Well Wishes!

Here is to wishing you and yours the happiest of holidays. I hope all of you have a great time over the holidays and a safe New Years.

History

Here are a couple more older sketches from when I was in school and stuff.
.....No more words today.....

Easy as 1,2,.....3?

Sorry I am so late with this ....Again. Blogger gave me a little trouble there for a little bit. But no excuses. So I have for your viewing pleasure, an example of a started piece in a studio and the finished next to it. The first is a 15 min. on 18x24 and the second was the redrawn image and finished on the same size paper to show my process. The color and lighting are horrible in these shots because I didn't realize that I am using an off white over head bulb. Next time I will know to use true sun light bulbs when taking shots in doors. Or better yet...I could go outside and shoot them....ehhh enjoy.

Open arms

So here is an little bit older drawing, but I figured not many of you have seen it. So it will be new to a lot of you. This is from a series of characters illustrations I have been working off and on for a while. I know some of you would like me to be more regular in posting. I will do my best to be a regular as life allows. I will try and post something at least once a week ( or with in seven days from each other). This being said, I do have to work a 40 hour a week job and all the rest of that stuff too. So please be understanding, this is for fun and not my job. (God, if it was I would be so much more on the ball! )
Well enjoy everyone!

Faux musketeer

I love the way the hair came out in this one. I seem to love the texture of hair lately. That and I think it adds to the air of his snobbish naturel. Short and sweet this week have some things to get done. Enjoy!

Nekked time!

Ok, so I am going to go with the one about me being an artist and this is just a study of the female form.....yeah..... But seriously, I feel I need to get back to anatomy studies a little more than I am used to. I love drawing from life but it seems I don't get as many chances now that I have graduated and all that. Well maybe I will make an attempt to get more connections with the Instuctors at the college I work at. You know... cause that would be just too convenient.

The black Bob Ross ???

So here is a portrait I did from a magazine while at work. It's a combo of a few different media. Namely: Ink, ink-wash, and black Prisma color pencil. I guess I was jonesing to do portrait stuff again. I know I need the practice more often these days (like everyday). So I hope you all enjoy it and I will try and have some new ink work and pencil sketches up soon.

Just the treats, please!

Ok all you goblins and ghouls, I want to extend my wishes for a Happy Halloween to you all. I hope you all do something fun for the holiday. And if your in SF, I expect you all to be at the Castro or over in one of the other many party spots in the city. And I want pictures! It was always a lot of fun to be in the city around Halloween. Lots of crazies and lots of laughs.
Well, I am still working on this comic book inking job..so I guess I will head back to it. Happy Halloween all!!

Deep-trouble

OK so here is a piece I have been working on for the art school I work at. This is another inked image display to promote the sales of ...well...ink. Most of this is made with tech pens and a Copic brush pen. With a little added ink wash for the spots. I have been thinking of adding more of the ink wash/ water color to my sketches to add a little something. But I have been reluctant to try it. I guess this is a step in the right direction. Baby steps if you will. I know I have done the deep sea diver thing before. But I thought I would put him in a story like situation. Something classic that you would have seen from Franklin Booth or Joseph Clement Cole, with a touch of Frank Cho thrown in there. Well hope you all like it.

"And now for something completely different..."

I know, I know. This is something out of the ordinary for me to do. You see, I am not really an animation guy. But I did start off that way in college. Turned out I just like doing the illustrative side of it. So when I got this urge to do an animation character sheet I just rolled with it. The funny thing is, it was really fun. I had a good time drawing up these kids. I dunno if this will turn in to a more fully developed idea. But it is fun to play with for now. Hell, this might be a new direction for me.
......but don't hold your breath.

Motor-head

Well its been a while since I added another sketch to the mix, so here is a long awaited one. I have been working on a couple of these so there will be more to come. Just don't hold your breath as to when. I chose to do a scooter sketch as it's close to what I ride. I ride a motorcycle and since I have been doing some maintenance to it, I guess it spurred this one. I have been trying to do a couple drop-ins of some life drawing classes as well. It's funny how rusty you actually get after it's been a while. If I get any sketches I think are good enough, I will post it here for you all. Well until then...Ciao!

