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Drawing Atuan (Cont.): Creative Platypus

As I'm continuing to play with my Prismacolor brush-tip markers, my next experiment has been with layering. I'm used to working with whiteboard markers, and they do not mix without fouling up one or both markers. The Prismacolors, on the other hand, layer nicely without rubbing off on one another. Placing more or less pressure on the marker also changes the opacity. Goodness, I'm scared of markers! They don't allow for mistakes. After talking with several of my students, however, I've come to realize that I fear my tools and that has to change. I don't fear the paints when I'm working with miniatures (Warhammer, 40K, LotR) and that's why I'm able to achieve some actual competency with them. Now it's time to gain that confidence for the rest of the visual arts.

So here's today's picture: the Priestess Thar from Ursula K. Le Guin's The Tombs of Atuan. Thar is one of the sympathetic characters in the work. We get the idea that serving as a priestess has not broken her spirit so much as tempered it. She is a fitting foil for her opposite number, the embittered and power-hungry Kossil.

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