My Eric Carle-ish Images

I have worked almost exclusively in digital formats since September '15 as I teach myself how to use Photoshop. But, I've been longing to get to the studio to muck around with paint and brushes without totally abandoning my digital exploration.

SO...I pulled out the paints and brushes and went to work.  I scanned these basic character images, imported the images into a digital file and finished using Photoshop.
 
Here's one of my first ones:

I added the facial features and the pelican using Photoshop.

Final image with digital background added.

I found the entire process exhilarating. I was usually able to finish about three images a night.

Midway through the exploration, I tried cutting out pieces of painted paper to shuffle, recombine and create new characters.

After working on a series of the "cut out" versions, I wasn't as pleased with the results. They seemed "stiffer", less fluid. So I'm returning to painting the whole image to maintain the fluid look I like much better.

Look for more images like this next month.

Dark Whale with cardinal

One advantage of this technique is the ability to repeat a character and vary the background. 

Original scan with Photoshop face

POLAR BEAR AT NIGHT  Louann Mattes Brown

 

CROSS COUNTRY SKIING by Louann Mattes Brown

AQUA POODLE by Louann Mattes Brown

 I discovered how to use filters. In this image I transformed a marker drawing of flowers to look like a metal relief.

NIGHT BIRDS by Louann Mattes Brown

SNOW BIRD by Louann Mattes Brown

FRIENDLY PUP by Louann Mattes Brown

HELLO NEIGHBOR by Louann Mattes Brown

LION"S LUNCH by Louann Mattes Brown

ICE CREAM BEAR by Louann Mattes Brown

HELLO PARROT by Louann Mattes Brown

PARROT'S NEST by Louann Mattes Brown

JUMPING ROPE by Louann Mattes Brown

THREE BILLY GOATS GRUFF by Louann Mattes Brown

TOY DOG by Louann Mattes Brown

AQUA UNICORN by Louann Mattes Brown

BIRD"S NEST HAIR by Louann Mattes Brown

MERMAID by Louann Mattes Brown

BOUNCING BUNNIES by Louann Mattes Brown

BULLDOG IN THE CITY by Louann Mattes Brown

FOX AT SUNSET by Louann Mattes Brown