Glass Quill Studio is the home of imaginative works by artists and storytellers CallyAnn Hamilton (Callyann Creates), L.C. Ireland (According to LC), and HallieKate Briggs (Art of HeKate).
As soon as I decided to do a series of Disney character bookmarks, I knew Mulan had to be one of them. The only hesitation I had was which outfit to put her in. I didn’t want to put her in the dress from the matchmaker scene, because it clearly made her feel awkward. But putting her in the armor didn’t feel right either, as she was just playing a character at that point. I could draw her in her everyday outfit that she used for chores, but that didn’t feel right either. The outfit she wears in the climax didn’t feel quite dramatic enough. I was doing the glammed-up ballgown versions of every other Disney Princess, and I wanted to give Mulan the same formal-wear treatment. I finally settled on drawing her in this beautiful green outfit that she appears in on a lot of promotional material. I think it came out lovely and captures both her strength and her femininity. I wanted to draw her looking comfortable in her own skin and in her place in society.
I love Namaari’s design. I was captivated by her character…for part of the movie. That scene where she finally realizes that Sisu really is back is so hauntingly beautiful. But then she goes and ruins it all by shooting her with a crossbow and having the whiniest, dumbest lines at the climax. The writers really wanted to make her the redeemable antagonist without understanding how to make that actually work on screen. I could write an entire book on all the things that bothered me about this movie. It was so close to being great! Makes me mad.
Anyway, I’m super excited by how this bookmark came out. Namaari is absolutely gorgeous and so fun to draw.
Snow White always reminds me of my wonderful Aunt Bonnie, who collects Snow White merchandise. It was a pleasure to draw the O.G. Disney Princess and her cute little birdy friends.
I really wanted a nice round 24 bookmarks for my first 2021 bookmark series. I was down to the final bookmark and didn’t know which character to put on it. So I turned to my social media. I gave a couple options (Tinker Bell, Vanellope, and Sally were the other choices) and decided to toss Mary Poppins on there as well. To my great surprise, Mary Poppins won the vote by a landslide. It ended up being a great choice; Mary Poppins is consistently among my Top 3 bestsellers. I have learned to trust the voice of my audience. They know what people want! (I drew both Tinker Bell and Sally as part of my 2022 series)
Jasmine was one of the last bookmarks I finished in my 2021 set of Disney Princesses. By then I had lots of practice with various lighting techniques that I was getting more confident with. I really wanted to push the limits of what I was capable of. Between the sheer fabric, the background curtains, the gradient of sunset light, and the rim-lighting, I believe I successfully made Jasmine’s bookmark one of the most beautiful in the series. I frequently choose this one when people ask me which of my bookmarks is my favorite. I am very proud of how it turned out!
When I first started drawing Esmerelda, it wasn’t supposed to be her at all. I started drawing Pocahontas, who I wanted to depict in a dramatic pose with colored leaves twirling around her. However, the moment I finished the basic shapes of the pose, it was instantly clear to me that I had actually started drawing Esmerelda. There was something about the energy and showiness of the pose that just felt wrong for Pocahontas but screamed Esmerelda. I am particularly proud of how all the gold elements turned out on this one. I had a lot of fun playing with background and foreground effects to help capture the feeling of a festival performance. This is one that I frequently list as a favorite when asked.
Meg is easily one of the best characters in any Disney movie. She is so dry and sarcastic but has such a big heart. I wanted to capture her attitude in her pose, while also framing her in warm lighting. I imagine this is how Hercules saw her on their date in the gardens right before her iconic song. The constellation right by her head is the constellation Hercules.
I had such a blast drawing Moana and coloring it with all those luscious ocean colors. I am especially proud of her facial features and those beautiful eyes!
I had a lot of fun with the lighting on this one! It was the first time I tried the effect of dappled light through the trees. I am very pleased with how it turned out.
I couldn’t decide whether to draw Ariel as a mermaid or as a human, and in which outfit. So I put up a poll on my social media. I was pleasantly surprised to see that Ariel’s slinky dress from the end of the movie was by far the favorite. I had so much fun drawing this one and playing with the dramatic backlighting. I am especially proud of how her hands and hair turned out. I used to shy away from complicated hand poses, but after drawing so many bookmarks, I had to change up my poses and get more creative and daring.
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CallyAnn Hamilton
@callyanncreates
L.C. Ireland
@accordingtolc
HallieKate Briggs
@artofhekate