A Bit of This and That...

On Hold

2009-09-17T11:58:00.004-04:00

The original purpose of this blog was for me to be able to check in and make sure I was actually working on new art. However, I've been working on so much art that I don't have the time (or the memory) to stop by as often as I should. So for now, I'm putting this blog on hold.

If in the future, there is a good reason for me to update it again, I will. Until then, I wish you all the best.

You can still check out my active work at Deviant Art, Hentai Foundry, and Hartists. Soon I'm looking to open a shop online as well. I'll definitely keep ya'll posted.

08/09 Speed Paint and Chat on dA

2009-08-10T13:20:00.002-04:00

I did my first chat on dA yesterday. And did 3 speed paintings. Actually won 2 months subscription, so yea! I was very surprised and honored. I look forward to next month.

I'm still waiting to hear the results for the Dare to Deviate contest. We'll see how it goes.

Also in progress on some Nerf guns. So far, so good, though the work scenario is far from ideal.

8/02/09 Cosmo Girls

2009-08-02T23:06:00.005-04:00

I think I'm going to aim to sketch more in traditional media as well as digitally speed paint. I did these today from ads in my latest Cosmo magazine.

Crazy Busy

2009-08-01T20:52:00.004-04:00

So I fell off the wagon concerning the blog, but I've been really busy art-wise. There's new stuff over at my dA account and I'm hoping to be able to post my masked_ball submissions soon. I have lots of projects in the works too, though I did just finish up the really pressing contests.

I feel like I'm on the verge of some artistic breakthough at the moment, but I may be trying to learn too many things at one time. I think I'm going to try a few busts and see if I can simplify subject and improve execution since my last several projects have had relatively complex compositions.

I'm also sketching. So here are a few I did this evening. Hopefully there will be more forthcoming. (Please forgive the scan, my scanner hates graphite for some reason.)

06/24/09 Update

2009-06-24T20:21:00.003-04:00

I submitted my second entry to the masked_ball community and signed up for a third. I have it sketched, but it'll still be close. I also finished my first holiday pinup, so I'm pleased. I'm excited to keep it up.

My parents are coming to visit which will put me away from my computer from July 1-5. And there are a lot of projects coming to a close around then. Other than my last prompt, I'm trying to do a Truckstop Tramp submission over at the Hentai Factory.

I have lots of other paintings in the works, but those look to be the only on a deadline at the moment.

6/18/09 Update

2009-06-18T19:09:00.002-04:00

Howdy! It's been a bit, but I promise I've been busy. I've updated my dA account with new Phantom art, been working my way through masked_ball submissions and opened an account over at Hentai Factory. I'm still try to get my first submission accepted (they are pretty strict on admissions) but I am hopeful that I'll be able to do more explicit art in the future.

There's a huge list of projects and contests that I'm working on including horned animals, the letter Z, fairytales, storytelling, scifi and steampunk erotica, a little something for the Fourth of July. So keep an eye out. ;)

6/4/09 More Sketches

2009-06-04T20:36:00.004-04:00

I've been crazy busy artistically. Which is wonderful, but tiring.

My dA account has some new lineart in my new Phantom of the Opera style. Erik/Christine and Raoul/Christine.

I have the first half of my second submission to masked_ball done (though it still won't be out until July) and I'm very excited about the rest of it.

I'm in the final stages of the Ark Project (just finalizing text and formatting) and that will finally be done.

And I am absolutely in love with painting in black and white. Perhaps this is just something I missed developmentally, but it seems to help my technique significantly to work only in value. I did a couple of loose studies of noses and mouths, which are notoriously difficult for me and was pretty happy with them. :)

5/31/09 More Art

2009-05-31T19:26:00.005-04:00

Just a quick update.

Only 7 pages left for the Ark coloring project. I'm so excited to be wrapping it up.

I finished my first submission to the masked_ball community. Unfortunately, it won't be available until July. But I'm still happy about it. Onto the next one.

I've started a submission for Phantom-of-dA-Opera's Superhero Erik contest. And I've been doing some Leroux concept art. I look forward to having a lot more Phantom art in the near future. I'm also working on another photomanipulation for the Sands of Time Contest.

