deviantART: Popular Books 2012

Book Spirit Hiramori

Mon, 27 Sep 2010 09:13:34 PDT

I wasn't that active recently. I'm sorry >_<
I've got a very big serious commission and I was working a lot on it + I had a nice trip to Italy, but it deserves at least a journal entry and new ID! So stay tuned.
Ahh.. Almost forgot.. This is a guardian book spirit Hiramori Just another crazy idea turned to life. She's not that perfect,but I'm glad to paint something for myself after a long break.
For the book I took some old romantic poetry,but don't try to read it - it's just a texture - romance is not in favor in our tough artistic life hhhhh

wrote some beautiful poetry inspired by my painting,so I've decided to add here at description. Thank you!

my life is bound
between these words
dare to touch these pages
others have tried for ages
their hearts lay beating
inside my soul
their blood is ink
used for these words
the bones are ground
for writing words
their skin is fine
to scribe upon
between these words
my life is bound

Commission info

The Journey

Thu, 15 Mar 2012 15:53:04 PDT

EDIT: Submitting my traditional painted illustration (a double-book cover) for the contest! I think it's one of my best illustration and I thought to try out in the contest.
That (potential) cover is originally designed for my own art book project called "Animals of Xolotlan".

Life is one grand journey.
A grand journey through the world.
But ever the greatest journey is in our inner selves.

THE DECISIONS are making us to move forward.

I always picture my (and other lives) a great, lonely pathway where my life is pictured and shaped. We are only one traveling on that Great Pathway.
No one else.
Our feelings, emotions and memories are picturing and portraying the Great Pathway's shapes- and also, the doors where we shall travel further.

Decisions to make are like, several doors standing on the our way. If we want to travel to the another level, we have to decide to open a door, close a door and move forward into a new world.
Every our opened door, no matter if we are experiencing it positively or negatively, we are moving forward.

However, the worst thing and makes us as "dead" in our lives is to remain standing by a door. The fear of decision or preference of living in comfort zone.
Then at the moment of death, God will ask: "What did you do with your life?”
-"I remained standing at the door."
(concept of the Doors is picked from legendary writer Paulo Coelho)

People fear to make decisions because of the unknown. The biggest fear is a fear of unknown. The forest in dark is scary not because is dark, but because we cannot see and it's like, unknown.
People fear to travel because of the not known places they are going.

If a decision is finally made by ourselves even though to pick and make a decision was so impossible, it's a part of our success.
However, we must learn to not look back what decision we made. We must to learn that we picked a door, opened and we must close it and not come back- and with some of decisions where you can't return back.
If we make a very difficult decision, it's not worthy to look back and think all the time "Was it a good decision?" and "What if I picked other decision..". Forget and move forward.
If a decision was made and it was with the cost of other person or was bad one- don't go back, move forward to another level and doors- and here, in the next stage you will be able to fix. You will fix it as another stage of your journey.

That personal painting was done as a gift for very important person which I'm finally to see- a person who was my guide in my life and taught me how to start a journey.
For long time I couldn't think what to give for her, so I thought, she never got a drawing from me. But what to draw?
Usually we draw and gift what the other people like for the most or stereotypically. I couldn't think nor figure what she would like.
"Screw it!"- I thought.
I thought the best gift would be a personal painting truly from myself. Merely, which represents me- one who painted that picture. I represented a travel, journey, loneliness, life and... creature because animals and fantasy have been part of my imaginary life. And she knows me since childhood.
It will have more meaning for her than if I could paint for her favourite thing, animal or flower which has nothing with me.

Traditional media: as always watercolors, acrylic ink, colored pencils, markers and mixed media experiments.
Xolotlan (c) to me.

bintucellah

Thu, 02 Dec 2010 02:27:21 PST

Aaand we're live!

I think I have wanted to paint a binturong for at least a year already, but nothing ever came out when I sat down to it. So: after a month or two of prodding at the thing, here is some binturong-art. True to form I only figured out how to paint pseudofur in Photoshop a few days ago, though!

Close-up shots here: [link]

Reference used for the cello; PS CS5.

deep inside somewhere...

Sat, 01 Dec 2012 20:19:31 PST

intotus4, PS CS 5
9000x4000 px (~1Gb )
book cover

_{I 've already started the project about the traveling of 4 season fairy last year and this's the first one : Summer of Asian Jungle.

When a new season coming, the fairy will hit the road and travel along the land until she meet and wake up the next season fairy .The stories happen along every traveling.
I do want to create a world owned by the embrace of both Eastern and Western >< .You can see the very first step in my gallery here: [link] .At that moment ,I've just started study CG and It seem too rough for me to write down the " space " that I keep in my head .So, I just leave it behind and keep practising .

While I share this contest on my FB, Duc Truong Huyen did told me :" the judges of Illustration session is the hardest of hardest teachers in TAD".And there;s so many talented artists out there .I was hesitated alot
I put myself to work hard days and nights .My friends from many places also help me with the feedbacks through internet ^^. It;s fun and enjoyable.
Don't care too much about the result, "just do it" , right?}

thansk so much for passing by my piece

Grimm's Fairytales #1 - Little Red Riding Hood

Tue, 02 Oct 2012 07:49:28 PDT

I'm currently working on a big project called "Die Märchenbande" ("The Fairytale Gang") that interprets Grimm's Fairy Tales in a modernized fantasy-like style. My client is making a series of pop music CDs and books that use these illustrations.

You probably know Little Red Riding Hood, and all the others already

A LOT more fairy tale illustrations are going to follow in the future.

