Gouache plein airs 2

 Gouache flower paintings, top one done plein air, bottom from ref I took.

This one was quick digital practice using this as ref.

colorthing2

More color palette challenges featuring my characters from a story.

colorthing

Some 5-color palette challenges featuring some of my characters from a story. More on the way. That first one's colors seem to have shifted dramatically...

fables 3

I am managing to get one of these done each day somehow. I don't know why the background looks so dirty and off-white.. This is "The Lion, the Tiger, and the Fox" from Aesop's Fables. I'll get to the Grimm fairytales eventally.

The Lion, the Tiger, and the Fox

A Lion and a Tiger happened to come together over the dead body of a Fawn that had been recently shot. A fierce battle ensued, and as each animal was in the prime of his age and strength, the combat was long and furious. At last they lay stretched on the ground painting, bleeding and exhausted, each unable to lift a paw against the other. An impudent Fox coming by at the time stepped in and carried off before their eyes the prey on account of which they had both fought so savagely. “Woe betide us,” said the Lion, “that we should suffer so much to serve a Fox!”

It often happens that one has the toil and another the profit.

fables 2

Miraculously I got to make one two days in a row. I'm sure it won't last very long.

The Lion Share
The Lion and several other beasts once agreed to live peaceably together in the forest, sharing equally all the spoils of hunting. One day, a fine fat Stag fell into a snare set by the Goat, who thereupon called the rest together. The Lion divided the Stag into four parts. Taking the best piece for himself, he said, "This is mone, of course, as I am the Lion." Taking another portion, he added, "This too is mine by right--the right, if you must know, of the strongest." Further, putting aside the third piece, "That's for the most valiant," said he; "and as for the remaining part, touch it if you dare."

Might makes right.

Ink fables

I'm giving myself several projects over the summer and one of them (that coincides with 'get myself to read more') is to illustrate select stories from Aesop's Fables and Grimm's Fairytales as I read them. So here's the first of the 'series', from Aesop's Fables.

The Fighting Cocks

Two Cocks fought for the sovereignty of the farmyard. One was severely beaten, and ran and hid himself in a hole. The conqueror flew to the top of an outhouse, there clapped his wings, and crowed out “Victory!” Just then an Eagle made a swoop, seized him, and carried him off. The other, seeing this from his hiding-place, came out, and, shaking off the recollection of his late disgrace, strutted about among his Hens with all the dignity imaginable. 

Bear success with moderation.

Samurai

Samurai in ink. Ref'ed from photos taken at lacma