Tomoko Konoike, Moon Bear, Hunter Gatherer Tableau (2018). Plywood, water-based stain, carving, 900 x 900.
Tomoko Konoike (Japanese, 1960)
House on a hill
I'm so glad people liked this drawing! I struggled a bit to get this one right so I thought I'd share my process for this.
Attempt 1 - The design of the house is a bit bland and unrealistic. I thought the tree came out ok but the grass in front of the house needed work. I also decided I wanted to add shadows through color instead of ink for the next attempt.
Attempt 2 - A much more interesting house but the grass still needs a bit work and I'm not happy with the new tree. Clouds are ok but uninteresting.
Attempt 3 - Improved the house a bit - rounded chimney, new roof and not as dark shadows. I also got rid of the wooden support beams sticking out of the roof. I'm working more with texture on the house this time. Improved the grass and I'm very happy with the new tree which got a lot more interesting in texture and dark/bright values.
Color - With some color I was able to divide this drawing into three areas of value - 1. The house + foreground, 2. The tree, 3. The sky. Added some simple shadows too. Lastly I created a layer with noise and a tiny splash of color as finishing touches.
That was my process drawing this house. Hope it was interesting and/or helpful!
Markings characteristic of the Southern Black Widow spider at various stages of its life cycle, including some variations.
Full text, including a detailed explanation of the plates on page 184 and 186, can be found here.
"The Foxes' Wedding" from A.B. Mitford's Tales of old Japan (1891).
Full text here.