Milliner Maiden, 9″ x 6″ Copics, fine liners on smooth Bristol
Those very fortunate, and very few, who get to meet the legendary Marta the Milliner are imbued with a mystical power of millinery and a haunting habit of haberdashery. Serious hats, is what I’m saying. This is maiden number nineteen.
For the topic “Tall” at Illustration Friday.
I have been saying for ages I wanted to do a cityscape or streetscape of some sort. Also, I like hats. So this is what happened! I still need to do lots more maidens to get the face just right. Or at least more interesting. Also had a few muddying issues. AND the background is a lovely gradation into peach but the lightest colors are always rough to perfect when scanning and then bumping up the contrast. (Any suggestions appreciated!) Thank you so much for visiting!
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combining the love for hats AND the wish for a street view AND the maiden porject AND illustration friday… wow! I love that hat (especially that tiny round door on the rim of the hat – is that a small mailbox next to it?) and the maiden looks totally happy with it too. Nice warm colours, it’s just all a great combination.
Yes, it’s a tiny mailbox! Hooray you noticed! :)
This is gorgeous Cindy. I really like the contrast between her skin and the surrounding details :)
You really should do a show of your work, price it rather high… You would sell OUT!
Seriously.
My work is so pedestrian; yours is very imaginative. I could see you illustrating Alice in Wonderland.
And don’t give me any crap about being “not worthy”… You SO ARE! :D
I love the crazy ideas you come up with but I have to say that this one just seems to make sense. Great street scene – especially the little door on the brim… ;)
Thanks for showing the progress from start to finish, I love seeing how people go from stage to stage. Also lovely picture, bit Yellow Submarine-y? (Which is a compliment)
Marta’s amazing! Such creative patterning. I think the contrast is right on.
I love this! She reminds me of the Mad Hatter. Peach can be a touchy color for scanning. Looks great as is though. Nice!
That is SOME tall hat! What a great illustration…so clever!
I love the combination of the streetscape and hat together. And the progress pictures!
Beautiful lady!! The hat is over the top!!
I really like your style, so unique!
Hey, I think you are on to something. Love the street, city scape, or whatever scape in the hat. Go for it!
A very fun interpretation of “tall,” Cindy…and I see why you liked my city scape! Lovely color choices here, and the eyes are so very soulful!I love your idea of doing a series too.
Ah, it’s a good idea!
and an excellent illustration, (do not know why, reminds me of some posters of the late 60s, hippies, flower power)
good week for you!!
wow, wow, wow! love this one. Great colours and clarity, and a really nice idea. If you find colours don’t scan in quite right, Photoshop can help – that little bucket button to fill an area with a better colour … Hey, I bought some markers and it’s all because of you!
Such a super take on tall. Interesting to see that you started sketching the hat first. So much wonderful detail as well. Brilliant!
Love the idea and the finished piece.
(I agree with Meranon above) ;)
Beautiful!!
I’ve also participated IF!!
<3
Rocío.
Another fun illustration! That hat is crazy-cool! Love all the detail! I particularly like the little rounded door on the brim….
The mad hatter would love one of those hats! My Girbra is planning to devour the butterfly by the way. Kidding! Everything is innocent in my illustrations. For the most part.
You know I am a huge fan of cityscapes, and this one is all packed into a wonderful hat. I love that each “level” its own unique door and facade, with that great initial entry on the brim… glad you tried it out and yes, you should give colored pencils a try with your copics, they work beautifully together!
This is amaZING, Cindy! You should do more buildings. This is really fun to look at! I love it!!
This is stunning – such wonderful color and detail! I love how you are willing to share your process shots. I am terrible with that. Perfect for this theme!
xo – Brandi
PS – thank you so much for your kind comment on my blog!
That’s beautiful! And mad as a hatter!
IT TAKES A VILLAGE in a HAT! Just beautiful!! Your creativity is endless! Who would have ever thought of a cityscaped hat?
So creative! I think this maiden has a very interesting face…her expression is so calm and mysterious! The colors you used and the circus-like detail under the hat makes her seem like some sort of magical ringmaster.
love the detail, and especially love the work in progress images!
What a clever, colorful combination! The mad hatter re-do done really well! :)
This is AWESOME! Great colors and linework!
Well I see that this Maiden is seldom seen – she carries her own world on her head. I wonder if you can do some Millinery yourself, have you ever tried? Perhaps that is how you come up with your nutty stories? ;)
Great hat! She must be very creative to have a whole city in her head.I wonder about the creatures that live behind those little doors :)
Oh, she has a tall hat and love that you incorporated your cityscape itch. Love it!
I knew this would be a good theme for you!
I love all the doors inside the hat…such and engaging and interesting composition.
Great hat! There’s loads to look at – its reall interesting. A great interpretation of the subject!
You hat to draw this Cindy! its good!
Fantastic! Has a yellow submarine feel that I just love. Beautiful work and all of the progress shots are great to see!
I love the whimsical architecture in her hat!
This is just wonderful, it has made me want a really tall hat! I love the colours and vibrancy, and how you always share how your work develops. :)
Great illustration and all those lovely details!!
She is awesome! Just a beautiful hat.
Oooh, I love hats! And she’s beautiful. :)
holy highrise headwear…that is a tremendous topper! She is a most fetching vendor of fine hats…you’ve done a wonderful job!
Miliner maiden is gorgeous!