Post #501041 by Robb Hamel on Sun, Dec 27, 2009 6:07 PM

Thanks everyone SO, SO MUCH.

I now have my life back after 4 months and am trying to get back into the swing of creating.

Tiki Skip's wonderful wife Barbara commissioned this piece for him for X-mas. Even though I had sworn off art while I tried to pick up the Broken Pieces, the two of them had been supportive through the hard times and I was determined to do this one for them.

Here is my black paper sketch. I waffled and sketched for about a week before deciding to use a Witco-ized version of the font that Sam Gambino had used for Tiki Skip's very cool business card. The idea is to focus on the letters but give the impression of Tiki interior design, where John's (Skip's) lights belong.

I parked my easel next to my South-facing front window so I could get a decent amount of light, although the sun had set here.

The finished article. I tried to create something that sold John's Tiki name but still had enough visual interest to give it depth. I was very concerned about doing that bamboo background, but am glad I found the courage.

I didn't sign the piece on the front because I didn't want my name to compete, but John and Barb want it signed, so I'm not done yet!

DAMN - after looking at these pics, I can't believe how much the sketch looks like the final painting!