On Using Reference

I use reference for some of the images you have seen here and in some of my other works. I find it helps me to remember the land marks of the body. I tend to take my own reference shots so I have no worries there. But others I get from other media. Such as books, magazines, newspapers...etc. But I have a general rule of thumb with the images I get from the media. I believe they have to modified by at least seven different things. These can be large and small changes. I like to change more if the image "calls for it". By which I mean the story of the image compels me to change things.
I love using reference in sketches because it helps me to keep grounded in the anatomy of he figures and familiar with the way the shapes move in space. But this does not mean I only draw from said reference. I add quite a bit to my sketches to make the story more compelling. Much in the same vain as Dean Cornwell, N.C. Wyeth, Gil Elvgren, J.C. Leyendecker, and all the classic illustrators. Now if only I can get as good as those guys and gals.

Coffee Break

I decided to go back to the idea of size manipulation as emphasis in this one. I felt that giving her a large cup of coffee might help to show that she is very tired and needs a little "pick me up". I have had a lot going on lately and I have been feeling overwhelmed and exhausted. But hopefully I can get it together and start to be more regular. Not like with bran or anything....just with the sketching.

Ooooh $#^% !

Some days you just feel like...welll... this. I didn't want to keep you all waiting for another sketch while I pulled it all together, so I thought I would give you a little view of how my days are going. I have been working so much and its so freaking hot here all the time. But who wants to hear me gripe about my work load. I know, I know.... more drawing and less complaining.

Back to basics

I could say I am sorry for making you few wait for a new image...so I will. I am sorry. As with most artists I get stuck some times and can't think of anything to draw or even want to draw. I have had this image scanned fro some time and I have held off on it. So this is as good a time as any I suppose. I will be starting a new job at the Art Institute here in Phx. So perhaps that will motivate me to get back into the swing and draw more. But at any rate I don't want to keep my fan(s?) waiting any longer.

Devil inside

So here is one from my days in art school. I was very influenced by Mucha for a while. So this sketch comes from that time. Plus I have had this odd association with satyrs and devils through out my time in art school. I guess it is the ideas that saytrs are a creature of lust and free expression. And during the middle ages the Catholics church viewed all pagan icons as evil and sinful. Hence the devil comes from the images of satyrs. But I have always liked this sketch and someday I will expand on it and recreate it.

Crooked ways

I know some of you want to see me do more story telling. Well to be honest, I am kind of in a crisis of faith with that. I no longer know that is what I want to do with myself. But what else is there? I don't know, but I feel I have to see if I can get to a nice middle ground with that. I do love sequential story telling. But I have to discover a better way for me to get into it. But I will see what I can do. No promises though.

He's no good to me dead...

I heard about this technique on another blog about using toned paper and markers to set the values. Then after he values were set you go over the markers with color pencil. I tried it out with this pic of Boba. I think the original looks better than the scanned version. But all in all, I liked it.

Wonderful World of Wacom

Well the other day I finally broke down and bought a Wacom tablet. I am not really a "pro wacom" person, as the first couple of times I used one I got frustrated and decided to just use the mouse. So all the stuff you have seen that was in color, was all done by a Mac mouse. I actually like coloring with a mouse. Infact there are a number of illustrators who color just with the mouse. But it does frustrate me since I have been taking drawing classes most of my life and I couldn't use the hand expression with my coloring. So I finally bit the bullet and got a Wacom. Now if I could save up for that Epson 1280 printer I want.......

It pays to advertise!

A friend of mine had noted that I hadn't done a sketch of an animal in some time. So since I had some great shots from a trip to the zoo, I decided to do a zebra. Now why it has blinders and a sign on it. I guess its just my sense of humor. Sometimes when I am drawing I get a little bored and start adding things to spice it up. I'll have to get back on the ball and do a few more animal sketches...

Spontaneous Pirate Day!

So it would seem there are very few people who actually check this blog on a regular basis. But this was expected. Well, to those of you who do manage to drop by and check out what I have done, I raise my glass to you all. I appreciate the support in all forms. You are all true friends. So as for the post. This is of course meant to be a nod to you all for checking in and up on me, but as most ( if not all ) of you know, I am a big fan of pirates. I think every boy grows up imagining he is a pirate, a super hero, and/or a ninja. Well for this over sized boy, I have always been a fan of pirates and their rebellious nature. While living in SF, my friend Chris and I would have a Spontaneous Pirate Day. This meant that we would show up to the gym that we worked at dawning eye-patches, bandanas, and showing nothing but pirate movies on the televisions. It was always a good time asking everyone around why they weren't dressed up for pirate day and asking them if they got the memo. And of course, we never sent a memo. But it was fun to see how sad they would be thinking they missed out of this event. Yeah, we were jerks that way...but it's the pirate way...arrrrgggghh!

Saddle up!

OK, so it has come to my attention that it is possible that no one reads or even looks at this thing. Except maybe 2 or 3 that I know for sure. Not that it matters too much. It's a process for me getting my work out there for people to see. But if you do check this blog, Let me know. Just leave a comment here so I can have a rough estimation of how many people do and do not read this thing. And the story with the Viking...this is how I imagine everyone surfs the net. Or is it just me?

On my high horse

So I was thinking of the farthest thing from water. And naturally the farthest thing from water is the desert. Now being a somewhat historical movie buff, I thought of the crusades. Mostly because they happened in the desert, and I didn't want to do another cowboy theme yet. So what I always think is interesting about the crusades is that one religion felt they had to conquer another one by going way out of their means and resources to conquer something and someone whom they barely knew about or understood. And in the end nothing good came from it, only death and sadness. Very relevant I think.

Water on the brain

Water, water everywhere...um...no. No water. But the mind still resides there. Well I really gotta get past this and try sketching something new. I will make it a point to do something unrelated to water in the next few days or so. Man, I think I have a problem.....

Mindbender?

Here is another head study. I realized after I drew this one that he looks a lot like an old G.I. Joe villain named Dr. Mindbender. Perhaps my childhood is calling out to me. Or it could be that I have been watching a lot of Robot Chicken lately. Well, what ever the case may be... he has a damned fine mustache!

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Do you hear the drums Fernando...?

Here is a guys face I did and liked it. I had no real clue about what type of character he would be until I did the glasses. Thats when it hit me that he looked like a 70's disco dancer. I think I will call him Fernando after the ABBA song.

What the #@$^% !!!

OK... So some times this stream of consciousness thing goes bad. I have no idea what this is about? But it makes me smile, so here you are. Hey, not everyone can be a winner.

Sketchy Bastard

Yet another anatomy sketch to go in the books. I have been a little lazy with the blogging for the last couple of days. But in my defense I have been working on some other things for my website redesign. Hopefully I can get that all squared away and off so there will be more time to draw and less of the prep work. I will see what I can do about getting back on track. But no promises.

Deep Sea-ted withdrawals

When I lived in SF and went to the Academy of Art the last place I lived was in the Sunset District. This was great for two reasons. One, I was near the SF Zoo. One of my favorite places to go take photos and be a lone. And two, was that it was near the beach. I think this connection with the ocean ran deeper than I had ever though of. In my recent drawings and illustration the water seems to be a common theme that runs throughout them. Much like this sketch you see here. Now I find this to be a little odd seeing as how I grew up in the AZ desert with no water in sight. In fact, I hate swimming. But for some reason I find that the ocean holds something for me. But what ever the case, I am trying not to do too many water related ills. I don't want to become anything like Wyland. That would be hell.

Self Incriminating

This one has a soft spot in my heart. Mostly because I remember riding the Muni in SF and seeing all the graffiti in the tunnels, and it always made me smile. I have to say that I always thought the artist had to have a pure love for what they did in order to risk getting arrested to do it. I find that in a lot of things we as a society just go with the current and don't try and mix things up much. We think that voicing our opinions are enough....but what good does that do with out action. You can have a peaceful protest with out making a scene and getting something beautiful out of it. Personally I think Graffiti has a great influence on those who are willing to be open to the imagery and message. So please, to all those who do what they do... Continue. For all of us.