tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-224136912024-03-13T12:27:32.154-05:00Three Ravens PressAmy Farrierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17308018161028455017noreply@blogger.comBlogger269125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22413691.post-53172110980553660032014-04-14T10:39:00.000-05:002014-04-14T10:39:21.963-05:00Experimenting on Craft DayDo you ever talk with fellow artists about how much fun it would be to share tools and techniques and just play for an afternoon? On Saturday, several Austin illustrators got to do just that when the talented and organized <a href="http://marshariti.com/">Marsha Riti</a> made a good idea into an afternoon of craft at the lovely home of <a href="http://www.luzmarieiturbe.com/LuzMarieIturbe/About_Me.html">Luz Marie Iturbe</a>. So much fun to try out media that you might never invest in just to play! With everyone bringing in a little something to share, you realize which tools are worth getting for your own studio.<br />
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I am now in love with <a href="http://www.dickblick.com/products/dr-ph-martins-hydrus-fine-art-liquid-watercolor-sets/">liquid watercolor</a>. I had one bottle that I never really used; but getting to play with the whole set of colors suddenly opens up possibilities. I will be making a Jerry's trip this week.<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/20825000@N00/13834398014" title="craftday1 by Amy Farrier, on Flickr"><img alt="craftday1" height="375" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3770/13834398014_bf2428eff5.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
The effect when you drop the color onto wet watercolor paper is pretty divine. On the right, some liquid watercolor had dried on Yupo watercolor paper (propylene) and reminded me of Fiver's visions in Watership Down (saw the movie at a young age, and it stuck with me).<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/20825000@N00/13834066733" title="craftday2 by Amy Farrier, on Flickr"><img alt="craftday2" height="375" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2887/13834066733_82d5d87a18.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
Another artist brought in tools to do impressing on paper, which adds line and texture under the graphite or colored pencil that follows. I had some fun making wave patterns. The alligator is done in watercolor pencil.<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/20825000@N00/13834397844" title="craftday3 by Amy Farrier, on Flickr"><img alt="craftday3" height="375" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7175/13834397844_d222c99987.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
Trying out some liquid frisket to create texture on an orange. And after using a piece of the Yupo paper as a palette for the liquid graphite I was playing with, the resulting spot reminded me of a gorilla head.<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/20825000@N00/13834043575" title="craftday4 by Amy Farrier, on Flickr"><img alt="craftday4" height="375" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7011/13834043575_58d68b3ec0.jpg" width="500" /></a>
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Thanks to Marsha for organizing us and to Luz Marie for being such a wonderful host (with a totally fun trampoline)! And thanks to the other illustrators for bringing and sharing your tools of the trade.Amy Farrierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17308018161028455017noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22413691.post-48821906674738065212014-02-14T14:09:00.000-06:002014-02-14T14:09:25.088-06:00Happy Valentine's Day<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20825000@N00/12526730584/" title="AFarrierValentine by Amy Farrier, on Flickr"><img alt="AFarrierValentine" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2892/12526730584_3e57881334_z.jpg" height="600" width="420" /></a><br />
Part of a promo with my fellow <a href="http://girllustrators.com/">Girllustrators</a>. A bit of Valentine's silliness.Amy Farrierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17308018161028455017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22413691.post-83089307010595686532014-02-05T12:00:00.000-06:002014-02-05T12:00:00.255-06:00The Secret Garden Nesting DollsThis post could be subtitled: "<i>How I learned That I Know Nothing About Acrylic Paint Or Painting On 3-D Objects</i>."
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20825000@N00/12310597394/" title="IMG_6864 by Amy Farrier, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7300/12310597394_2cf12098c7.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="IMG_6864"></a>
So, I had this idea several months ago that illustrated nesting dolls might be a fun project to do as a silent auction donation for the upcoming SCBWI Austin Conference. A couple of other illustrators decided to take on the challenge, too (you can see an adorable set by the talented Marsha Riti <a href="http://marshariti.com/2014/02/matryoshkittens/">here</a>).
