Here is the finished article - "The Curious Fairy". I'm thrilled with how she came out and hope that others like her too.
Sunday, April 21, 2013
Do You Believe in Fairies?
A few years ago, I came upon the most delightful book at a lunch-hour book fair in the downtown Houston building I worked in. It's called "Fairyopolis, A Flower Fairies Journal."
As you open the first page of the book, you can see immediately that it is quite enchanting, being the summer journal of Cicely Mary Barker, famed for her Flower Fairy portraits.
From her handwritten note on the inside cover, you can see that she kept the journal during the summer of 1920 while staying at the home of a friend and then sent it to the British Faerie Folklore Society, to be looked after and preserved after certain incidents led her to believe that she might have witnessed fairy activity!
It's the kind of journal I've always wanted to keep, hand written in a neat script, with notes, sketches, lists, little envelopes with secret finds and so much more.
I had the most enjoyable afternoon on Saturday, recovering from a head cold, and sitting in the garden listening to the songs of the birds, and the hum of the bees and wondering if possibly the Wee Folk were watching me from behind the jasmine vine :-)
As the sun went down and a chill crept into the air, I felt compelled to create a fairy scene myself. Only I would do it using my computer, instead of my paintbrush. I was looking for my finished piece to have a vintage feel to it, reminiscent of Cicely's own flower Fairies.
Here is the finished article - "The Curious Fairy". I'm thrilled with how she came out and hope that others like her too.
Here is the finished article - "The Curious Fairy". I'm thrilled with how she came out and hope that others like her too.
Sunday, April 14, 2013
Inspiration from Life
My latest digital artwork was inspired by a recent trip to England, where we visited the lovely Cotswold village of Bourton-on-the-Water.
The Cotswolds is an area in the center of England, known for its honey-colored stone architecture and idyllic village scenes.
We were not blessed with pleasant weather -- in fact on the day we were there it was "bloody freezing!"(to quote my sister, who took us there) -- but I found myself enchanted as always. This particular village has a shallow stream running through it, as its name implies and there are always ducks around, either in the water, or sitting on the grassy banks.
Feeding the ducks is a popular pastime, in fact it's encouraged. Several of the little gift shops offered for sale paper bags filled with bird seed, labelled with the words "Feed the Ducks".
That got me thinking and when I got home again, back to my studio and my computer, I began to consider how I might recreate such a scene in Vue.
Luckily, I had some time ago purchased a pack of 3D models from Runtime DNA which had the look of typical Cotswold cottages. I loaded several cottages into the scene and arranged in a row beside the stream, similar to how the cottages are set in the real village.
After creating the basic terrain with the stream channel, I set about finding the perfect texture for the stony stream bed and the water . Once I had that in, I added grass, benches and trees to fill out the scene.
Then it was time to create the figures that would populate the scene. I envisioned a small child feeding ducks on the banks of the stream. Here's the figure I created in DAZ 3D. This render was done in DAZ, prior to the figure being exported to Vue.
I felt a small child shouldn't be left unsupervised to feed the ducks, so I added a mom and dad to the scene, lol. Dad is sitting on the bench watching benevolently as his wife offers duck-feeding guidance to their daughter. I think I hear the words "mind that big one doesn't peck your fingers!"
My computer was really dragging by the time I got everything in. An "eco-system" like this, with lots of grass or trees, tends to suck up the computer's resources and I had a scare when Vue shut down and then claimed it was unable to open the file again!
Luckily, my computer-savvy husband was able to rename one of the backup files and open it up, so I was able to finally finish the project and do the final render, which you can see below.
As I mentioned at the beginning, my inspiration for this piece came from a real-life place.
Where does your artistic inspiration come from? Are the scenes you paint imaginary places, or are they places and people you have seen?
The Cotswolds is an area in the center of England, known for its honey-colored stone architecture and idyllic village scenes.
We were not blessed with pleasant weather -- in fact on the day we were there it was "bloody freezing!"(to quote my sister, who took us there) -- but I found myself enchanted as always. This particular village has a shallow stream running through it, as its name implies and there are always ducks around, either in the water, or sitting on the grassy banks.
