Random Tentacle
Posted on November 4th, 2012
Random Tentacle watercolor sketch by Amy Crook
I was working on the purple for Tuesday’s tentacles, and I did this little sketch on my scratch paper to see how the paint would flow and decide if it was too dark. I liked it so much I scanned it to share with you — the original’s about an inch and a half high, so you’re seeing it rather larger here.
Happy Sunday!
Categories: Daily Art, Tentacles
Tags: nfs, sketch, tentacles, watercolor
Thinking in Grey
Posted on November 3rd, 2012
Thinking in Grey, Sherlock fan art by Amy Crook
Copic markers have four kinds of grey — warm, cool, neutral and toner. I used warm and cool greys to put in all shading here, giving the whole image a muted effect like an old photo. You might recognize the pose from last week’s bookmark, which was sort of practice for this bigger piece, though of course I widened the view quite a bit.
Thinking in Grey, 7″x5″ pen & ink and Copic marker on paper, nfs (sold).
Categories: Daily Art, People, Figures and Faces, Series and Books, Things I'm a Fan Of
Tags: copic marker, nfs, pen and ink, sherlock, sherlock bbc, sherlock holmes, sold
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Delicate Jellyfish
Posted on November 2nd, 2012
Delicate Jellyfish, watercolor by Amy Crook
This is one of those pieces it’s really impossible to get a feel for without seeing it in person, alas. All the paint on it is “duochrome,” which means the green background changes to gold, the pink turns purple and the green in the tentacles goes a totally different shade of purple when it’s tilted into the light just right, giving the piece almost an inverse feel as things that were darker become lighter and vice versa.
Delicate Jellyfish, 4″x6″ duochrome watercolor on green Crane & Co. paper.
Delicate Jellyfish, detail, by Amy Crook
Above, you can see a little of the color-changing effect, though it’s very hard to capture on film. Below, I’m including the frame with this painting because I found the perfect complement. The frame’s made of mother-of-pearl that shimmers just like the painting without detracting from it.
Delicate Jellyfish, framed art by Amy Crook
Categories: Daily Art, Sea Creatures and Other Animals, Tentacles, Whimsical and Strange
Tags: crane and co, duochrome, for sale, green, iridescent, jellyfish, purple, watercolor
1 Comment »
N is for Negative Space
Posted on November 1st, 2012
N is for Negative Space, calligraphic illumination by Amy Crook
The texture on this one is really subtle; with the red watercolor a very dense and intense tone, the red glitter gel pen nearly vanishes unless it’s at the right angle. I really enjoy the big red shark-fin shape at the bottom, and the deceptive simplicity of this particular letter. Perfect for a Nelson or Natalie or Norbert!
N is for Negative Space, 5″x5″ watercolor stick and glitter gel pen on paper.
N is for Negative Space, detail, by Amy Crook
Above, you can see the shining glitter catching the sunlight, giving the whole image a bit of a bluish tint to it. Below, the N is hanging out with next week’s O to spell out every toddler’s favorite word – NO.
N is for Negative Space & O is for Origami, framed art by Amy Crook
Categories: Daily Art, Illuminated Alphabet, Series and Books, Whimsical and Strange
Tags: alphabet, calligraphy, for sale, glitter gel pen, illumination, pen and ink, red, watercolor
Tentacle Deeps 43
Posted on October 30th, 2012
Tentacle Deeps 43 by Amy Crook
Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water(color)! I never quite know when I’m going to be done with this series, but apparently it’s not just yet. This is definitely another step in the girly direction for the tentacles, with shimmery purple, duochrome pink and green. Even the paper is a lovely soft green cardstock from Crane & Co.
The spirals in the background are very subtle, the green-gold hard to see except in the right light, but I like the way they float up off the page like bubbles.
Tentacle Deeps 43, 4″x6″ iridescent and duochorome watercolor on green Crane & Co. paper.
Tentacle Deeps 43, detail, by Amy Crook
Above you can see the shimmer of purple in the pink, and gold in the green spirals, not to mention the sheen on the purple tentacles. Below, it’s in its frame, waiting to bring a strange beauty to someone’s life.
Tentacle Deeps 43, framed art by Amy Crook
Categories: Angels, Cthulhu, and Other Myths, Daily Art, Series and Books, Tentacles
Tags: crane and co, duochrome, for sale, green, purple, tentacle deeps, tentacles, watercolor
1 Comment »
Fairytale Sky 4
Posted on October 29th, 2012
Fairytale Sky 4 by Amy Crook
I have to admit, this particular version of the moon and clouds is done to my very own color preferences, so it’s one of my favorites. There’s a hint of periwinkle in the curve of the huge horned moon, and the clouds are a soft, wispy mix of iridescent blue, interference purple and soft white. The silver stars are smudgy and twinkling on the black paper background, and the whole piece has the feeling of a magic in the air.
Fairytale Sky 4, 5″x5″ Japanese watercolor and duochrome watercolor on Arches cover black paper.
Fairytale Sky 4, detail, by Amy Crook
Above, you can see the interplay of blue and purple in the shimmery clouds. Below, the piece is tucked into a frame (with no glass to reduce glare for the photo), and sitting with my iPhone 4s so you get an idea of the size.
Fairytale Sky 4, framed art by Amy Crook
(iPhone not included)
Categories: Daily Art, Flowers, Trees and Landscapes, Series and Books, Whimsical and Strange
Tags: black paper, fairytale sky, for sale, iridescent, moon, periwinkle, watercolor
1 Comment »
Bordello Red Bookmark
Posted on October 28th, 2012
Bordello Red Bookmark by Amy Crook
Despite being red and gold, this bookmark reminds me more of some aging, velvet-and-cheap-gilt bordello than Gryffindor House. There’s a plethora of subtle texture on this one, from the wash of red-on-red to the fine layer of crystallized salt, the copper metallic paint powder mixed into the salt and the brighter gold border.
Bordello Red Bookmark, 1.875″ x 4.875″ salt and watercolor on paper.
Bordello Red Bookmark, detail, by Amy Crook
Above, you can see the sparkle in the rain, and the odd spot where I made a little fingerprint in the paint that then grew its own salt-crystal relief. Below, the bookmark is resting against my blue-violet book, waiting for a chance at a new life.
Bordello Red Bookmark, with book, by Amy Crook
(book for size reference only)
Categories: Abstract and Just Plain Weird, Daily Art, Series and Books
Tags: bookmark, buy a bookmark, for sale, gold, iridescent, red, salt, watercolor
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