finals are [almost] over!!

Hello! Hope finals are going okay for you dudes... mine are almost over!

First things first: I got a smartphone! Weird, right? Since that happened, I decided to get an instagram for my art! Follow me @ashleyfairbourneillustration, cuties!

So, I'm planning on making a holiday post next week.. maybe a demented Christmas illustration? Who knows. But then the following week, I will show you all the projects from class I never got around to posting! Weee! 

Until then, enjoy a couple lil pieces I did recently.

 

This is my figure drawing final :) It's quite hard to tell from the picture, but all of those orange spots are in the whites as well... I just took a picture with my phone and for some reason it made it look splotchy. The idea was to add a single color to make the flesh look more like flesh. I am proud of how it turned out!

These 2 characters were fun little ideas I had floating around in my brain... the girl is supposed to be a ghost or something. I might make a small comic about their relationship, but who knows? I am going to try and start bits of weekly comics... if everything goes as planned! 

cheers,

ashley fairbourne

Edward Squissorhands!

Well hello friends! 

First off, I decided to do you all a favor and stop typing in microscopic text as a gift. 

Merry Christmas! (heh heh)

Secondly, the next two weeks are finals. So my brain has been slowly turning to mush. But I found a wee bit of time to show you guys something I finally finished! My Edward Scissorhands fan art! I was commissioned to do this by a friend. I can't wait until he sees it in person! 

If you were curious, this was done in gouache, which is basically chalky, opaque, watercolor. I have never done a whole piece with it before... but it was interesting to work with as a change. 

cheers,

ashley fairbourne

snowy weather isn't so bad..

Oh, well hello friends! Hope your week has been going well. :) 

So, I've got a few things to share with you guys tonight... my figure drawing class has been teaching me a lot about form and proportions, which is great, but it also takes a lot of practice... which is exhausting me! But yesterday we started drawing on some toned paper and this is what I had by the end of class.

 

Then this figure drawing was from a week or so ago... a little off, but I really like the look of the smeared pastels.

And guess what, dudes? It snowed today! I was feeling sort of indifferent about Christmas coming... but now my whole mood has shifted since the snow happened : ) I've always loved the snow... it's so magical!

... finally, here was my latest project for my photography class. The assignment was to do a series of photographs that all have a similar theme. I chose to do portraits of people with wet hair... I just wanted to capture the awkward side of my subjects, and I think it worked pretty great!

 

I love hearing from you guys! You rock and thanks for being so supportive! 

cheers,

ashley fairbourne 

still pluggin along

I cannot wait for finals/the holidays to be over! I feel like I am running out of steam...

I'll make it through though :) 

So I have been working on a lot of different projects, most of them are for my own benefit. I also am trying to piece together a portfolio for applying to the illustration program, commissions for the holidays, work, etc. It's been busy, but great! Unfortunately, this means I have been neglecting my classes a little bit (whoops!) I am planning on catching up over Thanksgiving break, so wish me luck, peeps!

This is just a little work-in-progress of an illustration I'm super excited about. I found some cyan, magenta, and yellow inks that I have been layering a lot lately... it's pretty fun. Let me know what you think about this technique! I will probably post the final product within a week or so.

 

This was a fun sketch I did... although, I keep looking at the cat's eyeball and cant help but think of a pokeball. tee-hee

I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving! Eat so much food for me! 

cheers,

ashley fairbourne 

intellectual dinosaur

Heya! Hope you all are doing awesome :) I've decided to change the day I post to my blog -- instead of Wednesdays, I think that Tuesdays are going to work better :D So lets plan on that instead, k cutie?

 

 

I tried to experiment with some different lighting... obviously, I had a good time with it :) Hope that you enjoy this dinosaur sipping brandy by the fireplace! And don't let the cold weather get you down!

cheers,

ashley may

frustrating projects

So, its technically Thursday now... but happy yesterday! I hope it rocked. Also, I hope today is wonderful for you as well :) 

Today (yesterday) was one of those why-can't-I-do-anything-right kind of days.. you feel me? So I wanted to post the 2 projects I had been working on that caused so much frustration in my guts.

 

This was the first culprit.. my figure drawing class at 8am. Yikes. I worked so hard on this drawing, and then once I got to class, I realized all the problems with the proportions and some of the shadows. I'm trying so hard! I'll get it right one day and you will be so proud of me that you will cry. Or maybe I'll cry cuz I'm so proud. Whichever works.

