tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29024340702073659402024-03-04T20:43:53.415-08:00The Art of S.M. BittlerSymbolism, mythology, big cats and monsters. And bunnies!S.M. Bittlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01405052332400043723noreply@blogger.comBlogger42125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902434070207365940.post-85771708033311490052014-01-12T13:09:00.000-08:002014-01-12T13:09:06.541-08:00Parasaurolophus-Type Dinosaur<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeSM54dVrFBehv8c_07uQTJNVCxHmD_K6tYOAIlIzNRQ0oBzKJXNUnKYWx3etVW7FcqrCZMQG-0LgTlVxWexxIv5x5t_5FqO3IHOhsQmL7P5IX_jB8DV9-OCX89tgGQ9rGB4IOQzztIl0/s1600/SMB-parasaurolophus_for_thaily.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeSM54dVrFBehv8c_07uQTJNVCxHmD_K6tYOAIlIzNRQ0oBzKJXNUnKYWx3etVW7FcqrCZMQG-0LgTlVxWexxIv5x5t_5FqO3IHOhsQmL7P5IX_jB8DV9-OCX89tgGQ9rGB4IOQzztIl0/s400/SMB-parasaurolophus_for_thaily.jpg" /></a></div><br />
I broke out my colored pencils - which have languished in a drawer for maybe a decade---? to try some color (so please be gentle, it has been so long, and I have a lot to learn, still). I love sketches and black & white ink or pencil work, but I've been rusty with color, so this was good practice. <br />
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This is for my friend Thaily, who has been so helpful and supportive of me over these many years. It's a "fantasy" dino because I had fun with anatomy and color (I know Parasaurolophus-type dinos may not have had that neck-flap from the "horn", for instance), but it was an enjoyable experiment. Thanks for everything, Thaily!<br />
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It is small, under 5", and was done with Prismacolor pencils (mostly) on laser printer paper.S.M. Bittlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01405052332400043723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902434070207365940.post-75217913773389422352013-03-25T19:11:00.000-07:002014-01-12T13:10:52.015-08:00Winged Lion - Beasts of YoreThis Winged Lion was originally designed for The Beasts of Yore Portfolio, a collection of artwork by 12 different artists depicting many strange, unique and mythical creatures from tales of yore. Each image was accompanied by an original story! Though the book is now out of print, if you would like to see more of the art, please go here: <a href="http://beastsofyore.blogspot.com/p/artwork.html">Beasts of Yore</a>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGjSBfHreKfU6HaISeoBLJ-a78Na9jQ-XW2qixjtGDuD5I3YlKsErcgx_9OFNj1YRgiY-4C19zVoBQE5UyUwOrFrAUSnPG8YvXDoh8rkn5GW49ORfh3m-KymcksFmthBMNw8dGiDLbnmo/s1600/BoY-WINGED_LION-BW-FINAL.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGjSBfHreKfU6HaISeoBLJ-a78Na9jQ-XW2qixjtGDuD5I3YlKsErcgx_9OFNj1YRgiY-4C19zVoBQE5UyUwOrFrAUSnPG8YvXDoh8rkn5GW49ORfh3m-KymcksFmthBMNw8dGiDLbnmo/s320/BoY-WINGED_LION-BW-FINAL.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWlSO9OMj5EJMyRE_SOZ_UnBUT4RRJbk0GOvF3s5qqoXYhPAYqNJ0UdMlItJhwxVLlU0Bd2CtvxB5H8WLNELz8tEeeWrtf0KfMlI4T0Z0yONkFxpBcZNL-pkA0l0q04FMDX0ifw_zWvWU/s1600/BoY-WINGED_LION-COLOR-FINAL.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWlSO9OMj5EJMyRE_SOZ_UnBUT4RRJbk0GOvF3s5qqoXYhPAYqNJ0UdMlItJhwxVLlU0Bd2CtvxB5H8WLNELz8tEeeWrtf0KfMlI4T0Z0yONkFxpBcZNL-pkA0l0q04FMDX0ifw_zWvWU/s320/BoY-WINGED_LION-COLOR-FINAL.jpg" /></a><br />
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I know I had posted a preview of this, but I had not posted the final piece. I've posted the final pencil drawing, as well as the finished color piece, so you can see a little bit of my process. When I work like this, with a pencil original and then digital color, often much more of my time is spent working on the pencil art than on the digital color (and I still use a mouse; I need to get out my tablet and practice). I love to draw in pencil, and it's one of my favorite things to do, but it is a very time-consuming process.<br />
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The winged lion is a very, very old symbol; as you may know, many ancient cultures have their own beautiful versions and stories behind them (and I love them all! I collect lions and lion imagery, among other things). For my piece, I narrowed it down and finally chose to do one as was often featured in heraldry, as I love working with the stylizations, though I love winged lions of all kinds. Years ago I had done one for a <a href="http://synnabar.critter.net/Pages..../ArtPages..../MythArtPages..../mythmain.html">Typography project</a> but was pressed for time and wasn't happy with the outcome, so I was glad for the opportunity to do a nicer one.<br />
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This was done in mechanical pencil on Bristol, then colored in Photoshop CS3. I scanned in some papyrus and used it for the background.<br />
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Should you be interested, Limited Edition Prints are available <a href="http://synnabar.storenvy.com/products/380196-winged-lion-limited-edition-8-1-2-x-11-print">here, at my Storenvy Store</a>. Thanks for looking!S.M. Bittlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01405052332400043723noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902434070207365940.post-70145438893876498672013-03-25T17:29:00.000-07:002014-01-12T13:10:08.886-08:00Ratha's Creature Kickstarter Challenge Support ArtHere's a picture I drew to help promote a Kickstarter project for Ratha's Creature, which will be a graphic novel based on one of my favorite books as a kid (which is also a great read for adults), by the wonderful Clare Bell. Though the Kickstarter has ended, pre-orders for the ebook and paperback versions can still be made <a href="http://rathakick.imaginatorpress.com/">here</a>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0qmbyL8e-_cF5Ei0_WsWQspqbimW9QPh-NrxyxRZ36VVqs08siakVOx8XVojzOqNznFeUoPYNPIf-YM399WKfzOrkzB_Gn-OyfgrDD6Z9ffrd1cJZAOvgv6KAjhbt32ied9_wfDJ53JM/s1600/SMB-Ratha_Cat-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0qmbyL8e-_cF5Ei0_WsWQspqbimW9QPh-NrxyxRZ36VVqs08siakVOx8XVojzOqNznFeUoPYNPIf-YM399WKfzOrkzB_Gn-OyfgrDD6Z9ffrd1cJZAOvgv6KAjhbt32ied9_wfDJ53JM/s320/SMB-Ratha_Cat-01.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIxFWbNrI-7-I6jexSrzqnJa26qwukbwghfFNmwR3dA0IV_8LJ44FzC3slAUrMohSfnDUq-xfzcEUB8YR2wL34TxSpYi9Mv0eVNeFi05ihFIxByW0hz-Uw9cI9QPAMKsGBM1JmOGHFfRY/s1600/SMB-Ratha_Cat-DETAIL-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIxFWbNrI-7-I6jexSrzqnJa26qwukbwghfFNmwR3dA0IV_8LJ44FzC3slAUrMohSfnDUq-xfzcEUB8YR2wL34TxSpYi9Mv0eVNeFi05ihFIxByW0hz-Uw9cI9QPAMKsGBM1JmOGHFfRY/s320/SMB-Ratha_Cat-DETAIL-01.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRCMp0CVv48PxMkmwVzsNPLmZe55X_DVEOL6ifjzaL6xMQ65o1mY6jC0FYbdLKy6xHb6I_gk76SzH7lGXOQ8shef_WS-6w16jy4ezDaFK_W1busx2GcS6J4ADJFHo4mbAI-wReuMQ-Joo/s1600/SMB-unNamed-Ratha_Cat-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRCMp0CVv48PxMkmwVzsNPLmZe55X_DVEOL6ifjzaL6xMQ65o1mY6jC0FYbdLKy6xHb6I_gk76SzH7lGXOQ8shef_WS-6w16jy4ezDaFK_W1busx2GcS6J4ADJFHo4mbAI-wReuMQ-Joo/s320/SMB-unNamed-Ratha_Cat-01.jpg" /></a><br />
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Note, I'm not involved with the project myself, but I love the book (and series), and I had a little time to draw while recently snowed in (we got over 30"!), so I hoped to help by drawing and spreading the word. I have been a huge fan of the Named series (Ratha's Creature, Clan Ground, etc.) since I was a kid in the 80's, and have been dying to do new fanart, so here's my little homage to a fantastic character from a wonderful author of an excellent series. <br />
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The first drawing is how I saw Ratha in my head when I first read the books. Now, I understand her species (a sentient prehistoric big cat) looks more cheetah-like now, but back in the 80's I had pictured her as a kind of puma/leopard mix, with some prehistoric sabertooth too, so that's what I drew (the author herself encourages artists to draw The Named as they see them, which I think is fantastic). The second is a detail, and the third is a big male "UnNamed" as I saw them in the book. This could be Shongshar from Clan Ground, but I think he would have somewhat longer saberteeth, so this might just be a random UnNamed instead.<br />
