Illustrating comics with 3 panels

3 panel repeat illustration black woman — 3 panel repeat illustration

One of the things I like the most about illustration is that it allows me to express ideas in a diverse way. I have more freedom to explore ideas that normally would have been difficult to attempt with paint and canvas. Furthermore, with illustration I can use technology to copy and paste multiple sketches, change their size, and manipulate the scenery much easier than before.

The above illustration is an example where I have used technology to manipulate a previous sketch of myself into a 3 panel repeat illustration. I have copied and repasted the image into 3 panels. I added an abstract motif inspired by green cactus to make the image more decorative. I like the way it turned out, and it has a fun “summer” vibe to it.

Asian man covers eye illustration by Stephanie Konu

This illustration has the same idea as the previous one, except the decorative bamboo leaves are in the background of the illustration. Using technology, I merged the repeated subject at the shoulders to create continuity along the bottom edge. Thinking back, I would have been more creative if I had the subject covering his ears and mouth in the repeated images to make a “hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil” reference. It is an amazing feeling to play around with different ideas and to see the end result. I am looking forward to working on more comic type illustrations that include words and meaningful quotes.

Thanks for stopping by.

September 9, 2019March 1, 2020 by @Lillybochic

Gold textured mask with a black background

A human face painted in gold with textured and raised sculpture relief on the canvas with a black painted background. — A relief mask with texture and gold acrylic paint

My latest work is a mask inspired by my ancestral Yoruba tribe from West Africa. I wanted to represent the model of an elongated and oval shaped face, as this is commonly seen on traditional masks from the region.

Here you can see an up close and angled perspective of the nose bridge of the mask. The area is raised slightly to show a break in the surface of the face.

The method of this painting further explores my current practice of singular images against a black negative space. For this blog post, I felt that it was beneficial to take photos of the side angles and above/below vantage points to fully emphasize the immense texture in this piece.

A side view reveals a crevice of texture that was created when I applied some very grainy pieces to the face surface. I did this to add drama to the piece, and to represent the tribal scars of warfare that this mask would traditionally represent.

The eyes are a deep vacant black with glowing gold specks that are raised and have texture. My initial response was that seemed “spooky” but I think it was necessary to have gold floating over top of a black area for the eyes; as it allows the eyes to have their own space and stand out.

If looking closely, you can see a faint outline of lips protruding from the surface. I tried my best but I often get impatient when I have a good idea that I am excited about. Adding lips to emphasize the African features was one of these ideas. The next time I attempt to make a mask like this, I would like to spend more time on smoother corners and more pronounced features.

Thank you for stopping by, and as always I enjoy reading your comments

-S

May 27, 2019 by @Lillybochic

Gold relief painting in acrylic

My latest work is an acrylic relief painting that is heavy in texture. There is so much texture that my work is part sculpture, as the object emerges from the canvas surface.

An acrylic texture relief painting Epsilon in gold texture with black background. Saturn like ring around planet.

The concept follows the theme of my last few pieces; which is to show singular symbols against a black background. As the golden image floats through the darkness, it is representative of an echo from unknown depths coming outward. I say “echo” because it is difficult to determine what becomes of a feeling or thought once it is released into the universe. Perhaps on some level (collective consciousness, spiritual, or what have you), we communicate with symbols that carry deep personal meanings.

An acrylic texture relief painting Epsilon in gold texture with black background

Upon looking closer, one can detect the relief caused by the use of texture. Using my palate knife, I sculpted the division of the planet’s rings from the body of the sphere. It was also difficult to make a decision as to whether or not it was proper to paint black lines to further divide the rings from the planet.

An acrylic texture relief painting Epsilon in gold texture with black background

If I could change anything about this piece, it would be the unevenness caused by the division of the planet’s ring against the sphere body of the planet. I find it distracting.

