Cat Naps
Posted on June 2nd, 2015
Cat Naps by Amy Crook
Cats! Lazy, languid, liquid cats. I first explored this idea in a sketchy little bookmark, but of course with only room for three poses it wasn’t nearly enough.
I took inspiration from my own ridiculous pets, Belladonna and Pod, and of course the many cats on the internet.
I have trouble choosing a favorite — what’s yours?
Cat Naps, 5″x7″ brush and ink on paper.
Cat Naps, detail, by Amy Crook
Above, you can see a close up of the fine brush work on this sleeping kitty, rich with texture despite the minimalist design. Below, you can see the piece in a frame, just waiting to add some extra kitty zen to your life.
Cat Naps, framed art by Amy Crook
Categories: Floating Gallery, Series and Books, Things I'm a Fan Of, Whimsical and Strange
Tags: brush and ink, brush pen, cat, cats, nfs, sold, zen
Ink Tests
Posted on May 27th, 2015
bookmark in J. Herbin Cacao du Brésil ink by Amy Crook
I recently took a few bottles of ink off a friend who was thinning out her art supplies (which makes me sound far more generous and less grabbyhandsy than I really was), and I thought I’d share a few of the tests I did.
First up, above, is a bookmark painted with the lovely brown, which gave me rich layered colour in the trees.
sketch in J. Herbin Gris Nuage ink by Amy Crook
Second we have one of the two delicious greys she sent me, this one a lighter, almost lavendery grey that also layered interestingly, though never got very dark. Below is the real treat, a sample size of the gold-flecked Stormy Grey, which I used to doodle this little city in my sketchbook.
sketch in J. Herbin Stormy Grey ink by Amy Crook
I really like them, though I think they all will do better on higher quality paper than my test swatches here. There’s going to be some Stormy Grey in this month’s Floating Gallery (as well as another experiment using a fourth bottle of ink from her stash). Get on my list if you want to see it first!
Bart & Chris
Posted on May 25th, 2015
Bart & Chris from Daron’s Guitar Chronicles by Amy Crook
This summer, Daron’s Guitar Chronicles is only posting once a week (woe!) while Cecilia writes a bunch of other things she’s likely being paid better for. So, her fans are stepping up to the plate and taking over the other posting day!
After a bit of discussion in the comments, it was decided the rest of Moondog 3 needed to take the spotlight. On the left we have Bart, the bassist, with his red bow tie and angelic curls. On the left is Christian, the drummer, tall and skinny with the kind of hair you’d expect from a drummer in an ’80s band.
Bart & Chris, 5″x7″ pen & ink and Copic marker on paper. Get them on a greeting card at Etsy.
Bart & Chris greeting card at Etsy by Amy Crook
Categories: Card Design, People, Figures and Faces, Series and Books, Things I'm a Fan Of
Tags: copic marker, daron moondog, dgc, etsy, for sale, pen and ink
Songbird
Posted on May 20th, 2015
Songbird by Amy Crook
My mother admired Jo’s Raptor, and so I decided to paint her a songbird of her own for Mother’s Day. This brush-and-ink style is always an interesting challenge in balancing detail versus simplicity. This little guy is just waiting for his chance to break out in song to herald the long-awaited return of spring.
The original is already in its new home, but you can buy him on a blank card at Etsy.
Songbird, 7″x5″ brush and ink on paper.
Songbird greeting card by Amy Crook at Etsy
Categories: Card Design, Whimsical and Strange
Tags: bird, brush and ink, brush pen, etsy, nfs
Cyberman
Posted on May 18th, 2015
Cyberman, Doctor Who fan art by Amy Crook
It’s time for an upgrade! This guy will be happy to help you be the best version of yourself, where by best we mean Cyberman. I even made him into a birthday card, which you can buy at my Etsy shop.
If you want to be the proud owner of the original art, you’ll see it for sale in this month’s Floating Gallery.
Cyberman, 5″x7″ pen & ink and Copic marker on paper.
Cyberman birthday card by Amy Crook on Etsy
Categories: Card Design, Floating Gallery, People, Figures and Faces, Series and Books, Things I'm a Fan Of
Tags: copic marker, cybermen, doctor who, etsy, for sale, pen and ink
4 Lord of the Rings bookmarks
Posted on May 13th, 2015
4 Lord of the Rings bookmarks by Amy Crook
As you can see from the date in the signature, I actually drew these last year for one of my darling patrons, and then apparently never shared them with you! Legolas, Gimli, Boromir and Aragorn are all ready to strike out with their hobbits (and wizard) and get the ring to Mordor. Even if Boromir is convinced one does not simply walk there.
The originals are long gone, but you can get your very own printed set on Etsy.
4 Lord of the Rings bookmarks, various sizes, pen & ink and Copic marker on watercolor paper.
4 Lord of the Rings bookmarks by Amy Crook on Etsy
Categories: Card Design, Completed Commissions, People, Figures and Faces, Series and Books, Things I'm a Fan Of
Tags: aragorn, boromir, copic marker, etsy, gimli, legolas, lotr, nfs, pen and ink, sold
One for Sorrow 2
Posted on May 8th, 2015
One for Sorrow 2 by Amy Crook
I’m not entirely happy with the title One for Sorrow 2, but this painting definitely needed that name, prior use notwithstanding. The single baleful crow sits high in the branches of the windswept tree, its image smeared out into the fog like an apparition, as though the bird is more of a ghost than the figure below.
There is a lot of very pale detail in the trees and sky which is hard to photograph, but shows up beautifully in person and adds another layer to the sense of windswept, foggy unreality. The detail photo shows a little of the sky, but it’s hard to spot on the sun-drenched page.
The lovely, textured greys are also not entirely black, but have a mix of reddish brown bloodstone in them to give the whole piece a more organic, grounded atmosphere.
One for Sorrow 2, 6″x6″ watercolor on Fluid watercolor paper.
One for Sorrow 2, detail, by Amy Crook
Above, you can just barely see the texture in the fog, a hint of wind and motion and shapes looming large and distant. Below, you can see the piece in a temporary frame, just waiting to haunt your house.
One for Sorrow 2, framed art by Amy Crook
Categories: Floating Gallery, Flowers, Trees and Landscapes, People, Figures and Faces, Sea Creatures and Other Animals, Series and Books, Zombies, Skulls, and Other Morbid Things
Tags: bloodstone, counting crows, crow, nfs, sold, tree, watercolor
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