Original date uploaded: 2004.11.07

Reuploading due to updated copyright stuff.

This is for sale (as soon as I'm able to make a master print copy)

I decided to do another extinct Quagga. The ref pics I saw showed some extreme varieties of Quagga -- including one that was a deep chocolate brown and another that was nearly blood red. Really snazzy :}

Etienne and Eyanti (c)Melissa O'Brien 2004/2006

Originally uploaded: 2005.01.26

Reuploaded due to updated copyright stuff.

An experiment. I wanted to play on my ability to do textures..and slide more into the realistic field. The BG was totally put in on a rush. I basically did it to add contrast. The city scape n' trees..blending techno with nature.. Or least as to play with it.

My main focus was on the werewolf herself. Most detail n' time went into her. The colors ARE dulled n' warped compared to what they are RL. Never the less...

The image is of my Melsa in her full werewolf form (known also as Overkill) , prowling most likely in central park in New York.

Overkill(c)Melissa O'Brien 2005

One of Two. (possibly more if I've time)

FOR SALE.

As for this series I tried to play with inspiration. For the first two, they are based on rare specimens of a larger common species.

My Earth Elemental is based on an "Amber Fox". The pelt of an amber fox is pale orange-gold (like amber). She's holding a bouquet of lupins and her dress is accented by both berries and leaves. The background is composed to (hopefully) illustrate a lit forest with looming gerber daisies. The flowers in her hair were inspired by some pink star-shaped flowers I found in a park (weeds but still pretty.)

Due to size, some details might not be seen as well. Image done in watercolor and ink.

Topaz(c)Melissa O'Brien

Do not reuse/redistribute.

One of Four. (possibly more if I've time)

FOR SALE.

As for this series I tried to play with inspiration. For the first two, they are based on rare specimens of a larger common species.

First is Mauri, a Maroz (or Marozi depending) It's the opposite pairing for a lion/leopard (opposite to a leopold at least)

Her element is Fire. I used a silver/gray for her hair to emulate "smoke". The background is composed of both hot and cooled lava. The details are transparent wash of gold over the dress and gold beads in her hair n' tail. Tropical flowers in the hair and tail as well.

Due to size, some details might not be seen as well. Name "Mauri" inspired by Lunar 2.

Mauri(c)Melissa O'Brien

Do not reuse/redistribute.

Originally uploaded: 2005.01.12

Reuploaded due to updated copyright stuff.

I was really hoping this would turn out better than it did. My yellow for the sky ran n' guttered beneath my painter's tape n' gave a yellow blotch/line on the left side. - The colors are not as bright as they are up in real life.

This is an image of "How The Zebra Got Her Stripes"

I had the idea of a flamingo (since while they're pink, they've black under feathers)... They must paint zebras...after all, stripes aren't born on ya ;) (tease). The flamingo has a gourd full of black paint/ink. On the Zebra's arm rests a band with a flamingo feather signifying the ritual.

Zula and Flamingo/Image(c)Melissa O'Brien 2005/2006

Original date uploaded: 2004.11.01

Reuploading due to updated copyright stuff.

The little black vixen was inspired by my Halloween character, Hex (hence the candycorn bag in her mouth). That n' I wanted to play on the candy theme a bit more than what I had done.

8x11 watercolor paper (which I don't like )
(original and/or prints might be up for grabs.)


Harvest Fox (c)Melissa O'Brien 2004

Original date uploaded: 2004.11.01

Reuploading after adding copyright info.

The tag's caligraphy says:
Fox Fire

The caligraphy on the lanturn (it ran a little :P ) says:
Luck Lanturn Festival

Watercolor on half sheet of bristol.

Original sold at AC05

Image(c)Melissa O'Brien 2004/2006

Media: Oil on Canvas


This is a work in progress.. Actually it is something that will never be finished since I'm done with my painting course.

This was one of my early experiments with oil paints. It is not about the figure, but rather how to use the brush and mix and apply color.

Done originally in Fall 05 semester.

Media: Oil on Canvas

This was one of my early experiments with oil paints. It is not about the figure/drawing, but rather how to use the brush and mix and apply color. This was one of my first attempts at using the brush with oils.

Done originally in Fall 05 semester.

Media: Oil on Canvas

This was one of my early experiments with oil paints. Actually I think it was the third or forth attempt at oils. The object was to use my pallet knife. Only. No brush. I had to mix colors and put'em down with the pallet knife.

Done originally in Fall 05 semester.

Oil on 7.5" x 9" canvas paper.

One of my 'test' pieces playing with a new medium. 1-2 hrs. No reference used.

Originally uploaded: 2004.10.28

Reuploaded due to updated copyright stuff.

My first watercolor. The scanner, first of all, left a small gap between paper and the scanner's bed.. and gave it a slightly blurry look. I MIGHT try to reupload it later. The scanner's colors don't do it justice. Much brighter up close (So says my roommate)

I've been drawin' Toucans for class lately, and then I saw Billy and Mandy.. and showed Billy gettin' a peppermint. And I was like. GASP! I can use that. So I was like..what can you do with a peppermint? Put it in tea!

And so this picture was born.

12x9" on Bristol - watercolor

Image(c)Melissa O'Brien 2004/2006

Originally uploaded: 2004.11.06

Reuploaded due to updated copyright stuff.

Quaggas are an extinct species of zebra. The last one died in 1883. It was killed because settlers thought it was less important than their goats and cows. It was a subspecies of zebra (also extinct).

Shame. They were so gorgeous.

Decided to draw and watercolor my first anthro :D I really like how she came out --yet still, the watercolor is dulled to what it is RL. But still like how it came out :}

Might be for sale.

Una(c)Melissa O'Brien 2004

Originally uploaded: 2005.02.08

Reuploaded due to updated copyright stuff.

I wanted to challenge myself a bit. Nothin' really out there, but gettin' towards more realistic (while steal being fantasy) settings.

She's a Belyaev Fox... Since she is a Russian breed, I gave her a Russian name.

I used a Kitsune oriental lore and made her a guardian of a temple. Her foot rests on a jade-marker. She holds jade prayer beads (a bronze fortune coin hangs from those)... Her armor has the symbol of "Light" on it.

The marker's glyphs read (for the tags) Fortune and Good luck, and the marker's tag reads "Temple (Shrine/Church) of Fire" I tried to get a shrine in, as well as cherry blossom trees to tie it all together.


Synnovea (c)Melissa O'Brien 2005/2006

Originally uploaded: 2005.02.02

Reuploaded due to updated copyright stuff.

Originally this was going to have Cainn (Liz's black werewolf character) and my Melsa (White werewolf character) absently sparring since they are siblings.

But I came across a pose and it looked like he was waving to shoosh something. So a few more random doodles later produced a little curious Melsa-pup who looks to be awaiting a story/lesson from her older brother, Cainn, and keeps interupting him.

The BG is a mix of mostly watercolor and a smidge of colored pencil, and the lupine figures are colored pencil with brushes of watercolor wash.

Cainn(c)Liz Carlson / Aureath of DA
Melsa and Image(c)Melissa O'Brien 2005/2006