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emjay · 10-27-2019, 05:20 PM

Hello! I'm MJ and I've been an SS member for a very long time and an artist for even longer. I'm also an art teacher for grades 7-12, and I've also enjoyed doing crafts for as long as I remember, so I feel like I'm constantly creating something in an artistic vein.

Anyway, I have shared a few things here and there on SS, for one reason or another (mostly IC or fan club things), but I've never saw reason to have a thread of my own creations. But recently I've been inspired to create some SSRPG related artwork and I thought I might share some of it here. Currently on my to-do list are drawings of my characters and a graphic novel inspired by one of my characters. I likely won't share anything that isn't HP or SSRPG related, but anything that falls into those categories will be fair game. And maybe I'll dig up some of my past creations to post here (but probably not, because I don't tend to like revisiting past work. We'll see).

SSRPG Character Drawings
Gunnar McCarthy - colored pencil
Noémi Durand - colored pencil
Henry Whittebrook - colored pencil
Hero Ramsey - colored pencil, three color challenge

Seektober 2020
Days 1-9

2021 Weekly Prompts
Pumpkin Pasties

Silver

kayquilz · 07-13-2020, 02:01 AM

Just stumbled in here (I am LATE) BUT WOW MJ. I. AM. SPEECHLESS.

emjay · 07-21-2020, 01:53 AM

SPOILER!!: you are all far too kind <3 ;_;

Okay, FINALLY, I finished another character/face claim portrait. This is Henry Whittebrook, my former Hufflepuff Head Boy, current chaser for Kenmare Kestrels. This child gave me a lot of frustration lol. I actually started this at the end of December and worked on it here and there at work, ten minutes or so at a time. When school closed in March, I put it away for a while as I was busy with other things and other artwork. And school. Maybe I needed a break from colored pencils too. But I picked it up again about a week or so ago, determined to finish it. Prismacolor colored pencils (and also a Derwent, since I didn't have the right yellow ochre) on toned tan sketch paper - I might just make this whole sketch book character portraits. And I used a photo of his FC Francisco Lachowski for reference.

SPOILER!!: Henry Whittebrook

sweetpinkpixie · 07-21-2020, 02:29 AM

MJ. MJ.

...........................

hooooooOOOOOoooOOOOOOw

ArianaBlack · 07-21-2020, 04:28 AM

um hi.
hands. facial hair. arms. lips. i--
the amount of detail that has gone into this. Like the folds of the hands and the forehead creases and the details in his EARS and and and. I'm so blown away and impressed and stunned.
this just put a really big smile on my face. there's just something so satisfying about seeing the beautiful result of someone's hard work. I hope it brought / brings you as much (AND MORE) joy as it is bringing me. ugh. wow. it's like the amount of detail we can see from a picture of this portrait, I can only begin to imagine how much more beautiful it is in person (WHICH IS SAYING SOMETHING BECAUSE ALREADY IT IS JUST ugh wow). thank you for sharing your work ;___;

TeafortheSoul · 07-21-2020, 08:14 AM

The details are so lovely, and you've captured his eyes so well MJ. Love the growth patterns and details of the hair <3

Bazinga · 07-21-2020, 11:40 AM

That is amazing MJ.

Kimothy · 07-21-2020, 04:34 PM

Omg, MJ, your works!!! They are so beautiful

And the details! WOWOWOWOW ;____; I'm camping here and waiting for every single post you make now

Cassirin · 07-22-2020, 01:38 AM

Yay, another MJ piece is posted! I'm seriously in awe of your work, friend. You are so talented.

BanaBatGirl · 07-22-2020, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArianaBlack

um hi.
hands. facial hair. arms. lips. i--
the amount of detail that has gone into this. Like the folds of the hands and the forehead creases and the details in his EARS and and and. I'm so blown away and impressed and stunned.
this just put a really big smile on my face. there's just something so satisfying about seeing the beautiful result of someone's hard work. I hope it brought / brings you as much (AND MORE) joy as it is bringing me. ugh. wow. it's like the amount of detail we can see from a picture of this portrait, I can only begin to imagine how much more beautiful it is in person (WHICH IS SAYING SOMETHING BECAUSE ALREADY IT IS JUST ugh wow). thank you for sharing your work ;___;

THIS!!!!!!!!!!

I also want to say that I am ALWAYS impressed by the way artists (like you) can capture light?!? It's always the one thing I look for in animated movies. Like. It's amazing. He looks like he has highlighter or a glow or something on his cheekbones.

But also, man, the arms. And the vest. THEY'RE SO GOOD. Again, how is this colored pencils?!?!? Gosh, SO GOOD.

