Studio Tuesday Blog

This is a new series of watercolor ocean illustrations I created for a nursery in Hawaii. The client wanted me to incorporate tropical and Hawaiian scenery into the illustrations, without being overt or touristy. These were a lot of fun and I drew a lot of sea creatures into these, with simple green islands that hint at lush tropical land in the distance. This is the first illustration I completed in the series of 3. It depicts the open ocean, a large humpback whale takes up most of the composition. Also included are a shark and pilot fish, manta rays, spotted eagle rays, and dolphinfish (Mahi Mahi). A variety of little fish add some additional subtle color throughout. I knew from the beginning that I wanted some nice variation in the color of the water throughout this series. While the first illustration was mostly soft blues, I painted this second one with more of a teal color. This is a shallower ocean with some coral reef. Lots of fish (jacks, butterflyfish, tangs) add bright pops of color of yellow, green, and blue. A hammerhead shark and pilot fish are the focal point. I snuck in another spotted eagle ray and a tiny clownfish. The third illustration is another underwater reef scene. This one with a large sea turtle and a lot of orange fish. Some fun details in this one include a spiny puffer fish (uninflated) and a trumpetfish.I have this series available as limited edition prints. They measure 11x14 inches and are in a limited run of 200 prints each.Humpback Whale PrintHammerhead Sharks PrintSea Turtle Reef Print

Here is one of my illustrated alphabets, which I drew in 2016 and never got around to writing about! This is my woodland alphabet, featuring animals and plants that live in forests. Drawn in my whimsical ink and watercolor style. Lots of animals included in this alphabet: moose, bear, fox, porcupine, squirrel, turtles, salamander, newt, and toad (I especially enjoyed drawing all the amphibians!). As an avid birdwatcher I, of course, drew a lot of birds as well: great horned owl, green heron, wood duck, white-breasted nuthatch, yellow-rumped warbler, chickadee, and belted kingfisher.The plants include moss, oak leaf and acorns, wild violet, and one of my favorites: jack in the pulpit.Choosing words for the alphabet is always one of my favorite parts about the process. Certain letters and the end of the alphabet requires a little creativity. X is often a challenge - this one ending up being a deer X-ing sign.It's fun to figure out clever ways to include all the subjects I want for the theme. Since Moss was used for M, I had to use the moose's Antlers for A. The nuthatch and it's distinctive behavior of hanging Upside down was used for U.The alphabet is drawn and hand lettered in ink and colored with watercolor. This print would fit right into a woodland themed nursery or make a fun addition to the young explorer's room! Prints available in several sizes: 8x10, 11x14, and 13x19 inches.You can find prints in my shop here: Woodland alphabet art print SaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSave

This week I finished a new illustration of Japanese snow monkeys soaking in a hot spring. This piece was based on a quick doodle, which eventually became more and more complex. It went through a number of revisions, with more monkeys added in the background, rocks in the foreground, distant hills, and layers of rising steam. Detail: a baby monkey soaking in the water next to it's mother.Japanese snow monkeys, or Japanese macaques, live in groups called troops, which are organized in a complex hierarchy, each monkey has it's rank in the troop.If your interested in more I recommend watching PBS's NATURE snow monkeys documentary. It follows a troop of monkeys throughout the seasons of a year, in particular focusing on the unlikely relationship between a grumpy alpha male and a playful youngster. "Their leader is still new to the job and something of a solitary grouch. But one little monkey, innocently unaware of his own lowly social rank, reaches out to this lonely leader, forming a bond with him that manages over time to warm his less than sunny disposition. It is a rare and remarkable gesture that alters both their lives."I watched it on Netflix. You can find more info on the PBS website.Prints are available in the shop! SaveSave Save

A compilation of some past underwater and ocean illustrations. These were all commissioned drawing from the past couple years.At the top, a large humpback whale swims through an ocean filled with other sea creatures. Cownose Rays at the bottom, a spotted eagle ray, sea turtle, and lots of colorful fish! This was an 11x14" drawing. Made with India ink and watercolor, as were the following illustrations. I use India Ink because it is waterproof and holds up under all the layers of watercolor. A whimsical under the sea illustration of a reef type habitat. With a few little octopuses, a sea turtle, crab, hermit crab, starfish, anemones, jellyfish, fan coral, and a sea horse. 8x10 inches.An octopus and nautilus - drawn for a cephalopod lover! A fun illustration of a North Atlantic ocean. A tugboat pulls a large freighter ship - and underneath the water a variety of sea animals. Blue Crab, blue mussels, starfish, urchins, a skate, a shark and pilot fish, a tuna, and mackerels. This was a more recent commission (2016) and I ended up drawing more specific fish than a lot of my previous drawings. 11x14 inches.A smaller 5x7" drawing with a sailboat and an underwater scene full of sea animals.A whale and sea turtle, 8x10 inches.I have a lot of fun with these underwater ones. I've been getting some good inspiration lately from going to the National Aquarium with my son. Exciting to draw some new animals and ocean habitats - it's always interesting to translate a new species into a few simple lines.SaveSave

This is my take on the classic illustrated whale poster. A selection of whales and other small cetaceans drawn in my simplified illustration style. Labeled with common names in handwritten text. Included in this chart are the fin whale, narwhal, killer whale, humpback whale, bottlenose dolphin, bowhead whale, beluga whale, minke whale, blue whale, gray whale, and right whale. Which is your favorite? I especially had fun with the gray whale and its mottled coloring. Humpbacks are always fun to draw too with their big flippers and ribbed bellies.A fun whale print for the little animal lover's room or a whimsical addition to an ocean inspired nursery! Prints available in 8x10", 11x14" and 16x20". Buy Whales Illustrated Chart - Kids Room Art Print

This is an illustration i drew in 2012 of the Thomas Point Shoal Lighthouse on the Chesapeake Bay. This is one of my personal favorites. Probably because I have a soft spot for the Bay from growing up and living in Maryland. But I also had a lot of fun drawing the angles and odd architecture. This is a screwpile lighthouse and is one of several that were built in the Chesapeake.The scene also includes a low summer sun, sailboats in the distant water, and just a few of the animals found in the bay - gulls, jellyfish and of course a blue crab. Soft teal and purplish hues contrast with the scarlet roof of the lighthouse.Above, an 11x14" framed print. I had this one hanging in my boy's nursery for a while. I like a thin black frame for this one because it complements the black inked lines. White frames always look good as well for a bright, clean look.Prints in various sizes are available in the shop here:Chesapeake Bay Lighthouse Print