Emerald Con is coming

March 4th - 6th, 2011

I will be at booth D-03. Art prints, a new art/sketchbook, card games, me, and maybe some commissions. Come on down and see all the awesome artists in the Alley section. So many nice people. We'll talk art, the industry, breaking in, whatever you want! [link] I hope Felicia Day stops by.......

The city today

The longer the neck, the more fun I have drawing it. 

psychedelic maaaaan

figure drawing highlights from Thursday night.  Other artists renditions are here at the Drawing Club

A mute

These are mutes.  They have changed over the years and probably will again.  I'm still in the fun exploring stages so we'll see where the journey takes me.  So I've decided to work on my pet project the City each day.  Either a small sketch, idea, painting, etc to keep it going.  Join me on the excursion.... 

Hellhound

 I couldn't choose which color scheme, so you get both

Just a few of its many names include :Black Shuck, Gally-trot, Moddey Dhoo, Guytrash, Skriker, Hairy Jack, Padfoot, Choin Dubh, Muckle Black Tyke, Grim, Dip and of course Gwyllgi (dog of darkness or the black hound of destiny). Collectively this type of beast is known as a black dog or Hellhound.

Hellhound is a term that can be applied to a wide variety of sinister, ghostly or hellish supernatural dogs that appear in mythologies from around the world, particularly Europe and the British Isles. These supernatural canines all share a list of common attributes. Hellhound's are coal black and have eyes that glow bright red or on the rare occasion yellow. Some Hellhounds are no more then ghostly appraitions, while others are creatures of flesh and blood that attack travelers or lead them off the path at night to be devoured. In some stories the Hellhound will smell of sulfur and brimstone, travel great distances at amazing speed or even mimic human speech.

Hellhounds are always massive in size (ranging from the size of a horse to the size of a small rhinocerous). The dogs have been said to appear in large balls of fire or even glow with a blue light. Looking into their eyes or even hearing their howl can mean death. Some of the more responsible hounds are said to shepard the souls of the dead to the afterlife like a good dog herding sheep. In breed they can look like a Mastiff, Labrador, boar hound or even wolf like. Sighted in graveyards, near churches, and even on city streets the Hellhound is a phantom, a monster and a mystery.

Believe it or not to this very day there is a phenomenon known as black dog syndrome in which animal shelters have more trouble finding homes for darker colored dogs because of the stigma attached to them by years of superstition and negative portrayal in books and film. The idea of the black dog being evil is very ancient, and still lurks somewhere deep in our collective unconsciousness.  Other submissions etc here

Warm up with Kells

Watching the special features of Secret of Kells compelled me to play around this morning.  Now if only someone will print the graphic novels in English for me....

Gnomon Class Demo

I did a quick Demo in class on starting a character from scratch in Photoshop.  I tend not to work like this but I'm trying to give demos on as many techniques so the students can figure out what works best for them and their individual goals.  I never liked when teachers just taught one way, it felt so homogenized. 

Faces

I'm trying to really get out of my normal pattern.  These are all French Grey Prismacolors and blue pencil.  Trying to push my shapes and create a fun feel with the values.

The Mayor

The Mayor, part of the ongoing IP I am developing called "the City"

sketches

Some observations from Old Town Pasadena.  Man it's been awhile since I sketched non-humans.  Gotta keep doing it, bike is rusty.

Startin a Revolution figure Drawings

The drawing club sketches with photoshop color pass

Other artists HERE

New Art print for Emerald Con

The Gargoyle is a creature actually based on a legend found in France. The monster from the original tale was called the Gargouille or Goji. Gargouille, when translated, means literally "throat" or "gullet" and its root pronunciation represents the sound gargling water makes.

One version of the gargoyles story begins when the Bishop of Rouen, St. Romanus (or Romain to his friends) went out to destroy the monster as it was terrorizing the french countryside. The Gargouille was a very tradition dragon in this interpretation. It was described as having a long spiked neck, reptilian head and bat-like wings. All traits which are typically found in western dragons. After killing the dragon St. Romanus took it back to the city of Roen to burn it and found that the head and neck would not burn. He took them and mounted them on his own church as a warning for other monsters to stay far away or risk the same fate.