Now back to work!

Medium: Photoshop and Wacom tablet, as always.
Reference for the pose from: `lockstock

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My web portfolio!

Dear Teen Me

Mon, 12 Nov 2012 11:29:04 PST

A letter to Teen me? What a great idea!

Written for this contest: [link]

Desinence

Tue, 20 Nov 2012 22:17:08 PST

I've always thought this would make a great book cover. Excited to enter into this contest for consideration!

If I could win the top prize, it'd be a life saver. I went to a very traditional art school (public university, no less), and illustrative styles were discouraged, but in my last two years before grabbing my BFA, I ignored that completely and explored the style I really wanted to achieve. I'm glad I did, but I had no support and no instruction on how to carry my style into a career in illustration. I've been blindly attempting that career for the last 3 years, and as much as I listen to podcasts, read up on it, and try to apply illustration career advice for myself, I just can't get my confidence where I wish it to be in business, promotion, and even with the commissions I do manage to get. I can't afford to any further schooling, so winning the Illustration Academy tuition is sort of my last chance at getting any real instruction. So, crossing my fingers!

The original piece measures 14" x 18" and was created with watercolor.

(sorry for the reupload, folks!)

Dreams of Life and Song

Thu, 28 May 2009 23:26:38 PDT

Character Reference:

This creation is a production of Stephanie Small Designs. Please do not copy, reproduce or abuse this piece in any way without first contacting me. Commissions may only be used by the purchaser.

If you would like your own custom piece, please see the Commission Information Journal. Thank you so much for your time.

--------<@ @>----------
Trades, Collabs, Prizes, Gifts and Requests - Ishohem's Ostara Adoption Contest Winners! - To Do List - Commission Information - 100 Themes Challenge - Gift Art - About the Artist: Stephanie Small
--------<@ @>----------
TIR'RIELLE ISLAND
Tir'Rielle Stable HorseArt Game: Stallions, Geldings and Colts | Mares and Fillies | Foal Gallery and Breeding Pictures - Tir'Rielle Island Feline Sanctuary CatArt RPG - Tir'Rielle Wolf Sanctuary WolfArt-RPG - #Sanctuary-Of-Life - #WolfArt-RPG
--------<@ @>----------

CLOSEUP: [link]

About the Goddess Abathia, a Winged Unicorn goddess in my Dungeons and Dragons Game: [link]

SEE THE WIP/PENCIL VERSION: [link]

Also, if you would like this in slightly tinted colors (via photoshop), you can note me and I will design it, post it and enable prints if you want it (I will only do this for prints though because I don't think my watchers want half a dozen recolored version of the same thing popping up).

Beautiful Horn, Lovely and strong.
Bless us now the heart belong
To the hold of Abathia's horn
Bright and Strong, moon born
Bring the Dreams to Life and Song
Take us now, love undone.

*********

You slip the soft purple deerskin case from the bag. Inside you feel the lightweight traveling size book. It is neatly wrapped in the waterproof leather. It is held closed with a stunning amethyst clasp with a silver unicorn buckle. Loosening the buckle, you allow the case to fall from the beautiful book.

The book is a fine and well-crafted. Bound in gleaming white leather and adorned with a silver unicorn on the cover, it displays the script "Tirael Nimara" in the delicate script of the elves. You softly open the book, inside, you see the perfect, measured writing of a trained hand. Soon, you begin to read.......

********************

Light. Blindness. Soon, the light spreads its wings from my sight and I find myself in strange yet beautiful surroundings. I am pale and nude, wavering in a moonlight path, open only on one end. I feel as though I am only a simple observer in my own body. To either side of the path, lies thick tangled bramble and huge darkened trees. Farther down the wandering path is a large open area filled with pale moonlight which is guarded by a unicorn archway.

On either side of the opening rear two unicorn stallions crafted of white marble. They have delicately crafted marble wings lifted and spread to make an archway into the glade. Their alicorns are crossed and are balancing a pentagram between the horns points. I feel so safe and serene that I am aghast with joy.

I pass under the shelter of the unicorns arch. Inside the magnificent glade I gasp in joy. Ethereal light, pale and multihued, dances in the huge spreading treetops above. The sound of tumbling water tickles my ears. I smell the joyous scent of flowers. I know despite my nudity, I can feel no vulnerability in this place. There are motes of light in all different colors, lights and shades that dart and dance within my reach. Purple, blue, black and red flowers of all hues glow from the ground, bushes and trees.

The peacefulness of this realm permeates me. I walk over to the tumbling water fall. I see it is pouring into a clear, sparkling lake. The bushes are laden with many colored flowers that hug the sides of the water. Lichen and mosses drip from the overhanging tress and willows, their trailings dancing long the surface of water.

Inside the water, tiny multicolored fish, frogs, lizards and fairies dart for deeper water. The water ripples to the other side. A flash of light draws my attention. I stare in awe as I see a shimmering white unicorn walk from the brush. She doesnt seem to acknowledge me. She walks into the water, her body moving into the lake. She stops. She lowers the shining horn into the water and it begins to ripple as silver streaks stream from her horn.

It is a great mare with a flowing silver-blue mane, glistening violet horn and sharp cloven hooves. She was more beautiful than any other horse I had ever seen. From her back were shining iridescent wings. Each feather looked like spun silver, it was so delicate and perfect. It was wonderful. I was so happy! Then she approached me. It moved its wings over my back, hugging me. It was so splendid! Then it told me that I would always be one with Unicorn.

