Posts Tagged ‘silver’

W is for Watercolor

Thursday, January 24th, 2013

W is for Watercolor, calligraphic illumination by Amy Crook

W is for Watercolor, calligraphic illumination by Amy Crook

The end of the alphabet draws ever nearer. Today’s W is perfect for a Wendy or William, with watery watercolor and sparkly silver in curvy waves. I tried to let the watercolor paint do its own beautiful thing here, letting the shapes and edges form as they would around this swooping, sparkling letter.

W is for Watercolor, 5″x5″ watercolor and glitter gel pen on paper.

W is for Watercolor, detail, by Amy Crook

W is for Watercolor, detail, by Amy Crook

Above you can see the light glinting off the silver water-patterned glitter, and the delicate textures of grainy watercolor that separated beautifully as it dried. Below, you can see the W hanging out with the A and Y to make WAY. In or out, that’s for you to decide!

W is for Watercolor, A is for Arabesque and Y is for Yarn, framed art by Amy Crook

W is for Watercolor, A is for Arabesque and Y is for Yarn,
framed art by Amy Crook

Categories: Daily Art, Illuminated Alphabet, Series and Books, Whimsical and Strange
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S is for Spirals

Thursday, December 13th, 2012

S is for Spirals, calligraphic illumination by Amy Crook

S is for Spirals, calligraphic illumination by Amy Crook

I originally planned on doing Sharpie for S, but in the end the spirals won my heart. I used clean, simple shades of blue and silver for the S, perfect for a Steve or Susan that needs a bit of sparkle in their life.

S is for Spirals, 5″x5″ pen & ink, Japanese watercolor and glitter gel pen on paper.

S is for Spirals, detail, by Amy Crook

S is for Spirals, detail, by Amy Crook

Above, you can see the light shining off the silver glitter spirals. Below, you can see STAR all spelled out with my alphabet.

S, T, A & R, calligraphic illuminations by Amy Crook

S, T, A & R, calligraphic illuminations by Amy Crook

Categories: Daily Art, Illuminated Alphabet, Series and Books, Whimsical and Strange
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R is for Retro

Thursday, December 6th, 2012

R is for Retro, calligraphic illumination by Amy Crook

R is for Retro, calligraphic illumination by Amy Crook

Do you know a Renee or Robert who loves retro design? This R has a bit of sparkle, a bit of old-school charm, and a lot of pink and teal. The grey R is outlined in black and silver, and the red border and designs are also done in shiny glitter. I’m almost done with my alphabet, too, so if you’ve been waiting on T or V, they’ll be up soon!

R is for Retro, 5″x5″ Japanese watercolor and glitter gel pen on paper.

R is for Retro, detail, by Amy Crook

R is for Retro, detail, by Amy Crook

Above, you can see the shine of glitter on both borders, highlighting the rich, opaque pink and teal. Below, the R is hanging out with a few sneak peeks to spell STAR.

S, T, A & R, calligraphic illuminations by Amy Crook

S, T, A & R, calligraphic illuminations by Amy Crook

Categories: Daily Art, Illuminated Alphabet, Series and Books, Whimsical and Strange
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Silver Lining

Monday, October 15th, 2012

Silver Lining by Amy Crook

Silver Lining by Amy Crook

This piece combines elements from several of my series: whimsical clouds from the Fairytale Sky paintings, a blue filigree moon, and salt-pool stars. The shining blue of the clouds is matched by the swirls of blue in the filigree on the moon, where the silver of the filigree is echoed in the clouds.

Silver Lining, 10″x8″ iridescent and Japanese watercolor, salt, and glitter gel pen on Arches cover black paper.

Silver Lining, detail 1, by Amy Crook

Silver Lining, detail 1, by Amy Crook

Above, you can see the various elements all catching the sunlight, shining against the black paper background. Below is the moon itself, a soft periwinkle blue with shimmering silver and blue filigree giving it an otherworldly feel.

Silver Lining, detail 2, by Amy Crook

Silver Lining, detail 2, by Amy Crook

Finally, the piece is hanging out on my desk with my iPhone, though I think it would look gorgeous on a wall as well.

Silver Lining, framed art by Amy Crook

Silver Lining, framed art by Amy Crook

Categories: Daily Art, Flowers, Trees and Landscapes
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I is for Impressionism

Thursday, September 13th, 2012

I is for Impressionism, calligraphic illumination by Amy Crook

I is for Impressionism, calligraphic illumination by Amy Crook

This one was an interesting challenge, because it’s definitely outside of my usual painting style. The first go was determined to stay firmly at the ass point, but this one came together once I gave it a little more love. I think the bright shine of silver on it is what really makes the piece.

I is for Impressionism, 5″x5″ Japanese watercolor and glitter gel pen on paper.

I is for Impressionism, detail, by Amy Crook

I is for Impressionism, detail, by Amy Crook

Above you can see the silver highlights shining on the page. Below, you can see it in a frame on a bookshelf saying, “HI!” with last week’s H.

H is for Heraldry & I is for Impressionism, framed art by Amy Crook

H is for Heraldry & I is for Impressionism, framed art by Amy Crook

Categories: Daily Art, Illuminated Alphabet, Series and Books, Whimsical and Strange
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G is for Gothic

Thursday, August 30th, 2012

G is for Gothic, calligraphic illumination by Amy Crook

G is for Gothic, calligraphic illumination by Amy Crook

I have to admit, I went for the pun a bit here, combining the Gothic capital with my own Goth sensibilities. The silver spiderwebs are half-seen until they catch the light, and the burgundy G floats in murky gloom, hanging out with the stripey little spider responsible for its extra decoration.

G is for Gothic, 5″x5″ pen & ink, Japanese watercolor, and glitter gel pen on paper.

G is for Gothic, detail, by Amy Crook

G is for Gothic, detail, by Amy Crook

Above, you can see the silver details shining in the bright summer sunlight. Goths in hot weather, anyone? Below, it’s hanging out on a little shelf with the C and my collection of Endless pewter figurines.

G is for Gothic & C is for Counter, framed art by Amy Crook

G is for Gothic & C is for Counter, framed art by Amy Crook

Categories: Daily Art, Illuminated Alphabet, Series and Books, Whimsical and Strange
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Fairytale Sky

Monday, August 20th, 2012

Fairytale Sky watercolor by Amy Crook

Fairytale Sky watercolor by Amy Crook

This piece exists in the intersection of realism and whimsy. It started with a white crescent moon that fades mysteriously to its dark side with a pitted, rocky texture. Then the cheerful periwinkle clouds spiral through the field of silver stars that shine out in the dark black of the paper. It’s an image that brings to mind the magic of bedtime stories and fairy tales, even the ones with happy endings.

Fairytale Sky, 10″x8″ Japanese watercolor on Arches cover black paper, nfs (sold).

Fairytale Sky, detail, by Amy Crook

Fairytale Sky, detail, by Amy Crook

Above, you can see the silver stars catching the light against the paper – Arches makes this soft black paper for printmaking, but I like it because the black is chemical rather than dyed, so it never fades from its original velvety charcoal color. Below, you can see how this painting might look on your desk, well, if you’ve got the kind of desk I do, anyway. It’s bigger than a lot of my skies, so it would also work well on a bedroom wall or above someone’s bed to help assure sweet dreams.

Fairytale Sky, framed art by Amy Crook

Fairytale Sky, framed art by Amy Crook

Categories: Daily Art, Flowers, Trees and Landscapes, Whimsical and Strange
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