When naming this piece, I wanted to avoid the obvious choice by calling it “Saturn”. To accomplish this, I researched other planets in our solar system with rings and learned that the planet Uranus has rings! The brightest of the 13 rings of Uranus is named Epsilon, and so voila!; the name of this golden planetoid painting was chosen.

An acrylic texture relief painting Epsilon in gold texture with black background Saturn ring planet

This last shot is altered; brightness levels have been reduced, while contrast has been increased. This allows the blackness of the background to really offset the gold multi faceted sphere surface and it’s rings.

This design is also available on many items printed on demand at www.spacearttshirts.com. Thank you for stopping by.

-S

May 14, 2019May 28, 2020 by @Lillybochic

Gold Trident with Black Background

My latest work is a gold trident with a textured surface. The piece is 11 x 14 inches and is entitled: Neptune’s Trident.

Gold trident shape symbol with black background — Neptune’s Trident by Stephanie Konu

I started off with a free hand sketch of a 3 pronged shape. Using a ruler to outline the sections, my aim was to ensure a shape that was as “un-lopsided” as possible. Without a symbol to trace, or a rough draft on graph paper it was tricky to conceptualize this shape.

Once the shape was sketched on the canvas, I furthered my experimentation with texture by shaping a thin outline along the edges of the trident. I used a technique similar to the one used for decorating cookies with royal icing. Stiff and dry texturizing compound along the border wall, to contain a more watery texturized mix that was flooded into the body of the shape. You can see that this approach has its drawbacks since the relief of the borders seems to be much higher than the inner body. The higher relief along the border contributes to an unevenness generally.

One of the the things I learned from creating this piece was the need for neatness and order! As you can see, each tip of the trident should be much more “pointed”, yet they are uniquely different. This is because of my sketch that was lacking a cleanly drawn plan for where to apply texture on the canvas.

The result leans farther towards the abstract than I would have hoped for. This current study of work is based on dream-like apparitions of images, and symbols coming out of the darkness like an echo. I think that “Neptune’s Trident” is a perfect example of what I am trying to achieve. I am excited to begin working on my next project in this series.

Thank you (as always) for stopping by.

-S

April 25, 2019May 21, 2020 by @Lillybochic

Gold acrylic triangle with black

My latest 10 x 10 inch// 25 x 25 cm acrylic on canvas continues my study of singular-focused images against black negative space. This piece features a heavily textured triangle shape that is entirely golden.

Gold triangle against black acrylic — Gold angles by Stephanie Konu

Gold light

I took photos of in the light, and so the shine of the black acrylic paint allows the viewer to also see raised texture floating in the blackness. Here (below) is a shot with the brightness turned down, and the contrast brought up to maximum. The painting has a much sexier look with the adjustments- and I think I will (one day) invest in the services of a professional photographer to capture my work.

What a haunting image

The intent behind this piece was to depict the fading light of a distant dying star. The glow is homogeneous and the texture is as even as I could apply it. It reminds me of a ghostly apparition. Something emerging from the darkness that has an unknown origin.

If I could change something about this piece, it would be the lack of clean and sharp lines. I will work on honing my sculpture skills in the next piece. This style needs to be explored, and I have quite a few ideas I’m very excited to implement.

Thanks for stopping by, and please check in again soon to see what I have been working on.

April 15, 2019May 9, 2019 by @Lillybochic

Blue and Silver Acrylic on Black

My latest 10 x 10 inch // 25 cm x 25 cm piece is an acrylic on canvas, with blue and silver blended over a black negative space. I have been having strong desires to paint with black negative space, (or white), and focusing on depicting experiences that float over darkness like an echo.

Deep stuff. What makes the concept special to me, is that I have been able to capture a sweet spot in my backyard garden that with the correct sunlight, my work dazzles!

blue and silver acrylic painting with deep black background — Stephanie Konu 2019

My latest piece depicts a somber breath. There is loneliness in the encroaching darkness, and so the heart of the blue ethereal field burns in a white silver light.

The silver heart center does, interestingly enough, seem to emerge as a lopsided heart. Or Maybe at least a lung.

