Card, finished.

Scanned and colored in Photoshop. I can alter the color of the background for different moods/effects. I like this one so far.

I might tweak it further, but I think this one is done for the most part.

Another Drawing for a Card

The weather was glorious today; it finally feels as if it's spring. So it was time to sit outside and draw something. I decided to do a pen-and-ink drawing and I'll probably be printing this in one form or another as my thank you card for now.

I also think I'll be using this or something like it for an adult coloring book when I finally have enough drawings to produce one.

Of course, I manage to get a smudge on the piece just as I'm almost finished. Flashback to my final project in drafting (in 1975, when we were required to use ruling pens... 3 hours of meticulous lines ruined at the last moment). At least now I can easily clean that up in Photoshop, after I scan it.

Thank You Cards

I have been told that it's good business practice to send Thank You cards to clients. And it occurred to me recently that since I've taken up the mantle of artist and designer, that I should create them myself. So yesterday, I took the afternoon off from business development and took pen in hand. to create this Zentangle™-inspired drawing.

Then I worked with watercolor pencil and some digital enhancements in Photoshop.

I'm still on the fence about whether I will produce these or make another attempt (this time using watercolor or at least mixed media paper instead of heavyweight sketch paper). This was my first time using masking fluid.

What this also informs me of is that I really need to do some work every day to be able to get my children's book done. I need a bit more control over my paint.

Anatomy of a Logo

I have an assignment to help relaunch a business which includes a logo and beautifying a wordpress site. They will be offering holistic services, including health coaching, and an interesting program to work on one's self. I'll talk more about that in another post when the site's ready to launch.

In the meantime, the business name is Little Stone Bridge Pathworking and I decided that a literal treatment is needed for this logo. And that it needed to be hand-drawn, because I wanted it to look charming, hand-crafted with care, and personal, which embodies some of the emotions and values of the endeavor.

I started by searching stone bridge photos online. I roughed the bridge out with a pencil and then inked it in.

Then I scanned the drawing and manipulated it in Adobe Illustrator.

And then brought it into Photoshop to color it.

It's complex, but I really am pleased with the way this turned out.