Feeding the ducks is a popular pastime, in fact it's encouraged. Several of the little gift shops offered for sale paper bags filled with bird seed, labelled with the words "Feed the Ducks".
That got me thinking and when I got home again, back to my studio and my computer, I began to consider how I might recreate such a scene in Vue.
Luckily, I had some time ago purchased a pack of 3D models from Runtime DNA which had the look of typical Cotswold cottages. I loaded several cottages into the scene and arranged in a row beside the stream, similar to how the cottages are set in the real village.
After creating the basic terrain with the stream channel, I set about finding the perfect texture for the stony stream bed and the water . Once I had that in, I added grass, benches and trees to fill out the scene.
Then it was time to create the figures that would populate the scene. I envisioned a small child feeding ducks on the banks of the stream. Here's the figure I created in DAZ 3D. This render was done in DAZ, prior to the figure being exported to Vue.
My computer was really dragging by the time I got everything in. An "eco-system" like this, with lots of grass or trees, tends to suck up the computer's resources and I had a scare when Vue shut down and then claimed it was unable to open the file again!
Luckily, my computer-savvy husband was able to rename one of the backup files and open it up, so I was able to finally finish the project and do the final render, which you can see below.
As I mentioned at the beginning, my inspiration for this piece came from a real-life place.
Where does your artistic inspiration come from? Are the scenes you paint imaginary places, or are they places and people you have seen?
Sunday, March 31, 2013
Monday, March 18, 2013
Da Vinci Artists Gallery
I live in a small town, just north of Houston, with a population of around 10,000. I was pleasantly surprised, when I moved here, to discover that not only does Tomball have an Art League, it is also home to the Da Vinci Artist's gallery.
Da Vinci's is a delightful, member-run co-op of artists. On the first Friday of each month they host "First Friday" from 6 pm to 9 pm, where they have a reception for that month's featured artists of the month, complete with snacks, beverages and live music.
During the spring and fall, often coordinating with other events and festivals that are happening in Tomball, the DaVinci Artist's Gallery holds sidewalk sales.
I'm not sure if they accept digital artists, but I would certainly be interested in joining their co-op. When I get back from our trip to England I plan to see what is involved in applying.
Wish me luck!
Da Vinci's is a delightful, member-run co-op of artists. On the first Friday of each month they host "First Friday" from 6 pm to 9 pm, where they have a reception for that month's featured artists of the month, complete with snacks, beverages and live music.
During the spring and fall, often coordinating with other events and festivals that are happening in Tomball, the DaVinci Artist's Gallery holds sidewalk sales.
I'm not sure if they accept digital artists, but I would certainly be interested in joining their co-op. When I get back from our trip to England I plan to see what is involved in applying.
Wish me luck!
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
The Making of The Easter Bunny
A few weeks ago, I wanted to create a 3D scene in Vue that I could
use for Easter products. After struggling to get the exact scene I
wanted all in Vue, I ended up doing a mixed media piece.
I started out by rendering a scene with a cluster of Easter eggs, nestled in some long grass and dandelions, with a background of tree-lined fields, and a nice hazy spring atmosphere.
I played around with the angle of the camera, and aspect ratio to give me a portrait format image, suitable for cards, and with a nice amount of sky at the top where the greeting would go.
My final render looked like this:
Once the render was complete, I opened the resulting image file in Adobe's Photoshop Elements, created a new layer and added a sweet Easter bunny, which is a png file from Bez Boardman and Antje Darling's ABC's Hi-5 Springtime kit at Renderosity.
I'm really happy with the resulting image (although now I look at it critically, I see the lighting on the bunny isn't the same as on the eggs).
Then I had fun with it in my Zazzle store and used it on cards, postcards, gift boxes and I just love it on this plate:
It was a creative project that I really enjoyed - the first time I have tried to layer one of my original 3D renders with a 2D graphic file. I think I learned some things (that lighting, for one!) and I look forward to improving in the future :-)
I started out by rendering a scene with a cluster of Easter eggs, nestled in some long grass and dandelions, with a background of tree-lined fields, and a nice hazy spring atmosphere.