Then the unicorn lowered her sharp horn to my heart and she pressed the sparkling shaft to me. I felt the most powerful energy flow into me. I gasped in pleasure as the power coursed and doubled into my body. I could barely maintain my balance. Suddenly, the unicorn took a step back.

Then she rose a little, drawing the alicorn to my forehead. I gasped at the exquisite rippling of pleasure bursting within. Then she drew herself back. Spiraling from where my forehead was touched by her horn, my own horn grew in response!!! I was shocked and could do no more than stand there still as a statue. Suddenly the unicorn flared out her wings and the tips of her feathers tingled along my back. My spine flared with energy. She moved her wings away from my back. Pleasure streamed from me as my own feathers were following his! I had wings!! Oh my Unicorn!

She then took a step back. I was in shock! Here I stood with my own shining white-violet horn. My own wings spread out beside me! It was so amazing. Then the unicorn looked down at me. She softly said I am with you. You can always call upon me and my allies for help and guidance. You should always look to us for help. The unicorn took a step back and she trumpeted a great whinny that echoed for miles.

From all areas I saw a menagerie of horses, unicorns, deer, elk, dogs, cats, pegasi and more animals than I could possibly name or know. The area was filled with their energy. A glowing blue light filled the area and I knewfor oncethat the blessings of the unicorn were with me.

When I awoke I still felt the power of the animals surging within me. I know that the Unicorn was blessing me because of the crystalline, milky violet horn on my forehead and the tumbling white hair. My hair had quite literally turned white!

Art Creation Notes:
Year Completed: 2009 (Pencil sketch done in 2006)
Time it Took: Pencil took several hours, I think three or four devoted hours then a few scattered throughout.
Medium: Pencil
Original Size: 8x10Inches (YES IT IS VERY SMALL, I regret this, because the unicorn and moon dominate the entire piece of paper. As it was, It was a lot of detail for so small an area. And Abathia, as a unicorn, was not made to regret, so she doesn't mind the small format *hehe, dorky Last Unicorn joke*)
Source/Model: No Source
Notes: I wanted a good picture for a role playing game god. I use her in D&D.

OK. So, this is a colored version of [link] that has been completed. Hehe. You know, I only sign a piece I feel is completely and utterly finished. This piece was laying around unsigned for years. I knew I wanted to do the back wing, but I never throught I was ready. My coloring skills have pretty much been to build up to this one.

Drawn in pencil, here is the WIP Pencil sketch: [link] and I then colored it in prismacolor marker and pencil. The markers gave a really soft watercolored effect and the pencil really makes the picture "pop" I got the purplish prismatic color by layering colors then going over the whole thing with a white colored pencil. No marker was used on Abathia herself, only on the background.

Other Pictures of Abathia:

Dark Lena- Inner Light Outer Darkness

Fri, 04 Jan 2013 23:00:09 PST

Hi everyone! I havent read the books myself, but Im highly interested in the film. I imagined in my depiction of Lena, that she would turn dark, but there would be inner turmoila fight to keep her individuality and control her own nature. That even though Lena is clothed in darkness, the light that lingers inside her somehow manages to burn though. Inner Light, Outer Darkness.

Surreal Valley

Wed, 28 Nov 2012 13:23:34 PST

Here's a finished version of my previous painting. We see a hiker girl that wandered into what seems like a moving wal from a distancel, that when she approached turned out to be a river. W may just guess, what she thinks now - will she be pulled into water, when she touches it? Will it push her away?

It could be an illustration for a book or a cover for one. I think it's suitable for this contest.

Leman Russ

Sat, 27 Oct 2012 13:23:35 PDT

Well shit, more I worked on this more i felt bad about it.
Sure he wasn't stable in the sketch... i tried to fix that...
somehow, cant recall how(real good).
But oh well, can't say I learned much on this one. But I want to draw all them primarchs.. Biting more then I can chew kinda thing.

Anyways, behold Leman Russ, the Wolf King.
Biggest badass in the astrates.
Now that is arguable I know. BUT!
My opinion of the savage is faltering, lately I've been burning through some wh30k books, and currently im on Thousand Sons.
Must say, that I rather respect Magnus more.
For Wolves are the best in the field of slaying, and just that, they are an unstoppable genocidal machine but I rather prefer the Thousand Sons. For their search of knowledge suits me more then pure close minded genocide.

Rising Sun: Arigato

Sat, 10 Mar 2012 18:45:53 PST

"I really Love Japanese Culture, especially their patterns. Their varieties of cultures, shapes, colors, and pattern, also their simple arrangement are always shooting and delightful. Japanese people are like wizards, they are able to simplify complicated shapes into something simple yet funny, enjoyable, and actual"

ah, I'm forgot to upload this piece, and today is one year after Japan’s Tohoku earthquake and tsunami. 11 March 2011, so think it's the best time to upload it and says, "You'll rise again" . This is also my contribution for "Rising Sun" Artbook organized by & Enjoy!

-----Edit-----
I've made Rising Sun Feature, displayed a lot of beautiful art from the book: check it out guys! [link]

ALSO! i'm joining Sakura Exhibition 2012, in Japan, LA, NY, and United Kingdom with this piece! please visit: [link] for more info! xD

Pencil on Paper
PSCS3
Wacom Intuos 3

The Righteous Dawn

Thu, 15 Nov 2012 11:47:32 PST

So I've been breaking out of my comfort zone a lot this semester. Oil painting, editorial illustration, comics, poster design, my entire media class... A lot of things I'm not used to doing. I've also been working on simplifying my compositions, using more large graphic shapes and better use of space. And while a lot of that hasnt been put up here (yet at least), I definitely feel I'm learning a lot from it. But every now and then, I just need to do something that is completely and entirely....me.

