This piece had been started twice. The first had a black male
cat but I decided he would get lost against the dark background so he
was changed to a tabby cat.
Musty Marie approves the initial sketch. For those of you
who know Musty, you know he is a very old, very determined
cat. At 18 years old he can still jump up on the art table
and feels he must.
I finally got smart and put a footstool next to the art
table where he can oversee to his
hearts content. He humors me by sitting there (until I turn my
back and he's back up on the artwork again!)
A close-up of the sketch. Isn't our Casanova Cat charming?
Tabby cats have so much character, I use them a lot in
pieces like this, especially for boy characters.
Starting to bring the shape of the cats together. Adding detail to
the dress. The dress has been really fun to do with all the satin
folds.
The boy cat has about eight colors in his fur, the dress about 5 colors
so far.
Added this little guy to the sketch. He is hitching a ride below the
two lovers. He was an afterthought to the original and I am glad
he snuck his way on board.
Added the lace to the dress and beginning on the flying
mechanisms. I love her little ribbon shoeletts. All of
my cats seem to have big feet, so she could not find shoes
that would fit.
Just a bit more done after visiting Mom today on Mother's day.
At this point I am beginning to flesh out the wings on the flying machine.
My reference
material on the engine is vague, so I'm working around it until I get
brave!
A bit more work today. More wings on the airplane,
and starting on
the little mouse passenger. He has cute little travel stickers on
his suitcase.
Back to work! Here is the beginning of the countryside below the
travelers. I like doing landscapes, you can get lost in drawing a
beautiful place. I like to add lots of details so you
can find something new every time you look at the piece.
Hey... they have a place to land now, but who
would want to when you have a beautiful pilot like this little
lady...on to the sky!
Into the final stretch. The sky is being fleshed out along with the
title. I have always been in awe of the illustrators who created
type by hand. It's really an art in itself.
Here's a close up of the lovely couple... and the passenger
mouse
Finally Done. Thanks to everyone who cheered me on on
WetCanvas.com and the eBay forums. It is always nice to have
encouragement! Final
Size: 24x34 inches
