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DySwann

Artist—Illustrator—Writer

Works in Progress

I use instagram to capture the various stages of my art projects.

dyswann

An illustrator struggling with depression and trying to complete therapeutic art. Posting various stages of current projects to keep accountable.

Completed! Can’t believe how quickly this piece

Completed! Can’t believe how quickly this piece was realized. So quick I still don’t have a name for it yet, which is rare for how I work. I can’t wait to frame this but unfortunately that will have to wait until this pandemic is over with.

Stage 2: Masking fluid over the drawing, gradation

Stage 2: Masking fluid over the drawing, gradation of several blue watercolor tubes covered in plastic wrap and left to dry overnight. Removed masking fluid to put finer lines masking fluid on again.

Struggling with bouts of depression is not being i

Struggling with bouts of depression is not being inspired to do the thing you love most for over a year, then all of a sudden being able to draw again....but knowing it will only last so long. A day. A week. Maybe a month before you are back to wanting to pour your soul out on paper but being trapped within. Again. And you have no idea when it will end.

Red eyed eel frog? Ha ha ha still thinking!

Red eyed eel frog? Ha ha ha still thinking!

New space koi! I decided to try another version of

New space koi! I decided to try another version of space koi and am really enjoying drawing them! I think many more might eventually follow.
Going to frame both of them and hopefully place them on display to sell in a pet store.

The whole purpose for this painting was to test a

The whole purpose for this painting was to test a new supply I bought, #masterstouch #laseriridescentpaste I found it at @hobbylobby (and could not pass up.) I just used it as an overlay after the watercolor was complete, but it definitely has a lot of promise! I was able to ink and watercolor over it too (watercolor splatters mostly). Can’t wait to use it in other pieces. Getting prints ready!! What do you think of the effect?

Space koi. Almost finished with this spontaneous p

Space koi. Almost finished with this spontaneous piece!

Framed! $60 for original piece, $8 for prints.

Framed! $60 for original piece, $8 for prints.

I’ve been so obsessed with bettas of late. I jus

I’ve been so obsessed with bettas of late. I just got two and want to build a special crystal tank for a special male betta. Decided I couldn’t wait for the real thing and drew this. I want to try some new watercolor techniques!

Done!!! Turtutterfly! Ha ha ha try saying that fiv

Done!!! Turtutterfly! Ha ha ha try saying that five times, fast! Original piece is $50, 8.5 x 11 inch prints $8 plus shipping! Want a 13 x 19 print? Send me a message, $20. Original piece has shimmer watercolor that prints won’t be able to replicate.

Betta Sphynx - #bettafish #coloredpencils #paulrub

Betta Sphynx - #bettafish #coloredpencils #paulrubenswatercolor #shimmerwatercolor #sphynxcatbreed #sphynxkitty #watercolor
#bettafish #coloredpencils #paulrubenswatercolor #shimmerwatercolor #sphynxcatbreed #sphynxkitty #watercolor
___________________________________ $110 (for the original painting) - 17.75 in. x 17.75 in. — FINISHED!! I love combining creatures and since doing Betta Frog and Salamaxolotl I kept wanting to do a cat version. A sphynx made the most sense! Anyone want to adopt this little creepy cutie? ___________________________________ You can follow my art on IG, FB, Twitch, or YouTube: https://www.instagram.com/dyswann https://www.facebook.com/DySwannArt https://www.twitch.tv/dyswann https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCob_gaRe-ZxMRZOqFEcdbfw Or you can buy me a coffee, which will go towards replacing art supplies damaged from a house fire: http://ko-fi.com/dyswann