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20825000@N00/12310157705/" title="nesting1.1 by Amy Farrier, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7399/12310157705_cbe0a83d31.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="nesting1.1"></a>
Things with my set started off promising enough. The robin and the key were a pretty straightforward choice with The Secret Garden theme (one of my favorite books). The largest nesting doll, which is the garden in bloom, ended up being the most challenging.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20825000@N00/12310318593/" title="nesting2 by Amy Farrier, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3813/12310318593_30624e8869.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="nesting2"></a>
After ditching the randomly placed flowers I pencilled in, I decided to use a lamp from my grandmother as an inspiration point. I went on to repaint sections of this doll at least 4 times. Lesson: opaque acrylic craft paint is nothing like watercolor and wants to clump up on your brush any chance it gets.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20825000@N00/12310318783/" title="IMG_3953 by Amy Farrier, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3754/12310318783_0cf2c249b3.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="IMG_3953"></a>
Above you can see the attempt at translating a 2-D sketch onto a 3-D object.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20825000@N00/12310749596/" title="IMG_6857 by Amy Farrier, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3831/12310749596_be33716e01.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="IMG_6857"></a>
And the completed set, after two full afternoon sessions and lots of revisiting. This was taken just before they got their clear coat, which made them look super-glossy like real nesting dolls! They're drying for the next 24 hours, and I hope to post some photos of the final set before conference. Overall lesson: while these did turn out to be fun, they would have been even more fun if I had built in a little more learning curve time.
Amy Farrierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17308018161028455017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22413691.post-14924217850653186382013-11-21T20:42:00.000-06:002013-11-21T20:42:35.444-06:00Round Robin, Week 3<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20825000@N00/10987449766/" title="AF_RR3.1 by Amy Farrier, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7396/10987449766_c683c1ac4e.jpg" width="500" height="477" alt="AF_RR3.1"></a>
This week I'm doing the final illustration lap of the Round Robin collaboration with <a href="http://marshariti.com/">Marsha Riti</a> and D<a href="http://diandramae.blogspot.com/">iandra Mae</a>. Marsha kicked it off with a beautiful setting of the scene, and Diandra created some wonderful characters and drama. Decided to add a little atmosphere.Amy Farrierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17308018161028455017noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22413691.post-51811675350186845492013-11-12T11:25:00.000-06:002013-11-12T11:25:09.391-06:00Round Robin, Week 2So, it's my week to kick off our round robin collaboration.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20825000@N00/10822777003/" title="AF_RR2 by Amy Farrier, on Flickr"><img alt="AF_RR2" height="375" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7321/10822777003_1750efaa7c.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
Check in with <a href="http://marshariti.com/">Marsha Riti</a> and <a href="http://diandramae.blogspot.com/">Diandra Mae</a> over the next couple of days to see what else develops in this scene. Happy drawing!Amy Farrierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17308018161028455017noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22413691.post-57403630647784989012013-11-06T21:16:00.003-06:002013-11-06T21:16:41.458-06:00Round Robin, Week 1Conducting a little art experiment with illustrators extraordinaire <a href="http://diandramae.blogspot.com/">Diandra Mae</a> and <a href="http://marshariti.com/">Marsha Riti</a> where we collaborate on a piece every week round robin style. Diandra handed me <a href="http://diandramae.blogspot.com/2013/11/round-robin.html">the most adorable, forlorn fox</a>, and here's what I added.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20825000@N00/10718938893/" title="AF_RR1 by Amy Farrier, on Flickr"><img alt="AF_RR1" height="363" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3730/10718938893_30a34e38d0.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
Marsha, over to you for the last leg of storytelling/artmaking!Amy Farrierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17308018161028455017noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22413691.post-73783939981315399392013-10-31T13:18:00.000-05:002013-10-31T13:18:17.358-05:00Happy Halloween!Costume idea for the manatee with a sense of humor
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20825000@N00/10594777826/" title="manateehalloween by Amy Farrier, on Flickr"><img alt="manateehalloween" height="455" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3768/10594777826_f04ff8359d.jpg" width="500" /></a>Amy Farrierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17308018161028455017noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22413691.post-65632043701432768862013-08-21T11:53:00.002-05:002013-08-21T11:53:59.157-05:00Sketching at Barton SpringsJoined up with <a href="http://www.austinscbwi.com/2013/08/19/drawing-day-scene-at-barking-springs/">other SCBWI Austin illustrators</a> on Saturday and tried to capture the scene at "Barking" Springs: part dog park, part swimming hole. Lovely morning to sit beneath the sycamores and watercolor.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20825000@N00/9559443448/" title="barkingsprings2 by Amy Farrier, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3833/9559443448_846f9edb2f.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="barkingsprings2"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20825000@N00/9556655093/" title="barkingsprings3 by Amy Farrier, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7283/9556655093_f47e9209fc.