Barnacle Bill
I've always been drawn to water, whether it's the vast sea
or a quiet green pond.
Aquatic life fascinates me. I would love to sit and watch fish swim all day long.
From that calm curiosity, Barnacle Bill was imagined:
an old boulder content on watching the world drift by as birds perch on his head and sea creatures swim around him.
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Here's a peek at my process bringing him to life. Enjoy!
sketches from real life
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On a trip to the Seattle Aquarium, I spent an entire day sketching as many
fish as I could.
Since they are constant movers, these drawings capture impressions,
just enough to spark a character and a hint of personality.
Here are a few sketches from that day, along with the fun pieces they inspired.
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watercolors
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When I'm short on ideas, I like to loosen up with my watercolors,
letting the pigments wander across the page with no plan at all.
After the washes dry, I rotate the paper- upside down, sideways- until a shape or character starts to emerge. Then I try to find a hint of a story.
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That playful process is how Barnacle Bill came to life, born from a bout of artist's block and a few carefree splashes of color.
refining the sketch
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Once I have a clear direction for a character, I expand on the idea and refine the composition.
I build on the energy of the original watercolor exercise, keepings its sense of whimsy while introducing a few new, lively details to bring the piece together.
colors!
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Working on a piece that's partly underwater is always exciting. The ocean offers endless colors
and wonderfully flamboyant creatures to draw from. Which is why it is a great challenge to work with a limited color palette, to keep things cohesive and focused.
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Also, just drawing cute creatures and underwater plants is a ton of fun.
