Summer Break is OVER!

And it's a good thing too! This week at school we began with just two courses, Traditional Background painting & Intro to photoshop for Digital Background painting. Already, I feel I have learned so much. I went out to the library this weekend and found 4 great books related to my upcoming courses as well. The book on storyboarding will probably be a life saver, its one of my courses that I think I know the least about (besides photoshop -- I just started this August!)

              I can tell this 2nd year is going to be a great test of many things, my skill and time management. But I'm determined, and sincerely when it gets hard and I imagine quitting, I try to think of what else I'd be doing. Honestly, if I gave up, I would still be in my room painting or sketching in the streets, and now that I'm smitten with photoshop I'll never stop doodling, painting & creating. Its like some kind of addiction! >: D haha... ok well I have a few pictures here of some of my studies over the summer. Enjoy!

            This is a small bust in my mother's garden. I still need to work on foliage around the face. (I'll post the finished piece a little later)

Watercolour

9''x12'' Cold press 140lb. paper

 An antique radio.

Watercolour

4''x 6'' Cold press 90lb. paper

Back Alley in Kensington Market.

Watercolour & Ink

4"x 6" Cold press 90lb. paper

PHOTOSHOP

 This is me working with a tablet for the first time, I just wanted to show where I'm coming from and soon enough you'll see drastic improvement. I had no idea how to use anything except a loose idea of brushes and layer. ( I mean REALLY loose : P )

 I go on to scan a drawing in to paint on top. I still had no idea about anything just layers and one brush. Feeling overwhelmed I left this as is and decided to come back when I've learned a little more ;) I'll be seein' you in December missy! ;)
Also to mention the pose is taken straight from Gil Elvgren's cowgirl, I couldn't seem to make a cutesy pin up, they all ended up too... suggestive. So thanks to that inspirational artist ;)

This little treat was for my sister as a silly e-card surprise! 

And finally in school and learning from an experienced background painter the basics just in a few little classes. This course goes on all year so you'll just have to check to see where I'm at in a year with this. But great leaps have been made just this week both in knowledge of software and speed! 

I <3 photoshop now :3

This work is unfinished I am going to add in a few more shadows behind the bed off the shelf, also some items on the shelf and other various details on the window, trunk and picture frame.

I was also working on an oil painting this summer. I am still working on it, in my next post I'll show my progress from set-up to a good portion of work completed on it ;) and I will update when it is completed.

Thanks for viewing and comments & critiques are always welcome!