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="barkingsprings3"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20825000@N00/9559456202/" title="barkingsprings6 by Amy Farrier, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7318/9559456202_cd399286d7.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="barkingsprings6"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20825000@N00/9556654807/" title="barkingsprings5 by Amy Farrier, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3760/9556654807_c1f3eb2b75.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="barkingsprings5"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20825000@N00/9559443456/" title="barkingsprings4 by Amy Farrier, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3756/9559443456_1a456bf81c.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="barkingsprings4"></a>
Amy Farrierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17308018161028455017noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22413691.post-912927870223104492013-06-19T10:02:00.000-05:002013-06-19T10:02:48.063-05:00Animal ExperimentsApplying the landscape style from last week (outline in indigo watercolor) to animals.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20825000@N00/9083797681/" title="squirrel by Amy Farrier, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5474/9083797681_5c161cd534.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="squirrel"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20825000@N00/9086013048/" title="2013_june.animals by Amy Farrier, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5321/9086013048_4d36ae37b2.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="2013_june.animals"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20825000@N00/9083797653/" title="b&wcats by Amy Farrier, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7457/9083797653_2ca65017bd.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="b&wcats"></a>Amy Farrierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17308018161028455017noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22413691.post-36001603163665168672013-06-18T10:00:00.000-05:002013-06-18T10:00:07.723-05:00Process: Lake Como in WatercolorLet's start with my photo reference, a shot of Lake Como in Northern Italy from several years ago. Side note: this is one of the most beautiful, dreamy places I've ever been.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20825000@N00/9067402735/" title="lakecomo1 by Amy Farrier, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5492/9067402735_0fe169f50b.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="lakecomo1"></a>
I start off with a minimal sketch in HB pencil and a light pink wash for this one (I don't recommend having cat hair on your paper, as I have done, but when you've got a kitty in the studio during shedding season, it's tough to avoid)
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20825000@N00/9067636876/" title="IMG_3097 by Amy Farrier, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3750/9067636876_864961285c.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_3097"></a>
Three layers of color here
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20825000@N00/9067636826/" title="IMG_3100 by Amy Farrier, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7388/9067636826_5ef0b90cbe.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_3100"></a>
More layers, lots of viridian green and prussian blue in the mix
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20825000@N00/9067636978/" title="IMG_3115 by Amy Farrier, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3798/9067636978_3d64e2b58f.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_3115"></a>
And voila. Finished sketch with watercolor and some graphite detailing on the boat and houses.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20825000@N00/9044103593/" title="landscape2 by Amy Farrier, on Flickr"><img alt="landscape2" height="375" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5456/9044103593_34db496e8e.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />Amy Farrierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17308018161028455017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22413691.post-28243678360162744042013-06-17T10:40:00.000-05:002013-06-17T10:40:04.519-05:00Landscapes Three WaysJust playing around with watercolor approaches. I posted some progress shots of these last week, but here they are "finished" and scanned.<br />
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Watercolor, charcoal & graphite
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20825000@N00/9044103527/" title="landscape1 by Amy Farrier, on Flickr"><img alt="landscape1" height="375" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7384/9044103527_66c3d15394.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
Outlines in thick indigo watercolor, filled in with transparent watercolor layers
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20825000@N00/9046329552/" title="landscape3 by Amy Farrier, on Flickr"><img alt="landscape3" height="375" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7294/9046329552_df688f890b.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
And landscape detail outlined in softer watercolor of different colors
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20825000@N00/9065474577/" title="landscape4.1 by Amy Farrier, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3787/9065474577_eaffc98a30.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="landscape4.1"></a>
My photo reference (the amazing Butchart Gardens in Victoria, BC) and a postcard of Toshi Yoshida's woodcut "Linnoji Garden", my jumping off point for experimenting with technique.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20825000@N00/9067636740/" title="IMG_3118 by Amy Farrier, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2810/9067636740_382fd6f5ed.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_3118"></a>
