lifedrawing log - 04.30.11

eyedropper / name dropper

If you're on this list, I used something you told me about color while I was messing around in Photoshop tonight. Thanks! I love my friends! Can't wait to start applying this on, you know, real stuff.

A snarl is a smile...with attitude.

"Snot Flings & Horned Things" or "When Concept Artists Go Crazy"

Sounds like the name of a new sketchbook to me...

I am, as ever, fighting against neutrality.  I find I do "neutral" right off the bat, then (and only then) proceed to more extreme variations.  "Neutral" is never, ever interesting!  Gotta get that through my skull!

Non-sequitor fun fact : Did you know that they make zombie/cthulhu dildos? And that spooky girls (and probably gay dudes) buy them?  Eeerily true. This begged the question I'm sure we all ask ourselves at least a few times per day, "What would anatomically correct, offworld sex aids look like?"  I'm sure there'd be a market for at least a few of these...


...so if your adult novelty business is interested in producing a line, get in touch!  Like my pumpkins, I could keep exploring alien phallic shapes forever, but the fact that I did *one* page is probably damning enough.  Hidden in this jumbled pile are two cylcopses with some unconventional speech balloons.  Can you find them?

destinationless

Some artists are really diligent when it comes to challenging themselves and expanding their field of study. Personally, I think you should draw what you like, even if it's goofy, crass or crudely wrought!  Drawing without purpose is kind of like traveling without a destination.  Regardless of where you wind up, it still beats staying at home.


Speaking of artists who do what they like, here's a bonus pic of me and my art-crush, Miss. Monster, taken at Monsterpalooza! I loaded up on inspiration, so expect to see many more monsters and aliens soon!

My week in review...

CGFeedback hosted a challenge/tribute to the late, great Clement Sauve, which I took part in judging. There was a wake today in his honor, which I attended with Joshua James Shaw. One of many things I took away was this stand-out quote from Clem : "When in doubt, favor the unusual."  Spoken like a true concept artist.

There's a new (and hopefully somewhat informative) Babe Lab post : Body Constellations!  Experimental shit!



HOT OFF THE PRESSES : Dan Beaulieu is selling his second sketchbook of awesomeness! Get 'em while supplies last!


Here's a piece of fanart I did for the sickest, sexiest girl I know.


...and, you know, more of this stuff....

Keen eyes will spot, on the far left page, Anthony "Robot Pencil" Jones and Kelli "I Don't Have A Cool Nickname" Hoover.

Another week ahead!  Lifedrawing starts back up again, more Blizzard-y work in the wings, more doodles, more mayhem!

Surkov in my office...

[below] An original Victor Surkov piece finally framed and displayed!  It was given as a gift when I visited Astrum Nival / Mail.ru last September.  It's sitting next to my original Toph Gorham (which really deserves its own post -- It's the original pencils for that drop ship on his homepage).



This gives me an idea : I should start a personal concept art galley in my apartment, getting pieces from all the amazing artists I've met during my career.  I'd run out of wall space pretty quick!  

Blasphemous - Griffinfly RMX

Here's another attractive bit of Blasphemous fan art, once again from The Russian Federation.  With hugs, even!  Respect to Olga "Griffinfly" Drebas! What I love here, apart from Miss. Drebas's superb handling of the figure, is the beauty mark she included just above Hailey's lips. What a sensitive touch. I'll keep that, if you don't mind!

celebrity artist geekout - James Jean

I got to talk with the legendary James Jean at his LA gallery show, Rebus.  Here's a very unflattering photo of our 2.5 minute exchange.



I asked Mr. Jean what compels him to draw the backs of airplane seats in his sketchbooks [see Process Recess 3 : The Hallowed Seam] -- if it was just something to pass the time, or if it was a deliberate act to inform his imaginative drawing.  (I earnestly wanted to know.)  He said it was less study, more meditative.  Hrm....

Blasphemous - fan art cntd. // BABE LAB CRITIQUES?

Concept cohort Tham Hoi Mun did his take on Hailey, half of Blasphemous. Dude is always working super-hard. Cut it out, man!!!  I would title this piece "Necronomicocks."



...and, for good measure, he drew Holly as well.



ATTN : I'm looking to start a "critique/paintover" section for Babe Lab.  If you'd like a helpful eye on your stuff and want to be publicly critted by either myself or a guest artist (I plan to recruit others to do my dirty work), get in touch.   Or better yet, crit MY shit and show me what's up. I dare you.

More wheel spinning...

...working on my practical lighting.





Messing around with technique some...


...and a quick pic I made for some random dude's girl.  Hope you get some, pal!

lifedrawing log -- feb/march '11 dump