Nick and I went over to the epic SciFi book signing at Borderland Book’s new (not quite opened) cafe space (870 Valencia). The 24 author lineup included:
Gail Carriger - new author of the hugely popular novel SOULLESS, Borderlands’ bestselling paperback in October;
David Drake - renowned master of military science fiction;
Steven Erikson and Ian Cameron Esslemont - co-creators of the fabulously successful Malazan Empire books in a rare appearance (in fact, we believe this is Mr. Esslemont’s first signing in the US);
Graham Joyce - distinguished winner of the World Fantasy and British Fantasy Awards;
Patricia McKillip - beloved fantasy author and winner of the World Fantasy Award for Lifetime Achievement;
L.E. Modesitt, Jr. - Incredibly prolific and respected fantasy and science fiction writer;
Garth Nix - Popular young adult fantasy author of THE ABHORESEN TRILOGY and many others;
S.M. Stirling - one of the world’s premier authors of alternate histories, notably the Emberverse series (DIES THE FIRE and its sequels);
Michael Swanwick - Multiple-award winning author of THE IRON DRAGON’S DAUGHTER;
Bill Willingham - creator of the graphic novel FABLES;
and many more writers, artists and editors including James Anderson, Carol Berg, David B. Coe, Kate Elliott, David Lunde, John Picacio, Barbara and Christopher Roden, Mark Sebanc, Mark Van Name and Zoran Zivkovic!
Personally, I was most excited about Garth Nix, but you don’t really see me talking with him or Bill Willingham in the video.
Blood Lamp
Blood Lamp, 2009, a single-use light that draws its energy from a drop of blood, by UK artist Mike Thompson, creator of the wifi dowsing rod.
For the lamp to work one breaks the top off, dissolves the tablet, and uses their own blood to power a simple light. By creating a lamp that can only be used once, the user must consider when light is needed the most, forcing them to rethink how wasteful they are with energy, and how precious it is.
Isabella’s Smile
Something I’m actually happy with (FOR NAO). Of course it’s monochromatic. Portrait of Isabella from my Heads and Hands class. Didn’t finish adjusting the values on the base drawing, mostly because she moved her head position once I got to shading. That AND she was continually smiling at whatever the other model was doing behind me on the other side of the room. Seriously dude, go flirt and try and get laid elsewhere, drawing is challenging enough! Anyway, I asked permission to take a photo ref of her at the start of class. She looked conflicted for a bit and said she usually says no… but she smiled and said ok (yay)! I said I understood/was ok with it if she said no, of course, but I’m really happy to have a ref to work with on this a bit more here at home. She’s actually one of my favorite models, her cheekbones are INTENSE.
Illustration 1 - penwork
I am learning to properly use pens… or rather, trying. Ha! *sigh*
A sketch I did of another Forgotten Realms character, Bruenor Battlehammer! He looks peeved. I was kinda peeved when I drew him.
Quick pen and ink version of this by Oyamada Ami, just practicing. I love the original. The whole I’m so into you I’m gunna taste/eat up all of you bedroom eyes thing in the illustration is awesome. >:}
Fun in Photoshop [9/09]
Started reading the Forgotten Realms books, specifically The Legend of Drizzt. Go figure, I’m totally in love with the character. Dark elf ranger *cough*similartoahunterinWOW*cough* who has a black feline companion and prefers to duel wield weapons…. does this sound a tad familiar? Ha, so nerdy. Anyway, speed paint of him I did for fun. Drizzt, that is, not Serith.
Another speedpaint I did while doing some tedious pen and ink exercises for Illustration 1. I love the class, but I’m super new to the medium. Sometimes I need to do a drawing in photoshop since it is so quick and non messy just to keep sane.
About Me
Kinnaree is a 25 yrs old art student and master procrastinator. Lover of: illustration, bikes, books, coffee, cooking, video games, traveling, camping, web 2.0 & funky music...
