A Painting of Fenrir

I was commissioned to create a watercolor painting of the Norse god Fenrir, with a similar background to my Morrigan painting . This customer had purchased "The Morrigan" from me in 2012, and they now requested Fenrir. This was a very fun challenge, as it took me out of my comfort zone of the human form. I went through several reference images of wolves to get the features and fur down.

Most artwork I have seen of Fenrir shows some of his most ferocious moments. However, for this piece I wanted to have him looking a bit more calm, waiting. In this painting, Fenrir appears to be waiting--almost patiently--for Ragnarok. He is bound by the third and final fetter, described here on  NorseMythology.org: "the gods had the dwarves forge the strongest chain ever built, which nevertheless gave the appearance of being very light and even soft to the touch."  For this, I used a delicate, winding knot work to tie-in (see what I did there?) the wolf knot motif behind Fenrir in the painting. The knot work motif behind Fenrir features a wolf, with the tendrils in an infinity-like formation. One tendril reaches up, caught in the jaw of the wolf, signifying Tyr's hand that was placed in Fenrir's mouth as Fenrir was bound with this third and final fetter.

Below are photos of my progression: 

 

The Voyager - New Viking Watercolor Painting

Original Size: 16x22 inches.


The concept has been in my head for a while - the layout has been nagging me for months. I began working on him in February, at my shop at Sherwood Forest Faire. I ended up completing him one Saturday evening at the faire, and clipped him to the easel to put safely into the vehicle.
Sunday morning, I go to the car to take him out and put him on display--to find that he is missing. I freak out and retrace my steps. It was supposed to rain that day. After asking my neighboring vendors, one informs me that one of the cast members found the painting that morning, and it looked like it could easily be restored.
The man brought me the painting rolled up. It was soaked completely through, muddy, and had pock marks in the paper from being stepped on. Thankfully: the colors didn't run, and there were no punctures in the paper. I will say this: This was a great "test" for Windsor & Newton watercolor paints, as well as Strathmore 300lb Cold Press paper.

Below are the before and afters:
                     

Here are some close-ups, after I brushed away the sand, before restoration began. I ended up spending 7 hours restoring this painting.

I am very happy that he ended up restoring well. The colors are slightly different from before, but I feel like they fit the scene of the painting even more than previously.

Here is the end result:

Fairyland...or...Alberta, Canada.

When I go hiking, I love looking at the nature around me, and seeing the little pathways and trails created by animals, water or people in the woods. It takes me to fairyland :)

The Last Candle--Work in Progress

Here is a photo of part of my current work-in-progress due July 10 for the Enchanted Visions Project's July theme of "The Last Candle". This is drawn out on 13x17 inch paper, and will be painted with watercolor in hues of purples, blues and golds. I've always wanted to do a wizard piece, and I'm glad Enchanted Visions Project (and Blind Guardian) gave me the inspiration to create! 

6 Pieces for the Shadowfist Game

Back in April, I signed a contract with Inner Kingdom Games, Inc., to create 6 pieces for an expansion of the Shadowfist card game. They were completed by mid day on June 1st, and it is a glorious accomplishment. I was given parameters to meet for each card. These were all painted in watercolor, with white gouache for highlights, as per usual for my paintings.
I marathoned the new Doctor Who series (what is available on Netflix: Beefcake Eccleston through the end of Amy Pond), Supernatural, the Catherine Tate Show, and varying martial arts films to get me through this. I like to have something going on tv in the background. Especially with series, they keep me hooked enough when I need to put in long hours when I get home from the day job, and the creepy episodes keep me awake at night to continue working to 2 am, sometimes 4 or 6 am. Maybe that is a silly method, but it works for me!

Thunder Valkyrie

The first one I drew, and the first one I painted. 

Shield Bearer

They asked for a young man in light mail, helm and kite shield with this specific emblem. As they asked for a kite shield, I decided to throw a little Norman into this young man's attire.

Spirit Guide

The concept was changed halfway through drawing. The details were so much fun!

Butterfly Armour

I was asked to depict a knight in full armour, with armoured butterfly wings. I went with monarch wing design and colors where I could.

Estate of the Oncoming Storm

A cathedral in a cavern.

Thunder Champion

I was asked to depict an armoured man with sword and shield fending off two foes armed with guns. The layout and background were chosen by the customer.

Now, on to the next project!! I have quite a few commissions that have been waiting to begin!

Inspirations from MFAH

My, it has been a while, and I do apologize. Despite my absence, I have been insanely busy with my artwork. I have a project of 6 paintings due June 1 for a company, and unfortunately I can't share much information until then. Do not fret, that is only 3 weeks away! Well, I fret that small time frame...

I took a break from working on Mother's Day to go to the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston with my parents, sister and grandmother to view the Picasso Black and White exhibit. I'm not a Picasso fan, and I was ecstatic when I exited the exhibit to find myself in a room of fabulous Bronze Age relics of Etruscan, Syrian, Greek and Roman make. Aaaah I love those ancient peoples so! After that, I went into the Jacques Callot exhibit, Princes & Paupers, and it was all I could do to contain myself. I couldn't take photos in there, and the book was sold out in the gift shop, so I just purchased it on Amazon.com. I can't wait to receive it. His work appeals to both the costumer in me, and the artist. If you're ever looking for references for 17th century wealthy and peasant costume, look for his art. There are a few series of pieces I have been wanting to create, and Jacques Callot's work has helped me immensely with inspiration.

Now, on to the images!!

I forget the title for this bowl...but I believe it was Etruscan in origin. I am absolutely in love with the patterning, and hopefully it will serve as a good guide in future:

 

 (Greek/Hellenistic) Head of Poseidon/Antigonos Doson 227-221 BC. Bronze. : I love his face, and the lines in his hair. 

 Imperial Portrait of the Emperor Caligula, God and Ruler 37-41 AD. Gilt Bronze: faces such as this are certainly a huge inspiration to me as I draw. Aside from the beautiful sculpting, I adore the color variation in the bronze. This is not only a good reference to me for facial structure, but also for coloring purposes.

 I forgot to photograph the information placque for this one. But I mainly took this picture because the woman looks like she's showing off her guns, which happen to be rams. And the coloring in the bronze is fabulous.

 Assyrian. Guardian Figure. 883-859 BC. Gypsum.: I love the lines in this piece.

 Greek Krater. 6th Century BC. Cast and Hammered bronze. I absolutely love the details of this Krater, and how happy the figures appear. Of course, they are happy because this is a vessel for mixing wine and water.

The Morrigan

She is finally finished. Took me a while, but I at least finished her in time to get her framed and prints made for the Celtic Festival at Sherwood Forest Faire this weekend.