Back in black (and white)

Hey all. So I haven't updated in a while for a couple of reason. First, blogger was shutting down on me and not allowing my images to be published. I couldn't figure it out and so I waited it out. Seems to be fixed (for now). The second reason is because I have been helping a friend work on a comic that may be published by Image Comics later this year. I have been doing some inks on his work and I think I really like this. I may have problems with sequential storytelling, but I love doing the inks! So this is a sample panel from the comic. I will be sure to keep you posted as to the events of the book. Well, we will see if I will be able to post more later. If the Blogger gods are happy with me. Fingers crossed people.

Smoke break

So here are a couple of sketches I did at the art school I work at. The students went on a short "smoke" break and I took advantage of that time to get some quick sketching in. All of these are like 2 minute sketches using a ballpoint pen. I like the way a ballpoint works over the paper in a quick sketch. If you work at it you can get subtle value shifts and really bring out the character. That and it's a cheap medium. And man, do I love cheap.

Made to order?

Here is an example of how I think all of us feel some times. I tried to give her that worn out look to make the viewer sympathize with her. I wanted you to feel like you could take a couple of bags for her and change the way her whole day was going with a smile. So I am back from comic con. It was as always awesome. Highly recommend you all go some time.

Dead man's party

So here are some quick sketches I did while at work. I picked up a great book called The Skillful Huntsman while at the SDCC. I was experimenting with some zombie quickies and keeping it simple and only about 2 inches in heighth. Small, quick and dirty best describes these......and maybe smelly.

Been a long time...

So I know many of you (if there are any of you left) are wondering why I haven't updated in a while. Well I have a new job and that takes up all of my time and energy. I do my best to get some sketches and stuff done, but I think I have been a bit laxed in my efforts to keep up the blog. I am working on getting back into the groove. And I promise things will get better. The International Comic Convention in San Diego is coming up on July 20th-23rd. I will be there checking out the industry and hanging out with friends. I hope to see all of you there, if you can make it. Along that line I did an ad for the art school supply store that I work at with an old EC Comics feel. I was hoping to promote inking supplies to the students. But mostly it was just fun for me to create.

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!

test

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.

Idling hands

So as promised here is a sample of my prep work when working on an illustration. I tend to do a practice series on things that are tougher for me to get. While I have drawn my far share of hands during my time in and out of school. I think they are something that you have to stay in practice with to do them convincingly. Hands pretty much make up who we are. As an artist I need them to live. And if I don't use them to create, then its over for me. Hence the blog name. But we rarely study the movement of the hand. That's why I needed to go back and do a series of them just to do one that would give me the action and the storytelling I needed for the illustration. Anyway hope you like the glimpse inside.

Bernini

Yet another back shot? This is actually a sketch of a sculpture done by my favorite sculpture, Bernini. Its no secret that my favorite of all art movements is the Baroque movement. And as sculpture I feel that Bernini far out does any of his predecessors. That includes Michelangelo. Now I love Michelangelo, but the detailing of the modeled figure in Bernini's pieces is just too superb. The way the figures are handled and the softness of the way the marble is handled is the best I have ever seen. The flesh is treated in such amazing detail that I almost expect to see the figure exhale at any moment. But as for why I did a sketch of an already established artist? I use the forms to work out issues I have in my own work. Its like a constant reference for the mind as to the way to turn the figure in space. I tend to revisit sculpture pieces and do a lot of sketches of them. It is a dramatic step up from the act of drawing from a ceramic bust in the class room. Just away for me to continue my art education.

Set and match

I dunno the story behing this one. I just try and work out my hands most the time I sketch. Its kind of my excersise for the hands. Calisthenics for the hands if you will. But I know that I only post more "finished" sketches so I will work on doing more prelims and screw ups for you all. More of what I do to work out as well as what I come up with. That way you can know whats on my mind as well as what is the end result. Hey, I guess this sketch makes sense after all. Huh, go figure.

