Speed Colorer!

Hey People! Sorry it's been so long since I last blogged....funny how my to-do list seemed to grow this year. Anyhoo, I have been diligently working on a Children's Book I was commissioned to illustrate. It's a cute little tale of a Unicorn and a fairy that learn about helping others. This adorable story was written by a mother-daughter collaboration, Katie and Maya Barber. Katie and her husband have written several books together, check out their Facebook page.
So since I have been putting alot of time into the pages for the book, I thought I would post a video for you all to show you a bit of my Photoshop coloring technique. The video is me coloring Mend the unicorn and it is sped up...I don't really color that fast or I would've been finished by now LOL :)
Enjoy!
Speed Coloring Children's Book Video
Music in the video by Kevin MacLeod

I am getting ready for the Dragon Con Art Show that is coming up in the beginning of September so keep checking my blog and Facebook page for the pieces that will be available at the show :)

Thank you all so much for reading.
~Caralyn

Myxie Dragons NOW in 2D!

So this is something I’ve been wanting to do for a little while but just never got around to it.  Most of you are big fans of my Myxie Dragon Sculptures, well I figured that cuteness would also charm you all in 2D  

Now the Myxie Dragons have worked their way into my sketch pad…there’s no stopping them LOL

I have only drawn a few but once I’ve done a few more and colored them, I will be posting them on my Cafépress and Zazzle stores. So you can get these lovable little guys on T-shirts, mugs, bags and much more :)

Also planning to have some 4x6 prints made for the Dragon Con Art Show in September. So be sure to stop by and catch the cutness! :D

Thanks for reading.

~Caralyn  

Prints on Etsy

Hello Friends!
Just wanted to let you all know that I have brand new prints for sale in my Etsy Store. Each Print is 8x10 cardstock with a White 11x14 Matt, Check them out!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/MysticReflections?section_id=6561503

Working on Brand new Myxies and posting some more prints on Etsy so keep checking my blogs for up dates!
Thanks,
~Caralyn

Gather Around Kiddies and I’ll tell you a tale

So some of you may know that I have started working with Artist Trading Cards (ATCs). Little blank playing cards that you draw on, Paint or whatever you want really. I like to draw little pictures on mine and then color them with Markers. I’m really enjoying them and people seem to be responding well to them. I made about 10 for Dragon Con and went home with 0. Well I just recently got back to drawing a few more. I finished about 7 cards, then inked them before coloring them with Markers. Love that Coloring as you all probably know :P Anyhoo, I usually ink my work with felt-tip pens, I just like them cause they don’t bleed but usually bleeding isn’t a problem because after I ink my work I scan it to color it. So if I don’t have a felt-tip I just reach for whatever is there. So I just used some random ball-point to ink the ATCs I was working on. However I do all original ATCs so I color them before scanning. Much to my chagrin, this would be a bad decision. Now it was time to color and My Prismacolor markers, which NEVER bleed, started running wildly with the black ink, making a lovely mess out of the cards UGH! At first I thought it was the type of paper I was using but luckily before I had ruined to many I figured out what was the cause and stopped coloring. I wasn’t able to save the two I’d screwed up and the others will now have to be scanned and colored in PhotoShop. So the lesson for today kids is Ball-point pins don’t play nice with Markers…Remember that, it may save your lif….errr art :)

Go and learn from my mistakes. Later!
~Caralyn

I'd be Happy as a Cricket!

So some of you may remember I tried to get published in the Spectrum 16 Art Book last year, Alas I was not accepted…But since you can’t keep a Good Dog Down, I am trying again this year! I submitted my work last week to be put into Spectrum 17. Since the juries change every year you never know if they will like your work or not. But to up my chances I submitted a few more then last year. I tried to send my best of each median I work with.
I sent a Photo of my sculpting, a drawing I did in PhotoShop, a painting, and some Scratch art.
I wanted the Jury to be able to get a range of all I can do. It would be awesome if they accept them all but I’ll just be happy as a Cricket if only one gets in. Spectrum is my favorite art Book, it has all kinds of different fantasy artists published in it, and I would love to be apart of them. Just thought I’d let you all know what I was up to so I can get a few supporters to keep their fingers crossed Heehee. Wish me luck!
Well thanks for reading, I’m starting on some new Myxies tonight so Please keep checking my blogs for updates.

