"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.

July and August Sketchbook

Yep.  That's literally it. I've had absolutely no time lately which is one of the reasons things have been a little dead around here lately.  I've decided to keep my September and October clear since it's my most favorite and inspiring time of the year and just draw and paint creepy things nonstop so hopefully that livens things up a bit.

Color Boot Camp

A few weeks ago I took part in Bill Perkin's Color Boot Camp workshop.  It was an intense 3 days of basically nonstop painting and learning.  I think I retained about .08% of what he was teaching but it was definitely worth the time and money.  Above is a composite image of the more than 19 color studies we did at a size which I'm fairly comfortable they be viewed in.  Even so, don't look too close and keep in mind that these were mostly all done in 40 minutes or less and intended as fast color studies, not finished pieces.

Sketch-Trade with Joe Olson

Joe gave me the incredible 'Possom Monster about a year and a half ago or something and I just traded him the Old Bolo Tie Guy today.  Sorry Joe, better late than never I guess.

Interesting Fact: Joe Olson is awesome.

Hands Off His Chest

Tried a little different technique with this one.  I'm not sure I like it but I had to post something this month and this was the only thing close to resembling something finished.  I'm really busy right now so my blog might be a little empty until I catch up :(

June Sketchbook