I Hate Gold Leaf

Have I mentioned how much I hate doing gold leafing? Well, in small amounts it's not to bad, but this has a HUGE area of it and it was a real pain to do. This is a scroll blank done based on an illumination from the Aberdeen Bestiary http://www.abdn.ac.uk/bestiary/bestiary.hti . The funny thing is I found the picture someplace online and focused on the archer. It turns out, now that I found the source of the illumination, the archer isn't even mentioned, it's all about the magpies in the tree. Anyway, this is 8 1/2 x 11, Acrylic and gold leaf on velum (the animal skin not the paper). Picture 33.

No Bones

I should be working on a shield and doing gold leaf on a scroll but both are being contrary right now, so I am posting older work.

This is on a 6 x 6 stone tile in Acrylics. I have done several painted tiles now and really like doing them. I have done smaller and slightly larger but this was the first "illusianary" tile. Made to look like it is a real fossil and not a painting. "Firelizard Fossil", done in 2008.

A Message From Our Sponser!

Just a note for anyone looking at my work here. All of my work is available either for sale as the original or for sale as prints. Much more work is available at www.vampyre-nmp.com
I could use the income and if you like the work, why not ask how much it costs and maybe own it for yourself?

Thanks,
Tristan

Another Goddess

A few years ago I made a "fake" Yu-GI-Oh card for a friend for Christmas (I did one for my husband as well, they played together). This is what I did for my friends card "Black Cat Goddess", I think it's about 8 x 8, Acrylics and watercolor colored pencil on Canson board.

Women Everywhere

OK, so not everywhere but I am posting more female figures than most people even think I have. This one is a collaboration with another artist, V.M.Wyman did the pencil for this and I inked and colored her drawing. I love collaborating with other artists, you get such a different result from just one persons vision. This is "Elven Harem Girl" 8 1/2 x 11 ink and Acrylic on paper.

Goddess

This was done as the cover for a future book of my women (someday I hope it and the many other books I have laid out get printed). The idea behind this is to show all 4 elements, most are self explanatory but her body represents Earth. I know she is a bit thin, but I used a photo of a ballet dancer as my model and I beefed her up some believe it or not. But again, she is to represent all Goddess' not any one and so she is thin (some are some aren't). There is allot of this that came out great as far as I am concerned. The original is 16 x 20, Acrylics on Canson board.

Ladies Night

After talking to my friend (who is like a son to me) about females in my art, I thought I would post some of the ladies I have painted (I almost said "done", but that would just not be believable). This is "Titania" Queen of the Faeries, the original is 15 x 6 or so, from what I recall. I had done "Oberon"(King of the Faeries) a short time before that and really liked him so I had to do her as a companion piece.

Not My Post

Several of the past posts of mine have comments that were posted by me for someone else. Akirashima had been trying to post comments for some time and was not being able to for some reason (stupid computers) so he emailed me a bunch and I just copied them over and posted them for him. I wanted everyone to be able to read his comments and to have them connected with the pictures. Here is one of His pictures (hand colored by me). I will try and get links to his art pages up soon.

Small But Not Small

This is a scroll for the SCA (www.sca.org) inspired by a tiny Book of Hours, the Prayer Book of Claude de France, 1517 (http://www.themorgan.org/exhibitions/claude.asp). My scroll is 5 1/2 x 7 and that is pretty small, but the Prayer book it is based on is about 2 1/2 inches tall so, while my work is small, it is not really small compared to the inspiration. This is Acrylic on Velum (animal skin not paper). Picture 32.

And The Winner Is...Dawn!

Since I value comments so much and since Dawn just posted a TON of them, I thought I would reward her. She has a slight "fondness" for Elves and this is one of my best (in my opinion). Influenced by early Froud works this is "Elven Truelight" done on watercolor paper in a Acrylic and watercolor colored pencil. I think it is 8 1/2 x 11 (it could be 9 x 14 it was done several years ago, so I don't really remember). Thank You Dawn.

Big in Japan

This is one of my all time favorite pictures. It is one of those pictures that goes beyond my normal ability. It lives in Japan (with the folding screen). It was bought by my friend Philip for his boyfriend (who is Japanese) and was my first picture to go to Japan. This picture also was the victim of a vandal during it's first showing at a convention. Someone took a marker and defaced it and another picture of mine. The people at the con were all supportive and the art show paid for the art and gave it back to me to fix if I could. Thankfully someone who did art conservation gave me some tips and I was able to repair the damage (I can still see where it was fixed, but it really is almost as good as new). The other picture, while repaired just did not repair as well and is still scarred in my opinion. After that I started putting everything under plastic and now everything is framed under glass, so this won't easily happen again.

Another friend says this picture is not Fantasy or Sci Fi, it is Zen! I like that. "Floating Lotus" 16 x 20, Acrylic and watercolor colored pencil on Canson board.

