Phoenix color

Southwestern stucco house

Coloring this one was a little harder than it might seem. Stucco is always a challenge because of its lack of definition. I tried to use color variation to indicate texture and I think it turned out well.  Thank heavens for the greenery though.  It would have looked awfully stark, or just much plainer, without the addition of the shrubs. However, I must admit I am partial to having living landscaping around any building.  The tile roof was a first for me too.  It was a kind of pinky, orange color which tied in nicely with the brick sidewalk accents.  Anyway, it’s already packaged and off in the mail tomorrow.

I received another Christmas home portrait commission last week.  It should be fun to do and now I don’t have to make a decision on my next project.  I pick up the pictures today and will start the pencil sketch tomorrow.  My goal is to have it ready to go out next Monday.  Quick work, but doable.

Phoenix, Inked

Phoenix home inked

I had my layout questions for the portrait edges answered with another set of photos and was finally able to ink in the home portrait.  As it turns out, there was an interesting little stone wall behind the car.

This should color up nicely.  The stucco is pale, but there are orange accent strips across the facade as well as the southwestern tile roof.  The gate on the left is a pretty golden color.  The greenery in the yard which includes some red flowers will soften the architecture.  I should finish it sometime this week and get it in the mail after the holiday in plenty of time for Christmas.

After that I’ll have to figure out what to do next.  I’m hoping my etsy store picks up some holiday purchases.  Last year I had a couple of things going by now.  Maybe the last minute purchasers will be coming through.

The Phoenix home

Phoenix house

I finally got enough pictures to start the next commission on the books.  It has a stucco veneer with terra cotta accents and should color up nicely. Unfortunately, the picture I received had a car parked on the right side, covering the landscaping and the gate and the left garage eave was cut off so nothing in the side yard past the house is visible.  I’m stuck for a little bit until I get more photos. I’m hoping it doesn’t take long.  I really like to work from the landscape in, so I can’t get to far ahead of my self yet.  Thank heavens for the internet.  Once the photos are taken, they take no time to get here.

The Marine Museum

The Marine Museum

After a short delay for a family trip, I am finally close to finishing the Marine Museum black and white.  I might add a bit more to the water area, but I did not want to overdo it on the first go around.  Water is definitely not my forte.  I may add more in the grassy area to darken it up and ground the building more.  It is definitely a different mindset for a black and white drawing versus a colored one.  The importance of the positive/negative balance is much more important – and there is no erasing the ink once it has been laid down.  It actually can take longer than a colored picture because I have to look at it again and again to see what to do next.  Overall, I am happy and will finish it up tomorrow.  I don’t expect to do too much.  I still wonder what those curved spars are for though.

I have caught up with the commissions now, except for one where I am waiting on further pictures.  Unfortunately they seem to be in no rush to get them to me in time for it to be finished for Christmas.  I think I’ll look at my etsy store and see what I need to add to it.  Maybe some new aceo/gift tags.  It is about time to switch some new things in and old things that haven’t sold out.