Very Merry New Year

 Smokey and I hope you all had a pleasant and happy holiday season.
Despite being surrounded by those who love him, Smokey found himself in quite the tizzy while my brother, nephew and their dog Tessa were here. My nephew adores Smokey, however Smokey is a little less enthusiastic about little kids. Although I feel he did enjoy taunting the dog, since he knew he was safe enough on the other side of a glass door. But with my nephew around, he had to open his presents alone, this be no means took the fun out of it for him...

Replaced a bag this year with his stocking

About to rip into that bag!

With his wonderful personality, it made easy to finally decide on my card choice, even though I had plenty of ideas to begin with. It was trying to decide which I would like the best and want to use. Sketching is an important process, not only does it help keep me in practice, but its a good way to get problems worked out with arrangement, etc before making my final card (or drawing, painting, etc).

Smokey and Snowman

Holiday card Ideas

On my second set of sketches, at first I had planned to just do a quick coloring of Smokey wrapped in the Christmas lights. The one of Smokey with the Snowman was the card I had originally planed on using. As I'd done one similar last year and it didn't turn out too well. Had it not been for a critical error when saving my files, I'd hoped to share my process in rendering.
For rendering my illustrations digitally, I prefer to use CS3 (but whichever CS you have the all work the same). The number one rule, which was especially important with this piece, is to save often! You never when something might go wrong. Number two, always remember to use and name your layers! By using layers you're able to apply more effects, or to change one thing without having to change everything else.

 

 

Final Christmas Card

Not only have we just celebrated our holidays, but we've entered a new year, 2011! What a crazy date to be writing down. With the coming of this new year, brings in the beginning of a new journey and Smokey's 10th birthday! Which is tomorrow, 10 years have gone by so quickly, but I'm looking forward to as many more with him as possible, till 2021 perhaps? Having been working so often I haven't had much chance to work on a birthday card for Mr. Smokey (but surely will), I have however been working on New Years cards. Sketches mostly, but plan to solidify one ASAP to send out.

Happy 2011 Everyone!