Completely Enthralled

Everybody loves a good story and everybody remembers a good storyteller.

This is one of those pieces that I could touch up and tweak for all time. There comes a point where I have to stand back and tell myself it's done. I confess to having struggled to bring this one in. The balance of ambient and firelight was a tricky one, and I was a bit timid in getting there, but I got there in the end and I'm pleased with the result.
So, here's Enthralled and a few close-ups (for those that like that sort of thing).

 

The 'enthralled' of the title.

Our very enthusiastic storyteller.

Enthralled 7 adding colour

Once my drawing was inked and because I was going to be using fairly expansive washes, I decided to stretch my paper to avoid 'cockling'. As long as the ink is dry and you're careful, the drawing is fine.
Once that was done I began laying in progressive washes of colour. Loose around the edges and tighter on the characters. The storyteller is still to get her colour, but I should be able to find time over the next few days.
The audience benefited from an extra weight outline, but the Indian ink and vintage crowquill I use behave differently on a colour washed surface, bleeding and less controllable, so I use a fine line pigment marker. They dry inert so further colour washes can be added if I need them.

Updates soon.