Ed Davenport's art page

And then I put another six hours into it.

2010-03-29T19:09:00.000-07:00

Which was kind of hard. There was a couple of points where I wasn't too sure what I was going to do next. I knew I liked the color scheme, and I wanted to keep the expressions as unchanged as I could. But then I was also aware that something wasn't working with Yuri (the blue haired one.) So, I threw up a couple of layers and went back to work. I softened some edges, refined a bit of the background, and fiddled around a lot with the shine on the boots. So, is this the final version? For now. And this is a good thing, I couldn't bring myself to move on to another project until I was done with this.

The thing that makes me laugh here, is that I published the previous version to my Deviant Art account and got a very warm reception. The... politics of posting a more improved version right after a popular posting has me mystified. I'm not too sure what comes next. I tell you, that's half the reason I keep this blog going. I can be very frank about what I post, where I think there's a bit of ... decorum (?) to deviant art posting. Of course, this could be me making up rules that don't exist.

Also, I know that Piya can't access my Deviant art page from his work. So, maybe part of it's making life easy on him. /shrug.

In the interest of full disclosure,

2010-03-24T07:42:00.001-07:00

Also, couldn't sleep. And I think it's fun to see the evolution of a sketch to the finished product.

The Dirty Pair

2010-03-24T04:46:00.000-07:00

Ok, I totally had too much fun doing this image. And look, it even has a background. One of the first sets of "Chicks with Guns" this is more or less an homage piece.

Sketched out first with a Bic blue ball point pen, the drawing was then scanned into the computer via Photo Shop and then finished in Painter. I can't say colored because everything that's not the two girls was done in the computer. And even then they were heavily retouched. I'm very happy with this. And am excited for whatever comes next.

Rolling on,

2010-03-20T19:36:00.000-07:00

So I'm doing my best to make good on my threat on posting more. Did this in my sketchbook, and I'm very pleased with it. Good reference ftw, let me tell you what. The color scheme is something I'm very happy about. The rifle came out well too. Those of you with some Mech Warrior pen and paper game experience will recognize the "Blazer". The rest of you can just enjoy a double barreled laser gun. Which, of course, is what a Blazer is.

2010-03-17T17:58:00.000-07:00

A little something i've been working on.

Watercolor and Gouache, ref from some old Costume Carnival photo.

I'm still alive, just working on getting it all together. This is where I say I'm going to rededicate myself to this online presence stuff.

More to come.

Crayola, and Gouache. My true loves.

2010-02-02T22:07:00.000-08:00

Strange things afoot. I'm neck deep in ideas for different drawings. Mostly characters, mostly things I can't figure out how to market. But I'm moving forward with them anyway. I"m sure something is right around the corner. I'm just not sure what. I've been very happy with what Crayola's been doing for me, marker wise. At the same time I'm going to morn the loss of my Pantone Trias when they finally run out of ink. I don't have any easy solutions for ultra marker replacement. I assume that I'll have to bite the bullet and invest in a boat load of Copic markers. Of course, It's time to invest in a new computer as well. And with all this investing being thrown around. Why not dream big and get a girl friend too. I've started drawing on drafting film. Found some that I've had lying around. The trick to it, is to have very clean hands. The stuff's got an awesome tooth, but being plastic; the graphite doesn't absorb into the pulp. And, if you're not careful, it'll mix with the oils on your skin. Suddenly, you're oil painting.
I've been surfing around. And I can't help but notice this Steam Punk movement. It's pretty thrilling to me. I'm going to have to jump on this band wagon. It seems to me, that it's very much like what I do already, just with goggles. I like goggles. So, from now on. I'm doing more goggles. Throw some gears in there, and I'll be part of this huge genera.

Now, to find a job.

More Crayola

2010-01-30T18:23:00.000-08:00

Blasted this out today. I'm quite pleased with it. I mean, it has a color scheme. It has a back ground. Sure they're things that could be refined. But I'm happy with it now.
Things are going well on the homestead. It's dawning on me that the reason artists tend to live in big cities, is that it combats the isolation that's required to put a painting together. I mean, you can't do a serious drawing when your roommate is trying to show you the funniest thing he's ever seen on You tube. There are steps that artist need to keep their studio an "inner sanctum". You can't keep focus in an environment like that. Too much alone time and you start getting, lonely. Now, this is combated by having 700,000 people in close proximity. If you're, say, someplace where the closest 7 square miles net a full population of 3000 people. You might have a hard time connecting back up with humanity. To say nothing about temperatures in the low teens. It's like canning cabin fever. I should put an ad on Craig's list for a muse. They all seem to be elsewhere though. I'm willing to travel. It's staying that brings the complications. That being typed. I'm still working away. Just need a change, is all.

