Artist Showdown #101: Medusa!!

Honestly, I've never heard of the comic book heroine Medusa. I've heard of the Greek myth, so I guess it's along those lines.

In any case, I probably redrew this one about 5 times. The most time spent was on the version before this- I roughed in the body and clumsily searched for a decent drawing with my pen work. It came out sloppy.

So I redid it- I took my time with the pencils, trying to go for actual comic pencil rendering. It turned out pretty good, if I do say so myself. I love her pose. The hair needs work.

I decided to leave it alone. No point in using pen and ink, and I think I'll stay away from inking for a while until I can get my pencils the way I want them. But when I do decide to do inks again, it will be with my crowquill pen and brush.

Space Western!

My next entry for Comicvine's Artist Showoff Character Creation contest #64- A Space Western! There's actually three different characters. It's not as painterly as I wanted it- but that will take practice. Actually, this is the first "finished" illustration I've done in a long time that depicts an actual situation, and not a pinup. Special shoutout to my buddy Mark Green for giving me some reference poses- it really helped put this illustration together on such a limited time.

Here's the descriptor I used on Comicvine:

Cal 10862 had narrowly escaped the slave camps on Epsilon Alpha IV, losing his arm along the way. He's since become the fastest draw this side of the Orion Frontier. But while the gunfighter's reputation has earned him many jobs, it's also earned him a spot on the Imperium's Ten Most Wanted list!

Now on to the next contest: Medusa!

Iron Frost 2

Well, here was one of my Iron Frost sketches that I decided to ink and color. It turned out decent, but it wasn't the design I wanted to enter into the Comicvine contest. I was late in entering anyway, but I wanted to finish it.

This one has the classic Iron Man coloring. In all honesty, there's no way to tell this is Emma Frost. That's why I didn't use it.

I've been working on my Space Western illustration. I have a solid concept for it, but I need some figure and hat reference for it. I'm approaching it in an old school illustration way. I've asked my friend Mark Green to pose for me so I can get the angle of the hat just right, and to also get the pose just right. I'm excited for it- I think it will turn out!

Iron Frost

Comicvine had another contest for the amalgam of Iron Man and Emma Frost. Between work schedules, sick kids, and lack of inspiration I couldn't pull it together in time. But I did work on a color comp before my final illustration, and since I didn't make the deadline to enter it, I might as well show it here.

I went for those Lisa Frank stationary sort of colors. It works okay. The armor is uninspired, the problem I had is that I don't feel that Emma Frost would wear a helmet- she's too vain. But it's the helmet that's iconic about Iron Man. Oh well. Chalked up to another learning experience.

In the meantime, my Captain Cody had won the character creation contest, and for the next contest, I picked SPACE WESTERN- with inspiration the likes of Firefly, Bravestarr, and the Galaxy Rangers. I have a really good idea already cooked up for that one, I just need to get my stuff together and actually do it!!! I gave a deadline of April 1st.

OMEGA RED

For Comicvine's Artist Showoff #100 (that I got to choose). I went with a 90s animated look... I'm not happy about the anatomy- especially in the arms and legs. Admittedly, I struggled with this one a bit- redrew him 4 times. I learned quite a bit, and I do feel that this is one of the most dynamic poses I've ever done! Keep on keepin' on!

My Captain Cody of Galaxy Patrol won the Cyborg contest on Character Design #63... I need to figure out what to do for that one.

Captain Cody of Galaxy Patrol!

Another Comicvine forum contest!  Here's the write up about this character, kind of made up on the spot:

Captain Cody of Galaxy Patrol was in a debilitating accident while saving passengers on a space yacht that was caught in the shockwave of a supernova. His new cybernetic arms can harness the plasma energy in space, which he can discharge as powerful energy blasts. His mission- to hunt down all the pirates that caused the star to explode!

Cheesy, no?

Anyway, it was a fun exercise and good warm up to OMEGA RED- which is due very soon!

Updated Dejah Pen Drawing

DEJAH THORIS, PRINCESS OF MARS
Well, here she is again. I drew it much smaller then the last one, but refined her costume a little. Not as much detail or time on the face... and I need to work on drawing feet!

I'll update this post with what pen tools I used soon.

In anycase, I've mostly figured out her design. I have Dejah Thoris, now it's time to draw John Carter, Warlord of Mars!

