On My Drawing Table: Author Portraits, Washington Irving

The third in my (very slow to put together) series of author portraits.

 

I completed the pencil sketch last year,

 



After researching images of Washington Irving ...

I also wanted to combine an image of one of his most popular stories, like I have done with Poe.

 



 

 I think that my image has shaved about 20 years off of the one I used for

research. But that is not necessarily a bad thing :)

 

Prints of him will appear on my etsy site tomorrow. And I will be bringing

them along to the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery Craft Fair,

 

October 26th.

Poet's Walk in Red Hook NY

A beautiful walk through a wooded glen opening up into sun light filled meadows.

When I think that Washington Irving strolled these same paths, I truly could understand how he was inspired by this landscape.

The first part of this walk is a very easy one and a woman ahead of us

pushed her baby in a stroller without any problems.

You can sit a bit in the shade in this lovely pavilion overlooking the river.

Of course I didn't take a picture there.....

This ancient stone bridge passes over the ravine that leads closer to the river.

 

The river and the Catskill Mountains peak through various spots like little framed pictures.

Another small gazebo to sit and rest before the trip back and out.

Overall it was a easy walk, but strollers would not make it past the first gazebo.

I do want to go back during the fall colors, it will be breath taking!

For more info please check out this website:

http://www.scenichudson.org/parks/poetswalk

On my drawing table: Author Portraits

I have wanted to do a series of author portraits.
Since I have a 'thing' for crows, blackbirds and ravens, the first portrait just had to be Poe!

The idea is to make them look sort of vintage, but with a playful, whimsical touch.

Shakespere was next, but he needs more work and I have a better idea now of what to do,
instead of the comedy/tradgedy masks.

And considering the time of year and following a customer suggestion, Washington Irving is being worked on right now.....

The finished product, printed on a vintage dictionary page. I will be listing on etsy sometime this week.