Couldn't sleep,

2010-01-15T05:17:00.000-08:00

This is why.

Some one must have slipped me a Riddlin. I was up all night drawing this. Frankly, I'm super happy with it.

I think this is where I crash.

G'nite folks.

So Sick of Digital! Gahhh!!!

2010-01-14T20:05:00.000-08:00

Ok, so I was working on something similar in Painter. I think I might have cracked. It's currently abandoned, until I get either uncracked or unsick of it. I then did something drastic.

I whipped out the Borden & Riley #234 Paris Bleed Proof Paper for Pens.
This stuff is great. Anyway, much doodling-scratching- and Crayola marker action later. I bring you this.
It's so real to me, pencil and pen on paper. Magic marker, even the Crayola's were so responsive. They were just "There", in a way that the tinting brush never was for me. It just makes me want to pull out a super large sheet of Strathmore Museum Board. It's so good, I gave it all Caps.

In other news, my Brother got his LDS Mission call today. He's going to Morristown, New Jersey. Here's me hoping that he has a good "Two year vacation." This is funny, just because I went to the New York, New York North Mission about 14 years ago. Time flies I guess.

Blue Winter, or if you want to be happy for the rest of your life...

2010-01-12T02:20:00.000-08:00

I'm sick to death of all this winter. Here's a sketch.
It's becoming very obvious to me that I can't live here in Idaho. I'm going to freeze to death, and the lack of sunlight is drilling into my very self. My blogging has, as you can see, suffered. I'm still working on art, I've not completely been swallowed up in this white pit of cold. I almost hit it off with a girl over the holidays. Perhaps I'm still stinging over that. More likely, it's a cruel combination of the short days, cold nights of an Idaho winter; and this recent repetition of the most loathed theme of my life.

I've also discovered, to my horror, that everyone in the town of Rexburg knows of a woman who would be perfect for me to date. While I'm up for any amount of fun that can be had; the stipulations, expectations, and lists of flaws that accompany these offers are more than a little sickening. I feel the culture is somewhat to blame. Young women with interests in long term relationships are sent off to a meat market, where they are sorted rapidly into The married, and The single. The problem comes, in the grain that falls through this battery of filters is far to fine for the gauge of my mesh. Or I through theirs.

This is where my brother tells me I've been listening to too much Denis Miller.

If I were to simplify, the issue is simple. I didn't date ugly girls when I was 20, why should I now that I'm 30? That's putting it bluntly, but the fact remains that I wanted to be able to paint my wife and not have it curdle the canvas. I suppose that it’s not a new desire that I alone possess. But it’s not one that I’m going to abandon just because I’m not 22 anymore. Here fortune favors me, because the first and second round of young divorcees are showing up. Many of them, it seems, are wiser and more discerning than they were in their relative youth. I can’t tell if this is a good thing or not.

So, to sum up. No one reads blogs anymore. I can't put a wall of text this size on face book, because of the character limit. And, those who would disagree with anything I said here won't read far enough down to get to the pointy parts.

Although... and this gives me hope. I'm still drawing smiles on the faces of the girls I sketch. I've had my good and bad, to be sure. But I do believe that there are better days ahead. I'm more amused by my catch 22 I've found myself in, than crushed by despair. The portfolio marches on, I'm doing a small amount of commercial artwork. I've taken more small steps than I've given myself credit for. And yes, winter is beginning to end here.

I hope you do appreciate these posts. I read back on this and it seems to me more like a rant than anything constructive. I value the opportunity to give you all a glimpse into the inner workings of my mind, however twisted. If you do take one thing home from this, please: Give the Blind dates a rest!

Should I draw comics?

2009-12-09T03:03:00.000-08:00

Going to Tuson. Can't sleep, so I drew.

Yeah yeah, I'm an insomniac. I'm sure there's a good reason for it. It has something to do with everyone being asleep and me having time to sit and do without having to worry about other people. Or maybe it has to do with left over habits from when I used to deliver pizza. Around this time Friday or Saturday night, when we would get out of the store, a few of us used to go hit the all night seven eleven. We'd shoot the breeze and pour nacho cheese down bags of corn chips. To be fair, I feel like I've pushed it too far if I get to see the sun rise.

In the news:
I've been told by a friend who showed my art to a friend of hers; that it reminds him of Ashley Wood. Happy dance, there. I love his stuff. I love my stuff too, I love a lot of art.

This is topical and involves the art in this post; I was drawing this in my room (so much for the peace at night while I draw theory...) and my Brother walks in and asks me to put some words in it. *Zap with the stylus and they're in right? Anyway, so then I'm redoing the face to match the text... long story short, I'm thinking about doing a comic. Now, the comics I love have always had deep stories and moving themes. Think watchmen or dark knight returns and all that. And I'm sure I'm going to blow a neuron or two figuring this thing out. But then, I think back to what I pulled on 24 hour comic day the other year. I think I can do it. Or rather, I know I can. It's a good feeling.

