:13:00.000-07:00

No one ever believed him, but his fascinating stories about beautiful fish that always managed to get away were legendary.

IF: Intricate

2009-03-08T11:25:00.000-07:00

Like an intricately knitted scarf...

Christmas Amaryllis

2009-03-07T15:06:00.000-08:00

Here is my completed (yes!) colored pencil painting. It is my first earnest effort with this medium. I discovered the breadth of colored pencils a couple of years ago and have been studying them since then. I love how "easy" colored pencils are. There's no mess or set-up to deal with. With that said, however, it's one of the more exhaustive art tools I've ever used. This 8 x 10 painting took me four months to complete. But I think the color that's achievable is so beautiful. And the tediousness of CPs allow me to be so painstakingly exact, which I totally love. I am pleased with this result, although I see soooo many mistakes. The poor composition, for instance, just glares at me. And the base of the bowl is a little wobbly. All and all, I'm happy with it and can't wait to start the next one! After a week of rest though.

IF: Breezy

2009-03-05T11:06:00.000-08:00

Did this painting a couple of months ago and thought it would be suitable for this week's challenge. It's my little one's favorite painting.

2009-02-26T22:32:00.000-08:00

IF: Instinct

Here's my first contribution to Illustration Friday. I first discovered this communal site last summer and instantly became a fan. I've been longing to participate ever since. Not overjoyed by this piece; feel it's a little too literal, but I am glad it's done. Looking forward to next week!

2009-02-25T08:30:00.000-08:00

Hello! This is a test to see if I'm actually doing this right. This is my first time blogging. Welcome to all who have so bravely ventured on this journey with me. My main intent for this thing is to showcase my artwork in progress and to talk about it. Hope it works!