Painting For My Muse

Wednesday, February 12, 2020

The Witcher Geralt of Rivia

In November of 2019 I purchased the Xbox One video game called The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. I never played the prior two games, however, I fell in love with the setting, story, and especially the characters. I discovered that the game was based on a bestselling book series by author Andrzej Sapkowski and that Netflix had just adapted the series into a tv show.

I binge watched the first season and started reading the first novel, The Last Wish. I really love the main character, the witcher known as Geralt of Rivia, the White Wolf and Butcher of Blaviken. I was pleasantly surprised to find out that Henry Cavill, the actor who plays Geralt on the Netflix show, is also in love with the witcher. He played the games, read the books, and advocated for the role. His dedication to the role and brilliant performance inspired me to create this painting.

Medium: Oil on Crescent cold press illustration board
Dated: 2020
Original size: 12"x 9"

All images are ™ & © dba Albrecht Illustrations. All rights reserved.

Friday, January 10, 2020

Young Flying Fox

I have always loved and been fascinated with bats. I have drawn them several times over the years, yet they have always been in flight with wings extended. This time I decided to challenge myself and draw a young flying fox hanging from a tree with its wings contracted.

Here it is in progress:

Medium: Graphite on sketch paper
Dated: 2020
Original size: 9"x 12"

Thursday, January 9, 2020

Snowy Owl in Flight

At the beginning of the year I joined an art group called 42 Sketches. The idea is to create sketchbook art everyday in order to both exercise the hand and form a habit. While writing my book, I had stopped working on art and so I joined the group to motivate myself.

This is a snowy owl in flight. It is the very first owl I have ever drawn. I have always admired owls but I let my fear of failure prevent me from attempting it. I loved working on this and I am happy with how it turned out!

Detail of the face

Medium: Graphite on sketch paper
Dated: 2020
Original size: 9"x 12"

Wednesday, January 8, 2020

Julius Caesar

Over the last year and a half I have been focused on writing my novel about Marc Antony which left me little time to draw. On New Year's Day, I joined an art group so I could be inspired to work on my art again while I write my book. I decided to work on a still life in order to get my hand "back in the game". It is fitting that my subject is Julius Caesar, since he does appear in my novel.

Here he is, in progress:

Added in pastel for shading

Medium: Prismacolor & pastel on Strathmore sketch paper
Dated: 2020
Original size: 8"x 10"

All images are ™ & © dba Albrecht Illustrations. All rights reserved.

Friday, January 3, 2020

See You Next Year!

My favorite winter icon is the snowman. I have a collection of them which I display every year for Christmas.

Medium: watercolor and acrylic on watercolor paper
Dated: 2020
Original size: 12"x 9"

All images are ™ & © dba Albrecht Illustrations. All rights reserved.

Thursday, January 2, 2020

Gaudium (The Angel of Joy) - Work In Progress

This illustration "Gaudium" is the third and final in my triptych series of Angels: "Peace, Love, and Joy".

Progress shots of my illustration. More soon.

Added her skin tone

Medium: Ink, watercolor, acrylic, and pastel on bristol paper
Dated: 2018
Original size: 9"x 7"

Thursday, October 31, 2019

Halloween Watercolor

These sketches were done in an art journal I had during my my high school years as a teenager. My photography instructor had us keep a journal and we had to turn in a minimum of 5 pages every week. The idea was to get your head in your creative side daily. It was a great exercise, one I should do more often. I walked on the "darker side" of life during these years and like Ministry's famous song, Halloween was everyday for me.

Medium: Watercolor on sketch paper
Dated: 1993
Original size: 8"x 6"