Later!
~Caralyn

Prints on Etsy

Good Day Friends!
I’m excited to say that I have started adding prints to my Etsy Store! Until this weekend I have only had my sculptures for sale online but I have begun adding my Drawings as well.
I sketch my drawings using pencil/pen/ink and then scan my drawing into Photoshop to continue the detail work and coloring. I only have a few up so far but I am adding more everyday so Please Check out the below link for the Prints :)
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=18529279

Drawing is a hobby I really enjoy and have done since I was very young. I hope you enjoy my artwork as much as I enjoy making it. Please feel free to check out my other creations on my website:
www.mysticreflections.com

Thanks for looking!
~Caralyn

Look Ma, NO HANDS!

Hello Friends!

Yes I know, I haven’t been posting anything for you recently but I’ve been busy…or as most people call it lazy. But so you don’t think I have abandoned you I have been working on a brand new picture that I finished last night and made sure to have it ready to post today. Ya know it’s just cause I love you so much :)
Anyhoo about the picture. So I usually sketch a picture on paper, ink it and then scan it into the computer to add the color. With this one I actually started it in MS Paint Brush…then transferred it to PhotoShop, yep pencil never touched paper with this bad boy…Don’t know why, probably because I was drawing it at work and it is easier to look busy when working on the computer :D Not sure why I found that little tidbit so fascinating, but I’ve shared it with you all and I hope you enjoyed it.
Whelp on to the main event, I call it Wounded Angel for now, I’m still thinking about that title.
Let me know what you think.
http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=viewImage&friendID=201883352&albumID=1475118&imageID=32398681

Thanks for looking, I have started arting it up again so I’ll be posting more, Keep checking my blog for updates.
~Caralyn

It's GO TIME!

Wow Dragon Con is only a few days away. It is going to be very exciting this year. I have a Ton of new stuff. I have done about 20 new pictures that will be for sale in the Art Gallery. They are all original paintings and scratch art. I also have brand new Myxies for the auction. Including a few “special” sculptures like a Centaur and Harpy. I’ve got some prints of my newest PhotoShop pictures that I have been blogging about, they will be at my table along with new dragon sculptures. I’m a little nervous this only being my second year in the Dragon Con art show but I’m really excited to see the turn out. I’ve been working really hard to get everything prepared and now It’s GO TIME :P
It would be super awesome if you all came by to check out my booth…or just to say HI, I will be there for 4 DAYS so you can stop by to see how I’m holding up :) Thanks to all of you who take the time to read my crazy blogs and I hope to see you all at the D-CON!!!
http://www.dragoncon.org/index.php

P.S. I’ll be out of town for about a week and before that I don’t think I’ll have much access to a computer so it’ll be a little while before you hear from me again…I know it’s heartbreaking :P but I will tell you all about it when I get back. Wish me Luck!

Have a great week Everyone!
~Caralyn

Last Two...Don't Cry

Okay I know I said I only had one more picture to post but I forgot about a picture I was working on that I got TOTALLY frustrated with cause I couldn’t come up with a good background. So I kinda throw it to the side and worked on other pictures BUT I went back to it and was able to do a background that I could be happy with so I’m posting it also. But these two will probably be the last PhotoShop images for a while because I’ll be working on paintings and Myxies. You know you are all super excited about the new Myxies…Come on I can totally tell…just kidding :P

This first one is the one that I was having so much trouble with, see I wanted to do a stain glass window behind her that sort of told her story but for the life of me couldn’t get it to look right. After fighting with it for hours I took out a few of the images that I had in the stain glass originally and just went with the simple clouds and flames. It still gives the viewer and idea of what her story is but leaves more to the imagination then I had planned. But that’s not a bad thing. I call it Self-inflicted
http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=viewImage&friendID=201883352&albumID=1475118&imageID=29460684

I think this one is my favorite of all my new art. Took me FOREVER to do her hair and then about that long to get the bubbles the way I wanted. It didn’t come out at all the way I pictured it in my head but still came out great I think. I call it Posing Siren
http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=viewImage&friendID=201883352&albumID=1475118&imageID=29460747

That’s it for the PhotoShop pictures for a little while but I might try and post pictures of my paintings as I finish them so keep checking my blog for updates. Thanks for looking.

~Caralyn

Not What You Expected, Isn’t Always a Bad Thing

Well I had a pretty specific plan I was going to follow to get prepared for Dragon Con, but unfortunately time is running out so I have to make a new plan. I originally had about 15 pictures I was going to have completed for the con but alas I color too slow, so I have only finished about half that. I have a painting or two I still need to complete and then I have to get started on the Myxies. But I have finished two new pictures in PhotoShop that I am posting today and then I have one more that should be done this week that I will post. So don’t worry…you will have 3 more pictures to enjoy for now. :)

The first one is really just a doodled I did at a show that I never really intended to color but I liked her and it gave me a chance to try out a few of the tools PhotoShop has. Unfortunately it doesn’t have a title yet.
http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=viewImage&friendID=201883352&albumID=1475118&imageID=29255600

This picture was drawn over a span of about a year or so. She started out as just a head and some hair…later I added the body and then much later I added her wings and the plant she rests on. I call it Lonely Fairy…probably cause she was missing her wings for so long :P
http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=viewImage&friendID=201883352&albumID=1475118&imageID=29255574

I have one more picture I will post next week probably, but I will keep you updated on all I am doing for Dragon Con so keep checking my blogs.

