My Artist Daughter

Had to sneak this photo into my blog. My daughter, Becky, is a Junior at Grandview College. Her major is Art. After looking at this picture, I have no doubt why she changed her major. I am very proud of her and her accomplishments. And I just wanted to share with the world, my daughter's painting.....

BTW - Currently we have six cats co-habitating with us, so one of them HAD to show up in the photo. This is Becky's kitty - Toro.

Ashley's Grandparents

Finished!

Wip 6: Getting closer to completion! I have finished the wedding couple insert. I decided to fade part of the wedding cake into the background.


Wip 5: Here's another update. I've started to work on the wedding couple insert and will continue to fade the two images together. Looks like I need to lighten the area around the eyes on the young lady...




Wip 4: I've completed the main portraits of the couple with possibly a few modifications left to do. But will leave them for now and will start on their wedding portrait insert.




Wip 3: I've started to work on grandma, working in the same style and technique as grandpa but with a lighter hand as her complexion is much lighter.


WIP 2: I have adjusted several areas that were off a bit and for the most part I have completed grandpa. I could probably continue to fiddle, but in fear of overworking areas, I am going to move on. I may have some additional adjusting as I go along.


WIP 1: Here is my newest commission that I am working on. This one is for Ashley, a dear friend of our family! This is of her grandparents.

I have created a montage of 3 separarate photos. One of the couple as they are today, one of their wedding portrait and a photo of a bible. Here is the reference photo:

I start the drawing with a light outline of the facial features. I use these as guidelines as I build the drawing.

I start with a F .5mm mechanical pencil and draw in the eyes. I build up the facial features with a loose random pencil stroke. I then use a 4H chisel point clutch pencil to burnish in an even tone over the shaded areas. I lightly touch areas with my blu-tack eraser to pull highlights out.

Here is where I am right now. As I draw, I am continually looking at the reference photo. I see I have some adjusting of the glasses and the mouth needs a little adjusting as well.

I'll keep you posted as I continue.

Book in Editing Phase

It's been two months since my last post! Where has the summer gone? Last week I completed my drawings and manuscripts for the Walter Foster book project and it is now in the capable hands of my editor, Meghan. She indicated I should be seeing a draft by the middle of November.

It is still on schedule for publication release in June 2007. So everything is progressing on schedule!!

So what's on my drawing board now? I've got some interesting commissions that I've had on hold for the past few months. I'll be sharing them with you as I get them rolling!

Diane

Book Update!

Here's the latest update.....I am now 2/3 of the way completed with the projects for the book! Just 6 more projects to go! I'm excited about this book and am discovering what I have to offer to others!

I've started planning workshop ideas and looking into book signing events. All new territory for me. I've even planned an artist of the month display in a local Barnes & Noble book store for the month of January.

Diane

Walter Foster Book in the Making

Just a quick note, to let you know that I am progressing with the writing and illustrating of my new book! I've submitted the first 20 pages to Walter Foster Publishing and everything is on schedule!!


This is turning out to be an incredible learning experience for me. I am enjoying every aspect of this endeavor including deciding content, drawing, writing the manuscripts and even the tough schedule deadlines. All of the illustrations are being drawn specifically for this book, and the techniques/approaches explained are unique to my style.


I'm really excited about the content of the book and the support of the excellent editors/staff at Walter Foster (thanks Meghan!!). It's a great team effort and we are working diligently to make this the best landscape drawing instruction book!


I'll keep you all posted!!!

Diane

Dalton Barn, Virginia

Happy Anniversary Steve & Carolyn!!!

I had the pleasure of being commissioned to do a very special drawing. My brother-in-law commissioned me to do a drawing of their beautiful Virginia barn as a wedding anniversary present for my sister! What a beautiful gift!!!

I thoroughly enjoyed creating this artwork and it will soon be available for sale in a limited edition print on my website.

News News News!!!

I have the most exciting NEWS!!

I have just contracted with Walter Foster Publishing Company to author an art instruction book! It will be called "Drawing Made Easy: Creating Landscapes". It is the 7th in a series. The next few months will be very busy as I work on writing and drawing artwork for this incredible project! I will keep you all posted on my progress.

Publication release is scheduled for June, 2007.

Diane