<![CDATA[HAVEN FORTUNA - Works in Progress - Blog]]>Wed, 03 Nov 2021 16:42:11 -0700Weebly<![CDATA[Welcome]]>Fri, 09 Jul 2021 07:00:00 GMThttps://www.havenfortuna.com/works-in-progress---blog/welcomeBloggious Purpose
I have accepted that I will have less time to update a blog than I had originally hoped. I will reserve this page for Work-In-Progress and any newsworthy updates.

Fortunate News
Curiology X - Curiology Ltd.,  located in the northwest of England,  is a purveyor of gothic jewelry created with modern methods like acrylic and 3D printing, as well as traditional silversmithing. Curiology also works hard to support independent artists. In the interest of this, Curiology sent out a call for submissions from artists specializing in the strange and spooky for inclusion in their 2019 Halloween collection. Each artist was invited to submit up to three pieces. The selections were made based on how well they would translate to jewelry and whether or not they fit in with the aesthetics of the overall collection.

When I decided I was going to try to forge an illustration career for myself, I made a goal list of companies I would like to work with, and  Curiology was at right at the top. Not only are they a good match for my style but they are great people. I am a member of Coven Club and my jewelry cabinet is full of their stuff. (I also love shopping their collection  to gift my loved ones.) I got right to work producing three illustrations especially for the competition and I was fortunate enough to be selected.

The collection is big this year and chocked full of spooky beauties. It includes new Curiology original jewelry in acrylic and sterling silver, reissues of past favorites, wall art, ornate resin cat skull art, mirrors, offerings from Alchemy Gothic, Curiology X Indie Artist collaborations, and the Curiology X Artist Submission Winners. I feel I’m in incredibly good company on my first outing as a published illustrator. Please peruse the whole collection, pass the links around, and support all these artists. 

The entire limited edition collection will be available at Curiology.uk from October 1 to October 31. 
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"Tempus Fugit"
Studio Report
Gorgon, Languid - When I sketched the first thumbnails, it was with the intention to create a smaller piece to be included in my submission to Curiology. Then the idea grew and wanted to be something else. I completed the final underdrawing on a 20”X16” piece of Canson Montval Watercolor Board. I will make regular updates as she progresses. Eventually, I may offer her as a print. 
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Development from thumbs to rough sketch.
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Final underdrawing

Inktober Has Arrived
Last year was my first participating in Inktober. I didn’t post my drawings on social media, but I got a pair of sketch books with spooky covers so my daughter and I could work together and keep each other motivated. My main goal for the season was to do looser more expressive drawings. Here is my drawing from day 8, “Star”. The line work on that hedge witch tattoo is a crime against geometry, but I like the overall feeling of it. One of these days I’ll do a refined version of it.
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Inktober 2018, Day 8: Star
​This year, instead of using the official Inktober prompts, I will be working from a list posted by Stephanie Law, Undying Tales: Endangered Creatures and Mythology. This list is meant to highlight endangered species and their connection to humanity. Stephanie will be selling her originals for each of the 31 days and donating 100 percent of the profits to environmental charities. At the link you will find the prompt list with a paragraph about each species, including real world data and mythological context.

If you haven’t seen Stephanie Law’s work before, I strongly encourage you to check her out. Not only is she a gifted artist, but she is very giving with her hard-won knowledge. I have learned so much from her books and Youtube videos. I would never have tried watercolor if not for her. I had always been told that it was a very difficult medium, but her instruction makes it accessible.  

Future Fortune
Next week, I will have a review of some watercolor papers, a recap of Inktober Week One, and other fine stuffs. In the meantime, be well and art hard.  ​​
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