I played around with the angle of the camera, and aspect ratio to give me a portrait format image, suitable for cards, and with a nice amount of sky at the top where the greeting would go.
My final render looked like this:
Once the render was complete, I opened the resulting image file in Adobe's Photoshop Elements, created a new layer and added a sweet Easter bunny, which is a png file from Bez Boardman and Antje Darling's ABC's Hi-5 Springtime kit at Renderosity.
I'm really happy with the resulting image (although now I look at it critically, I see the lighting on the bunny isn't the same as on the eggs).
Then I had fun with it in my Zazzle store and used it on cards, postcards, gift boxes and I just love it on this plate:
It was a creative project that I really enjoyed - the first time I have tried to layer one of my original 3D renders with a 2D graphic file. I think I learned some things (that lighting, for one!) and I look forward to improving in the future :-)
Sunday, March 10, 2013
Introducing Mockingbird Studio
For some time now, I have wanted to come up with a name for my art studio.
OK, so it's not like a traditional art studio, with easels bearing half finished oils or water colors, tubes or pots of paint and brushes standing ready in a jar.
It's actually what was billed as the formal dining room by the builder, set right in the middle of the house, separated from the living room and kitchen by a half wall topped with arches.
Since my husband and I are the only people living there, and since the breakfast nook very comfortably accommodates four people for meals, which is the most we ever have at dinner at one time, we decided to convert the formal dining room into an office/den/studio.
And since I'm a digital artist and photographer, the only requirement was room for a desk and a computer (although I actually also have a craft table as well as some bookshelves and wall space for artwork).
So I set my computer up facing the living room and I can sit and work on my art, or any other projects, while looking out over the half wall, through the back windows at the garden and wildlife habitat I'm in the process of building. (You can read more about that here.)
We seem to get a lot of Northern Mockingbirds in this area and in previous years, we've had them nesting in the young Live Oak trees in the front garden. This weekend I was sitting indoors in my studio and realized I was being serenaded by a mockingbird.
It was out in the Live Oak tree and I was surprised that I could hear it indoors, so I had to step outside and check -- yes, that's where it was, I have the photo below to prove it :-)
It's beautiful song went on and on and suddenly, I had the name I'd been looking for, for my studio!
How did you find the perfect name for your studio or art business?
OK, so it's not like a traditional art studio, with easels bearing half finished oils or water colors, tubes or pots of paint and brushes standing ready in a jar.
It's actually what was billed as the formal dining room by the builder, set right in the middle of the house, separated from the living room and kitchen by a half wall topped with arches.
Since my husband and I are the only people living there, and since the breakfast nook very comfortably accommodates four people for meals, which is the most we ever have at dinner at one time, we decided to convert the formal dining room into an office/den/studio.
And since I'm a digital artist and photographer, the only requirement was room for a desk and a computer (although I actually also have a craft table as well as some bookshelves and wall space for artwork).
So I set my computer up facing the living room and I can sit and work on my art, or any other projects, while looking out over the half wall, through the back windows at the garden and wildlife habitat I'm in the process of building. (You can read more about that here.)
We seem to get a lot of Northern Mockingbirds in this area and in previous years, we've had them nesting in the young Live Oak trees in the front garden. This weekend I was sitting indoors in my studio and realized I was being serenaded by a mockingbird.
It was out in the Live Oak tree and I was surprised that I could hear it indoors, so I had to step outside and check -- yes, that's where it was, I have the photo below to prove it :-)
It's beautiful song went on and on and suddenly, I had the name I'd been looking for, for my studio!
How did you find the perfect name for your studio or art business?
Thursday, February 7, 2013
Expand Your Artistic Horizons Online
I'm what is known as a "self taught" artist. That is to say I never attended art school, although I did take art to "0" level at school in England.
When I worked in traditional media, I learned by doing. I had a bit of natural talent, but it was pretty much touch and go, to say the least. If it worked, it worked. If it didn't, it looked crappy, LOL.
