Posse Gunslinger

pencil final for the upcoming Indy "Posse" graphic which I have posted about in the past. This post is more focused on the working of this drawing and certain things that I love to do in order to get the sketch to work. The first thing you will notice is that I have posted the original pencil, and the flip of the image. The reason for this is to show that the image reads differently when flipped, and the other reason is that it will show off flaws in the drawing process when you reverse it in the working stages. 

As I work through the drawing I am constantly flipping the sheet of vellum on the light table to ensure that the image reads strongly, both regular and in reverse. It also helps me to check mistakes and flaws as they arrive, versus realizing there are many flaws when the drawing is near completion. I also do this because our brains get lazy when looking at something for too long, so by reversing the image the receptors in the eyes and brain are re-engaged by a new image and will key on certain details, shapes, or overall flow that may have been overlooked when working on the image for a length of time. 

This particular sketch applies to many of these ideas, notice the lift of the leg is more obvious and the movement of the gesture to draw the pistol is more animated in the flipped version showcasing the gunslingers action. Another reason it may read better is that in flip his first draw will be with the right hand. I don't or wouldn't notice these subtleties if I was not looking to check the accuracy of the drawing in reverse. I am excited to see this character take form as he is the main figure of the "Posse" grouping and is somewhat of an anchor for the entire graphic. Look for more as I finalize this piece in ink, and here are a shot or two of the past working process as well. Thanks for stopping in.

Iron Gorilla Watercolor

is another addition in the ongoing and ever expanding IronApe Army that has been on the concept board, and  not intentionally being put in posts because of our summer blockbuster, but because they are just too cool to hold back on. Look for more on the development of this idea and more on some great client projects soon. Thanks for stopping in to take a look at the work.

"IronGorilla" Watercolor on Canvas 3" x 3"

I Love Drawing

in all the shapes and forms one can imagine. I specifically love when drawings tend to flow off the pencil or pen and continue to flow in an almost thoughtless or seamless manner. Many of the drawings you see here were part of a day that reminds me how much I love to draw, whether it is rough thumbnails, more rendered pieces, or lettering there is a certain zen tranquility that goes with pouring the mind on to paper. The R.I.P Seau is from reference, others from imagination. Thanks for viewing, more info on projects tomorrow. 

City Slam

is a rough sketch and color study for some future works and series that I have had in mind and the sketchbook. Short post for today as a few new projects are amping up, thanks for stopping in and look for more tomorrow.

Residence United

in an old English style font, was the basis for this project. A community mural had been de-faced and needed some new paint layers added to it to make it like new again. I have posted about many community murals and projects in the past, and along with these posts there have been a few discussions concerning the need for mural refurbishing. My saturday was filled with exactly this kind of painting. In the West Denver area there is a large amount of graffiti, and gang-graffiiti that finds its way not only to peoples homes and property, but also to the existing murals that surround the area. This particular mural is located on Kentucky and Irving, and is prone to heavy graffiti, despite that it was created by a local graffiti artist, and fixed once already by another local artist. You can see the tags and the line through that was my job to clean up with these letters. 

I began by sketching a few different letter sets, using multiply Old English alphabets as reference. You can see these sketches above, once that is on place it is a matter of re-sizing and placement on the fly to repaint the sketch to fit the existing artwork accordingly. You can see the fill-in, and the next steps to ensure leaving the majority of the existing mural image, and to keep as much of it intact as possible, while painting over it with large-scale letters. No easy task, but one that I am very comfortable with and experienced with handling. The final photos are the sequential steps from outline, to background color, to highlights and finish. This turned out well, and fits very nicely with the existing mural art. A total of about 6 hours working time from initial sketch to final. Special thanks to Johnny at Grasp for the phone call, glad to have helped clean up this section. Thanks for stopping in to view a community mural revamp. 

Blown Covers Books Submissions

was our ongoing Blown Covers theme from last week. With the status of book stores, publishers, and many forms of print in jeopardy given current technological advancements, the topic had a nice turnout, and of course a number of successful solutions. I am thrilled every week to hop on to Blown Covers and see the finalists to critique, analyze, be humiliated, laugh and most of all learn from the variety,pure talent of artists working towards the endgame of a successful cover image. 

