Montage of Epic Randomness

Okay, maybe that title is giving the piece too much credit. lol

May I begin by saying gouache is . . . interesting. Likes: texture and manipulation is similar to watercolor, pigment is very vibrant. Dislikes: rub over it a few strokes too many and you have a white surface. I mean, for effects, the add water disappearing act is fantastic. For editing purposes, not so much. Messing around with the painting should not be done lightly. What is my overall feeling regarding gouache? Eh, it's alright. I like it enough. I just need more experience with it. I personally think this was kind of a big undertaking for a first project using gouache after little practice. I need to make time to practice on my own. Oh well, Honest Abe will be practice enough. *nod nod*

So, about this piece . . . I have no idea. XD When asking for random subject matter suggestions, Rusty brilliantly suggested Bela Lugosi. My first thought, "*GASP* Yeeeeeeeeeeessssssss!" Had to be done. :) Then, asking my fellow art buddies what would have nothing to do with classic Count Dracula, they suggested the farthest thing: a cupcake. It made me smile. Then the other random thing became a koi fish. Just for giggles. By the way, if you ever do a Google image search for "koi fish" there is about one good, actual photo. The rest are tattoo designs. So, these three items morphed together to become the randomness that IS my interpretation of the three piece montage.

I did some tweaking of details and I think they have immensely improved the piece. I'm sure there is much more to do, but I've come to the point where I feel I will really mess this lil bugger up if I do much else. I know "I like it" isn't valid under any circumstance, but hey, I like it. :D

Thanks all! Cheers and have a good week!

Three piece montage, baby. Dracula, cupcakes, and koi. It doesn't get much better than this. XD 

Abe! We have to present and get color comps approved of an Abe Lincoln illustration for a local contest assignment. I imagine Abe gets a lil bored sitting in D.C. day in and out. So . . . give him an iPod. Rusty says he's listening to rock.
 Hahahaha . . . :D P.S. Color on background will NOT look like that. Much smoother transition.

Feast your eyes, my dear children. THIS is Rusty Nelson verification and approval. :D