Serafina & Firenze - Work in Progress

I just wanted to show a step by step process so far of my Serafina & Firenze piece! This is a commission that I'm working on for a client who wanted me to draw a fire witch. Eventually, we are going to do all of the elements. We are going to feature each witch with their familiar. The fire witch has a phoenix of course! It should make for a very fun series!

I am fairly far along in the painting process so far and hopefully only have a few sittings on this painting left. If you want to stay up to date with all my work in progress photos, be sure to join my Facebook Fan Page! I post frequently there, almost daily, with updates as to what I'm working on.

Below are photos from the sketch stage to the stage where I'm at now for Serafina & Firenze.

Initial sketch - Made a few changes from the very original sketch. You can see some parts have been pieced together to create a finished drawing. Sometimes this is necessary, especially when working on a commissioned piece.

I'm starting the linework in Photoshop. I create all my lines in Photoshop to make them crisp and smooth. I use these lines on my final watercolor paper and for my coloring pages that I sell.

Finished the lines in Photoshop for Serafina.

Working on the lines in Photoshop for Firenze.

Finished linework in Photoshop.

Here is where I print the lines very lightly on my final watercolor paper. I then re-ink the lines with a dip pen and brown ink. You can see that the lines are only partially done in this photo.

Started on the background. I used salt to create a nice textured finish for the stone.

After I get the background partially finished, I move onto the witch. I don't want to make the background too dark or over work it. So I like to work on the darker parts of the foreground first to make sure everything will work well together.

Painting stripes is so fun! I usually start on the striped tights, because they're my favorite to paint.

I also love to paint fabric!

In this photo, I have finished the darkest parts of the foreground. The rest of the white parts will either be the same colors I have going on now or will be lighter. So I feel confident that I can go back to the background and finish that up. I like to work dark to light when using watercolors. That way if I get any dark colors on the areas that are supposed to be light, I can easily lift them out with some water and a napkin without messing up any painting that I've done.

Working on the brick work.

Here I've begun to add shading and aging effects to the columns and carvings. I decided to literally drip water and pigment to make the columns look nice and aged.

My client wanted the carvings to look gilded. All of the elements will share the same background, so we decided we wanted it to look like a regal meeting place that is hundreds of years old! So that's why we went with the gold/aged look. Gold is always a tricky color to create without metallic paints. Here, I used a bright yellow as a first coat and followed up with a dark orange/brown color that I painted on and used a napkin to sponge off some of the color. It's a little difficult to see in this photo, but it created a nice effect!

Cheyanna - Original Fairy Watercolor Painting For Sale

After having my painting, Cheyanna, in my personal collection for awhile, I decided it was time she found a new home! I will list all of the details below. You can purchase her from my Etsy shop here or you can send me an email to nikki@aurella-art.com. I am asking $350 plus shipping for her. I also offer payment plans as well. Thank you so much for your interest in my artwork!

Title: Cheyanna
Size: 11x14" (cut to exact size)
Media: Watercolor and Ink
Date: 2012

This is my new ORIGINAL 11x14" watercolor painting, Cheyanna. Cheyanna is a fairy that has grown up in the forest with her fox friends. In this painting, I have captured her in one of her favorite places. She is most at home among her fox friends in the changing autumn trees enjoying the brisk fall breezes.

Cheyanna is painted in vibrant shades of red, orange, yellow and brown. Her environment is decorated with fall leaves, mushrooms and moths. With her on the trees are four foxes. Cheyanna is wearing striped brown tights and has gorgeous wings that almost mimic an autumn leaf. I hope that you enjoy her and will consider adding her to your collection.

She is painted on an 11x14" piece of hot press watercolor paper. Cheyanna is signed, titled and dated on the back. She will come shipped to you safe and sound in a sturdy box.

Please note: Colors may vary from monitor to monitor, but every precaution has been taken to make the image as close to the original as possible. Watermarks do not appear on the painting.

Cheyanna is also featured on prints, magnets, stickers, pocket mirrors and more in my shop! Click on this link to see all of the options.

