ellenmillion | Entries tagged with sketch tarot

The tarot expo was really fun and inspiring. I have used it to kickstart my muse on the Sketch Tarot project I started a gazillion years ago, and used THAT to kickstart a workup of new rewards at my Patreon - there is now a $3 level that includes a sketch tarot file every month. And a $4 level that includes another extra coloring page every month. And there are higher levels that you'll have to click that link to see... *whistles innocently*

Today was a crazy day. I ordered lumber to complete the woodshed, and they surprised me by saying they could deliver it tomorrow. Which meant I needed to get some bags of gravel to level the pad for the steps. And I got new propane for the grill, and I took a flat tire in to get repaired (for free!), and I bought dog food and got replacement parts for a broken lamp and went to the post office and got water and wrote about a thousand words and added an epilogue to my not-a-book. I even spread out some of the gravel, though I had to stop before it was finished because that's hard work and I had to go to bellydance practice.

*lies on the floor*

Here's the last of the pieces I did for my feature in Color On! Magazine:

Now I'm going to go to bed and sleep the sleep of the just. Or the just tired, anyway.

Crossposts: http://ellenmillion.livejournal.com/1625682.html

I caved and ordered more Copic markers. OH, the pretty, pretty colors! I experimented with a pencil portrait I did for PA and was pleasantly surprised to find that they go over pencil shading with minimal dirtiness. Lots of further experimentation required - I am definitely a lot more awkward with color in general than I should be. It will go up when the PA upgrades are complete.

I should probably get moving on those. Hmm.

I finished the Temperance card yesterday, and that I will show now:

I fear it is too much of an inside joke (she is an old fanfiction character of mine), but I like her anyway.

...

My shoulder, miraculously, is completely better today. I stretched a lot, and did a few exercises I found on the 'you have leprosy' dregs of the Internet. Over the day, it gradually went from 'dying now!' to 'I don't notice this.' By evening, I couldn't even make it hurt. Not going to complain.

...

On the property we rented was a very large, tall tree, a ceiba. The house owners had a platform built on it, and a climbing rig in place. We hired a climbing guide, and braved the climb! None of us had done any climbing before, and the guide waited until we were all the way up to let us know that no party of four rookies had ever made it entirely to the top. He did warn us about the bees nest halfway up. But hey, they weren't stinging bees, just biting. No venom. I went first, and, having no one to compare myself to, figured I should try not to slow everyone else up. I took breaks as I felt they were needed, but basically went right up. Apparently, that qualified me as a natural, and I was appointed the belay for the repel down.

(And the bees didn't bother me in the slightest, though some of the others got bit a few times.)

The view from the top was breathtaking. Out across the Pacific, across acres of jungle. We saw several howler monkeys - including a momma carrying her baby.

The most stressful part of the whole trip was leaving Guppy behind with strangers, but that worked out just perfectly: the climbing guide's wife and 9-year old daughter came with him, and Guppy took one look at the little girl, took her hand, and led her into the bedroom to play. She ate a stunning amount of fruit while we gone, and chocolate granola bars, and sat in the pool, and gave them all pretend food (which the climbing guide's wife thought was hilarious. 'Imagination food!' she said, laughing, in her Spanish accent).

It was an awesome morning! I was very productive, and I blew threw most of my household chores. Guppy was happy, fire was nice, even did a little sketching...

Then, there was a poop incident, and I broke the blender making hummus, and I tried to sit down to work on a coding thing that SHOULDN'T BE THIS HARD, and I just feel stupid. Seriously, Google. I consider myself bright and capable of self-teaching, but your API documentation is crap. What I'm trying to do is VERY basic, and your site just leads me around in circles and dead-ends me in depreciated pages. All I want to do is add a simple calendar event with php. That's all. It shouldn't be rocket science. And yes, I had a perfectly good script that did this until two weeks before my vacation, when you decided to depreciate the Zenlibrary I was using. Thanks for that.