In another version of the story the Gargouille was a water monster that rose from the river Seine and had an appearance more like a sea serpents. He was again defeated by St. Romanus and mounted on his newly built church. Either way there is no clear idea of what the Gargouille truly looked like and different ideas of it appear in different translations.

The modern gargoyle as we know it has many shapes and sizes but owes its existence to this story. The gargoyle can have the appearance of a dragon, lion, dog, wolf, eagle, snake, monkey, goat or even a man. Most often the gargoyle is a combination of all these things. Since the middle ages they have been guardians and protectors of the places they inhabit. They are creatures of patience and guard churches and buildings from bad luck and evil spirits to this very day

Thanks Kasey and Alphabeastiery for the words and idea.

The Burrito King

Nom Nom Nom

At Chipotle with the Sketch Club

some more observations

Another Story without picture part 2

About 2 months ago I wrote about meeting a young man who needed my help.  We talked about art, philosophy, prejudice, and his jail time.  He would draw and I would help.

Thursday 8 AM. He talked, I listened.  In hindsight he traded  his time with a prison counselor for Starbucks and an artist.  I tried to help.  We set up times to meet, every week same time. 

Thursday 8 AM.  Alone, looking up every time someone walked too close to my table.  He never showed.  A text message stating he slept in, forgot.  Annoyed, I text back same time next week?  A sincere yes, sorry.  All is forgiven. 

Thursday 8 AM. I walk in the cold and all I can think is, he better show.  I don't have time for this.  I show and he doesn't.  A Phone call about meeting a lawyer about some priors.  I plead to an outside silence to give me peace of mind and not write people off.  My heart softens yet again, same time next week? 

Thursday 8 AM.  I get ready.  Clothes on, shower.  Ugh 7:30 AM.  Phone rings.  He's at another Starbucks, won't be meeting.  Wasn't sure if I'd show so he skipped.  I sit defeated.  Saying I think that's it.  A text shows 1 day later.  I take 3 days to answer it, going back and forth in my head.  I reply, same time next week?  He's happy again and I feel strung out by it all, but maybe it helps someone, doesn't have to be me this time.

Thursday 8 AM.  I sit alone once again this morning.  I draw crap.  Depressed.  Damn you for making me do this.  I text good luck, I cannot keep doing this.  I hope you find your path.  Stay good.  A text as I hang my head in shame on the walk home.  " I am I actually am on my way to Arcadia.  I have a mental health appointment."

As I sit I contemplate.  Was I supposed to do more?  Help how?  Am I even mentally prepared to help him with bigger problems than I have ever or will ever have? 

When do you say enough?
or
You are not my problem and I am not your solution.

should you ever?
I sit unsure. 


And I believe this is how my story ends.

quickie warm up

random faces this week

The Princess

This weeks Drawing Club highlights.  These will all be in the art book plus more images not seen here.  Other artists renditions and great pieces at the drawing club

duuuuude

Hey Man......

imagine FX

My issue just showed up.  The A-Z of Sci-Fi art.  I got Q for Quest.  A one page tutorial.  I can't believe I'm in the section with the amazing John Harris, Brian Despain, and Matt Gaser.  Also a Moebius article.  I know it's just "next" to these great artists, but just give me this one ok?

The last one is Milton.  A nice retired gentleman I speak with frequently at the coffee shop.  A wood carver from Oklahoma, a wife in Africa, and a love for donuts and storytelling.  I like to talk like him as its soothes my brain.  A drawl sound elongating his vowels.  A sweet sweet man.

These are but a few samples of one of the art books I am self producing and asking for help in Kickstarter with.  A huge collection of character observations about 100 pages.  Should be very soon with more announcements on this next adventure into publishing.

Hunchback drawing club

The Hunchback of Notre Dame at the drawing club last week.  

Other artists are located here.  Go check out the awesome.