And thus, this painting. Epic fantasy. Golden lighting. Jagged rock formations. Clouds in abundance. Hey, cant knock me for being inconsistent, right? It started out as a thumbnail for a Way of Kings book cover (I ended up doing Mistborn instead), but I finished it out in my free time a little differently.

I will also be submitting this toward the Train Your Brain Contest. c:

Reclaim What's Ours

Tue, 13 Nov 2012 06:03:23 PST

PLEASE DL FOR FULLSIZE
Wanna see more of my work? Please visit my FA acc.
[link]

Old drawing done nearly three weeks ago. FINALLY SUBMIT TO DA

So....submit to the contest 'Train Your Brain', under the category Illustration for a book.... on the improbabilities of bikini armor for the standard female character

And this *may* be suitable for a landscape spread in the book. MAY. I DIDN'T SAY IT WOULD-

...because I was discussing with a friend on the probabilities and improbabilities of the armor usually seen on female warriors and/or knights. Aha.

First ime doing a nighttime scenery BG, please tell me how you feel oAo

It's supposed to be darker, but I wanted to showcase her design

SAI and PS

Dear Daddy's Girl

Mon, 19 Nov 2012 18:04:15 PST

A letter to myself...

This is my entry for `PinkyMcCoversong & ^Beccalicious' Dear Teen Me Contest, complete at 982 words.

Basically, you had to write a letter to your teen self. Like many teenagers, my teen self wasn't exactly ~~happy~~. I loved my father - he was the most important person in my life. Throughout my childhood I couldn't help but feel... betrayed. Now that I'm older, however; I understand.

Join the contest yourself or check out the website here.

*OfOneSoul

They called me a wild rose

Wed, 14 Nov 2012 16:17:32 PST

Illustration for the "Train your brain Challenge"
Horisontal cover for a concept of a book based on the song "Where the Wild Roses Grow".
It is suitable for wrapping the book , but featuring no letters, because there wasno specific instruction for text to be there, only the illustration...

P.S. I loove watermelon pink...

Tarnished: Cover Illustration. (Train Your Brain)

Sun, 02 Dec 2012 06:14:36 PST

This is the cover illustration I was lucky to paint for Daniel and Christina Morrison and their amazing fantasy novel "Tarnished". It's been a pleasure to work with them. They were very patient and kind. Thank you guys!

Check out their Facebook page! [link]

I can't wait to see the printed version of the book. *___*

Dalinar the Blackthorn

Thu, 05 Jul 2012 18:29:05 PDT

Before I say anything else, I'd like to first point out that if you are in to the epic fantasy genre and havent read any of Brandon Sandersons works...please do yourself a favor and pick up Mistborn or Warbreaker. I honestly can not sing enough praise for Sanderson, but there are other forums for that.

In terms of the piece, this is Dalinar in his Shardplate during the greatshell hunt. My mental image of the chasmfiend may be slightly different from others. Most would imagine it with a more lobster-like head, but I had always imagined them as a mix between a gigantic snapping turtle and a crab. The book only had the head description as: An arrowhead shape, with green eyes with a mouth full of mandibles.

I tried to keep Dalinar's armor true to the soldier image, as opposed to the beautifully decorated Shardplate that a normal Alethi General would wear. The Kholin blue cape flying behind. Cheers to the most badass Highprince on the Shattered Plains. I plan to do more Cosmere fan art soonish. I'm thinking either Kaladin, or Vasher with Nightblood. Be on the look out for those C:

Also, entering in to this contest: [link]

And the Train Your Mind one.

The Gathering Storm

Thu, 22 Nov 2012 02:21:55 PST

This is the web version of my faux cover for Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson's Wheel of Time novel, The Gathering Storm.

This moment depicts the climax of the book, when Rand Al'Thor throws off the storm of darkness and regains the light.

Thank you for your consideration.

Princess Tariel Nimara

Mon, 15 Jun 2009 19:04:17 PDT

Space at top for book title
Space at bottom for author information

This is Tariel Nimara, warden of Tir'Rielle Island. I had wanted to draw her anyway. She's a shapeshifter but this is how she usually appears, and the creatures around her are her greatest allies and friends. Her hair (and Abulus's mane) are always affected as if by a breeze or as if its moving slowly underwater, that is important (She can also slightly control hers).

About Tir'Rielle

The magical island can be read about in my stable. They get funds from teh outside world by making cheeses, spells, magic items and more, tehn selling them to the outside world. Most of the magical things are sold in secret to avoid the world at large from finding the island. However, these purchases allow her to help support the Gygaxian island, the Sanctuary of life and also to help feed her Gygaxian horses which thrive on bad-for-you food. Of course, the island's nature is so that animals can eat whatever they want and still be healthy. This also helps pay for a (partially magic) internet connection that they are using to communicate from their island.

She adopts animals and equines that cannot live anywhere else. This is another reason the Island has such a ragtag bunch around.

She is guarded in turn, not only be Abathia's allies, but also by Abathia's mate, Ixaxi's allies as well. This essentially means little other than a small entourage of energy dragons, however, he sent Atarn, his own Avatar and a small dragon to live with her. Other dragons also live on the island but they are often reclusive.