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Good Luck and Best Wishes to the Ratha Project! :D<br />
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S.M. Bittlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01405052332400043723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902434070207365940.post-3928576254065146262013-03-25T17:28:00.000-07:002014-01-12T13:14:58.202-08:00Eagle-Eyed TigerI've been behind in posting art, so for those of you who may not have seen this elsewhere, here is a fun little exercise I painted back in the summer of 2011 - apparently I was on a fantasy-inspired tiger kick!<br />
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"Eagle-Eyed Tiger' - new band name - I call it!"<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWlFxvBwxcn_vC2sX9I7zIYjxI6ssZ23Bo0eqdDpT5F-2A3aEhH-KXO0C2RTwv_7NPxtLD9umGeufC6Rd3tKDkg55F5LLRnIF_zwwK5a6MD2umqqo4zPAJm9bE-DBI_rEAohm5dcUQOOY/s1600/SMB-Eagle-Eyed-Tiger.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWlFxvBwxcn_vC2sX9I7zIYjxI6ssZ23Bo0eqdDpT5F-2A3aEhH-KXO0C2RTwv_7NPxtLD9umGeufC6Rd3tKDkg55F5LLRnIF_zwwK5a6MD2umqqo4zPAJm9bE-DBI_rEAohm5dcUQOOY/s320/SMB-Eagle-Eyed-Tiger.jpg" /></a><br />
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A warm-up piece inspired by a silly quote from a TV show I like. It's done in gouache on an 8" x 10" fiber board panel, like my Prehistoric Series from last year. I LOVE painting on this surface! I wanted to keep this light and stylized, and the tiger has "eagle eyes", not tiger eyes --- obviously real tigers don't look like this!<br />
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It was really busy for me back then (though it still is now, actually), so I drew the concept sketch for this, transferred it to board a month after drawing it, and finally got around to painting it a few weeks after that. I may be slow, but I am determined!<br />
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The original is available for sale <a href="http://synnabar.storenvy.com/products/123596-eagle-eyed-tiger-original">here, at my Storenvy Store</a>.S.M. Bittlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01405052332400043723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902434070207365940.post-30976541005678840512013-03-25T17:27:00.001-07:002014-01-12T13:15:43.960-08:00"Sonora", Mountain LionI don't seem to have posted this here, but as it's one of my more favorite "real" wildlife portraits, I thought I might share it. I hope you like it!<br />
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From 2010, "Sonora", a colored version of a mountain lion I'd originally drawn in my Pen Sketchbook. I had been watching the "Wild About Animals TV" show and was inspired by the animals of the Sonoran desert featured on an episode, as well as by memories of visiting the Desert Botanical Gardens in Arizona with my parents and little sister back in 1997. It was cleaned up and mouse-colored in Photoshop, with a scanned image of papyrus added.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTGhXsUgPYNgb3Nod2wPlUiOgnepfmF9P3iwqYfvDTzIbZ7d2_tx_Ar5FqHvWTbXOCYeJ8t_2ucGXQI-CVmevmuBvUxuMZVI5gwCat-wIfKNLUJRHLlXBGvx6y5hFjptHdQM0rpERPgIY/s1600/syn-SBP-sonora-COLOR.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTGhXsUgPYNgb3Nod2wPlUiOgnepfmF9P3iwqYfvDTzIbZ7d2_tx_Ar5FqHvWTbXOCYeJ8t_2ucGXQI-CVmevmuBvUxuMZVI5gwCat-wIfKNLUJRHLlXBGvx6y5hFjptHdQM0rpERPgIY/s320/syn-SBP-sonora-COLOR.jpg" /></a><br />
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Should you be interested, prints are available <a href=http://synnabar.storenvy.com/products/163651-sonora-8-1-2-x-11-print">here, at my Storenvy Store</a>, and t-shirts, mugs, totes are available <a href="http://www.printfection.com/synnabargraphics/Mountain-Lion-Sonora/_s_389105">my Printfection Store</a>.S.M. Bittlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01405052332400043723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902434070207365940.post-66110632873432033942013-03-25T17:27:00.000-07:002014-01-12T13:15:18.278-08:00Tiger God IV version IIII had always wanted to paint my Tiger God IV from my Pen Sketchbook. Even though I had colored a version of it in Photoshop, I really enjoy actually painting whenever possible. The results are different too, as in Photoshop I only color using a mouse, while when using gouache I have better success working with textures.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglSCUyDPrQsuGMqlOeHeAdRhI71wncpsviuOm4T8j9C197iSk9zgQyFsAoRcDopOv268sgDD9pGX2Ta6zPptpql6pkIsMxM3igzredim24zZh7rOqr401Ghob0EdQ89p-__LFc8NsI70w/s1600/SMB-Tiger_God_IV-vIII-FINAL.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglSCUyDPrQsuGMqlOeHeAdRhI71wncpsviuOm4T8j9C197iSk9zgQyFsAoRcDopOv268sgDD9pGX2Ta6zPptpql6pkIsMxM3igzredim24zZh7rOqr401Ghob0EdQ89p-__LFc8NsI70w/s320/SMB-Tiger_God_IV-vIII-FINAL.jpg" /></a><br />
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This is done in gouache on a Fiber Panel Board, like my Prehistoric Series from last year, and is pretty large; it's 10" x 20". Gouache is a funny medium, though; it looks really vibrant and has a lot of depth when you see the actual paintings, but is tricky to scan... the colors are a bit harsher here, and not quite as smooth as they are if you see it in person.<br />
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It, like the original pen sketch, is supposed to be stylized; obviously real tigers don't look like this! I enjoy stylizing things my own way; there are plenty of artists out there who are much better than I am at photorealistic paintings, which is fine with me--- I''ll leave that to them and just do things my own way - which is more fun! ;DS.M. Bittlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01405052332400043723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902434070207365940.post-86240392948531289352012-12-28T19:11:00.000-08:002014-01-12T13:17:32.499-08:00Life's What You Make It<a href="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../2012/11_2012/syn-SBP-LifesWhatYouMakeIt.jpg"><img src="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../2012/11_2012/syn-SBP-LifesWhatYouMakeItMD.jpg"></a><br />
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<i>Baby,<br />
life's what you make it<br />
Celebrate it<br />
Anticipate it<br />
Yesterday's faded<br />
Nothing can change it<br />
Life's what you make it<br />
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(Everything's all right)<br />
life's what you make it<br />
(Everything's all right)<br />
Life's What You Make It</i><br />
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((The drawing makes more sense if you've seen the video – <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXsmyLtpxlA">here on YouTube</a>. Are they fighting or dancing? It is what you make it. ;D))<br />
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Lyrics © 1985 Mark Hollis, Tim Friese-Greene // Talk TalkS.M. Bittlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01405052332400043723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902434070207365940.post-72955219124823367982012-12-28T11:02:00.000-08:002013-03-25T13:46:09.740-07:00ACEOs - Round TwoHi! Here are a few more of the ACEOs I did back in May and June 2012. As I've said before, ACEOs actually work out really well for me, as I like to draw small anyway, and the cards are easy to carry around and sketch on in bits of free time. Also, they are good for working out ideas that I may develop into bigger paintings later.<br />
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<center><a href="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../2012/06_2012/SMB-ACEO-Not_Forgotten-Thylacine.jpg"><img src="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../2012/06_2012/SMB-ACEO-Not_Forgotten-Thylacinetb.jpg"></a>  <a href="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../2012/06_2012/SMB-ACEO-Jaguar_Lord.jpg"><img src="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../2012/06_2012/SMB-ACEO-Jaguar_Lordtb.jpg"></a>  <a href="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../2012/06_2012/SMB-ACEO-African_Hunting_Dog.jpg"><img src="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../2012/06_2012/SMB-ACEO-African_Hunting_Dogtb.jpg"></a></center><br />
