Monday, August 23, 2010

Oh man. The last week or so has been one snarling ball of frustrations for me. While it kicked off to a good start with my completion of Marshall Van Druff's Animal Drawing Crash Course at the LAAFA, I find myself sweating at home trying to catch up with work while Truffles, one of my new ratties, struggles with the same illness that took Candy. On top of that, it appears that my scanner is going belly-up and, well, I need a break, peeps.

On top of this mess was the whole art thief sideshow, which, if you haven't caught up on that, there's a short version of the shenanigans here.

So anyway, the aforementioned animal class went great! Marshall is one of my favorite teachers and he's always encouraging without being insincere. I learned a lot and I hope it makes my gestures feel more solid - sometimes too loose is no good. Here are some samples from the class and the zoo alike:





I've also taken up needle felting for during those times when I just don't want to be at my drawing table or on Photoshop. I know that I'm supposed to be working on goodies for CTN this fall but, well, I rationalized that this time would have been spent farting around on the internet, so better to be actually creating something than not? *whip crack* ALL RIGHT! I'LL GET BACK TO DRAWING! ;)

This is my second ever piece, a little version of Cookie, my currently oldest rattie and Candy's still-living partner in crime. She's a character and she needed to be felted!







This should be obvious, but it's Appa from Avatar: TLAB. My talented friend Iku asked me to make her one when she found out that I was starting to take up felting and I figured this would be a great way to learn construction and felting in general.











His face still bugs me but overall I am happy with him! Next on my roster is baby Appa, Flammie from Secret of Mana and maybe a certain anthropomorphic tampon. The nice thing about felting is that I've designated it as my hobby, meaning, absolutely no rules or deadlines. It gets done when it gets done the way I want it done!

Thinking of doing some custom layouts on this dreary, black blog space but that will have to wait for another time. Talk to you guys soon <3

15 comments:

lbergholm said...

OMG The felting is BLOWING MY MIND!!!!! they are SO ADORABLE!! WANT! XD

Also animal sketches fr the WIN! That looks like such an awesome class!! So jealous! XD

artistaggie said...

Aw.. no horse pics?? ;-) Oh, btw, one of my fave horse references is "Draw Horses with Sam Savitt", if you're ever lookin' for some equine info.

Good luck w/Truffles :-/

~Anne Kelley

damon said...

wow that Appa is super cool

Sarah Dicken said...

omg those zoo sketches are awesome and I LOVE THE FELT RATTIE!!!

Helena Reyero said...

aw, Appa looks soo good (not like the 3d thingy on the movie) wanna try Momo, but in plushie :)

Ana C. Nunes said...

Wow, both the mice and the Appa are so cute!
The drawings are really expressive as well.

PotatoFarmGirl said...

Appa is adorable! The rattie looks just like the real deal. Can't wait for the Flammie!! >u<

Mark Sheard said...

Oooh, I love that little Cookie guy. He's great. Awesome sketches.

Justin Rodrigues said...

Oh man that Appa is SO sweet. Love the rat to. Great stuff!

Daestwen said...

That Appa is pretty fucking awesome, Steph. :P I love him!

Anonymous said...

Any chance your Appa is for sale? He'd be the perfect Christmas gift for my best friend and fellow Avatar enthusiast :)

Christina said...

That Appa is *adorable*! Your felting looks so great!

I would absolutely love to see pictures if you do decide to make Flammie. :)

Unknown said...

Thank you so much guys! ^___^;; Like i said in my last post, I can't sell Appas 'cause they're all copyrighted and stuff. I am taking photos of the toddler Appa that I am working on though so that I can post a tutorial on how to make one yourself. I can't encourage people enough to try out felting, it's so super easy and inexpensive to do!

Christina: Definitely doing Flammie! I picked up the feathers for his wings and some yellow down for his hair so I can try incorporating other materials with the felt for a change. I will post progress photos with him too!

Gypsyheart said...

I love the Appa! I've been wanting to felt one for a long time.. and your ratty came out perfect. the expression is really good. Aren't rats the best pets?
You are super talented!

A.M.Bush said...

oooh! I love your rat! I've had a lot of pet rats and you really captured the cuteness of a rat.