Sample Thesis Work In Progress

I am in for the brief spell of time to work on thesis paintings amidst all the "busy work". Here is a sample sketch and painting for my work on Iron John.
I am really excited about working on the four thesis pieces with the fifth separate show piece. I really hope my results are satisfactory!

Iron John's face is going to be changing a bit in the process - as you can see - inevitably. 

Iron John, Full Title/Cover, 16 1/2 x 25 1/2", Watercolor, 2011.

Iron John, Full Title/Cover, Pencil Sketch, 2011.

Concepts for Character Design

Having to come up with character design for certain people called Newlies from the book The Prophecy Machine, by Neal Barret, Jr., I worked with the character known as the Mycer Seer, a mostly human female Seer, or oracle of sorts, who has mouse-like remnants in her physical and behavioral traits. I took from the sparse descriptions of mycers in the book to accentuate my idea.
I greatly enjoyed working through my thoughts on this, touching on different ethnic influences, ages, aesthetic, and size.

The final concept, shown first, features an acorn necklace and mice-print pattern on belt, to allude to her mouse-heritage, as well as inky mouse-like eyes and subtle, rounded ears. I limited her decoration to earrings, and gave her herb/spice pouches, as the text talks about her musty, spicy atmosphere. 

Final Concept, graphite. 2011.

Final Concept, side, graphite. 2011.

Working Concept, Right Direction. 3/4, graphite. 2011

Less "Seer" version, graphite. 2011.

One of original directions, graphite. 2011.

Another of original directions, graphite. 2011.

Literary note: The Prophecy Machine is one of the worst attempts at effective story-telling I have ever read, lacking in integrity of world aesthetic, character development, setting, plot, theme, and narration. A farce of story-telling.      

Mermaid Sketch

I have always liked the sensual and exotic nature behind the concept of mermaids, and I have doodled various interpretations of them over my short number of years so far, as I imagine I will continue to do so.

This is a "to-the-point" sketch on the subject, which I put down quickly for a Fantasy Illustration class. I am most interested here in the orientation of the mermaid with her oceanic landscape and the various denizens throughout. I kept it simple, partly out of time, and partly out of an interest in what the minimalistic composition might yield.

I am heading for the color stage now, and we shall see what comes of that.

Mermaid Sketch, Mairin-Taj Caya 2011.

Totem-Self-Portrait Color Concept

So, as a concept portrait, not as a finished illustration, I find that this was an interesting and partially gratifying exercise.
Considering the technical work and the execution, I do not think I was at my best, or working terribly clearly. In this I am dissatisfied. There are areas of heavy layering and areas of unfocused, unclear, unfinished handling.  It is something to note however, considering the "stepping-stones of learning", if you will.

Color Concept, Watercolor. Mairin-Taj Caya 2011

Totem-Self-Portrait Sketches

At PCA&D, for seniors (and juniors), there is a new element to the Illustration curriculum which features a Concept Art course in the second semester. While I have been largely in disagreement with various directional aspects of the course organization, I did have some quick fun with the concept of merging an animal, or a particularly important totem, with some portrait - either of oneself or a celebrity. I chose myself.

I have always been drawn to the birds, and very much so the birds of prey, and narrower still the red- tailed and red-shouldered hawks. The other animals that I feel particular appreciation for and great awe of are the cats - big, small, wild, tame, it doesn't matter to me. (I have two at home). I took a while to choose one of the two directions to go in, and chose the bird's side this round.

Here I have a merging with the red-tailed hawk and another with the barn owl. I will be taking the hawk to completion first, and - as with the snow queen and cailleach sketches bellow - I want to revisit the owl concept later.

Hawk Self-Portrait, Mairin-Taj Caya 2011.

Owl Self-Portrait, Mairin-Taj Caya 2011.