About Me

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Currently seeking representation. Stephen Macquignon is an illustrator and was the first-runner-up for the prestigious Tomie dePaola award in 2017. He has had the privilege of working for Michael Sporn Animation Inc. on many different titles including, “The Little Match Girl”, “Ira Sleeps Over”, “Abel’s Island” and many more. An illustrator of children's books including Tea with the Queen, he has a BFA from the School of Visual Arts in New York and is a proud member of SCBWI. To date, he has never missed a deadline. A fresh energy that is not part of the trends out there.

Monday, August 25, 2014

Watercolor studies of Beatrix Potter


It was suggested by an Art Director that I should take some time and study Beatrix Potter artwork, specifically her watercolor technique.
 
"Her watercolor work to this day is some of the best … ever. What I see if your work could stand to employ these adjustments. Try this: take a simple work of hers, and copy it as accurately as you can. Force yourself to use the colors she uses. Train your hand to not always go for the straight out of the tube (or brick) color."

So I have been spending time studying Beatrix's artwork, I have an incredible book of hers called "Beatrix Potter The Complete Tales" and I sketched out an handful of her beautiful characters. I have more sketches that I plan to work on.
 
 
  One of the things I've changed was the settings on my scanner; so I don't get hot bright pops of color, much closer to my originals colors using this setting.
When I got this scanner I was thrilled how it picked up such a range of what I was working on. I even liked the POPs! of brightness (hot) . But I am emulating Beatrix Potter so...
 
   Before                                              After 
 
I start with a pencil drawing , followed by adding watercolor, India ink with a brush, and more color to finish. This is how I have been working for the last six months. I love working this way it allows me to decide to add or leave out ink line; I feel I get more of a balance between line and color.  
 
Before ink is applied
Before ink is added

Ink line added needs a little more color 
 
 

Finished artwork
easy!     
 
 
In no way does a few studies of Beatrix's artwork make me an expert but I am enjoying the process I'm looking forward to creating more soon   
 
(Just so everyone knows I left the shadows created by the scanner I didn't feel like cleaning them up)  
 

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