Suziella · 12-10-2020, 05:11 AM

Holy crap, MJ. Just holy crap. So good!

emjay · 12-29-2020, 09:20 PM

SPOILER!!: Thanks for stopping by! <3

Quote:

Originally Posted by sweetpinkpixie

MJ. MJ.

...........................

hooooooOOOOOoooOOOOOOw

Honestly, just so much practice and learning technique and skills. But I’m pleased that you think it’s done well

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArianaBlack

um hi.
hands. facial hair. arms. lips. i--
the amount of detail that has gone into this. Like the folds of the hands and the forehead creases and the details in his EARS and and and. I'm so blown away and impressed and stunned.
this just put a really big smile on my face. there's just something so satisfying about seeing the beautiful result of someone's hard work. I hope it brought / brings you as much (AND MORE) joy as it is bringing me. ugh. wow. it's like the amount of detail we can see from a picture of this portrait, I can only begin to imagine how much more beautiful it is in person (WHICH IS SAYING SOMETHING BECAUSE ALREADY IT IS JUST ugh wow). thank you for sharing your work ;___;

Thank you so much. And lol, ears are probably my favorite feature to draw - something about the change in value with the curves and ridges idk. I was pretty pleased with how the hands turned out especially. I do think it looks a little better in person than in the photo, but in all honesty, I was just glad to have it finished lol. It took me many an hour to complete.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tegz

The details are so lovely, and you've captured his eyes so well MJ. Love the growth patterns and details of the hair <3

Thanks so much. His hair was pretty fun to draw.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bazinga

That is amazing MJ.

Thank you, I’m glad you think so!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kimothy

Omg, MJ, your works!!! They are so beautiful

And the details! WOWOWOWOW ;____; I'm camping here and waiting for every single post you make now

N’aww thank you! I’m just sorry they are few and far between.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cassirin

Yay, another MJ piece is posted! I'm seriously in awe of your work, friend. You are so talented.

You are far too kind. Thanks so much

Quote:

Originally Posted by BanaBatGirl

THIS!!!!!!!!!!

I also want to say that I am ALWAYS impressed by the way artists (like you) can capture light?!? It's always the one thing I look for in animated movies. Like. It's amazing. He looks like he has highlighter or a glow or something on his cheekbones.

But also, man, the arms. And the vest. THEY'RE SO GOOD. Again, how is this colored pencils?!?!? Gosh, SO GOOD.

That kind of value contrast is one of my favorite things about realistic artwork, so thank you for noticing that! It’s something I try to stress to students as well. I really…. did not like the way his vest turned out, but I’m glad it looks okay that other people like it. I did really like the way his arms turned out though lol. I love my colored pencils, and thank you!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Suziella

Holy crap, MJ. Just holy crap. So good!

Aw, thanks so much, Suzy!

After taking a little break from my colored pencils, it was really nice to pick them up again. I did a couple colored pencil projects with my advanced students this past month, and one of them was a realistic drawing using only three colors. I did this along with them and, instead of choosing to draw one of my kids or cats as they are the subject of much of my art lol, I chose the face claim of one of my characters.

This is my character Hero, a former Hufflepuff who just graduated this past term. I did use a reference photo of his face claim, Jacob Morton, and I cropped it for some visual interest. Only three colors in Prismacolor - Spanish Orange, Aquamarine, and Violet Blue - plus white for lightening and blending, and a colorless blender. I feel like the colors I chose gives it a sort of Pop Art feel and I can see my character Xanthe drawing something like this, so maybe she would have IC before leaving school… It was kind of a fun project and interesting (challenging!!!) to try to get realism with unnatural colors.

SPOILER!!: Hero Ramsey

Cassirin · 12-30-2020, 01:36 AM

Oh, MJ, that looks amazing! Even with only three colors, it's so well done and fun to look at. I'm obsessed with his hair and his mouth and his eyes and the whole thing.

kayquilz · 12-30-2020, 01:49 AM

um EXCUSE ME. *passes out*

that is all. You're killing me with the pure talent, MJ. I love the three colored sketch of Hero...it's just...like...cool. lol. *is bad at complimenting art clearly*

Felixir · 01-10-2021, 07:19 PM

I just realised I never commented after seeing that Henry portrait so now HERE I AM to flail about both these last two

anyway. no offence but I am absolutely blown away by what you can do with coloured pencils (with every, if not most, mediums really, but my experience wresting with coloured pencils makes me all the more fgkhskh when I see your pieces). That Henry piece is incredible, from the lighting on his skin to the beardy hair to the eXpReSSioN??? and the shading of everything I am in AWE. once again.

and look at Hero ;-; this piece is amazing, and I really like the framing too. I can't even begin to guess at how you got to something like this with three colours ~~also I'm retconning the universe so u can be my art teacher ok good talk~~. was the reference you used in its original colours, or did you change it up or maybe make it greyscale? (would that even help? idk)

ugh thank you so much for sharing your art. I am for real not kidding around when I say I aspire to reach your level with portraiture and this medium and yEAH.

can I ask, when you do portraits, which is part tends to be the biggest hurdle? and also, do you have many difficulties reaching (or losing and refinding) a likeness, and if so, how do you go about drawing (ha) it out, or back out? cause you always absolutely nail the likeness and so I am the curious. I hope that makes sense, if it doesn't feel free to throw things at me or wax lyrical about anything vaguely related cause I'll drink it in none the less

also not to bombard you with questions or anything but do you ever do portraits on white paper, or do you prefer to stick to tan?

