CrashOctopus Blog

Another quick step-by-step demo, on a simpler piece. This technique is quick and easy and I can do it in my sleep now. When convention time rolls around and I have to do dozens of these, it comes in handy… but it gets old. Makes me want to break out the oils, or at least do a complicated gouache piece with a full background an no outlines.

Luckily I have a dozen of those complicated kinds of pieces I have to get ready for Dragon*Con, which is in a month. A MONTH. Pardon while I go panic and paint all day.

Step 1: Sketch, transfer.

Step 2: Since this is on dark-ish paper and the character is yellow, I lay down a white base layer. Without it, the yellows end up very dark and neutral. My advice when painting on dark paper: do a test sheet so you know what colors might need assistance.

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Undead Seahorse by Meg Lyman

Digital

They burrow into your ears while you’re snorkeling and eat your braaaaaaains

So it’s been a while because 1. I’m on a business trip in Colorado, 2. I just turned in my control sheet for the Dragon*Con art show and ambitiously filled it with paintings I haven’t even started, and 3. I have commissions to finish. Excuses, excuses, I know. So here’s a ridiculously detailed step-by-step view of how I do my “turn your character into a cephalopod” commissions.

Whether your character is a cat-lady, an elf warrior, or a sparkly vampire, I can transform it into a cute octopus with a hobby. The first step is to get a character reference and ask what “accessories” to include – like ears, wings, or game controllers.

Step 1: Sketchy

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Steampunk Octopus by Meg Lyman

Notecard-sized gouache and ink on paper

SOLD

And actually made some cash and had fun! A rousing success!

This was the most fun I’ve had at a convention since Con on the Cob ’06. I’m glad I covered my expenses, but what really matters is being with all those awesome people. Highlights:

• Giggling girl art homework party
• Watching the AMAZING Pittsburgh fireworks from our room on the 22nd floor
• Seeing Tekfox do his DJ thing. He rocks the Drum and Bass genre.
• Receiving art from so many different cool people, via trades, gifts, and purchases
• Doing a commission of a squid-colored-like-a-puffin! I need to look into doing cephalopod in striking animal patterns. :D

And 8 of my 12 pieces sold in the art show (one to one of my favorite artists). I am overwhelmed with happy. Thank you, everyone!