Also, the back-facing camera on my phone isn't working. I need to take it apart and see if I can fix it, but it's VERY INCONVENIENT.

Urgh. URGH.

Here's The Hermit for my Sketch Tarot project, finished yesterday. Not linking to the project page this time, because I haven't updated it with new pricing. (If you find it anyway [not rocket science], I will honor the old prices. They will be going up SIGNIFICANTLY.)

I'm also working on another tarot thing, unrelated, that will be a big piece. A REALLY big piece. It's exciting.

I will do more travel-log when I am in an improved mood. It may take chocolate.

Have you missed some of my creative updates over the last month? I'm doing monthly roundups to try to keep some sense in the chaos!

October was as nuts as September was, with a lot of coloring book work, the INKtober challenge (31 ink pieces in 31 days!), stomach flu (not fun!), animal illness (more not fun!), and the true arrival of winter.

Artwork

( GIGANTIC image. )

I did 31 ink pieces this month - some of them from existing sketches, some from scratch. The final tally was 2 pieces for coloring books, 20 of them were from Sketch Fests, 7 were for Torn World, 16 were ACEOs, and 3 ended up being for the Sketch Tarot project. (Clearly, there was lots of overlap.)

Most of the originals are available - just let me know if you are interested in one!

Additionally, the color version of Skykittens went up!

Three oooooold pieces of non-canon Torn World concept artwork also were posted: Fighting the Others, Early Ranger Concept, and Early concepts of Bai and Ressa

A ridiculously complicated ACEO was posted at River Twine: Illustration for Brightwood.

Sketches for Sketch Fest: 5 total for 2 Sketch Fests.

Writing

A poem went up at Torn World: Sea Monster Skipping Song

And one for subscribers: Ressa Knows

Other

I made some improvements at the Sketch Fest site - especially for product management and expiration. I also did a bit on the backend of the Lilypad and reprogrammed the coloring book ordering page.

The perk for Patreon supporters was a digi stamp of my very popular Candle dragon artwork.

I got 11 coloring books back in print, and sent all of the PDFs out for Kickstarter patrons! This was actually a LOT of work - even the coloring books that had already been in print needed some pretty good re-formatting, and I went ahead and did some general improvements, even releasing one of them as a second edition. But they look AMAZING. I am really happy with my new printing service.

I was part of an art show at the North Pole Grange - it was a lot of fun and I sold a nice pile of coloring books, cards and bookmarks. (Though none of the originals I brought! Alas!)

This is my favorite photo of Guppy from the month:

It was a lovely weekend. We took it easy, and I got a tremendous amount of Kickstarter work accomplished, did a handful of artwork, and have nearly finished How I Met Your Mother. A grand Duplo tower was built, Jake made the Best Soup Ever, and managed to top that by then making the Best Casserole Ever. I am salivating over the leftovers I get to enjoy this week.

Let's start with art:

These are pieces 22-24 (For sale, $15 each).

#25 - a rather random scrolly thing. (For sale, $10)

This is the Moon for my Sketch Tarot project. SOLD

I'm currently caught up on INKtober! I haven't done today's yet, but it's looking likely I'll ACTUALLY do this!

And in the theme of art:

Coloring books are going out! I've got the first 10(?) packages out! I have to pick up boxes at the post office today, and figure out how on earth to hold someone's hand while I get THESE boxes into the post office. (As shy as she is, Guppy's a bolter - I don't dare let go in a parking lot.)

And in the theme of Guppy:

With my good camera. I have about a dozen awesome photos from this shoot, but will you spare you.

All for now! Much to do!

Have you missed some of my creative updates over the last month? I'm doing monthly roundups to try to keep some sense in the chaos!

August was publicly another fairly slow month. I had a whirlwind of family activities, and much of my creative time was on work that I won't be able to share until the big coloring book reveal (next week! Eek!). But a few things did trickle out:

Artwork:

Off the Clock: http://www.tornworld.net/artpageview.php?id=440
(nudity, but nothing showing!)

