Latest Artwork, "Justice", and a Tutorial of One Artist's Process

"Justice" by Mary Layton

78 Tarot Project

Here is the final version of my latest finished artwork, "Justice", for the 78 Tarot Project, as it will appear in finalized-card form.

When I started, I kept iterative scans of my progress, since the artists organizing the project had asked that we do so as it was thought people might like to view our progress.  I'd thought maybe I'd do a tutorial blog about it when I finished, in case anyone was interested in how I work.  After posting one of my progress scans on my Facebook Page, one of the admins asked if I would be interested in doing a guest-blog on the 78 Tarot site about my process.  So, I said 'sure'!  The post went live last night, so if you are interested in how "Justice" came to be, clicky the linky, below, to have a look!  I show and describe the progression from the initial scribble-y thumbnail sketch, through digital colour tests, to the finished work.

"Final Justice by Mary Layton - 78 Tarot"

O Hai!

Good grief! Has it really been over a year since I've posted anything?! That just goes to show that I am really pants at updating this blog. To be fair, since I've gone over to the dark side that is Facebook, I find it just so easy to do quick updates there. So, I'd love for anyone interested in what I'm up to to join me there: www.facebook.com/MaryLaytonArt. I'll try to do better about keeping a regular blog, too - but, at least you'll be able to keep up with me a bit better there. I'm also on twitter (www.twitter.com/Rhiamon), so feel free to follow.

I've most recently been playing around with my web site design, updating the look a bit. And, fixing some formatting issues that I'd let go for too long. This meant a 4 day fight with coding to suit the demands of IE. If you want something done simply, and you want it to show up properly on IE...fuggedaboutit. Simple coding commands that work on nearly every other browser will look hideous in IE, I've found. In any event, I seem to have managed to work around the issues, and my site now look presentable in IE, while still looking nice in other browsers. To celebrate, I decided to have a bit of a sale, and if you subscribe to my newsletter, you'll already be aware of it. The sale lasts until the end of the month and gets you 25% off your order at www.marylayton.net - including clearance items. Use code SUMMER25 at checkout. Speaking of clearance items....

Acrylic-cab cameos are on offer, as I am discontinuing them. The reason I am doing this is that I have recently signed a licensing contract with Indigo Art Services for gorgeous porcelain cameos. I've received my artists samples and they are really lovely! They are larger than the acrylic cameos and therefore show off the artwork much better. IAS are also doing mugs with wrap-around designs - these are generously sized at 15 oz. Both the cameos and mugs are available on the site, and if you are a retailer, you can order them wholesale to carry in your shops from IAS. Also, if you enter code 110502 at checkout at IAS, you get a free gift with an opening order of $75.

I have been doing some art shows lately, which is a bit new for me. I am often asked when I'll be at Faeriecon or other big shows, but I haven't done many shows at all so far, and am a bit terrified of the big ones! I need some experience, you see. So, in March I entered the art show at Stellarcon and had a great time! Met some neat people, made some sales, and lost a bit of my fear. Since then, I've done 2 other local events, Parisian Promenade and Greensboro Summer Solstice Celebration, and I am really enjoying it. I will be appearing in August at the August Art Oasis on Davie Street in Greensboro NC and am looking forward to it. I still don't know if I'm ready for Faeriecon yet, but maybe next year.

I'll leave you with some eye-candy - one of the porcelain cameos, one of the mugs, and my current work-in-progress:

I haz a tattoo

Yesterday was the Solstice and since my friend Wendy was appearing at the Greensboro Solstice Celebration I toddled along and got myself a tattoo. A henna one, that is. Wendy made me a lovely fae creature to wear for a couple of weeks and glittered it up for me:


When I scraped the paste off, it was a very light pumpkin orange, almost too light to make out, but henna darkens over time. Here is how it looked this morning:


I have been working on the Mistress of the Key some more - how about another progress shot? The blobs at the top are my palette for her hair colour:


I have since begun working on the flowers in her hair, so will hopefully finish her this week. Yes, I know a web site update is due - I'm on it! :P

Back and working

Back from the UK and had a lovely time visiting with family. We took lots of photos, and I shall post some next week sometime - I've still got to download and sort them.

In the meanwhilst, I posted a sketch of the new work in progress in my last entry, and I've been working more on it this week, so I'm posting an update of the work:

First, this is further progress after a chat session with some stellar artist acquaintances where the ladies shared some critique and ideas for making it a better piece.


Here is the piece in it's current state. I think all that's left is to finish the border, and do some touch-ups if needed.


Prints will be available, and there may be a coloured version as well at some point.

Went to see the new Star Trek film on Friday and quite liked it. VERY action-packed, though - almost too much so. Hubby and I have decided that we may need to see it a second time. :P

Happy Memorial Day - don't forget to take some time out to think of those in the armed forces who gave their lives in battle, and send out some positive vibes to those who are still in harm's way.