When Jiahao is caught between duty to his family and duty to his country, a chance encounter with a monk helps him find his way.
Read it here: https://strikeaspark.wordpress.com/2019/10/02/where-the-river-flows/

Indulging my love of cute. :3

Digital painting using GIMP 2.8 and Wacom tablet. ~10 hours.

More on my blog: https://wp.me/pKiu9-12F
& dA: http://fav.me/dc0yofe

Sketch inspired by the colors of Onyx and Sardonyx (red onyx). Looking forward to coloring it!

For the Gemstone Streak.

I was inspired by the various colors of onyx. Black of course is the most well-known, and the sardonyx (red) variety is beautiful as well. This illustration will take place in the dark of night (for onyx) and her dress, gemstone clasps, and fairy lights will be red for sardonyx.

Turquoise is known for its protective properties. I imagine it's perfect to make an amulet for those you love. The child in this picture has a turquoise amulet and bracelet given to her by her parents and grandparents.Unfortunately my hand is a bit cramped, so just the pencil sketch tonight and probably for the last two days as well. I'll take it easy and do the inking and coloring after it's had a chance to rest a bit. ^u^

Today I tried to draw a model wearing a tiger eye necklace for a jewelry ad. I don't think I quite got the ambiance - her pose is too stiff, for one thing - but I'm happy I was able to draw it quickly and that her knit shirt turned out so well. ^u^ My hand was feeling better, so I was able to take the picture a bit further and completed the flats. I'm looking forward to shading it at some point.

Turquoise is known for its protective properties. I imagine it's perfect to make an amulet for those you love. The child in this picture has a turquoise amulet and bracelet given to her by her parents and grandparents.

Unfortunately my hand is a bit cramped, so just the pencil sketch tonight and probably for the last two days as well. I'll take it easy and do the inking and coloring after it's had a chance to rest a bit. ^u^

She said that topazes always reminded her of autumn, when the maple leaves fell. It was her favorite time of year.

Another sketch day. . . This piece more melancholy than most of my works, though I like to think that there is a happy side to it as well. If I color it, I'm thinking of doing the wall in a cool tone (light blue), the table in either natural wood or painted white, so the topaz ring and bright red maple leaf will pop. At the same time, I want the colors to fit together harmoniously, so we'll see what looks best.

Today's concept comes courtesy of Mom, who suggested I do animals whose eyes glow like opals. Thank you, Mom!

Apparently, in the past sapphires were believed to be a medicinal gem that could cure stomachache, colic, and other complaints.* So here we have an apothecary who has mixed up a sapphire tincture for a patient!

Today I'm posting the pencil sketch. (I normally do the sketch in pencil, then ink it digitally for coloring.)

*http://academic.emporia.edu/abersusa/go340/student...

Peridot is the first gem in the streak that I don't think I've seen before. When I looked it up, the color reminded me of clovers, so today we have a four-leaf clover!

Today I was able to take the painting a bit further than a sketch, and did a color test. I'm looking forward to finishing this piece when I have the time!

Today's portrait is of the Lady of Rubies, daughter of the Diamond Queen and heir apparent to her mother's throne. Normally sweet and diplomatic, she has a cunning side that few have seen. It will serve her well when she rules the kingdom.

I don't think I'll finish this one tonight, so here's the sketch version. :3

Today I wanted to try something a little different for the composition. Instead of an actual gemstone, as I've done all week, I used a figurative 'pearl' - the moon. I think it will be quite pretty painted all in pastel shades. I am not sure how I want to render the leaves, so I just used a preset textured brush as a placeholder.

Enjoy. :)

For the Gemstone Streak Challenge.

For the Gemstone Streak challenge.

Looks like this mermaid found an aquamarine somewhere!

A digital study of a diamond.

A sketch version of the Emerald Knight! Might color it tomorrow. :3

Pretty beat today so here's a sketch version of the Emerald Knight! I might color it tomorrow if I finish my Pearl entry early. :3

Took a breather today by doing a study of a diamond instead of a full picture. It took a few tries but I finally found a style I liked, so I'm happy with it now.

Since today was aquamarine, naturally I had to draw a mermaid! \(^o^)/ I'm happy with how the gem turned out today.

Today I tried a lineless style, and I'm pretty happy at how it turned out! Still need to work on the highlights, though.

Today I wanted to try a different style of illustration! The garnet necklace doesn't "pop" as much as I'd like - maybe if I did the background in cooler tones? What do you think?

Her dress is inspired by Civil War-era ball gowns.