Finish some more drawings

Learning so much from each drawing. Can't wait to do more in the new year.

Happy New Year everybody!!!

Sketchbook

This is my latest sketchbook. Learning so much from each drawing. 

A New Series

This is my second installation at Towson University. I just have two pieces showing. 

These two are the beginning of a new series of drawings. I hope everyone enjoys.

Being followed

I was walking my dogs today enjoying the day. Then a car slowly drives next to me. At first I thought this is weird. Stay cool I told myself. I then picked up my pace. The car kept up with me so I slowed down. Then the car slowed down too. I had enough. I looked over to see who was stalking me. It was a lady and she was waving. Not to be rude, I waved back even though I didn't know who she was. I stopped waving. She was still waving. To my discomfort I realize she was waving at my dogs. After a moment or so of my dogs and her exchanging loving gestures, the car behind her honked. This snapped her out of her trance. She finally acknowledges me and says “your puppies are very cute”. I smiled. In my head I said “Crazy woman they are 7 and 8 years old, look at the road.”  

What does this have to do with art? Nothing. Didn’t really know what to write about.

Under Painting

Acrylic on canvas 30x40inches

Final drawing

Pages

I've finished my thumbnails for my illustrated book. Most of the pages came from my storyboards when it was going to be a short film. Will not be posting those drawings any time soon... maybe in the back of the book. The number of pages currently is 48. I'm hoping to get it down to about 32. The story will dictate the final number. I'm so enjoying drawing with my imagination and not worried about the technical constraints of making a 3D film with limited resources. You can't get any more simple than a pencil and paper.
Here is my first pass of the title page and page 01. This is not final -more editing ahead. For now I'm enjoying the journey. Hope you enjoy seeing these pencil sketches.

Self Doubt

Self doubt, I've been fighting it lately. Second guessing myself, frozen in indecision and losing focus. Wondering why am I spending my free time doing this. Deep down I think we all know why we do what we do. For me I feel compelled to create images, moving or still. It's funny that the voice we should listen to comes as a whisper. 

What have I been doubting myself about? Trying to create a book proxy for my book. 

Image below is the final drawing for my next painting.

Graphite on media paper 11x14 inches

Sketches

Have not had time to work on any personal art. Been earning a living, paying the bills basically boring stuff. My job has finally slowed down.

Sketchbook paint studies 

Hanging

Prepping my paintings to be hanged. Learning about frames, wires and hooks.

Jurassic Dog

Winnie asked me to do a painting for her office. 

I said "awesome I can paint a robot fighting Mozart..."

She said "no, I want a painting of the dogs."

"The dogs?"

She looks at me, "yeah I want both of them in it."

"Woman you want me to do a dog portrait!? A dog portrait? Shoot I didn't go to school to paint a dog portrait." I said in my head.

She raised her left eyebrow, "Nothing too big"

"Yes, dear"

I sketched a whole bunch of different compositions. Wanted to make it as interesting as possible. This is what I came up with.  

Wide Load

Here are two sketches for my illustrated book. I've done a bunch of thumbnails that only I can decipher. These two need less interpretation. 

It's been fun drawing just for the sake of drawing. I feel such freedom when I can sit and put pencil to paper. I watched an interview of one of my favorite artists - Claire Wendling - today.  Very inspiring, she talked about how she recently overcame a horrible situation that prevented her from drawing. She described it as "something broke inside."  Can you imagine being denied something you love doing?  

If you are curious here is the interview.

http://www.schoolism.com/interviews.php

   

pencil on mix media paper

Eventual

I will be stepping away from this painting for now. I've learn what I can. Lessons learned? Simplify values and be bold with what you choose (thanks Tim Coman). I was timid, safe and non-committal. My darks were not dark, lights were not light. That left the painting with no focus or an entry point for the viewer. What a great lesson! 

Onto the next one.   

Eventual

Acrylic on Board, 36 x 24 inches  

Sorry for the horrible pictures. Need to get an actual camera instead on using my phone :)

Struggles

I have been struggling this week. Why? Been studying Rembrandt and Caravaggio paintings to see how they use light. Wanted to create the same dramatic feel for my painting. The more I studied their work, the more I realize how far away I am. My painting was flat, busy and crappy in comparison.
Ever feel overwhelmed with the prospect of failure? This is normal for me when I try something new. Whatever sickness I have, I keep doing this.
After having some beers in a fetal position, I emailed some friends for help. One of them, Tim Coman, did a paintover of my painting. You can see what he did below. He told me about "Simplifying values." It made totally sense to me -now I know what I had to do. Smart guy!
Now I'm excited for the weekend. I will post what I have on Monday.  

Painting in Progress

Here is where I am with my latest painting. Don't really have a name for it yet. Any suggestions? 

A lot of steps still but at least I can see the end. Today I've been trying to make the lighting feel believable.  Light and space around the girl is twisted on purpose but  I didn't want that to be a factor distracting the viewer. My paintings are usually narrative driven and I try to eliminate anything that would take away from my story. 

At least I hope the viewer is curious. At the most the viewer is disarmed and puts down their cellphone for a moment to explore.   

Acrylic on board (24x36) WIP

Under Painting

Key Image

Here is a key image for my book. Ever feel like everyone know something you don't?

Graphite on mixed media paper 11x14

Pencil to Brush

I finished my final drawing. About to transfer it to the wood panel (24 x 36). Will probably do a quick color study to figure out if the color scheme in my head will actually work. 

Still working out my painting process. There are so many ways to paint. I stoppped reading and watching videos on it. Decided I know enough to make intelligent mistakes and eventually find my way.    

#2 pencil on plain white paper (8.5x11)

 #2 Pencil Sketchbook 

Picture Book vs Short Film

Winnie (my wife) and I were talking about my painting class. 

"I like it when you are painting," Winnie says.
"Why?"
"You seem more relaxed... happier"
"Well painting's fun"
"You should continue painting"
"I need to finish my short film"
"Why"
I stare blankly at her for bit. "I want to tell my story"
"Why don't you tell it through a picture book?"
"Because... "
"You animate all day at work in front of the computer. You want to go home and do the same thing?"
"But..."
"When you paint you're moving around"
"Well..."
"There are no technical or creative hurdles to worry about when painting"
"aahhhhh..."

"Man you are so lucky you married me," I told my Winnie.
"What?"
"If you didn't marry me who would you say these smart things to?"

Basically I will not be making a short film for my MFA thesis. Instead a picture book. I will be telling the same story through painted images -think of a comic book filled with paintings. 

Here is one of the characters from a film that could have been. I used Photoshop, Mudbox and Maya to model and texture.

Rough Sketch of my next painting.

 

Life

A lot of things have been going on:
- I've taken a painting class which has renewed my love for traditional art.
- I'm working on a short film that I will slowly show you all.
- Going back to school for my MFA, there are many reasons why. I will not bore you now but will later.
- Just shipped another game (Elder Scrolls Online).

As you can see I will be posting a lot more.

Here is what I turned in for my final in the painting class. I can't say enough... the class has been inspiring! I don't think I can put down my paint brush again.

Acrylic on 24x48 inch panels