Thanks for Looking!
~Caralyn

Unicorns and Happiness are my Forte

I finished a new picture, I’m really excited about this one because it is different from my other art. I usually draw either females or cute things. Unicorns and Happiness are my forte but with this one I branched off a bit and got in touch with my horror side. I call it “Full Moon” it is of a Werewolf…yeah you see how the name tires in. :P
It really didn’t take me as long as I had originally thought, from start to finish was only about 5 or 6 hours. Not too shabby if I do say so myself. All though I will admit I cheated a little. I have discovered more of the awesomeness that is PhotoShop. With this picture I played around with some of the features for certain things such as his glowing eyes and the bright moon behind him. Glowy eyes Oooooo Creepy.
Have a look see won’t you.
http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=viewImage&friendID=201883352&albumID=1475118&imageID=28930996

I still have a few more pictures I will be coloring in PhotoShop before I start on more Myxies YAY Everyone’s Favorite :) And I will try to post each of them as I finish so be sure to keep checking my blog for updates.

Thanks for looking.
~Caralyn

And the Folks Like Me on the Job from Nine to Five

Ugh I have not done a thing this week as far as my art goes. When I work so hard on it for weeks and then just stop I feel so guilty. Things at my 9-5 have just been so hectic and with the holiday this weekend I was just so worn out. I really only have a few hours after work for my art anyway. Sometimes after coming home through the traffic…you all know…all I feel like doing is flopping down on the couch and watching TV. I have so much I want to get done before Dragon Con but at the rate I am going right now I’m not going to get very close. It would be easier if I had a full day to work on my art but what are you gonna do…you gotta pay them bills am I right.
Anyway let me tell you a bit of what I plan to work on tonight…cause I know you are all dying to hear all about it :)
I have been working on coloring a new picture in PhotoShop. It is of an Angel in front of a Stain glass window. It’s almost completely done I just can’t figure out what I want the stain glass to look like. I was thinking I would make a scene behind her on the glass instead of just splashes of color but I’m having a hard time figuring out what to put. Ugh if you can’t tell from all my other blogs…I have a lot of issues with backgrounds. Ay Me, it’s my cross to bear.
But tonight, I’m hoping I can figure it out and finish the picture Finally. If all goes according to plan I will have a brand new picture to show you next week….I said IF.

Okay well I have a lot to get done so Stop distracting me :P
Talk to ya later!
~Caralyn

Can't Think of a Good Name for This Blog

Man, I have been working my fingers to the bone this month. I’m trying to get a head start on the pile of work I want to get done before Dragon Con. I have so much to do but I think I’m making progress. I’ve finished up a few paintings, some scratch art and I’ve been working on coloring my newer drawings in PhotoShop. I posted a couple a few days ago that I finished last week and I’m going to try to keep posting them as I finish them.
On this picture I was trying to make it look a little more anime-ish then what I usually draw. I’m not sure if it came out that way but I think it looks good anyhow. I don’t have an official title yet but for now I just call it Angel. It took me about 4-5 hours to color in PhotoShop.

http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=viewImage&friendID=201883352&albumID=1475118&imageID=28309871


Thanks for looking and keep checking my blog for updates on my newest work.

Tootles!
~Caralyn

I Been Working on the PhotoShop All the Live Long Days

Yeah so I have been blogging about a few pictures I’m working on…well worked on, I have finished most of them now… but I’m pretty happy with how they turned out, which is very rear :P So I figured I would share some with you. Oh Boy! Okay so the one I finished first was “Behind You” this is one of my few drawings that I did most of the details in photoshop. I usually sketch it on paper and fill in the details while I ink it before scanning. With this one I did a simple sketch, scanned it and it became what you see now with my good ol’ friend PhotoShop, I guess I was feeling adventurous. :)
Anyway it took me approximately 8 hours from start to finish, starting with the sketching and ending with the signing.
http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=viewImage&friendID=201883352&albumID=1475118&imageID=28172153 Behind You
On this picture most of my time was spent on the background, I just couldn’t get it the way I wanted. I tried a few different backgrounds before ending on the one it has now. I was going for a sort of coagulated lava looking boarder…I think it turned out good. It looks hot enough for her :)
I unofficially call it Devil until I can come up with a good title but it took me about 5 hours to complete.
http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=viewImage&friendID=201883352&albumID=1475118&imageID=28172156 Devil
I have a few more I’d like to show you all that I will try and post a blog about next week so check back later.
Have a great weekend.
~Caralyn