Which brings me to the Mall on Main Street action. It's going well, come in and check it out. Seeing new things in Rexburg is wonderful, and the people who work with and at the place are great.

I'm so excited to flee this sub zero weather...

And now I've got comic ideas to think about on the road. Seems like my star is working it's way back to an accent.

Caricature artist

2009-12-05T22:49:00.000-08:00

I've been doing caricatures at the Mall on Main Street in Rexburg Idaho. It's been a lot of fun. Take these too kids, they were a blast to draw. Anyway, if you're in the neighborhood, drop on by.

What's really important;

2009-12-01T01:55:00.001-08:00

I've come to the conclusion that my last post was dumb. That being said, I can't subscribe to an idea that requires me to sleep on my posts and think about them before I post.

The other day I was stuck in a series of blogs about how to create a "must read blog". After thinking it through for a few days. I've decided that they're full of crap.

Numbers in the header, a question at the end of the post, a paragraph breakup like a less effective standardized writing test?

Bah.

I'm just going to post some sketches.

Comment at will folks. I'm sick of getting feedback on facebook.

3 Reasons I think I'm turning into Ashley Wood

2009-11-26T00:58:00.001-08:00

I find that as I move further into the digital painting realm, that I'm picking up influences.
I'm very happy with this. I mean, it's always better to be moving forward. If the alternative is crying to myself as I check out
Adam Hughes Deviant Art page, I'll move forward.

Anyway, in no specific order; my reasons I think I'm turning into Ashley Wood:

1. I'm drawing lots of latex cat suits.
Now, if I was a proper blogger I'd be pulling images of his into this. As I'm not, and I'm assuming that you have a passing knowledge of Mr. Wood's body of work. You'll actually be asking me why I'm not drawing more robots. But I'm a huge fan of how he treats the female form, and Yeah... Shiny girls are fun to draw.

2. I'm using all kinds of crazy textures.
This is something that I've noticed in Ashley's work, and other successful digital artists as well. Of course it's something that I can improve on, but the seeds have been planted.

3. My silhouettes stand out.
One of the things that strikes me most in the art I like, is a strong silhouette. Mr. Wood's work demonstrates this in spades.

Now, of course I'm pursuing my own illustrative style and body of work. But I'm doing my best to take in strong examples and mature as an illustrator. Just as easily I could have brought up differences in my work. But I like the idea of being inclusive.
Also, as I've noted. I find a shared sense of subject matter with the man.

Is there another artist that I'm starting to remind you of?
I'd love to hear about it.

Nuke Girl

2009-11-24T13:03:00.000-08:00

Well, this was a fun image to do. I find that I'm stuck in a production mode. It's nice, only had to de-tox from art school for a year or so. Not that art school is toxic. I'm talking about a notion that was brought up by Harvey Dunn. Art school is great, but learning how to make a good image is something that takes time, commitment, and dare I say it; an interest in seeing what you can do on your own. That being said, there's a few things that now (of course, after I post it up on the blog... /sigh) that I'll go back in and fix. But the fact that the image file is there, is half the battle for me. Strangely, I find that there's an expenditure of energy in Digital Painting. I expect it with traditional media; and much of it is expressed in setting up and cleaning down. (?!? Stupid idioms...) But the will, for lack of a better word, to pick up the stylus and make a controlled mess can be draining. But then it might have something to do with staying up all night digital painting. That, strangely enough; is why I keep this blog. I feel better being able to rant about things like that.

Well, that and I'm too lazy (busy? sure...) to update a proper website. But, illustration was never about what's proper.

2009-11-18T14:38:00.000-08:00

*yawn!*

Can't think of anything to type here. Old sketch, kinda... worked over in Painter. I feel bad that my computer can't bench press Painter 11 like it lifts 9.5. But meh, I just saved 100$ because of that.

Anyway, digging for more cool sketches. With my archive? this could be a while.

SoB, er.. Sister of Battle

2009-11-14T20:27:00.001-08:00

Ah, just a quick sketchbook gouache painting I did back when the county fair was going on. There were some stretches were I was able to get some serious drawing in. And yeah, I had to dig this out of a sketchbook I kept while I was running around. The sketchbook in question was tucked away in a box with all of my other summer gear. Scandal! The scan doesn't show the intricate sheen that the metallic makers lent, but the colors are pretty accurate.
As for my gouache technique here... I should have been a little bit thicker with my paint application. I think the face is the only place where I really leveraged the advantage that the medium has over water color.
I'm curious, about the nature of digital medium. How reliable is a blog? Will this be around like a paper record, or will all of this dissolve with the advent of zero point computers. Who backs up the web?
In other news, I've got a cold. Ewww.