 

 I'm not too proud of these photographs... but this blog is about sharing my progress as an illustrator, so lets talk about them! I am in photography 1 (not my strongest suit) currently and our assignment was to take documentary photographs to convey a deeper meaning. I decided to photograph people with their phones and other electronic devices to illustrate the idea of the internet and social media isolating us from real-life interactions. The first photo is of my roommate... I really love the artificial light that is cast on her face.

Then... this one is of my cousin and her husband. I am really proud of this one. The lighting turned out perfectly. We haven't discussed these in class yet, but hopefully everything goes well. I just felt so overwhelmed with this project... I think I made the most of it and the product isn't half bad!

I am also working on a commission that I am super stoked about! I cannot wait to show you all! (I will be making prints... and hint! hint! it's fan art. You should be so excited right now).

sleep tight, don't let the bed bugs bite.

cheers,

ashley fairbourne 

the first figure drawing I actually like!

I am so happy about this drawing!

It's definitely going in my portfolio when I apply to the program this spring :)

 

cheers,

ashley fairbourne

pumpkin brain surgery..

First off, I would like to thank everyone for being so awesome! All of your support has been much needed... INKtober was a ton of fun and I really feel like it was beneficial and kicked me into gear! 

I also just wanted to give guys a heads up that I will be posting once a week on Wednesdays! :) I feel like that is the best day to post for me... but! Today I just wanted to show you guys my pumpkin from Halloween!

 

A better view of his noggin...

Carving pumpkins is never that much fun for me because I always ruin my design right at the end. Ugh. This saved me a major headache and everyone had a lot more fun painting! 

I am going to be tweaking little things on my blog and tumblr... possibly making an etsy shop... I don't know what the future holds! But that is the current plan. Hopefully I will get some prints ready to sell before the new year hits. I guess we will see :D

thank you, kindly. as always..

cheers,

ashley fairbourne 

INKtober - Day 31: It's Halloween, ya goose!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!! I did this illustration for the "Gallery of Terror" at my school. I really love this piece and hope you enjoy it as well! Be safe tonight and have so much fun!

 

cheers,

ashley fairbourne

INKtober - Day 30: I'm getting carried away with the ink splatters.

Guys... it's almost over. I'm getting a little behind in my schoolwork, so today's drawing is pretty sketchy :P

Also, I splattered ink for fun this time.

 

This poor hedgehog doesn't know how to swim... and the floaties aren't much help. 

Tomorrow is the LAST DAY OF INKTOBER!! You guys are totally in for a treat... or is it a trick?!? 

(I really like halloween and I am going as Dora the Explorer. hee hee.)

cheers,

ashley fairbourne

INKtober - Day 29: BRAINZ.

This is kind of a zombie chick. And she made you some dinner...

 

cheers,

ashley fairbourne

INKtober - Day 28: What a fox!

It's getting pretty close to the end of Inktober! Phew! I'm not sure whether to be relieved or sad. 

 

Here's a foxy lady...get it? heh heh.

cheers,

ashley fairbourne 

INKtober - Day 27: Attempting to evolve

I bought some red and yellow ink recently... I am pretty excited to try some new stuff with them.

When I was younger I remember always wishing that I could be a fish and breathe under water.... I also remember being sad when I thought about not being able to see my friends and family on land. So here is the solution to my day dream: a fish that can walk on its flippers. Don't ask about its respiratory system because I didn't get that far with my thoughts... haha.

cheers,

ashley fairbourne

p.s. thank you everyone for being so supportive (as always)... It means the world to me!

xoxoxo 

INKtober - Day 26: Erica is a babe

My roommate wanted me to draw a portrait of her, so I attempted to do so. I am pretty happy with the result, although I wish I could have kept the blue ink more controlled. Unfortunately, it spreads everywhere. But the important part is that I enjoyed doing this piece. :)

 

cheers,

ashley fairbourne

INKtober - Day 24+25: its just the tooth fairy and my face, okay?

First off, hello! Hope every single on of your days is going so spectacularly you don't know what to do with yourselves! So I didn't post yesterday's Inktober... so here it is!

 

It's the tooth fairy. Or at least the tooth fairy that exists in my brain. I drew this in one of my classes and didn't really have any reference to draw from... so I used my geology teacher as a model of sorts. It's super hard to draw accurate figures without reference! But I'm secretly pretty proud of the way it turned out.

...and! Here is the doodle for today :D It's what my face looked like in a mirror when I was exhausted. I really love these markers. They make drawing so much more fun than it already is!

Here is Alex's interpretation of me. Offensive, right?? Just kidding, I look like a babe. But wait, he knows how to draw in real life. So check out his stuff here ----> CLICK ME!

cheers,

ashley fairbourne

INKtober - Day 23: she should really brush her hair.