COMICVINE
So, I decided that for the #100 contest should be OMEGA RED. He has been one of my favorite villains since Jim Lee drew him over 20 years ago. Omega Red is due March 12th.

I'm also attempting a cyborg contest on the forum- that one is due on March 8th. I'm still trying to think of something to do.

Quick Dejah Thoris pen sketch

I haven't drawn Dejah Thoris for nearly twenty years. I admit, this one is a little sloppy. Actually, I'm not happy with it at all. However, that's how you improve- you put the successes out there AND the failures, and you learn from them pushing yourself to get better next time.

It started out as a quick sketch, then I broke out the ink. I didn't really spend much of time on anatomy... it was simply experimenting with tools and having some fun. Her hair got away from me- I dried out my brush pen on her it. All in all, it turned out okay. I think I'll put her into an action pose next time, fix the anatomy, more detail on her costume and accessories... and not let the hair be so wild!

I was furious at the liberties taken with the story in last year's movie. I'm a book purist, and frankly I feel that they wrecked the feel of the story. I could go on and on, but in the end, the effects were amazing, even though the feeling of it was not. It didn't even come close the the vision I have had Barsoom in my head.

In other news, my Martian Manhunter entry for the Comicvine Artist Showoff has won! It was a close contest, but I made it! So what do I win? I get to chose the next subject for contestants to draw for the Artist Showoff #100- a milestone for the forum to boot! The only frustrating thing is that I forgot my forum pass word and the site is undergoing maintenance until the end of February- and their password recovery tool is disabled! Frustrating!

Martian Manhunter

Well, I'm trying to get back into the swing of things. It's been a while since I've finished a drawing, much less colorize it. So, at the suggestion of my good friend Robert Schaupp, I've been attempting to do the no-prize forum contests at Comicvine.  The last one was my ATOMA drawing, but here's the newest contest entry for a simple pinup- Martian Manhunter! It turned out okay- but it's all about creating a drawing with a deadline!

Loss brings me back to the Workshop

It's been a very hard winter. My dad passed away after a long fight with cancer and Parkinson's, and we laid him to rest with full military honors just a week ago. He is the one who got me into comic books, movies, and cars. He took me to my first air show, and he loved adventure stories.

So, this next project is very personal to me. It is a high adventure comic series that will have the classic feel of all the old serials, and will certainly be in the Milton Caniff school of cartooning- with a heavy dose of my other heroes: Al Williamson, Wally Wood, and Mark Schultz.

As you can see here, I'm preparing some reference material- the heroine's plane- a P-38. I haven't built a model since my dad gave me my last one when I was 13, so it's a mess. It certainly has been a journey of memories, though.

I will be formally announcing the title and character sketch soon, as I can finish them- probably on my birthday next month. And you may have noticed, I've taken more steps in consolidation of projects and efforts by even merging all my blogs into my longtime standing Lost Skies blog. It's time to simplify so I can focus—a lesson I learned from my dad.

So, with all the renewed efforts with the upcoming web comic, all I can say is "This one's for you, Dad. I'll be seeing you again, one day."

A New Resolve

Earlier, I talked about ten things I have learned in 2012. It's a good exercise to reflect and try to learn from it. I also mentioned no resolutions for this year. Well, crap, maybe that's a lie... I feel the urge to resolute finishing some long time projects... I just need to get off my butt and actually illustrate and design the stuff. Well, I'm going to do it AND publish it. Yep, you heard it here first folks. Time to get serious.

That said, I need to start drawing again. I was doing so great a couple of months ago then schedules, freelance, and other things came up. Well, it's going to settle down a bit, and now I really want to go forward with MY OWN projects. More to come!

Happy 2013!!

Ten things I've learned in 2012

Take them for what you feel they're worth. They were hard lessons to learn, and rather then elaborate on each of them I'll just present them here as generic fortune cookie wisdom:

1. Just because you've known someone for a long time does not mean they are your friend. That said, true friendships are mutual efforts.
   