2009-11-10T01:54:00.000-08:00

New post. Guess I better preface it with noting that this is a colorized image from way back when this blog was new. It dawned on me that many of my best images are laying in my sketchbooks. Anyway, I'm seeking to reclaim them. And reclaim them I will.

In other news, I fear I have let loose a terrible terrible sarcasm on my facebook account. I'm sure no one will catch it. But to be sure, I'm leaving note of it now. First, so there's a key. Just in case some one misses it ( I'm sure no one will catch it.) And secondly, I don't think the crowed the sarcasm's aimed at know that I have a blog too. Oh well, such is life.

Cup fiend

2009-10-31T19:22:00.000-07:00

Just a sketch, the file is up in painter at this very moment being worked on. Of course, it's also very possible by the time you read these words, that I'll be in a picture file right above this. Guess it depends on if I sleep tonight or not. Anyway, the drawing here was done on 19x24 bristol board, regular (vellum) surface. I couldn't scan it, so I took a picture with my camera. Seems to be my import method of choice. Listening to Harlan Ellison on youtube right now... he's got some very good points about copyright law.
Enjoy.

2009-10-27T04:56:00.000-07:00

Ah, I guess two weeks isn't bad. As it is, I'm pretty thrilled with sketching right now. I think I've discovered the best sketching surface for me. I know there's artists out there that try everything that they can get their hands on. I know, because I've tried just about every sketchbook at least once. (working at an art supply store for a few years has it's perks.) Long story short, I've dug out an old 19x24 pad of bristol board and hit it with a 6b pencil (Sanford Draughting Pencil on Strathmore 300 cold press if we're counting, and we are.)

It's changed everything.

I mean, I like to elongate my figures... a lot as I've sat back and looked at my collection of work that I've amassed. trying to get something to fit in a 9x12 is pretty futile. I mean, most of the time, if I'm putting a reasonable sized face on the paper, I can't quite fit anything beneath the knees. On that big sexy pad of bristol board, I've got room to spare. Also, the tooth is perfect. Makes me think that Strathmore's going to discontinue the line or something. Getting it into the computer has proved to be a challenge however. Well, a regular scanner is right out. I takes a digital camera. Two things I've learned the hard way. First, don't flash a graphite drawing... it won't work. Second, I don't care how oversized 8 megapixels feels for simple line art... you're gonna want the highest res you can squeeze into your camera.

Anyway, Here's my favorite right arm that I've drawn yet in my sketching career. Enjoy.

Critical Hit!

2009-10-13T03:56:00.001-07:00

Woah, didn't want to get to more than six months without updating.

Not that it would be a record or anything. I just didn't feel like I had anything that I liked enough to post up, that or I've been too busy working on working.
Found a good way to light a nice fire under my can... I've been posting on deviant art under this same name. Drives safari nuts, but whatever.
It's cool, because you get near instant feedback on your work. I know if I haven't got a favorite in less than five minutes I've posted up a real dog.

This was based off the new mmo Aion. It's got some pretty slick characters and some crazy group pvp gameplay. More or less as if someone cut all the fat from World of Warcraft. Something that drives me nuts about any hp based combat system is the lack of a devastating head shot system. They'll weave in the occasional critical hit, but nothing that really represents the full removal of the brain pan with a instrument designed for, uh, removing brain pans.

I guess this is where I say that art > video games.

Progress is his middle name...

2009-05-26T05:10:00.000-07:00

It's coming right along. I'm very happy with it. And I'm now doing the little tricks to it. Like looking at it in the mirror, printing it out, and showing people who's opinion I trust. I've fought like crazy to keep the actual acrylic texture in the background. No mean feat considering my first instincts are to hit everything with the Tinting brush. The faces in the peanut gallery need more polish, but I'm happy with their diversity. The foreground figure came out completely black in the printout I did. I got too excited about showing the charred edges of his laser wound. Placed him in the proverbial microwave for a minute or two too long. This has been a fantastic learning experience for using textures from Painter in an actual work. I'm very happy with the effect. Some modeling of the gun's form, a second pass on the back ground, and some good hand painted texture highlights and I'll call it done.

Well, at least; that's what the left brain has to say.

My right brain's all, "Boooyeah!"

A funny thing happened on the way to the forum...

2009-05-23T00:40:00.001-07:00

It’s been a while since I’ve posted, I don’t want to get into a deep post, or take up a ton of space like I’m trying to make up for missing posts. But I’ve also had much on my mind.

