Maiden of the Wood, 8.5″ x 11″ Copic Markers, digital sky
For “Imagination” at Illustration Friday. Have you joined yet? Why not?
This is the Maiden of the Wood, sometimes called the Dreaming One, another daughter of Gaia. One night for this maiden equals one thousand years for us. She makes her bed underground and dreams of magical things while hundreds of human years pass overhead. Often her dreams come to life on the earth just above her slumbering form.
Like the footie socks? I’d like to tell you they were planned all along but no, I tried and tried to do feet. I need to practice feet! In any case, my favorite bit includes the socks and the underground reading room above them.
Tons of progress pics below (including some close-ups of the final), in case anyone is interested in the way the sketch changed as it went along. I could not get the colors right on the computer – arrgh! – but this is close. I’m not sure I love the greens. I think the underground should be darker. Also may go back and do a trunk design like in some of the sketches. Though more likely I will just move on to the next thing!
[portfolio_slideshow size=large]
This is very cool. Thank you for turning me on to illustration Friday.
I could absolutely live here! Love the progress pics — it is fascinating to see how you got from start to finish on this piece!
WOW – this is awesome!
I don’t know how to respond to blog posts at my site and figured since I liked you tree’s tiny details I could tell you that and also that there was no glitter it was colored with Copics.
I really enjoyed the progress pics on this one. I had to keep pausing it and going back to see all of the tiny details. I have a particular fondness for drawing trees myself and I love how yours are complete Fantasy Habitats!
Beautiful. I love the interaction inside the tree, the figureish trunk, the roots and the swing. Truly imaginative!
What a lovely tree! I love looking at process pics. Its amazing how one idea slowly turns into something completely different.
So much creativity and detail. Nice work!
Wow! This is simply fabulous! I love the intimate details of the tree, the sleeping creatures, the fruit tree within, the mystery doors, and the winding stairs that take you down into the underground chambers of the roots…..where the roots cradle the spirit of the tree. The entire image draws the viewer within…..into a world full of story, wonder, and dreams………
I have always wanted a tree house. I love the colors, and the trees within the tree. Beautiful!
Fantastic! I love the little underground nook. So much detail, right down to the tiny glass and pitcher!
Hey Cindy, I just adore your illustrations. I never participated in IF because it was confusing to me. I can see now they have a better format so I just might participate once in a while. :)) I love seeing how your illustration comes to life from sketch to color. Gorgeous!
Interesting image and take on imagination…I like the idea about adding football socks to a drawing when feet aren’t going well…it will surely catch on and maybe become your signature::::!!!!!!;)
This is delightful! I love the story, too. And I really like the way you do your process “slideshow”.
Yep, feet are hard to draw! But your solution is perfect. The socks are really a fun detail.
oh, I love how you did the progress pictures as slide show. Very nice. This is really wonderful. It is so full of detail and lovely color.
WOW!! This is so fun to look at, Cindy! I really love searching for all the wonderful little bit and creatures. FUN FUN FUN!!!!!
Great imagination!! Love the tree-love the Maiden. Love, you!! Mom
I love your Imagination Tree – and yes, the socks are great. I like to sleep in socks, too, so it makes perfect sense to me. I also love that you posted the process. So interesting.
What a fun illustration!! So much to look at, its candy for the eyes! I especially love the lattice-type branches at the top, the fruit in the middle, & all the sleeping critters.
Awe may zing! I love this. It’s imaginative all right. I like it when you share the little progressive images of your work. Very interesting.
I love the way you think! Great concept.
Wonderfully creative and magical ~ love your artstyle ~ (A Creative Harbor)
So glad to have you ‘come by’ ~ ^_^
Such great pattern and color! As always – I love your process shots. Every piece of this is great!!
xo – Brandi
So much fun. I love that the maiden has socks on;-) I think I will take the hobbit hole at her feet today. Maybe I will climb the steps for a view tomorrow.
A lot of work and thought obviously went into this – great job!
I love this tree and the story! I will have to go back now and read more old posts!
I much prefer a tree of imagination rather than one of knowledge. I was so involved with investigating the little rooms within the tree’s braches, that I didn’t even notice the sleeping maiden! Terrific concept and story.
Fantastic Cindy! Your imagination is one of the most colorful and creative I’ve seen. This piece is fabulous! I especially love how she’s slumbering in that position and she’s supporting the world above. You are so kind with your sweet visit recently. Thank you so much for your support!!
Wow…fantastic…great imagination….great details….terrific concept Awesome!!!
Who needs feet when you’ve got socks like that – I love your imagination.
I love the story with this one, Cindy and the illustration is fabulous! So much imagination!!
It worked!
Hooray! And thanks so much for all the wonderful comments. I have the best visitors EVER!
Cindy, I see reference to that hat from a few weeks back,keep going with this compartmentalized town idea, very nice and I love the rope swing! Your figure entwined is working also really well. (BTW everyone needs to practice feet!)
Wow Cindy, your imagination is amazing! I really love this illustration
I love the details and colors in the tree, I can imagine living there. Beautiful work. The slide show id fantastic, i always love that you show us your progress!
Very cool, I love being able to see your process :)
The inhabitants of the tree look so relaxed. She must be having good dreams. I love the sox. They don’t look like a compromise to me.
This is different from you I think it is great
Hmmmmm….so many fabulous elements in this. The flow of her body confuses me a bit. but…..i love the tiny homes in the tree and always love your little critters. beautiful imagination!
Hi! You made something completely different! A tree with cosy compartments where one can sleep, play and dream. I allways liked the thought of living in a tree house, hidden in the leaves, not disturbed by anyone but the wind. Lovely idea!
The most luxuriously appointed treehouse community I’ve ever come upon…and a tree swing! Simply arboreal heaven.
And I love footie socks. With stripes. Lucky Maiden. :)
Oh my goodness, it has been too long since I visited your site! I missed a lot of goodies, but this one especially rings ALL of my chimes: I love cutaway views, & always used to imagine living inside a tree as a child… now I believe I’ll go & dream of sipping tea & reading in my very own snug, secret library… ahhh!