Undersea painting from sketch #2

©Ginger Nielsn 2009

This is the newest version of an old version of an older version. I am happy with this outcome. I had always wanted to find a place for this whale in the undersea picture. Since it is all the way under the waves you will just have to imagine that little girls in pink bathing suits have a magical ability to breathe under water, but only when riding oversized seahorses.

The boy in the tree

I moved the boy from higher in the tree to bring him closer

to the foreground and give more impact to his mission.

©Ginger Nielson 2009

The tree was like a ladder to the sky. Owen climbed until he could clearly see the length of the river below. From this point, high in the tree he spotted the rowboat. As it passed beneath him he knew he had only moments to sound the alarm.

Taking shape

I have begun painting the first of the three sketches I posted eariler.


I am beginning to get the direction I want for the first of the three sketches I planned to paint this week. From the way I am progressing, however, it may take a bit longer. Somehow I don't always seem to satisfy myself with the first few color studies.
That means either going back to change things or starting from scratch. This is always a learning process, but a wonderful experience.

A week's work

What I am working on this week, in addition to cleaning up in the studio, is revising and repainting some older sketches.

In my cleaning and culling process I often find sketches that I have previously scanned and painted...often in too much of a hurry.
This week I will work on these three. I have the benefit and gift of more time this week. (did someone say "slow economy")
I will truly enjoy taking my time and dig deep to create beautiful paintings from these sketches. Stay tuned....

ILLUSTRATION FRIDAY ~ UNFOLD

©Ginger Nielson 2009

As the events of the day began to UNFOLD, Mrs. McInnes realized her dreams of becoming a brain surgeon were limited. Of course, had she chosen to be a rocket scientist instead, she might have more options where immediate travel plans were involved.

I made this Illo Friday theme stretch a bit, since I had been working on it all week. The earlier sketches were posted a few days ago. The piece began to grow and may yet still evolve. I had such fun doing this one. I really got to KNOW each child and feel like they belong to me as much as they belong to Mrs. McInnes. If I were to pick the one most like me... it would be the girl with her boot propped up against the door frame.

So, which one are you?

.... and then, the doorbell rang!

"Oh wait!.... One of them is missing. Is that him ringing the doorbell again?

But take heart... it could be worse!



Or Worse yet!

Embossing a pattern

©Ginger Nielson 2009

This is an illustration from a story I am developing. I wanted to show more texture in the pieces and especially in the sheep. So, here I embossed a pattern over the sheep's wooly coat.

Using Painter X, I created the pattern first, one that I liked, saved it, and then used it with the pattern embossing brush to create the effect.

Using a technique like this once in a while can be effective. One just has to be sure not to overdo it.


I am hoping to find some other ways to create various textures that won't overpower the other spreads in this book. I love the journey that illustration takes me on each day!