I’ve taken the summer off and I’m spending it in Idaho.

It’s been great so far. I’ve got a niece and nephews nearby, my mother still cooks for me, I’ve had the chance to touch base with a double handful of old friends I haven't seen since I moved to SF back on 01. In fact, one of my first weeks back I found myself demonstrating digital painting techniques to an interior design class for a former instructor of mine.

I’ve also had a lesson on perspective, the kind that doesn’t involve any type of vanishing point what so ever.

It came from a ‘where are you now’ conversation with an old friend who I used to draw with 15 years ago. He zigged, I zagged. He’s now a brilliant electrical engineer, I’m now an Illustrator who’s reworking his portfolio.

As we spoke, it dawned on me that there’s a responsibility for us dream chasers to work towards, chase, and catch our dreams. Consider the legions of people out there who’ve given up on being what they want before they even gave it a chance.

What would accountants wish their real job was, if it wasn’t for art students who’ve made the transition to art professional? I’m one of few that have taken the road less traveled. I’ve cultivated skills that many people killed in themselves during the 6th grade. To not do something grand with those skills would be a crime.

It popped a pretty formidable depression bubble that I had built up. Which is the reason that I bring it up. There is no problem that exists, but what it common to man. Maybe someone else out there has been in the same situation. An Art School Graduate who’s wondering where their motivation is. A indy band punk rocker who’s taking chemistry classes. The aspiring country singers of the world.

Which segues right into my posted image. It all comes back to people getting lasered by a hot chick. It’s not perfect; indeed, while writing this I’ve seen a boat load of things that need to be cleaned up, softened, hardened, delineated, blended, and erased. It exists, I’m going to work on it. And it’s going to be a damn spiffy image in my portfolio.

Some little sketch

2009-03-23T20:29:00.000-07:00

Hm, so long without an update. I mean, I'm not breaking any records or anything. I think there was one point where I went a year without posting something, or.... something.

This is a recent experimentation using a very limited palate. Just wanted to throw some simple shapes around quickly.

The point, though, is having fun.

Self Portrait debt, with romantic interest.

2008-12-21T00:20:00.000-08:00

Muahahah! So I was talking to a friend about "things™". She mentioned that it's been "proven" by relationship councilors that if you draw a picture of your self as a part of a couple, your romantic situation will improve. Of course, I had to try it out. The skinny kid on the left is me. My facial hair comes in like that, yes. I don't own a portfolio like that, no. I do own that pair of shoes, I just don't wear them because they rub against my ankles in a surprisingly painful way.

So, perhaps.. seasonally this is a couple of months early. It's still not feeling quite like Christmas to me.. just yet. That being said, Valentines day also happens to be something I"m never in the mood for either. But unlike Christmas, which requires snow and ice for me to really make the connection. Couples counseling and self affirmations are truly pan seasonal.

I wish you all a Very Merry Christmas time.

2008-12-07T11:42:00.001-08:00

Ah, here's a couple of sketches that I'm working on.

Here's the 'favored' thumbnail for the horse pic, the color is still rough, and I might fiddle with the back ground some more here, but I really liked the energy in the horse and where it was going n' all. The other sketch is proof you can do water color on anything, just be prepared for a few wrinkles. Still, even in it's wrinkly state: I like it a lot. Maybe I'll make it a back ground layer and digital it all out. Still... love the expression on this one.
Enjoy you guys.

So, what's on my easel?

2008-12-04T20:50:00.000-08:00

This is on my easel. No digital anything, pure acrylic baby. This has been a displacement activity for me of sorts. Work's been slow, and I'm polishing up the portfolio. I like to think I'm in a good place. If one were to ask what I do in my spare time, I can say I paint, draw, do comic books. And the artwork I do I like. Now, I'm always seeking to improve. I'm in no danger of having my head not fit through tight door frames. But it's big enough that I'm actually going through doors. Or will be after a couple more of these. I think I'm going to paint a horse in my next piece. But, I don't wanna give too much away. I mean, what would be the fun in that?

I've got it! it's scanned. Beware!

2008-11-19T19:19:00.001-08:00

Seriously, I'm so excited about this thing. I almost didn't attend the 24 hour comic book day. I had work that morning, and was seriously intimidated by all the cool work that was up when I wheeled in at about 7pm (9 whole hours after it all started!) So, I stuck to what I was good at, what I loved. And I wrote for myself, who not only is my favorite audience, and biggest fan: But is also the critic I love most. My evil plan (Muhahaha!) is to get this thing onto drunkduck.com and release it page a day style. So, to read it.. You're going to have to wait, or corner me. I'll let you read it then. As far as a title? Meh, it'll come to me sooner or later.