Visit my Etsy shop here.

For more of my original paintings, visit this link.

Weekly Special - Mystery Print Grab Bag!

From Tuesday 5/22/12 - Monday 5/28/12 I am offering a mystery print grab bag including 5 random 5x7" prints and 5 random ACEO prints for only 20!!

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The retail value of this set is $60, so that's a huge savings of $40!

With this weekly special, you will receive 5 random 5x7" prints that are packaged with a backing board and a clear plastic sleeve. You will also receive 5 random ACEO prints that measure 2.5x3.5" and are packaged in a clear plastic sleeve. I will make sure to include 10 unique images, so you will not get any duplicates!

I will be picking from a selection of over 70 different images, so this picture only shows a small sampling of the images that I will be picking from. Your print selection will be completely random and may or may not include some of these images. It will definitely be a fun surprise when you receive the package!

I will of course be happy to sign any prints upon request! Just let me know in your order that you would like them signed. =)

All you need to do to purchase this weekly special is send me an email to nikki@aurella-art.com and let me know what you'd like to buy! I'll then send you an invoice directly through Paypal to your email address for an easy and safe purchase. Once I receive the payment, I will package everything up and ship them off to you. There will be a shipping charge added to each order. The charges will be as follows:

United States: $3.75
Canada: $4.75
Everywhere Else: $9.00

**Please note that this special is not being offered through my website store or my Etsy store. Though I will happily combine shipping with any orders purchased through my Etsy shop or website store. Just message me if you have any questions. =)

Portrait of a Steampunk #3 - Naming Contest!

I have a new sketch to share with you all today! I had a lot of fun sketching this steampunk piece. She will be part of my Portrait Series where I showcase my girls in a more close up pose with a simplistic color scheme and background. This will be my third Steampunk in the series. And she's looking for a name!

Think you have a name that would be perfect for her? Well, I'd love for you to post your suggestions below! I've allowed anonymous posts, so even if you don't have an account, just post your suggestion below. When posting a name, please also put your email address so that I can get in contact with you if you win! The winner will receive a 5x7" print of the finished piece.

I hope you all enjoy this sketch! I'm already working on the linework for her. You can watch the whole piece evolve on my Facebook Fan Page here.

Winner of Naming Contest - Fire Witch Painting

Well, after much thought on all the fabulous names suggested, I have come to a decision about the names for my new Fire Witch painting. And the winner is....Heather Savino! Her suggestion that I chose is Serafina for the witch and Firenze for the phoenix. So the full name of the piece will be Serafina and Firenze. Heather will win a 5x7" print of the finished piece.

When choosing the name, I was looking for a clear distinction between the witch name and the phoenix name. I think it's pretty easy to determine which name goes with the witch and which name goes with the phoenix. Serafina sounds like such a pretty witch name, especially one with fire abilities. Heather also found that it means burning one, which is pretty neat! I also loved the name of Firenze for the phoenix. It just sounds like a powerful name for such a magical creature.

All of the names were of course fabulous! I really appreciate all the time and effort you all put into the names by researching the different meanings. It means so much to me and thank you for participating! I have lots of naming contests, so there will be plenty of other chances to win. Thanks again! =)

Weekly Facebook Special - Set of 6 Digital Collage Sheets - Only $10!!

Hi everyone! I decided to start a weekly Facebook Special where I offer an item or set of items at a significantly reduced price for a full week! The specials will only run Monday-Sunday, so be sure not to miss out.

From Monday 4/23/12-Sunday 4/29/12 you can purchase all 6 of my printable collage sheets for only $10!! This is over 40% off the normal price and a great opportunity to get the entire set.

This set includes 60 different images in three different sizes. The images will be emailed to you as a printable .jpg file that measures 8.5x11." There are 10 images per sheet and you will receive each image as a 1" circle, 1x1" square and 1x2" rectangle. These images are perfect for all your crafting and scrapbooking projects including, round bottle caps, pebble magnets, scrabble tiles, glass tile jewelry, domino pendants and more!