When I transitioned into digital media, I discovered that digital artists of all types are accustomed to honing and increasing their technical skills with whichever program they are working in using free online tutorials. These range from how-to essays with screen shots so you can see how to get a particular effect, to video tutorials.
It was a great learning experience, allowing me to progress from one of my first renders in Bryce -- the quintessential "floating orb" beloved of so many digital artists (I'm not sure what it is about floating orbs, but we all seem to go through that phase at some point!!)
I first discovered LVS Online when I wanted to learn more about how to use Adobe Photoshop Elements. I was thrilled to discover they offered two classes which interested me: Introduction to Photoshop Elements and Photoshop Elements; Photos in to Art.
Both of these courses were instructor-led, six week courses where I received learning materials and homework assignments. I could then upload my work and have it reviewed by the instructor, who offered help and guidance where needed.
The reason I'm mentioning LVS Online is that it's still going strong. In addition to learning all about Photoshop Elements, I also took introductory and intermediate courses in Vue -- the program I use when creating my landscapes now. Those tutorials helped me progress from this:
To this - my first render with the full Vue 9 Esprit (versus the freebie Pioneer version I had learned on)
LVS Online offers instructor led classes in a wide variety of subjects -- not just graphics software. You can find classes in subjects such as Effective Writing and English Composition, to Medical Terminology and Project Management.
Of particular interest to artists, or wannabe artists, LVS offers a good range of art and photography classes, such as Acrylic Landscape Painting, Acrylic Pet Portrait Painting and Digital Photography, the Basics. You can get the whole list of classes here.
Instructor led classes begin 6 times a year. Registration is open now for the session starting Feb 25th.
I've signed up for one of the photography classes, to learn more about my camera and to get more comfortable taking it out of AUTO mode!
When I worked in traditional media, I learned by doing. I had a bit of natural talent, but it was pretty much touch and go, to say the least. If it worked, it worked. If it didn't, it looked crappy, LOL.
When I transitioned into digital media, I discovered that digital artists of all types are accustomed to honing and increasing their technical skills with whichever program they are working in using free online tutorials. These range from how-to essays with screen shots so you can see how to get a particular effect, to video tutorials.
 |
| Floating Orb by Jayne Wilson 2005 |
It was a great learning experience, allowing me to progress from one of my first renders in Bryce -- the quintessential "floating orb" beloved of so many digital artists (I'm not sure what it is about floating orbs, but we all seem to go through that phase at some point!!)
 |
| Winter Mountains by Jayne Wilson 2006 |
I first discovered LVS Online when I wanted to learn more about how to use Adobe Photoshop Elements. I was thrilled to discover they offered two classes which interested me: Introduction to Photoshop Elements and Photoshop Elements; Photos in to Art.
 |
| Photo Montage created in Photoshop Elements - Jayne Wilson 2004 |
Both of these courses were instructor-led, six week courses where I received learning materials and homework assignments. I could then upload my work and have it reviewed by the instructor, who offered help and guidance where needed.
The reason I'm mentioning LVS Online is that it's still going strong. In addition to learning all about Photoshop Elements, I also took introductory and intermediate courses in Vue -- the program I use when creating my landscapes now. Those tutorials helped me progress from this:
 |
| Early Vue Render - Jayne Wilson 2010 |
To this - my first render with the full Vue 9 Esprit (versus the freebie Pioneer version I had learned on)
 | |
| "Lazy River" - Jayne Wilson 2011 |
LVS Online offers instructor led classes in a wide variety of subjects -- not just graphics software. You can find classes in subjects such as Effective Writing and English Composition, to Medical Terminology and Project Management.
Of particular interest to artists, or wannabe artists, LVS offers a good range of art and photography classes, such as Acrylic Landscape Painting, Acrylic Pet Portrait Painting and Digital Photography, the Basics. You can get the whole list of classes here.
Instructor led classes begin 6 times a year. Registration is open now for the session starting Feb 25th.
I've signed up for one of the photography classes, to learn more about my camera and to get more comfortable taking it out of AUTO mode!
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