Friday, May 16, 2008

The Birth of a Garden Gnome

I have a thing for Garden Gnomes. I love the tacky little sweeties and can't wait to one day have a garden of my very own. It will be filled with brightly colored flowers, birds, bees and butterflies... and of course, a family of gnomes.

In the meantime... Meet Franz, the latest illustration on my drawing board.

I love how cute little sketches can be transformed into something vibrant and fabulous with only a quick touch of colored pencil.

Franz is a gnome that wants to be seen, and he pretty much dictated how he was going to look right from the beginning. I don't think I even used my eraser, as he just seemed to draw himself. I love when that happens.

I'm using Prismacolor pencils for this gnome, unlike most of my other illustrations which are done in Design Spectracolor. Since my coveted collection of Spectracolor pencils is dwindling quickly and I have not seen any on Ebay lately, I am weaning myself over to Prismacolor. They are working out just fine, so I don't think I will be too depressed when my lovely Spectracolors are all gone. It has been 10 years this April since they were discontinued, so I think they have had a good run!

I just love Franz's bright red rosy cheeks! And he has the loveliest blue eyes.

Franz is complete, but his garden background will be a surprise for you, as I'm not going to show you until my gnome collection is complete! Yup, I said collection. Don't worry... this little garden gnome wont be all alone...

He has a little wife called Gertie

And he has a little mushroom house to call home, sweet home.

I have big plans for these little gnomes and their little mushroom house. Not only will they be in my shop this summer, but they will be on my living room walls as well.

I just love them! And I think they will look fabulous next the prints I plan to buy from my favorite photographer, Lorissa Longfellow, at LJ Design and Photo.

Aren't they beautiful?

15 comments:

Rowan Willow said...

Ooo how I love gnomes...and mushrooms too. I can't wait to see more...I'll be waiting in suspense.

Rowan Willow
aka Tiffany

Rosebud Collection said...

What wonderful Gnomes..I think they are so cute..They seem so happy to me and living in a cute mushroom house..
Now that is living..

Lorissa J. Longfellow said...

I love the gnomes! What a sweet family you've started.
And thank you so much for your wonderful comments about my work. Our houses are going to start looking strikingly similar because all the artwork will be the same. I'm going to collect more of yours for my new family room soon.

Winklepots said...

Very cute Marisa! Can't wait to see the "collection." :o)

Anne said...

What a cute little couple!!!! Franz looks like quite the industrious woodsman, and Gertie the ultimate housewife. And they get on beautifully in their little mushroom house. I can't wait to see more!!

Cathy said...

Your gnomes are gorgeous! I still marvel at your talent! I so wish I could draw like that!!

Hyla said...

I LOVE the gnomes!

Katie L. said...

those gnomes are adorable! can't wait to see what you have in store for them :)
My best drawings are always the ones that just come out fast, like they were meant to be, so I know what you mean :)

Lisa Abdul-Quddus said...

Your work is lovely!

Unknown said...

I like gnomes too! It was fun reading about how you create and the whole process!

Tatyana said...

Hello you have been tagged blog buddy!

You know the drill, 7 obscure facts, tag 7 people.

1. Link your tagger and list these rules on your blog.
2. Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird.
3. Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs.
4. Let them know they are tagged by leaving a comment on their blog

Anonymous said...

Aww I love the little mushroom in his hands.

Carry Grace said...

So cute! Can't wait to see the rest!

Unknown said...

no need or no words i get to write after i saw your blog , nice blog , i suppose are you very busy with your work ,these lines is saying by your work , nice work you have done.

keep it up in forward direction

god bless you

Anonymous said...

Your gnome is great!! I am always so impressed with your color pencil skill! Do you just keep layering?! It is just a gorgeous technique!

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