So much to do, so little time.

5/27/09 Update

2009-05-28T08:39:00.004-04:00

I've been crazy busy with making things, but I figure I should at least check in.

I've been doing some lineart (I actually finished this one). Another in is the cleanup phase.

I finished this sushi for my sister's birthday and got it shipping off.

I've been working on some Phantom phanart, which makes me happy. I'm a good chunk into my masked_ball submission (though I'm not at liberty to post it), am in development for a second piece and finished this.

On the crafty side of things, I finished a hippocampus sculpture yesterday (that will be posted on dA later today) and have been designing and whipping up some lightweight clothing. I don't normally work in 'casual wear' (aka not costumes) so it's been very rewarding. :)

And the ark vector art continues forward.

5/19/09 Update

2009-05-19T14:04:00.002-04:00

I've been busy on the ark project (only 22 pages left), a theme of the week pic, and some fashion design. It's nice to be crafting again. It's even nicer to be able to wear the product. I'll try to have pictures up soon.

5/10/09 Mother's Day Gift

2009-05-10T10:25:00.001-04:00

I did this for my mum. She has a thing for Johnny Depp.

Other than that, I need to get back to the Ark project. There's just been a lot of gifts in the meantime.

5/8/09 Birthday Gifts

2009-05-08T21:10:00.002-04:00

Finally got a chance to finish up some more birthday presents. This time for my best friend. He seems to like them well enough.

Patron Saints of the Kitchen, Brown and Bourdain.

4/5/09 Ark Update

2009-05-05T21:00:00.004-04:00

Here's the first round of animals.

5/4/07 Photomanipulation

2009-05-04T20:05:00.002-04:00

It's been a few days, but I'm back creating. This time, an entry for a 48 hour contest on dA.

The Golden Hind

4/30/09 Final

2009-05-01T09:00:00.003-04:00

So it's finished! And I'm actually pretty happy with it.

It's a birthday gift for my-daroga, so I hope she likes it too. :)

Other than that, I've been working on linework for the ark.

4/29/09 Study

2009-04-30T10:02:00.004-04:00

Not much to report today, as I've been coloring mostly. Also working on textures. There are some really great brushes here and here.

Sorry I can't show the whole picture. Yet. ;)

11/28/09 VBS Project

2009-04-28T23:14:00.002-04:00

So I've been commissioned to make a series of coloring pages for a Vacation Bible School project on water safety. I'm so excited. Here's the first pass with labels, since some of the sketches were rather nondescript.

4/26/09 Teaser

2009-04-26T18:12:00.002-04:00

I can't go into too much detail because this is a gift, but I did want to check in today with progress.

4/25/09 Costume Design

2009-04-26T09:21:00.007-04:00

I've been working on a character design for a new steampunk RPG. She's a doctor that heads a sanatorium/asylum, so I tried to incorporate the masculine costume of the period doctor with the feminine nurse's outfit and still make it all 'practical'. It could probably still use some more 'steamy' accessories, but I'm pretty happy with how it's going. I especially like her gloves, which were inspired by the Repo Man's.

Here were some other options.

The templates came curtesy of taeliac on dA. You should check out her stuff, she's awesome.

4/23/09 Speed Painting

2009-04-24T11:30:00.006-04:00

And by that, of course I mean I spent a couple of hours on it.

I like using close cropped portraits for these studies. I'm using photo reference, which is good. I hope to be able to develop a better eye for details. I'm also looking to try a variety of ethnicity and genders to expand my abilities.

Steampunk Tshirt Design

2009-04-22T21:41:00.003-04:00

This morning there was a request over at the Steamfashion LJ community for a 24 hour tshirt design contest. I spent most of the day on it. Vector is still a challenge, but progress is being made.

It's available over at dA.

California

2009-04-22T10:12:00.002-04:00

Less than a year after leaving for Florida, we've moved again, this time to California. It's been a little slow trying to get things up and running, but now that the Wacom is found once more, I'm looking to be more focused on a daily sketch routine. I started last night, working on this for a couple of hours. I'm going to do my best to stick to at least a sketch a day. We'll see how long I'm able to keep it up.

