Wednesday WrapUp Rabbit Style

illustration of two rabbits in the garden by Sheri42

Inspiration

I’ve been working on developing an animal illustration style after taking a class by Liz Kohler Brown and using brushes by Liza Glanz.

Liz created a class called “Design Your Animal Illustration Style” for her The Studio community. I’ve finished the lessons, but have much more to do.

So far, I’ve written about my style development here:

The last two of those were inspired by my friend Nancy’s fun rabbit sketches on Instagram which inspired me to continue my style development. I’m discovering that I don’t have just one style. I have a purpose and then choose the style that fits. What I am striving for is improvement in each of my favorite styles.

My Styles

I love watercolor / gouache and stylized painting, as in these:

Messy style rabbit beside grape hyacinth on lawn — painterly gouache

But I also like contour / outline styles like these:

contour / outline free with watercolor by Sheri42 — contour / watercolor

contour day tulips with abstract elements by Sheri42 — contour / watercolor

And silk painting like these:

And I like quick fun, near flat illustrations like these:

birthday card with two rabbits in clear ornament topped with mistletoe and red ribbon in snowfall — flat / designed

Progress

sketch of rabbit hiding in leaves by Sheri42 — sketch by Sheri42 on Flickr

I’m thinking of creating the same pattern, but in different styles. The silk painting, though would require some adaptation to create a pattern. I’d need to create each element as a stand alone silk outline style.

It’ll be like a “do this in your style” DTIYS with my own illustrations.

An email from Cat Coq brought me to her class on “How To Sketch Animals From A Reference Photo,” which I’ve taken before. She walks through her entire process from sketch to larger design. So I decided to follow that process, watching her class again. That will be a gouache type / textured yet fun style.

But then I want to create the sketch in watercolor with Lisa’s AquaReal2. And I’d like to try the off-kilter style too.

This will keep me busy!

What do you think?

What style do you like? Do you try a “do this in your style” with your own art? I’m looking forward to learning about the art and myself in this self-DTIYS goal.

All I can say is that by focusing on this one animal, the rabbit, I’ll become better at all animals– seeing what’s important and choosing the medium that fits the goal.

Thanks to the amazing artists who inspire me. See my Artist’s Resources Page for links.

Try It

So perhaps try such a goal for yourself— take an illustration and do it in another style. What do you think?

And you’re welcome to follow this blog for art inspiration. We can share with #warmup4art to enjoy our work together! I look forward to your sharing and find me at @42Sheri, on Mastodon Sheri42 , on Flickr teach.eagle Sheri 42.