Hey there world, it's been too long.

Yes, I know it's been about 75 years since my last update. I will make it up to you with these. More interesting things to come, promise! I really do this time.
Trying something new.. very simple 15 minute thang.

I'm rusty but I'm going to start doing this more often.

You shouldn't smoke but painting people who do is ok, I think.

My puppy. Total beach bum.

Happy Halloween!

A witch....in for the night.

Haven't had a whole lot of time to do anything new because I've been packing things up and getting ready to move. Yep, I'm moving to San Francisco!! I'll be working for a fun little studio called Planet Moon Studios. They're working on some really exciting things and I'm happy to be joining them.
Now, I just need to find a place to live!!

Started this one out in Painter and finished it in PS. No story to it really. It started as a small thumbnail and just kept getting larger.

"ancient Stonefish ruins"

Here's a quick speed painting that took about 30 minutes. It's part of the ancient "stonefish" ruins..a very sacred place that lies in the most remote shallow depths of the under water world. I'm sure you've heard it, right? Or not since I just made it up...I think. Just be careful where you step.

sketches

Sorry about these monthly posts. I do have some free time coming up now so I should be posting more often. These are just some sketches from my sketchbook. Nothing special, just wanted to share. :)

And Then They Were Gone

Studies

Just playing around with some brushes and textures. These were meant to be super quick studies but I got carried away in my own excitement.

rainy day

I'm not dead

Forever...that's how long it's been since I've posted anything new. I do have some good excuses. I was in Singapore for a few weeks living it up beachside. It was an amazing place despite the oven-like heat and humidity that hits you like a wall the minute you walk out of the airport. I adjusted quickly though and took advantage of the pool, the cool ocean breezes, and the 40 cent ice cream. I would definitely go back again so long as I can tolerate the 25 hour flight that leaves you with the worst pain in the butt. That all goes away though once you get there and see that you're in paradise. I miss it already! the smell of food, the shopping, walking and riding the train instead of driving, and the diversity of cultures that all live peacefully together. (4.5 milllion people on an island that's only 3.5 times bigger than D.C.) Claustrophobics beware!
Anyway, I wish I had some cool things to post from my trip there besides pictures. All I have is this... a quick study from my sketchbook that I played around with in PS. Not very much of a memorial to my vacation.

speedpaint and hands

I don't do enough of these speed paintings but I should do more because this was fun. I wanted to keep the colors somewhat muted and limited and concentrate on the mood and atmosphere. I started with using gray tones and then set the mode to color and dabbed bits of reds and greens here and there. I usually find it easier to work that way so it's become a habit. Oh, this was
roughly about an hour and a half.

Then there are these hand studies. I'm terrible at painting and drawing hands, fingers, fingernails, etc. so I thought I should start focusing on that area a little more. Somehow it's always the last thing I worry about when it comes to figure painting or drawing and character design. It's always the part that is lacking the most too and ultimately the whole piece suffers. So, these were just some quick studies drawn in photoshop ranging from 5 minutes to 10 minutes per hand. Next time I know to use a pencil.

Happy Valyntynsday

sketch

This was a sketch in my sketchbook...just felt like coloring.

I couldn't sleep so.....

I painted these owls for you. I could've maybe painted sheep but owls are way better.

RIP Mac

My Mac crashed after a long and loving 5 years and so did my heart when I thought I lost all of my work. It wouldn't turn back on no matter how hard or long I pressed the button so my friend built me a super computer instead. Now I have OSX, Windows, and Linux all living together in harmony. Don't know what to do with all 3 yet but I'm sure there will come a time. Here's a quick study I did in Artrage since I can finally use it.

Study

I love doing quick studies of paintings from the masters. Maybe not an old master but this is a copy of a painting from Malcolm Liepke. I added some things that weren't in the original though like that red texture. I think its extremely beneficial to really study how others paint and use color etc. Its also a lot of fun!
This was around 2 hours done in photoshop. Dammit I need to get away from that program but its fun to try and make it look like paint. Next time I'll use the real thing. I've caught myself a couple times reaching for my Command E (eraser tool) key while sketching on paper. :|

Crackalactic

I finally made it to figure drawing last night! It's been a loong time. I find it so relaxing though and its a good way to clear my head. It is good to be going again and I can't wait till next week. If I had more time I'd go every night. Its a full class though so I usually have to make the best of the view that I have. Anyway, this was done in close to an hour. I'm a bit rusty. Things are maybe looking a little unaligned though in the butt-crack area.

Looking Glass Wars

I'm so excited that I get to post this! I thought I would have to wait a long time. I've been designing characters and creatures for the brilliant and amazing Frank Beddor and his company Automatic Pictures. If you haven't checked out The Looking Glass Wars you can visit the website at lookingglasswars.com. These books are amazing and I'm thrilled that I get to be a part of it. Read them and you will understand!!
Anyway, this creature is called a Tuttlebird. I love anything that illuminates.

my 7th grade teacher.

This one started out as a doodle then I noticed how much it was starting to look like my 7th grade Social studies teacher, Mrs. Oday. She was always reminding me to sit up straight and to stop doodling, but really I think I might just have been her favorite student. She would always wear something lime-green and her sweaters always corresponded well with her pants. Luckily, I didn't listen to her about doodling bit but I think maybe I should've taken her advice on posture. My back is shot.

I could live here

Still have some issues I'd like to fix. The big mountain is flattening the whole piece and driving me crazy. I'll fix it soon though.

frequently infrequent

So, its been awhile since I've posted on here and I feel like a slacker, but oh, I am not. I've been working myself to death and enjoying every second of it. I do make time to see movies, which by the way if you haven't seen Transformers, Harry Potter, or Ratatouille, stop what you're doing and go watch.
Other than that I've been doing a lot of work which, unfortunately, is all top secret, confidential, information. With that being said, I sound important, and I only have one piece to post for your viewing pleasure. I started working on this many months ago and never finished it. It was boring, dull, and and I was kinda stumped as to what I wanted to do with it. So, I finally dug it back out and here is the result. Still not really finished but I felt that I had to post something.
Oh, I've been having strange coincidences lately . So tonight while I was working on a character design and looking up fireflies(or lightning bugs, not sure of the difference) on google something happened that still makes me smile this very minute. As I'm staring at the computer screen at these odd little creatures with lights on their butts, out of the corner of my eye a big flying insect comes full speed wrecklessly hitting me in the side of my head and landing on my book. Scared the crap out of me but to my surprise and relief, walking around curiously inspecting every square inch of the book, is a freakin lightning bug! May not sound too crazy to you, I'm sure, but I haven't seen any yet this year and anything is better than searching Google images to no avail. He chilled on my desk for a while before I put him in a cup and took him outside. I'm sure he thanked me.
Anyway, that has nothing to do with anything but I like coincidences!
Enjoy this piece.