Burton Needs a Make-Over

You remember this puppet that I drew and I loved (still love) and it took me forever to paint him?

Yeah, this one. You remember. I call him Burton.

He's painted now, so he's done, right?

WRONG

It didn't come out the way I had envisioned and no matter how hard I try, I just cannot be happy with it.

So I painted a couple new versions (none of which came out how I envisioned. I guess I just don't have the skill yet to make him as I saw in my mind.) but they're better than what he is now.

In your opinion, which one is better?
I won't comment because my opinion is wrong.
Nonsense! Please comment, I really want to know what you think. There is no wrong answer here. 
I'll just look but probably won't comment. She's not interested in my opinion.
Not true! I'd love to hear everyone's thoughts on this, and especially yours. :)

Here they are:

I really wanted him to POP as orange, so I tried a green background.

Then I wondered what a more monochromatic approach would look like, still trying to keep to the orange.

I had this background already made and pasted him on. It would need more work, but the colors are nice.

These colors were surprising, but they add an interesting mood that I think is quite fitting.

Aaaand that's all I have for you. Please pick one so I can add a shadow and finally be done with Burton.

Re-Ignite!

I drew this puppet and I'm in love with him and I want to paint him.

Really want to paint him.

I think about it all the time.

But every time I've tried, I get...stuck.

Either the colors aren't right or the values are unappealing and it's been a really heart-breaking ordeal.

This puppet has been waiting to be painted for a couple of months now.

So what's an artist to do?
Well...I've expanded my toolbox to include Photoshop and Painter (to compliment my crazy Paint Tool SAI skillz), and I've been drawing a lot of things that are not creepy puppets. I read 3 novels and a self-help book, and I visited family for a week.

The result?

I feel rejuvenated and I'm ready to jump back into the creepy-puppet-painting saddle.
Everybody ready?
Yee--HAW!

Next time you see this guy, he WILL be painted and finished!

 (btw, Prince Lir is finally available on redbubble - yay!)

Moon and Stars Suspended - Revisited

Thank you  to everyone who -

A) likes the facebook page

B) watches me on dA

C) reads this blog

D) follows me on Twitter and/or Google+

or 

E) all of the above

I appreciate your support more than you can know. YOU are the reason I have momentum to keep doing this crazy thing called Art.

Speaking of momentum, my top concern right now is that I need more paintings. I need more in my portfolio. I need to work faster.

So about a week ago, under the wise counsel of a friend and fellow artist, I made the goal to finish one new painting every 10 days.

7 days later:

Goal pwned!

 I really love the image of the crescent moon and stars being stitched together and suspended in the air. The colors are similar to a previous painting and I'm still torn as to whether it would have been smarter to use a different pallet.

You're welcome to weigh in on the debate, of course.

ALSO -

I've got another puppet painting in the works right now. He's being stubborn, so I'm not going to give you a sneak peek just yet....what's that?

I guess that's a good point.

*sigh*

Okay, fine. You can have one tiny peek....

Sheesh, twist my arm, why don't ya?

In all seriousness, I'm very excited about this purple puppet you see above. I've still got kinks to work out with values and the color scheme (which you are also welcome to weigh in on, I love comments in all forms), but I think he's going to be knock-your-socks-off amazing when he's done.

And when's he going to be done?

Within 10 days. 

Das right. Cuz das how we do.