Friday, January 26, 2007

Illustration Friday : Lady in Red





'I've never seen you looking so lovely as you did tonight


I've never seen you shine so bright


I've never seen so many men ask you if you wanted to dance


They're looking for a little romance, given half a chance


I have never seen that dress you're wearing


Or the highlights in your hair that catch your eyes


I have been blind '




When I read this week's word, the first thing that came to mind was the song, "Lady in Red." I've always loved it. And the artist really wrote it for and about his wife, which I also love.




This illustration was prompted by a friend who loved my Super Hero illo. She said "You've got to do more of THAT!" meaning she loved the stylized woman in my illustration. She loved her vulnerability. She loved her exaggerated angles. I mulled this over and got very excited about doing a series of stylized women on patterned backgrounds and calling the series "Wallflowers." So...I'm trying the first one out on you! Any and all feedback is always welcome. Being self-taught, I work really hard at everything I do. But, don't we all? So, here she is, my lady in red.


There are 2 views because it was too large for my scanner. There's a decorative trim on the bottom of the paper which didn't show on the fuller view. I like the scan with more space on the right, but just to show you the pattern I chose to add both views.




This was painted with acrylics on scrapbooking paper. A rubber stamp thingy was used for her dress pattern and then painted in. Everything took at least six layers of paint! I was at this all day. Click to enlarge to view a regular sized woman :)

47 comments:

  1. lovely style!! beautiful illo.

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  2. Beauty. I like the first one, off-center with room for where she's looking off-canvas. Yes, agreeing with your friend... I like this stlye... langorous... is that the word I'm searching for? Ask that editor-guy you live with.

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  3. This is so lovely! The patterns, her face, the colors, they all work so well together! Whew it is beautiful!

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  4. really lovely! i like the patterns, her expression and the way she is posing.

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  5. Lovely. I also think the fist one is better, with the space where her thoughts could be.

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  6. I love your Lady in Red, your friend is right about the stylized woman in your illustration. It is a lovely style and the pattern you added at the bottom of the page is a lovely addition.

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  7. Great illo, Laurel. I'm glad you commented on my blog so I could find yours and enjoy moseying (how d'ya spell that?) around. And I enjoy your writing as much as anything. I'm in love with this mixed-patterened, mixed media piece. Can't wait to see some more of this. Sallyt

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  8. P.S. I thought Blogger would automatically link my blog with my name so you could find it again once in a while - but no. I'm just trying this to see if I can do it with html tags. So here goes:
    sallyt.typepad.com

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  9. Nope, it didn't work but you can always "cut and paste" sallyt.typepad.com. Chat with ya later, sally

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  10. This is beautiful. I love the tones and the long figure. The expression on her face is wonderful - soft but focused. Very nice work!

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  11. It was well worth the time!!! I love her neck, the way her eyes are angled and the hang of her breasts! Excellent! Very exciting project "Wallflowers"! Great idea!!! Can't wait to see the next one!

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  12. Beautiful! Very consistent piece. Painting full of femininity, and the face so delicate. Look forward to the rest of series.

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  13. You must design clothes with this great style!!

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  14. i love it. the pose, the look, the colors are just great. more, more!

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  15. My scanner is always doing evil things to my work. Beautiful job, as always!

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  16. I adore her! She's sultry (in a good way) and very real - I like the second one best, with the 'other' pattern at the bottom.

    L

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  17. Great work - I like the way you've explained how you created it. The view with more space on the right seems to suit the title "wall flowers" better, but I like the pattern too! Scanners are SO limiting!

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  18. Lovely! I like them both-- especially the eyes. Very pretty! Love that song, too! Good choice!

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  19. Very nice. Love her expression.

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  20. Very cool illustration. Reminds me a lot of the fashion illustrations that were up for Fashion Week. I especially think that it ties in with the various layerings of patterns as distinctions. I'm partial to the latter image with the decorative border, but then again, I like patterns.

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  21. Like a child, I get excited when I anticipate your post, knowing I'll find something that moves me on many levels. As the others pointed out, her expression says a lot, her body language speaks loudly and I love the negative space to the right. I wonder if the pattern at the bottom is necessary? You know best, and I'm only seeing a small scanned image. Again, stellar work! Look forward to the rest of the series.

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  22. hi studio- I rec'd this info today and thought you might be interested? http://www.coosart.org/call2art.html

    gl, if you submit!

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  23. Gosh everyone...thanks so much for all the nice comments! I guess I should continue the series then.
    I'm thinking of women of different ages, sizes, etc., but each with a story as to why they are 'wallfowers.' I don't know. I'll let is simmer a while. Comments on this idea are also welcome :)

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  24. I love this new direction you're taking. This is so fresh and wonderful!!
    Love your ideas for different types of women. I'll definitely be checking back...

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  25. Laurel!! This is so beautiful! I really love it!

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  26. I think you have a winner in this idea. Just pure enjoyment to view. The design of this piece and the details in pattern, and that great coy expression on the lady in reds face. Wow!

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  27. She is really nice. I like the look on her face. nice pose too. Also cool style you have.

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  28. The pose says a lot. thanks for the visit.

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  29. The textures are wonderful, especially with the choice of colors. Gives a nice softness. Lets the eye relax and enjoy looking at the details.

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  30. this is beautiful, laurel! the patterns really are gorgeous...everything...!

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  31. I really love this one too! Great new look. Its highly stylised but its not cold and emotionless like other illos in the same theme. Really really nice :-)

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  32. She looks so sophisticated and great composition!

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  33. She is beautiful.Fragile and stark at the same time. Warm and distant. Mysterious, elegant lady!

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  34. SHE IS BEAUTIFUL AS IS THE ARTEEST THAT CREATED HER.THANK YOU FOR THE BEAUTIFUL PAINTING,I LOVE IT.

    YOUR LITTLE BRO

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  35. Great control in painting the patterns!

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  36. I love it...and i love that song also! great peice!

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  37. Nice work!

    May I offer a suggestion? I have had quite a bit of success using a simple digital camera (5 Megapixel) to take pictures of things that won't fit in the scanner. The camera should have a white-balance adjustment, and tripod is also very helpful.

    MjM

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  38. I love the first painting where she leans against the wall-papered wall. Beautiful sense of space!

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  39. Hi Laurel! Your "Lady in Red" is beautiful. So expressive and moody at the same time. Love your superhero painting from last week too.

    Thanks heaps also for your kind comments on my blog!

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  40. this is so nice! i love the patterns and style of this one :-)

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  41. what a wonderful gesture and pose... I especially like the textures and patterns. very lovely illustration!

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  42. Lady in Red is lovely and powerful; soft and tender
    and strong all at the same time. When we look at art are we projecting? Or
    are we "seeing" with objective eyes? I don't know. I see Lady in Red and
    I notice the subtle tension in her neck and the rounded shoulders that
    attempt to shield her in some way. Yet I notice her unadorned body; no
    earrings or jewelry; almost a pure, un-landscaped face and underneath the
    threadbare dress a body so soft and strong; a self so willing to be exposed
    if the circumstances are right. She says, "Notice me, but treasure me,
    too." Michael just loves the piece and eagerly looks forward to the
    "Wallflower" exhibition. Love, Nancy B.

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  43. One of my favorites out of all your hundreds. I love your idea for the series, especially thinking maybe you'll paint women of all different types, and at different stages. I do have an idea for one, which I will share in an email. I also love the observations of those who commented, but especially Nancy B.

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