Sketchbook (March 2012)

Here are a selection of sketches I have done lately. The first one was done for myself, but the other three were done as demos in the sketchbook class I am co-teaching with Jeff Watts this semester at Watts Atelier.

Tough Mudder & Sketches

Hey all, if you have not heard I am running in the Tough Mudder Next summer. The worthy cause associated with this event is The Wounded Warrior Project. The goal is for each participant to raise at least $150 each in donations in their name, but I would like to get at least $1000 . I will offer one of my printed sketchbooks, or a Kolchak print (signed with a doodle) to anyone who pledges $20 or one of my finished sketches to anyone who pledges $50 or more on my behalf. Here is the link to donate.

Just so there are some images to accompany this post here are some sketches I have done recently. Some of which were done on my recent trip out to Altoona, Pa for Illuxcon, which was once again one of the highlights of my year.

Outdoor Sketching: Tractor

Here is another demo I did in my outdoor sketching class. We went to the Gas and Steam Engine Museum, on of my favorite spots to draw and paint.

Plein Air Sketching

Last week I took my outdoor sketching class to Balboa Park. This was our first week using gouache, so I did this little demo. It is about 5.5 inches tall and 3.25 wide in my recycled paper sketchbook.

The Hound

I have long felt that one of my weakest points is my ability (or lack there of) to render armor or metal convincingly. So with that in mind I have decided to commit my sketchbook work to the improvement of this shortcoming.

Speaking of my sketchbook, some of you may have noticed the addition to the sidebar on the right where I have a couple items now for sale, including copies of my convention sketchbook.

One of my favorite characters from the Game of Thrones series (the books not the tv show, he is a bit shorted there) is The Hound. So I decided to start with him.

From a still from the show.

Captain America Commission

EDIT: Here is the thumbnail I did prior to the final sketch. I only did one thumb in this case because what I was drawing was so heavily based in the original cover.



To finish up commission week here is a sketch for a painting I have been commissioned to do for a collector who hires artists to illustrate "One Minute Later"s. Basically he picks a comic cover and has the artist paint what happens an instant after.

The Nyarlathotep Event

Here is another commission I recently finished for Jonathan Wood, author of No Hero from Nightshade Books. Awhile back I was hired to illustrate the cover to No Hero and since then Jonathan and I have gotten to know each other over the internet. So when he agreed to do a serialized short story for the GEEKDAD blog on Wired.com he asked if I could do an illustration for it. The story revolves around the further adventures of the characters from No Hero, go check it out.

The original pencil sketch

and a bit of digital polish

Lance Henriksen

EDIT: So I forgot to mention, the reason for this commission was that the collector is attending a signing for the release of Mr. Henriksen's biography (official website), which is being released this week to honor Mr. Henriksen's birthday on the 5th. So happy birthday Sir and many more.

Here is a drawing commission I recently finish for a collector. I enjoy Mr. Henriksen's work quite a bit, and thought his "look" fit well with my style, so I had a lot of fun with this one.

Merry Christmas!

and Happy Holidays!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Preview: The Spider & Domino Lady

This is a prose comic that I just finished the interiors for, coming soon from Moonstone Books.

Top 7 Horror Films: #1

#1 Alien
Everything about this movie is brilliant. The movie poster, the creature and tech design, the acting, and of course the brilliant direction. One of the few perfect films out there.

Top 7 Horror Films: #2

#2 The Thing
I am telling you, I don't think another director has ever strung together a series of movies like John Carpenter did in the 70's and 80's.

Top 7 Horror Films: #3

#3 Psycho
Do I need to say anything about this one?

Top 7 Horror Films: #4

#4 Audition
This is the only movie on my list that I have only seen once, and it has nothing to do with the fact that I had to take a "silkwood shower" the last time just to feel clean again...nope not because of that at all.

Top 7 Horror Films: #5

#5 The Exorcist
Not to many horror films straight up scare me, but this one gets me everytime. Probably the only film on this list that if I watch it right now it will make me scream like a little girl... ya know in a manly way though.

Top 7 Horror Films: #6

#6 Halloween
(again to me this really includes both 1 & 2, they are so seamless in my mind)
As a kid I was a much bigger Nightmare on Elm Street fan, but I have to admit that this film has aged much better. As have all John Carpenter films up to and including In the Mouth of Madness.

Top 7 Horror Films: #7

In honor of Halloween, over the next week I will be posting a one a day countdown of my favorite horror films. Each post will go up at 11 pm.

#7 Bride of Frankenstein (in my mind this includes Frankenstein, because you can very easily watch them back to back as one movie. #6 will include the same qualification, can you guess what it is?)On the right day this list could easily be nothing but James Whale movies. Did I mention I like James Whale?

As a foot note, checkout Gods and Monsters

Sketchbook (Aug 2010)

I have never been a big sketchbook guy. That is not to say I don't sketch, just that I have never carried a book with me at all time ready to quickdraw. Well, it is time that changed.

Card Sketches

Hey all,

Here are a few of my sketches from over the years.

Here are a couple from Magic: The Gathering

and a few more from World of Warcraft