Back Once More

2009-03-05T08:45:00.004-05:00

With sketches even. I've been slowly updating my dA account, but personal stresses have left me less than artsy. But last night I buckled down and managed to crank out two sketches.

A mer-zombie

And Mrs. Grey (my steampunk persona) in her nightclothes.

Hopefully more will be on their way soon.

Update

2009-01-07T13:20:00.004-05:00

The holidays are over and I'm home once more. Trying to get back into the swing of things with a few art projects. I still have a lot of stuff I want to work on. So...I suppose not too much is different in 2009 so far. But I'm going to try to sketch more in a proper sketchbook as well as continuing digital pursuits.

Happy New Year!

Looking for Normalacy

2008-11-30T09:03:00.003-05:00

If there even is such a thing. Trying to keep busy at least.

I made a huge crafty dump over at dA. More is pretty surely on it's way.

I've updated my 100 Pic Challenge after coming across this. I'm also joining the Alphabet Challenge and hoping to do them all plush.

Upcoming contests I hope to submit in are the Zombie Rock contest and Phantom-of-dA-Opera's Many contest. I'm also looking forward to Artisan-Craft's December Challenge projects and a new theme-of-the-week. I also have a Secret Santa in the works for Constructive 101 and a picture for the masked_ball LJ challenge.

Steampunk design has been taking up a lot of my sketching. Hopefully soon some of it will be in a nice enough version to post.

I suppose that's enough to work with. Probably won't manage to do all of it, but one can hope.

Ok. Let's try this again.

2008-11-14T15:31:00.004-05:00

So due to some family stuff I haven't been around in ages. But I should hopefully be back for a while. And boy do I have a lot on my plate.

On the art front, the theme-of-the-week is Underwater Games which just begs for some Phantom-iness, zombie-nation has Rock Zombies going on, I joined a secret santa over at Constructive 101, masked_ball is doing a group swap and I'm hoping to get at least one Christmas card done this year.

As for crafts, I have two fleece hats for Artisan Craft, some Christmas ornaments, a ball-joint Erik doll, and hopefully some costuming soon.

As if I didn't have enough going. But I'm excited. And I've been getting back into the swing with the piece for FugueState who caught my 6000 pageview on dA.

Off the Wagon

2008-10-24T07:12:00.002-04:00

So I've been terrible about updating this for a while. I have put some new work up over at my DeviantArt site. I've been on a crafting binge. Which is a nice change, but I should get back to traditional art too. Family issues may keep me away a while longer, but we'll have to see.

Sunday

2008-09-21T13:48:00.002-04:00

I got my submission up for the theme-of-the-week's 'The Other Side' theme.

And here's the layout for the Obscure Phantom contest.

Other than that, just been trying to get some unrelated sketches done.

I was bad.

2008-09-19T15:29:00.005-04:00

But not really that bad. I haven't updated this like I'm supposed to, but I have been working.

I finished my second submission for Coey and Shy's contest. And I've started on the 'Obscure' contest for the Phantom-of-DA-Opera club. Here's a sneak peek.

And I'm hoping to still have time to finish my 'The Other Side' theme-of-the-week challenge. I love the theme, I just had to finish my contest entry first, so all I have is the sketch at the moment.

And I'm underway on my 'Cake' theme submission for Paper-Children.

Oh, and there are two new pet projects in the works. Hopefully I can put them towards my 100 pic challenge.

And I'm spent. At least for the moment.

A Bit Slow

2008-09-07T12:05:00.004-04:00

I have a ton of stuff I want to work on, but the hand isn't cooperating. But here's what's been up that's done.

I got a piece up over at my dA.

And I put together a seascape from a water and cloud tutorial. Nothing fancy and it could use a ton of work, but at least I'm trying new things.

And More

2008-09-04T17:55:00.003-04:00

So I got my submission for the 'You're Killing Me!' theme of the week up and turned in. Three whole days early!

