So I sat down today to draw another idea for a mermaid…but whenever I thought about the ocean I fell into a very sad state. I’d bring myself out and start again, only to tumble into dark places in my head. For those of you not plugged in, I’m talking about the BP Oil Spill.

So, instead of fighting sad thoughts I went with them – I felt MUCH better after this sketch, and I already have an idea to draw a cyborg dolphin with a machine gun. Strange how scribblings will ease out feelings from my head and put them on paper.

I hope everyone had a lovely fourth of July!

I started my “Mer-Kingdom Coloring Book” sketches – initially I wanted the mermaids to have large heads so their eyes could be huge too – but the more I drew the more I’ve decide that I’m going to give the heads a bit more realistic proportion only because the weight of the character with a big beautiful tail feels more streamlined without a huge head. Here follow the first 2:

The very rough drawings in this I find sort of charming – so I thought I’d post it and not clean it up. Something kind of raw about these quick scribblers I enjoyed today. I hope you do too. Good job surviving monday…i know I did.

I would like to introduce you to a new character we were discussing. For now, all I will tell you is that she is called “The Artist”. And remember that “Kraken” sketch I did for my coloring book? I loved it so much, she gets a little pet inspired by that. Except this bejeweled octopus can float in the the air and kick it on her little octopus pauldron.

THIS one was really fun: no planning, no thought, just me and fatty sharpie marker. I want to do more of these. She’s so FIERCE!

I really like this one – she sort of has a fish face, and a funny expression. I wonder what fish people think about.

Tires. Just got in from work. Take care, you all, and greetings from the wolpertinger

Guess what, Ashley, ANOTHER from one your recommendations for the fantasy coloring book! The famous Loch Ness Monster, otherwise lovingly known as Nessie.

The classic Sea Monster for the fantasy coloring book! Basically, a big serpent dragon with spikes, gills, and a long, winding body. They took many other strange and creative forms as well. These were traditionally depicted on nautical maps from the 1500′s to represent dangerous waters and the uncharted oceans of the world.

For the fantasy coloring book: the AKUPARA! (Thanks for the suggestion, Ashley!) Its a giant turtle or tortoise supporting or containing the world! It occurs in Hindu mythology, in Chinese mythology and in Native American mythology. The name Akupara is apparently Sanskrit. I’m thinking of adding some planets in the background to give it more of that celestial feel.

One of my personal favorites, the Ki’rin. A Japanese version of the originally Chinese mythological beast of peace, wisdom, and smiting down the wicked. It is loosely called the “Japanese unicorn”, and is famous for being so gentle, when it walks it doesn’t bend a blade of grass. Unless, of course, its smiting you. Then its a fire breathing bad-ass with the wrath of the heavens, and you deserved it because they are all knowing.

Oh yes yes! Both Ashley and Donny: thank you for mentioning one of my favorite creatures in sea-faring lore and legend, the amazing and fearsome KRAKEN! A huge squid/octopus/cephalopod that is the bane of pirates and sailors alike. I figured the ones eating all the ships are the baby ones, playing with what they see as little bath toys. Enjoy!

Thank you all for your ideas for more fantasy creatures! Today’s is a Basilisk, a cross between a bird and a lizard. This is the creature that is most commonly depicted as being killed by St. George. Its most famous characteristic it its long, leathery, dangerous tail that can lop a man’s head off in a single swipe. It is supposed to be terrifying, poisonous, and so fearsome that a single look could turn a grown man to STONE! (oh MY!) Oh, and its only 12 inches long. I figured that most things small and poisonous are also quite beautiful. So, I went the “It’s terrifying cause its so PRETTY” route.

Quetzalcoatl, the feathered serpent for the fantasy coloring book!

And the collection grows. Thank you guys for your comments! I LOVE THE IDEAS!

Another page for the fantasy coloring book. The ever classic winged horse, or otherwise known by name as Pegasus. In Greek mythology Pegasus was this ONE horse with wings, not ANY horse with wings. His daddy was Poseidon, the Greek God of the Ocean, and his momma was Medusa. The chick with the snake hair…yeah…weird. I couldn’t make that up, it is written in many languages. However, the name Pegasus has become so a part of our vocabulary to describe any winged horse, that it is now the term for this magical creature. However, don’t think too hard about the original mythology..because that would mean that Triton has a winged horse as a half brother. (Poseidon is Triton’s daddy too.) Anyway, winged horses rock.

Yesterday, I bought “The Dream Hunters”, written by Neil Gaiman and illustrated by Yoshitaka Amano. Had I known that these two artists that I treasure and follow independently of one another worked together due to encouragement by my much adored Studio Ghibli….I would have had a Joy Seizure much earlier in life. But no…I had my Joy Seizure last night…upon the discovery of this beautifully written and illustrated work of art at Borders Books. I read, I absorbed, I adore. In one particular moment, the main character meets an itsumade, sometimes considered the Japanese version of a gryphon. It has the head of a lion, body of an eagle, and a serpent for a tail. Yoshitaka Amano is an amazing illustrator/fine-artist/painter/dreamer, and the creature he portrayed was pure magic. I was inspired to do a coloring book page dedicated to that creature, because I think its gorgeous. So below you will find a scan of the image in the book (that doesn’t do this incredible piece justice and I hope you buy the illustrated novel and enjoy it), as well as my coloring book page!

Another page for the children’s fantasy coloring book, inspired by my nieces and their cultish fervor for line art and coloring. I present, the elusive Hydra! Typically portrayed with 5 heads, the most notable characteristic of this Greek beast is if you chop one head off, two more grow in its place – very bad. That is why if you have a bad Hydra Monster in your back yard, its best to leave it alone.

Happy New Year! Remember that fantasy coloring book I’m doing for kids? Well, I’ve got another creature for you to print out if you like, a Gargoyle! Yep, I’m sketching again, and hopefully EVERY DAY! So, be expecting another sketch tomorrow. I’ve got a feeling this is going to be a hard yet wonderful and productive year.

Here is is, finally, the first of 13 paintings to make the story for Panda! This is only half – the main half, but still only half. Those who are on my mailing list get to download the entire scan! If you don’t want to miss out on future freebies, click here to sign up for my rare and hopefully not annoying emails.

A winged lion, or “flyon”

A hippocamp, or hippocampus (you might have seen a few when learning about greek mythology) is part fish, part horse. I know as a kid I thought the name was stupid, and I still think it sounds stupid -  but – its what they are called most commonly. I prefer the term waterhorse, but there was a movie made about a lochness-monster-like-cute-thing they called a waterhorse, so in a way that’s been taken.  We also all know what a sea horse is – so – for now its a hippocamp off record as well.

This here be a baby hippogriff (hippogryph) and parent – park gryphon, part horse.
Also, I need to go into work this weekend (sigh)  I had wanted the weekend to finish painting Panda….so there will be no daily sketches for Saturday and Sunday. I really, really hope I can make time to paint.
So, here’s hoping.
I’m off to bed to get a good start on work tomorrow. Have a lovely day, all!

Scan as promised! And thank you for your well wishes, I am much better. It helped to leave work early and get a solid 12 HOURS of SLEEP! Yikes! I konked out!

Another page for the fantasy coloring book, a Chimera! This is also a sign for Capricorn, or as I lovingly call such creatures, Sea Goats! As usual, feel free to print out and share with the kids.
Whats a Chimera, they might ask? Well this is a good time to learn! Here’s a quick synopsis:
A chimera is a mythical creature that is usually composed of two or more animals. There are many chimeras, ones made of lions, snakes and goats, others with three heads. However, this one also the symbol for Capricorn, a part goat, part fish creature of wisdom and hard work.