The Story Continues...More from Sir Lancelot & Merlin's Code

Here is the second installment of illustrations I colored from Sir Lancelot's, Knight of Gallantry, session on www.MerlinsCode.com. Enjoy!

All images are digital and copyright of MerlinsCode.com.

Merlin's Code

I am finally able to unveil my work on Merlin's Code!

Throughout 2010 I was part of a team of artists around the world working on artwork for www.MerlinsCode.com. The site offers learning modules to discover the timeless legend of King Arthur, the Knights of the Round and the Code of Chivalry.

I joined the team as a production artist, specializing as a colorist. Using the established look and branding of Merlin's Code I was asked to take a line drawing and digitally color it in Photoshop. Using various brushes and techniques I was able to create a watercolor look. Once I established the look of a knight and the setting, they needed to be consistent throughout each setting and module.

Over the next couple weeks I will be sharing some of the work that I contributed. I hope you enjoy it and check out www.MerlinsCode.com to see some of the artwork on the site.


These images are part of the sessions for Sir Lancelot - Knight of Gallantry:

The best part of this series of illustrations is that they are at night. I had a lot of fun using the light sources of the moon and the different fire sources. (Lancelot is on the right)

This is one of my favorites. Sir Lancelot is walking in the shadows. I love the textures of the river and the tree stump in the foreground, and the limited palette.

For the Win!

It was Senior Night for the Oliver Ames boys basketball team and cheerleaders. Each of the 9 seniors had a poster hanging on the entrance end line with words and quotes that were provided by their parents. Fittingly, the boys beat Foxboro and took a share of the Davenport Division Crown. Congratulations and good luck in the state tournament!

The 18" x 24" laminated posters were commissioned by the Oliver Ames Basketball Boosters and the input of the parents. I hand drew the bodies in ink and finished them in Photoshop.


Basketball Senior Boys:

Senior Cheerleaders:

Score!

Senior night for the Oliver Ames girls' Basketball team was last night. It is tradition that gifts and acknowledgment be given to the seniors on their last regular season home game. I was commissioned to do a new spin on a caricature like poster for the two girls. They were printed on 18" x 24" photo paper and laminated so that they could be hung in the gym. Congratulations on your win and good luck in the play offs! GO OA!

Images:
18" x 24"
Ink and Digital
© Laura DeDonato

Round two: Grass

Here's the second round of options for the logo I've been working on. I was asked to draw some grass and I immediately pulled out my ink and nibs. I love working with ink, but I haven't been able to pull out my dipping ink and assortment of nibs in a while. All of the line art for the precise map work I do, www.johnromanillustration.com, is done with very fine, technical drawing pens (ex: .005). I love the freedom and serendipitous strokes that happen with this medium. It also got me thinking about the last couple weeks and how fortunate I've been to be able to pull out so many different mediums that I enjoy, but don't always get to use: Acrylic paint, latex paint, gouache, pastels, charcoal, graphite, colored pencils, ink, and my digital pen.

Some of the submitted logos for the "Grass Round":

SHINY and NEW(ly Wed)

Mr. & Mrs. Minks
11" x 14" Acrylic
© Laura DeDonato


I am so excited to finally post my latest portrait commission! I just received confirmation that the newlyweds received their portrait this afternoon.

A portrait this size usually takes me a couple months, which involves a lot of staring at photograph references and bringing out the features that capture their essence. (It's rare that I get a sitting with the subjects I'm painting.) Everyone knows the saying that the "eyes are the windows to the soul," and I believe it. After staring at people's eyes for months, they tell me a lot. Mercedes and Jeremy both have these amazing, sparkling blue eyes that were a lot of fun to paint. More importantly, their eyes are always beaming with love whenever they're together. It was crucial that I captured this. I also have to point out that I had a a great time with the textures of Mercedes velvet jacket and stunning hair.

Congratulations and wishing you the best for a beautiful lifetime together!

A wedding in Mexico

Every painting has to start somewhere. This is a "color blocked" sketch for a commissioned wedding portrait. I start of with a sketch and then block in the shapes with a solid color. Sometimes the sketch shows through and adds some texture and value. It's nice to be working on a painting of somewhere warm and sunny. It helps me forget about all the snow outside, with more on the way.

Confession: I have a weakness for frosting!

I just got the go ahead for my SCM Transportation birthday card illustration! I am very excited about painting cake, or at least a van that looks like cake. I might just have to bake some reference and late night inspiration :-)

This is the concept thumbnail they chose:

Here are some of the other submitted thumbnails:



P.S. I am anxiously waiting to post my most recent portrait piece, but I have to wait until the newlywed couple receives it! I can't wait!!

Round one...

Here is the first round of logos for AMCOM. Pretty straight forward with basic requested fonts and text. The client also wanted to do some funny versions just for the office, in the right column.

Happy Holidays!!

Winter Wonderland
5"x7" Folded Holiday Card

© Laura DeDonato

(Version with a wreath on the barn)

There's nothing like a winter wonderland painting to get me in the holiday spirit! This is the second year that I have done SCM Transportation's Holiday Card (last year was a Santa, you can find it in the archived posts), and I had a great time. The client, based in Somerville, wanted their logo on a snowflake so I came up with a few sketches and we decided on this concept. It just so happened to be the first one that popped into my head.

Here's the sketch/thumbnail:

I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season!