Green House Progress and a Bit of Alice

I got so much work done on my Green House painting today.
With my music blasting and pallet in hand I hashed out the beginning layers of the sky. Later I'll add more blue low lights and orange-ish highlights to give the rolling space clouds more definition. After I finish the sky I can move on to the metal casing of the green houses and the tree silhouettes.

After working on my painting and with my students, I came home to a surprise Valentines Day package from my sweet Aunt Kristina. Inside I found Dove Chocolates (Does she know me or what?) and an Alice in Wonderland Liv Doll! I was so happy to get a doll, I haven't received one since age 8, and after all.. are you truly ever to old to have one? I plan to keep it on my shelf next to my copies of Alice in Wonderland. For years I have loved the classic story. So full of rich description and imagination, I collect old editions and modern ones for the beautiful illustrations. Lewis Carroll's tale has been a huge source of inspiration for my art. You can see some of my "Alice" inspired art here and here.

She's beautiful!!
Thanks Aunt Kristina!!
Stay Artsy,
~Sarah Bosserman

Another instalment of my Rabbit in Wonderland picture. The first coat of hair is done, now the hard part comes of trying to make it look real-ish.

I've decided to make the jacket a lighter color so I covered the brown up with a primer of white.

hmmm, I know I want it to be striped.. and light colored.. the question is which colors?

Sounds like I'm going to have to get out my paint-color-roll-a-dex-of-wonder. Which color, which color? Just give it a spin!

Stay artsy,

~Sarah Bosserman

Rabbits and Pocket Watches

Ah, yes another "Alice" painting.
For some reason the classic fairy tales have always resonated deeply with me
for my painting subjects. I think its the freedom of making a fantasy painting with as many lavish details and layers as I want without it slipping into the "Oh.. your a.. fantasy painter?".
Lisa Frank I am NOT. An illustrator.. yes. Someday I hope to tackle my favorite classical fairy tales like Peter Pan and Sleeping Beauty, but until then I'll experiment and master Alice in Wonderland. Baby steps.
For my series (Yes, I said series!) It'll be the characters from Louis Carol's Alice in Wonderland.
I'm approaching it as though I'm the court portrait painter. Each portrait will have hints as to who each character is, right down to the cuff-links and patterns of fabric.
First I'm starting with the White Rabbit, who is a relatively simple character.
I used a reference photo and a #2 pencil for the rough sketch.

Next, I added my rough shadows.
(Thanks Lisa!)

After that I started the first layer of color for the background and suit.

We'll see how our dear friend turns out, but don't expect it to be a quick painting. Even
With his "Don't be Late" attitude urging me on, I doubt I'll listen.
Stay Artsy,
~Sarah Bosserman