Monday Sketches - Catching Up

Things have been so hectic lately, I haven't had a chance to do Monday Sketches all month! Depending on how my schedule goes in the near future, this segment might become a Monthly thing rather than Weekly.

So without further ado, here is an image post of all the stuff I've done in the past month or so, so enjoy!

Captain Marvel/Ms. Marvel is my current all-time favorite super-heroine right now! She's awesome, so I had to draw her, naturally. Ms. Marvel was specifically commissioned by a friend of mine. You can buy products with these illustrations on them at my Society6 store here.

Working on expanding the subjects of my personal advertisement projects. My Thesis Review is coming up soon, so I needed something to add to my portfolio! Took some references from the internet and sketched and rendered everything in Corel Painter 2015.

School's been keeping me busy, so here's a look at my latest project - an advertisement for Whitman's Chocolates! The first image is a couple of color studies, the first one being what I went with. The completed image was done in watercolor, pencil, and pen, then digitally enhanced. I added the slogan and the Whitman's logo to complete the Ad. 

NFYW had lots of fun and amazing things to offer! I wish I could have done some more sketches, but these definitely made me very very happy. <3 I was so happy to see plus size models walking down that catwalk for Project Runway!

In addition to fashion sketches and advertising illustrations, I also dabble with Medieval illuminations from time to time. Here's an example I did a few weeks back, based on a manuscript featuring St. Michael and the Dragon.

Being a Body Positive advocate, I felt that this older illustration of mine needed a bit of a pick-me-up! Loving the #AllSizesMatter campaign idea. I might do more of these! You can buy prints of these gals at my Society6 store here.

One of my other graduate classes is an Interactive Illustration course, where I'm developing a Dress-up Doll Game. My character is a Steampunk Fortune Teller, and boy I tell you vector illustrations are a challenge! I've been learning a lot, however, and I look forward to seeing how this project turns out. I've included the sketches, the flat colors, and the finished rendered character. 

Finally, a quick look at a sketch from a previous event I attended at LaCenterra of Cinco Ranch. Had a lot of fun!

Hope you enjoyed the return of Monday Sketches! I definitely will try to update more often with more art and illustrations! 

Until next time!

The SCA - a look inside Medieval Reenactment

This Saturday my husband and I attended an event called The Argent Anniversary of Raven's Fort. Meaning, it was the 25th anniversary of the SCA (Society for Creative Anachronism) group in Huntsville, TX. It was lots of fun, with plenty of great costumes, good company, and plenty of rapier fighting to be had. 

Fencers in action!

A blacksmith working on some pieces, and was happy to answer any questions people had.

The King of Ansteorra overseeing the fencing tournament.

Now, what is the SCA exactly? To put it shortly, it's a Medieval Reenactment group that's worldwide, with groups in practically every major city (and some minor) you can think of. The group we went to the event for is called the Barony of Raven's Fort. 

Fencers gathering to hear about the tournament for the day.

Fencers waiting to fight.

I have been a part of the SCA for around 3 years now, and it's been a wonderful experience for me! There are so many amazing people to meet who come from all walks of life, only to unite under the desire to learn, dress up in medieval garb, fight, create, and so many other things! 

The SCA offers a multitude of activities to learn and do! There's art, sewing, costume design and construction, black smithing, jewelry making, fencing, history lessons, persona creation... Anything in the timeframe between 600 and 1600 AD, someone in the SCA might know something about it.

My husband's persona is 16th century Swiss, named Isaac.

My husband is a fencer, and a great one at that! He fought today until he couldn't- and then fought some more! It's always so much fun watching him on the field, defending my honor, so to speak. I fence too, but not nearly to the point or endurance that my Lord Isaac does. 

I like to sit and watch and enjoy the company of the people I consider friends and family. Because that's what the SCA is like for me - a family. Because everyone is welcome! If you have a love of history, of learning, of creating awesome stuff, or simply enjoying awesome stuff - the SCA could be for you!

My SCA persona is named Emma, and her time period is the mid 14th century. 

If you're interested in finding out more, or how to find out if there's a local SCA group near you, just visit their website at www.sca.org! 

If you're in Texas, look up the Kingdom of Ansteorra! 

If you're in Dallas, you're in luck! The Barony of the Steppes is our local group!