Random Stuff: This is Tariel Nimara, warden of Tir'Rielle Island. You'll be able to read more about her on the upcoming finished piece (the due date for the competition is June 30 if anyone else is interested in joining). I had wanted to draw her anyway. She's a shapeshifter but this is how she usually appears, and the creatures around her are her greatest allies and friends. Her hair (and Abulus's mane) are always affected as if by a breeze or as if its moving slowly underwater, that is important (She can also slightly control hers).

Here are her closest animal/creature friends which are shown in the picture:
Unicorn: Abulus
Dragonling: Smauggers, and he's a color changing dragonling (his best friend is a giant creature named Smaug).
Bat Winged Cat: Vladimir
Progeny: Cassiel (girl) and Gabriel (boy) twins (with Atarn)

She also has a mate, named Atarn, who is with her constantly on the island. He tends to her during the times that she cannot cope with being possessed by Abathia's spirit.

She is an Avatar of the Goddess Abathia. She was born and raised on a magical island that has little contact with the outside world.

Though her name is unusual, names like hers are common on the island, especially the -el ending to her first name.

Princess Tariel Nimara

Tariel Nimara is a shapeshifter and can often be found in a different form each time you see her.

Character Sheet: [link]

Color Changing Mood Eyes: [link]

Tariel Nimara's Common Forms:

Elven Form: [link]
Demon Form: [link]
Devil Form:
Light Angelic Form: [link] [link] (this also includes a light equine form and a pseudodragon form)
Dark Angelic Form: [link] [link]
Unicorn Humanoid: [link] [link]
Light Equine Form: [link]
Dark Equine Form: [link] [link]
Mermaid Form: [link]
Dragon Form: [link]
Fairy Form: [link]
Riding: [link]

Contests: [link] and received honorable mention [link] and This piece won 2nd Place in the Unicorns and Dragon's Contest put out by the Unicorn Club. [link]

Work in progress: [link]

Inked with Micron pens. Made in prismacolor marker and pencil. Border done in photoshop, that is it, the rest is traditional. Took way too long. Original is not very big (9x12). All the rest is WIP but I will get it done in time for the contest. PLEASE DON'T STEAL.

Look, this piece inspired someone!

Sharpie pen drawing of Johnny Depp as Barnabas

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 17:24:24 PDT

This is a sharpie pen drawing of Johnny Depp as Barnabas Collins for the Dark Shadows contest..
He was drawn with fine and ultra fine and large sharpie pen on heavy light pink card stock paper to stop the sharpie bleed..The drawing took nine hours non stop..on my face book you can see how the drawing came to be..[link] [link] [link] [link]
[link]
Enjoy..

Memory of a Dream

Mon, 29 Oct 2012 22:52:19 PDT

MEMORY OF A DREAM
`I don’t have any memory of fall season. I just read it from the books; saw it from the movies and internet. But I do have a memory of a childhood dream. It is a dream that one day I’ll be able to catch the falling leaves and experience the joy that surrounds the different trees with beautiful, golden browns, raking leaves as the wind blowing the leaves everywhere. Up until now, I’m still mesmerized with that dream. But when i reached the sunset of my life, will I have a memory of fall . Or it will remain a memory of a dream?

What I used:
Human- polymer clay, wire, tissue, glue
Trees- cable wire, tissue, glue, polymer clay, scouring pad, saw dust
(colored with fabric dye)
Fallen leaves- saw dust ( colored with fabric dye)
River- stones, pebbles, molten glue sticks
Bridge – ice cream container, popsicle sticks, rope
Terrain- plywood, paper, tissue
Grass- paint brush
Lamp post- gel pen, marker, cap of lighter fluid, led light
Fence- popsicle sticks
Back drop- oil on canvas

Embracing the Light

Tue, 08 Jan 2013 19:39:36 PST

My entry for DA's Beautiful Creatures Light or Dark Contest. I have not read any of the books so I relied on the the pictures and art style of the film to create my composition. I made her becoming a light caster to contrast with her dress that she is wearing in the poster and I used colors to create the warmth of light and the impression of sunrise in the background.

Done in markers, fine tipped pens, glitter gel pens, a white gel pen, and colored pencils.

listen to the books

Sun, 29 Jul 2012 03:32:14 PDT

listen to the books ...it tells you what you can't see

Merrell Diorama Contest My Golden Autumn

Wed, 31 Oct 2012 22:26:14 PDT

My golden autumn memories I love autumn tourist trips - on horse, on foot, in my mind over some cool book's adventure

the shoe box is used not landscape but portrait orientation... done by paper... lots of paper and acrylic colors (only 7 colors: 2 shades of gold, silver, copper, white, black and blue), I destroyed around 20 spare blades to my cutter XD )

And why the foxes and the bear? Well they are cool animals

and I also love the oaks and beeches, hope that is clear

Lord of the flies

Sat, 17 Nov 2012 18:13:43 PST

Book cover art for "Lord of the Flies" by William Golding.

Metro 2033 Bug Infestation

Sun, 19 Jun 2011 10:55:12 PDT

Photoshop CS2, 2010

Metro 2033 is a Russian book later made into a video game. The atmosphere of the game was incredible, and it influenced the making of this composition. The bug monster is not a creature from the game, nor are any of the soldiers, weapons, or the environment itself.

Cassie

Sun, 23 Sep 2012 11:54:15 PDT

It's so relaxing to finally paint something you're comfortable with! ;D Done after work. Still a bit sketchy and unfinished, but I like it.

It's my depiction of a character from a book I read recently. Now entered for the train your brain contest.

