Was going for a colored pencil look with this. Kind of got carried away trying to make the skin look like it has that healthy 'glow'.

she's gorgeous!

Thanks, Grafight! I have been thinking of your words to me about 'laying down colour for the sheer joy of it as a child would'. I try but I am not there yet.

A meeting in the pink light of the Tree of Life.

Oh my..This is simply gorgeous work grace! You caught the amazement she has when she sees how stupid (in her mind), she thinks Jake is. Beautiful lighting, I am captivated by this... BRAVO!

beautiful, and so purple...

Wow! Comments! Thanks you two, very much. I really loved this character and couldn't wait to try to draw her, especially those EYES.

an image and idea that keeps coming back, wanting to be drawn. I like her hair and her hands (notice the fine webbing between her fingers...) but as Noel pointed out to me, once again I've drawn my own face. That's annoying. Grafight drew me a nice sketch with suggestions for making the pose more interesting but, sadly, he deleted it. It had more of the ribcage and torso showing.

glad to see you're still around...

Well, we've finally gotten pretty well settled into our new home/acreage on the island. It was a lot of work, still is. We're also working with a rescue organization now and taking in foster dogs that are in bad shape and need a lot of care. We had a long rainy spell and I couldn't work outside so I finally found some time to try to draw again. No ref used on this so I think it's wonky. Arms too short?

Yeah, the anatomy seems a little "wonky" as you say. Arms and torso might need some fixing

You're welcome on my little sketch above. I'm sure you would have figured it out on your own anyway! I like this painting anyway! I'll go ahead and remove the sketch. Cheers!

…

Excellent work, gillie! I'm very impressed, with your brushwork.. your painterly style lately is so outstanding. I've been enjoying it. More, please! =D

Thanks Sunny. I must confess, Flubbles is working on this one over on 2draw and it made me want to try it. I am hoping he does not mind. I think the title is Head of Old Man in a Cap Link to Old Man in a Cap

I love this - such expression! I want to stroke his beard. I'm glad to see someone is still drawing here, I'm not sure why/where everyone has gone - I've been out of the loop for some time.

Beautiful work, Gillie and I love how large you've made the canvas. I've just been thinking of doing an old Dutch master attempt myself.

Yes, gillie, I know, I saw Flub's work over there. I think he went into that one after Roy began his, such inspiration, those two are and now this as well. Really enjoying your work. :)

I dont mind at all! I encourage people to do there interpritation of rembrandt, he's the master :p

An excellent piece of work! Sorry I have not commented before this but have been quite busy taking care of the men in my life here. I want to start so many drawings and there is so little time. Really an awesome piece gillie!

thank you kute, good to see you

…

Oh so adorable, such great wood graind too. I don't know who is cuter the kiddie or the kittie! Lovely picture QT!

Ok, I just want to pick this little one up and kiss him to death. What a darling child, love all the lighting touching his blonde hair. The wood grain is outstanding! This cat is nice and chunky, giving it big hugs it is so cute. Love the childs expression too, just like a child would have. Beautiful work here, wow.

I just love that cat!
It looks to me like it is gonna turn round to the kid and start a conversation. What a great draw, lovely expressions.

That cat is an old soul! The bond between children and animals is a wonder to behold, isn't it?

"So ... whaddaya wanna do tonight, Marty?"
"I dunno .... whadda YOU wanna do?"

Beautiful, Gillie!!

Thanks so much all of you. I think the cat gott a little out of hand...might be a touch to big but I liked him so I didn't mess with him!

Adorable. They look like they are best friends.

What a precious picture, awwwww you've melted my heart with this.....I'm a cat lover =O) can you tell?

This is excellent!!! I don't know which one is cuter.....but I love them both!! The little kid has a mischievious look on his face....I wonder whut he's thinking of doing to that kitty!!"LOL"!! Beautiful painting!!! :)

Really cute drawing!