I got some new markers! I've been messing around with them for the past 3 hours. My friend Dallin Orr recommended them... click his name if you want to see some wicked awesome artwork. I mean it... he rocks.

 cheers,

ashley fairbourne

INKtober - Day 22: a handsome raccoon

Happy Inktober 22nd! I found you a prom date...

 

You can thank me later. :)

cheers,

ashley fairbourne 

INKtober - Day 21: I felt mushy today

Hey all you cuties! Hope today was the best kind of day. So... today for Inktober, I drew the cutest couple in the world. I'm not sure what's wrong with my tummy.. I feel all mushy and warm inside.

 

cheers,

ashley may

INKtober - Day 19+20: attempting to stay on track!

Hey you cool people out in internet land! I didn't post yesterday, which is kind of lame. But good news! I've got 2 doodles for you to check out today! Here is day #19 of Inktober... a little blue girl in blue attire. I recently read Blankets by Craig Thompson again. If you haven't heard of that graphic novel, I highly suggest you check it out. It is a beautifully illustrated book and the storyline is awesome. Anyways! I doodled this after obsessing over his art... go give it a peek!

 

...and here is my doodle for day #20 of Inktober. It's whatever your little heart wants it to be... but it looks like a strange cat of sorts. Just go with it.

cheers,

ashley fairbourne 

INKtober - Day 18: Bill Carman inspired my brains

We had the coolest speaker at my lecture class last night. His name is Bill Carman... if you haven't seen his stuff, I would highly recommend you check it out right this very second! 

Bill Carman<--- right there, folks.

You can just tell that this dude loves what he does... and his imagination is out of control (in the best kind of way). One of the neatest things about his work is how he works on such a small scale. He was explaining to us how he likes to prep small copper plates and paint on them. For those of you who dont know, copper isnt easy to paint on.. so preparing the surface is a major part of his work. He talked about how the texture of the surface he is working on will help decide what he paints on it. It was inspiring to listen to someone so respectable and fantastic talk about their artwork.

 Anyways, after taking in all of that information, I felt like I had to draw something with his style in mind! 

So here is my day #18 for Inktober:

 

cheers,

ashley fairbourne

INKtober - Day 16+17: apologies and one cute pup

I am sorry because I didn't draw a picture yesterday. You know those days where you just want to retire as a human being for a bit? Well, that was yesterday... and I didn't want to do anything responsible. Just sit in bed and eat ice cream and/or french fries. (you know the kind of day im talking about.) Any-who! Here is me apologizing as a cartoon for skipping day #16 of Inktober...

... and here is day #17 of Inktober! Guess what?? Its my best buddy's birthday today... so go send some love vibes her way!(is that weird to say?) She blogs in this general vicinity if you are interested!

 

  

The pup above was inspired by my hunger in my geology class. Sometimes it feels as though I will be stuck in class forever until i starve to death. It is so hard not to doodle in my non-art classes haha. I also attempted a little smidgen of perspective on that table...its somewhat successful!

cheers,

ashley brooke

INKtober - Day 15: a leaning tower of loveliness

Day number 15 of Inktober... I am halfway there! (which is crazy... does anyone else feel like October is flying by??) So here is my doodle for the day: its a girl with the best kind of ice cream cone. I've always had a soft spot for sky-scraping ice cream... it just looks the cutest.

 

cheers,

ashley fairbourne

INKtober - Day 14: scribbling is the best

Today I was just scribbling with some sepia pens and this happened... It's just a babe with huge hair. I've noticed that I have a weird love affair with brown... I like using it more than black most of the time :)

 

cheers,

ashley fairbourne

INKtober - Day 13: Godzilla eats some ramen

Hey! Look at me posting at a decent time! Good job, me. 

Well, happy day #13 of INKTOBER! Here is (probably) Godzilla eating a bowl of ramen noodles. They are his favorite food besides people. 

cheers,

ashley may

INKtober - Day 12: glub glub

Why am I posting at 3am? I am glad you asked... because I am fully dedicated to this whole Inktober thing and I am going to fight until the end!.. even if it equates to sleep deprivation.

Here is a fish dude i drew with markers and a gel pen (yay color!)

  

cheers,

ash

INKtober - Day 11: this alien is bonkers.

Today was super productive/exhausting! I am SO ready to sleep.

 

Here is an alien with a ray gun... he kind of looks like Invader Zim or something, but I dig him. Don't mess with him, he's got the crazy eye.

cheers,

ashley fairbourne

INKtober - Day 10: I almost fell asleep without posting

I DID IT. I was super close to just going to bed and forgetting about Inktober... but I did it, guys. It's just a doodle of my roommate listening to hip-hop. She is awesome like that.