Enough Verbage, let me show you what you came here for.

2008-11-17T23:50:00.000-08:00

Well, the comic is getting close to being back in my hands. To celebrate this fact. I'm going to be painting a cover for it.

Here's the sketch:

2008-10-27T23:13:00.000-07:00

Ah, a photoshop painting.
Check,
My favorite subject matter.
Check,
Lot's of smoke and a couple of stylistic affections that I like to effect.
Check, and Check.

Done?

For now.

AAU 24 hour comic book challenge!

2008-10-22T21:19:00.000-07:00

Ahh, this was a lot of fun. Here's some pics stripped from the photo site that Dan Cooney has posted on the web. http://24hrcomic-academyart.blogspot.com/ if you're looking for something fun to click on. I've got a couple of photo's and in them there are a few pages that I did that you can see. I'll be posting the comic up in it's entirety on a wonderful web based comic book site. Probably Drunk Duck or something like it. In the mean time, enjoy some photo's of me hard at work on my 24 hour comic. And yes, it did get done.. with a half hour to spare, no less.

Shoe guy, leg man.

2008-10-15T19:29:00.001-07:00

Ah, another great day of Clothed figure 3. Great model, great drawings, even a great lecture provided by Chuck Pyle. Figure I'd share some drawings. 15 min, 5 min. Both on smooth newsprint.

Color Rough

2008-10-13T23:30:00.000-07:00

Eh, Magenta.

I'm excited about it. =D

Pointed girls with guns, or exhuming relics.

2008-10-07T00:30:00.000-07:00

I've got to mention my Roman Coppola synchrony weekend. It’s tenuous, but I’m counting it anyway. I picked up CQ, and The Life Aquatic a ways back, and I watched them both over the weekend. And then I turned around and watched them again with the Commentaries. I was very surprised to listen to how often Roman Coppola was mentioned in both commentaries. Not the least of which was writing, directing, and doing the documentary on of and about CQ. Which, if you haven't seen it and you’re looking for a good flick about: an aspiring artist finding inspiration in everyday life, cool 60’s movie chick space action flicks, and/or a really hot blond. This may be your perfect movie. It’s one of those films that just make you want to turn around and make a film. Yeah, he was second unit director on The life aquatic. Which, if you haven't seen it, as about the other side of the hill.

I also watched the fat boy slim video for Praise you, but I'm pretty sure that’s a different Roman Coppola.

Which brings me to this gem of a sketch. I usually don’t work on my images after they’ve been in my sketchbook a year, I usually don’t cut up my sketch books either. And I nearly never do so in that order.

The reason that I picked this sketch out to work up and redo was very simple to me. It's cool as hell! But when I drew it a year or two back I was really into over rendering out faces. I’m not talking about spending 20 minutes shading upper lips or anything like that. I mean that I explicitly defined her cheekbones. The poor girl looked like she was on Meth, or maybe Heroin (not Heroine... that’s different.)
Where was I? oh yes, my simple reason was this. It was awesome, but it needed one more pass. That, and the jacket was too cool.
Straight against curve? Whatever do you mean kind sir, why would I do that?

The halo she’s sporting is yellow highlighter. The gun is ray. Um, and she’s about to produce the beat down. Look at those zipper’s fly.

Rocking the blue pencil

2008-10-01T20:41:00.000-07:00

Hit a clothed figure workshop, had a blast. Great model here. Mallory rocked it out, and a good time was had by all. Talked about the costume carnival, looks like it might be on Nov 1st this year. The day after halloween, I think it's awesome timing... I"m just worried that all the students will all be hung over when they get there. Oh well.

And, the Blue Col-erase pencil... Hard to find a better sketching pencil.

2008-09-16T22:05:00.000-07:00

Another day, another few hours pumped into it. I'm having a blast. Blew two hours tweaking the face, didn't like it so I changed it back. I like it better this way. I'd also like to shout out some thanks to my model on this one. She's worked some long hard thankless hours, and even though it was quite a few months ago, I hope she finds some comfort in knowing that those photo's are being put to good use.

Homework

2008-09-15T23:34:00.000-07:00

Ah, homework. Twist my arm! Yeah, I'm having a blast. I've been thinking a bit, about how I'm going to make myself stand out from the pack. There are tons of chick w/ gun pictures in Imagine FX. They all have hooks, some better than others. Anything from a really cool and involved back ground, to a really cool and involved character, or even a really cool and involved technique. Frazetta said it first though, he just tries to cram his paintings full of the most drama that he can. Color, value, and composition drama, all pushed to the max. That was Frazetta's hook. I try and think of that when I'm doing thumbnails. That, and what's going to be the most fun I can have. Having a story in there is all win too.

