Desert Cicada Work in Progress

With all the amazing feedback I have been receiving from my dioramas, I have been inspired to make more framed specimens. Cicadas have been on my brain a lot, as well as dragonflies. Shown above is the progress of some of the different stages of cicada creation this weekend. I've had a lot of fun experimenting with different materials and techniques when building this little guy.

First, I sketched out the entire cicada to make sure I had all the proportions right. Since I knew I was going to make the wings out of vellum, I had to figure out how to attach the wings while making it look natural. Deciding the best course of action for this was to make a back plate to sandwich the wings between. Before beginning the coloring process, I traced the veins of the wings onto the vellum with a sepia micron pen and set them aside for later. I have also found it faster to begin my projects by painting a gouache base coat of color before adding the color pencil details. After all the pieces are created I then fold, score, and curl the paper for a more realistic look. Finally, I glue it all together and mount it to a piece of bristol paper to frame.

I hope this helps answer questions, but doesn't dispel the magic of how I make my little creatures.

Weekend Project: Merriam's Kangaroo Rat

Been trying to complete the last few shadow box dioramas for the Springs Preserve this weekend. I am having the best time with my new little buddy. While looking through native wildlife of Nevada and Las Vegas, I came across the kangaroo rat. So beyond adorable! Although this is my first I don't think he'll be my last. These are so work in progress shots as he and his home are being created.

The kangaroo rat is made from a color pencil drawing and the environment is a combination of color pencil and gouache painting. I use a combination of bristol and water color paper to create my boxes. The paper not only handle the materials well, but is excellent for standing up to the abuse of the folding and bending. This is to create a more three dimensional life like look. 

Thanks for letting me share!

Shadow Box Dioramas at the Springs Preserve

Been working on gluing and constructing the dioramas I've been working on for months. As promised, I wanted to show you what I have been able to do so far today. Two more weeks till they are available at The Springs Preserve here is Las Vegas. They are being sold in their gift shop. EEK! No pressure!

Snips and Snails

They are constructed from color pencil drawings that I cut out and fold. The backgrounds are created from gouache paintings on thick watercolor paper. It has been fun to see the evolution as I experiment with different techniques. I hope you enjoy them!

Hummingbird with Hibiscus

Hummingbird with Red Yucca

Hummingbird Extravaganza!

So I went to the store last night to find half the frames were broken. This forced me to consider alternatives. I think I'm going to end up spray painting the black frames since they are too dark, but pleasantly surprised at how nice the white looks. Last night I had fun drawing Allen Hummingbirds. I think they are my new favorite. I just love their little face!

As soon as I am able to take a break from hummingbirds, I have been itching to draw some quail. I see them running around outside of my house and think they are the cutest. I can't help but smile when I see them scuttle by with their fleet of young.