Archive for the ‘Sea Creatures and Other Animals’ Category

Dance of the Octopi

Friday, April 1st, 2011

Dance of the Octopi by Amy Crook

Dance of the Octopi by Amy Crook

I can almost imagine sleeping in a room with one wall papered with dancing octopi, squid and jellyfish, all swimming in their Victorian frame of swaying seaweed. Though, actually, once I get the colors adjusted to my satisfaction, I may upload the design to Spoonflower and see about making some pyjama pants out of it, so I can sleep cool in my underwater dreams.

I drew the individual pieces up with pen and ink, and then scanned them in simple black, adding color as I worked with the design. There’s no original per se for this one, just a bunch of sketches in a couple of sketchbooks. At some point I’ll need to crop just one panel out for repeating properly, but I want to adjust the blue background and purple squid first.

Now you can better imagine the Octopi as wallpaper/curtains: Click here!

Categories: Daily Art, Sea Creatures and Other Animals, Whimsical and Strange
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Blue Fish

Wednesday, February 23rd, 2011

Blue Fish by Amy Crook

Blue Fish by Amy Crook

It’s not properly a weeble despite it being Wednesday, but this sad little fishy has the same cartoonish, playful tone, I think.

I decided to experiment a little with a medium I acquired some time ago and have never quite made peace with, watercolor crayons. I’m not sure if it’s the quality of the sets I’ve got or just the medium itself, but I’m never quite happy with the childlike texture that clings to the page even when I go in after and activate them with water.

This fish wanted to be blue in honor of Dr. Seuss, so perhaps a cheery red fish will make it up sometime next week.

Blue Fish, 7″x5″ watercolor crayons on watercolor paper, not for sale.

Categories: Daily Art, Sea Creatures and Other Animals
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Super Cute Squid Sketch

Tuesday, February 1st, 2011

Super Cute Squid sketch by Amy Crook

Super Cute Squid sketch by Amy Crook

This little cutie is an experiment in taking the cute squids I usually draw all the way to extra super awesomely cute. His chubby little tentacles and tiny, beadlike eyes just make me want to hug him!

You’ll probably see him again once I’ve taken the time to finish him, maybe as vector art rather than by hand, just for variety.

Categories: Daily Art, Sea Creatures and Other Animals, Tentacles, Works In Progress
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Commission: Winter Octopus

Friday, January 21st, 2011

Winter Octopus Commission for Gretchen by Amy Crook

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
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Squid Hearts You

Monday, January 10th, 2011

Squid Hearts You by Amy Crook

Squid Hearts You by Amy Crook

It seems hard to believe, but Valentine’s Day is little more than a month away already. As a sort of sequel to my wintery Squittens, I made a cheerful squid valentine to show his (or maybe her) love in this year’s cards.

I had to redraw the heart a couple of times before I liked the look of it, but I’m pleased with the tangled-up joy evident in his little squiddy features.

Squid Hearts You, 5″x7″ pen and ink and Copic markers on watercolor paper.

You can get him on a card here at Etsy.

Categories: Daily Art, Sea Creatures and Other Animals, Tentacles, Whimsical and Strange
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Son of More Coloring Book Doodles

Monday, December 13th, 2010

Another busy weekend — I did a ton of art yesterday, actually, but none of it was really art post material yet. Oops? Anyway, here’s yet more doodles done for kind purchases of the Cthulhu Coloring Book.

Pumpkinhead Scarecrow sketch by Amy Crook

Pumpkinhead Scarecrow sketch by Amy Crook

Weeble Ghost sketch by Amy Crook

Weeble Ghost sketch by Amy Crook

Creepy Sea Life sketch by Amy Crook

Creepy Sea Life sketch by Amy Crook

Categories: Angels, Cthulhu, and Other Myths, Daily Art, Sea Creatures and Other Animals, Series and Books, Tentacles, Whimsical and Strange, Zombies, Skulls, and Other Morbid Things
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School of Squid

Saturday, December 11th, 2010

School of Squid by Amy Crook

School of Squid by Amy Crook

This tiny oil painting is perfect to bring the ocean to your desk, bookshelf, or little niche. I saw a documentary about squid in the waters of Monterey, and they all looked so pale as they swarmed together, rather than the usual giant squid pink, that I was inspired to create this painting. I added a little dimension to them with some glazing, but I liked the way their underpaintings came out so ghostly that I left them mostly as is.

The edges of this little canvas board are finished, the image wrapping around to the sides to add a little dimensions to this tiny bit of undersea paradise. There’s a touch of pearlescent white in the shining water and on the shimmery squid, just to add a little sparkle.

School of Squid, 4″x6″, oil paint on canvas board, 5″ tall easel.

School of Squid, with easel, by Amy Crook

School of Squid, with easel, by Amy Crook

Categories: Daily Art, Sea Creatures and Other Animals, Tentacles
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