Amy Farrierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17308018161028455017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22413691.post-517716530695377032013-04-11T17:12:00.001-05:002013-04-11T17:12:50.966-05:00Desert InspirationWorking on a Victorian gothic piece for this weekend's SCBWI conference in Houston, but the images in my head are more influenced by the subtle textures and earth tones and blazing blue skies of the desert. Took a trip last weekend to Palm Springs with some high school friends that I rarely get to see, and it was a lovely time filled with desert hikes, swims in a saltwater pool, delicious food (still thinking about that tender porkbelly and buttermilk onion ring sloppy joe at the ACE hotel restaurant), and the wackiness that is Palm Springs.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20825000@N00/8641613456/" title="IMG_2369 by Amy Farrier, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_2369" height="375" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8385/8641613456_575fdea564.jpg" width="500" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20825000@N00/8641613294/" title="photo(5) by Amy Farrier, on Flickr"><img alt="photo(5)" height="375" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8113/8641613294_87ee1596fb.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
Joshua Tree<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20825000@N00/8640508837/" title="IMG_2362 by Amy Farrier, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_2362" height="375" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8108/8640508837_59808bf8bb.jpg" width="500" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20825000@N00/8640508889/" title="IMG_2367 by Amy Farrier, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_2367" height="375" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8250/8640508889_170ae5262e.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
Indian Canyons<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20825000@N00/8640509099/" title="IMG_2484 by Amy Farrier, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_2484" height="375" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8397/8640509099_26a8dcdb52.jpg" width="500" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20825000@N00/8641613066/" title="IMG_2500 by Amy Farrier, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_2500" height="375" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8398/8641613066_d154409c48.jpg" width="500" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20825000@N00/8641612932/" title="IMG_2487 by Amy Farrier, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_2487" height="375" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8118/8641612932_97d2fa4ea7.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
Palm Springs<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20825000@N00/8641613326/" title="IMG_2397 by Amy Farrier, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_2397" height="375" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8255/8641613326_6fa7e8abfa.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
Alpine woods at the end of the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20825000@N00/8640508963/" title="IMG_2419 by Amy Farrier, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_2419" height="375" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8532/8640508963_3db260bb47.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
Marilyn, larger than life<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20825000@N00/8640508921/" title="IMG_2375 by Amy Farrier, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_2375" height="375" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8532/8640508921_d1af8f1d53.jpg" width="500" /></a>
Amy Farrierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17308018161028455017noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22413691.post-37965657456788920392013-04-04T08:51:00.000-05:002013-04-04T08:51:31.879-05:00Squirrels Night OutI just read last week's <a href="http://blaine.org/sevenimpossiblethings/?p=2538">7-imp post on David Ezra Stein's <i>Ol' Mama Squirrel</i></a>, which is going on my book wishlist straight-away. Love how he captured their fierce, chastising nature, even when dealing with creatures many times their size.<br />
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I recently drew several pages of squirrels, trying to figure out the look and personalities of some that are going into a story I'm writing. Thought these guys ended up looking like what might happen on squirrels night out.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20825000@N00/8618398521/" title="squirrels night out by Amy Farrier, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8243/8618398521_f92e88a44e.jpg" width="400" height="500" alt="squirrels night out"></a>Amy Farrierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17308018161028455017noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22413691.post-44087988989457176422013-02-08T07:34:00.000-06:002013-02-08T07:34:22.448-06:00Lion, squirrels and conferences, oh my!<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20825000@N00/8454960947/" title="lionsandsquirrels by Amy Farrier, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8099/8454960947_05aa91e00d.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="lionsandsquirrels"></a>
The Austin SCBWI conference kicks off tonight, with an exciting <a href="http://www.austinscbwi.com/2012/11/11/celebrating-patrice-bartons-crystal-kite-award/">event</a> at the Children's Museum honoring <a href="http://patricebarton.com/">Patrice Barton</a>, Crystal Kite winner, and full of readings by E.B. Lewis, Liz Garton Scanlon, Cynthia Leitich Smith and more. Conference also means this week has been chock full of illustration and printer wrangling. Lots of new pieces in the portfolio this time! The above sketch is a work/possible story in progress...Amy Farrierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17308018161028455017noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22413691.post-46854113778403563052013-01-09T10:19:00.000-06:002013-01-09T10:19:30.125-06:00From the sketchbook: dino & flamingosI feel like this guy has a story, but I'm not sure what it is yet...