Chucks class

2008-09-12T00:51:00.000-07:00

So, these are from a clothed figure class. Five minute drawings each, we were just warming up that first day. Fun stuff all over. Our model was pro, and was doing interesting stuff all day long. That's got to be hard when you have 6 hours of class time. So, school is back in full swing. I'm scrambling for work, and I've got Thumbnails for a dream homework assignment due by saturday night for my online class. I've got the best idea for it, I've got the worst idea for it. See, I hate drawing other peoples concepts for homework. There is something in me that wants the high beams of my brilliance directed at the class, unfiltered by someone else's kick ass designs. Say, if I was going to paint a mob of super assassins for instance... I'd fret about how they would all need to be my super assassins. Even if the idea is just as awesome when it's done with someone else's super assassins. •I know what I'll do.• I'll call it an homage. Problem solved. It's good to know that most of my serious creative problems can be solved with a little vocabulary. Anyway, enjoy my saucy news print.

Busy busy day.

2008-09-09T23:48:00.001-07:00

Crazy, I'm back in the Grad program at the AAU. I'm seriously excited about it. I haven't felt this level of enthusiasm since i was a freshman here in the first place. Something about realizing a goal that I've had for a long time I guess. Also, the iron is hot, the blog has been blogged in with sketches like crazy. Almost, gasp, to the point that I don't get comments any more. Meh, it's all good. Having a ton of work online is it's own reward. Here's a 'doodle' I did on painter, I really just got carried away with the hair here. Eyelashes too. It's small, but running around all day makes for a tired guy who needs to sleep. Also, online classes with famous Illustrators are fun. If nothing else, it gives me a worthy target for my 'forum mania.'

Yar, I'm going to bed.

Counter intuitive

2008-09-08T23:02:00.000-07:00

I spent a large portion of today painting. Molecules, not digital. I've been working with this super cheep student brand of liquitex acrylic paint. It's awesome! It's so weak sauce that it never obscures my drawing underneath. The super diluted with medium paint is just what I'm looking for, I'll admit that I felt so dirty when I started buying it. I mean... I'm a paint snob. I've got a palate of Lacscaux for Pete's sake. Anyway, here's one of my mini's that I did while I was waiting for paint to dry.

Back

2008-09-07T19:45:00.001-07:00

Had a great vacation, was really just what I needed. Something about clean air and an actual real live summer. I highly recommend well timed vacations.

Anyway, here's some art.

p.s. did blogger invert my image?

Woot, flying home tomorrow

2008-08-29T21:55:00.000-07:00

I'm flying back to idaho for a week starting tomorrow. I'm pretty thrilled about it. I've spent most of my time tonight looking up old 2005 penny arcade web comics instead of packing. It's only a week, and I find I take less and less with me each and every time I return to the mother land. Of course I'm taking my new phonebook sized sketchbook, and enough pens and markers to easily bust the 4 liquid ounce limit. I'm concerned I might have to abandon the pantone trias to the airport lost and found. Found a new Japanese restaurant that sailed to the top of my favorite Japanese restaurants list. It's called Medicine. It was good. A designer brought in a metric ton of tootsie pops. That's right, we had our spoon full of sugar. So, go there. get the Medicine roll. And marvel at the beat stained rice, as you ply your way through the water cress forest of that end cap roll. I was introduced, by the way, to a new mechanic of the chop stick. Apparently, if you try and eat one of these "end cap rolls" that have a second rolls worth of carrots, crab, and what have you sticking out of it: you can use the two sticks together as a sort of battering ram. I can't recommend doing this with a fork, as the risk of injury is too great. And doing it with a spoon risks disfigurement of a far worse kind. (ask me about "Mad dog Madson" one of these days.) Point being, I’ve only got a rough sketch for you tonight, and am going to be out in the sticks for the next week. Have a good weekend all.

Oops, I mean... Great! part two

2008-08-28T01:34:00.000-07:00

Slow going, I'm neck deep in catalog ooze. But that doesn't mean that I'm not filling my spare hour or two with productive stuff. So go there now, and look at my under construction page. I'm quite proud.

Breaking in nibs

2008-08-27T23:02:00.000-07:00

Woah, I'm tired. Been working long hours doing art for a catalog. Strange though, how that makes me want to draw. Broke in some nibs the other day. This is the result. Was done on hot press watercolor paper. If you have the means, I highly recommend it. If nothing else, it's a challenge to exist without the undo button.

