Early sketches from my 2015 Advent Calendar

Taking these in-progress shots with my phone

On the left is what I had last week. Below is a little sneak-peek of what I started with this morning.
Between getting the design nailed down, correcting the perspective and tweaking the drawing style of the reindeer to match the rabbits, this has been a loooooong slow process. Spent most of the day designing the border and background, and then painting it all in. Whew! Last week I got all of the inside images drawn and colored.

Next up: scanning it all and making it work with Photoshop, Then printing, cutting all the doors (24x3 per calendar!), carefully gluing together and packing them up. And posting them on Etsy! That's how we do it, kids. 

 

Phew! Can't believe I made it this far in one day!

A Show of Hands! Fundraiser project

Here's a step-by-step of a project I recently completed for "A Show of Hands" fundraiser to help feed Vermont seniors. If the rabbits you see here look at all familiar, perhaps you saw them in this earlier post!

I've been using that same Acryla Gouache paint again recently for a small series on wood panels, so when this wooden hand project came up, it made sense to keep on going with the same medium.  My completed hand has been delivered to Penny Cluse Cafe in Burlington, VT where it will be on display through the month of March.  They're having a silent auction on Thursday April 2nd (2015) from 5:30 to 7:30.  The funds support their amazing program which helps feed Vermont seniors throughout the state. There are wonderful images from previous auctions on the website, I hope you get to attend and see this all in person!

Here is how my piece progressed:

It all started with these faces...

Testing a wash of blue on the surface.  Didn't raise the woodgrain, so I can proceed.

Roughing in the background.

Trying not to lose sight of my lines!

Rabbits taking form.

I like how the warm color of the wood comes through here.

Getting the details figured out.

Maybe it's a little too blue...needs some warmth. 

Just about there...tweaking colors

There is an actual rabbit constellation! I was happy to find that out.

I like making sure each part is looking good.

A few light layers of Golden's Satin MSA varnish later and its done!

Well, I hope everyone reading this considers checking out the auction and making a bid.  The starting bid on mine is $50.  Contact info for the organizers can be found on their site:  http://handsvt.org/a-show-of-hands

Thanks for looking!