Still working through illustrations, but the holiday bug has well and truly incubated. Too many fun distractions. And games. Puzzles. Books. So much endless wonder I may bust out the Warehouse 13.
For the moment it’s all about the color exercises. Tone, context, contrast, and paying attention to composition and line rhythm of professionals. I learned the cap language of markers, which has gone a long way to improving my blends. Still a lot to learn, but a noticeable improvement as they progress. I like the juxtaposition of analogous, layered, and blended colors.
The colorless blender is interesting. It does soften things, but I think I’ve been using it backwards. I need to think about it like pre-wetting for watercolor. I like how organic the effect turned out on the mushroom and the sunset; I’m not as crazy about the blotchy purple skin. Though, in green that could be interesting for plaguewalkers. More research is in order. Also in using the blender to transfer ink from a different marker; I had no idea that was a thing.
I do seem to have a knack for choosing the least forgiving mediums, but alcohol markers are my childhood dream come true. They’re just so frigging vibrant. I feel like I’m getting a handle on how much to adjust for bleed rate, at least on this paper. I should test others. One thing I have realized is that I prefer coloring critters to people, with munchkins being the exception.
