Selina Fenech's Blog, page 7
August 3, 2016
15 Fabulous Fantasy Figurines New from Selina Fenech
A while ago, I licensed my artworks to a couple of companies for the creation of figurines based on my work. Since then they’ve been working hard behind the scenes sculpting the designs and confirming colours, and they have been creating such beautiful work! Some of these designs are available already, and the rest are available for pre-order. I don’t keep these in stock myself because I just don’t have the storage space, so the best place to order these is the wonderful Fairy Glen store.
Shop for Selina Fenech Figurines at Fairy Glen
Just check out these beauties!
Look at those bubbles! Makes me want to take a bath right now.
This one is a wall plaque designed for hanging on your wall.
I love the way they have coloured Fairy Wishing Well, beautiful work, don’t you agree?
Check out that tiny key!
I just adore the use of transparent materials in these figurines. So magical!
Guardian was released as a figurine many years ago and sold out, leaving many people trying to find one of this rare design. It’s now available again!
Impossible Love is also available again!
This version of Littlest Fairy is super sweet.
Another wall plaque style design, this Motherhood figurine is ready to hang.
Shimmer is the perfect fairy guardian to watch over you from her tower.
Just look at this face. This face! Isn’t she the sweetest thing?
Designed as a book end, this is one of my favourites. It just makes me feel as though I’m really underwater with her.
Okay. Seriously. How awesome is this? Threshold has got a built in light! I can’t wait to get my hands on one of these, it’s going to make the perfect nightlight for my daughter.
The waves in this design blow me away. How cool is this? Something so magical about this design, like they’ve frozen real tiny waves in place.
Winged Things turned out so elegant and magical. She’s quite a tall figurine and so majestic!
Can you tell I’m excited and head over heels in love with these? Because I am! I mean, what an excellent job the artists at the figurine companies have done! I’m in absolute awe.
Which design is your favourite?
The post 15 Fabulous Fantasy Figurines New from Selina Fenech appeared first on Selina Fenech - Enchanting Hearts with Fantasy Worlds.
July 13, 2016
Goddess and Mythology Coloring Book for Adults is Finished
I’m so proud to announce the publication of my 7th colouring book (not including mini or greyscale editions)!
Goddess and Mythology Coloring Book features goddesses from all over the world, including Antheia, Aphrodite, Arianrhod, Athena, Blodeuwedd, Cerridwen, Coventina, Diana, Echo, Fidelma, Gaia, Guanyin, Horned God and Goddess, Ishtar, Isis, Lady of the Lake, Morrigan Triple Goddess, Nuwa, Oshun, Rhiannon, Selene, Shiva and Parvati, Tempestas, Valkyrie, Wiccan god and goddess.
Check out all the designs below (click to enlarge!)-
My new book is available now on Amazon, with more stores coming soon!
I’ve also been so flat out with work, it seems I forgot to also announce the release of my previous colouring book, Mythical Mermaids! It’s the second collection of my mermaid images, and includes more darker, adult, and pin up style mermaids. You can also find it on Amazon, or in my store here-
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Coloring Book – Mythical Mermaids
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May 26, 2016
Greyscale Colouring – A new way to enjoy adult coloring
If you’ve been enjoying my coloring* books and you’re looking for a way to up your coloring game, you might be interested to try out my new Grayscale Coloring Editions! These books contain the same artworks as my existing coloring books, but printed as grayscale versions of the original paintings rather than recreated as new outlined versions. There are two books out already, and more coming soon! What exactly is grayscale coloring? Read on to find out and try a free sample yourself…
Grayscale Coloring- Unlike traditional outlined coloring
Grayscale coloring offers a different coloring experience than normal outlined designs. Coloring over a grayscale artwork where the tonal values are already in place means most of the shading has been done for you, creating much richer final creations like magic.
How Does Grayscale Coloring Work?
Begin by coloring a single color over an entire area, just as you would fill a blank space in a traditional coloring book, and the grayscale image underneath does the work of shading for you. Advanced colorists can use the grayscale values as a guide to layering their own choices of light and dark colors. Working with a grayscale image is very similar to how artists work with monochrome or grisaille underpaintings, and is a great way to help train your eyes and hands to understanding values and creating beautiful artworks.
Tips…
If you coloring pencils or mediums are too opaque or waxy and are covering up the grayscale image too much, practice varying how heavily you apply them. Sometimes you may need them thicker in the darker areas (when using a dark color), and sometimes you might need them thinner, allowing more black to show through (when using a lighter color), depending on the color you are using.
Work from dark to light. Lighter pencils can be waxy and prevent darker colors holding, and using light last over darker colours will help blend all the colors together.
Always keep your pencils well sharpened, you’ll get better results with less effort.
Try picking a light, medium, and dark color for each area and use the grayscale image as a guide for where to place them. The three shades don’t need to be the same color, for example, try lemon yellow for light areas, orange for medium, and red or purple for shadows. This is a great combination for skin.
To avoid skin looking muddy from the gray image underneath, use an orange-red color for the darker areas of skin, around fingers, toes, knees, elbows, shoulders, lips, cheeks, and nose to give the skin life.
A colorless blending marker can help blend colored pencils and remove some of the waxy shiny.
Instead of using black, try a very dark green, blue, or purple for the darkest areas for a more mystical look.
Ready to try it for yourself?
Not everyone likes grayscale coloring as it’s a different style to normal outlined coloring and requires a different way of working. So here’s are two free printable sample pages so you can try out grayscale coloring and see if it’s for you. I hope you love the results you get! Just click the image to download the full size.
Ready to try out a book?
There are two grayscale edition books out now, with more coming soon. You can get Fairy Art Grayscale Edition Coloring or Mermaids Grayscale Edition coloring from Amazon, or direct from me in Australia from my shop below.
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Coloring Book – Grayscale Fairy Art
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*coloring, colouring, grayscale, greyscale! UK and US english differences are making my head spin! I publish in US english but I’m a UK english user naturally, so forgive me if I switch between the two sometimes!
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May 4, 2016
Experimenting and Moon Boats
If you’ve been following my Facebook or Instagram feed, you’ll know I’ve been experimenting for a while now. Trying new media, trying new styles, trying to re-find myself I suppose.
A lot of my artworks these days start from nothing. No idea, no inspiration. Just me and a blank canvas and a pencil-brush-marker-whatever drawing tool I feel like at the time. And I just start drawing and see what happens. Or just start painting. Sometimes it doesn’t work and gets left behind to maybe come back to later (I’ve had a couple of “resurrections” of such pieces that then turned into something lovely). Every one has been a lesson in some way.
I’ve been trying to document the process a bit more, but I’ve never been a very methodical person. So basically I sometimes remember to snap photos. I wanted to share the series of photos from my recent painting, Moon Boat.
Stage One
I was excited to score some 12×16 inch cradled wooden panels at a local craft store which is nigh unheard of here in Australia. Even a lot of the big art stores don’t stock them. So yay! I decided I wanted to try mixing a whole bunch of mediums on it, so I primed the board with Daniel Smith’s watercolor ground. Then I splashed a bunch of watercolour paint on it. Then some salt to try and draw out some texture. The paint didn’t hold very well to the ground. I’ve used it a bunch of times and never been very happy with the results, but I know others who love it… Maybe I’m not using it right, or got a dodgy batch? I was hoping to have more texture than this to start with, that could be the backdrop for whatever I painted over the top, but oh well, moving on.
Stage Two
I’ve decided on a Moon Boat concept for the panel, and do a blue wash to head down a more purpley colour range. I mark out a sphere then roughly apply gold leaf sizing in the shape of a crescent moon and water, then apply pure silver leaf to it. I’ve been enjoying adding some gold and silver leaf to my works. Because shiny.
I realise afterwards I really should have sketched in my figure first and I’ve made some problems for myself, but that’s what you get with this rather unplanned and impromptu method. There is something to be said for careful planning!
Stage Three
I sketch out the figure, based on a reference photo. I only have the top half of a body to reference, so drawing the feet is hard and I spend a long time twisting my own feet at weird angles to try and see how they should look. The watercolor ground continues to annoy me. A tiny drop of water got on her shoulder and lifted the paint right off it. I also have to sketch so softly or it digs into the ground. But I’m happy with the look of the figure at this stage. Still don’t know what else I’m doing with other details yet. Working unplanned like this is a process of Take Action – Ask “What next?” – Take Action – Ask what next, etc etc.
Stage Four
I add a string of bells and some flowers because I’m now sure what else to add. I like bells and flowers. They’re my go to.
I want to finish this artwork in oils, so I make a grayish-purplish-brownish glaze and apply it all over, then sponge some bits back off with tissue for texture. I use the same colour I mixed for the glaze and some white to start adding form to the figure. The oil paint is taking well to the board, except where the silver leaf is.
Stage Five
I continue building form for the figure, her hair, and dress. I’m working mostly in greys, then start to add some warmth to her skin with reds. I have a very limited palette of oil paints so far, just two yellows (warm and cool), two blues (likewise), two reds (you get the picture), black, white, paynes grey (which is just a must have for me always), raw sienna, and burnt umber. I’ve done all my oil paintings thus far with just these. I’m using Liquin as my main medium for mixing.
Stage Six
I continue to apply layers to the painting. By this stage it’s probably had 5 layers/work sessions on it with drying between. I’m still learning oils, and tend to make areas too dark, and then make them too light when trying to adjust that, and then make them too dark again, spending more time than I need to. But I’m starting to get used to them and enjoy the feel of them as I paint. Still trying to work out how to get other mediums working with it. How lovely would this look if the original watercolor wash had held to the background and showed through around the figure?
I decide to call the artwork done at this point. The ground I used initially is still feeling a bit fragile and I don’t want to poke it too much. I also quite like the raw look it still has at this stage. Sometimes so much freshness and energy is lost from the sketch stage the refining process.
Stage Seven
The raw scan, straight from the scanner without any cleaning or color adjustment. It’s a lot more pale and purple than my photos from my smart phone, which is a bit more true to how it appears in real life, but it still needs some adjusting. The scan won’t be able to capture the way the silver flashes in the light either.
Stage Eight
I’ve been wanting to try and include words into my artworks, and this moon boat image seemed like a great one to experiment with. I came up with a phrase for it, and decided to try a hand written approach rather than just adding text digitally (great idea, from someone with terrible handwriting and no calligraphy training!). I wasn’t quite game to write directly on the original so I sketched it out on a sketchbook page with a copic marker pen. I didn’t rule lines or anything, which is a great indicator of the “not being very methodical” thing I was talking about before, but I kind of wanted that more rustic feel. If I wanted perfect calligraphy, well, I’d just use a font. I scan the words in and apply them over the artwork in photoshop while I clean and color correct the image. I also apply a splatter of starts digitally, because I’m too chicken to do it to the original.
Stage Nine- Final
And here is the final artwork. She was a bit of a crazy experiment from start to finish, but I do like how she ended up.
I learned lots during the process about all the different mediums I tried and how I could have done things better that I can apply to future works, so that’s the most valuable part for me.
The “Moon Boat” original painting (sans words and stars) is up for auction now.
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Original Painting – Moon Boat
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April 27, 2016
Memory’s Wake Trilogy Audio Books
Production for audio books of all three novels in my Memory’s Wake trilogy is now complete. It’s been a wonderful experience creating these with narrator Em Eldridge. Hearing my stories brought to life is amazing, and there were lots of moments while listening through during production where I had to stop and wonder, “Wow, I wrote that?!” Maybe it’s the narration that makes it so much more alive, but I’m feeling really proud of this story right now. And it made me miss the characters so much *sniff*
Here’s a teaser video I created with some snippets from all three of the Memory’s Wake books-
You can get all three books individually through Audible or Amazon, or get them as a box set all together for a great price! Audible members can get the books as part of their subscription, and ebook readers can get a huge discount on the price through the WhisperSync program on Amazon.
Audible Code Giveaway!
All gone! As of this edit there are still 3 codes left on my matching Facebook giveaway if you are quick! I’ve got 15 Audible coupon codes to give away here! Comment below about why you love audio, or want to try it out, and the first 15 to do so will get an Audible coupon heading their way! (Be sure to enter your email address correctly when posting your comment, because that’s how I’ll be contacting you!)
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April 5, 2016
New Release, New Covers, and Coloring Book Sale
My newest release, Gothic – Dark Fantasy Coloring Book, is out now and is also now in stock here at selinafenech.com (or here for Amazon)
As part of this new release, I’ve redesigned and updated the covers of all of my coloring book range. Don’t they look pretty? An improvement on the old design?
!!!SALE!!!
Now what am I to do with all of my stock of books with the old covers? Put them on sale of course! All the large size books have been reduced from $14.95 to $9.95 AUD. That’s about $7.40 USD, and these books come SIGNED from me (with a bunch of other goodies!). Minis is also on sale. Check them all out below!
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Coloring Book – Gothic Dark Fantasy
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Coloring Book – Magical Minis Pocket Sized Coloring Sampler
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Coloring Book – Fairy Companions Coloring Collection
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Coloring Book – Enchanted Magical Forests Coloring Collection
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Coloring Book – Mermaids Calm Ocean Coloring Collection
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Coloring Book – Fairy Art
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January 12, 2016
Goodbye 2015. Oh, hi there 2016!
Well, that was quick, wasn’t it? Here we are, starting a new year again. This is the time that I like to look back at the previous year and everything it involved to remind myself that it didn’t all just pass by in the blink of a eye. I actually did things! Did I do the things I had planned to? Well, let’s have a look…
>> Check out my 2014 wrap up post
The Year of Colouring
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room first of all. This year, regardless of my other plans, became all about colouring books. I spent literally half the year, or more, just designing colouring books. I already had one out, my simple Fairy Art colouring book, and worked on and off through the beginning of the year on my Mermaids colouring book which was released in June. And then, things exploded. Mermaids started hitting bestseller lists on Amazon and selling like nay-nays. I have to admit I was, and am still, shocked at how much people loved it. And everyone was asking for more, so being the kind that wants to please, I dropped all other projects and the rest of the year became colouring book central. I published another two colouring books over the following months, Enchanted (forest themed) and Fairy Companions. And then I created a Mini pocket sized sampler book with samples from the other four. Enchanted also zoomed up the charts, and even now Mermaids and Enchanted fight each other over the number 1 place in their category on Amazon-
But what else did I do?
The beginning of the year was a big milestone for me, finishing my Memory’s Wake trilogy with the release of Providence Unveiled. Once the three books were out and complete, I also released an Omnibus edition, the audio book of Memory’s Wake, and the Companion Guide which was designed for people who read on ebook or listen to audio book, but still want a way to get all the illustrations.
What I didn’t do in 2015 was much of any kind of writing. I had hoped to get the next Empath Chronicles story finished and released, but it got put aside for colouring book work. I did get some time to do a little brainstorming and plotting work (it’s easy to let my mind wander through ideas while outlining colouring pages!) that have helped my plans for the Empath Chronicles and other stories I want to write… but no actual writing done.
I did only a little bit of new art-
A lot of little or experimental artworks which I auctioned along with the Queen of Wands artwork for 78 Tarot and Gift of Starlight, the original of which is for sale now. And of course, my whole website here got a huge make over so I could have a shop here, especially for my original paintings!
Back in April-
I did an April Fools joke as I usually do, which was a bit of a flop because…
“I thought your name WAS Selena French!”
We also had some huge storms here which knocked out our power and phone for days, and straight after that I went into surgery to repair my umbilical hernia (being pregnant does all kinds of mess to your body!). The surgery was a quick and easy day surgery, but I didn’t count on requiring months after that to recover. Abdominal surgery, ouch.
I was recovered though just in time for my events for the year! I went to my usuals- Supanova, Winterfest, and Book Expo Australia, and added Sydney Comic-con to the list. Also in December I did a group market with my authors group which was fantastic!
Me, at Supanova, flipping out fangirl style at getting to meet Ed and Al!
Over all, I did manage to get a lot done in 2015, knocking off about half my list of projects I had planned before the tidal wave of colouring books hit. But I have to admit it’s been super fun riding that wave! My favourite part is seeing the finished coloured artworks everyone has been sending me, it’s amazing and inspiring to me seeing the colours people choose for my work. I love it!
How was your 2015? What do you have planned for 2016?
To be honest, I’m not sure of my plans for 2016. I plan to do some planning! So far, I’m partway through work on the next, yes, the next colouring book. It will be Gothic themed. I really do want to get back to some of my other passions that got neglected though, particularly writing and dollmaking. And of course, painting. I’ve been making more of an effort to do a little something creative every day, even if it’s just a 10 minute sketch or some story planning. And that’s felt good. I hope I can keep it up!
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November 19, 2015
Memory’s Wake – The Official Illustrated Companion Guide
It’s been a busy 2015, so busy, that this little gem in my collection never really got the fanfare that it deserved for when it was published back in June. I was looking at it again the other day and feeling I really was quite proud of it. So here I am, giving it a bit of proper spotlight!
It is, of course, “Memory’s Wake – The Official Illustrated Companion Guide”
I designed this book originally with one idea in mind…
What if people who read my story in ebooks want to have a hard copy of all the illustrations from the trilogy?
I wanted to create a book to solve that need. A beautiful collectors item which brings back the memory (teehee) of the story and world and characters.
As I started creating it, it became something more.
I started separating all the illustrations into groups- Characters, Worlds, Magic, Locations. And then I started writing. I chose all of my favourite quotes from the trilogy and included them. I wrote information and backstory on all the elements of the books. I included secret insight into what I was thinking as I wrote this tale. And it all came together into this beautiful celebration of all things Memory’s Wake. I flick through it and I’m instantly taken back into the story, back into the moments and emotions, and back with my characters again.
Here’s a sneak peak at the table of contents-
And here is what it looks like inside-
If you loved Memory’s Wake and want a way to revisit the characters and world again, whether you read on ebook or not, this is a great way to be taken back to Avall again and learn more about it at the same time. You can, of course, get them directly from me, signed, at http://selinafenech.com/shop/memorys-wake-illustrated-companion-guide/
Memory’s Wake – Illustrated Companion Guide
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Books and Decks
US$23.64 US$20.25
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If you’re not in Australia like me and want cheaper or faster shipping and don’t mind going without a signature (Pssst! I’m planning on offering nice signed bookplates you can stick in your books-from-other-shops soon!), you can grab the Companion Guide on Amazon at http://amzn.to/1QxtbGC
There is also a slightly cheaper paperback option available there.
Of course, if you haven’t read Memory’s Wake yet and want to speed through the ebooks, you can get the completed trilogy as an ebook box set for around $8 and change at http://amzn.to/1NfkY9A
I wouldn’t recommend reading the Companion Guide before the trilogy itself. It’s FULL of spoilers, nothing held back at all!
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November 13, 2015
Fairy Companions Coloring Book, so sweet!
I’m so pleased with my newest coloring book. I went with a “Fairy Companions” theme – that means fairies with friends, pets, family, in love, and lots of dragons! It turned out SO sweet! It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy just flicking through all these designs of romantic fairies and friendly animals.
It just went live on Amazon, with more stores coming soon. Here’s the link- http://amzn.to/1GWyaO9
I will also have it available in my store here for signed copies in late November.
Check out all the included artworks in the image below-
And thanks to everyone who has been enjoying my coloring books! I’m still in honest shock at how popular they have been, hitting the bestseller charts over and over! I have plans for more, more, more! The next will be Gothic themed, and I’m also planning another Mermaid book and even a Memory’s Wake coloring collection! What coloring collection are you looking forward to most?
Find out more about Fairy Companions Coloring Book
My other colouring books-
Forest theme! Fairies and sorceresses in foresty settings. Highly detailed.
On Amazon or SIGNED direct from me!
Mermaids, mermaids, mermaids! In calm ocean settings with dolphins, whales, turtles and other ocean creatures. Highly detailed.
On Amazon or SIGNED direct from me!
My first and easiest coloring book, mostly fairies, but a couple of unicorns and things as well!
On Amazon or SIGNED direct from me!
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October 11, 2015
Love Reading? Book Expo Australia
Last year I attended the first annual Book Expo Australia. It was a fantastic event all about, well, BOOKS obviously! I attended as an author, selling my novels and art books.
I was stall buddies with the beautiful Serene Conneeley who writes non-fiction spiritual and witchy books, as well as a some excellent young adult novels.
Book Expo is coming up again on the 17th and 18th of October and I will be there again! Visit the Official Site for more details and to buy your tickets.
And if you want FREE entry to the event, give me a shout out in the comments or by email, cos I’ve got a bunch of free tickets to give away!
Check out these fantastic reviews by book bloggers of the 2014 Book Expo- and my novels are mentioned in all these videos!
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