 

cheers,

ash

INKtober - Day 9: Edward Scissorhands is one of my favorite movies of all time.

Edward Scissorhands is the best. I love Winona Ryders face so much in it... her voice just kind of rubs me the wrong way. Regardless, here is a picture of her I drew for day #9 of Inktober. Drawing this made me realize that her and Emma Watson kind of look similar... no?

 

cheers,

ashley may

INKtober - Day 8: robots don't have friends

Happy 8th of INKtober! Weee!

 

Robots don't have friends... and this dude didn't have a single bot-buddy show up to his birthday party. 

cheers,

 ashley fairbourne

INKtober - Day 7: sushi falls in love with itself

Hey friends! Happy October 7th! I can't seem to get my mind off of sushi.. I'm madly in love with it. BUT! Did you know that sushi can fall in love with ITSELF? I didn't either. So i drew a tiny picture to show you how it all works.

 Words cannot express how excited I am for fall break... phew!

cheers,

ash

INKtober - Day 6: families of cats only eat tuna.

Happy October 6th! Here is a weird picture of cats grocery shopping. I know you love when i draw cats... k?

 

cheers,

ashley fairbourne 

INKtober - Day 5

It's really late. I should be asleep... but I have to post day #5 of INKtober before I pass out. It's just a supa-fly skeleton... that's all.

  

cheers,

 ash

INKtober- Day 4

Here's a cat hacking up a hairball. It also snowed for 2 minutes and I'm not okay with it.

 

cheers,

ashley fairbourne

HAPPY INKTOBER! (day 3... oopsies!)

Happy INKTOBER, friends! I know... I'm a little late to jump on the bandwagon. But I figured it's okay if I only missed 2 days.

So for those of you who have no idea what in the world Inktober is... let me explain! This fantastic human named Jake Parker came up with the idea of drawing a pen/ink drawing each day for the month of October. When I heard about it, I couldn't pass it up! Ink is my favorite medium, after all. 

  

So, here is day 3 of Inktober! It's a deer. Or a Bambi.... whatever. I'm planning on making progressively creepier images as October rolls along (it's only fitting with it being the month of Halloween and all). 

I do feel kind of bad that I skipped the first 2 days, though. So I decided to add a little ink doodle I did about a week ago. It makes me feel better. But just a little.

Poor guy.. Since Froggy is the youngest of 20 sisters, he always gets their Halloween costume hand-me-downs. Tough life.

cheers,

ash

quick! bring me soup and powerade!

so my brain has been a bowl of mushy soup as of late... probably due to the fact that im getting sick/sleep deprivation/i dont remember how to feed myself. but im feeling slightly better today, so i thought i would share a few things before exhaustion sets in! 

it was my cousins 1 year anniversary (say "awww!") and i was commissioned by her mom to make a cute little illustration for the two of them! she has a weird thing for giraffes, so i thought it would be adorable to make them riding on the back of a giraffe. cuz giraffes are basically ginormous horses.

 

the picture quality shows a little more magenta than the actual drawing really has, but that just makes it look more romantic.. right? RIGHT?

 

 

so Halloween is coming up! my favorite holiday! there is only one person who likes Halloween more than me.. and that is my mother. she has a bunch of teapots... so i thought i would make her a Halloween-themed teapot. (sorry about the HUGE glare on the witches face... im sick. cut me some slack!) anyways, the back reads, "all hallows eve" in a cute cursive script. i really dig painting pottery!

 on a different note, i have some prints of the Harry Potter illustration i did. if you would like to purchase one for 10$, send me an email at ashleyfairbourne@yahoo.com and we can chat! my goal is to have an Etsy shop set up with a few prints by the end of the year. that would make my life rock even harder. 

thanks for stopping by, cutie! 

cheers,

ashley may 

everyone likes Harry Potter, right?

i was commissioned to do a Harry Potter themed piece for a friend's niece. this was a super fun project to do because as a kid, i was really into HP. (i had a huge crush on Harry, apparently. i wrote about it in my journal... this was also before the movies were created. so kinda weird.) anyways, this was my final result:

 

this was a good time to decide to make a HP piece! i heard J. K. Rowling is going to write another book... hmm. still not sure how i feel about that. im also debating whether or not i am going to try and make some prints of this piece. either way, i will get a better scan of it for my own benefit/future portfolios :) 

i hope i entertained my fellow geeks! 

and if anyone is interested in purchasing a print, email me at: ashleyfairbourne@yahoo.com

thanks for stopping by!

cheers,

ashley may