So wonderful QT. I think both are thinking about what the other is thinking. Great job

Oh gillie, this is spectacular. The childs hair, with the light. The little baby hands, and kittie claws...perfect. The wood graining is awesome. Just everything is sooo beautifully done.

awwww...so sweet. That IS a wise looking critter! (The one on my right.)

The contrast of muted, desaturated colour and brilliant highlights give this painting such an appealing, surreal dreamlike quality for me. It's reminding me so much of the work of a famous illustrator of children's tales...but I can't think who it is or what books. I love how textural this is, from the cat's fur to the woodgrain to the boy's tousled hair.

Aww how cute, I don't know which of these two looks the cuddliest. Wonderful work :)

I am such a fan of your work here gillie, and I have to say I see some SketchFu style remnants in this painting. This makes me think of paint mixed with marker pen..really intersting, and very thought provoking too..such a treasure image.. :D

I still keep coming back to this and smiling alot. Lovely pic.

Very nice work on your painting! The cat just really amazes me as he does the boy in the picture!: )

In honor of those who have served our country and made the ulitmate sacrifice...

ref from a photo from an e-mail chain sent to me...

Fantastic and very touching. In honour of those that serve to ensure freedom worldwide.

What a wonderful and moving draw, Terry. A great tribute.

The tears well up in my eyes looking at this. What an incredible piece of art! I can say no more right now, I can't even find the right words.

Very touching Starz....thanks for remembering and for sharing!

What an emotional drawing, wow. I'm speechless.

I actually looked at this photograph today..ran into it on you tube while remembering those who served us well, looking at tributes of the day and giving thanks to many. It's a gut-wrenching image that chokes me up..and you've captured the same emotion. Beautiful job, starz.

Beautiful Starz, we can never forget,there have been so many, too many lives sacrificed, too many families left with loss, too many that couldn't recover mentally or physically.

"WOW"!! I'm speechless "Starzshine"......this picture is just so beautiful, and sad, and inspiring. Your talent never ceases to amaze me.

Stars, I love this one. The sentiment, the lighting, the colors, the back of his neck etc etc etc. This is my favorite of yours , just cannot say enough about it.

Oh wow, this is so touching, beautiful and such a nice tribute to those who serve our country. Your amazing in talent, wow. This is jaw drop'n beautiful with so much meaning to it. Everything about it I love.

Thats great. i especially like the lighting on the neck and chin of the man.

Thanks everyone for the nice comments! I enjoyed doing this one, thought I would challenge myself and hopefully render a piece to remember our veterans...thanks again for all your support!

Amazing and very touching work.

Spectacular work Starz. The little boys face displays so much. Trying to be brave, poised and inside he is a crushed soul. The ravages of war, are so many. It is unspeakable sadness.

How powerful and affecting, gorgeous, he is trying so hard to be brave, so glad you did this one, it brings so much to mind - wonderful!

I think this is very powerful. I really feel sorry for the kid.....

Very touching painting.so much thought and details! Very Nice Work!

finis!

and this is done from a photo done by a photographer by the name of Mrs.Lubner, who graciously allowed me to use the following photo to help with this picture...I did a bit of my own additions especially with the piggy, for interest hope you like http://www.renderosity.com/mod/gallery/index.php?image_id=1513312&member

(Edited on November 5, 2008, 7:08 pm)

Remarkable Starz! I do not know what else is left to finish because it is stunning already. Reminds me of Wilbur from Charlotte's web, a great kids novel. You've done an amazing picture here, a real beauty!

Adorable and so very well done! Nice work..of art!

Gorgeous! Wow, all things bright and beautiful all creatures great and small, the good Lord loves them all..something like that! This reminds me of that, and also, I feel like this could be Wilbur and Fern! Outstanding work, starz! =D

ooH! I see gel thought the same thing! :)

(Edited on November 5, 2008, 8:45 pm)

This picture is really beautiful "Starzshine"......it looks so real....you can tell that she really loves that little piglet that she is holding. What a gorgeous picture!! I love it!! :)

Awwwwwe, I really like the love expression in her face. I can really feel how much she is loving this little one. She holds him so gentle and tenderly. This is so wonderful. What a darling drawing. Love the print on her top, skin tones are beautiful...heck everything, the hands and facial features are so perfectly done. Excellent artwork!

