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!