New Miniature Painting Step By Step - Little Spring Fawn

Finally I was able to carve out some lovey quiet time to focus on my latest miniature.... (actual size)



Today I will work on the detailed pen and ink using a very fine point technical pen. Spring is definitely on my mind (although there are few signs outside as the snow still falls here in New England) I plan on having a lot of delicious greens in the woodland glen behind this little deer. The little painting may be included in the new childrens book, however we have hit a bit of a creative snag which I hope will soon be resolved. Since Little Deer could be a part of the book project, I have included the fun little heart that appears on each illustration.

Enjoy!!

New Bookmark From Little Donkey Art

This morning I designed a new bookmark from my recent miniature painting "Little Donkey"



You can click on the image above to find the bookmark for sale on eBay.

Thanks so much!
Have a great day.

Enjoy!!

Little Raccoon Art on Tile, Jewelry Box, and on A Framed Tile

The framed tile is also on eBay




Two years ago I painted this little raccoon, (he is one of my favorites) until recently I sold only Giclee prints of this painting. Then a week or so ago a customer emailed me and asked if I could put the little raccoon on a framed tile. Now, two years after I completed the original, I am more able to manipulate my paintings with a graphics program so that they work in different formats. I think he looks great on these three gifts. You can click on any image above to find that raccoon art gift.

Below is the original painting, and here is a step by step of the piece.


Enjoy!

Zebra, Full Moon, and Deer Art . Three Favorites

Each week I put a handful of my favorite paintings as open edition prints up on eBay auction. These prints start out at about 50% off the original price for quick collecting. Each of the original paintings were ACEOs (3.5 inches by 2.5 inches) and all were created using India ink and colored pencil.

Click on any image to find that auction. The auctions run for one week.

Enjoy!

Thoughts of Spring, Blossoms, Babies, and Bunnies

This morning I gathered up some little bunny magnets printed with my miniature paintings and ready for you to collect. Thoughts of sweet Spring are on my mind and in my heart as the snow continues to fall....

Click on any bunny or chick to find that magnet in my eBay store. If you purchase more than three I will give you 40% OFF! Just email melody (at) vgernet (dot) net with the code "springfeverandbunnies" in the subject line before you checkout.

Enjoy!!

Tagged!

Blog Tag Game....
__________________________________________________________________________________

I've been tagged by Kathleen Harrington in her blog. If you haven't seen her work click on her name to link to her blogsite. She does beautiful work.

The rules of the Blogger's Tag game are:

1. put a link in your posting about the artist that tagged you.
2. write 5 -7 unusual things about yourself.
3. tag 5 - 7 other Bloggers and let them know.

I am tagging these six artists - I know you will enjoy their blogs!

1. Deb of Artshtick A mixed media artist.

2. Akiko Wantanabe An incredible realism artist who works in Acrylic.

3.Ann Ranlett Artist & illustrator specializing in a realistic as well as interpretive style (great friend too!).

4.Art by Gail Mixed media featuring mainly horses

5.Jennifer MacNeil Traylor Another equine artist who work is quite charming!

6.Jeanne Illenye Paints scrumptious and breathtaking still lives!

________________________________________________
Here are seven things you may not know about me:


1.I have been painting strictly ACEOs (miniatures always 2.5 inches by 3.5 inches) for over four years!

2. I was a twin until age sixteen.

3. I have a horse named Little Bit who I brought several thousand miles with me from Texas.

4. I am turning fifty in a few months!

5. I grew up in Bakersfield California

6. I am from a family of six children with a single mom.

7. My husband and I have moved fifteen times to ten different states in twenty years.

Happy presidents day!

Finished With New Little Donkey Miniature Painting

I think I am finished with my new illustration ("Little Donkey") for our childrens book The Cat's Meow

After many layers of colored pencil, delicate scratching through the layers and the addition of some white acrylic, I think I am finished. The author and I decided that little donkey's previous expression was a bit too sad, so hopefully I have lightened his mood.