I did four pieces for Sketch Fest - three of them for my Sketch Tarot project: http://ellenmillion.livejournal.com/1462644.html

04 - The Emporer: http://hotlink.ellenmilliongraphics.com/ellen/sketchtarot/04emperor.jpg
05 - The Heirophant: http://hotlink.ellenmilliongraphics.com/ellen/sketchtarot/05heirophant.jpg
06 - The Lovers: http://hotlink.ellenmilliongraphics.com/ellen/sketchtarot/06lovers.jpg

And a piece for an Elfquest fanclub: http://hotlink.ellenmilliongraphics.com/ellen/sketchfest54-04-unbreakablelove.jpg
(very rough, and what was I THINKING, trying to cram five figures in an ACEO?)

I also published three old concept pieces at Torn World:

The Overlook: http://www.tornworld.net/artpageview.php?id=394
Yet More Snowie Sketches: http://www.tornworld.net/artpageview.php?id=457
Snow Kiss: http://www.tornworld.net/artpageview.php?id=387

Writing:

I re-wrote the Empire article for Torn World: http://www.tornworld.net/settingpageview.php?id=25

A metafiction article about 'Future Fiction' was posted to Torn World: http://www.tornworld.net/settingpageview.php?id=303 (it's the Empire's version of science fiction!)

A new article at Torn World about Northern Foods: http://www.tornworld.net/settingpageview.php?id=294

Other:

The August Patreon perk was a bundle of 3 photographs that I took during my summer class, sized for wallpapers and Facebook headers.

Favorite Guppy photo from the month: http://hotlink.ellenmilliongraphics.com/ellen/baby/knitting.jpg

It rained a lot, I was ridiculously social (for me), and I worked on getting coloring books in order for the Kickstarter I'll be releasing next week. I'm looking forward to September!

Earthquake! Whee!

A fairly good rumbler at about 7 tonight, when husband and I got home from an afternoon movie and dinner date as belated celebration of our anniversary. We've actually had a whole lot of earthquakes lately, but this was the only we felt. Alaska Earthquake Information Center - and their page on this particular quake. Just a 5.07, now, though they reported 5.38 when I first looked at the page. Things rattled, but nothing fell down.

Sketch Fest is still on! I have worked on two more pieces, both of which I intend to finish:

Lovers, for the Sketch Tarot.

A long overdue illustration.

Both need a little anatomy refinement, but I'm liking how they've started. Both are ACEOs (2.5 x 3.5 inches), so a crazy amount of detail in a little space.

In Guppy News

I am astonished how fast she's growing. It's easier to see when I spent a good chunk of two weeks away from her than it was when I was constantly with her.

Her speech is getting clearer - milk is no longer gum, blankets are no longer boppies. (Each blanket, in fact, has a name, and must be put on her in order: Pink Blanket, Guppy Blanket, Rose Blanket, Kitty Blanket. And heaven help you if one of the blankets is missing!) She says 'please' if barely prompted, 'thank you' nearly always, and 'you're WELcome' all the times in between. 'Do it myself!' is one of her favorite things, and she drew an 'H' and identified it correctly this weekend. Her counting is still hit and miss. ('One, three, one, two...') 'Build a tower!' is still a favorite. Reading never goes out of style. A few weeks ago, she made a drastic change and began personifying her things. Suddenly Kiko, her rag-doll, has to be fed and have her diaper changed and take naps, where before I think Kiko's little blanket meant more to her than Kiko. Even her 'Little Green Person' (a Duplo figure) is addressed as a character now. She cannot seem to sit still through storytime - today she bolted across the library (just to be chased, as far as I can tell) five times before I finally just pulled her out and went to play with Duplos with her.

Growing up is hard work!

In pet news

I need to take Norway for more walks! But as he's gotten older, he seems more content with hanging out at his house and doesn't bolt around quite like he used to. Long walks sometimes wind him now. His weight is down at a healthier place for him, and he seems in good health.