Starz...I have had the same problem on occaision. I have had to reboot the computer or reinstall my tablet and those two things usually fix the problem. This is just lovely. I especially like the dress print and her hair bow. Another Starz masterpiece.

This is wonderful Starz. The piglet is so relaxed and content looking. The little girl loving him is very clear from the facial expression. I viewed your link. It is so much a reflection of the photo. I do ask... what is left to do? Just fabulous work.

This is absolutely stunning - gorgeous! Very inspiring, don't know where I'd begin on what I love best about it...like a combination of Diego Rivera, Georgia O'keefe. I just looked up the photo, which was beautiful - but you have added and crystallized so much here!

Yep, me too, first thought "Wilbur and Fern." Very sweet. Now she can never eat bacon or pork chops.

Mmmmm... bacon. Ooops! Sorry.
This is a lovely pic. Who couldn't love a cute little piggy-wig? Yes its very Charlottes Web. A little girl and her love for her precious pig. Quite lovely.

Such sweetness and love ... this little gal will NEVER eat bacon, Guy! (For the same reason I won't eat veal or lamb; but I do eat cows ... what a hypocrite!) ANYWAY ... your skin tones take my breath away, Terry; not to mention the wonderful expressions on both girl and porker. *sighs*

Beautiful work Starz, really wonderful subject matter and the way you pulled this off is awesome! The textures of her shirt and the pattern, the pig and especially the beautiful little girl. Wow, your talent is awesome!

This is so adorable, you can almost feel the warmth that little piglet is sharing with her, amazing Starz and amazing drawing.

Amazing!!! So realistic right down to her peeling nail varnish. You're an outstanding artist.

So sweet, her expression is beautiful!

Nicely captured moment.

…

This looks just incredible! Wow! Wtg, Laura -

Very, very nice draw. Great perspective on the pumpkin. I love it (and I love candy corn, too!)

Thanks ptrice and jpjp, I spent more time on this than I had planned. Those corns were a pain in the butt. I cut and pasted some of them, but then I got extra parts that I did not want and had to spend a bunch of time erasing stuff and redrawing stuff. I kinda gave up on it.

So beautiful, I love love love the large size of your canvas. Your Jack O Lantern is incredible and those candy corn are just as sweet looking as they taste. Really nice composition!

What a wonderful happy festive picture this is Laura! I love the softness of the colors in this, at first glance I thought this was Jp's, very much like here style. Wonderful perspective on the pumpkin! love this it is so fun, (hate candy corns, yuk, tooo sugary, lol, but love the memories of them from trick or treating) Really love the pumpkin! Another beauty from you...=)

It looks like the Jack o'Lantern is ready to "hoover up" all that candy corn! I LOVE this, Gillie ... the details, shading and lighting are awesome :)

Wow, QT, this is the best pumpkin this season. Love the perspective on this one peering down on the stash of candy corn. Really do love that pumpkin!!

Mmmmmm my favorite, this is fantastic, I love the angle of the whole shot!

Delicious looking pumpkin! I'll leave the sweets behind! Nice festive painting that glows! I love the sparkle on him. Great one, gillie! :D

This is really "awesome"!! I love it!! That candy corn looks delicious!! "yummy"!! :)

Oh qt this is fine, fine work here! Happy Halloween!! Beautiful!

This is awesome, my gosh. The candy corn spilling out...wow. The pumpkin seems to be looking down toward it..I like how it seems as though the pumpkin is happy and almost like it wants to eat the candy. This is so cool looking. You are such a splendid artist. Happy Halloween.

