Saturday, November 13, 2010

IF: Burning

Wow, it's been a month since I've updated. I've heard many times that freelance illustration work is very much "feast or famine", and true to the saying, my past month or so has been very very busy with projects!

After working long hours on the tablet for the past several weeks, my right wrist is starting to bother me when I'm drawing at the computer. I've ordered a new stylus grip as well as new drawing nibs, and hopefully they will alleviate some of that repetitive strain. In the meantime I'm sticking to a good regimen of applying ice, seeing a massage therapist, stretching often, and using muscle relief patches on my arm. I'm really picking apart the way I draw and sit at the computer, too, so I hope to resolve this issue before it gets any worse.

Anyway, because of the wrist pain I started experimenting with my process (for personal projects only - clients, please don't worry!). Drawing with anything other than the tablet doesn't hurt me, so I brought out my pencils, lightbox, and watercolours. I tried this week's Illustration Friday piece, "Burning Up", using this method.

Sketch, (drawn during my daughter's swimming lesson):
IF: Burning (Sketch)

Watercolour underpainting:
IF: Burning (watercolour underpainting)

And the finished piece:
IF: Burning

Ultimately it saved a bit of time on the tablet, but I think that the style is too different to act as a substitute for my fully digital work. Still, I think this process and style have potential, plus it's FUN, so I'll keep playing around with it.. When I have time, that is!

Thanks for your continued patience with the sporadic updates on my blog. :)

12 comments:

Loni Edwards said...

Very nice! I like trying new techniques, although it is no fun when you are forced to! I hope your hand gets better soon. I bought a wrist strap that has a metal plate to keep my wrist straight when I had problems with carpal tunnel. It did help. Good idea stretching it and taking it easy while its flaring up. Take care! Loni

claudine hellmuth said...

love the glow that you created from the light in the hallway!

dosankodebbie said...

Such a motherly interpretation of the topic. Very nice. Brings back memories of when my kids were young.

Christina Rodriguez said...

Poor little elephant! This piece is too cute. I hear ya about blending real paintings with digital. As I've been making the transition from traditional media to digital myself, I've completed some illos in a similar manner. As my digital proficiency increases, I'm feeling more comfortable using just the tablet.

Hannah said...

Awww, this was me last night. Lovely illustration.

Tracy said...

I like this :) Sweet little elephant!

Michelle Henninger said...

Aww. Poor little elephant babe! It's always awful when your little kiddos have fevers, and there isn't much a mommy can do except be there just like your Mommy elephant. Hope your wrist feels better soon. Stinkin' Carpal Tunnel.

MrBibleHead said...

Hey Alissa! I love this, I love your last post and I love....your whole blog! Congrats on the baby by the way and I’m glad I came across your bog! FANTABULOUS!

Alissa Staples said...

Thank you all for your nice comments :)

theartofpuro said...

Wonderful illo!ove the style and colours:)

Morph Waffle said...

Simply adorable, poor little ellie.

Cynthia Narcisi said...

Poor little guy. Hope he's feeling better soon.

This is fantastic!