Velcro, on the other hand, had started grooming bald patches down her sides, so I took her in for shot updates (just rabies - she's not at risk for anything else, being an indoor only cat) and to get an opinion on that. $300 of bloodwork later (and two draws, because they LOST the first one...), it turns out she is hyperthyroid, poor kitty. We're trying prescription food for a month or so, before resorting to medicine. No improvement yet, but it's only been a little over a week. She's definitely showing her age these days, but remains tolerant to toddlers who cover her with towels and try to stack books on her and convince her to eat duplos.

In house news

We got the lights up in the garage, and they are fabulous! The fan is also purchased, but not yet installed.

In weather news

More %^*##@ rain. I don't want to talk about it.

In project news

Sketch Fest was a little bit slow this month, and the Torn World Muse Fusion (which runs the entire month) is shaping up to be a bit of a flop. I suspect that my being offline and largely out of touch plays a role.

I am all kinds of inspired over Shifting. I have, in fact, reserved a domain for it, because I have no sense at all. It is now required to make me $15/year. Sketch Tarot is still moving forward - Empress is inked!

Going to draw now, and then make banana bread. Inbox: 117 (urgh!) and I've got Sketch Fest payments to get out.

Just a drive-by post to let you you know that for the last day of the 78Tarot Kickstarter, you can choose your (not-)mystery sketch, so you can snag one of those first three originals there! If you do end up adding the $25 add-on to your pledge there, I will send you a deck of the finished Sketch Tarot cards for $25! http://ellenmillion.livejournal.com/1462644.html

Here's the 78 Tarot Kickstarter link: kickstarter.com/projects/1309407051/the-78-tarot-project-a-global-art-collaboration

Also, a reminder that Sketch Fest is on Friday!

I have always, always wanted to do my own tarot deck, but I knew that I couldn't do 78 polished pieces any time this decade. Or possibly next decade.

But this month, I sat down and did a few sketch cards for the 78 Tarot Kickstarter... and thought "I can do this..."

These are simple ink sketches, not too involved, though I am careful about incorporating some traditional tarot symbolism and ideas. Each one is 2.5 x 3.5 inches, archival ink on acid-free bristol art cards with rounded corners. And they are available for sponsorship!

Early Adopter Pricing - good until December 31!

(This is a soft launch - it's not a secret project at this point, but I'm not going to be pushing it until early 2015... when all the pricing will go up significantly.)

If you have a personal card you'd like to own the original for - and maybe even dictate your vision! - you may sponsor that card for $50. That nets you a copy of the final deck, AND your original card. Add to cart

A sponsorship of $40 or more will get you a random original* and a copy of the final deck Add to cart

A sponsorship of $30 or more will get you a copy of the final deck. Add to cart

A sponsorship of $10 or more will get you a random draw* - you'll get a printed copy of a card I draw from the deck for you. I will sign your card. Add to cart

A sponsorship of any level will get you a pdf of the final deck that you can print (and color?) for your own personal use. Add to cart

*Random draws will be of fully illustrated cards - if we don't make the stretch goal of illustrating the minor arcana, I won't send one of those!

Stretch goals (not set yet) will include fully-illustrated minor arcana, printed tuck boxes for the decks, a booklet of meanings, and other goodies.

00 The Fool - available! (finished)

01 The Magician - available! (finished)

02 The High Priestess - available! (finished)

03 The Empress - available! (finished)

04 The Emperor - available! (finished)

05 The Heirophant - available! (sketched)

06 The Lovers - available (finished)

07 The Chariot - available (sketched)

18 The moon - SOLD

All other major arcana and face cards available for claiming! If you claim a card before I sketch it, you may make suggestions about specific things you'd like to see on your card. (Minor arcana will be simple counting cards unless we make stretch goals...)

Please note that it may take me as much as a year to complete the Sketch Tarot project. I am sure it will go faster than that - but I like wiggle room. Check back for updates!