Alice and The Caterpillar

Yes, I know it's been a while since the last post, but there was a lot of normal work to do and as they say, "duty calls". 

So this time I thought I would talk about the work done on another of the Alice illustrations. Alice and the Caterpillar  has always been one of those iconic images from the story, so... it had to be done, right? I actually started with this image as the beginning of the Alice series and even painted it just to see if I could. I am not a painter, by trade, so it was an interesting challenge for me. It's fun to be able to experiment when it is NOT your profession. No pressure, you know.

OK. So this is the original drawing I had come up with. I had gone back to the original work done in the books for inspiration, but as the makers of the famous animated film did as well, the caterpillar turned out looking similar.

But I went ahead and painted it anyway. Here is the progression below.

Yeah, so I used almost the same colors as the animated film too, right? Guess I kind of had the animated version stuck in my head. But I like the colors and really didn't want to change it so,... there it is.

But, as time went on and I had decided to use this one a little for one of the designs on Denshima Designs, I thought I may want to at least change the drawing a little  so that there is a more obvious difference in the head of the caterpillar.

Well, for what it's worth, right? That's it for this time. Hope you enjoyed my trials and tribulations through this side project of mine and take care 'til next time.

The White Rabbit

Hey Everyone!  As we get ready for "quaresima" or lent, I thought I would go back a bit and share the white rabbit again in preparation for Easter.  I already posted him on the Denishima Designs page on FB. But now I thought of just showing the images.

As mentioned in that post, the drawing of the white rabbit started what became the Alice Line.  This version of the classic bunny just kind of popped up in my head and I had to try it out.  I always think how interesting it is to come up with a drawing that looks like you had done it as a quick 5-second sketch, when in actuality, as some artists know... it can take hours... sometimes days to get something resembling anything that you don't mind putting out there.  Of course, there are some artists actually capable of whipping out a beautiful drawing in no time at all, but I'm not one of them.

Thinking about those super skilled artist, it comes to mind a story that one of my art history professors had told us about a Chinese brush painter.  A patron commissions a painting from this artist (I think it was of a tree... let's say it was a tree).  After some time, the patron checks in with the artist about the status of the work and the painter repeatedly tells the client that it is not yet ready. Months turn to years, as the patron continues to check in occasionally on the progress of the painting. Finally, he demands that the artist present him with his request immediately, so the painter takes out a brush and proceeds to paint a beautiful tree.  The client is pleased but asks why the artist made him wait so long if he is able to do such work in no time at all.  The painter replies that it was because it took that long to become skilled enough to paint the tree in the manner that was required.

Anyway, just wanted to share how the ol' guy turned out in the end.  I had featured just the drawing with the swatch of color as in the design on the Denishima page, but here I thought I would also share the painted version, which soon will be released on a few products on Zazzle.

First, here is the initial pencil sketch.

And now the version with the text.  I thought of this saying first... but now thinking of changing it to "it's never 2 L8!"   I thought it might be a better message... more positive?

And then the painted version.

Well, that's it for now.  Will be posting again soon with more bunnies to get ready for Easter!
CIAO!

Denishima Designs and the Cheshire Cat

Wow, it's been a long time, right? Thought this blog was dead? Well, me too! But as they say, "life finds a way", so there may be a faint pulse in the ol' blog yet.

Decided that I might talk about some of the things I'm working on for Denishima Designs. Yes, that's how I called my new e-store on Zazzle – by the way, here's the address right away, go take a look! http://www.zazzle.com/denishima_designs/gifts. It's kind of a fun project to do, and I think it may inspire me to remain a little more faithful to this blog and not be so distracted by life.

I had started out with the Alice Line, which is just an interpretation of the famous Alice stories we know from childhood. It had been just an outlet for me, drawing the characters I love... but then turned into this fun adaptation when adding text to it. I am thinking of releasing the line with no text as well, for those who just prefer the image itself. After all, a picture's worth... well, in this day and age... not as much as it used to be.

The Woodland Line followed closely after and it is proving to be another fun venue. I am using this line to focus on my love of animals, and have brought elements of the cultures that inspire my everyday life. So, you may find a lot of Asian influences, as well as European. Of course, coming from the States has its imprint on me as well, so everything is laced with elements of home.

In addition to these lines, I am currently working on products using the Sister Stamps images I had created together with my sister, Jenny. This line is particularly close to my heart as it brings into the foreground all the things I love about where I've come from... Hawaii. With the blending of Asian and Hawaiian cultures, this is something I am looking forward to sharing with everyone.

And now back to Alice...

So, I had started with the White Rabbit and I introduced him on my Denishima Designs Facebook page – please visit and like it! https://www.facebook.com/denishimadesigns – but now we're on to the Cheshire. But I may revisit the White Rabbit when I present the painted version. Anyway,... the Cheshire.

As I mentioned on FB, I enjoyed the presence of the Cheshire in the Alice story, and oddly gained a sense of security from that character. Even though in this drawing I represented him as very large and a bit overbearing, and that gives him a kind of menacing quality, the layout suggests a cradling effect of the scene. Alice looks upon him with curiosity and a little wariness, bit is not afraid. The Cheshire is more mischievous and although may be intimidating at first, is nothing to fear... and actually can be a comfort in this insane land. Below, I wanted to share a few images regarding this illustration. The original sketch... the one with added text, a swatch of color... and the final paint.

When a friend of mine saw this graphic version, the response was: "Ooooo, scary!" Huh. I never thought of it as scary, but when I took another look, I could understand how it can seem creepy, ya?

I guess I ended up capitalizing on that and even pushed the eeriness a little for the paint. Hee hee.

Well, I am glad I am back to writing on my blog, and I hope you are too! Till next post... CIAO!