Friday, October 29, 2010

Polar Bears Illustration

Polar Bears
Commissioned Illustration
Painted with Corel Painter on a Wacom Cintiq display
This is my second illustration for the Coin Club of Australia. At this stage, I can't reveal too much information about these coins until after their release date (which I didn't quite realise before, and that is why my previous blog entry shrank a bit during the week). I am thoroughly enjoying working digitally, but there are times, such as this week, where I miss the simplicity of picking up a pencil.
I decided, since it looks like much of my commission work will be digital illustrations, to purchase a Wacom Cintiq tablet, which allows you to draw directly on the display screen, whereas with the Bamboo tablet, you are drawing on a tablet whilst looking at a computer screen and this takes a bit of co-ordination. I was so excited when the Cintiq arrived on Wednesday, only to find that the power pack supplied was faulty - rang Wacom and was assured one would be sent the next day. When no power pack arrived next day, I rang again (with steam coming out of my ears) and they arranged to courier me a new pack. It arrived late Thursday, but now I had problems getting Corel to open up on the Cintiq display and it wouldn't maximise without shutting down.
After spending about four hours on the phone to Wacom and Corel, uninstalling both Corel and the tablet and reinstalling both, the problem was finally resolved. And so today, I was able to complete the illustration that was started last Monday. Had I done this illustration in pencil, it would have been finished last Tuesday!!!

13 comments:

Mona Diane Conner said...

Sorry about the frustrating interruptions, but it's wonderful!

Sue Clinker said...

Computers are here to simplify our lives (not) !!!

This is beautiful Karen - worth the wait

Unknown said...

Thank you Mona and Sue for your lovely comments - the digital definitely has both positives and negatives, but it is the end results that count!

Unknown said...

Great work Kare! I have no idea how you do it, whenever I try to draw on the computer it looks like Ive done it in the middle of an earthquake...

Unknown said...

Sam you make me laugh. I always do the initial drawing by hand and scan it in first - it just doesn't feel right drawing on the computer, but adding the colour and tones is pretty easy.

Artoholic said...

Karen they are just wonderful - and to think that with a click of a button they can become purple spotted polar bears!

I think there is no greater joy than sitting on a phone trying to sort out computer issues. Unless of course it's with Telstra....

Brilliant job!

And speaking of computer issues, I've no access to my site or site mail as I think the server's died, and the owners have gone to Hawaii for a holiday. Not that I had time anyway, but **sigh**

Unknown said...

Oh Cindy - I miss it when you can't blog it is always so entertaining!!! I hope you are up and running soon. You are not serious about enjoying being on the phone for computer issues are you!!! I get big knots in my stomach and if I am talking to someone with limited English, my patience gets quite a workout!!!

Anonymous said...

Love these coin illustrations you are doing....the work is wonderfully detailed.

Unknown said...

Thank you so much Vic - I am thoroughly enjoying doing them!!! :)

Carol Andre' said...

Sorry to hear about your frustrations but what lovely work. I've been so busy lately (and gone for a month) I'm waaay behind on all my blog-checking. I always love seeing your work Karen.
BTW- I'll be posting more on the carving stuff so check back in a day or 2 (hoping I get it done by then).

Unknown said...

Thank you Carol and I definitely will check back in!!! :)

Maggie Mei Lewis said...

Love your artwork! Superb job! =)

Unknown said...

Thank you so much Maggie Mei - how lovely to hear from a talented lady like yourself and thank you for your wonderful feedback!!! :)