Happy Valentine's Illustration

In celebration of Valentine's Day weekend, here's the creative process behind an illustration I completed last Fall for a story in Sparkle magazine.

Final Illustration: 

Valentine's Day Illustration by Cheryl Kugler for Sparkle magazine.
Gouache and colored pencil on paper. 

Thumbnail Sketch:

Thumbnail sketch.

Sketch:

Sketch.

Painting:

Painting and colored pencil.

Finishing the illustration:

Finishing the illustration.

Close up:

Close up.

Published:

Published in Sparkle magazine.

Have a happy Valentine's day! Thanks for stopping by.

Plein Air in the Poconos

Last week, a small group of painters from the Susquehanna Valley Plein Air Painter's participated in an overnight "paint out" at Graystone Preserve in the Poconos. The preserve is located near Hickory Run State Park in eastern Pennsylvania.

The incredible views were mesmerizing and so were the gorgeous colors of the changing Fall foliage. It made it difficult to pick a scene to paint plein air. However, rain quickly narrowed down a painting spot - the big porch of our rented cabin. 

Here's the painting that came out of my hands onto canvas:

The "almost" Final:

In-progress:

The Inspiration:

So many other possible scenes to paint back in my studio:

From what I learned, the property was purchased in the early 1900's by the Trojan Powder Company to test dynamite manufactured for the military. The company no longer exists, but the heirs continue to operate the property as Graystone Preserve. 

Graystone Preserve is a members-only organization. Lucky for us, a fellow painter is a member. She has amazing childhood memories of traversing the 4,000 acre property with her grandfather, an employee of the powder company. 

Painting the Delicate Delphinium

A delphinium is hard to grow. I know. I've tried. So, when my client wanted a painting of a delphinium I knew they'd be a bit hard to find out in a garden. But, I found one and painted it. Let's take a look at the process!

The Finished Painting:
The petals are delicate. The morning sun created back lighting and interesting shadows on the thin flower petals.

Delicate Delphinium by Cheryl Kugler, 30" x 30", oil on canvas

The Composition:
Working from photos I took out in the garden, I began working on the composition in art class at the York Art Association.

Roughing in Colors:
Oh, to me this is the ugly phase of painting!

Making an Adjustment:
After blocking in color and beginning to work the painting, a glaring empty space existed in the center of the flower that wasn't as obvious in the sketch phase. The solution -- add an extra blossom.

Painting, Painting, Painting:

One last peek...

Commissioned paintings are always welcome! Let's talk.

Thanks for stopping by.

"Yucky"ness to Rockin' Beachy Blue Kitchen Cabinets

These finishes ROCK!!!

(have I told you lately how much I love using decorative finishes by Caromal Colours?!)

 

Today, I reinstalled these beautiful babies for a client. 

 

A breath of life is poured back into this crazily outdated kitchen by decoratively finishing them with the soft, pale blue of Versailles. And, it gave my client the fresh, cozy coastal feel she was looking to achieve. 

 

 

Want to see them before? Well, here they are in all of their "yucky"ness...

 

The kitchen didn't need to be ripped out, nor did the cabinet doors and faces need to be sanded and stripped down to bare surfaces (forget that stinky mess!). The best part -- the client didn't need to buy a brand new kitchen!

We can bring your kitchen back to life. So, when do you want to get started? Let's talk!

www.cherylkugler.com

Thanks for visiting Creative Time~

Cheryl

Painting ABC's for a Nursery

Apples, Bears and Cats....oh, my! I recently completed a series of ABC paintings for a nursery. Come along and see the process...

Rough sketches:

 

Fun variation in the backgrounds:

Chalking the sketch:

Roughing in:



 

 

Final canvases!

 

 

If you enjoyed this post, you may also be interested in:

* Snowman Handstand?....An Acadia Christmas Card

* Creating Chalkboards from Cabinet Doors - Upcycle!

 

Thanks for stopping by!

 

 

Snowmen Handstands?...An Acadia Christmas Card

Every year one of my favorite holiday traditions is to create a one-of-a-kind Christmas card for hubby. A summer trip to Maine's Acadia National Park provided the inspiration for this year's card....and gave us both the giggles on Christmas Eve.

 

 

So where do these illustration ideas come from?  Scroll and see.

*  Bubble Rock in Acadia seems like it will topple off the edge at any moment...although it's been sitting on this very spot for ages.

 

 *  Don't ask me why, but hubby and I started doing handstands at the peak of this hike. Crazy us.

 

 

*  The nephew steered clear of our handstand show (I think he thought we were strange), but then did let us take his picture by one of the carriage road signs.

 

Together, all of these experiences were a welcomed inspiration for hubby's special card...and awesome memories from such a beautiful place. (Thanks Miss Paulette!!)

If you enjoyed reading this post, you may also enjoy:

* Wilbur Paints Christmas!
* Wordless Wednesday/YMCA on Cadillac Mountain
* One VERY Loved Bunny

Thanks for stopping by! Here's to an artful 2013. 

Come Visit: York Art Association Student Exhibit

The York Art Association's student exhibit is now hanging and ready for you to peruse. Stop by now through December 29 and see what students and teachers have been working on this year.

The painting I entered in the show is "Dad's Bicycle", an acrylic painting of my Dad's childhood bicycle.

Visit the York Art Association website for hours and directions.

Thanks for stopping by!

Wordless Wednesday

If you enjoyed this post, you may also enjoy: * Creative Time: Wilbur, Sea Lion Artist Extraordinaire * Wordless Wednesday Thanks for stopping by!