Waddles · 01-10-2021, 10:18 PM

Your talent is blowing me away. The portraits are so realistic looking. You're too cool

emjay · 01-12-2021, 03:38 AM

SPOILER!!: you guys ;__;

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cassirin

Oh, MJ, that looks amazing! Even with only three colors, it's so well done and fun to look at. I'm obsessed with his hair and his mouth and his eyes and the whole thing.

Thanks! It was pretty fun to do. A challenge for sure, but I really enjoyed, especially the colors.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kayquilz

um EXCUSE ME. *passes out*

that is all. You're killing me with the pure talent, MJ. I love the three colored sketch of Hero...it's just...like...cool. lol. *is bad at complimenting art clearly*

No, that was a very lovely compliment, thank you so much. I do think the three colors I chose gives it kind of a cool look. I actually wasn't sure how it would turn out... But I like the color combination, so I'm glad you like it too.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Felixir

I just realised I never commented after seeing that Henry portrait so now HERE I AM to flail about both these last two

anyway. no offence but I am absolutely blown away by what you can do with coloured pencils (with every, if not most, mediums really, but my experience wresting with coloured pencils makes me all the more fgkhskh when I see your pieces). That Henry piece is incredible, from the lighting on his skin to the beardy hair to the eXpReSSioN??? and the shading of everything I am in AWE. once again.

and look at Hero ;-; this piece is amazing, and I really like the framing too. I can't even begin to guess at how you got to something like this with three colours ~~also I'm retconning the universe so u can be my art teacher ok good talk~~. was the reference you used in its original colours, or did you change it up or maybe make it greyscale? (would that even help? idk)

ugh thank you so much for sharing your art. I am for real not kidding around when I say I aspire to reach your level with portraiture and this medium and yEAH.

can I ask, when you do portraits, which is part tends to be the biggest hurdle? and also, do you have many difficulties reaching (or losing and refinding) a likeness, and if so, how do you go about drawing (ha) it out, or back out? cause you always absolutely nail the likeness and so I am the curious. I hope that makes sense, if it doesn't feel free to throw things at me or wax lyrical about anything vaguely related cause I'll drink it in none the less

also not to bombard you with questions or anything but do you ever do portraits on white paper, or do you prefer to stick to tan?

SPOILER!!: sorry for this long reply

Aww, thank you so, so much. Compliments and even just comments in general on my art truly mean the world to me. If you can't tell, colored pencils are pretty much my favorite and I'm always so pleased when people enjoy the work I do with them.

And I'd have been so happy to be your art teacher

The reference was already in black and white, though I did crop it to look that way - I enjoyed that framing too, so thank you. But I did recommend to my students that they should convert their reference photos to greyscale so they could solely focus on values. I think that makes it a little easier when working with different colors.

I don't mind questions at all! Tbh I think the most difficult part for me is my motivation and attention span. I get really excited about ideas for art that I want to immediately work on it, which is great and all. But without fail, while I am still working on whatever, I have several more ideas that I end up getting excited about those instead and a lot of times I end up putting what I started on aside to do something else. And a big part of my job is coming up with creative projects and their examples, which I also get excited about, so I have a million and one different things I'm trying to work on.... and end up with a lot of unfinished projects. Countless, really. Most things I end up not finishing because I either NEED to work on something else because of work or I WANT to work on something else because I have an idea or new technique or medium I just want to work with. And a lot of what I do - especially colored pencils - just inherently take a long time, so it's a vicious cycle. Then add on top of the fact that I tend to multi-task my entire life and cannot focus on one thing for more than like 15 minutes at a time anyway. So I need to work hard to force myself to finish things sometimes, but even if I don't finish something, I'm still learning and enjoying the process.

I have a feeling you were asking more about technical things though lol, so on that side of things, with colored pencil, it's sometimes finding that right color combination of layering and blending that can be difficult. And I have to be pretty confident with the drawing by the time I'm layering in the color, because once you get to the waxy layer of colored pencil, there is no erasing. There have been plenty of times that I felt the need to erase at that point, and I need to find a way to "fix" it or work around it.