Golden Cat

Fri, 09 Nov 2012 01:57:52 PST

Golden Cat
by Distant Starr (RAA)

As for illustration category, one of my digital works has been used as a book cover [link] . I believe the fighter jet meets the criteria of a figure as Robot, because it can independently carry out many function in autopilot mode such as flying and refueling in midair. Also, the dictionary definition of Robot says " a machine capable of carrying out a complex series of actions automatically, esp. one programmable by a computer." Anyway, I hope you like this golden tomcat flying in the sunset with afterburners matching the golden rays of the setting sun

originally posted here: [link]

Valkyrie Book Cover

Tue, 13 Nov 2012 13:55:06 PST

Done for Derendrea's book cover: "Valkyrie" short story. Sketched and painted in PS.

Flame off

Thu, 29 Nov 2012 20:51:03 PST

Oil on illustration board. Just an idea I had for a book cover

Cravings of the Critic

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 14:01:09 PST

The speed of our times has made as come to a point where we probably experience works of art everyday. We watch emit judgment, dismiss, and pass to the next thing as if disposing trash, not aware that every single one of this works has taken so much time and effort. (even "bad" art takes time and effort)

The velocity in the delivery of information has increased, but the methods of producing art: painting or drawing a picture, writing a book or a musical piece are probably the same as they were always. There are no shortcuts for them.

35 x 50 cm Acrylics

Cyberpunk Book Cover

Thu, 15 Nov 2012 23:25:52 PST

This is my entry into 'Train Your Brain Challenge' run by TAD.

Rosemary

Tue, 08 Jan 2013 21:12:11 PST

"Bent like the branches of a tree
broken like the pieces of my heart
cracked like the seventeenth moon
shattered like the glass in the window
the day we met" -

one of my favorite quotes from the series- ^_^ I own all the books and you could say Im a little obsessed..

as a side note I try to learn something new with every piece I do and this one I wanted try out fire- it was a pain staking process but worth it

Spent way to long on this piece and idk if I could ever put it down- i had the same problem with the books

anyways I put alot of symbolism and elements from the entire series throughout the piece and I provided brief (non book spoiling) descriptions and closeups in the link below
[link]

I hope you enjoy my piece inspired by the books

Van Gogh's Starless Night

Sat, 29 Dec 2012 18:10:53 PST

Bad dreams....

entry for the MAMA: Scared Stiff contest. Ballpoint

I never had a lot of scary dreams as a child (I started loving horror books and movies too early for that.. haha) but when I did they were nasty. And I've always had this odd fear of faces like this; sort of fake-looking faces, especially where they shouldn't be - like how giant squid have eyeballs that look a little too much like human eyeballs.

And She Fell Away

Mon, 14 Jan 2013 18:09:41 PST

(Winter Break 2012-13)
I hate reading books that are over ~150ish pages, and I especially hate reading series, but since this seemed like a nice contest I decided to read the first book and then got hooked and read ALL OF THEM. hehee yeah so.. yeah
Lena went Dark here

Watercolor

Troll in My Basement

Sun, 09 Dec 2012 15:04:35 PST

This is the fear I had a a child. I feared going into our basement in the dark because I thought a troll would pop our and eat me.

Done with charcoal in a sketch book I received for my birthday!

Lena Light

Fri, 21 Dec 2012 07:42:43 PST

It has been awhile sense i have been able to make anything for DA. i saw this contest and thought i would give it a go. i have not read the book so i'm not sure of the whole story but i'm kinda an old sap who love a good love story. anyway here is my version on Lena Light. i may try the dark part of the contest but i find it so hard to do dark.

If you have noticed the wings you will see that it is part white and black. This represents that good can still do a little bad.

The cage she is carrying is empty. It represents the bad things we carry with us. She has no regrets.

To see Lena Dark please click here [link]

Created and rendered in DAZ 4.5
Post work in Photoshop CS6

the Beast

Mon, 06 Aug 2012 22:41:09 PDT

Martin Chatwin aka "the Beast" from Lev Grossman's The Magicians

make sure to FULL VIEW!

Haven't read a book in far too long and I really enjoyed this one (I already started the sequel!) The Beast was deliciously terrifying, especially the first time he shows up. I immediately thought of the Magritte painting with the apple in front of the face except obviously with a branch. Couldn't pass up the opportunity to draw his messed up cannibalistic jaw though! I'm thinking maybe a piece with welters next?

Dark Shadows

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 02:31:23 PDT

I've decided to invoke the great Tim Burton himself for my entry. The asymmetrical shadows and exaggerated lines are an homage to German Expressionism, one of my favorite periods in art/film history.

I am a HUGE fan of Tim Burton, so as soon as I heard about this contest I got to work right away! I've been a fan my whole life, going back to the first grade when I dressed up as Catwoman for Halloween. I dragged my Mom to the theater to see The Nightmare Before Christmas half a dozen times when it first came out and I have seen every film he has ever made and anticipate each new release eagerly. I even traveled to New York just to see his show at the MoMA! He is my favorite director, artist and kiddie book author. To be judged by him would be a dream.

I am very influenced by his work, so if you are also a fan, be sure to check out my other entries and my gallery.

Thanks for looking, commenting, and favoriting. Best of luck to all other contestants!

The Sibyl

Tue, 27 Nov 2012 20:24:10 PST

The Sibyl is a project I am currently starting development on where the end product with actually be a written novel. I do not want to give very much away, but I can tell you these are the four main characters (Aron, Tahlia, Tzalmon, and Darrach). This is a book about prophecy, corrupt politics, and of course, destined love. This Project is going to really tax my patience. Writing a book, let alone a book series, is not easy. However, since I teach character development at the Art Institute and I am a graduate student currently (I am only 24 people), this is something I am passionate about. I want to show people that creating with purpose gives so much more meaning to a work more than just designing to design.

