Christmas commissions, part deux

A couple good friends commissioned me to paint their nieces for the proud grandparents of the girls. Here’s the finished piece, including Mr. Peepers and Peppers…

Can’t wait to hear what the grandparents thought!

Christmas Commission

A little while ago, a former coworker contacted me with a painting commission. She commissioned a painting for her son when he was born three years ago, and now she’s got a little girl who deserves her own painting! She told me that she wanted something with a butterfly, done in watercolour. I gave a little peek at the finished piece in my last post.

Here’s what I initially brought her:

It wasn’t feeling quite right for her, so we discussed a few changes and this is the final version.

It got me thinking about what often seems like one of the biggest decisions with any artwork: when to stop. I tend to err on the side of less, but this isn’t necessarily the always the right thing for the piece.

How to get fine lines with frisket (a.k.a. masking, drawing gum)

Here’s a peek at the project that got me thinking about making a how-to…

(In progress, with frisket)

(All done!)

Ambrose is not amused by the camera.

Handmade Marketplace

Been trying to figure out a way that I can make my living from art and crafting, thereby never having to leave my house for work. In my research, I found this awesome book: Handmade Marketplace by Kari Chapin. If anyone is already in the crafting scene or looking to get into it, this is such a good resource. Really opened my eyes as far as marketing is concerned. I don’t do any. I probably should, and it might even be possible to find a way to do it that will work within my semi-hermit personality. Who’da thunk it?