All Star Brother

Another Friend illustration.

On a side note, yes I'm still alive, I've just had a few projects keeping me very busy.  I hope to start regularly updating my blog again soon.

July 2012 Friend Cover

They actually let me do the cover this time!

Influence Map

I have only just been introduced to these though they seem really popular.  The idea is to fill the space with various things that have influenced your art style.  The more space they take up the greater the influence.  There's a number of ways to interpret this, and influences are constantly shifting.  I tried to get a good mix of those artists and things that influenced me at a younger more developmental stage and ones that are influencing me now.  In a few cases it's more about the specific image than the artist.  In others it's really broad, like a movie or company.  I cheated a little too when it comes to my dad.  He's an artist, and my dad, easily my biggest influence growing up, but I'd feel weird making him the biggest thing since obviously parents are a huge influence regardless, but I couldn't leave him off completely.  This was a fun thing to think about, to realize how the things influencing my art have changed over the years, dramatically in some cases, not at all in others.  I'd totally suggest doing this if you're at all interested, and let me know when you do so I can check it out, it's really fun to see what makes a persons creativity tick.

FIRE!

An illustration for the Friend magazine.

Lady Gorn

If the Gorn had been a female, Kirk would have tamed her heart in no time.  But then we'd have been robbed of one of the greatest fight scenes ever.

"Brains, Good Sir, Braaains..."

Gentleman Zombie - 18x24, oil on canvas

 For some reason I find the idea of a traditional portrait, but of a zombie appearing as if he actually posed for it, really funny.  I kept laughing to myself as I was painting it, maybe it's just me.  I decided to use Sargent's portrait of Coventry Patmore as a guide and follow a sketch I did (which itself was a progression from this drawing I did years ago).  I'd hoped to get this idea out of my head but I had so much fun with it, I'm already planning a companion piece of a sophisticated Lady Zombie.

Stones, Arrows, and Snowballs

 

Another illustration for The Friend.

January '12 Sketchbook

Avery

Portraits of children are hard.  At least they are for me, they often look a little off and awkward.  I'm always apprehensive when I try to do one but I think I was fairly successful here.  I've also reached the point where I would much rather be painting something with oils than the computer.  If only I could figure out how to photograph the finished paintings better.  This is Oil paint on an 8x10 canvas.

Leia the Slaya!

This is my 200th post!  And it's the first of the year so I wanted to do something cool.  I've been wanting to do a Frazetta inspired Princess Leia for a while and thought it a good way to kick off 2012.

My kid has really gotten into Star Wars lately but I've only let him watch the good ones (episodes 4,5, and 6).  He has no idea the other three even exist.  As a parent, what do I do?  Let him find out on his own someday?  Will he feel like I lied to him?  Is it better to expose him to them at an early age?  What if he actually likes them?  Can I deal with that as a parent?  I'll love him no matter what but how can I let him know they're wrong, without being too controlling?  The things you don't consider when becoming a parent...

Watercolor Santa

Just a quick watercolor sketch I did of Santa imparting some insightful words of wisdom.

Spectre Vesper

My latest oil painting.

Peace, Be Still

An illustration I did for the December 2011 Friend magazine.

Oldenburg Fantastik

This is a cover I did for a book coming out in Europe, it was a lot of fun.

October Sketchbook

2011 Pumpkin

I actually used sculpting tools this year which didn't necessarily yield better results but it did go WAY faster which was fun.  Hopefully I'll have more practice and time next year to get better at this.

Pumpkin Puppet

Late at night when the pumpkins play,

And want to frighten the birds away,

They find their situation improving

As they make the scarecrow look like it's moving.

Undead Burial

Haunted Hallway

"It's the most wonderful time of the year!..."

Mr. Natural

A birthday present for my father in law - Oil on board.