I love thylacines, so the first (titled "Not Forgotten") is my take on one. I also love (as you probably know by now) Mesoamerican art and jaguars, so the second is another painting of a jaguar lord/Tezcatlipoca– or Tepeyollotl-type figure. The third is just a silly painting of an African Wild Dog, a species I haven't painted much (but should paint more - it's fun to try new things). They are done in pencil and gouache (some with a little ink) on illustration board. <b>They are up for sale at my <a href="http://synnabar.storenvy.com/">Storenvy store</a></b>. I took artistic license with all three, and just tried to have fun. I have some more I will post soon.<br />
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Thanks, as always, for taking the time to look! :)S.M. Bittlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01405052332400043723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902434070207365940.post-82167702202186645382012-06-08T12:19:00.001-07:002013-10-25T07:41:06.590-07:00ACEOsHi everyone, as you may have noticed, I've been popping online in various social networks, but figured I'd better update here, too! I've been trundling along, fitting in art where I can. ACEOs actually work out really well for me, as I like to draw small anyway, and the cards are easy to carry around and sketch on in bits of free time. Also, they are good for working out ideas that I may develop into bigger paintings later (like the unicorn).<br />
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If you like them, some are for sale at my <b><a href="http://synnabar.storenvy.com/">storenvy store</a></b>. Click for a larger image.<br />
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<center><a href="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../2012/06_2012/ACEO4-Fox_Magic_V.jpg"><img src="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../2012/06_2012/ACEO4-Fox_Magic_Vtb.jpg"></a>  <a href="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../2012/06_2012/ACEO5-Rusty_Cage.jpg"><img src="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../2012/06_2012/ACEO5-Rusty_Cagetb.jpg"></a><br />
<a href="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../2012/06_2012/ACEO6-Pale_Shelter.jpg"><img src="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../2012/06_2012/ACEO6-Pale_Sheltertb.jpg"></a>  <a href="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../2012/06_2012/ACEO3-Unicorn.jpg"><img src="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../2012/06_2012/ACEO3-Unicorntb.jpg"></a><br />
<a href="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../2012/06_2012/ACEO1-Lynx.jpg"><img src="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../2012/06_2012/ACEO1-Lynxtb.jpg"></a>  <a href="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../2012/06_2012/ACEO7-Golden_Tiger_Hi.jpg"><img src="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../2012/06_2012/ACEO7-Golden_Tiger_Hitb.jpg"></a><br />
<a href="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../2012/06_2012/ACEO2-Happy_Cat.jpg"><img src="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../2012/06_2012/ACEO2-Happy_Cattb.jpg"></a>  <a href="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../2012/06_2012/ACEO8-Tigerish_Hellcat.jpg"><img src="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../2012/06_2012/ACEO8-Tigerish_Hellcattb.jpg"></a></center><br />
The first three were drawn in pen over the summer of 2011, colored earlier this year. They were drawn freehand in ballpoint pen and colored later in gouache on an ACEO sketch card (90lb. weight paper stock, specifically in a <b><a href="http://www.dickblick.com/products/borden-and-riley-mini-spiral-pads/">Borden & Riley Artist Sketch Vellum Mini Spiral Pad</a></b>). They are the standard ACEO size (which is small – 2.5" x 3.5").<br />
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1. Fox Magic V (kitsune); 2. Rusty Cage (lupine); 3. Pale Shelter (canine): Kitsune lore fascinates me, and "Rusty Cage" and "Pale Shelter" were inspired by the respecive songs.<br />
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The next batch were drawn on illustration board, and some were painted with gouache.<br />
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4. Unicorn: I find unicorns of all shapes, sizes, and conformations beautiful, whether they're the wildly fierce heraldic type, or more deer- or goat-like, or even the horned, cloven-hooved horse kind. I love to draw all different types, too, but here I was inspired to draw a more horse-like one. Fluffy manes are fun! I hope to make this into a painting. Note, this one has sold.<br />
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5. Lynx; 6. Golden Tiger (a modified "golden tabby tiger"); 7. Happy Cat: (this little smiley cat could be related to the Cheshire Cat, as a matter of fact! ; 8. Tigerish Hellcat: I have always loved to draw snarly things, even when I'm in a good mood; it's very satisfying, drawing all those curved muzzle wrinkles and teeth. I loosely term this stylized fiery creature a "hellcat".<br />
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I know, no big epic paintings from me lately, but it's either this, or nothing with what time I have... and I'd rather do something small and achievable than nothing at all! XD I will get back to bigger things someday.<br />
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Thanks, as always, for looking! :D I hope you are all well.S.M. Bittlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01405052332400043723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902434070207365940.post-72705603236652463512011-09-01T19:11:00.000-07:002014-01-12T13:23:56.410-08:00Werewolf Calendar 2012: Now For Sale!Hi everyone! I apologize for being offline so much; between work, our daughter, family stuff, and lately, Hurricane Irene, I've been busy, and I know I've missed a lot here, both good and bad. I hope you all are doing well!<br />
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I did complete a very big project (literally): my piece for the 2012 Werewolf Calendar. My theme was "urban werewolves".<br />
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<center><a href="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../2011/09_2011/SYNNABAR-WWC2012-FINAL-LG.jpg"><img src="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../2011/09_2011/SYNNABAR-WWC2012-MD.jpg"></a></center><br />
<b>NOTE: Sales are now closed.</b> <br />
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<b><a href="http://www.WerewolfCalendar.com">www.WerewolfCalendar.com</a></b><br />
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<b>Join the Werewolf Calendar Community on DA: <a href="http://werewolf-calendar.deviantart.com/">http://werewolf-calendar.deviantart.com/</a></b><br />
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<lj-cut text="More about this image"><b>About this image:</b> I went with more of an "urban werewolf" idea, rather than a "hybrid werewolf". I love werewolves of ALL kinds, from big raging beasts to long lanky ones and everything in between, but I went with somewhat "average-sized", more lithe ones for this idea. I thought they might make more sense in a city where they don't want to stand out too much.<br />
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I wanted to try a night scene: moonlit, though the city's never REALLY dark, I suppose, with bare branches as the season is winter. I had done a sort of urban werewolf couple years ago, and this is kind of an update. The lion statue is "Patience", one of the two lions - along with "Fortitude" - from the NY Public Library. I hoped it might make a striking calendar image, plus I thought the idea of werewolves disrespecting a lion as top predator might be subtly funny.<br />
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<b>Work notes:</b> The original pencil drawing for this is HUGE: almost 20" wide. Last year I couldn't get in the detail I wanted working at actual size, so I drew this much larger. My pencil technique (lots of layering and push-pulling of the graphite) is very time-consuming, so this took me a very long time, but I did enjoy it. I scanned it in six sections, merged it together, then added color with a mouse in Photoshop CS3. I looked at hundreds of wolf photos and royalty-free and creative commons images for the lion and library, and the trees are based on a photo I took myself.</lj-cut><br />
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I hope you like it!<br />
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Just heard it's the centennial of the New York Public Library too! Neat. :)S.M. Bittlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01405052332400043723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902434070207365940.post-83496975846353927532010-12-23T07:36:00.001-08:002013-10-25T07:42:35.117-07:00Happy Holidays!<center><a href="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../2010/12_2010/SMB-Christmas-2010.jpg"><img src="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../2010/12_2010/SMB-Christmas-2010tb.jpg"></a></center><br />
Happy Holidays, 2010. Merry Christmas, Joyous Yule, and Happy New Year! Whatever you celebrate, I wish you all the best. :)<br />
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Done in Adobe Illustrator CS3.<br />
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I was really pressed for time this year, so unfortunately I didn't get to do a big card-mailing. :/ I hope this (sort of) makes up for it! I'm very sorry and I hope to be able to mail out cards as usual next year.S.M. Bittlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01405052332400043723noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902434070207365940.post-15958503414680211802010-10-28T13:17:00.000-07:002013-10-25T07:44:08.496-07:00UPDATE: Art (Pen Sketchbook: 3 Lupine Shapeshifters), Werewolf Calendar Sales Closing!, ImagekindI'm chugging along at work and at home, but still trying to fit in some art time! Here are three pieces from my Pen Sketchbook II. The Fall (especially near Halloween) always makes me want to draw werewolves, or at least werewolf-type creatures; I don't know if these would pass for werewolves in the "this is what the general public thinks werewolves are like" sense (like <i>The Howling</i> or <i>The Wolf Man</i>), and I know people are very picky about them online too (judging by the comments I see everywhere), so to dodge the (silver?) bullet so to speak I'll just call them "lupine shapeshifters". I would like to thank all the books, calendars, and magazine clippings I've been sorting through in preparation for re-doing the living room for inspiration as well.<br />
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<center><a href="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../2010/10_2010/syn-SBP-Ruffian.jpg"><img src="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../2010/10_2010/syn-SBP-Ruffiantb.jpg"></a>  <a href="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../2010/10_2010/syn-SBP-Vagabond.jpg"><img src="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../2010/10_2010/syn-SBP-Vagabondtb.jpg"></a>  <a href="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../2010/10_2010/syn-SBP-DenMother.jpg"><img src="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../2010/10_2010/syn-SBP-DenMothertb.jpg"></a></center><br />
<b>First</b> is "Ruffian", who looks to be somewhat more of a red wolf or coyote-hybrid type guy. He came to mind while listening to Tori Amos' <i><a href="http://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=tori+amos+don't+make+me+come+to+vegas&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8">Don't Make Me Come To Vegas</a></i>. Yeah, I know this idea has probably been done a million times before (and better, too), but who cares? He doesn't. Heck, I don't, either. I'm just glad to be drawing something!<br />
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<b>Second</b> is "Vagabond", a scruffy wolf-type guy, also more red-wolf-like. I love to draw big, muscular creatures with perfect pelts (as you can no doubt tell from most of my other stuff), but scraggly and lean is fun too. I tried to mix human features with the lanky frame, so his face isn't quite lupine, nor are his legs. Some wolves have surprisingly thin limbs!<br />
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<b>Third</b> is "Den Mother", also territory that has been crossed many times before by many artists, but it was still fun and enjoyable for me. I liked layering things up and I enjoyed doing the roundness/flatness of it. If I re-did it, or painted it, I might try to make it more realistic, as well as do a more general-public-pleasing hand/paw or full paw instead of the weird hand/paw mix thing I've got going on here, but when sketching for me I just draw what I feel like.<br />
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Thanks again for reading! I hope you all are having wonderful days. :)S.M. Bittlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01405052332400043723noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902434070207365940.post-89891959509210556032010-07-09T07:00:00.000-07:002011-02-17T11:30:57.680-08:00Art Post: Cave Bear<center><a href="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../2010/06_2010/SMB-PREHISTORIC_SERIES-CAVE_BEAR.jpg"><img src="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../2010/06_2010/SMB-PREHISTORIC_SERIES-CAVE_BEARtb.jpg"></a></center><br />
Here is another painting from my "Prehistoric" series, done for a convention (see the other three in previous entries). This one, like the Giant Hyena, is approximately 12" x 12", and also on <b><a href="http://www.dickblick.com/products/art-boards-natural-fiber-painting-panels/">Natural Fiber Painting Panels</a></b>, painted in gouache. It is based on the cave bear, <i>Ursus spelaeus</i>.<br />
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Like the others, this was a learning experience, and I don't claim to be completely accurate; I have so little free time I wanted to make sure art stayed "fun" for me, so I did this one like the others - as a stylized and iconic interpretation, where I took liberties with scientific accuracy. I tried to keep the colors toned down and similar for cohesiveness, as it will be with all the paintings in this series.<br />
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As always, thanks for looking!S.M. Bittlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01405052332400043723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902434070207365940.post-51447369194175423612010-06-16T08:16:00.000-07:002011-02-17T11:13:15.898-08:00Art Post: Giant Hyena<center><a href="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../2010/06_2010/SMB-PREHISTORIC_SERIES-GIANT_HYENA.jpg"><img src="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../2010/06_2010/SMB-PREHISTORIC_SERIES-GIANT-HYENAtb.jpg"></a></center><br />
Here is another painting from my "Prehistoric" series for an upcoming convention (see the first two in the previous entry). This one is approximately 12" x 12", also on <b><a href="http://www.dickblick.com/products/art-boards-natural-fiber-painting-panels/">Natural Fiber Painting Panels</a></b>, painted in gouache. It is based on the giant (or "short-faced") hyena/hyaena, like those from the genus <i>Pachycrocuta</i>.<br />
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Like the others, this was a learning experience, and I don't claim to be completely accurate; I have so little free time I wanted to make sure art stayed "fun" for me, so I did this one like the dire wolf and sabretooth - as a stylized and iconic interpretation, where I took liberties with scientific accuracy. I tried to keep the colors toned down and similar for cohesiveness, as it will be with all the paintings in this series.<br />