Biomechanoid

Pyrocantha made a comment and asked about biomechanoid pictures. This is really the only thing along those lines I have done. This was used as the Con Book cover and T-shirt design for Gaylaxicon (lo many years ago) when I was Artist guest of honor. I don't recall the inspiration for it but I like how it came out. Ink on paper, 8 1/2 x 11 (I think).

Revenge

This was inspired by an Art Nouveau style Russian Poster (it had a female instead of a male victim). I have no idea what the poster was for as I do not read Cyrillic. I liked the flow of the tentacles and the simple yet powerful image. I couldn't think of a better title so it is "Sushi's Revenge". 8 1/2 x 11 on Bristol paper, Micron pen, Acrylics and watercolor colored pencil. Picture 31

Still Hot

OK, since I seem to be on a flame theme. This is called "Flame Wings", Acrylic, Pigma Micron pen, watercolor colored pencil and I think a little Prisma color all on Bristol paper, 11x 14. I like the contrast between his skin and wings and the stonework.

And the Digital Masterbation Continues

If I manage to go a year without shutting this thing down I might learn to just ignore the lack of comments, feedback, etc. BUT that is a big IF! And just so anyone reading this knows, just because it's an old post does not mean I don't check it for comments. If there is ANY post you wish to comment on, please do. I will read it I assure you.

So here is a "hot" picture that is one of 4 done as an Elemental Pyramid. Each element; Fire, Water,Earth and Air where done as male figures and I actually had a physical pyramid made from the 4 pictures. The background beyond the triangle is added to make this printable as a card. Done on matt board in Acrylics. I think it was about 6 inches tall.

Say Hell..Oh

I love the colors, lighting and overall effect of this picture. It is called "The Prince" as in Prince of Darkness. I did a companion piece called "The Messenger" (an angel) but while it came out well it does not have the power this one has. Done on 11 x 14 Bristol paper in Acrylic and watercolor colored pencil.

Old Business

Over the years my business cards have gone from home printed black and white, to professional printed black and white, to professional printed with some color (like this one) to full color printed at home to the current full color printed by Vista Print. I took advantage of the 2 color ink option offered (through Office Despot I think) and did overlays to add color to my black and white cards. This is one of 3 designs that I did that were related (this being my favorite and the one used for the card). It was actually printed on light grey paper with black and red inks. I believe this was about 3 x 5 marker on Bristol paper.

I Feel Like I Am Being Followed

Well, in spite of the fact that I don't feel like I get many comments or much feedback, I have 11 followers! Wow! And I don't even know some of them...most but not all. Thank You all and PLEASE consider leaving a comment now and then.

I tried to find a picture that showed someone being followed or looking paranoid but didn't find anything (as soon as I post this I will find one I have no doubt). But here is one with someone being attacked (not the same I know) and it is a cool one in that it is based on a scene from "Elric at the End of Time" by Michael Moorcock (one of my favorite authors and Elric is my all time favorite character), Mr. Moorcock has seen this picture and has said he liked it (YEAHH!! That was a thrill for me). It is on a 30 x 30 canvas, in Acrylics.

Lottsa Leaves

I am crazy, I admit it freely. Often I get in the middle of some picture where I decided to do every bloody stone, pebble, leaf, blade of grass etc. and wonder WHY I decided to do all this work! This one I did last year and decided to do every leaf (even though they are monochromatic) with shading and some highlight. For at least 2/3 rds of the background I do each leaf and stick and make them smaller as they recede. The original concept came from a photo of the shadow of a tree. The Young man/boy/elf came next then the staff (inspired by some Art Nouveau designs) that turned into the antler combination and then the shadow turning into a stag. He symbolizes the first frost of the year and the oncoming winter. If no one ever buys this I will be just as happy to keep him. I think this is approx. 10 x 13, Acrylic and watercolor colored pencil on Canson board.

A Little Different

This was done a few years ago (1999). I normally don't like "space art" because it looks like spatter painting or bad airbrush work. The realistic flower and the deep space look worked to make this one I like. Done on black board, every star is hand placed (though I did do a pouncing technique to make the "fuzzy" areas. This is 17 x 7 or so (I think), Acrylic and prisma color.

Living in Japan

This was commissioned by a friend and when I did it he was living in Philly, he now lives in Japan (as does the screen). He had an old screen and I covered it with large art paper and painted on that. He specified the subject matter and I enjoyed doing it allot. I still enjoy the background and want to do more screens ...someday. Not sure of the size, large at least 5 feet tall and maybe 4 feet long over all? Not sure but it was allot of work and trying to get the picture to "flow" around the framing and look like it was behind it was not easy. Acrylic on heavy grey art paper.

Faun Times

Recently I saw some black and white 19th century style art that had fauns in it and it inspired this. Of course this looks nothing like the pictures that inspired it (the pose is reminiscent) but I love the finished piece and it may end up as one of those rare pictures that I keep instead of selling. "Faun, Secret Door" approx. 7 x 9 Acrylic, watercolor colored pencil, a small touch of Prisma color on Canson board. Picture 30

Better Late than Never

I did several pictures for a GREAT fantasy story called "The Cronnex" it is an amazing story and I still plan to do many more pictures for it. Please check it out and give the author some feedback. http://www.cronnex.com/cronnex1.html

This is one of the pictures I did for it. "Niccas on the Dracon Waelfyra over the Waters Esseldor" 9 x 12 white Prisma Colors and white Acrylic on black paper.