Fantastic work , love everything about this. He looks to me as though as soon as I look away he'll be diving into those sweets for a good old munch ; )

Oh poo! I really thought I had commented on this one.
Loving the colours here and that pumpkin skin texture is great. I had to ask somebody what candy corn was though. Even though you copy/pasted some of it, what patience.
Great work. Hope you all had a fun hallowe'en.

Awesome Jack-O-Lantern....he looks as if he is going to devour his treats!

Well it is finished, finally something that is more mine than not! I did use a pic for reference, but changed it to my imagination, I suppose there could be a few touch ups here and there but..well I got a tad bored, oops, did I say that? lol, heheeeheeheeeheee....

Well, for not being finished it sure looks great so far. I must say that face is creepy, but those eyes all blood shot is fabulous. Love it so far.

The glow in this is excellent. Love this one, wonder what she is so intenly looking at. Those warts and teeth....ewwwww. The hair is cool also and the eyes....ahhh yes, very aprapo (sp?)

That eerie glow is just brilliant Starz. I love this. Looks like one of my old teachers, complete with the teeth.

Heyyyyy, now .... fantastic, wonderful, eerie green glow ... and didn't realize you knew my first ex-mother-in-law; you captured her perfectly ;) (kidding ... she was ok)

The Brillo hair is such a hoot; check out those claws! The spooky sky and the bats ... well, it's PERFECT!

Oh ya! Great wire like hair and whadda glow!!! She looks simply evil!!

Amazing details on this one Starz. This is one lovely witch you have created here and I love the green glow she possesses. Creepy!

Oh Starz this is awesome, I love the glow against her flesh and that wicked looking face is so cool!

Positively Gloriously Ghastly! Great job, Starz! Her face is wonderfully done..love it. :D

Extremely great greenish yellow glow not to mention the crystal ball and those creepy black fingernails. But like others here my favorite thing is her hair, her hat a close second. Even that mole on her nose is very fitting for this creepy witch. Cool picture Starz, you do creepy very well.

I love love love the way you frazzled the hair. Nice.

Starz, my grandson Isaiah makes me show him this picture every single morning before he goes to school. He loves it as much as I do. I have thought about printing it out for him to put on the wall for Halloweeen there are quite a few Halloween draws here that I would love to hang for our Party. I really love that Green Glow!

"WOW"!!!!!! I love this one "Starzshine"!!! I love everything about this....the colors, the witch, the globe!!You did a fantastic job with this!! I wish I could use this picture as the background for my new computer's desktop...but I wouldn't do that without your permission. Fantastic job!!! :)

Very Spooky Halloween Witch....! Well Done!

You are so good at this my goodness I bet you draw in your sleep. she is without a doubt a crazy witch,well come to think of it I know a couple of girls that are very much the same.. so well done

=)

Amazing.Everything about this says, "halloween" and sets the mood for a spooky night. Love it.

Of ghoulies and ghosties and long-leggedy beasties and things that go bump in the night, good Lord deliver us! (old Scottish prayer)

Great effects starz...I love halloween!

Looks like a pumpkin, scarecrow mixture. I really like the use of texturing for this one and just in time for the big day of Halloween! Excellent Starz!

This is wonderful, cheerful and so darn cute. I love how you have the glow on the skin of the pumpkin and the straw hair on it's head. Such a cute hat too. This one makes me smile.

(Edited on October 20, 2008, 10:36 pm)

You recreate light and the effects of light so fantastically well. This looks just great. I guess that as I am trying my pumpkin soup recipe this weekend I shall have to do lantern carving with my boys. Picture to follow if it all works out ok. Seems like I am missing out on all the hallowe'en spookiness.

Nice texturing, lighting, and fog effects STARZ! The glow from inside really grabs the eye too! What a fun piece! =)

I don't see creepy here I see ADORABLE! Colors textures and the glow coming from within, all perfect.

"WOW"!!! I love this one too!! All of your paintings are amazing "starzshine"!!! I love this pumpkin!! :)

Excellant pumpkin....you have made him look so alive !