This is character art for the book. Beyond writing it I am doing a series of character art and the book cover.

The Sibyl and all content (c) Kathryn Thacker (Regochan)

Peter and Wendy

Fri, 16 Nov 2012 12:30:32 PST

Book cover illustration for post-apocalyptic retelling of J.M. Barrie's Peter and Wendy. One in a series of ten.

----

Hook picks up on the trail of the Lost Boys once more. Leaving the boys at the Redskin village, Wendy and Peter lure Hook and his Bounty Hunters deeper into the Never, while they look for a means of escape. They are led by Nana, a cyber-enhanced dog, who lives with the Redskins and knows her way around the Never.

To see more of the project, please visit: [link]

Afterearth: The Fall - Environment concept 2

Mon, 03 Dec 2012 05:06:51 PST

"Hundreds of years after the world almost ended, mankind climbs from the wreckage and finds he is not alone in reclaiming the world..."

I've been doing some artwork for a Kickstarter project called 'Afterearth: The Fall'. It's a post apocolyptic fantasy game in the form of a massive book, made up of over 500 pages. I'm having a blast working on these but there are still lots of pieces to be made, so I'll keep you posted!

(Train Your Brain submission)

To Be Claimed

Sat, 19 Jan 2013 12:11:08 PST

First digital painting of the new year! I spent so long on this, I think my wrists are bleeding!

Also I couldn't believe that my sister was such a fan of the books. When she saw me looking at the movie references for the drawing, she spazzed. I had to keep her away cause she kept trying to give me ideas to do to the painting, but all she was doing was dropping spoilers every minute when I just started the book!

I was experimenting with chiaroscuro and emotion through the face mostly! This Lena as light castor transitioning into a dark castor!I represented the dark castor side in the shadows and the light in the light.I wanted to show her emotional conflict with being claimed. Some of my favorite quotes from the book are also hidden in the background...

darkness is more than just the lack of light...

That Day...

Wed, 31 Oct 2012 08:52:44 PDT

--- That Day ---

When I was younger my dad always wanted to take me with him to go on hikes through the southern germanys forests. Back then most of the time I wasn't very motivated to come with him. I had my C64 at home and playing games with friends was much more attractive than walking through the forests with my dad. You know how kids are...

But one day we we're on a hike. It was a warm autumn day, almost no wind blowing so it was very nice to walk.
I still remember the strong colors of the leaves and as our hike was almost over my dad showed my a sunset I will never forget. It was on a small ledge, birds we're flying through clouds and the sun was shining onto the forests in front of us. It was so amazing, all those colorful trees and leaves, and the smile on my dads face.

It must have been one of the best sunsets I've ever experienced!
----------

Phew, I finally finished this project. When I saw the contest I began thinking about taking part and what memory would be suitable. After some time I remeber the hikes with my dad and this special hike.

I started sculpting the two figures out of Super Sculpey and I really have to say I had a hard time getting used to the scale. Normally my projects are in a much smaller scale.

But finally I finished the forest right on time

Some how-to infos:
- The figures were sculpted with a wire dolly and Super Sculpey, dad is around 10cm high.
- The trees were glued together from twigs and roots I collected in summer
- The leaves were small sponge parts that have been shredded and colored
- The forest ground was build with foam and given some structure with plaster.
- The backplate and sideplates were first airbrushed than painted with watercolors
- The shadow and light on the whole scene is painted, the backplate is not glowing in any way.

If you like this work you should really check out my Artbook project on Indiegogo!
[link]

A lot of project photos (on a smaller scale) and right now we're adding a second book with tutorials, work in progress photos and a huge step-by-step for free!

Best wishes,
Raffaele

The Haunted School

Thu, 04 Oct 2012 16:28:06 PDT

This is my 4th art project for my 2D Design class. It's a texture one and I really love how it turned out.
For the Halloween Hoo Doo Contest by
And this is also for 's halloween contest.
This entry is made for halloween contest 2012

This was inspired by the Japanese horror game 'Corpse Party'. The reference for the background was from a snapshot from Book of Shadows.

Ok I took a better picture of it and did some color and filter edits in Photoshop. I think you can see the detail so much better now. Curse you iPod crappy camera...this is why I want a digital camera -_-

xxxHolic Book Art

Fri, 16 Nov 2012 00:40:16 PST

A Book Cover Illustration for xxxHolic by CLAMP.

I am a huge fan of this series and its art, and I just finished reading the manga. I thought I would draw an omnibus edition book cover concept for it. Yuko-san has to be my favourite character.

Programs: Illustrator CS3 for art, Photoshop CS3 for effects.
Tools: Mouse

If anyone wants to request icons, wallpapers etc of this image, please let me know and I will put one up!

Little planets cover

Mon, 14 Jun 2010 06:23:19 PDT

_{-edit- changed the title because the english version is now available too!}

The cover of my comic, thanks Roel van Mastbergen for the translation and drawing the titles! (download to view bigger)
Click here to buy the dutch version!
Click here to buy the English version!
Click here to download the english version!

Description
Somewhere, in a far away universe, creatures of all sorts live on many different little planets. The hairy planet, planet cork, planet button... Once every century, a new planet is born. But this time, nothing is happening as expected. The Captain, Nagwheel and a Hairsleeper are on their way to find a solution. Will they succeed?

