IF - Fleeting

Life is fleeting- from the nest to a final rest. This is a quick still life I'm working on to refine my digital painting techniques. I'm trying out some amazing Photoshop brushes from Chris Oatley, a generous and thorough illustrator. I'm learning as I go and there is always so much to learn! If any of you have pointers/suggestions I'd appreciate any feedback.

Enjoy

Plein Air & Plain Feet

For those of you who thought I was dead, your almost right. I'm working like a dog these days on development for a film project, it feels great. Here are a couple images to keep my 3 three rabid fans happy.

The first is a plein air sketch (1.5 hrs) of some clouds that couldn't hold pose for very long but were great to work with. I'm trying to really flex the ole' draw-quickly-from-life muscle lately and find that my reliance on reference has left me slightly atrophied. I'll post a few of those sketches soon.

The other is one of my favorite paintings, it's part of my How Beautiful Upon the Mount series based on Isaiah's theme. I'll post up the other pieces as soon as I can shoot them.

Here our first parents have made the decision to taste the forbidden fruit and be cast out of the Garden of Eden. An uphill climb for sure after leaving his presence, but a journey possible through Christ's mediation (the light area beyond the mountains).

Hope to put some more experiments up soon.

Sampling for Kelly

Thanks to a former storyboard teacher, Kelly Loosli, who asked to see a sampling of my regular work.
I did these backgrounds for a short that Kelly was putting together a number of years back, they were created following the direction of Peter Sakievich.
















Here is a random gathering of some unedited sketchbook images. As a man sketcheth so is he! I've been working on bringing in more shape based caricature to my work, so every day I fill a page with something-right now there are a lot of elephants for a story I'm working on.














The collage is a style sampler, I work in a ton of styles for various projects. Yes, that means my style has never really settled into one place, but it means I've been able to be a part of a lot of fun projects.

Most of you may not be aware, but I moonlight as designer (mostly packaging)-gasp* shock* disbelief-. Some projects I've done. I take all of my own photography.

Well that's it for this episode folks, stay tuned for more next week

Spring Time is coming!

Spring time should be just around the corner, but today it snowed again. I can't wait for winter to give way as buds bloom and new life is everywhere.

I did this illustration based on a poem The Magic Piper by F.L. Marsh.

There piped a piper in the wood
Strange music-soft and sweet-
And all the little wild things
Came hurrying to his feet.

They sat around him on the grass,
Enchanted, unafraid,
And listened, as with shining eyes
Sweet melodies he made.

The wood grew green, and flowers sprang up,
The birds began to sing;
For the music it was magic,
And the piper’s name was - Spring!

Spring is just around the corner, wait just a bit longer and you'll see the sun for longer than the a blink of the eye.

IF: MLK others pale in comparison

I couldn't help but post this drawing today as the U.S.A. celebrates the life of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. a brave peace fighter for human rights. He was murdered for teaching that people of all backgrounds, colors, beliefs, etc should live in equality with freedom from fear and the right to pursue greatness without limits. It's hard for me to teach my kids just how wonderful Rev King's life and teachings really are.

Every year we watch his "I have a dream speech", if you have a moment please watch it.

The drawing was done years ago and is full of errors I would like to correct, but I felt it was important to post it.

God bless us all to be more loving and accepting our differences.

IF: Resolve to Draw Better

There is no skill more valuable than the ability to draw well (personal definition: effectively render what you see); my subjects may change & my style may evolve, but my ability to draw well can only be enhanced as I practice, critique and refine my work.

I started the new year by deciding to draw this portrait for some dear friends of mine. It's of the family's son who's in Brasil for two years. Doing "Thank you" drawings is a way that I'm forcing myself to do observational drawings more. No matter what your resolution, back it up with some immediate action plan...and just do it.

Thanks and Tchao

PS I just love using the chipboard, that is supposed to be junked, as a halftone drawing surface. The little black and white charcoal get a lot of help from the chipboard.

Political Voices

Here is an illustration that I really enjoyed doing. It's very tongue in cheek-only it's someone else's tongue in their cheek! There are too often cases where the message of government is that's of the group which paid the most to be heard- for better or worse. This piece illustrates that problem.

Any one else have an opinion or criticism... slide over 5 bucks and I'll allow you're voice to be heard. J/K

I'll try to get in another post before Christmas more in the spirit of the Christ child, but just in case, Merry Christmas to all.