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As always, thanks for looking. Sorry I have not been on much. More art soon!S.M. Bittlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01405052332400043723noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902434070207365940.post-8027350215148341532010-06-08T07:38:00.000-07:002010-06-08T07:41:32.930-07:00Art Post: Sabertooth & Dire Wolf<center><a href="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../2010/06_2010/SMB-PREHISTORIC_SERIES-SMILODON.jpg"><img src="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../2010/06_2010/SMB-PREHISTORIC_SERIES-SMILODONtb.jpg"></a>    <a href="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../2010/06_2010/SMB-PREHISTORIC_SERIES-DIRE_WOLF.jpg"><img src="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../2010/06_2010/SMB-PREHISTORIC_SERIES-DIRE_WOLFtb.jpg"></a></center><br />Here are two paintings from a "Prehistoric" series for an upcoming convention. They are 8" x 10" on <b><a href="http://www.dickblick.com/products/art-boards-natural-fiber-painting-panels/">Natural Fiber Painting Panels</a></b>, painted in gouache. I really like the surface - I transferred a xerox of my drawing using <b><a href="http://www.saralpaper.com/store/">Saral Transfer Paper</a></b> onto the boards, and the lines held up under multiple washes of color. Best of all, for me, the surface didn't buckle, shred, pill, or otherwise deteriorate, a problem I'd had with other paper-based surfaces.<br /><br />This was definitely a learning experience for me. I still have a long way to go to improve my lighting, anatomy, etc., but at least I found a surface that seems to work with my style.<br /><br />As for the images themselves, they are my stylized, iconic interpretations of a sabretoothed cat and a dire wolf. The sabretooth I did first, and was good practice. The dire wolf is roughly based on dire wolf skulls, which are a bit thicker and broader than today's gray wolf, but are overall rather similar. Obviously with both I was playing around and not going for complete scientific accuracy. I tried to keep the colors toned down and similar for cohesiveness, as it will be with all the paintings in this series.<br /><br />Sorry to be out of touch; I have not been online much lately, and the last few days not at all.S.M. Bittlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01405052332400043723noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902434070207365940.post-37286873574821659972010-05-14T08:16:00.001-07:002011-02-17T11:14:23.888-08:00Protectors of the Small<center>For two wonderful people who do so much for animals...<br />
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<a href="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../2010/04_2010/protectorofthesmall-L.jpg"><img src="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../2010/04_2010/protectorofthesmall-Ltb.jpg"></a>  <a href="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../2010/04_2010/protectorofthesmall-G.jpg"><img src="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../2010/04_2010/protectorofthesmall-Gtb.jpg"></a><br />
Thanks for <b><a href="http://www.saskatoonspca.com/LLfoster/">ALL</a></b> you do, "laturner" and "gesthen"!</center><br />
These are two little drawings (approx. 4" high) done the same way as my other sketch/art cards, on invitation stationery. The border is pearlized and embossed. I love the cards because they're small and easy to take with me, to work on in bits of free time; plus, the surface has enough tooth to take the graphite nicely, without smearing too much.<br />
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I know the animals aren't 100% accurate and in proportion (the badger is supposed to be large, more human in proportion to the bunnies, etc.), but they're meant to symbolize the recipients, so I took artistic license; they are slightly anthropomorphisized, among other things. The kittens and bunnies are loosely based on ones they've fostered, though I wanted to keep them somewhat unspecific to represent all the animals they've helped. I haven't drawn a realistic polar bear or badger in years (hmmm, if ever...?) so this was an interesting challenge for me (I like to try something/learn something new with each piece I do). I hope you like them!S.M. Bittlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01405052332400043723noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902434070207365940.post-75276752898342483042010-05-14T08:13:00.000-07:002010-05-14T08:15:53.170-07:00So I was in a Bad Mood...<center><a href="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../2010/05_2010/syn-sabretoothbristle.jpg"><img src="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../2010/05_2010/syn-sabretoothbristleMD.jpg"></a></center><br />...but, after some time outside in the sunshine, plus some sketching, and some MST3K on my iPhone, I feel better. <br /><br />(the thing above is a result of crankiness + research on prehistoric creatures; it's just a quick scribble)S.M. Bittlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01405052332400043723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902434070207365940.post-31887822154597941302010-04-22T06:40:00.001-07:002013-10-25T07:59:19.420-07:00Beasts of Yore Preview: Bixie and Winged Lion; Lion & Unicorn Tale; Old Coat of ArmsHi guys! Been busybusybusy working on art, trying to draw at least a little every day, though lately I've been only managing maybe 20 minutes at a time!<br />
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Two things that have kept my busy are for the Beasts of Yore Portfolio; they are the <a href="http://www.cultural-china.com/chinaWH/html/en/13Traditions1548.html">Bixie</a> (check out <a href="http://www.thecityreview.com/f02schin.html">this guy</a>!) and the <a href="http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&client=safari&rls=en&q=winged+lion&aq=f&aqi=g10&aql=&oq=&gs_rfai=">Winged Lion</a>. I'll go more into detail about the portfolio, the artwork, and the creatures themselves once the portfolio is ready and we're permitted to upload our full pieces. For now, I hope you like the previews!<br />
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<center><a href="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../2010/04_2010/SMB-Synnabar-BIXIE-DET.jpg"><img src="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../2010/04_2010/SMB-Synnabar-BIXIE-DETMD.jpg"></a>    <a href="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../2010/04_2010/SMB-Synnabar-WINGED_LION-DET.jpg"><img src="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../2010/04_2010/SMB-Synnabar-WINGED_LION-DETMD.jpg"></a></center><br />
Also, for fun, here's two illustrations from a book I had when I was really little, that had a lasting impression on me. It's from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/42710939/best-loved-nursery-rhymes-and-songs"><i>Best-Loved Nursery Rhymes and Songs</i></a> (1974 edition). I loved the way the lion and unicorn were done - not very accurate, perhaps, but wonderfully heraldic. I loved the soft colors, too. After that is *laughs* a project from 1991 for a color class - I chose to make up my own coat-of-arms. What a mess, but still fun. XD I always loved heraldry! I featured The Five (some other old images of them: <a href="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../1990/syn_The_Five_1990.jpg">1</a>, <a href="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../1991/syn_The_Five_1991.jpg">2</a>) in it, though I played with their forms and colors. They show up in a lot of my work, though often only symbolically. Hm, I remember loving to paint on colored board; I should do it more.<br />
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<center><a href="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../2010/04_2010/BLNRaS-LionAndUnicorn01.jpg"><img src="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../2010/04_2010/BLNRaS-LionAndUnicorn01tb.jpg"></a>  <a href="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../2010/04_2010/BLNRaS-LionAndUnicorn02.jpg"><img src="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../2010/04_2010/BLNRaS-LionAndUnicorn02tb.jpg"></a>  <a href="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../2010/04_2010/SMH-SMB-Heraldry.jpg"><img src="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../2010/04_2010/SMH-SMB-HeraldryMD.jpg"></a></center>S.M. Bittlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01405052332400043723noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902434070207365940.post-97271475725369352010-03-10T13:45:00.000-08:002013-11-10T20:39:22.429-08:00I'm Still Alive...... just in the bowels of Trade Show preparation. This is typically the craziest time of the year at work (my 9-5 job, not my personal stuff), and this year is no exception.<br />
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However, I am still drawing in bits & pieces of spare time! I still have other things to post, but for now, here's a little ACEO-sized pen and white pencil drawing on some chipboard:<br />
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<center><a href="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../2010/03_2010/SMB-AO-ACEO.jpg"><img src="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../2010/03_2010/SMB-AO-ACEO.jpg"></a></center><br />