More of this comic:
page 1
page 2
page 3
page 17

making of
photos of the real book

Untitled yet

Sat, 17 Nov 2012 08:01:14 PST

I have been working on personal children's book project. this is a sample image to see how to work on all the pages. I'm planning to tone down a little more with traditional touch.

I'm waiting

Sun, 02 Dec 2012 00:05:32 PST

An illustration for book

Barnabas Collins

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 02:33:55 PDT

Mixed Media: pencil, ink, watercolor, gouache. Full view, please.

I am a HUGE fan of Tim Burton, so as soon as I heard about this contest I got to work right away! I've been a fan my whole life, going back to the first grade when I dressed up as Catwoman for Halloween. I dragged my Mom to the theater to see The Nightmare Before Christmas half a dozen times when it first came out and I have seen every film he has ever made and anticipate each new release eagerly. I even traveled to New York just to see his show at the MoMA! He is my favorite director, artist and kiddie book author. To be judged by him would be a dream.

I am very influenced by his work, so if you are also a fan, be sure to check out my other entries and my gallery.

Thanks for looking, commenting, and favoriting. Best of luck to all other contestants!

New wise monkeys -Submissions for train your brain

Wed, 21 Nov 2012 05:03:58 PST

My entry for the Train your brain contest.
I think this would make for a good book cover because it uses negative space to draw attention to the subject and the art carries a message without losing it's sense of humor.

The Vampire Armand

Tue, 02 Oct 2012 22:05:37 PDT

Armand again! I just love this guy! I guess this scene was SUPPOSE to be when he meets Louis for the first time...except the clothes I gave him are kind of a mix of traditional and modern...hm...well whatever. Who doesn't love this crazy kid?!

Belongs to Anne Rice

You could say that this is somewhat of a redraw this thing for this one i did of armand: [link]

Away from the Shadow's Grasp

Sat, 19 Jan 2013 20:59:19 PST

Here is my depiction of Lena as LIGHT, dutifully protecting the innocent from the darkness that seeks to assail it.

I wanted to illustrate her stubbornness to save a little winged fawn, and in the description it said she was an unnusually powerful Caster, so I also wanted to portray her ferocity even in the face of danger.
Around her neck she wears her pendant of keepsakes, and at her belt she has her book of poetry, something she had been writing in just moments before, inspired by the little deer she had come across, when the horrible goons emerged from the darkness.

I enormously enjoyed drawing this one, right from when I scribbled that leaping pose and the reaching hand to adding the last colors onto the little deer.

A great challenge to a fun contest.

To the Moon

Mon, 03 Dec 2012 13:22:17 PST

Watercolor illustration made for the "Cum sa-l lecuiesti pe Fat-Frumos" book.

Ever Beautiful

Sat, 19 Jan 2013 23:07:42 PST

_{OBVIOUSLY, not the most skilled person in the world [I'm seventeen. :T] but eh, it was good practice, and perhaps this time I have a fair chance at a contest. I decided not to Use the templates from the asset pack, as this seems to be what most people have done. I thought this contest was open to concept, and as I have never read the books, I created a random design from within my brain. it's taken me a total of 15 hours to complete, mainly because it was very experimental [my coloring SUCKS] and I put very very careful work into it. I took ONE BREAK doing this. ONE. ugh. It turned out alright I suppose, I hope it's at least semi-finalist worthy. Enjoy Lena. Light version.

The dress is supposed to be white really, so I used cream to shade as apposed to my usual blue because I wanted it to look brighter, happier. when it comes to coloring, I understand the power and enforcement of darks, but I wanted this to be light, however it might be a bit too faint.. :T not sure. Her one arm is a bit stressed for the sake of the exaggerated pose. I didn't paint her feet because rather than a full dynamic person, I wanted her to fade into the light she has become. The dress not being "complete" for lack of a better word is because I had "POSTER" stuck in my head all day, I kept in mind this could be a poster, dvd cover, book illustration, banner, or something [even if my style is really different]. Just pointing out the things I kept in mind while painting this. Those vapors of magic were just for effect, I can remove them.

Everyone has a dark side, but that doesn't mean that dark isn't overcome, Lena. c:}

The Kao

Mon, 12 Dec 2011 02:30:27 PST

They said you can use existing work so i'm entering my illustration cover mock up that I've uploaded awhile ago to this contest. I wasn't sure if you actually had to re-upload the file.

The idea was to make a cover for a book that was going to be about you, a biography. So this is my book cover for an imaginary book about me and my life as an artist.

The background is made up of many comics I've made in the past for fun.

S.S. Guinea Pig

Fri, 30 Nov 2012 06:10:31 PST

This is my entry in the illustration section of the Train Your Brain contest on DeviantArt. I made a new illustration for the contest, since I had this idea for a while and this was a good reason to finally draw this one. It's a children's book cover of a story about a steamship filled with tons of guinea pigs. The children are very excited about it, since it's party time when the guinea pigs arrive! This illustration is the front of the book, the side and the back in one drawing, so I kept in mind to leave some space for the title of the book and the text on the back of it.

I had a lot of fun making this illustration. I felt the happiness and party-mood of the arriving guinea pigs when I drew them as well as the excitement of the children in the front. I loved it!

The competition in this contest is very high, but I'm hoping I have a chance in winning one of the prizes. If not, it was still worth making this illustration I hope you like it as much as I do!

First flip book

Mon, 14 Jun 2010 11:01:08 PDT