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20825000@N00/8365074820/" title="sketchbook_1.8.13_dino by Amy Farrier, on Flickr"><img alt="sketchbook_1.8.13_dino" height="375" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8229/8365074820_b09c14c832.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
My nephew stopped by while I had out the bright fuschia liquid watercolor and wanted to try it out. His snake (he's 2 and everything he draws is a snake) looked like a flamingo, so I embellished and then did one of my own. I'm partial to the energy of his! Might have to use it as inspiration to stray a little from my own comfort zone.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20825000@N00/8365074782/" title="sketchbook_1.8.13 by Amy Farrier, on Flickr"><img alt="sketchbook_1.8.13" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8327/8365074782_36dcbda1f7.jpg" width="458" /></a><br />
Do you ever feel like you hold the year in the palm of your hand? You might be right
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20825000@N00/8365118648/" title="IMG_2113 by Amy Farrier, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_2113" height="375" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8075/8365118648_8907858f31.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
...or maybe you just ordered a mini-calendar online thinking it would not be quite so mini.Amy Farrierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17308018161028455017noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22413691.post-75360017089708294252013-01-07T20:48:00.000-06:002013-01-07T20:48:44.595-06:00Inspiration on a frosty morningWalking with my dog this morning out at the Walnut Creek trails, I was struck by the beauty of the glittery dew and frost and subtle golden colors of winter. My brain kept mixing watercolor paint to capture those shades, but the only tool I had on hand was my phone. And now I have my painting inspiration for the week...
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20825000@N00/8358931549/" title="IMG_2101 by Amy Farrier, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8373/8358931549_f70400d849.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_2101"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20825000@N00/8358930519/" title="IMG_2089 by Amy Farrier, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8471/8358930519_9fea6a54e2.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_2089"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20825000@N00/8358931477/" title="IMG_2103 by Amy Farrier, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8097/8358931477_39cb09b381.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_2103"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20825000@N00/8359995242/" title="IMG_2098 by Amy Farrier, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8045/8359995242_34ac27971e.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_2098"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20825000@N00/8358931813/" title="IMG_2085 by Amy Farrier, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8073/8358931813_806097a53a.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_2085"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20825000@N00/8358930447/" title="IMG_2095 by Amy Farrier, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8325/8358930447_ebe2ca8d39.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_2095"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20825000@N00/8358931775/" title="IMG_2087 by Amy Farrier, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8371/8358931775_a3442261a2.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_2087"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20825000@N00/8358930583/" title="IMG_2081 by Amy Farrier, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8498/8358930583_a0fc4132c7.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_2081"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20825000@N00/8359994048/" title="IMG_2105 by Amy Farrier, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8474/8359994048_896bcf83db.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_2105"></a>
The frosty abandoned tennis ball might be my favorite moment.
Amy Farrierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17308018161028455017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22413691.post-66163767878255109062012-07-27T15:50:00.000-05:002012-07-27T15:50:42.521-05:00Ursa Major & Minor<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20825000@N00/7658330734/" title="ursa major and minor by Amy Farrier, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8019/7658330734_cbc34ef2ba.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="ursa major and minor"></a>
Just thought I'd share a peek at my studio table in the last week before heading to the SCBWI conference in LA. This is an image based on a dream that I'm using for a postcard promo. Back to painting...and I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!Amy Farrierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17308018161028455017noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22413691.post-3181553303563167822012-06-12T15:46:00.001-05:002012-06-12T15:46:07.558-05:00Drawing Chickens<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20825000@N00/7366439818/" title="IMG_4874 by Amy Farrier, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_4874" height="333" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7074/7366439818_58b14797fe.jpg" width="500" /></a>
Yep, more birds. Sunday evening I met up with various members of the <a href="http://girllustrators.com/">Girllustrators</a> and Armadillustrators in the garden of Eastside Cafe for some drawing, socializing, and lemosas (refreshing mix of frozen lemonade, champagne, and raspberry).
