Mural planning

For the mural layout I was thinking about last week I'm going to prime the walls and then block them out into framed sections.
Here's the hallway I have in mind. (Please excuse the clothing etc. We're in the process of setting up our "Artful Boutique" store in the gallery.

Once I've cleared the hallway and primed the wall I'll paint on the frames on and then when the whole group gets together we can each play in side the frames.

Kind of like the frames on these Mucha pieces:

Here's my doodle on the thought:

 

This is going to take some time to put together, so I'll start chipping away at it.

Step one. Go buy Kilz paint.

Last winter we had a little water damage becaus eof melting ice dams on the roof, so Kilz will be needed to really prep the wall.

The first "Art and Chill night" (does that work as a name?) will be on December 30th and that will probably be more of a "bring what you're working on and let's be artsy in a group" thing.

Either way. Progress!

Learning to After Effects like a boss

My artwork from The Spider's Nest featuring the novel Pandora

I've been working like crazy to get the artwork done for the next episode of "The Spider's Nest" done, but all I can keep thinking about is how much cooler everything would be if it were even lightly animated. You know, motion comic style.

Zac Gorman’s Legendary ‘Zelda’ Comics Get Their Animated GIF

Because up until now I've always had to shop out any animating needed for the web-series and channel. But I keep hearing that after effects and photoshop aren't so different. So I've been hunting around for some tutorials on how to start using the program and I 'm posting my favorite ones here so I can reference them later. And hey, maybe we can become baller after effects artists together. Why not?

Also I found this really cool site that I'm posting here to return to once I've got my sea legs. Because I want to be able to do the things this guys does someday.

http://www.videocopilot.net/tutorials/

Call for Art

Hello Folks!

I'm co-curating a monster themed art show this October and I'm looking for artwork, so, contact me if you're interested in submitting ;-)

Pin up art

A little art for funzies :-)

MAC650 Figure drawing

Tonight was figure drawing night the the MAC650 gallery.

So, here's the first sketch of the night, a 5 minute pose done in watercolors. 

It was so nice to have a model this evening that was more on the plus side. I really enjoy drawing body shapes that aren't the general athletic build. There's a wonderful beauty in those extra curves.

At this point I was still warming up,  however I'm pretty happy with how the face came out on this one. This was a 10min pose done with watercolors.

This was a 10 min pose, watercolor with pencil on top. I was really enjoying studying her hair but it was challenging trying to get those curls of hers to look fluid.

Here's the 30 minute sketch. Watercolor on paper with pencil on top. At this point during the session everyone was gently teasing me about using so many colors ('cause really, what ego driven person brings watercolors to a sketch session? This one.) So I added even more, even though I was kind of ready to monochromatic.

So for the last pose I went grey-scale. This was a 20 minute pencil sketch with a teensy bit of watercolor added to smooth out the shadows.

I really need to start tracking down more drawing groups. Once a month just leaves me wanted to do more. That's probably a good thing though. :-)

Back to reality

Hello States! It's so nice to be back home and getting back into the swing of things.

Since we last spoke, I got married, went on my honeymoon to Italy, and finished building a set I had not planned on needing to actually touch.

It's been a crazy/amazing couple of months and now I'm finally sitting at my desk ready to get to work on the children's book I've been hired to illustrate. So excited to get this project going! Oh yeah, I also have 2 weeks and 3 days to illustrate a 30 page book... And so begins the artistic madness once again.

Originally, I came up with a bunch of different styles to draw the main character. The following are all part of the style decision-making process.

And now, with a sketch out of the way and 2am hot on it's tails I bid you, good night.

Wall sketch and painting

The wall painting I'm working on for the recess around my apartment door. Technically this is today's and yesterday's doodle-a-day--- but I'll think I'll back-track a bit to make some separate one.

Can't wait to finish this painting!

jk! 37

I'm just kidding; here's number 37. The photoshop colored version of 31.

And now Wednesday and today

pen and brush with ink on watercolor paper

ink and brush on watercolor paper

catch-up time!

Alrighty folks; are you prepared for a blog blast of art?

Ready or not here it is!

Monday:

Tuesday:

Wednesday and today need a little photoshopping before posting. so... brb

A day for Art

This doodle a day project has really been motivating me to want to focus on my development as an artist. So This Sunday I took a little trip on over to Gillette Castle in East Haddam.

It was beautiful, The grounds are all very well tended and the castle itself? Stunning. I love the detail the architect and builders put into every bit of the project. The stone pathway winds through the estate with solidly build walls and jagged decorative bits on top. The castle itself was overwhelming. Every window grinned with stone overhangs, the porch lights were a mosaic of broken glass, and ivy delicately crawled up parts of the building. The castle was so fantastic (in the traditional sense of the word) and yet felt so connected to the surrounding Forrest.

So, feeling daunted by the majesty of the actual castle I decided to sketch the pavilion that was a short way down the hill from it.  I set up shop on the grass and started sketching away. For a good two  hours or so I enjoyed in the warmth of the sun and and the chatter of the tourists and sketched away. It was totally the best afternoon I had for myself in quite a while.

I can't wait to return and take on that beast of a castle.

Correction

The metal band "Chaotic" is actually Spelled "Kayotic." figured that one out when I went to their show on Friday. In honor of their second great performance: