Heather - Ripples & Inspiration

Isn't inspiration the most amazing thing?  I read once that creativity is not a piece of pie that we have to greedily horde our share, fearing that our source may run out.  There is a never ending supply of creative spins on everything we have seen, experienced, dreamt and things we can't yet imagine.  I like to think of creativity as an ocean; all encompassing, something that is life-giving, overwhelming at times and a mistress to so many.  

Kelly's efforts for the Ripple fundraiser has sparked artists' imaginations and creativity across the globe as we try to offer some hope during this sad time.   

For my cards I sketched onto watercolor paper and then pulled out the paints.  We've been painting together as a family this summer, so it's been fun and freeing to try my hand a different medium.  Above is a sketch featuring the characters from those cards and that guy buried in the sand is the same fellow you see in the banner above.  I've worked up a story for them and their day at the beach.  Thanks Kelly for yet another ripple - inspiration!

Ripple in Progress-Fiddler Crab

Here's a peek at some brainstorming I did for the Ripple Project.  As you can see, I write as much as I draw when I'm hammering out ideas for a project. I'm very much a list person, they make me happy. ;) 

You can see I start out with fairly realistic sketches. I usually do when I'm referencing a real creature.  This time around I think I'd like my Ripple cards to be lighthearted, so they'll be transformed into my usual cartoon style once I have their personalities figured out a little more. 

This guy definitely has my attention: 

Priscilla ~ Creating Ripples

Here's a bit of sharing about the two newest artcards I've created for Kelly Light's marvelously inspiring RippleSketches blog.  A great opportunity to do something positive for this crazy and overwhelming situation taking place in the Gulf.

"She Saves Seashells By The Seashore"

 It's interesting how the tiniest bit of a line or mark can change the dynamics of an expression or emotion.  In this rough sketch, I felt the mouth lines ended up depicting too much concern and worry.  Maybe even a touch of fear? 

Transferred the sketch to the artcard for final painting in gouache.  Altered the final mouth lines to suggest more of an upbeat, hopeful 'you're safe with me, little seashells' feeling.  

"This Is Our Home"

Sketched with watercolor pencils.  Soft, simple lines before any water touched it.

After being painted with water. . .

Scanned in dry image and painted digitally in Photoshop, 

mainly using Dry Media Brushes, and Pastels.  Such a delight to create these for ripplesketches!

Sketch to Finish - The First Ripples...

Here are the first two ripples I contributed to Kelly's fantastic Ripple blog.  Simple though they may seem, I researched quite a few photographs and videos to make sure I got the look of each bird correct. 

When looking at birds to paint, the plover really spoke to me.  It's one of the dozens of coastal birds that depend on the marshlands and shallows for its survival.  As if the oil spill wasn't bad enough, plovers are endangered in many areas of the country because they nest, hunt and live on the beach itself. Increased human activity and development have all but obliterated their habitat.

My birds are on their way to Louisiana right now.  Here's what they ended up looking like:

(I used gouache and white and black ink to make these little jewels.)