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20825000@N00/7181258407/" title="chickens1 by Amy Farrier, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7080/7181258407_d2695baafb.jpg" width="500" height="271" alt="chickens1"></a>
When I first sat down, it was hard to tell the chickens apart (about a dozen birds of the same breed, with all reddish-brown feathers). But they're are pretty expressive when you hang out with them for a while. Some have puffier bits. Some just want to take dirt baths. I'm kind of into drawing chickens now...and lemosas.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20825000@N00/7366485030/" title="chickens2 by Amy Farrier, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7214/7366485030_c4590eddfe.jpg" width="500" height="275" alt="chickens2"></a>Amy Farrierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17308018161028455017noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22413691.post-68467416260455419282012-05-01T19:56:00.000-05:002012-05-01T19:56:38.378-05:00Bird snacks<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20825000@N00/6987791848/" title="birdsnacks2_w by Amy Farrier, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7076/6987791848_61467957c7.jpg" width="500" height="422" alt="birdsnacks2_w"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20825000@N00/7133875605/" title="birdsnacks1_rev_w by Amy Farrier, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8147/7133875605_0e3f93b439.jpg" width="500" height="350" alt="birdsnacks1_rev_w"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20825000@N00/6987791840/" title="birdsnacks3_rev_w by Amy Farrier, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7137/6987791840_67475eb952.jpg" width="500" height="391" alt="birdsnacks3_rev_w"></a>
Saw a green heron catch a minnow and a kingbird catch a caterpillar this morning at Shoal Creek. And yesterday an oriole was eating ants from inside the trumpet vine in the backyard (<a href="http://waitingforplumeria.blogspot.com/2012/04/gold-in-trumpet-vine.html">photos</a> here).Amy Farrierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17308018161028455017noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22413691.post-54489853850329133822012-04-30T12:56:00.000-05:002012-04-30T13:20:29.095-05:00Studio Clean-up<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20825000@N00/6982804720/" title="IMG_4419 by Amy Farrier, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_4419" height="333" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7043/6982804720_24b144b4e3.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
So lovely to start off the week with a clean desk! Spent most of yesterday and some of Saturday organizing, cleaning, and paring down in my studio. I'm half minimalist, half collector/packrat, and the minimalist half got tired of all the paper monsters taking over my workspaces.<br />
<br />
Here's what my desk looked like around lunchtime yesterday:
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20825000@N00/6982804442/" title="P1020880 by Amy Farrier, on Flickr"><img alt="P1020880" height="333" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7217/6982804442_8f841c3eb6.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
And this morning:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20825000@N00/7128888987/" title="IMG_4429 by Amy Farrier, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_4429" height="333" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8014/7128888987_a96e5ac7d8.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
Work table before:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20825000@N00/6982804484/" title="P1020878 by Amy Farrier, on Flickr"><img alt="P1020878" height="333" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7232/6982804484_f32d444769.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
And after:<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20825000@N00/6982804806/" title="IMG_4424 by Amy Farrier, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_4424" height="333" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7219/6982804806_6dd6a73335.jpg" width="500" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20825000@N00/7128889019/" title="IMG_4427 by Amy Farrier, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_4427" height="333" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7198/7128889019_0c03a4d0c3.jpg" width="500" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20825000@N00/6982804786/" title="IMG_4417 by Amy Farrier, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_4417" height="333" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7238/6982804786_99d9b6ddaf.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
My studio mate, Lloyd<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20825000@N00/7128889285/" title="IMG_4412 by Amy Farrier, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_4412" height="333" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7258/7128889285_a31402b920.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
View from my desk chair of the trumpet vine in full bloom...dreamy!
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20825000@N00/6982804884/" title="IMG_4407 by Amy Farrier, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_4407" height="333" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8005/6982804884_0ea4c64aff.jpg" width="500" /></a>Amy Farrierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17308018161028455017noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22413691.post-30946606080784915492012-04-23T16:32:00.001-05:002012-04-23T16:32:38.476-05:00Drawing Day: Hamilton Pool<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20825000@N00/7107083261/" title="4.22.12_Hamilton Pool by Amy Farrier, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7177/7107083261_703d5da995.jpg" width="500" height="377" alt="4.22.12_Hamilton Pool"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20825000@N00/7107083163/" title="4.22.12_Hamilton Pool by Amy Farrier, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7054/7107083163_12b85790c1_z.jpg" width="497" height="640" alt="4.22.12_Hamilton Pool"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20825000@N00/6961014334/" title="4.22.12_Hamilton Pool by Amy Farrier, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7189/6961014334_2e00f8c8d8.jpg" width="500" height="414" alt="4.22.12_Hamilton Pool"></a>
