Lucia and the Fawn

I painted this one a few weeks ago, but forgot to share it on my blog! Spring is one of my favorite seasons, with new flowers popping up everywhere, warmer weather and newborn critters! I had this idea awhile ago, sort of a combination of the Grimm's fairy tale The Princess and the Fawn, and my other illustration of St Lucia bringer of light, riding on her deer (below). Here's a little bit from my process:

my first sketch in colored pencil: I thought her face was a little boring and stiff

my reference & inspiration board on Pinterest. I love it! so easy to collect the images I need

After looking around the internet for reference and ideas, I collect the images on my pinterest board. Then I sketch it out with pencil, and transfer a photocopy of that drawing to my watercolor paper (actually its Strathmore Illustration board, rigid with a smooth vellum texture for painting). Then its just watercolor and final detail touches with colored pencils. 

the little painters

One of my latest paintings based on some of my childhood memories and wishes (I always wanted a doggie!). My initial sketch for it too...

Bella & Luci's book!

The last six months have been spent working on a secret book project, that I've been dying to share for forever! I finally finished the illustrations in July and had a couple copies printed. It was a surprise book for friends of ours (and awesome photographers at Bellalu Photography!) Lindsey & Nathan Freitas and their adorable daughters Bella & Luci. The idea was planted in my head last December, when Lindsey mentioned to me how she would love to have a storybook about her two girls. I had so much fun writing, and sketching out the thumbnails for the book trying to figure out the flow of a full 32 page book (and trying my hardest not to mention anything to them the whole time!). And finally after months of multiple dummies and redrawing, I tackled the final step: painting 34 watercolor illustrations! Whew it's done, and I'm pretty proud of it!

heres a couple in-progress sketches from my book dummy:

and the finishes: