Author: Suzanna

Concept, Technique and Illustration

So this class may have only three projects, but they were intense. There was a lot of research and trial and error throughout each project. I think the children’s book illustration really shows my process and how I take each critique and pushing myself with each assignment. I loved the flow of this class and the projects. I defiantly feel like I am finding my style and place in the world of illustration because of this class. I feel like I have been given the push that I needed to surprise myself. We are getting there people!

Project 1: Advertisement- Climate Change

Subject Matter: Ocean Pollution

  • References
  • Rough Sketch Idea
  • Final Line work
  • Value Study: 1
  • Value Study: 2
  • Value Study: 3
  • Value Study: 4
  • Value Study: 5
  • Color Study
  • Color Palette
  • Rough Final
  • Final: 1st Draft
  • Final: Final

Project 2: Children’s Storybook Cover

Theme: Medieval Ireland Fae Mythology

  • Reference
  • Reference
  • Reference
  • Rough Ideas
  • Rough Sketch Draft
  • Concept #1
  • Concept #2
  • Concept #2: Value Study
  • Concept #3
  • Concept #3: Revision
  • Concept #3: Revision: Value Study
  • Concept #3: Rework of Linework
  • Concept #3: Rework of Linework: Revision
  • Concept #3: Rework of Linework: Revision: Value Study
  • Concept #3: Rework of Linework: Revision: Color Study
  • Final #1
  • Final #2
  • Final Final

Project 3: CD Cover Art

Subject: SkyDxddy

  • Rough Idea: 1
  • Rough Idea: 2
  • Rough Idea: 3
  • Rough Idea: 4
  • Rough Idea: 5
  • Rough Idea: 6
  • Final Linework #1
  • Final Linework: Final
  • Value Study: 1
  • Value Study: 2
  • Value Study: 3
  • Value Study: 4
  • Final Values
  • Color Study: 1
  • Color Study: 2
  • Color Study: 3
  • Color Study: 4
  • Color Study: 5
  • Color Study: 6
  • Color Study: 7
  • Color Study: 8
  • Final Colors: Red with Black Linework
  • Final Colors: Red with Colored Linework
  • Final Colors: Blues with Black Linework
  • Final Colors: Blues with Colored Linework
  • Final: Final

Head Drawing

Well what can I say about this class? It was about what you think it was about, portraiture. We started out very basic and working on light and shadow and how it works within the facial features. The last four projects we used soft pastels (for three) and oil paints (for one). The soft pastels were fun, but it was a lot of layer building and a huge mess. And I rediscovered why I loath oil paints again. This was defiantly a fun class and really informative.

The Visual Elements of a Story

This class was one big assignment. It is basically all the steps that an illustrator makes to create a story for a book, game, movie, or what ever they are assigned to do. I decided to go ahead with choosing Alice in Wonderland for this project. Alice in Wonderland is my all-time favorite story. I have read it at least a dozen times. I thought for this project I would go for more of a fantasy horror theme. I wanted to dive deeper into the psychology of the tale. I wanted to include reasons for why Alice goes to Wonderland, why she has all these philosophical debates, and all the questions that arise about who she is and what she wants. I am leaning more towards childhood trauma and how she dissociates to Wonderland to feel safe. So there is going to be a lot of symbolism and mental health motifs. What do you guys think? Should I continue this project?

  • Assignment #1: Homer Study
  • Reference
  • Reference
  • Reference
  • Reference
  • Thumbnails #1
  • Thumbnails #2
  • Structural Props
  • Inorganic Props
  • Organic Props
  • Alice Idea #1
  • Alice Idea #1
  • Queen of Hearts Idea #1
  • Queen of Hearts Idea #1
  • Hatter Idea #1
  • Hatter Idea #1
  • Cheshire Idea #1
  • Chester Idea #1
  • Alice Idea #2
  • Queen of Hearts Idea #2
  • Caterpillar
  • Cheshire Idea #2
  • Character Size Chart
  • Alice: Expressions
  • Alice: Action Poses
  • Alice: Action Poses
  • Alice: Action Poses
  • Thumbnails Part 2: #1
  • Thumbnails Part 2: #2
  • Thumbnails Part 2: #3
  • Thumbnails Part 2: #4
  • Final Scene #1: Lighting Studies
  • Final Scene #2: Lighting Studies
  • Final Scene #1: Lighting Studies
  • Final Scene #2: Lighting Studies
  • Final Scene #1: Color Studies
  • Final Scene #2: Color Studies
  • Final Scene #1: Color Studies
  • Final Scene #2: Color Studies
  • Assignment #13: Sketch Book Studies
  • Assignment #13: Sketch Book Studies
  • Assignment #13: Sketch Book Studies
  • Assignment #13: Sketch Book Studies
  • Character Painting V1
  • Character Painting V2
  • Final Scene #1: Value Choice
  • Final Scene #1: Color Choice
  • Final Scene #1: Linework V1
  • Final Scene #1: Final Linework
  • Final Scene #1: Flat Color
  • Final Scene #1: Shading
  • Final Scene #1: Final
  • Final Scene #2: Flat Color
  • Final Scene #2: Final
  • Project Board: #1- Scenes
  • Project Board: #2- Characters
  • Project Board: #3: Other

Entry 51: Oops

Hey Crew!

