Paige Rajnus Art

Quick pic to update you on the chipmunk drawing! You can see some texture developing now on the trees. Can't wait to have more of this done!

As you can see, I am working in sections starting on the right side. I'm left handed, so it helps to keep the smudging down by working right to left. 😉

A couple pics of the drawing as it's going through those early stages! Some close ups of Chipmunk #2 and then a wider shot that actually only shows half of the full drawing! Sometimes I feel like this is the "ugly stage" as I am just working out where to put things and starting to flesh out shapes and lighting. But I am happy with how the critters are looking so far and that gives me the motivation to keep pushing through. 😂

A card in progress! Here you can get an idea of the scale of each card, which measure approximately 4.5x6" and have a hand-torn edge where I carefully tore a larger piece of watercolor paper in half.

Fun fact: all of these cards are made using references photos I shot myself! The picture for this painting was shot in none other than Yellowstone National Park, my favorite location for wildlife. One of the best places to watch elk rut is in Mammoth Hot Springs, and I try to go every September to witness the magic and try to capture some of it! This six pointer bull just looked so majestic and I'm thrilled to bring him to life on paper 🧡

What is this? A new drawing in the works? You betcha! This is going to be a big graphite pencil drawing, and I am so excited about the concept! Here you can see me working out the composition and starting to flesh out our main character, Mr. Chipmunk.

I recently took some great reference pictures of a chipmunk on a charred log, and was inspired to play with similar themes seen in my bear drawing. I want to show both the damage and the bounty that results from forest fire. The idea is to have a mini burnt landscape, but with some beautiful morel mushrooms sprouting up from the ashes (which has attracted some chipmunks looking for a delicious snack)! 🍄 🐿️

Here is the finished watercolor of the Chariot (pika edition)! This archetype represents determination and overcoming challenges; I felt like the pika was a perfect example of this, because they live in such difficult environments and yet manage to thrive. For instance, the Himalayan large-eared pika lives at elevations of over 20,000 feet! To make it through harsh mountain winters, pika collect plants for food and store them under rocks to munch on later.

In this painting, you can see the little bunch of grass and leaves the pika has gathered. What an inspiring example of conquering difficulty and mastering one's environment! Go little pika, go! 👏