Here's my latest illustration. I'm trying to round out my children's book portfolio, and have had this image floating around in my head for roughly eight months. The idea here is to have a double page spread, with would-be text fitting in the sky. The trip to Europe earlier this spring provided some excellent cityscape reference to make the image possible. Namely, Rome for its textures, and Barcelona for the rooftops. Hanging laundry, however, seemed to follow us all over the continent.
"Laundry Daze" 10" x 20" Gouache on Watercolor Paper
The shutters I shot in Rome were falling apart, lending itself nicely to the mood of the girl. At the same time, I don't quite know what kind of statement I'm making with the plant next to her.
A close up on the drybrush buildup when using gouache opaquely.
Some scraping with a woodblock cutting tool on the building wall. Light wash on the fabrics, with a little colored pencil to soften the shadows.
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16 comments:
Just got your email and had to hop on right away to see this. I absolutely love it. One of your strongest pieces...and the color harmony is fantastic and very inviting. Just a very charming piece-great job, Mike.
*bearhug*
scott
Hello from Italy!
Your art is absolutely beautiful!
Colors and perspectives are amazing!
May I link you?
Cata
Cher Michael,
your strongest picture I think... Or at last, one who show clearly the direction you are taking as artist, with a strong, personal mood. "Du jamais-vu" like we said in France.
Love the scrapping detail, seems like you enjoyed play with the medium.
Thanks for the beautyful picture.
Just allow me to put a knee on the ground, I feel like a lil' emotion is growing inside me right now... :P
Love sur Alex et toi !
Julien.
Great Mike!!
the Colors are gorgeous, as well as the overall mood. The Quiet moments are always the best in my book. :)
Can't wait to see more from you.
I hope you are doing well, and say hello to Alex for me.
Cheers,
-Tiffany
Fantastic, Mike! For me, it's the little things that make this scene work so well. The askewed (sp?) perspective on all the buildings, of course, but also the one red tipped sock and the rickety shudders are all nice subtle touches. Well done!
MIKE DUTTON YOU AIN'T NUTTON! ..except for a guy that makes fun art ^ ^
Aww shucks, thanks you guys. It honestly means a lot to me. :) Let's hope the kind folks at the Society of Illustrators like it too when it comes time to judge entries. =x
Still, it's a great feeling to finally see this one down on paper. Time to move on to one of the other ideas I've had buried in my sketchbooks!
excellent works. Congratulations.
Good style and materials.
Wonderful painting man. I also love the tree silhouette below. We have been out together several times and I have yet to meet you. Maybe this week.
amazing piece Mike. I just looks so spot on. Can't think of anything to say except I love it.
wonderful technique and the illustration is superb! I love the skewed perspective!
Lovely piece. It has a sensible-quality to it; the kind of image you would like to hear the story from it.
Mike dutton what a cool name my name is also mike dutton. You are an amaazing artist!
Hey Mike Dutton. Thanks! Good to hear from you... or me.... err, I'm confused.
I never realised i was such a good artist. I usually get ideas in my mind but when i try & draw my concepts they resemble something a chimpanzee would draw. My friends thought it was hilarious when i showed them how my artwork had progressed dramatically all of a sudden. From Mike Dutton in NZ
I never realised i was such a good artist. I usually get ideas in my mind but when i try & draw my concepts they resemble something a chimpanzee would draw. My friends thought it was hilarious when i showed them how my artwork had progressed dramatically all of a sudden. From Mike Dutton in NZ
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