I feel like that puppy that got into trouble and is trying to be cute and innocent. Yeah, that is me. My bad. I don’t have any excuses. So, I think it is best to just dive right in to the update.

First semester is in the bag! You can see the work that I produced in my classes here. I am so thankful that I have chosen to go back to school. I feel myself improving everyday. Spring 2021 starts on February 8th. I am going to figure this balancing act sooner than later. Such is life.

I have a bunch of back logged art projects that I need to post to my IG. I am going to be rolling that stuff out this week, so be on the look out!

I discovered a new passion while making xmas gifts this year. I made candles for everyone and it was a big hit. I kind of want to get into candle making. I also want to figure out how to make my own essential oils for candle making and my aromatherapy. Maybe like a side hustle? Probably. Candle making is a lot of fun. From what I have been reading on making my own oils, that is going to be the real challenge. But luckily in this day and age, there is enough companies out there that mass produce the oils so I don’t have to feel pressured into mastering the craft right out the gate.

Nothing much else has happened. You’d think that I’d have stories oozing out my eye balls for you to explain my “lack of time”, but you’d be wrong… I tend to find myself falling down the endless black hole of TikTok and YouTube and books and laziness. Not sure how to beat my own procrastination and motivation. One step at a time I guess. I have two weeks until classes start, so I am hoping to get to a point where I have a surplus of projects and posts to be able to rely on so I don’t feel like I am slacking. If I can crank out 10+ handmade xmas gifts in a week, I and get a sizable hoard of ideas and projects done. Can you guys help keep me in check? Just a quick “how is work going?” or “get off TikTok!” or something would work. Thank you in advance!

Until next time,

Suzanna🌙

Perspective for Characters and Environment

One of the things that I have a hard time wrapping my head around is perspective. Like, logically I get it and all the principles, but my hand and eyes never agree. So, one of my goals for my MFA is to work on my weaknesses and for my first semester I choose this class. Let me be clear, this class was the most challenging class I have done for a long time. I spent, no joke, four to five days out of the week on this one class. I had many, many different drafts and trash ideas. And don’t get me started on plotting light and shadows. At the end of the day, this was also the class I am most proud of. I am so glad that I pushed myself in an area that I struggle with the most. What do you guys think?

Project 1: 1-Point Perspective

Project 2: 2-Point Perspective

Project 3: 2-Point Vertical and 3-Point Perspective

Project 4: Three Heads in Perspective

Project 5: Three Nude Poses in Perspective

Project 6: Combat/ Action Scene

Project 7: Snow White Illustration (Focusing on Reflections in Perspective)

Project 8: Final Illustration

Clothed Figure Drawing

*Please note that there are NUDE drawings here. You have been warned.*

As the title of the class says, this course was all about the human figure and clothing. The first few weeks were the standard figure drawing class. Nude models and all. We also had to keep a sketch book going with on site sketching of people out and about. It was a little bit more difficult due to COVID, but I still did it. I hope you guys can see the improvements that I was able to achieve this semester. Things can only go up from here!

150 Years of American Illustration

This class was a more in-depth look at the history of American Illustration. We started with the Combat Artists of the American Civil War to the Modern Digital Age. I thought I would share with you my research papers if you guys wanted to see a little bit of the things I learned. Each paper as a Work Cited page if you would like to continue on in your own personal learning. I hope you found a new artist /or style that sparks inspiration for you!

2_2_SuzannaEdwards_PropagandaDownload
4_2_SuzannaEdwards_LegacyResearchDownload
6_2_SuzannaEdwards_LegacyResearchDownload
10_2_SuzannaEdwards_LegacyResearchDownload
10_2_Images_SuzannaEdwards_LegacyResearchDownload
12_2_SuzannaEdwards_ReseachLegacyDownload
12_2_SuzannaEdwards_LegacyImagesDownload
14_2_SuzannaEdwards_FinalEssayDownload
14_2_SuzannaEdwards_FinalEssayImagesDownload

Please feel free to leave a comment and start a conversation. I love talking about history and learning new things.

*Please Note: I do not own any of the images. All images have a work cited too. Sharing my research papers are meant to educate and to inform. Thank you.*

Entry 50: The Final Pieces are Found!

Hey Crew!

Welcome back! Sorry I have been away for a while, my time management skills are the worst still. Things are still kind of rough, but I am trying to force myself to do more. I also get distracted super easily. Time will only tell if I can break this cycle of procrastination. Send help. Anyway, time to get back to the show!

The Final Zodiacs are Here!

