Birthstone Angels Sketchbook

[Angela]

I'll be posting sketches and studies for the birthstone series I'm planning combining angelic themes with the flowers and gemstones for each month.  I am using the jeweler's list instead of the traditional, though I'm finding much inspiration in the Gregorian poems concerning the birthstones. Here they are, for the curious:

By her who in January was born
No gem save garnets shall be worn
They will ensure her constancy
True friendship and fidelity.

The February born shall find
Sincerity and peace of mind,
Freedom from passion and from care,
If they, the amethyst will wear.

By her who in March was born
No gem save Bloodstone shall be worn
They will ensure her constancy
True friendship and fidelity.

She who from April dates her years,
Diamonds shall wear,
lest bitter tears
For vain repentance flow.

Who first beholds the light of day
In spring's sweet, flower month of May
And wears an Emerald all her life
Shall be a loved and a loving wife.

By her who in June was born
No gem save Pearls shall be worn
They will ensure her constancy
True friendship and fidelity.

The gleaming Ruby should adorn,
All those who in July are born,
For thus they'll be exempt and free,
From lover's doubts and anxiety.

Wear a Peridot or for thee,
No conjugal fidelity,
The August born without this stone,
`Tis said, must live unloved; alone.

A maiden born when autumn leaves
Are rustling in September's breeze,
A Sapphire on her brow should bind;
To bring her joy and peace of mind.

October's child is born for woe,
And life's vicissitudes must know,
But lay an opal on her breast,
And hope will lull those woes to rest.

Who first comes to this world below
In dreary November's fog and snow,
Should prize the topaz amber hue,
Emblem of friends and lovers true.

If cold December gave you birth
The month of snow and ice and mirth
Place on your hand a turquoise blue;
Success will bless whate'er you do.

[Angela]

Weeeell I thought I'd start with December as it's my mother's birth month and that time of year when I make a holiday card for the family. The look of this angel was inspired by the Swedish celebration of Saint Lucia, the saint of light, where the eldest daughter of each household wears a crown of candles and carries food to their neighbors during the darkest part of December.  She brings light and hope, as Saint Lucia did during a time of famine.  I admit I'm inclined towards more pagan takes on Christmas figures, if only to get back to the roots of original Christmas decor inspired by Saturnalia themes.  The traditional symbols just seem so stale and commercialized to me.

I'll be doing these images in pieces and splicing them together from separate images in Photoshop.  Next comes the stained glass window inspired by Tiffany glass and the flowers of each month, in this case, white narcissus, poinsettia, and holly:D  As for colors, her wings are going to be themed after the birthstones of December, Turquoise and Blue Topaz, with the rest of her being in shades of red, white, and green.

I'm going to fry my brain on all the knots, candles, and details, but it will be fun!

[keivamp]

Can I request a September angel pretty please *begs*

[Angela]

Ehehe I will be doing all of the months eventually, but perhaps I can skip around if it suits me?  Aaah September sounds lovely with saphirre, forget-me-nots, and morning glories.

[keivamp]

hehe...guess what month i was born in..lol

[Angela]

Finally managed to squeeze drawing on this image between thesis revisions.  I'm scrambling to get this done in time to use as a Christmas card! 

Unfortunately, I got a little carried away on the stained glass window which is probably going to eat my brain with all the intersecting knots.  Notice the combination of the flowers for December, white Narcissus, poinsettia, and holly.  I'm posting the window by itself, since Ms. December is blocking all the good stuff in the full version.  With as awesome as the rose window came out, I'm going to be doing a series with just them alone.

It's all still pretty rough, but you get the jist!

[Angela]

Working double time to get this one done for Christmas. I'm trying to figure out what I want as far as colors. I know I must stick to the christmas colors and that I want her wings to be turquoise to match the birthstone. I just hope this is not so blaring!  It's also going to be more subtle when it's colored in watercolors.

What do you all think?  In the meantime, off I go to transfer this!

[Angela]

Trying a new style with this series!  I'm fully coloring the flesh tones in color pencil and then inking/watercoloring the rest for a more dimensional nouveau-esque style.  It's a gamble, but I think it will pay off!

[keivamp]

Looks great so far

[Angela]

woah got alot of work done on December today! This is the last update for now till watercoloring happens.  Celtic knots are fuuuun.

[Angela]

Got a little bit farther tonight.  I've started laying in the stained glass window layers.  My scanner ate ALL the yellow so it's so horribly orange when it's not in real life.  I've never painted stained glass so this is a big challenge for me. Not sure I like the way it's coming out.

[Angela]

WINGS!  Yes I'm horrible about actually doing things in order to obey the 'paint the background first' rule.  Bad llama. BAD!  The colors are coming out waay different than how I imagined them in my mind's eye, but perhaps it won't be so bad by the end? We'll see! I'm really working outside my comfort zone with this one. Gah!

[keivamp]

I believe it will look absolutely fantastic when you are done

[Angela]

Thanks   Now if I can just get it done in time for Christmas! *flails*

[Angela]

Just a couple of hours shy of finishing now!  The colors are still looking funky to me, but I am hoping the background color will tie it all together nicely. We will see!