Pencil sketch - colorized

Trying something new here in Photoshop...I wanted to see if I could use the actual pencil sketch and add color, and so here is what I came up with. I'm trying to add my lettering to the background to add a little depth, but this attempt seems a bit harsh..I'm thinking if I tone down the color or intensity of the texture, it might help make the face "pop" more..what do you think?

Thanks for visiting!!

Oh, sweet vanilla ("drifting" into that wonderful smell!..I had thought of this as another IF entry for this week!) and faces, faces, faces...

I am heading off on a fun long weekend trip, so I can't post over the weekend, but have been sketching a bit here and there - and then adding some color...these are a few faces that came out of some quick sketches, and I have a lot more practice to do..but I do know that faces are HARD!! I have such an appreciation for those who can do facial expressions and can capture a mood with their illustrations of faces. Have a great weekend everyone! 

a recent bw sketch...I'm trying to sketch every night to get my skills up...hopefully I'll post many more. comments are greatly appreciated!!

Drifting - IF entry #8

When I was a little kid in the 'burbs, I would hang out with my brothers and play in the gutter, yes, the gutter. It was quite fun to spend the lazy days of summer that way - watching the sticks and bugs drift away....

I thought this would also be a nice piece for all of the fathers out there - Happy Father's Day!!!

Loose Watercolors just for fun!

After painting the Unfold watercolor version, I wanted to "loosen up" and try something different - some ink on watercolor paper, then washes. I'm having fun with this! Does anyone have a favorite pen, or ink that they like to use on watercolor paper? I'm using a Pigma Micron 03 (Archival ink) which seems to hold and doesn't run...but I'm wondering if it's the right way to go...

by the way, my family and I just saw "UP" last night - and I must say, what a lovely, inspired, amazing film that was. Not only amazing animation, but the story and character development was fantastic...I am a HUGE Pixar fan. : )

Unfold - the watercolor version

well everyone, this is the watercolor version......

comments are greatly appreciated - and any helpful tips and constructive criticism is even moreso. Thanks a lot for dropping by!

Unfold - Illustration Friday entry #7

"The wonderful world of reading unfolded before her."

Tomorrow I will work on the watercolor illustration of this piece, but wanted to post to see what you all thought of this style - pen and ink, and then digitally colored. Your comments are truly welcomed. Thanks for stopping by!

"Craving" - Illustration Friday entry #6

Sometimes a bag o' chips is the only thing I crave! It started when I was a kid..and I know, it's not so great to see a squirrel eating chips, but I thought of how hard it must be to store nuts for the winter, and thought this one was craving something of a different "crunch". : )

Have a wonderful week, everyone!

Adapt - Illustration Friday entry #5

Poor Mr. Fox is having a hard time trying to adapt to eating only veggies from now on...