So it's back to Coey and Shy and my second submission. I flushed out the 3 characters and did a base inking, then put in a very rough background. It's a start at least. And I have more than a week, so I should be ok.

It leaves me brimming with other ideas of stuff I hope I have time for. Looking forward to sketching some of them tonight. We'll see how it goes.

Two in One Day...

2008-09-03T19:07:00.002-04:00

That's just weird. But at least it's coming along. With any luck, it'll be done tomorrow.

Onward and Upward

2008-09-03T13:29:00.006-04:00

I got the first contest submission put up on dA.

Since then I've been working on my submission for the Theme-of-the-Week, 'You're Killing Me'. It's starting to come together, but there's still a long way to go still. I've been working on flushing out the lighting and shadows (I know it's still very stark at the moment). But figured I'd put up what I had at the moment, since I'm taking a break.

Up for Review

2008-09-02T10:00:00.002-04:00

I think I'm finally done with my first contest entry. I'm pretty happy with it but would love some feedback on anything that might be changed.

Hopefully it's big enough to see the detail work.

Just Popping On...

2008-08-31T10:44:00.003-04:00

To show what I did this morning (and last night). It doesn't look like much but I added the third human into the piece, so I'm happy.

I also have a working sketch of the next theme-of-the-week challenge, "You're Killing Me". I couldn't decide which way to go, so I just shoved them all together with a bonus homage to Romero and his love of zombie clowns.

Shortly I'm off to Babylon A.D. Ta ta!

sigh

2008-08-29T17:32:00.004-04:00

I can't believe I spent the whole day doing this and it doesn't look that different. I like the changes so far, but still...ugh.

The concept for the black version is filling it out with intestines. There would be gore around the outside too. Or blood spatter or something. I'm not sure yet.

Ugh.

2008-08-28T18:22:00.002-04:00

I've spent all day doing art, which is good (aside from the hand cramp). Unfortunately, the coloring contest was not working at all, so I figure with 3 days left I'll just catch the next one. So I spent the rest of the day working on my entry for Coey and Shy's contest. Got the basic linework done on everything except the girl. I don't like the sketch I did yesterday so I'll try against tomorrow (or later today if the cramp goes away.) Other than that, just want to give it some punch. Which probably means trying some new things and failing first. At least I have a few weeks left.

Coey and Shy's Contest

2008-08-27T18:47:00.004-04:00

All right, so an artist that I watch on dA is having a contest. I wanted to try to submit something, but then I got all intimidated because so many good artists have submitted (and will I'm sure). But then I realized that such things were silly reasons not to try. It doesn't matter if I win, just that I put in the effort. I'll get the chance to do some darker stuff and maybe a few of the people watching the contest will check out my stuff. That's like winning right there.

So I have two designs I want to go for. The first is pretty simple, two characters + monster + sewer. I chose the setting and monster because people seem to be avoiding it and I don't want to copy anyone else.

The second design I'm going for is a heavy ink T-shirt print kind of feel. All the characters and monsters in one lump + gore. I'm really excited about it. I have the two boys done (I think the girl needs a new version) but that still leave 8 monsters and one girl before I get to painting. *sigh* But it's a start.

Sketching Monday

2008-08-25T16:44:00.012-04:00

I've spent most of the day away from the computer, which is a nice change of pace. Been sketching to zombie films. Finally got back to some character design for the graphic novel. I think Jack (one of the main characters) is coming along a lot better. Needs some scars (and possibly tattoos). We'll see.

I also started working on his companion, a blue healer mutt.

And on a completely unrelated note (save for the zombie connection) I've been in contact with a fellow that's working on his own comic. It's superhero, but delightfully funny. I'm doing some fanart at the moment, but there might possibly be potential for full collaboration, since he doesn't have an artist and likes my stuff. I'm just worried about committing (he wants his to be printed and not on the web and full color) since I have no experience and lots of my own projects. If there was a monetary deal on the table, I'd consider it, but...yeah. If you have any questions, he can be reached here. Subject matter belongs to him, used with permission.