Betta Frog - #bettafish #bettafrog #coloredpencils

Betta Frog - #bettafish #bettafrog #coloredpencils #frog #paulrubenswatercolor #shimmerwatercolor #watercolor
#bettafish #bettafrog #coloredpencils #frog #paulrubenswatercolor #shimmerwatercolor #watercolor
___________________________________ $80 (for the original painting) — FINISHED!! I love combining creatures and for my first attempt I was really feeling betta fish and frogs; two creatures that enamored me as a child. Back then betta fish were called siamese fighting fish and I remember having two, not at the same time. I also loved herps (reptiles and amphibians), and had a zoo of them all throughout my life! ___________________________________ You can follow my art on IG, FB, Twitch, or YouTube: https://www.instagram.com/dyswann https://www.facebook.com/DySwannArt https://www.twitch.tv/dyswann https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCob_gaRe-ZxMRZOqFEcdbfw Or you can buy me a coffee, which will go towards replacing art supplies damaged from a house fire: http://ko-fi.com/dyswann

Salamaxolotl - # $80 (for the original painting)

Salamaxolotl -
#
$80 (for the original painting) - I realize that an axolotl is a salamander, but I really just wanted to combine a not aquatic salamander with an axolotl. I have always thought terrestrial salamanders had the most adorable faces. . . . . . . . . . . . . You can follow my art on IG, FB, Twitch, or YouTube: https://www.instagram.com/dyswann https://www.facebook.com/DySwannArt https://www.twitch.tv/dyswann https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCob_gaRe-ZxMRZOqFEcdbfw Or you can buy me a coffee, which will go towards replacing art supplies damaged from a house fire: http://ko-fi.com/dyswann

Warzone # “My body is a battlefield, my mind the

Warzone
#
“My body is a battlefield, my mind the war zone.” Piece I originally created to emphasize the difference between mental and physical suffering. On the outside she looks unharmed; no marks, bruises, or cuts, but inside her mind is turbulent and going through something volatile. The background represents more about what's going on inside her than her outward appearance. The act of cutting up the piece was to further the concept of brokeness, but then the piece's original idea of a 'flawless' body feels weakened since the viewer has a harder time seeing her body as untouched. Warzone 2019 12 in x 18 in Watercolor, Ink, Micron Pen, Colored Pencil

Doing one of my experimental pieces of a butterfly

Doing one of my experimental pieces of a butterfly turtle. These pieces are a way for me to clear my mind, let watercolor be free, and just to have fun! Butterflurtle? Tuttlefly?

Selling 13x19 prints of these pieces to raise mone

Selling 13x19 prints of these pieces to raise money for super specialty printing on the Three Lives series! Get your 13x19 inch print for only $20. Price does not include shipping. What prints would you like to see in the future?
Http://dyswann.com/shop

Foolish Deeds # “Wretched is what they call me,

Foolish Deeds
#
“Wretched is what they call me, Wickedness lies deep within. This foolish pride of one who’s died Over and over again. This creature that beats within me, Giving me life anew, Not only brings life, but death and strife, And mocks me in the end. In a despairing moment, I do a drastic deed. To end the divide and confusion inside, I tear this creature free. My body grows cold and weary As I stare at my own beating heart. To my dismay, the evil remains And it seems the joke is on me.” Poem 2005 (Original) 2019 (Edited) Foolish Deeds 2018 - 2019 13 in x 23.5 in Acrylic, Ink, Gouache, Liquid Gold Leaf, Stamps, Colored Pencil This piece is a reimagining of the original ‘Foolish Deeds’ artwork done in 2005. While the imagery has evolved I wanted to stay true to my original concept’s color scheme of red, blue, white, and gold.

Haven’t decided if I should call this piece Warz

Haven’t decided if I should call this piece Warzone or Battlefield. The caption is, “my body’s a war zone, my mind the battlefield.” This is not the framed version, which will look different, but will still be sliced up.

I’m excited to have finished painting this piece

I’m excited to have finished painting this piece. I now need to wet the back and press the paper so it’s flat, scan it into the computer for online purposes and then frame it. Framing this piece will be done in a unique way and I can’t say this piece is complete until it’s framed. Everything will come together and I think it will be even more powerful in the end.

Working on this piece as I wait for paints to dry

Working on this piece as I wait for paints to dry on my Anne piece. @pebeo smudged my paper again. :/

Masking fluid is off! I need to find a better solu

Masking fluid is off! I need to find a better solution to remove #pebeo @pebeo masking fluid; my paper always gets smudged. Thankfully a wonderful watercolor group on FB shared their issues with this drawing gum and made some good suggestions, just nothing that works for me long term. Still a ways to go!