This piece has an ultra calming vibe to it. I feel so relaxed when I lay my eyes on it. I am really happy with the deep black background, as I think it brings more focus to the heart of the painting.

Thanks for stopping by,

April 9, 2019May 21, 2020 by @Lillybochic

Cotton Candy Pink and Gold

My latest work is a small 12 x 7 inch acrylic on canvas featuring pink and gold.

Pink, magenta, gold inkblot bright colour with white negative space. — Cotton candy Nebula by Stephanie Konu

The white cloud border was applied as an overlay for the background after the entire area was painted.

I used acrylic calcium texture along the borders of this inkblot. I say inkblot because my first choice of using “swoosh” to describe the shape of pink and gold fields atop negative white space did not seem descriptive enough.

This is one of the first times I have used white as a negative space in my work. I think I avoid it because I always think white space on canvas seems unfinished. Alas, there is so much going on in this piece, that it demands a closer look.

I frequently see miniature scenelettes in my work. It is a byproduct of my process, and something that I feel passionately about. The feeling of creating where nothing existed before, is thrilling for me.

You can see this piece: Cotton Candy Nebula as a digital print on www.spacearttshirts.com as part of the newest collection.

Thanks for stopping by,

April 3, 2019April 3, 2019 by @Lillybochic

Green abstract blended acrylic

My latest acrylic is a calming green abstract.

The colours gradually change with influences of yellow, slate grey, and blue. The borders are a deeper darker forest green. Dark borders represent an encroaching concern. Something that the light must face and fend off in the very near future.

In the top right corner there is a chartreuse (half way between yellow and green) figure that is reminiscent of a sun. It beams down across the abstract landscape. In the heart of the painting, the green blends take on a shape that to me, resemble a bird with wings that is soaring across the sky.

I imagine the lush forest green as the land below the sun. It’s funny, but until I wrote this post, I had not even noticed that this was yet another abstract sun painting. I suppose some things stay hidden in the mind until a stimuli brings them to the forefront. I enjoy playing with green, and I think that the colour has contributed to my artistic strength.

My current mini gallery of green paintings (pictured above) shows how my artwork goes together. Scenes like this are part of what drive me to create. Green is still my favourite colour, and I will continue to use it regularly in my work.

Thanks for stopping by,.

March 26, 2019May 21, 2020 by @Lillybochic

Horse Head Nebula Abstract Acrylic

My latest acrylic on canvas is an abstract scene inspired by the Horse Head Nebula.

This piece was very labour intensive, but turned out beautifully. My wish is that I could have made it on a larger canvas.

The lower half of the piece is very captivating for me. The blue field is highlighted by neon green and pearlescent violet.

As the colours surge upward, silver stars form medallions of light in the clouds of space dust. In full light, the mix of colour is highly visible.

The piece is perfectly fitting with my unique and very original style.

Thanks for stopping by and be sure to subscribe!

March 25, 2019 by @Lillybochic

Vintage sun painting in acrylic

Greetings!

Creating beauty is what I enjoy spending my time on.

..and of course: I love to share my latest projects with you, here on my blog.

My latest work is a gorgeous and understated acrylic on canvas. It depicts a sun that seems to be glowing against a black sky. Rose gold clouds drift upwards and swirl back into themselves.

When I first completed this 6 x 10 inch piece, my initial response was the vintage illustration feel. It reminded me of an illustration one might see in an old car garage or gas station.

It speaks to me like an echo of a memory…something I can’t quite recall. “Vintage” speaks of the past, but not of any specific person’s past. Could I use the term collective consciousness here?

Anyway..

I used many layers to achieve the “glow” of blue around the orange sun, which was essentially part of the underpainting. It has a size that I like to work with as well, since smaller surface area means more risks with techniques/colours. I definitely like the execution of my latest work.

Thanks for stopping by,

March 19, 2019May 21, 2020 by @Lillybochic