All you need to do to purchase this set is send me an email to nikki@aurella-art.com and let me know that you'd like to buy it! I'll then send you an invoice directly through Paypal to your email address for easy purchase. Once I receive the payment, I will then email you the printable files within 48 hours (usually much quicker!) If you have any questions at all, please don't hesitate to contact me! =)

Please see these links for close ups of each file and all the images you will receive:

~Digital Collage Sheet #1: http://www.artbynicoleburnette.com/Collage%20Sheet_1_2.jpg
~Digital Collage Sheet #2: http://www.artbynicoleburnette.com/Collage%20Sheet_2_2.jpg
~Digital Collage Sheet #3: http://www.artbynicoleburnette.com/Collage%20Sheet_3_2.jpg
~Digital Collage Sheet #4: http://www.artbynicoleburnette.com/Collage%20Sheet_4_2.jpg
~Digital Collage Sheet #5: http://www.artbynicoleburnette.com/Collage%20Sheet_5_2.jpg
~Digital Collage Sheet #6: http://www.artbynicoleburnette.com/Collage%20Sheet_6_2.jpg

Please read the following for Usage Information:

~*~*~*USAGE RULES~*~*~*

You may print this item as many times as you would like for PERSONAL use only. You may not resell this item or create your own products using this item and then resell them. For example, you cannot create a pendant out of one of the images and then sell the pendant.

Digital use is not allowed. You may not alter these images digitally or use for digital scrapbooking.

Purchasing this item does not transfer rights to you. Nikki Burnette retains all copyrights to the image.

You may not mass produce, distribute, share or give away the file that you are purchasing. This file is intended to be used by the purchaser only.

Due to the nature of this digital file, no refunds will be provided.

FOR PERSONAL HOBBY USE ONLY. COMMERCIAL AND DIGITAL USE IS PROHIBITED. IMAGES ARE COPYRIGHT PROTECTED.

 

Naming Contest - Fire Witch Sketch and Phoenix Familiar!

I have a new sketch to share with all of you! This is the other painting that I will be working on alongside my mermaid painting. This is a commissioned piece for a customer who wanted me to paint a "Fire Witch" along with her phoenix familiar. We will eventually be doing the rest of the elements earth, air and water as well! Each one will have a similar look/feel with the gothic archway in the background with carvings to represent each element.

This was such a fun piece to sketch! I had a lot of fun choosing a pose that was strong, yet sexy. I enjoyed designing her outfit and most of all drawing the phoenix! I have never drawn a phoenix before, so I really loved doing that.

You'll have to use your imagination some on the background lol. It's a bit rough at this point. I will do a lot of the corrections (make circles actual circles, make the lines straight, make everything symmetrical, etc...) in Photoshop when I create the final line work. Some of the carvings will also be duplicated so that there won't be blank areas above.

Naming Contest Instructions

And now, she needs a name! And so does her phoenix familiar. This piece's name will take the form of "Fire Witch Name" & "Phoenix Familiar Name." So for instance, Freya and Sparks. Feel free to submit as many names as you'd like. There may be up to two winners for this contest. I may choose both names from the same person or I may mix and match and choose the fire witch's name from one person and the phoenix's name from another person. In that case, there would be two winners!

The person or people that choose the names I pick will win a 5x7" of the finished piece. I have allowed anonymous posts on my blog, so you can post even if you don't have an account.

Please post your name suggestions along with your email address so that I can easily contact you in case you win. The contest is open to everyone around the world and even past winners can participate!

Thanks in advance for your suggestions. I can't wait to see what everyone comes up with! =)

EDIT: I revised the sketch a bit, so you may notice a different version. =) I added her feet in and adjusted the position of the phoenix wings. You'll have to use your imagination a bit on the sketch. I had to piece it together, but everything will get filled in and finalized when I create the linework. The little lines at the bottom denote where the ground will start. Hope you like the changes! =)