Rawr, Giant robot

2008-08-26T22:34:00.001-07:00

Some of the best giant robots out there are the Battletech ‘mechs. There are quicker robots, sleeker ones to be sure. Few, with bigger guns. They were some of the first giant robots to really take my imagination (or sketchbook, as the case may be) by storm. I was an addict from an early age too. Not the computer games, I’m talking the pen and paper stuff. One of the first things I regularly drew was Battlemechs. Well, them and a lot of Transformers. But the Transformers never had a board game. Robotech did, but I didn’t discover that until much later. Here I am, many years later returning to my early roots here. It's a giant robot homecoming of sorts.
Anyway, enjoy the lasers.

The "other" marker tool

2008-08-25T20:44:00.000-07:00

So, don't get me wrong. I love digital drawing and all the little tools and tricks. But by far, my favorite "marker tool" is made by Prismacolor. Specifically in this case, Scarlet Lake.
The idea here is a giant robot pilot. Helmet ring, cooling vest, and goggles that tie directly into the fire control sensors.

Guess this means that I’ll have to draw the robot she pilots.

Pro Sketchbook

2008-08-19T21:30:00.000-07:00

So, I'm fiddling around my hard drive, and i find this sketchbook program. It's the sketchbook program, apparently, the Pro Sketchbook, with capitol letters. It was a demo, of the non sequential variety. Meaning that you have 15 "24 hour" periods to use the program. I've got 5 days left. 5 days of Wacom Bliss. It was an Alias product, when I got the demo the first time. Now it's Autodesk.
I don't know what improvements Autodesk Sketchbook Pro have over Alias Sketchbook Pro. I know that one of the aforementioned is getting my money. I suppose that's not the important part, in this purist search for Digital Art Nirvana (yeah, Capitol letters.... © even.)
So, the important part. I threw this dapper gentleman together while listening to music after coming down from a particularly challenging day at work. Channeling because I had a head cold. Nothing like drawing kids when you’re the one with the runny nose.

Oops, I mean... Great!

2008-08-11T12:16:00.001-07:00

Fate handed me a spectacular opportunity the other day,
my website went down. Don't worry, it's only temporary. When it comes back, it will be better, stronger, and faster than before. Well, maybe not faster. Nor will it cost six billion dollars, I'm hoping. Truthfully, I've been very unsatisfied with my website. It is a student website, after all. I did it for a class. Now that I've been working for three years, it's time for a website that reflects more of who I am now as an artist, and not who I was three years ago.

An art post is coming soon, I just have to code some Flash first.

2008-06-26T20:05:00.001-07:00

Always feel a bit horrible if I post without artwork. It's a bad habit, but it can be an interesting hurdle as well. Not that I don't have anything to post up, but the choosing of the artwork that I put up is always a challenge. I don't want to show anything "too" unfinished, but then I don't want to post'pwn (it's a real word... lol ) posting up projects that I'm working on either.
Right now I'm painting over a gouache (how's that for an imaginary word) painting in Painter. I'm finding it a challenge to retain all the texture and fun that the paper allowed me. I mean, if I wanted to I could polish this thing until it nothing of the physical painting remains. I'm sure that there's artistic damnation in that direction. For me, that is. It's a personal choice, but I get more of my milage out of physical paint. Digital paints great, Photoshop is a thing of beauty don't get me wrong. But I'm still married to molecules. Gratefully, my minor infidelity with digital media hasn't gotten me in trouble yet.

2008-04-12T21:01:00.000-07:00

So, just a little poster I've been doing for a client.

as Athena, fully formed from my head.

2007-10-10T22:20:00.000-07:00

Well, not quite. But here's the images.

I'm still here... though I was there.

2007-08-31T19:48:00.000-07:00

Wow, had a whirlwind of a last six months. Work, school, Drama.. all the makings of great blog entries.
Well, not exactly. But I got an interesting gig that I just had to mention. I've been learning from a master street painter on how to paint with spray paint. I'll tell you from experience, cans are both more and less fussy than an airbrush. But, if the conditions are right (warm can, clean cap, and the right page from the sears catalogue) You can do truly intricate pattern and detail in a minimum of time. But that being said, I have some ideas on how it might be applied to larger acrylic paintings in a beneficial way.

But enough verbiage... Here's my first try :

So, I had this kink in my neck.

2007-02-26T01:52:00.000-08:00

I don't want to go for too long without posting something new up. And, well... this is new. I was sketching on the bus, and actually had a woman scoot away from me. I wonder why?
Well, anyway the plans for this is a tighter drawing to be finished in either watercolor, or digital media. I haven't decided yet, but am leaning towards watercolor. I’ll post it when I get it done.

2007-02-16T14:20:00.000-08:00

This represents a bit of an experimentation for me. I took a painting that I painted in, well, Painter. Printed it out, then painted on it with Water Color. The results were surprising. I think this is something I'm going to do more of.

2007-02-16T13:55:00.000-08:00

2007-02-16T13:28:00.000-08:00