Animal Instincts
Posted on January 22nd, 2011
Animal Instincts by Amy Crook
Photo etching is an interesting process where you start with a photograph, have film negatives made, and then use that to control exposure of a light-sensitive material to, well, light. Then it’s done like normal etching, except the parts where the light hit are more solid, so they don’t dissolve, and you’re left with the positive image eaten away, all ready to take ink.
My model at the time asked to have his back painted to try out his idea for a tiger stripes tattoo, so I got ink and a sumi-e brush and painted him up and took photos. I’ve had a chance to use those images for several things, including this piece.
Animal Instincts, 3″x3″ photo etching, $199 with free shipping.
This was printed in an edition of 26, of which I still have 4 + 1 with tea stains (oops).
These prints are on thick watercolor paper, but aren’t really suitable for display as is. I’m happy to frame it for you for a wee extra fee, though.
Categories: Nudes and Other Sexy Things, People, Figures and Faces
Tags: limited edition, photo etching, s
Commission: Winter Octopus
Posted on January 21st, 2011
Winter Octopus Commission for Gretchen by Amy Crook
Aside from my own, I did get to do one other winter card this year as a commission. Gretchen (proud owner of Nugget) saw my Squittens card design and asked me to draw her up a cheerful cephalopod all her own. We decided on cool wintry colors, and having him making snowflakes as a proper activity for a cute little octopus celebrating the season. The hat was a last-minute addition that gave him a bit of extra interest, and really pulled together the whole theme of the piece.
She’s gotten her cards sent and received by now, so I thought I’d give a last bit of holiday cheer by sharing the art with you.
Winter Octopus, 5″x7″ pen and ink and copic markers on watercolor paper, nfs.
Categories: Completed Commissions, Daily Art, Sea Creatures and Other Animals, Tentacles, Whimsical and Strange
Tags: all rights reserved, commission, copic marker, nfs, octopus, pen and ink, weeble
Sherlock Sketch 3
Posted on January 20th, 2011
Sherlock sketch 3 by Amy Crook
This time I only allowed myself about 10 minutes to work on this sketch, so I spent a lot of it trying to bring out the unusual things about Sherlock aka Benedict Cumberbatch’s appearance. First, of curse I roughed in the basic shape, face and hair and that ridiculously long, well-postured neck of his, and then I concentrated on the unique shape of his mouth, the Cupid’s-bow upper lip and full, squarish lower lip. The eyes are his other most striking feature (well, after the cheekbones), and one of the hardest to capture. His nose got sort of roughed in and left there, I’m afraid, but it does all right.
I think the drawing would benefit from another five minutes, but the point of the exercise was to get something recognizable as the actor in a short amount of time, and I like to think I’ve succeeded.
Sherlock sketch 3, 2.67″x4″ pencil on notebook paper, nfs.
Categories: Daily Art, People, Figures and Faces, Series and Books, Things I'm a Fan Of
Tags: nfs, pencil, sherlock
Weeble Wednesday: Zombie Hearts Brains
Posted on January 19th, 2011
Zombie + Heart by Amy Crook
This charming fellow is another of the creepy cuties in my Monster Heart Coloring Book. His “heart” is a brain, which is a zombie’s real favorite thing, showing the real depth of his love that he’s willing to share. Of course, he’s got his heart in his hand as a spare, just in case brains aren’t your style.
Zombie 6 and Zombie’s Heart, both 5″x7″ pen and ink and Copic markers on watercolor paper. $129 for the pair in a double frame, with free shipping.
Categories: Daily Art, People, Figures and Faces, Series and Books, Whimsical and Strange, Zombies, Skulls, and Other Morbid Things
Tags: coloring book, copic marker, for sale, heart, pen and ink, weeble, zombie
Work in Progress: Swirls
Posted on January 18th, 2011
Work in Progress - Swirls by Amy Crook
When I was painting this weekend, I pulled out this 5″x7″ canvas with its lovely wrapped edges and added the first layer of something to it. I’m not sure what it’s going to be, if it’ll stay abstract or perhaps grow some sort of Lovecraftian tentacle monster, but I like the swirly, watery feel of it.
Categories: Daily Art, Works In Progress
Tags: nfs, oil painting, wip
In and In and In
Posted on January 17th, 2011
In and In and In by Amy Crook
I’m so pleased to finally be back painting again, after a long winter of no sunlight, no energy, and no time. This is a tiny painting, mostly in shades of blue, and it looks to me like some sort of well or tunnel with a light beckoning at the end, luring one to explore what’s beyond the buff frame.
I’m actually very happy with this painting, as well. I love doing abstracts like this, I always have, but I’ve been drowning in weebles lately trying to get my Valentine’s Day projects done for my Etsy shop. I love doing the weebles, but like anything, sometimes variety is better.
I have a sort of a show next month! The Book Shop in Hayward, CA, has artists in their shop window every month, and I’m to be Miss February. This piece is among the ones slated to go in the window, provided it dries in time. Like all the other tiny paintings, this one comes with a wooden easel for display, which can tuck into a bookcase, sit on top of a computer monitor or mantelpiece, and bring a bit of mystery into your space.
In and In and In, 2.75″x2.75″ oil paint on canvas with 5″ wooden easel.
Categories: Abstract and Just Plain Weird, Daily Art
Tags: for sale, oil painting, tiny painting
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