Basic Facts about Taurus:

  • Birth Dates: April 20 – May 20
  • Element: Earth
  • Ruling Planet: Venus
  • Symbol: The Bull
  • These Signs are the true definition of home-bodies. They love to feel secure and in control. At the same time they are super laid back and chill.

When I think of bulls I think of meadows and grasslands. I was trying to push the atmospheric perspective with the flat-ish plains. It worked out better than I thought it would. Trying to figure out how to paint the blades of grass was the real challenged. I think the dry brush worked well with trying to be a little abstract. What do you think?

Basic Facts about Gemini:

  • Birth Dates: May 21- June 20
  • Element: Air
  • Ruling Planet: Mercury
  • Symbol: The Twins
  • Bird: Magpie
  • Geminis are very talkative. They love open communication. They are also very thoughtful and logical people.

What better to represent Air than with birds! Magpies were the logical choice for Gemini because their gift for gab. I really, really like the brush strokes of the feathers. I also seemed to forgot to record the beginning of the creation of the birds. I was so peeved. I wanted to show you the experimental process and how it all came together. I hate technology sometimes. But I had a lot of fun with this final piece of this series.

And that is the end of the Zodiac Series! It is kind of a bitter sweet moment. I have learned so much about video editing, falling back in love with acrylics, and connecting with you. I am extremely proud of all of these pieces. Which Sign is your favorite? As one door closes and other one opens. The next series is going to be a true test for me. Time to buckle down and hash things out! In my next post I will be updating you on school, my schedule, and general life happenings. Don’t forget to check out my Insta, I am hoping to be more regular about posting on there. Time to shake out the sand and get back to the Sea!

Until next time,

Suzanna 🌙

PSSST!! 👉👉👉 Zodiac Collection 👈👈👈 PSSST!!

Entry 49: It is What it is

Hey Crew!

Welcome back! How are you all doing? I totally lost track of time yesterday and forgot to post my #BlackoutFridays post again! So that means another 2 for 1 this coming Friday. I am sorry to let you down. Everything has been turned upside down and I am trying to keep up with it all. Thank you for staying with me and supporting me. Now back to the content you came for!

Aries the Headstrong One

Basic facts about this Sign

  • Birth Dates: March 21 – April 19
  • Ruling Planet: Mars
  • Element: Fire
  • Symbol: Ram
  • Aries are stubborn and forward moving Signs. They know what they want and will do everything in their power to reach their goals. They are also high energy Signs that need to keep going.

When I think of Aries I first think of the Greek God of War. In a way Aries are just as headstrong and passionate as the God. I thought a volcano would encompass the power and the grace of this Sign. Painting lava was a lot of fun! There isn’t a set rule to how lava flows or acts, so you can go bananas when painting it. What do you guys think?

Two more Signs left! I have been having a lot of fun this this series. And I am so pumped for the next series too! We are cooking now. Tomorrow is Comic Sunday, don’t miss out! Monday we are going to be talking about promotion and how that all correlates with us. Tuesday is calling for an epic beast to show up. I can’t wait. Wednesday is the last part in the new branding identity quest. And next Saturday we are going to be catching some horns. Teheheh… I am so funny sometimes. Remember to stay safe and to stay sane.

Until next time,

Suzanna 🌙

Entry 48: Arteza Awards 2020 Update

Hey Crew!

Welcome back! How are you doing? Time seems to be getting away from me this week. Just when I think I am ahead, I fall behind. The struggle. I think I am finally organized enough to start this semester off on a good foot. Hopefully. That is all I got for this little life update.

Winning Wasn’t the Goal

I want to say congratulations to the winners of the Arteza Awards. Please check out Arteza’s Instagram to see who the winners are and to congratulate them too! As you can tell, I did not place in the winners’ circle. But to be honest, I am not bothered by it. I am just so glad that I actually put myself and my work out there. I have been so afraid of rejection that I don’t push myself out of my comfort zone. I am so glad that I have grown so much that I do feel like I matter and my work needs to be seen. I am currently searching for other contests/competitions to enter. I want to keep pushing myself. I want to show the world I am here and I am not going away any time soon. This is my adventure. This is my ship and I plan to keep on course to greatness. Thank you for joining me on this journey. On to the next contest and the next journey!

Above is a little video I put together to show some of the process that went into making the final pieces.

Above are the final pieces that I submitted for the contest. I am super proud of how everything turned out. The flowers are: balloon flower (purple), daffodil (white), lupine (pink), and the sunflower. I really love these little bees that are popping up in my work. #SavetheBees

Rejected Ideas and photos

Above are the rejected ideas and rejected final photos. My favorite is the cloud tree. It feels very whimsical and soft. The other bee piece in has a coneflower, if you were wondering.

Just so we are clear, yes there are going to be more contests to enter and another chance to be seen on a bigger scale. I hope you guys enjoyed my pieces. Don’t forget to check out my IG on Friday for another #BlackoutFridays! Come back Saturday to see the next Sign in the series. This Sign is sure a spit-fire. Remember to stay safe and to stay sane.

Until next time,

Suzanna 🌙