Equal opportunistic

So I figured since I posted an image of the back side of a female, I might as well post one of a man too. But truthfully I miss the art classes at the Academy and being able to draw from a live model for 6-12 hours a week. I loved going to the workshops and seeing how the rest of the students were progressing. And a little competition never hurt anyone either. I have been mulling it over that I should take a non-credit class at the local community college. At least that way I would be able to draw with a group again. But the only thing slowing me down is when can I find the time. That special thing that there seems to be so much of, yet not enough.

At the hand of fate

I did this guy last week some time just to kill time. In the museum here in AZ there is a painting of a gladiator in an arena standing over a defeated foe and he is waiting for the thumbs up or down from a Caesar. That has always been a really important piece for me and I wish I could say why. I guess it just rounds up how we all feel in life some times. Defeated, tired,and unable to rise against our foes. And all we can do is lay there waiting for the finger of fate.

Opium chic

So I have done a few sketches now with people having tattoos. I myself have none. But I have nothing against them. On a subject they can be great. But my recent fascination with them has been strangely making its way in the sketches. But much like every time I have a need for them I soon get out of it and think it would have been a terrible idea. That's probably the reason I never could get one. That and I am so ADD that I couldn't sit there and think of one that I liked longer then 10 minutes. Hence the sketching and art in general. I might have a fear of commitment. Well... at least to ink.

Loco-motion

Do you ever have days like this? When it feels like you can't get going and you have to. Well here is the machine for you. Yes folks, its the Steamwalker 2000.(copyrighted) Yes, with the Steamwalker 2000, you too can get your sorry butt out of bed in the morning and march yourself to school or work and put a full days effort into something you probably wish you didn't have to do. And with this light weight machine ( only 900 lbs) you can be sure to move around with ease. Boy, just think what your friends will say when you walk up with this bad boy strapped to your back. And with the all steal alloy casing it will be as sturdy as your old locomotive engines of 1865. So don't wait! Call now and place your order for the Steamwalker 2000!
(7 easy payments of $6000 dollars in cash and unmarked bills required and sent to our account in a Swiss bank. All products of Shysterson Inc. are nonrefundable and user claims all responsibility for any damage the device may cause to user and or others around them.)

Nerdy but goody

So here is an homage to everyone's favorite trilogy. I guess I chose c3p0 because I felt he was the most challenging of them all to draw. We see a ton Bobafetts out there and a couple dozen Vaders. But we rarely see a c3p0. So I gave it a go and thought what the heck. I liked the way this came out as well. But then again I like to draw robots and mechanical things too. Perhaps I will try my hand at a cyborg soon. You never can tell with me and that stream of consciousness thing.

Tall cold one

Sometimes when I am drawing I tend to get bored if the drawing is the same old portrait stuff. I mean anybody who can draw can draw the an image of someone sitting there and drinking a beverage. So just to mix it up I change the proportions of things. In this one I chose to change the size of the can. I felt it added a sense of story telling to the image. I think that is the difference between fine art and illustrations. Fine art hints at things, while illustration hits you in the face with it.

I think we're gonna need a bigger blog

Its color! Yeah I know, but when I went to scan this sketch I felt it needed a little more to give it justice. And why a shark? Well I guess it would have to do with Jaws. I love that movie. I think I watch it at least every other month if not sooner. The characters are just so raw and real. Or it might have something to do with the fact that sharks must always remain moving or they die. Artistically I think I feel the same. Hence the blog name. But the funny thing is that I don't like swimming in the ocean because of Jaws as well. I am also going to start pacing out the blog from now on. I need time to work on some things and I will probably be posting every couple of days or so. Not that anyone reads this.....

not fast enough....

I try every now and then to test myself with different angles to draw. This one was fun for that reason and the fact that I think every artist wants to do a western theme. Plus old revolvers are just a lot of fun to draw.

Nice shootin' Tex

I could tell you the story behind this one. But certain parties and I would like to remain free men.

Lounge singa'

This one is fresh off the press. I dunno why I chose to do this but I liked it all the same. I had a little help with this one . My girlfriend drew the "beauty mark" for me. Thanks, babe!

dos cervesas hombre

Here is a sketch that falls along the stream of consciousness line. I tend to do this alot. I just start with no idea of what to do but end up with something kind of out there. I think it usually adds a little something to the drawing. I love the bizarre stuff. Recongnizable but still bizarre.