27 October 2011

Illustration Friday and GIVEAWAY





Fuel ©Caroline Soer


This week's Illustration Friday word is 'fuel'.  I decided on a bird and berries theme and actually painted two similar versions of the same illustration this week.  The one above started life as a watercolour on which I'd used quite a lot of masking fluid.  I was aiming to get a sort of outlined, batik/silkpainting look.  Well, needless to say it wasn't a successful experiment so I tweaked it back to life with with a good helping of acrylic, some gouache and watercolour pencils!








 After I finished that yesterday,  I started on a second painting.  I've taken photos of the work in progress.  This first shows the mountboard ground with torn paper and hole punched collage covered with gesso and the first brushstrokes.





A little more detail added.








 Some final details added with coloured pencils and a craft knife to (carefully) scratch out some highlights.







Fuel II ©Caroline Soer


The final piece - it has lots of texture.  I'm not sure which one I prefer, how about you?
Well, if you're better at making up your mind than I am, you could stand a chance of winning a print of your preferred illustration by taking part in my  GIVEAWAY!

How do you take part?   Anyone is welcome to join in - regular followers or visitors alike - I really do appreciate all those of you who follow my blog and take the time to leave me comments - but it's ok to be a quiet occasional visitor too!  All you have to do is first quickly hop over to Facebook - I've recently set up an art page there and would love it if you would  'LIKE' my  page  - the link is here in the sidebar on the right.   Yes, you're right - a little shameless self promotion !!!   To be included in the draw next TUESDAY NOVEMBER 1ST you'll also need to come back here to leave a comment on this post to say which of my two 'Fuels' you prefer.  Easy! Oh, and you could DOUBLE your chances by promoting my giveaway on your own blog or FB page,  and becoming a follower here (if you aren't already) if you like.  Just don't forget to mention that in the comments section here!  Thank you and good luck to everyone - I'll be back next week with the winner!

22 comments:

  1. Beautiful! The texture is great.

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  2. I have already changed my mind twice, but I'm going with the first one. I like both, but I really like the way the bird stands out in the first, and the way the leaves and berries look more distinct with blacker outlines. The branches too.

    I like the background more as well. I think all the tweaking you felt it needed added a lot of depth. Nice paintings!

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  3. I "liked" your Facebook page... These are both beautiful - I'd have a hard time deciding! Thanks for the giveaway...

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  4. I've never seen this kind of art before, and I'm quite intrigued! Thank you for showing us the steps leading to the completed picture. It's beautiful!

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  5. I like both versions, and not sure how to decide. The texture is very cool on the second, but I guess I like the brightness of the first version best. Love looking at the WIP photos. Nice job!

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  6. I would LOVE to be the proud owner of a Caroline painting and I LOVE texture so that one has my vote!
    I went to your facebook page, in fact it sent me here in the first place this morning. You are generous in your art sharing/giving aways!

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  7. Wow wow wow, Caroline! They are both exquisite! I loved seeing your process. Lucky bird, to be surrounded by such juicy berries. I'd like to be surrounded by glazed doughnuts. Mmm! :)

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  8. oh my heavens!!!! this piece took my breath away!!! it is gorgeous!!!! wow wow and wow.....love it!!!!

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  9. I really love the textures! Awesome! I tried texture this summer- I failed, I am not you, DAMN! You are the best!

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  10. Both are great, but I am definitely partial to the texture in the second version. Nice work!

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  11. They are both so beautiful, it is hard to choose, Caroline! I do like the texture look of the second piece, but if I had to choose I'd pick the first one. I love the feel and look of ink on smooth paper, and the first piece has beautiful lines and washes.

    Say, you may want to announce your giveaway at lil Kim's new blog for illustrators: Illustration Station: http://www.kimflemingillustration.com/

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  12. These are both awesome :) i love the textures coming through :D

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  13. I see this scene playing out in my garden daily right now. I like both paintings but my favorite is the one with texture.

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  14. i am dense. i am on facebook but am i confident i know to get to your facebook page? NO! but i will try, and not JUST because I WANT THIS BIRD! seeing your process is as good as three non-shareable bags of m & m's

    okay, i'm off to fb. wish me luck.

    love love
    kj

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  15. It's a close call but I went for the texture in the end; probably because it is a little unusual for a water colour to have so much texture.

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  16. I like the first one best. A difficult choice but I think there is a wonderful feeling of light in this one, a little like stained glass.

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  17. Love the first one. I am a follower and have been for a while,sorry I dont comment much.

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  18. This is really pretty, Caroline. And I'm so happy that you showed us how you completed it. I love to watch paintings happen. I think I like the second one best. I'll zip over to FB and click. Maybe I'll get lucky.

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  19. They are both wonderful but I think the first is my favourite.

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  20. mmmm wonderful pieces! I hope I get lucky:)

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  21. When I first saw it I loved the first one, then I saw the textured and loved it too. Then I went back and forth several times. They both have positive reasons for doing it either way. I'm going to say the first though because I do like the brighter version of it. Thank you for allowing us a chance at it - it's beautiful either way!

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Thank you for passing by. I love to read your comments!

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