Currently Browsing: reference

Comparison of fabric collage template to original photo
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Creative Chrysalis

120 – Passive Observer

June 8, 2021

The amusement park dark ride that I’ve been working on has a large open front where people can get into the vehicles…

Fabric collection, paper template and Mousetrap Game reference
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Creative Chrysalis

100 – How Good is Your Color Memory?

January 25, 2021

My color memory is such that I can go to a fabric store and quite accurately remember the colors and patterns that…

Susan Polansky, drawing, full and detail, reference images
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Creative Chrysalis

99 – Putting Reference Images into Place

January 21, 2021

Now I put my collection of reference images to work. Using the magic of Photoshop Elements, I make a quick photo collage…

illustration detail by Susan Polansky, with related reference images
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Creative Chrysalis

98 – Reference Images for Translation

January 17, 2021

Reference images are crucial for translating a line drawing into a realistic art quilt. With my intended plan for a 3’ high…

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Creative Chrysalis

49 – Taking the paper training wheels off

June 29, 2020

I’m using a grid behind tracing paper for my drawings now. Newsprint was for quick sketches. Now I want to have a…

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Creative Chrysalis

48 – Eye see!

June 26, 2020

Here’s some crucial info that completely escaped me until lately: People of similar heights standing on flat ground, arranged from closest to…

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Creative Chrysalis

47 – 7.5 heads are better than one

June 23, 2020

The size of a human figure is often shown in “heads”. Height: 7 ½ heads, Width: 2 heads, Arm length: 3 ¾…

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Creative Chrysalis

46 – Go figure: figure drawing recommendation

June 19, 2020

This is my go-to for figure drawing reference. The simplified human anatomy, along with details of expression, age, clothing, gender differences are…

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Creative Chrysalis

34 – Perspective is all about relationships

May 14, 2020

An imaginative world requires convincing size, shape and space in order to be believable. Photographs can give me the basics of how…

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Creative Chrysalis

22 – Photoshop Elements to the rescue

April 17, 2020

How do you figure out how a funhouse warped mirror image will look like? Photoshop Elements! There are all sorts of “Filter”…

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Creative Chrysalis

19 – Memory fills in the details of reference

April 14, 2020

My photogenic family, looking our best!I remembered that we took photos at a boardwalk amusement hall in New Jersey. These might be…

photos of fighting knights in armor
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Skirmish on Insecurity Hill

5 – Where Is My Knight In Shining Armor?

May 5, 2019

Even when I am not concerned about copyright infringement as I know that the final form will be a far cry from…

photo of Wooden Dragon
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Skirmish on Insecurity Hill

4 – Dragon Pose

May 4, 2019

A carved wooden dragon traveled home with me from Thailand. It will be the model for the dragons I want to air-brush….

photo of ghost pirate ride
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Skirmish on Insecurity Hill

3 – How Difficult Could It Be?

May 3, 2019

Amusement carnival art may have a certain naivety but also a definitive “look” to it. Bright color, outlining, bold imagery often with…