Original status: Prints are available email me for information.
Swing by Jason's blog to check out his rendition of the Turkey Spey!
Tech Info- Sepia India Ink, Gouache.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Tribute To Tom Helgeson DF 52-47 BBCE
This fly is dedicated in memory of Tom Helgeson. The Blue Butt Caddis Emerger was one of Tom's favorite go to patterns. So much so that Tom was nicknamed "Old Blue Butt". There has been so much said about Tom and his life recently. Sometimes the right words escape me. In this instance, I will let my brush (although it is digital) express the fly Tom so dearly had confidence in.I was torn as to what media I should use to produce this image. I decided to go digital, since my previous rendition of this fly was in watercolor. I hope Tom would have approved. Rest in peace my friend.
Chris Niskanen at Twin Cities .com wrote this nice obituary.
Swing by Jason's blog to check out tribute to Tom.
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Tom Helgeson
Bob White called me Saturday with the sad news that Tom Helgeson has passed away. For those of you who did not know Tom, He was the man behind Midwest Fly Fishing Magazine and the Great Waters Expo which occurred every Winter in Chicago and Minneapolis. Many Midwest anglers will feel this tragic loss. I had the great honor and privilege to work along side Tom on the last edition of Midwest Fly Fishing Magazine. Rest in peace my friend, and someday we will meet at that great trout pool around the bend.
The painting above is the Blue Butt Caddis Emerger. This painting was commissioned by Tom and was one of his favorite go to trout flies.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Drawing Flies 52_46 Durham Ranger
Drawing Flies 52_46 Durham Ranger
Original status: Prints are available email me for information.
Swing by Jason's blog to check out his rendition of the Durham Ranger!
Tech Info- Digital - PhotoShop and Cintiq Monitor.
I began by sketching in the shapes using a 10 pixel angled brush. If you look closely, you will see some of those original sketch lines. When I digitally sketch, I use a blue/ black color. This helps to give the sketch a bit more life then when using straight black. Next, I start layering mid value "home" colors over the top of the sketch. After those colors are laid in, I start adding the lights and darks to give the image volume and depth. You can mess around with this step forever! adding details, pressing CTRL Z, going back, rinse, repeat. I try to approach my digital work in the same manner as I would traditionally. Although there are a zillion digital brushes available, I have limited myself to 6 to get the job done. Same goes with the color palette. The last step was to create the background. I turned off all of the fly layers and created the background using a variety of brushes. I typically create the background in gray scale to start. I then turn back on all of the fly layers and adjust the background color to fit the subject.
I went right to the 30 minute mark with this one. When working digitally, you can continue to tweak and modify until the cows come home. As with traditional painting, I am striving for a loose interpretive look.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Drawing Flies 52_45 General Practitioner
Drawing Flies 52_45 General Practitioner
Swing by Jason's blog to check out his rendition of the General Practitioner!
Tech Info- Watercolor and Gouache on 140# Arches watercolor paper
One of the great all time prawn patterns developed in 1953 in England when the use of shrimp and prawns was banned.