Blog « Antemortem Arts | Art & Writing by Amy Crook

Training

Posted on July 15th, 2015

Training, a Lord of the Rings parody comic by Amy Crook

Training, a Lord of the Rings parody comic by Amy Crook

A delightful little commission for Caroline, who’s responsible for a lot of the Sherlock art I share with you as well. She wanted something that hinted at Aragron having been around the city when Boromir was just a wee thing, though canonically they didn’t meet then.

Poor Boromir’s just be knocked on his tush for the nth time during training, and Aragorn can’t resist getting in a little dig at their age difference.

Training, 7″x5″ pen & ink and Copic marker on paper.

Categories: Completed Commissions, People, Figures and Faces, Series and Books, Things I'm a Fan Of
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Manners Maketh Man

Posted on July 13th, 2015

Manners Maketh Man, Kingsman parody art by Amy Crook

Manners Maketh Man, Kingsman parody art by Amy Crook

After a token struggle, I have been happily dragged into fangirling Kingsman:the Secret Service. I’m a sucker for a posh man in a sharp suit, I guess, though Eggsy cleans up all right, too. I had fun drawing them together, wee Eggsy looking quite small next to Galahad’s taller form but both of them rather handsome in their bespoke suits.*

And, of course, they’re saying some of my favourite lines from the show. “Manners Maketh Man,” and “Yes, Harry.” Cheeky brat.

Manners Maketh Man, 5″x7″ pen & ink and Copic marker on paper.

Manners Maketh Man greeting card by Amy Crook on Etsy

Manners Maketh Man greeting card by Amy Crook on Etsy

*Harry is not dead la la la fingers in my ears I can’t hear you!

Categories: Card Design, People, Figures and Faces, Series and Books, Things I'm a Fan Of
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Sky Scraped

Posted on July 8th, 2015

Sky Scraped by Amy Crook

Sky Scraped by Amy Crook

The subtle blue-green-grey of the sky in this painting was remarkably hard to capture in any of the photos. I love the stormy roil of it, almost pre-tornado as even the clouds look like they’re pouring down to become part of the skyscraper.

There’s a sense of decay in the central image, whether it’s a building half-built and abandoned, or a burnt-out husk just waiting to fall down.

I love the mysterious figure hanging out on a lone girder, rain pounding down all around it.

Who are they, and why are they up there? What do you think?

Sky Scraped, 4″x8″ pen & ink and watercolor on Fluid watercolor paper.

Sky Scraped, detail, by Amy Crook

Sky Scraped, detail, by Amy Crook

Above, you can see the figure up close, mysterious cloak trailing below like the raggedy tail of some giant crow. Below, the painting rests in a temporary frame, waiting to find its place in the world.

Sky Scraped, framed art by Amy Crook

Sky Scraped, framed art by Amy Crook

Categories: Floating Gallery, Flowers, Trees and Landscapes, Series and Books, Zombies, Skulls, and Other Morbid Things
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Winter 2

Posted on July 7th, 2015

Winter 2, abstract art by Amy Crook

Winter 2 by Amy Crook

The original Winter has some very soft greenish undertones that play beautifully off the cream of the page. This sequel has violet undertones instead from genuine Amethyst pigment, making it seem icier than its counterpart.

There’s a real, physical sparkle to this painting with the inclusion of salt crystals, but it’s very subtle and mostly evident in the way it interacts with the paint.

The winter also has another feature, a burst of color where it deliberately breaks the invisible border and reaches up toward the sky in its exuberance. Even in the coldness of winter you can find nature’s enthusiasm.

Winter 2, 9″x12″ salt and watercolor on Fluid watercolor paper.

Winter 2, detail, by Amy Crook

Winter 2, detail, by Amy Crook

Above, you can just see the subtle sparkle of the salt and the beautiful way it interacts with the watercolor mix. Below, you can see the painting with my old glasses for scale.

Winter 2, abstract art by Amy Crook

Winter 2, abstract art by Amy Crook

Categories: Abstract and Just Plain Weird, Floating Gallery, Series and Books
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Cuppa Sadness

Posted on July 6th, 2015

Cuppa Sadness by Amy Crook

Cuppa Sadness by Amy Crook

More blue! Yes, it’s been a very blue month, which I didn’t do on purpose — several of these are holdovers from previous months that I started previously and finished recently. It just sort of worked out that way.

This newest cuppa is a soft, greyish blue on a heavy, watery sort of shape, with drops of water falling from above like tears.

Silver paint adds some shimmer to the sadness, in the tag and around the rim, including the droplet-like ends of each little blorp.

Really, the saddest part about this cuppa would be trying to drink your tea out of the weird shape. Oops.

Cuppa Sadness, 7″x5″ pen & ink and watercolor on paper.

Cuppa Sadness, detail, by Amy Crook

Cuppa Sadness, detail, by Amy Crook

Above, you can see the shine of silver watercolor delicately gilding the edges of the cup and tag. Below, you can see the cup in a frame, ready to hold your sadness for you in its new home.

Cuppa Sadness, framed art by Amy Crook

Cuppa Sadness, framed art by Amy Crook

Categories: Floating Gallery, Series and Books, Whimsical and Strange
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Orange Lily

Posted on July 4th, 2015

Orange Lily by Amy Crook

Orange Lily by Amy Crook

It’s been a very blue month, so let’s celebrate today with some gorgeous orange!

I’ve been wanting to experiment with some more splash-y flowers, and I decided to brighten up this month’s palette with some orange, red, and gold.

The scanner flattened out a lot of the beautiful layering that you can see in the framed and detail photos (which means there won’t be any reprints, so if you want it, get it now!). There’s a cool pinkish red mixed in with the deep and bright oranges and the warm gold, which really gives the impression of peering into an opening flower.

The splash of green brings the image into focus, and the gold in the very middle makes beautiful stamen for this lovely lily.

Orange Lily, 6″x4″ watercolor on Fluid watercolor paper.

Orange Lily, detail, by Amy Crook

Orange Lily, detail, by Amy Crook

Above, you can see the beautifully layered oranges, reds, and golds that make this lovely lily so exquisite. Below, it’s been planted in a frame, ready to brighten your home or office.

Orange Lily, framed art by Amy Crook

Orange Lily, framed art by Amy Crook

Categories: Abstract and Just Plain Weird, Floating Gallery, Flowers, Trees and Landscapes
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Fairytale Sky 10

Posted on July 3rd, 2015

Fairytale Sky 10 by Amy Crook

Fairytale Sky 10 by Amy Crook

I haven’t added to this series in a while, but sometimes you just want to paint swirly clouds and a big, bright moon.

I was watching Mulan the other day, and I was inspired by the beautiful way the artists rendered smoke in that movie. I’m still wembling about what to do with the sky in another work in progress, so this little painting let me explore both ideas.

I think the result is lovely, don’t you?

Fairytale Sky 10, 6″x4″ Japanese watercolor on Arches cover black paper.

Fairytale Sky 10, detail, by Amy Crook

Fairytale Sky 10, detail, by Amy Crook

Above, you can see the moon up close, its softly glowing face full of beautiful texture from the paper. Below, the piece has been put in a tiny frame, perfect to secret in a bookshelf, display on a desk, or add to an array of other art.

Fairytale Sky 10, framed art by Amy Crook

Fairytale Sky 10, framed art by Amy Crook

Categories: Floating Gallery, Flowers, Trees and Landscapes, Series and Books
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