Texas Botanical Map Illustration | Real-Time Art Process Video Series

There is so much value in the process behind any work of art. Documenting the process behind art is probably just as valuable (maybe even more!) than the final result. Here are three real-time videos for the creation of my Texas state botanical map. The first is the sketch, the second is the ink, the third is the color.

I will be publishing the shorter version (an art recap) of the entire process on my YouTube channel tomorrow. The next step will be to create the augmented reality portion of this illustration. Once that is done I will post a quick video showing that and I will launch the prints in my store.

Mexican Sunflower : Coloring an Illustration on Procreate

I can’t believe it’s the last day of September! I’m getting ready to start working on Inktober. I will reveal my theme in my next post. But for today, I wanted to share this new video I just uploaded on my YouTube channel.

Mexican Sunflower (Tithonia rotundifolia) - a quick recap of my coloring process on Procreate.

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Florida Botanical Map Coloring Timelapse on Procreate

I am about to add the finishing touches on my second map of the United States Botanical Map project which is Florida! This is piece is super lush and layered…wait until you get to see the augmented reality version! I’m super proud of this one.

This means that only 48 more maps to go to finish the first set! HA! I will be creating a full map of our country once I finish the states. Yay! 🇺🇸

I only got video of this part of the process because I have been working on this piece only during bits of moments I have been able to carve out during the last couple of months. I added a really nice and mellow jazz playlist to the video, so if you get tired of watching you can just listen along! I really hope you enjoy watching it.

What is augmented reality art?

Ever since one of my TikTok videos went viral, I have had tons of people asking me about what AR is and how it works.

I want to briefly explain what it is, how it works, and how I am applying it to my artwork to create dream-like versions of my illustrations.

Augmented reality is basically an interactive experience of a real-world environment.

Augmented reality works by combining an existing artwork with a platform that will allow the AR component to work. In my case, I use an Instagram filter to make my stickers and postcards come to life.

There is a free program called Spark AR that allows users to build and upload filters to both Instagram and Facebook. The AR community is extremely active and helpful and you can find a myriad of resources, including tutorials, to get you started on your augmented reality journey if it’s something that interests you..

I think the applications of augmented reality on art are going to be endless and it’s a portal that will lead us, artists, to explore things we have not even dreamed of before! It’s an exciting moment, there’s a huge interest and sense of awe with this technology, and it feels great being able to partake in it.

Do you currently merge your art, illustrations, or paintings, with augmented reality?

Augmented Reality Illustrations and Instagram Filters

I have created a video about the art process for my first Augmented Reality illustration which was exhibited for the first time last month right at the start of this Coronavirus craziness. I talk about the concept behind this piece - a visual response to a poem written by a man while in confinement, as part of the Free On The Inside Program at the Everglades Correctional Institution here in Florida. You will also get some insight into my process as an illustrator and the steps I had to take to bring this project to its fruition. It's not very specific about the augmented reality portion, but more of a global artistic process. I think some of you might enjoy this. :)

Pompano Beach Cultural Center Art Exhibition

I’m super happy to announce my first solo exhibit! It’s called BotanicAnimalia and will be held at the Pompano Beach Cultural Center. The opening reception will be on April 12, from 7 to 9 PM. My exhibit in conjunction with a showing of Krista Steinke’s work in the cultural center’s main gallery, will be on view in the Hall of the Terrace from April 12, 2019 through July 5, 2019. 

Pompano Beach Cultural Center: 50 W Atlantic Blvd.

http://pompanobeachfl.gov/index.php/events/display/2019/04

How I Make A Floral And Botanical Illustration

So here we are with my 3rd vlog! I guess I'm officially an illustuber! It's very exciting because I have become more comfortable with recording everyday snippets of my life as an artist. I figured that it's important to relax and focus on documenting my experience rather than producing the most epic content ever. Hopefully you will appreciate this and maybe find some of it relatable.

I recently got an iPad because I was seeing everybody swooning over them and Procreate. I had no idea of the amazing things you could achieve with Procreate! If you're still curious or not sure I would definitely recommend giving it a try. The biggest advantage I have found is being able to draw ink illustrations and not have to worry about scanning and cleaning up the background afterwards. That is a huge time saver! It's not to say I have said goodbye to good old paper and microns, but when you're in a time crunch and you need something to be digitized it's definitely the way to go.

In this vlog I share a little bit of my process for making a new botanical illustration. I found this method to be the most effective! I'm lucky because I have access to the majority of florals, leaves, and botanicals right in my backyard. So what I usually do is go scouting, scissors and camera in hand, and pick the prettiest ones I find. I do have to say…I don't always cut the flowers I like. That's why I take a camera. I take a picture because I honestly feel a little guilty cutting them.

After collecting some beauties I go back home and this is where the analog fun and magic begins to happen. I get some paper and draw out the shape that's going to contain all of the flowers. In this video you will see me making a floral heart. So I draw out a simple heart and then tape the flowers right on the paper. It's lots of fun to be able to create a 3D collage of some sort.

After playing around with the composition I am ready to take a photo of it and then export it to Photoshop where I will mess around with levels. Then I will take that photo (in black and white) into Procreate and then begin a whole new process there. I will use Procreate until I finish inking and coloring the entire botanical illustration.

I hope you like my process and a little bit of my mundane weekly art journey. I would love to hear from you if you try this botanical illustration method out, let me know in the comments!

Love and Light,

Catalina