Very good work, the small red mushrooms looks as if they would grin, did you do that on purpose or is it just me who sees them that way?

Usually drow are depicted as dark and sinister. I think this is the first time I've seen a dark elf look *cute*. Unexpected, and a nice change of pace.

She's lovely.

I bet, how did you do that, the black on black thing anyhow?! I find all black characters particularly challenging, tips couldn't hurt. Also what was the media used on this one, CGI or hand color media? Thanks!

Well, the black of the panther was done in markers and colored pencils, and the black of the background was done in acrylic paints... I drew the black of the character, and all the shading on the character before working on the background... The way I did the panther body was to lay down a layer of black marker, and shade the 'glow' in light colored pencils, and then shade the darker blacks into the character with black colored pencil (which is usually darker than the marker, but lighter than the acrylic paint)... and the background was painted with black acrylics mixed with a retarding medium to slow the drying slightly (the glow over the black was also acrylics of different colors with the retarding medium)... So yeah - it was done in traditional media, and rather complicated in process...

Wow Kacey! And I thought "Shaman" was a bitch! Remind me next time we see each other to get lessons! Sheesh woman! That is impressive work though. I'd love to know the retarding medium for acrylics...I use acrylics primarily, so something like that would be handy. And thanks for replying.

LOL no problem =D

Yeah I take coloring very slowly these days, because its gotten so darned complex.

Anyways, the retarding medium I use is made by Golden, and it is called Acrylic Glazing Liquid (satin finish - there is a matte finish variety as well, but I like the shiney ^.^) I got a big ol' squeeze bottle of it - its good stuff.

Sounds good, thanks. I'll pick up both I think. Will be handy to get background colors in smoothly without it all drying out while still trying to get it even.

Next, lessons, think we could do lessons through email? *grin*

Love what you can do with so many different medias. I like to use colored pencil on top of acrylic, but I have never used markers. They bleed like crazy, dry out or are just generally a pain. Add in that I have a very inquisitive 4 year old who just loves markers and they are just a bad idea for me. LOL! Since they end up being used to decorate the walls, instead of paper. *chuckle*

If you want to email me with questions about media, or different pieces, feel free =).

Also, yeah, markers arent for everybody - and in my work they have a very specific duty and are very rarely used all by themselves... I use Tria markers specifically, which can be refilled and have much less streakage than say Prismacolor markers....

Yeah, I have heard those are really nice. If I were to ever use markers, those would be the ones I'd choose. But man are they expensive. Would be handy at a con though, for quick color work.

I'd love to have email chats...my email is kyrin[at]kyrinslair.com

I'm getting ready to do a couple quick commissioned paintings and then I would love some feedback on the snow leopard I plan to work on next. You can see that one on my FA page as my featured submission.

I really have been enjoying this exchange, so nice to get to talk to other artists. Most are so busy it is hard to keep up with each other.

Thank you for taking the time.

Wow, talk about skillful use of medium! *whistles* It all looks very beautiful in the picture onscreen - does it look 'flat' texture-wise on the paper? (ie- does it look blatantly mixed-media or not) :)

The paint creates a bit of a raised surface, as it is irregular, but not heavily so.. =) I did some editing to the scan to clean it up a bit, because the light from the scanner reflected off of some of the raised bits, that normally cant be seen from an arms length distance in natural light =)

Yeah, I could imagine. Scanners are picky things. ^^ That's awesome! Your stuff is *so* good. =3 It's neat to see how multimedia can interact so well.

interesting combo of creatures.

My only nitpick is that drow usually have white hair. That's just the D&D geek in me breaking through, though.

You never do cease to show your ability with difficult challenges. Keep at it, I say. You've almost inspired me to attempt my miserable skills at drawing again :p