Sunday, February 18, 2007

FEBRUARY CHALLENGE ~ the SNOWQUEEN



I love snow.... and one of my favorite tales.... even though it is a bit dark, is the SnowQueen. If I were to reinvent myself as a character, I think that for this month she is the one I would choose. Like Amy, I wish I could have spent many more hours on this and I will save it to work on later, but for now, here is my entry.
  • ©GingerNielson2007

  • I do intend to do more work on this, because the subject interests me so. This additional sketch is one I will be working from. I really want to do a closer view of the faces, and include frosty highlights on the Snowqueen's face and hands. The image I am working on is rather large, this is just a thumbnail of the 15" x 12" piece I would like to complete. It was hard for me to give up the Caribou and other elements I wanted to add.....in fact a future version will include the caribou, sled dogs, and arctic birds...oh, then it will have to be much larger, about 24"X 18"...

    8 comments:

    Anonymous said...

    Well you sure do a great job of illustrating snow! Brrr it looks cold. I think a lot of the old stories for kids were dark. You would make a beautiful Snow Queen Ginger! The piece itself is alive with action and as usual your kids are adorable.

    no longer here said...

    Ginger, it's wonderful! The colors work so well together. You've captured the mood exactly!!

    Ginger*:) said...

    Thanks..Sherry and Rebecca!. I guess I was feeling a bit 'evil' with all this snow... I couldn't work off my energy outdoors because the snow is so deeeeeeep... but now as it recedes I can get out and work off some of that cabin fever.

    Amy C. Moreno said...

    Ginger! It looks like a real blizzard. You captured the feel of it so well. I also enjoyed the sense of light and dark, the movement in the snowqueen's body and reaching toward the boy. It is such a fitting topic for you right now with so much snow!

    trowbridge chronicles said...

    I love the expressions on the kids' faces and the snow effects, Ginger.

    I have a story book illustration pencilled, but I don't know if I'll find time to finish it before the end of the month. I'm leaving town first thing in the morning for the rest of the month so that puts a bit of a cramp in my schedule.

    I'm really glad to be a part of Picture Bookies. It's very noticable in my stats. I promote the web site at every opportunity. I even wrote it on the blackboard at the school I was at the other day.

    Amy C. Moreno said...

    Bron,
    That is the coolest thing to do! Posting the Picture bookies on the class blackboard...how perfect! You can always post the prelims for your illo if you don't have time to finish it now...(but don't feel pressure..this isn't supposed to add more stress to your life)

    Julia Kelly said...

    Ginger- her face is wonderful- so frosty and icy! I would love to see what you would do with the whole book the Snow Queen- show us more!

    Gina said...

    Hey Ginger!
    Great job! I'm a little scared...but I like it! :) Really though, you've really captured a great sense of cold, kids would really like this. All of this great art makes me want to find the time to participate in this challege, I will definitely try to find some time. -Gina