I have to post a slight disclaimer of sorts: for the most part these images are created from thumbnail, to one rough layer, utilizing NO reference. I may break out the cellphone and rip through google for a reference as I'm finishing up, and on the Rich and Poor submission I obviously used a ref shot of Romney. I am confident to say however that 98% of the time I am working from imagination, and working through the drawings quickly among other work, the majority of the work is done overnight and with limited amounts of time, like the real world.

 I am thankful to Francoise and Nadja for placing my work on the blog, and for always giving feedback to that weeks best submissions, it helps in breaking down the reasons images would be best for cover art according to a number of themes. 

I always think of taking an adventure when I sit down to read a book, that is the second theme I focused on,  a traveler attempting to use his boarding pass at the library, the first was a reference to Fahrenheit 451, I hated the movie, love the book, but decided to try and play my own version of a testimonial "Fireman" from 451 burning books while reading his I-Pad, but I think I didn't focus in on the "goods" enough. I do enjoy the concept and will most likely play it up at a later date. You can also see the thumbnails and roughs I work from on the light table. I would love to hear thoughts from anyone, as I thank you for stopping in please give me your take. 

Blown Covers Books/Reading The Winner 

Runner-Up #1 

IronMan Watercolor

is another miniature painting that you can see on display at Second Saturday Open Studios this weekend, May 12th. As Avengers hit theatres this week and my all time favorite of the bunch( well Hulk runs a close second) is on the big screen again, I had to endeavor to create a painting of our friend Tony Stark. The IronMonkey work and a few others, are also a theme that I have been working before I undertook the normal Ironman. These are very small, and still given a great amount of attention for miniaturized watercolor. I have also included some shots of the working area, and the palette where you can see my threshold tests of value/wash strength before I lay down the color. Look for more on personal works for sale and on display for Second Saturday, and more on client work tomorrow. Thanks for stopping through. 

"IronMan" 2" x 3" Watercolor on Board

RIP MCA

Yet another great artist, and someone who's music influenced me as a teenager and beyond is MCA of the Beastie Boys who tragically passed away last week at the age of 47. I had intentions of posting about it sooner, but as the week rolled on more artists died, and frankly it's been a sad year for artists passing in every genre. I do these sketches to help me think about these individuals, and what their lives and their art meant to me. I aim for an interpretive likeness and many are very quick, 15 minutes or so. I wanted to put color on this piece because I have always enjoyed each Beastie's distinct nature. 

To lose this emcee and pivotal member of the Beastie Boys is a real blow to the heart, I remember "Whatchu Want" being played at my middle school dances, that's how important this performer was in my memory. I also remember my brother seeing the Beastie Boys and A Tribe Called Quest at McNichols arena, still jealous to this day. The Beastie Boys own the title of first hip-hop group to own a billboard spot with the 1986 album "License to Ill" and were just inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. For now and forever, a sure shot, MCA you will be missed and forever on the mic. Thanks for sharing in these posts, and more client work soon, it is still being worked on I promise you. Stay tuned for tomorrows post. 

RIP Maurice Sendak

an inspiration, amazing artist and writer, your work and brazen attitude will always be remembered. The Steven Colbert interview w Mr.Sendak just a few months ago is one of the most hilarious bits ever, and will always stay with me as a fleeting memory of this great creator. Thanks for viewing on this day that a great artist passed from us, you will be missed.

(sketches, roughs, and "Bring The Rumpus" Oil on Board, 2010 created for
Where The Wild Things Art Group Show)

Minimalist Gestures

are the foundation for all drawing, and can take a life-time to master. The spine, hips, and shoulders dictate so much emotion and movement in the human form, there is often a subtle beauty and effortless touch to artists whom their works can capture the flow of the form in a few seconds, or a few gestural marks on paper. These are exercises in exactly that, but also looking to break down the line and form in to the most basic indications I can, and as said before a practice and learning session always. These are from imagination,  no more than a minute or two each, and I work them layer upon layer with vellum or tracing paper. The step by step consists of roughs to line drawing, seven steps on the light-table. I have a few more posts about Montana and the trip to On Deck 7 soon, thanks for stopping by to view the posts.