From an old book,
Fun with a Pencil by Andrew Loomis, I learned how to create accurate shadows for invented scenes without photo reference. I teach the technique in one of my illustration classes, sometimes to the chagrin of students who try to make it way more complicated than it is.
I used the system in this early illustration for a magazine article on private chess clubs in New York City. Above each table is its own light source. The sconces on the wall woudn't provide enough light to interfere with the lights above the chessboards.
I've used this method a lot, but not all the time. As I tell the students, it's good to know it even if one doesn't use it.
From an old book, Fun with a Pencil by Andrew Loomis, I learned how to create accurate shadows for invented scenes without photo reference. I teach the technique in one of my illustration classes, sometimes to the chagrin of students who try to make it way more complicated than it is. 
I'm looking forward, for our cats' sake, to the coming June beetle season. Those fat, slow flying bugs are among their favorite early Summer toys. Here is a drawing of Scout relaxing while contemplating her next act of insect torture.
I know this isn't a high concept contribution for "Illustration Friday: Wilderness", but "Outside Ouray" is a painting I've always liked. It's 42 by 60 inches, so it's large for me. The size may have prevented its sale in the past, I don't know, but I'm happy with it being in our living room.
This was done for a poster for my buddies The GilmerMetcalves, promoting a Spring concert in Texas. The jackalope is a classic Southwestern example of cryptozoology. It's as likely to hatch from an egg with a Texas flag pattern as from anything else.
