Camouflage

Pencil sketch, colored in Photoshop. A little experiment on the background design, and some fun with the colors on the butterfly.

Interesting things I found on the internet about how butterflies use camouflage and mimicry as a survival tool: Some who close their wings mix right in with their surrounding environment--until they open them to suddenly reveal a splash of color (this might startle would be predators, and many also developed fake "eye spots" to serve the same purpose). The bright colors often indicate the insect is poisonous or an impersonator of a poisonous butterfly. Still others developed bright spots near its hind legs to draw attention away from its head--a bite off the rear wings instead of the head gives it a better chance of survival. Anyway, that's why I thought this would be a good subject for the theme "camouflage".

Check out these sites:
http://www.thebutterflysite.com/facts.shtml
http://www.fieldmuseum.org/butterfly/life_basic.htm
http://dirttime.ws/Butterfly/Behavior.htm

Rejection

Sally's fear of rejection kept her from making friends at lunch.

Pencil sketch, colored in Photoshop. Another tough theme, but this was the first idea that popped up in my head. Someone once told me that I had the bad habit of rejecting others before they reject me. I guess it's a self-preservation, survival kind of thing. Then again, we need friends to survive, too.

After I drew this, I was reminded of the scene in My Big Fat Greek Wedding when Toula, as a young girl, sits down to eat her homemade lunch of moussaka at school. She had remembered, "When I was growing up, I knew I was different. The other girls were blonde and delicate, and I was a swarthy six-year-old with sideburns." Hehe... that was a funny movie. I thought it was great when in college, she made a point to sit with the blonde girls and befriend them.

**UPDATE** see "Part 2" of this illo.

Baseball Bob

Pencil sketch, colored in Photoshop. This is a pic of my good friend Bob, who was a minor leaguer in the 40's/50's. I softened the colors a bit to give it that nostalgic feeling. Anyway, I always wanted to do a baseball pic and so this was the perfect opportunity to do so. Just in time for Father's Day, too!

Track Star

Pencil sketch, colored in Photoshop. Here's another pic I did (of my nephew this time) who is a budding track star. T'was great fun trying to figure out the hands and expression. I'm sure the background can be improved a bit, but hey - I tried my best really. I'm trying to do more drawings with people because it's challenging for me and it's kind of neat to try to discover my "style"... whatever that may be. I just admire what I've seen posted on people's art blogs and journals here in this web-world. It's really amazing for me to see such an awesome art community!

Awards

Pencil sketch, colored in Photoshop. Well here's my first post that doesn't have anything to do with Illustration Friday. I wanted to post something just for fun, and it's of another niece who just won a bunch of school awards. (I have a LOT of nieces and nephews). Working on these illos has been such a great experience for me. When I was in school, all I wanted to be was an artist. Then I decided I couldn't cut it in the art world, got my degree in business, and went on to work a "regular" job. I honestly don't have any regrets. I'm just happy I got back into it now that I'm older and for my own enjoyment. I still have LOTS to learn, but that's the beauty of doing it this way... I get to learn at my own pace, and get to discover a little bit of myself and my abilities in the process.

Suit

Pencil Sketch, colored in Photoshop. This is my niece trying on her stepdad's jacket at a local seafood place last week. This was her actual expression as she mugged for the camera. I've been having fun making cartoon sketches of people and learning how to draw facial expressions, clothing, and placement of hands and feet. Drawing fingers is challenging--for me at least! I love the ability to color these in Photoshop and all the options offered, but I'm far too impatient so it still looks a bit rough. Anyway, I'll probably experiment a bit more until I discover a style that I'm happy with.

My Paradise

Color pencil sketch, finished in Photoshop (updated and added cyprus trees). Here's what I would call my paradise -- strolling through the Tuscan countryside amidst a field of sunflowers in Italy. I love Italy and I love sunflowers. You know, I've been there a couple of times and haven't seen a field like this yet... maybe someday. Another beautiful place is the Amalfi Coast in the same country. It is absolutely gorgeous. And navigating through the very narrow mountain roads in a giant tour bus is quite an adventure!