Posts Tagged ‘autumn’

Patreon Sketches, July 2019

Thursday, August 22nd, 2019

six small sketches in a grid

6 sketches for Patreon patrons by Amy Crook, July 2019 requests

More Patreon sketches! I’m all caught up now, so there’ll be another half dozen or so next month, from August’s request post. These are all the size of a trading card – 2.5″x3.5″ – and either of bristol board or watercolor paper.

From the top left we have:

  • a little doodle for Corinne’s story,
  • Lab Coat Pikachu for Eric,
  • Mehdays kitty for Jeff,
  • a Carousel Selkie for Rebecca,
  • “hurry up autumn!” for Kim,
  • and some sunshiney goodness for Roxanne.

There’s still time to get in on the goodness for September — I’m giving extra rewards out for my birthday, plus patrons get a preview of all the Floating Gallery art, and a bunch* of other perks. If I get just a few more patrons, I’ll even be adding a new reward to the lineup! Become my patron today.

*including extra cat photos, as voted upon by my patrons

Categories: Angels, Cthulhu, and Other Myths, Completed Commissions, Flowers, Trees and Landscapes, People, Figures and Faces, Pretty Words, Sea Creatures and Other Animals, Series and Books, Things I'm a Fan Of, Whimsical and Strange, Zombies, Skulls, and Other Morbid Things
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The Autumn of Ashes

Monday, November 6th, 2017

The Autumn of Ashes, ink art by Amy Crook

The Autumn of Ashes, 8″x4″ ink on Fluid watercolor paper

A ghostly apparition, white fog, and a leaf-crowned tree.

A bright pop of color slowly embraced by the fog, warm red-brown bark supporting the green and gold foliage of early fall. A cool grey figure that might be a spirit or might just be hidden by the mist.

What stories can you write for this image?

This is the perfect painting for someone with a head full of fairy tales who just needs a starting point to get their fingers moving.

The Autumn of Ashes, detail, by Amy Crook

The Autumn of Ashes, detail, by Amy Crook

Above, you can see the way the tree fades into the fog, and the tiny bit of mysterious shimmer hiding in the red-brown bark. Below, the piece floats in a frame, full of subtle detail the scanner can’t capture.

The Autumn of Ashes, framed art by Amy Crook

The Autumn of Ashes, framed art by Amy Crook

Categories: Floating Gallery, Flowers, Trees and Landscapes, People, Figures and Faces, Zombies, Skulls, and Other Morbid Things
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Autumn Leaves

Wednesday, November 23rd, 2016

Autumn Leaves by Amy Crook

Autumn Leaves, 7″x5″ brush and ink on paper

Happy Thanksgiving* from America!

Despite everything about the country turning into a slow-burning trash fire, I’m still really grateful for a lot of things in life. My patrons who support me, my friends who put up with me, my family who loves me, and even my cats.

I asked my Patreon patrons to request two sketches last month to help fill out my Inktober calendar, and this was Kim’s second request. I used four different J. Herbin inks, including the lovely gold-accented Rouge Hematite, and did a loose, tumbling clutter of fallen leaves, blown together by an unseen wind. I can just hear the crunch-crunch of them underfoot.

You can get this lovely image on a card in my Etsy shop, and celebrate your own love of the changing seasons.

Autumn Leaves greeting card by Amy Crook at Etsy

Autumn Leaves greeting card by Amy Crook at Etsy

yes, the actual holiday is tomorrow

Categories: Card Design, Completed Commissions, Flowers, Trees and Landscapes
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Liminal Autumn

Thursday, September 3rd, 2015

Liminal Autumn by Amy Crook

Liminal Autumn by Amy Crook

The leaves have fallen but the cold hasn’t yet set in. Autumn still reigns, with fluffy October clouds rolling across the sky on playful breezes. Winter is just around the corner, but for now there’s still sunshine and a hint of comfort lingering around the edges of the world.

These trees have even more detail than my usual horizons, because the trees are painted in a gorgeous brown ink instead of a stark black. You can really see the texture of bark and the way the light shines through the branches, strong enough at the edge of fall still to make them seem almost translucent against the cloudy blue sky.

Liminal Autumn, 8″x4″ ink and watercolor on Fluid watercolor paper.

Liminal Autumn, detail, by Amy Crook

Liminal Autumn, detail, by Amy Crook

Above, you can see the intricate branches of the intertwining trees. Below, the painting is temporarily in a frame, waiting to be claimed and loved.

Liminal Autumn, framed art by Amy Crook

Liminal Autumn, framed art by Amy Crook

Categories: Floating Gallery, Flowers, Trees and Landscapes, Series and Books
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Amy’s Mum’s Pumpkin Cookies

Monday, October 18th, 2010

It’s fall and time to make one of my absolute favorite treats! These cookies are practically little cakes with their fluffy texture and delicious icing, and while they’re a long process to make, it’s absolutely worth it.

I make these a little differently than my mother, so I’ve marked my own variations with a * in case you’re not quite so much of a spice nut as I am.

Cannibal Pumpkin by Amy CrookAmy’s Mum’s Pumpkin Cookies

Cream 1 cup of butter or shortening

Add & beat:
1 cup sugar
1 cup pumpkin (puree or canned)
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla

Sift together & add:
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
*1 teaspoon ginger
*1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
*1 teaspoon cardamon
*1/4 teaspoon cloves

Drop on greased cookie sheet (I use parchment paper instead), bake at 375°F for 10-15 minutes. Check frequently for burning. (They will still seem a bit wet inside when they’re golden brown on the bottom, but will finish baking into a cake-like consistency as they cool.) Makes ~2 dozen.

Punkin Cookies by Amy CrookGinger Brown Sugar Icing

Start with:
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup milk
3 tablespoons butter

Put in small saucepan over medium heat and bring to a boil, stirring frequently with a wooden spoon. Boil for 2 minutes, then remove from heat and let cool.

Stir in:
3/4 teaspoon vanilla
*1 teaspoon ginger
*1/4 teaspoon cardamon
1 cup powdered sugar

Add more powdered sugar until the consistency resembles a thick glaze, then frost your cookies. Icing will get everywhere, so i suggest you frost them on parchment paper. *grin*

Scaredy Pumpkin by Amy CrookEnjoy!

For those not in the US, when making your own pumpkin puree, use the smaller pumpkin varieties (approximately 5-7 lbs., 2 1/2 – 3 1/2 kg.). Cut the pumpkin in half lengthwise, remove seeds and stringy fibers, and place cut-side down on a greased baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees F (177 degrees C) for approximately 45 minutes to 1 1/4 hours (depending on size) or until easily pierced with a knife. Scoop out the pulp and puree in a food processor until smooth. Can strain through cheesecloth to extract all the liquid. Cool before using.

Categories: Daily Art, Things I'm a Fan Of, Whimsical and Strange, Words Words Words
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