I do sometimes still struggle with certain things, especially noses. But I've been working with portraits for a while that I usually can get everything about where it needs to be, though it does take me a little bit of working back and forth, revising here and there to make sure everything is in proportion and have the proper relationship between each feature, measuring those objects against each other. But I do work in graphite first (for pretty much every medium I work in), and my lines are always really light and very sketchy so I can continually erase and refine, until I'm happy with everything.

Yeah, most of my art is on white paper and most of my sketchbooks are white. That three color one of Hero is on white actually, but I see that the lighting might make it look a little toned. I actually just got into working with toned tan a few years ago after I saw how much colored pencil pops on it, and that's the only medium I've used on it so far. Toned grey is also really nice for charcoal, because you already have the mid tones using the paper, and it gives the dark charcoal a nice contrast. And feel free to ask me as many questions as you'd like. Sorry for the wall of text!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Waddles

Your talent is blowing me away. The portraits are so realistic looking. You're too cool

Thanks so much, Josey! Realism is my favorite style to work in, so I'm glad you think they pass.

So, I've decided to do a little thing for myself for 2021. I loved the prompts for Seektober so much, but I really didn't get very far with it. Being an art teacher, I really create a lot of art in my day-to-day that sometimes it's hard to set aside time daily for an extra thing, even if I really want to. So what I thought I might do is take a prompt that I hadn't done and create something each week for 2021. With the Seektober prompts, I wanted to stick to my fine tip markers and was using the calendar boxes. For these weekly prompts, I'm not going to limit myself to one medium and I'll work maybe in my sketchbook or maybe another surface, depending on the medium and my idea. And, I'm actually still trying to finish that Seektober calendar page, yes months after it's over lol. I've actually done a few more, but instead of posting after each one, I'll share them in groups of five or something. I am committed to finishing it!

For week one, I chose the prompt Pumpkin Pasties. It is an SSRPG character inspired prompt as my character, Celyn Ashburry-Hawthorne, and sweetpinkpixie's character, Cooper Branxton, shared pumpkin pasties when they first met and they've made it sort of their tradition now. And so of course I thought of them for this prompt. This is done in alcohol markers. It's also my first time trying to do a semi-realistic portrait with these markers, so don't be too harsh haha. I definitely need more practice with them, but it was fun to do. I don't have a ton of colors - I just have a few copics, a handful of prismacolor, and some ohuhu markers - so some of the blending and trying to get variation in value was a little struggle for me. And never mind how the pumpkin pasties look like frilly tacos... But overall I thought it was a fun medium to work in and I'm fairly happy with how it turned out.

SPOILER!!: Pumpkin Pasties

astrocat · 01-12-2021, 03:53 AM

oooh I really love the expressions. It kinda conveys like emotions and stuff. Why am I bad at explaining this lol

sweetpinkpixie · 01-12-2021, 04:45 AM

I love love love that you're going to keep with the prompts and push yourself and experiment and sldkfjdklsjfs you know I'm a fan of your stuff

and OF COURSE I am with this and just...ugh...it's so cute and I love the frilly tacos

I LOVE the shading on their skin in particular. So good.

And just as a throw back...here is a reminder of my pumpkin pasty prompt

Bazinga · 01-12-2021, 04:11 PM

I am always in awe of your talents.

Cassirin · 01-13-2021, 12:32 AM

Aw, my babies! They look amazing, MJ!

emjay · 02-04-2021, 05:59 PM

SPOILER!!: replies <3

Well, I'm already a little behind than where I wanted to be. I should be on week five and I just finished week two. But I persevere! I do have a lot of ideas floating around in my head lolol.

For week two, I chose the prompt silver. Did you know that occamy eggs are pure silver? I included a nest of them in silver marker in this little artwork, along with a watercolor and gouache occamy on black watercolor paper. I had some metallic watercolor sent to me that I really wanted to play with. It's super shimmery in real life and I tried to arrange my light to show that. I wanted to do a little more with this, but I'm already falling behind, so calling it done.

SPOILER!!: silver

kayquilz · 02-04-2021, 10:36 PM

the black watercooler paper *___* oh WOW. it makes the colors, including the silver really, just pOP.

Cassirin · 02-05-2021, 02:14 AM

That's SO pretty, MJ. I've wondered about how the sparkly watercolor paints look, and they look STUNNING.

How do you use gouache? Just like watercolor out of the tube?

sweetpinkpixie · 02-11-2021, 12:02 AM

I'm still giggling about frilly tacos...but omg MJ that occamy is stunning and I just love the medium so much. I don't know that I even knew there was such a thing as metallic watercolors or even what gouache was so I learned something new "today". Love your take on silver too. Just....stunning