Starting the watercolor process! Learning experien

Starting the watercolor process! Learning experience with this paper, but am liking the results so far, just need to take a different approach! Can’t wait to remove the drawing gum, but still have some things to do before that stage. #anneofgreengables #anneofgreengableswatercolor #sennelier

My first time working with arches hot press paper,

My first time working with arches hot press paper, have no idea what to expect!

Have been MIA and getting over a bad bug, but in m

Have been MIA and getting over a bad bug, but in my illness I started this drawing of red haired Anne. Don’t know where it’s going but excited about the possibilities. Who else loves Anne of Green Gables?

Old Times - # This was the first piece I drew of

Old Times -
#
This was the first piece I drew of Three Lives; it was the first time the characters had faces. For this piece I decided to focus on a private moment between Perdita and Constantine - away from the palace, free from shackles, and spying eyes. I used this piece to imagine what their relationship looked like when not forced into roles and instead of the guard serving/saving the princess, the princess is crowning her guardian with beauty and femininity. I've gone into color theory details on each character's individual pages: purples for Perdita and blues for Ermingild), but in this image Constantine has chosen what she's wearing instead of being in royal uniform. For some reason it was harder to come up with her color scheme than I originally hoped. Instead of going deep into color theory - like the character vignettes - I wanted her to appear humble, so chose drabber colors. I also wanted her to have leather armor pieces mixed in with worn silver. I played around with a few color washes and certain tints just weren't working for me. Remembering that I added a bit of red for Ermingild, to represent passion, I decided to do the same for her. But it was important that the red was muted and less vibrant than his. Once the reds, leathers and tans were in place I decided to go with a muddy chartreuse; not my first choice but there were certain colors I was avoiding (purples, whites, blues, golds and certain tans and neutrals), so that left me with green. Background Since this a single image in a series of five, I wanted to make stylistic backgrounds that had a clear uniformity to them, while still offering an option of character customization. I've always loved stained glass and decided it would be a fitting frame.

WIP - “my body is a war zone, my mind is the bat

WIP - “my body is a war zone, my mind is the battlefield”. I just painted my inked drawing with drawing gum. I’m still unsure of how this piece will progress. Just a few ideas but nothing solid yet.

Finished!! Catffee to go!! This was really fun to

Finished!! Catffee to go!! This was really fun to do!!! So cute!!! I’m on a roll with these non conceptual pieces and it feels good to create. :)

Work in progress; A little ‘thank you’ for let

Work in progress; A little ‘thank you’ for letting me show my work at their coffee shop in Feb!! @timshel_coffee_norristown

Continuing with the watercolor free painting; Bett

Continuing with the watercolor free painting; Betta Sphynx!! Combination betta fish and sphynx cat breed! Kinda creepy yet strangely cute.

please excuse the glare from the glass but I haven

please excuse the glare from the glass but I haven’t had time to scan the finished foolish deeds piece. I cut it so close for my first show I pretty much had to matt and frame it right after I put the finishing touches on. I have another show coming up this week and won’t be able to scan it until it’s over in March, so hopefully next month I’ll have time to remove it and scan it properly so I can put it up on my website. I’ve had multiple offers on this piece which is strange and exciting!

Still working through Old Times!

Still working through Old Times!

Salamaxolotl - $80 (for the original painting) - I

Salamaxolotl - $80 (for the original painting) - I realize that an axolotl is a salamander, but I really just wanted to combine a non aquatic salamander with an axolotl. I have always thought terrestrial salamanders had the most adorable faces . . . . . . . . . . . . You can follow my art on IG, FB, Twitch, or YouTube: https://www.instagram.com/dyswann https://www.facebook.com/DySwannArt https://www.twitch.tv/dyswann https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCob_gaRe-ZxMRZOqFEcdbfw Or you can buy me a coffee, which will go towards replacing art supplies damaged from a house fire: http://ko-fi.com/dyswann

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Recent Posts

The Abysm
Warzone
Foolish Deeds
Old Times
Perdita

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