A day full of sketching, swimming and enjoying nature at Hamilton Pool. What made it even better: got to hang out with various Armadil- and Girl-lustrators and a couple more fine folks. Seriously, if you have not been to <a href="http://wildtexas.com/texas-parks/hamilton-pool-nature-preserve">Hamilton Pool</a> and you are in the Austin area, you must go! Floating on your back while looking up towards a waterfall and a cliff wall covered in ferns and the daub-y nests of cliff swallows...amazing.Amy Farrierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17308018161028455017noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22413691.post-9672769597875859812012-04-18T11:58:00.000-05:002012-04-18T11:58:12.746-05:00Mac Crack of Dawn & the Eggmobile<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20825000@N00/6944799620/" title="Mac Crack O'Dawn by Amy Farrier, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5155/6944799620_a095453725.jpg" width="500" height="366" alt="Mac Crack O'Dawn"></a>
Inspired by all the crazy kustomized hot rods in town over the weekend (my favorite had a Chewbacca head on the top of the gear shift), and people who drive them. The eggmobile is what happened when I tried to draw <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20825000@N00/6931065304/in/set-72157629815596733">this car</a> without looking at the photo for reference.Amy Farrierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17308018161028455017noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22413691.post-2141860037037506102012-04-17T18:36:00.000-05:002012-04-17T18:36:14.753-05:00Please don't feed the dinosaurs<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20825000@N00/7088844319/" title="dinos in drink by Amy Farrier, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5453/7088844319_594dbfc3d6.jpg" width="500" height="360" alt="dinos in drink"></a>
This is what you don't want to find when you walk back to your lunch! Dedicated to Harper and her dinos.Amy Farrierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17308018161028455017noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22413691.post-52233370204475158852012-04-14T13:51:00.000-05:002012-04-14T13:51:57.213-05:00Cars, Music, Dinosaurs<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20825000@N00/6931065224/" title="IMG_1293 by Amy Farrier, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7036/6931065224_98599a30bf.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_1293"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20825000@N00/6931159714/" title="IMG_4312 by Amy Farrier, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7179/6931159714_3c82201397.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_4312"></a>
It's <a href="http://www.lonestarroundup.com/">Lonestar Round Up</a> time in Austin, and yesterday I joined up with <a href="http://www.shelleyannjackson.com/">Shelley Jackson</a>, <a href="http://jeffcrosbyillustration.com/">Jeff Crosby</a>, and their daughter, talented artist/dinosaur handler Harper, for an afternoon of sketching the South Congress scene.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20825000@N00/6931067514/" title="IMG_1314 by Amy Farrier, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5450/6931067514_baf6d12eb7.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_1314"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20825000@N00/6931067788/" title="IMG_1311 by Amy Farrier, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7057/6931067788_debd0eff63.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_1311"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20825000@N00/7077239779/" title="carsketch1 by Amy Farrier, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5453/7077239779_df7b1aa5e7.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="carsketch1"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20825000@N00/6931067562/" title="IMG_1308 by Amy Farrier, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7136/6931067562_3bf3d90af1.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_1308"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20825000@N00/6931068418/" title="IMG_1322 by Amy Farrier, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7216/6931068418_730570b8b0.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_1322"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20825000@N00/7077149077/" title="IMG_1312 by Amy Farrier, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5462/7077149077_259da14bb7.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_1312"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20825000@N00/6931068506/" title="IMG_1321 by Amy Farrier, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5234/6931068506_10b6d07a01.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_1321"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20825000@N00/6931160054/" title="carsketch3 by Amy Farrier, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5459/6931160054_0756ccff8a.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="carsketch3"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20825000@N00/6931067966/" title="IMG_1316 by Amy Farrier, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7057/6931067966_2d2c8c2c4c.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_1316"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20825000@N00/7077149485/" title="IMG_1320 by Amy Farrier, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7072/7077149485_6b2db69317.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_1320"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20825000@N00/6931159782/" title="IMG_4314 by Amy Farrier, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7054/6931159782_e5722e4d61.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_4314"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20825000@N00/6931068198/" title="IMG_1319 by Amy Farrier, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7192/6931068198_d4004fb469.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_1319"></a>
Shelley and Harper enjoying music at the end of the sketch day. More pictures of cars <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20825000@N00/sets/72157629815596733/">here</a>.Amy Farrierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17308018161028455017noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22413691.post-13618832395081388682012-04-11T12:46:00.000-05:002012-04-11T12:46:18.256-05:00One fish, sketch fish<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20825000@N00/6922189382/" title="fishcombo1 by Amy Farrier, on Flickr"><img alt="fishcombo1" height="367" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5350/6922189382_245dfc3c27.jpg" width="500" /></a>
Some fish that didn't end up getting used on a recent project.Amy Farrierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17308018161028455017noreply@blogger.com3