Archive for the ‘Whimsical and Strange’ Category
A Trio of Dancing Squid
Tuesday, June 18th, 2013
A Trio of Dancing Squid by Amy Crook
I had originally thought of doing fatter, cuter, cartoony squid on this lusciously bright green background, but then when googling around for inspiration I found some pictures of swimming squid that were sleek and small with big golden eyes. And so we have this little trio, swimming past some big, mossy rock or perhaps a wall in some ruins somewhere. They’re painted in a shimmery turquoise with green-yellow eyes, and a scribble-painted dark teal for shadows and outlines. I imagine them cheerfully unaware of their audience, just twirling and dancing around as they swim on by.
A Trio of Dancing Squid, 7″x5″ watercolor, Japanese watercolor, and duochrome watercolor on Arches cover black paper.
A Trio of Dancing Squid, detail, by Amy Crook
Above, you can see the sun shining off the iridescent paint. Below, you can see them in their frame, hanging out with some aquatic friends.
A Trio of Dancing Squid, framed art by Amy Crook
Categories: Daily Art, Sea Creatures and Other Animals, Series and Books, Tentacles, Whimsical and Strange
Tags: black paper, duochrome, green, iridescent, japanese watercolor, nfs, sold, squid
Drunk Lizard
Friday, June 14th, 2013
Drunk Lizard by Amy Crook
I drew this guy while I was watching Lilo & Stitch, and drinking a nice refreshing gin & ginger ale, so he’s got a looseness to him that I rather enjoy. Both his body and his background are done with pen & ink washed over with a water brush, and then more ink added back in afterward. I really like how multiple passes of pen and brush created layers of color and texture in his otherwise simple drawing.
Drunk Lizard, 5″x7″ pen & ink and water brush on paper.
Drunk Lizard, detail, by Amy Crook
Above, you can see the little spiral toesies, which I actually added in the next day, and the various textured layers of spirals that surround and fill the little lizard. Below, he’s in a frame, hanging out with an orange five-tentacled octopus, because that’s what drunk lizards do.
Drunk Lizard, framed art by Amy Crook
Categories: Daily Art, Whimsical and Strange
Tags: for sale, green, lizard, pen and ink, spirals, water brush
Happy Jelly
Tuesday, June 11th, 2013
Happy Jelly by Amy Crook
I know I’ve painted jellyfish before, but I decided my Wall of Squid needed some variety in its betentacled cuteness. This guy is actually a bit more pale in real life than he looks here, soft subtle pale blue-greens that make him look delightfully translucent. He’s not any specific species of jelly, just a cute one, but I did steal the idea of his heart-shaped markings on top from the lovely moon jellyfish.
Happy Jelly, 5″x7″ pen & ink and Copic marker on paper.
Happy Jelly, detail, by Amy Crook
Above, you can see a slightly better version of the pale coloring, and of course his cute little heart markings and big shiny head. Below, the happy jelly is dancing in his frame with my iPhone and favorite jellyfish plushie.
Happy Jelly, framed art by Amy Crook
Categories: Daily Art, Sea Creatures and Other Animals, Series and Books, Tentacles, Whimsical and Strange
Tags: copic marker, for sale, jellyfish, pen & ink
Midnight Sprout Bookmark
Monday, June 3rd, 2013
Midnight Sprout bookmark
by Amy Crook
It’s Bookmark Week! This is the time when I take things I’ve doodled onto scraps left over from cutting or tearing paper down to size, and sell them as bookmarks so anyone can have their own wee original bit of Amy art. My newsletter people got to see the bookmarks last week, so there’s a few that are already sold, but I’m starting the week with one that you can still take home.
This little sprout is struggling up in the moonlight, trying to make the most of its cold light. The paint is matte and darkly colored, but you can pick out the little sprout at the right angle. It’s like a secret!
Midnight Sprout bookmark, 2″x5″ watercolor on paper.
Midnight Sprout bookmark, detail, by Amy Crook
Above, you can see the way the sunlight illuminates the dark colors, so you can see the deep green and midnight blue, and even the little bits of detail and shadow on the sprout. Below, you can see it hanging out with a nearly-matching hardcover book, so you can get an idea of the size.
Midnight Sprout bookmark, with book, by Amy Crook
(book not included, book happy in its current home)
Categories: Daily Art, Flowers, Trees and Landscapes, Series and Books, Whimsical and Strange
Tags: bookmark, buy a bookmark, for sale, japanese watercolor
The Orange Ones Are Poison
Thursday, May 30th, 2013
The Orange Ones Are Poison by Amy Crook, 10 in. x 8 in. Japanese watercolor on Japanese paper
The reference is, of course, from a ridiculous internet meme.
The original, in all its cat meme glory.
Above, you can see the image that inspired the caption, though I will admit I already had the silly yellow cat. Below, you can see a close up of his face and the bright orange-red “mouse’ toy by his head.
The Orange Ones Are Poison, detail, by Amy Crook
And finally, you can see it in a frame, next to a suspiciously orange octopus plushie. I recommend not eating the toy, just to be safe.
The Orange Ones Are Poison, framed art by Amy Crook
Categories: Daily Art, Whimsical and Strange
Tags: cat, for sale, japanese watercolor, meme, watercolor
Monster Naptime
Monday, May 20th, 2013
Monster Naptime by Amy Crook, 5″x7″ pen & ink and watercolor on paper
After last week’s pair of Monster paintings, I decided to do a follow-up to start the week off right. This is, after all, the best perspective from which to deal with the adorable little pests. Once they’ve had a nap, I’m sure they won’t be quite so grumpy.
The clever among you will notice that it’s the artist holding the monsters. The persnickety will notice my part is on the wrong side, which is artistic license. And yes, I do have a nose in real life.
Monster Naptime, detail, by Amy Crook
Above you can see the cranky cuties up close and full of meh. Below, I’ve put myself and my monsters behind glass, and Cthulhu himself came by to hang out. He’s got this sleeping thing down pat, after all.
Monster Naptime, framed art by Amy Crook
Categories: Angels, Cthulhu, and Other Myths, Daily Art, People, Figures and Faces, Series and Books, Whimsical and Strange
Tags: for sale, monster, pen and ink, self portrait, watercolor
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No No No Monsters
Friday, May 17th, 2013
No No No Monsters by Amy Crook
After sharing Wednesday’s Miasma of Monsters with my friends at the Starship, we all agreed that this trio was a big one for anyone running an ittybiz. First the raggedy, staticky fluffball of “No Energy,” then the red-eyed “No Time,” and their green friend with his unexpected sharp bits, “No Money.” Definitely a trio that demands attention!
I’m feeling a bit less poorly, myself, but still moving quite slowly when it comes to getting art done and ready to go, so you can expect updates to be a bit erratic until I’m all better. I’m just grateful for Tylenol.
No No No Monsters, 7″x5″ pen & ink and watercolor on paper.
No No No Monsters, detail, by Amy Crook
Above you can see the red glaring clock of the time monster, telling you to stop or go faster, or possibly both. Below you can see them in a frame, looking just as silly as ever.
No No No Monsters, framed art by Amy Crook
Categories: Angels, Cthulhu, and Other Myths, Daily Art, Series and Books, Whimsical and Strange
Tags: monster, nfs, pen and ink, sold, watercolor
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