I’m no Van Gogh…I have both my ears :P

Greetings Friends,

I have a few projects I’m currently working on. The majority of them are paintings. I really haven’t done too much painting before. I prefer to color my work in photoshop…because there is an erase button…nah I’ve just used that for so long I’m the most comfortable with it. But as it is harder to create “large” pieces using photoshop, I don’t have much of an option but to do them on canvas. It’s not that I dislike painting, I just haven’t had as much practice.
Since I use acrylic paint for painting the features on my Myxies, I figured it would work the same for canvas. The only problem I have with acrylics is it dries a little too quickly, making it difficult to spread the paint as far as I need. Of course it works just fine for small detailed paintings because I don’t have to wait as long to add the next color. Lord I’m so impatient! Never the less I went searching for just the right paint for me. I have heard a lot about watercolors, in fact at shows many people ask if that is what I use to color my work…nope, that’s just good ol’ photoshop.
So I went to my favorite place…Michaels and picked up some water colors. But when I tried to use them, to my dismay, they didn’t work how I expected. The paint didn’t seem to soak into the canvas like other paints. It just sort of sat on the top and beaded up…Now that won’t work at all. Perhaps it was the type of canvas I use or maybe it could have been a cheap brand of watercolors but needless to say I was not impressed.
So until I found something that works for me, it looks like I will continue using acrylic. But since I am fairly new to the whole painting thing, I always appreciate any advise anyone can give me on what I should try. Thanks Friends!

Salutations!
~Caralyn

Words are coming out my mouth but I'm not saying anything

So I’m trying to get a few more things done this year, I have been working on Myxies a lot lately and need to spend a bit more time on my other art. I have had a few sketches that I have been planning to finish for months now. They are just a few ideas I had while I was supposed to be working. I jotted them down but then got caught up in other things (being lazy) and just never went back to them. So that is what I plan to work on this week. I’m going to dust off my drawing board for an evening of just me, my pen and probably some Alanis Morissette blasting in the background. Jagged Little Pill Baby!
I have one picture I’m working on that I am pretty excited about. It is of an elf girl and her pet baby dragon. She has a confused look on her face and behind her is a person with a long black robe. It is supposed to be sort of a death like creature. It still has a long way to go since I am only at the sketching stage. After that comes filling in the details, inking the picture, scanning it onto Photoshop and lastly adding color. The whole process will take a few days…mostly because I can’t work on it for too long cause my fingers get tired. :/
Well time to get to work, these pictures aren’t going to draw themselves…too bad, that would save me a lot of time.
I’ll keep you all posted on my art, because I’m sure you are all just DYING to know :)

Talk at you all later!
~Caralyn

Computer Art is still Art.

When people ask me what medium I use to color my art, I usually answer Photoshop or MS paint. At this response they normally give me a look like my art has lost some value because it’s not done with watercolors or acrylics. I have tried so many different mediums including watercolors, color pencils, markers, and for me the one I like best for coloring is the computer. I don’t get mad at those people though, it seems to me if you aren’t impressed with art created on the computer, it’s because you don’t know all that goes into it. So I’d like to explain how my drawings are made.

First I start with a pencil and a piece of paper as most artists do. After I’ve drawn the picture, I ink it to keep it from being too light when I scan it onto the computer. Now it’s time to add color, and this is where the computer comes in. After deciding what colors my picture will have, I blend the colors. It’s much like you would with a paintbrush only a lot less clean up. I add and take colors using the color index until I create the desired color.

I then add my color to the picture. I make a base color, (a darker shade of the chosen color). I fill in the area with the base making sure to get every small detail by zooming in to color it. It’s not just a matter of clicking the icon, I use the mouse like a brush as I add the different colors. I then color over it with the chosen color, carefully leaving any areas I wish to be shaded open for the base to show through. Then starting with the chosen color, I readjust it to make highlights or shadows on my picture. Each small color difference is a result of adjusting and readjusting to get the precise color I want. True, I don’t have paint all over my face and clothes when I am finished, but I believe the end result is just as colorful and valuable as watercolors, and certainly as much hard work.