Crimson Wings: A Work in Progress

Over the last week my fairie friends have been trying to get my attention, they've jiggled things around in my office and at home inexplicably right before my eyes, danced in my peripheral vision, let a frog in the house the other night, and grew mushrooms in my bone dry planter box...I got the message.  I had started a sketch I'm calling Crimson Wings and never went any further with it, I think they wanted to see more fairy art!  So I invited my fae friends and dance on the tips of my brushes and pencils, and we had a lovely time, look what we made!

Here are some shots of the progression of the new piece.  This will be part of the Enchanted Visions Project and I'll have it on the Etsy shop also as soon as he's done.  I've been wanting to do a "Fairy Dude" for quite some time now, this will probably be my first of several.  I love the challenge of making a masculine looking fairy, and I'm digging this guys vibe, he's no Tinkerbell.

I transferred the original sketch onto a sheet of Crescent Hot Press illustration board, then I paint liquid frisket on the areas I want to keep white.  I use a cheap throw away brush because that frisket is a mess.

I chose lots of spicy powerful herbs for this red winged warrior, I add them to my water to use with my watercolor adding a magical boost to my art.  In this case I used red pepper, cinnamon, nettle, dragons blood, High John the Conqueror root, and fresh ginger, I think those herbs fit his personality. 

The herbs are brewing!

Started working greens and earthy shades into the background, when it dries, I peel the frisket off and start adding colored pencil work.

I got a lot done so far, but still have a long way to go.  His weapon of choice?  A bronze bladed Fae crafted dirk.  My weapon of choice?  Berol Prismacolor Pencils of course!

I hope you like Crimson Wings so far.  I hope to get more done on him this week. 

In Other News: Mystical Cats Tarot

Also, the cat is officially out of the bag on a brand new project! I'm pleased to announce that my contract is in the mail for a new Llewellyn project! I'm creating artwork for The Mystical Cats Tarot, authored by the renowned Lunaea Weatherstone, to be published fall 2014. 

Watch for Lunaea's The Victorian Fairy Tarot illustrated by Gary A. Lippincott coming out fall 2013!  I have three pieces done and I'm working on more sketches for The Mystical Cats Tarot, and although I can't show you any quite yet, but hang in there, you'll see them before the deck comes out for sure, watch this blog for more news on the Mystical Cats Tarot.  In the meantime, enjoy Crimson Wings!

Blessings,