Mr. Clean is a domesticated zombie (the Superman-like character tore his jaw off). Apparently he's a big fan of hot pants.

This is just some quick sketches for a test panel for an early scene with Presidential Dwarf and a koala. More to come.

Nap time then back at it.

Post-Fay (my first tropical storm)

2008-08-23T12:51:00.004-04:00

Finally finished In the Closet and got it up on dA.

Looking forward to starting something new. Had a fellow mention some stuff about a comic he's written, but he doesn't have an artist for. Maybe if I was better at the superhero style...either way, he's granted me permission to sketch one of the characters (a zombie, surprise) and I'm actually really excited about it. I'm hoping in will get me re-motivated about my own graphic novel. And there will be a new theme of the week tomorrow, so I'm looking forward to that too.

I'd also like to revamp my website that I haven't touched in over a year and some change. Guess it's time to get that done. I'm excited to see if I can manage better this time.

Another Update

2008-08-18T15:51:00.001-04:00

I am so boring. But at least I'm getting further on it.

Finally turned off all of the sketch layers, so yea!

Tropical Storm Fay is showing up shortly, so I might be away from my computer for a while. We'll see how it goes.

In the Closet Update

2008-08-14T16:57:00.003-04:00

Just trucking along. Not too much done today, but the day's not over yet either. I'm pretty excited about how things are coming out, especially the eyes which are what I've spent most of the day on.

So I already fell off the wagon once...

2008-08-13T10:38:00.003-04:00

For a month apparently. But I'm going to endeavor to update this at least twice a week.

In the meantime, I have actually done a little work. *gasp*

I finished a zombie for hopeful publication in a collection, but I haven't heard anything back, so I'm disheartened.

Blood
No Blood

A friend got me to try my hand at a few Paper Children, which I admit, were a nice change of pace.

Nicolae
Uriel

I also started up with the Theme-of-the-Week club on dA.

Chasing Birds

And now I'm back and a bit more refocused, still looking at the previous pics for the 100 Pic Challenge as well as working on my new submission for Theme-of-the-Week.

In the Closet WIP.

That's what I have now, but here's to hoping I'm doing more soon.

Working from Stock

2008-07-08T18:29:00.005-04:00

So, I'm trying something new. Or at least...again. There is some awesomely amazing stock photos out there for reference and I'm hoping that practicing with them will help me iron out some issues with anatomy.

I've been working on sketches for the 100 Pic Challege.
Number 18 - Rainbow. You'd have to see the reference image, but let's just say, the socks say it all.

And number 35 - Hold My Hand. She's actually sitting under a waterfall. I figured I could try water too. And the light is amazing.

First Panel Done

2008-07-07T19:16:00.005-04:00

It's nice to be able to do art more frequently.

I finished 'Uriel in Purple' as well as '01 Introduction' for my 100 Pic Challenge. The later was also simplified down to this for the first cell of the hopefully-upcoming graphic novel.

It really needs a name. I'll see what I can do about that. In the meantime, I hope to get some more sketches up for the 100 Pics and a friend and I are going to try a collaboration. We have vastly different styles, so I'm at least hoping for something interesting and different.

Studying

2008-07-04T14:27:00.006-04:00

Like many artists, a graphic novel is in the works. But I have a lot of homework before then.

Hand Studies (for use in the 100 pic challenge which I have also picked up again.)

Because it seems that so many people in a post-apocalyptic world wear boots. Figure I should practice.

A long way to go, but it's a start.

My Little Corner of the Web

2008-07-04T07:47:00.000-04:00

I'm in the process of trying to find myself again artistically. It's been a bit of a trip so far and I know there is a long road ahead. But I'm excited and hopefully this will help me stay on track.

I'll still post on my site at deviant Art but I'd like to keep it limited to stuff I actually finish. That leaves a lot of sketches and half-done stuff that's lying about. So now it finally has a home here. I'm going to try to post at least once a week, but hopefully it will be more frequent. We'll see how it goes.

I'm a bit all over the place with projects at the moment, so there should be a lot of variety in subject and technique. Please feel free to comment, I'm eager to hear thoughts and suggestions.