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I've been inspired in part by all the prehistoric creature reference books I've been reading/researching lately, in preparation for a summer art show. Still hoping to have lots of new stuff! I would like to make this into a full-color painting, maybe with him as a white lion. Though I don't play it myself, I think there is something in the World of Warcraft game that looks like this, but he's not based on that; back in college in the 90's I'd drawn him on the back of a spiral notebook, and the chipboard's color and texture reminded me of that cardboard back cover, so here he is, in 2010 form.<br />
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More soon! Hope you all are well!S.M. Bittlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01405052332400043723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902434070207365940.post-39096890966473387662009-12-23T07:16:00.000-08:002011-02-17T11:15:37.302-08:00Happy Holidays!<center><i>(click for full)</i></center><br />
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<center><b>Wishing ALL of you wonderful holidays and all sorts of good things!</b></center>S.M. Bittlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01405052332400043723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902434070207365940.post-32349046233430198202009-09-02T13:15:00.000-07:002013-10-25T08:00:55.863-07:00Update: Art (Werewolf Calendar 2010 - Presales Now!)I've been a bit behind in posting art, and for that I do apologize! I've been trying to finish some things up, but I think I will be working all weekend on some stuff I'm behind on. Good thing it's a long weekend!<br />
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<center><a href="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../2009/08_2009/SMB-WWC-2010-LG.jpg"><img src="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../2009/08_2009/SMB-WWC-2010-MD.jpg" /></a></center><br />
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Here is my entry for the 2010 Edition of the Werewolf Calendar. You may remember this was finished in June 2009, but I was given the go-ahead to post it in August.<br />
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<b>About this Piece:</b> I decided to go with the "opposite" of <a href="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../2008/10_2008/SMB-WWC-LG.jpg">last year's image</a>. I used warm colors instead of cool, had the werewolf facing left with its back to the viewer, and drew darker fur (it's based on a Mexican wolf). Instead of Celtic style decorations, I used imagery that was Mayan in inspiration, though of course I adapted things in my own way; you'd not see glyphs arranged quite like that in actual Mayan art, for example.<br />
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Since the ancient Mesoamericans often depicted ornamentation, markings, and jewelry on their shamanic, transformational, and animal figures, I found it fitting to include them on this one as well. Though they are influenced by Mayan ornamentations, they are of my own design.<br />
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<b>A note about subject matter:</b> I understand werewolf appearance, lore and legend is very special to many people; this calendar is not meant to be the definitive resource on werewolves, or to present werewolf appearance, attitude, or action in a way that excludes others (<a href="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../1992/syn_steppen_wolf_1992.gif">for</a> <a href="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../2001/01_2001/syn_lobis_werewolf.jpg">example</a>, <a href="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../1988/syn_old_old_werewolf_1988.jpg">I</a> <a href="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../1988/syn_werewolf_01_1988.jpg">like</a> <a href="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../1993/syn_ghost_wolf.jpg">werewolves</a> <a href="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../1990/syn_Tasmanian_Werewolf.jpg">in</a> <a href="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../1993/syn_Promise_Me_werewolf.jpg">many</a> <a href="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../1993/syn_wyld_RDI_werewolf.jpg">different</a> <a href="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../1993/syn_wyld_werewolf_1993.jpg">appearances</a>, <a href="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../1994/syn_Begin_werewolf.jpg">and</a> <a href="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../1993/syn-Oil_werewolf_1993.jpg">I</a> <a href="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../1994/syn_werewolf_husky_mix.jpg">love</a> <a href="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../2004/03_2004/syn_werewolf_glare.jpg">the</a> <a href="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../2002/02_2002/syn_Swiftred_werewolf.jpg">snarly</a> <a href="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../1996/syn_scratchy_werewolf.jpg">fangy</a> <a href="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../1996/syn_werewolf_bear.jpg">ones</a>, <a href="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../1996/syn_sacred_two_werewolves.jpg">too</a>); rather, it's a fun spin on wildlife photography calendars, and is not meant to compete or clash with anyone else's ideas about werewolves*. Enjoy the art and idea, if you like! If not, that's cool too. :)<br />
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Pencil sketch <b><a href="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../2009/04_2009/synnabar-WWC-JULY-WIP01.jpg">here</a></b>, final pencil piece <b><a href="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../2009/06_2009/SMB-WWC-2010-JULY.jpg">here</a></b>. Detail image <b><a href="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../2009/08_2009/SMB-WWC-2010-DETAIL.jpg">here</a></b>.<br />
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<b>Tools Used:</b> Most of the work was done by hand, in pencil on Strathmore bristol board. I laid out some of the background in Adobe Illustrator CS3, then re-drew it by hand on the final board to make it more rough and textured. Color was added in Photoshop CS3... yes, with a mouse. I will be getting a tablet! Just need to order one.<br />
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*Personally, I love werewolves of all kinds, from drooly Hollywood ones, to more "civilized" ones, to <a href="http://www.endicott-studio.com/gal/gshifters.html">ones from old tales and folklore</a>.S.M. Bittlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01405052332400043723noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902434070207365940.post-43785313611749058112009-09-02T07:00:00.000-07:002011-02-17T11:17:46.874-08:00Update: Art (Pen Sketchbook Project)Here are some more sketches from my Pen Sketchbook Project, a random assortment. Some are from Spring, I'm so behind! <br />
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<center><a href="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../2009/08_2009/syn-SBP-Guardian.jpg"><img src="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../2009/08_2009/syn-SBP-Guardiantb.jpg"></a> <a href="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../2009/08_2009/syn-SBP-KrampusIII.jpg"><img src="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../2009/08_2009/syn-SBP-KrampusIIItb.jpg"></a> <a href="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../2009/08_2009/syn-SBP-KrampusIV.jpg"><img src="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../2009/08_2009/syn-SBP-KrampusIVtb.jpg"></a> <a href="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../2009/08_2009/syn-SBP-supermassiveblackhole.jpg"><img src="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../2009/08_2009/syn-SBP-supermassiveblackholetb.jpg"></a></center><br />
From left: A guardian-type creature, a re-translation of drawings I did as a kid of <a href="http://www.stockphotopro.com/photo-thumbs-2/AXFG53.jpg">Guardian Figures</a> from Asia. Though I didn't draw it in this picture, the bird legs fascinated me as a kid, and I drew many of them (albeit in my own style). Next are two more <a href="http://images.google.com/images?client=safari&rls=en&q=krampus&oe=UTF-8&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=jj2cSqy1F82K8Qbgj_nABQ&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&ct=title&resnum=1">Krampus-type</a> creatures. Last is something that popped into my head while listening to Muse's <i>Supermassive Black Hole</i> (thanks to <lj user="martes"> for turning me onto Muse). I don't know, I pictured it bellowing "Supermassive black HOLLLLLLLLLE" or something.<br />
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More soon! Thanks, all, for looking. :)S.M. Bittlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01405052332400043723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902434070207365940.post-73364332600614800682009-08-03T07:57:00.000-07:002013-10-25T08:01:42.065-07:00Art Post: Pen Sketchbook (Random Imagery)Here is a second helping of sketches from my <a href="http://synnabar.critter.net/Pages..../ArtPages..../ProjectArtPages..../projectartmain.html">Pen Sketchbook Project</a>, my ongoing series of personal drawings done just for myself, in little bits of free time. This post is shorter, don't worry. Also, I am just sharing these because you all share your work with me; comments are always appreciated but don't feel pressured to comment or anything. I know I've posted a lot lately, and these are pretty weird.<br />
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These were inspired by a variety of things, some more random than others.<br />
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<center><a href="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../2009/04_2009/syn-SBP-TigerGodV.jpg"><img src="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../2009/04_2009/syn-SBP-TigerGodVtb.jpg"></a> <a href="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../2009/04_2009/syn-SBP-TakeUpDream.jpg"><img src="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../2009/04_2009/syn-SBP-TakeUpDreamtb.jpg"></a> <a href="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../2009/04_2009/syn-SBP-Shardik.jpg"><img src="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../2009/04_2009/syn-SBP-Shardiktb.jpg"></a><a href="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../2009/04_2009/syn-SBP-JewelOne.jpg"><img src="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../2009/04_2009/syn-SBP-JewelOnetb.jpg"/></a><a href="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../2009/04_2009/syn-SBP-Alient.jpg"><img src="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../2009/04_2009/syn-SBP-Alienttb.jpg"/></a></center><center><lj-cut text="Descriptions"></center><br />
<b><a href="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../2009/04_2009/syn-SBP-TigerGodV.jpg">First:</a></b> Another one of my <a href="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../1995/syn_Tiger_God_1995.jpg">Tiger Gods</a>. You can see more of them in <a href="http://synnabar.livejournal.com/106411.html">this entry</a>.<br />
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<b><a href="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../2009/04_2009/syn-SBP-TakeUpDream.jpg">Second:</a></b> Another of my many and varied skull-demons.<br />
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<b><a href="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../2009/04_2009/syn-SBP-Shardik.jpg">Third:</a></b> I was thinking about <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/92408.Shardik">Shardik</a> (by Richard Adams) earlier this year and drew this as a result. Great book, but a tough read - not <i>hard</i> to read, more that the characters went through so much.<br />
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<b><a href="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../2009/04_2009/syn-SBP-JewelOne.jpg">Fourth:</a></b> A random being. I had been watching <i>Avatar, The Last Airbender</i> at the time, as you can probably tell.<br />
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<b><a href="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../2009/04_2009/syn-SBP-Alient.jpg">Fifth:</a></b> A random alien thing. Looking at it now, it reminds me a little of <i>Enemy Mine</i>, though at the time I was watching <i>Ben 10</i>.</lj-cut><br />
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Thanks, as always, for looking! :)S.M. Bittlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01405052332400043723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902434070207365940.post-79672945502815210392009-08-03T07:19:00.000-07:002011-02-17T11:17:00.236-08:00Art Post: Pen Sketchbook (Music-Inspired)The following are sketches from my <a href="http://synnabar.critter.net/Pages..../ArtPages..../ProjectArtPages..../projectartmain.html">Pen Sketchbook Project</a>, my ongoing series of personal drawings of weird things from my head, drawn just for myself, in little bits of free time. There is also a lot of personal blabber about my creation process which you are free to skip, don't worry.<br />
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This ended up being long so I split it into two entries. This first group has images inspired directly by a certain song or songs; they're what ~I~ imagined, not meant to be a direct illustration of the lyrics. <b>You probably have your own idea about the songs, different from mine!</b> And that's cool, too.<br />
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<b>About the Project:</b> Again, like all my Pen Sketchbook scribbles, they're really just glimpses of what I draw for myself, when inspired by a song or words or a feeling; they're not meant to be finished pieces (hence the pupil-less eyes on many of them), and many of them aren't meant to be any particular type of animal at all. When I draw them I'm letting the art go where it wants to; I'm not thinking about what other people will think, or worrying that everything's perfect, and so on.<br />
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<b>Why are the drawings like that?</b> Hm. Some people might look at, for example, <a href="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../2008/12_2008/syn-SBP-hereistandandfacethereain.jpg">this "face the rain" piece</a> and say, "that doesn't look like a real lion!" — and they'd be right! But here's the thing: it's not meant to. That's the whole point of my Pen Sketchbook pieces: they're purely for myself, drawn to express certain things and/or for my own enjoyment, and though they may seem sort of like real creatures, they draw very deeply from my own personal mythology and symbolism. If someone asked me to draw a realistic lion for a project or commission, I would do my best, but my Pen Sketchbook pieces are just for *me*. There are a million artists out there who can draw more realistic lions than I could even if I tried, but that's not the point of my ~personal~ art, to draw things realistically. I LOVE very realistic art and I admire artists who can do it, but that's not the path I follow with my <b>personal</b> art; my own mythology pulls me too strongly.<br />
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Besides, I enjoy not knowing where the image will take me. It's a... high? - to just keep drawing along with the inspiration, not knowing where it'll end up. To me, that is the essence of *my* art (YMMV!): drawing directly from inspiration and personal symbolism. My artwork for projects and commissions is very carefully researched and planned, so my Pen Sketchbook stuff is a change from that. And yeah, it's fun to not be neat sometimes. Scribbling in pen is very tactile-y-pleasing. :) Plus, if I don't get my personal-art fix every once in a while I get frustrated and crabby.<br />
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Man, it's really had to put my process into words. :/ Thanks for coming along for the ride! <b>I would love to hear about how YOU create (art, stories, music, crafts, anything!), if you ever want to discuss it, too.</b> That's one of my favorite things to discuss.<br />
