L is for Layers
Posted on October 11th, 2012
L is for Layers, calligraphic illumination by Amy Crook
One of the things I love about this series is the physicality of it, the way the glitter encourages the viewer to try to catch the light, to pick the piece up and move it around. In this one, I went a step farther and added a physical dimension to it by building up layers of cut and painted paper. The gold at the edges helps each layer stand out, even more than just the cascading autumnal colors.
L is for Layers, 5″x5″ Japanese watercolor and glitter gel pen on collaged paper.
L is for Layers, detail, by Amy Crook
Above you can see a close-up of the overlapping corners, the glued paper growing tall as it builds layer upon layer. Below, the L is hanging out with a preview of the N in my little writing desk.
L is for Layers and N is for Negative Space, framed art by Amy Crook
Categories: Daily Art, Illuminated Alphabet, Series and Books, Whimsical and Strange
Tags: alphabet, brown, calligraphy, for sale, glitter gel pen, gold, illumination, watercolor
Spooky!
Posted on October 10th, 2012
Yesterday’s art put me in the mood to do a post of art suitable to bring a bit of Halloween to your life all year round. If you’re reading this on a feed or in email, click through the red linked title above this to see it with the proper layout!
If that’s not enough spooky for you, check out my Etsy shop for Cthulhu cards, Monster coloring books and more!
Categories: Daily Art, Words Words Words
Tags: halloween, wordless weds
Tentacle Spiral 4
Posted on October 9th, 2012
Tentacle Spiral 4 by Amy Crook
Every time I do a new piece to this series, I get confused about whether it’s Tentacle Spiral or Tentacle Spirals. For the record, there’s no s on the end, just to be extra confusing.
This one’s clearly influenced by my watching ofA Nightmare Before Christmas this week (twice). The tentacles spiral in from all sides to obscure the golden harvest moon. I went and carried the black paint out over the black paper so there was better continuity between it and the tentacles, which makes it extra velvety-dark in the background portions.
Tentacle Spiral 4, 5″x5″ watercolor on paper, nfs (sold).
Tentacle Spiral 4, detail, by Amy Crook
Above, you can see the delicate curls of black coming to obscure the yellow moon. Below, the piece is lurking in a frame to show you the size, just perfect for a desk or that little bit of wall in that one hallway that’s too small for anything else. You know the one I mean.
Tentacle Spiral 4, framed art by Amy Crook
(iPhone not included)
Categories: Angels, Cthulhu, and Other Myths, Daily Art, Series and Books, Tentacles, Things I'm a Fan Of
Tags: black paper, nfs, sold, spirals, tentacle spiral, tentacles, watercolor, yellow
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The Stars Are Right 5
Posted on October 8th, 2012
The Stars Are Right 5 by Amy Crook
It’s another installment in my series of Cthulhu-themed portents, this time with a brooding blue-green planet radiating the message of the Elder Gods. I’m enjoying the spin on mindlessly repeating patterns by having to use the symbols of my made-up alphabet in something like an orderly fashion.
The Stars are Right 5, 7″x5″ Japanese watercolor and glitter gel pen on Arches cover black paper.
The Stars Are Right 5, detail, by Amy Crook
Above, you can see the shining green glitter and silver stars against the velvety black texture of the paper. Below, a more mundane view of the art in a frame (sans glass to reduce reflections), hanging out in my desk with my iPhone.
The Stars Are Right 5, framed art by Amy Crook
(iPhone not included)
Categories: Angels, Cthulhu, and Other Myths, Daily Art, Flowers, Trees and Landscapes, Series and Books, Things I'm a Fan Of
Tags: black paper, cthulhu, for sale, glitter gel pen, japanese watercolor, planet, stars, stars are right
Skellington Jack Face
Posted on October 7th, 2012
Skellington Jack face sketch by Amy Crook
Jack Skellington is dubious about your proposal.
Have a great Sunday!
Categories: Daily Art, Things I'm a Fan Of
Tags: coloring book, doodle, jack skellington, nfs, nightmare before christmas, pen and ink, sketch
Tea or Death
Posted on October 6th, 2012
Tea or Death, a Sherlock comic by Amy Crook
John is most displeased to have woken up to find all the tea in the house sacrificed to one of Sherlock’s mad experiments. Let’s hope for everyone’s sake that Sherlock errs on the side of caution and comes home with a nice big box!
Tea or Death, 9″x7″ pen & ink and watercolor on watercolor paper, nfs (sold)
Categories: Daily Art, People, Figures and Faces, Series and Books, Things I'm a Fan Of
Tags: comic, john watson, nfs, pen and ink, sherlock, sherlock bbc, sherlock holmes, sold, watercolor
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A Murder of Crows 2
Posted on October 5th, 2012
A Murder of Crows 2 by Amy Crook
This piece is visually and thematically related to A Murder of Crows, but this time instead of swirling around calligraphy these pen-and-ink crows are coming to rest on some power lines. They were inspired by the convocation of crows that’s often outside my window, including the loud fellow who woke me up this morning by scolding my cat, who just chittered excitedly right back.
I had a tiny frame I got from who knows where that I wanted to make something just to fit, and this murder of seven crows seemed like the perfect flock for the small space.
A Murder of Crows 2, 3.5″x5″ pen & ink and watercolor on watercolor paper.
A Murder of Crows 2, detail, by Amy Crook
Above, there’s a little detail of one of the crows, who was scribbled in with a fountain pen and then smoothed out with a paintbrush and water to give him a soft, almost glowing quality. Below, you can see the piece in the frame that inspired it, nearly as small as my iPhone.
A Murder of Crows 2, framed art by Amy Crook
Categories: Daily Art, Flowers, Trees and Landscapes, Sea Creatures and Other Animals, Series and Books
Tags: crow, for sale, murder of crows, pen and ink, watercolor
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