2. I can try to prepare for future hard times, but I must balance that as to not be an expense of being happy in the present.
3. All things are temporary. Good times and bad. But temporary doesn't necessarily mean short term.
4. Pining over "could-have-beens" only robs you of future opportunities and potential. Learn from the past, but don't dwell in it.
5. Just because you are good at something doesn't mean you have to find a way to monitize it. In other words, if you really want to turn a hobby into a career, you'd better be damn sure you have another way to relieve stress.
6. I was happy to help people realize their dreams, but now I know it's been at the expense of realizing my own. Time to change that and accomplish something big.
7. I've learned to turn hate into pity; it takes effort to understand them, but it gives me the upper hand.
8. Greed and ego has stolen our children's future and burned our ancestors wisdom. Our generation will be remembered with both awe and contempt. I've realized that my calling is to make sure I can help retain some of that old wisdom for my forebearer's survival and happiness, and I realize that I can do that through story.
9. "The way things are done" are just someone's opinion, and they only matter if they sign your paycheck. Opinions are only as strong as that person's resolve and the consensus of their followers, and/or if they make sense.
10. Cutting your losses is not the same as giving up. The trick is differenciating the two, and you do that by being honest with yourself.

No resolutions for 2013, but I am going to change for the better. HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Time to Change

It's been a while since I've had a chance to write in any of my blogs. Of course it always has to do with how busy my life has become. A giant chunk of my time goes to family- as it rightly should- but little ones always need to be watched like a hawk, and my wife's 60+ work hours makes my job as Mr Mom that much more important. The time I stole from sweet sleep to use for freelance was taking up everything else. And really, it wasn't fair to my clients or to my family... or to myself for that matter. Without going into too much detail, it caused too much friction with those I cared about most. It's time for a change.

So, I'm retiring from all forms of freelance. I have my sights on new interests that I hope that one day will evolve into new endeavors. But for now, time at home needs to be spent on home.

As for day job, that too is also changing. We've hired a new fantastic designer and my focus will now shift to all the back-logged video. Frankly, I'm excited for the opportunity.

With that, to get myself into the mode again, I've been looking again to Vimeo for inspiration... and I found it with this:


LONG LIVE THE KINGS - Short film documentary - from SAGS on Vimeo.

I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

Looking up from my work stupor

Hey all, it's been far too long. I have been busy busy busy- mostly with freelance, and then some projects that have arisen while others have been shelved. The creative process is frustrating, but a big part of the chaos is simply a matter of survival. Cryptic? Yes. To sum up, it's been a matter of working to pay the bills.

I haven't had a chance to work on the Kubert Correspondence Course I spent $300 on. I don't want that to go to waste, so I need to get my butt in gear. With Joe Kubert's passing, it's been hard for me to get motivated- I took it as hard as any who admired him, and only feel the deepest condolences for his family.

That said, with old man winter peeking around the corner, I've been trying to work out some projects that I can shoehorn into my tumultuous schedule.

I met a fantastic artist online by the name of Robert Schaupp- really nice guy that possesses an incredible talent. Check out his Comic Vine Gallery and you'll readily agree with me. He had inspired me to use the forums to 'work out' in the artistic gym to pump up those creative and drawing muscles. I did one contest, with my entry which is pictured here- ATOMA: Cyberpunk Angel of Death.

I've was drawing quite a bit, then abruptly stopped, but I have some illustrations planned for a personal project that's been shelved for a while. I am in the process of getting it protected legally, but once all the i's are crossed and the t's are dotted, you won't be able to get me to shut up about it.

The Muse decided to pay me a little visit

I wouldn't quite say I'm on a roll, but I have been more productive in the past month than I've been in the few month's prior.

I've done a few things that needed to be finished:

• I finished my short film Southside of Elsewhere.
• I've had tons of (welcome) freelance.
• I created some concept art for James Cawley.
• I helped with a friend's film on the 48 Hour Film Project.
• I created a poster for his film.

You can read about SSOE and the 48 on my Lost Skies blog, but for relevance I'll just talk about the concept art and the poster here.

Concept/promotional art for James Cawley's fan film THE GUNSLINGER.

I wracked my brain trying to come up with a concept for his promotional art... so many others have done the gunslinger looking at the dark tower. I decided to put the raven in there- even though it isn't the main character's pet. What I really am proud of is the figure of Roland - his pose says something. I think it turned out pretty good, even if I do say so myself.  Photoshop composite, painting, pencil.

Illustrated movie poster for Tony Henrichsen's 48hfp entry THE BEAST WITHIN

This one came together very fast. I had an immediate idea- kind of a black velvet painting with the beast and lots of splatter, nasty chompers. The title is a graphic element that support the illustration. I actually decided to make the eyes blue instead of red for one of my red-green colorblind friends... I felt that they would probably get lost in the mix if they were red. Photoshop painting.

Big stuff coming soon!