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Tuesday, November 27, 2012

From Start to Finish: Peaceful Pets

Here is my latest piece, From Start to Finish, destined for a friend's custom Christmas card! The animal portraits are based on a real cat and dog who ACTUALLY like to snuggle! Here they are in real life:

Image ©2012 Melanie Linden Chan

Image ©2012 Melanie Linden Chan

Image ©2012 Melanie Linden Chan

Aren't they the CUTEST?!?!

Anyway, my friend wanted something that conveyed peace, and something warm and cozy, and a bit on the sketchy side. I tried so hard not to tighten up my lines like I always do! But I ended up doing it anyway. Partially. (You'll see what I mean...)

Sketches:
Image ©2012 Melanie Linden Chan

Image ©2012 Melanie Linden Chan

Image ©2012 Melanie Linden Chan

Image ©2012 Melanie Linden Chan

Inking Stage:
Image ©2012 Melanie Linden Chan

Image ©2012 Melanie Linden Chan

Image ©2012 Melanie Linden Chan

Image ©2012 Melanie Linden Chan

Image ©2012 Melanie Linden Chan

Pencil and Finishing Stage:
Image ©2012 Melanie Linden Chan

Image ©2012 Melanie Linden Chan

Image ©2012 Melanie Linden Chan

Final Piece
Image ©2012 Melanie Linden Chan
Image ©2012 Melanie Linden Chan

I'm pretty proud of this one, though I wish I had moved everything up and to the left by half an inch. But it looks great cropped!

Happy Holidays, and wishing you all this kind of cozy Peace that our fuzzy friends enjoy each and every day!
~Melanie

4 comments:

  1. This is really sweet Melanie!!! Love it. What did you use in the inking stage? was that on a light table or did you redo it freehand? I was wondering about your grid?

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  2. Hi, Sherri!

    I used Winsor & Newtons "nut brown" ink and water for the inking stage. I did everything freehand, but the grid I drew helped me to keep the drawing in proportion to my original sketch. It's a super handy trick to have up one's sleeve!

    Thanks for reading and commenting! :)

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  3. Absolutely adorable! Loved seeing the progress! Hope you survived the blizzard ok!

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  4. Thanks, girl! I hope you made it through okay as well! The weather makes me stir crazy and unable to sit and draw... luckily I had crafting to do!

    And I don't know why I just realized we both live in the same state! How did I not know this?!??

    ReplyDelete