Saturday, March 31, 2012

A for Artwork & Writing

Welcome to the A to Z Challenge! For Sunday, April 1st, I'm showing you how artwork is created, and how the process is very much the same as creating a story. Loretta Stephenson (Art By Retta) was kind enough to share with us five stages in developing a picture. This picture is taken from her illustration for "Stopover At The Backworlds' Edge" which is part of M. Pax's "The Backworlds" series. (see here)

I was thrilled by this step by step advancement to a final picture! Just like in writing, you have an idea and you outline it. See the pencil sketch below.


Then, a first draft.


Re-writes.


To the editor? Or more re-writes.


Finished manuscript.



Obviously, there are many stages in between these both in art and composition as we perfect our craft. And just like with my new stories, I'm aware that besides research for the picture, Loretta is continually looking for new ways to create better and better artwork.

Loretta is currently working on the bookcover for my August 1st release of "Medieval Muse". A novellette that will be offered as a free read.

12 comments:

  1. What a fun kickoff for your A to Z Challenge. I hope you have fun doing it... and are still having fun by the end of April, LOL!

    Loretta

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  2. Great post! I liked seeing the different stages of the picture as it evolved.

    Susanne
    PUTTING WORDS DOWN ON PAPER

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  3. This is going to be a really interesting month and if I'm not careful I might actually learn a thing or two. :) What a great start! That was really interesting and a perfect analogy!

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  4. The look at the painting in all its stages is fascinating. The final result? Gorgeous!
    Happy A to Z!

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  5. You've definitely got an artistic talent. awesome artwork!

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  6. Rettakat: Hang with us and see what happnes this month. It should be fun!

    Suzanne: The different stages are amazing, aren't they?

    DL Hammoms: Hopefully we will all gain something from each other. That's what I'm thinking.

    Cathy: I thought the pencil sketch was the most fascinating because it was the entire idea at once. Then the picture evolved.

    Spacerguy: Thank you! I will make sure that the compliment is passed on to Loretta Stephenson (Art By Retta). She does hand painted art work instead of graphics.

    I hope you all have fun on the A to Z challenge!

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  7. This is really interesting! I love the manner in which the painting evolves up until the final frame!

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  8. Very interesting - never saw before how a piece of art is "born." Thanks for sharing.

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  9. Michelle: It evolves in the same manner that we would be developing a book, I think. So many similarities.

    Beverly: Thanks for visiting and enjoying the art work! Enjoy the challenge!

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  10. Oops, posted my comment to the wrong post. Was loving the warm, vibrant colors, and the story itself must be intriguing, judging by the picture.

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  11. The Writing Goddess: The story is by M.Pax and she has published the first in the series just recently. I left a link for her book. :-)

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  12. Thank you, Karen. I so love that art your wonderful sister did. It hangs over my monitor and I look at it all the time. It will be on the Stopover paperback cover & I will probably include it in the ebook, too as a bonus. It is so fantastic. And I used part of it in the Backworlds cover. Craze's face. :)

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