Another revised sketch

"Slash" & Stacey in each other's arms (c) Carmen Welsh

Here is my story couple. Wanted to give the image a sense of those love scenes from 30s films. I updated my female protagonist's features and her hair. She got a "permanent wave" as they called processed hair then. Like how my male protagonist did not vary much.

Another character...

Ok, so here's the BIG secret, although, if you're following me on social media, you may have already guessed it: I GOT INTO GRAD SCHOOL! Why is this important? Well, it's in Creative Writing, and since I get to submit drafts, read tons of stories, and rewrite projects I'm currently working on, this degree program is right up my alley!

Now, on with the show...

My male protagonist's father.
Like all else with this story, I am trying to multi-fold each character with a history, and not just for background sake, but with the intent that we are all woven into a fabric, and that each life is part of a tapestry.

"Antonio Di Castellan" by Carmen K. Welsh (c)

Take, for instance, Antonio's story - a native Italian, born ethnically a Gypsy, who later takes his inheritance to travel to the New World. His story is like millions, and this immigrant experience continues, wonderfully, to this day.

The history books gloss over things once a person steps off the boat, the ship, or the plane. Yet, luckily for writers, the story does not end there.

Here, I had creased the paper, to find it quickly in the sketchbook, and looking at the sketch, I now realize it almost resembles an Ellis Island photograph, so I'll keep the crease there.
This is a sketch that I will hopefully revise soon. I also studied Ellis Island pictures so that I could get the sense of what a man, recently from Italy, in the 1890s - 1900s, would wear.

I also added the earring because many Romany men do wear jewelry proudly.

"Don't cry, honey." (REVISED & ORIGINAL SKETCH)

"Don't cry, honey." Pencil sketch by Carmen K. Welsh

I originally posted this on Oct. 29, 2011. (Orig. 5 1/2in x 8 1/2in.)

For those following the blog, there has been a series of pencil sketches (and I apologize, some have been so faint) pulled from my novel draft.

After some soul-searching and researching through Sears, Roebuck & Co. catalogues, I decided to do a dark pencil-wash. Kind of like imitating the black-and-white days.

And the update (9in x 12in):

"Don't cry, honey." Ink and pencil-wash by Carmen K. Welsh

"Bascomb" & "Slash"

"Bascomb Thompkins" (c) by Carmen K. Welsh

"'Slash' Castellano" (c) by Carmen K. Welsh

Art again! Jeez, I really need more breaks! Was so drained, I couldn't even lift myself to do more image uploads to this blog.
But now I am back and, hopefully, in FULL FORCE.

Here are two characters from the dog novel (Yes, it is still being typed). The one on the left is my adorable Newfoundland (Yay, I like these dogs the same reason I like Saint Bernards and Great Pyrenees - the later used in an 80's Japanese anime "Belle & Sebastian"). As pups, these breeds tend to resemble bear cubs, and these dogs seem to know they are of immense size, and so, they are often good with children.

Bascomb is my straight-shooter, a down-to-earth guy. In the middle of the story, he meets my canine gang leader to the right.
Both men, though worlds apart, become fast friends. Yet, in spite of my dog gang boss' ties to the underworld, he does not try to besmirch his boxer friend.

I also have Boxers who are boxers, but I did not want to use the breed for my champion heavyweight character. Too obvious, done to death.
Also, though the Newfoundland is considered a gentle giant, I think, in a boxing match, could take on a Boxer any day! But, I digress. I don't want the dog lovers to come with torches and pitchforks!

'Slash in a pensive mood' & 'Love ya, Baby!' sketches

"Slash Castellano in a pensive mood" & "Love ya, Baby!"

The above images are titled 'Slash Castellano in a pensive mood' & 'Love ya, Baby!'.

I apologize for the light quality. The next pics after SHOULD be easier to view (especially since some will be inked).

On the left is my titular character, smoking and deep in thought. This is a gesture drawing as I tried to capture the light ash dripping from the cigarette.

On the right is my female protagonist with the same male character 'canoodling' (Their word, not mine!). Do some folks still use this term?

Let me know what you think. More to come this week!