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<center><a href="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../2009/04_2009/syn-SBP-Hyena.jpg"><img src="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../2009/04_2009/syn-SBP-Hyenatb.jpg"></a> <a href="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../2009/04_2009/syn-SBP-Immortality.jpg"><img src="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../2009/04_2009/syn-SBP-Immortalitytb.jpg"/></a> <a href="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../2009/04_2009/syn-SBP-DuHast.jpg"><img src="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../2009/04_2009/syn-SBP-DuHasttb.jpg"/></a> <a href="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../2009/04_2009/syn-SBP-IStayAway.jpg"><img src="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../2009/04_2009/syn-SBP-IStayAwaytb.jpg"/></a></center><br />
<center><a href="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../2009/04_2009/syn-SBP-Lullaby.jpg"><img src="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../2009/04_2009/syn-SBP-Lullabytb.jpg"/></a> <a href="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../2009/04_2009/syn-SBP-Sunspots.jpg"><img src="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../2009/04_2009/syn-SBP-Sunspotstb.jpg"></a> <a href="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../2009/04_2009/syn-SBP-BreathOfLife.jpg"><img src="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../2009/04_2009/syn-SBP-BreathOfLifetb.jpg"></a></center><center><lj-cut text="Descriptions"></center><br />
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<b><a href="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../2009/04_2009/syn-SBP-Hyena.jpg">First:</a></b> Inspired by R.E.M.'s <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZiToaQxpK-Y&feature=related"><i>Hyena</i></a> (NOTE: Video Link; I like the album version even more). I saw the hyena as a sort of ancient spirit/symbol: <i>"Night time fell at the opening / In the final act of the beginning of time / Hyena, take your role, the stage is set..."</i> The heavy, powerful teeth are what was in my head when I drew it more than anything; I was more interested in the feel of the teeth and snarly mouth and glimpse of expression than in drawing a real hyena.<br />
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<b><a href="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../2009/04_2009/syn-SBP-Immortality.jpg">Second:</a></b> This is one I had in my head a long time, in various forms, and was inspired by Pearl Jam's <i>Immortality</i> — not the lyrics so much as the melody and the title itself. You may notice it has a little bit of the same symbolism as my 1993 <a href="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../1993/syn_Arak_Absolution_1993.jpg">Arak: Absolution</a> piece. The claws are that shape on purpose. Is it a statue or not? Hm. Well sort of.<br />
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<b><a href="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../2009/04_2009/syn-SBP-DuHast.jpg">Third:</a></b> Rammstein's <i>Du Hast</i>. This song was all teeth and hissing and snarly demon dogs.<br />
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<b><a href="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../2009/04_2009/syn-SBP-IStayAway.jpg">Fourth:</a></b> Alice in Chain's <i>I Stay Away</i>. This changed from the original image in my head, which was much more human-looking, of a guy furling his wings closed and pulling himself up and away. Maybe sometime I will draw that version, too.<br />
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<b><a href="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../2009/04_2009/syn-SBP-Lullaby.jpg">Fifth:</a></b> The Cure's <i>Lullaby</i>. Cure fans (and I am a HUGE fan!) will recognize the inspiration for this. ;) <i>"On candy stripe legs, the spiderman comes / Softly through the shadow of the evening sun..."</i> I love the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYtYe9K6zv4">actual video</a> for it, too (love love love it, yay, creepy). <br />
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<b><a href="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../2009/04_2009/syn-SBP-Sunspots.jpg">Sixth:</a></b> Nine Inch Nail's <i>Sunspots</i>. He is somewhat like my 1990's <a href="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../1994/synasp_1994.jpg">Syn'Asp</a>, and has six fingers <a href="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../1994/synasp_1994_hand.jpg">like she does</a>. Bonus points if you guess what "inspired" his face! Also, my FAVORITE video of this song, featuring images of the Mars Rover, is <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ajsXzTFLYA">here</a>. I also listened to U2's <i>Magnificent</i> when doing this, though I imagine a golden angel guy for that song as well.<br />
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<b><a href="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../2009/04_2009/syn-SBP-BreathOfLife.jpg">Seventh:</a></b> Erasure's <i>Breath of Life</i>, especially the lines: <i>"Now I'm coming up for air"</i> and <i>"I never had to call the tune / 'Cause I always drifted with the tide of the moon (Ah la luna, my love, my love, my love)"</i> Another <a href="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../1999/syn-AquaDemiaVOX1999.jpg">water-spirit</a> like (but not exactly the same as) <a href="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../2007/04_2007/syn-AquaDemia2007.jpg">Aqua'Demia</a>. Her arms and fingers are extra-long on purpose.<br />
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Thanks, as always, for looking! :)S.M. Bittlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01405052332400043723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902434070207365940.post-49139095435607783852009-08-03T07:02:00.000-07:002011-02-17T11:16:23.884-08:00Quick Update: ArtHere are some things I hadn't had a chance to post properly before:<br />
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<center><a href="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../2009/06_2009/SMB-HYENA-HYENA-AC09.jpg"><img src="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../2009/06_2009/SMB-HYENA-HYENA-AC09tb.jpg"></a> <a href="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../2009/06_2009/SMB-TIGER-GOD-COLOR-AC09.jpg"><img src="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../2009/06_2009/SMB-TIGER-GOD-COLOR-AC09tb.jpg"></a> <a href="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../2009/06_2009/SMB-MAPLE-RABBIT-AC09.jpg"><img src="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../2009/06_2009/SMB-MAPLE-RABBIT-AC09tb.jpg"></a> <a href="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../2009/06_2009/SMB-WWC-2010-JULY.jpg"><img src="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../2009/06_2009/SMB-WWC-2010-JULYtb.jpg"></a> <a href="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../2009/07_2009/AC2009-BADGE-SHAKRAAH.jpg"><img src="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../2009/07_2009/AC2009-BADGE-SHAKRAAHtb.jpg"></a></center><br />
From left: Photoshop-colored versions of my Pen Sketchbook <b><a href="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../2009/04_2009/syn-SBP-Hyena.jpg">Hyena</a></b> and <b><a href="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../2007/10_2007/syn-Tiger_God_IV.jpg">Tiger God IV</a></b> that I had as matted prints for a show. I had an LE jumbo one of the Hyena. I still kinda like them better as pen-only sketches - they seem more austere and spiritlike in pen, as I'd originally imagined them. Still, I really wanted to PAINT them, as in gouache and watercolor or acrylic, but I didn't have time. Well, maybe someday! Next, another Photoshop-colored piece, this time of my <b><a href="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../2008/07_2008/SMB-MAPLE-RABBIT.jpg">Maple Rabbit</a></b>. After that, the final pencils for my July 2010 Werewolf Calendar piece; you can see the original pencil sketch <b><a href="http://synnabar.critter.net/Images..../Art..../Art%20Archives..../2009/04_2009/synnabar-WWC-JULY-WIP01.jpg">here</a></b>. I'll have the final color piece posted in August, when I'm slated to upload it (it's finished, though; I had the color final as an LE print 1/1 at an art show). Lastly, a (somewhat crappy) photo of my favorite badge I did at a convention; the commissioner wanted a snarly hyena with those colorations. Yay for snarly things! <br />
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Hope you liked them! More soon! As always, thanks for looking! :DS.M. Bittlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01405052332400043723noreply@blogger.com0