Following You Following Me

First, THANK YOU to the "faithful few" who do comment and to those who have signed up as "followers" of my Weble. Several of you have Journals or Webles that I also follow (and try to comment on). Coming attractions; I am working on a shield for a friend, it is a real curved wooden shield (not as big and fancy as the one I posted already) I designed his heraldry and he wanted it painted on a shield, so when it is done I will take a picture of it and post it. The next thing I am likely to finish and post is a small picture of a faun (as in young satyr).

At the end of May I have a convention (that I have done well at the past couple years) and I now have so many new pictures that I am going to have a hard time figuring out which ones to take to the con and which not to take.

Thank you all again and to anyone who has been looking but not commenting, please, comment! Feedback is why I started this thing in the first place.

Long Story...er, Picture

I'm not sure I love the title of this one but it was all I could think of (suggestions are welcome). I could have worked longer on this one but sometimes you just have to know when to stop. It can lose flow and become stiff or overworked if you keep going after it is at a certain point. The Snow Leopard is one of my favorite animals (this one is slightly anthropomorphic). I have a nice long frame that made me think of doing this (and then I did it smaller for a different frame). "Tibetan Temple Spirit", Acrylics and watercolor colored pencil on Canson board, aprox. 17 x 8. Picture 29.

Fairy Ring Sequel Finished

It is finally done, and here is a so so photo of it (I will have to get a better one before it is delivered so I can do prints). This was commissioned as a sequel to my "Never Sleep in a Fairy Ring" picture done several years ago. I hope the lady who commissioned it likes it. I am fairly pleased with it though it isn't perfect (and I am a perfectionist). Note, every single leaf has a base color, a shadow and a highlight...lots of insane work. And since I love series, I already have an idea for the 3rd and final picture in this series.

"Never Sleep in a Fairy Ring II; Gathering the Elixir of Priapus"16 x 20 on Canson board in Acrylic and watercolor colored pencil. 28th picture of 2009.

My Poor Attempt

This is a picture I did inspired by some of Hannah's geometric/space pictures. I am posting it to give some idea what the "Tristan and Hannah Collide" picture was based on. Her work in this style is of course far better as it is her own creation/style but as I have no right to post any of her work I can only post this "tribute" to that style. "Ode to Hannah" done on 9 x 12 black paper with Acrylics.

For Hannah/Pyracantha

Actually this is not so much for her as inspired by her and since she just posted something on her blog/weble and said it was for me. I thought I would show others this piece I did because of her. This is her site by the way, check it out, she does great stuff.

http://pyracanthasketch.blogspot.com/

This picture was done to show what happens when her work and mine collide "Tristan And Hannah Collide" 8 1/2 x 11, Acrylics and watercolor colored pencil on Canson board.

New and Different

Funny how something I thought would be quick ended up taking so long. I tried using different techniques on this picture and doing something a bit Anime style. Let me know what you think of it...now back to the "Fairy Ring" sequel. Picture 27.

Very Different "Art"

Still not the new one I was working on but this is something I did accidentally. I am NOT a fan of abstract art, but having said that I can see "art" or patterns/pictures in almost anything. Cracks on the ground, shadows, a pile of rocks etc. This "picture" was painted by me by accident. It is on our downstairs bathroom wall. A wall that is in the process of being redone, having old tiles removed and being repainted. I used the wall as a place to hang large canvas' to paint other things on and this is what was left when what was on the wall got paint on it from bleed through of what I was painting on the canvas. I had seen the paint on the wall many times and just a couple days ago I saw a pattern in it. It resembled an impressionistic landscape. So I took a picture of it and cropped it down to this. "Accidental Landscape".

Another Japanese Gryffon

This was my first attempt at doing a Japanese print style picture and it was a big hit! The original sold for a nice price and prints have also sold well. It is a Gryffon like the previous post and came out as well as I could have ever expected. Since the Japanese have no word for Gryffon, the kanji says "Lion/Eagle". It was done on illustration board in Acrylics and watercolor colored pencil. I think it was about 9 x 17.

New But Not New

This is one of the few pictures I have done this year that I haven't posted yet. Done back at the beginning of the year (almost 4 months ago), it was the first I think. The kanji says "Mountain Warrior" which is the name of the picture. Inspired by Japanese prints, it is done on illustration board, acrylics and watercolor colored pencil and is approximately 7 x 17.

Hunters of the Deep

Nope, still not the new one, but another merboy. This one is swimming/hunting with the sharks. This is a favorite of mine, it is maybe 4 1/2 x 10 if I remember right. Not very large. Acrylic and watercolor colored pencil on Canson board.