Here is a a step by step slide show of little donkey:

Step by Step of Little Donkey

You can read more about the author Jana Laiz here.

Little Donkey is on eBay auction here

Happy Valentines Day!!

Last Few Steps on Newest Miniature Painting "Little Donkey"

This morning I am coming into the homestretch on my new illustration ("Little Donkey") for our childrens book The Cat's Meow

I have layered and layered Prisma colored pencil over an initial ink drawing. Notice how the ink still shows through faintly since the colored pencil is translucent. The next step is one of my favorites, where I will add the very fine details and bring the piece into high focus.

Here is a a step by step slide show of little donkey:

Step by Step of Little Donkey

You can read more about the author Jana Laiz here.

Happy Valentines Day!!

More Work On The New Miniature Painting

This morning I am developing my new illustration ("Little Donkey") for our childrens book The Cat's Meow

Here I am adding colored pencil in thick layers. The little piece becomes more of a painting than a pencil drawing as the pencil layers begin to build up and blend. Since colored pencil is translucent and wax based (the pencil I work with) each layer shows through to the next and the pigment gets pushed around like paint.

Here is a a step by step slide show of little donkey:

Step by Step of Little Donkey

You can read more about the author Jana Laiz here.

Have a great weekend!!

Second Step in New Miniature Painting "Little Donkey"

This morning I am at last working on the next step of my new illustration ("Little Donkey") for our new childrens book The Cat's Meow

I finished the detailed ink work, added the rich India ink wash in the background, and have begun to layer the colored pencil.

You can read more about the author Jana Laiz here.

Have a great weekend!!

Bonanza at Bonanzle!!

Yet another selling venue!! This one is so friendly and easy to use...seems many artists from eBay are migrating over to Bonanzle.

This is from the Bonanzle site:
"This is by far our most common user. eBay used to be a place where an inventory of unique items was cultivated. Now, while eBay works to become more Amazon-like through moves like giving Buy.com items precedence over its own sellers' items, Bonanzle is working to become more like eBay used to be: a place where friendly people buy and sell interesting items."

Check out my new store there by clicking on the logo below. Take a peek at what I am putting on my Bonanzle shelves by glancing to the right hand column of this page.



Have a great evening.
~Melody

First Steps for New Childrens Book Illustration - Little Donkey

After a few stops and starts, with much distraction...I have the initial beginnings for Little Donkey from our new childrens book The Cat's meow

You can read more about the author Jana Laiz here.

Have a great week!!

New Shop! So Excited. Baby Critters. Childrens Book

(click each item to buy it now)

Introducing a new gift shop!!
I just spent twelve hours over the last few days setting up a baby animal art shop based on the illustration for our new book The Cat's Meow

Just for being our first ten customers, we will give you 40% Off your first purchase!!

Send me the item number of the Cats Meow Gift you want, your shipping address, and a comment on our new gift shop to melody (at) vgernet (dot) net

I would love to hear your opinion on the new shop. Remember there may be a few glitches to iron out, but I am happy with it.

Enjoy!!

A Flock of Little Winter Birds...Chickadees

This morning I put ten little Chickadee Bird ACEO (Art Cards Editions and Original) prints up on eBay auction for just three days. You can find all ten here

Magnets, Mice, Angels, Crows, and Baby Goats...oh my!

A new collection of charming little refrigerator magnets for you this morning!


You can purchase this little magnet here...
My Gift Shop or
My eBay Shop


You can purchase this little magnet here...
My Gift Shop or
My eBay Shop


You can purchase this little magnet here...
My Gift Shop or
My eBay Shop


You can purchase this little magnet here...
My Gift Shop or
My eBay Shop



You can purchase this little magnet here...
My Gift Shop or
My eBay Shop

I have been distracted by hours of tech support, Trojans, conflicts, you know the drill...computers gotta love em'! Be watching for the new book illustration later today though now that my computer is clean and happy again.