click for larger view
We lost an incredible man and illustrator on Friday last week. (December 2nd, 2011) Dugald Stermer was one of the best.
He was a huge influence on my own work and countless others.
(Dugald Stermer at Ease Photo by Judith Calson / found via Robert Hunt)
click for larger view
click for larger view
I have been working on some new images that I really can’t wait to share! Life has been a bit hectic lately with the Holidays coming and work. More updates are on the way for The Red Valley along with a few new images for my portfolio. I have two new images in Imagine FX magazine this month. You can see both of these in Issue 76! Be sure to check it out if you can. I had lots of fun painting that landscape and, of course, the canines as well. It’s always a pleasure working with the Imagine FX team. :)
Stay tuned for more updates!
click for larger view
Things have been sort of crazy these last few weeks. I’ve been working on a few projects that I’ll have to wait to share here. Until then I’ll be posting more personal work, now that I have a little more time for it. Work has really started to pick up with The Red Valley and the first post has been put up on the blog. You can see it here: The Red Valley: Rain. It’s a challenge. The way I’m visioning the storytelling aspect of the project will require lots of work, which is good of course, but it will take more time to complete.
click for larger view
I’m hoping to have most of the first act (along with a few creature profiles) done by May of next year for Spectrum Fantastic Art Live. I’d like to have a small preview book of the project for sale there along with information about where I’d like the project to go. The project is still in its very early stages and so even I’m unsure of where it’s headed.
click for larger view
These sketch images aren’t really related to the project so much but they were starting points for a very large creature I’d like to introduce on the blog soon.
click for larger view
About two weeks ago I went to the Mojave Desert to visit family and while I was there I had the privilege of teaching a second-grade class how to draw a couple of animals. Since it was close to Halloween I taught them, step-by-step, how to draw a simple cat and a bat. It was way too much fun! I was also able to show them some of the work I’ve done for clients and my own projects. They were so excited! It’s always encouraging to have kids get excited about art and what you do as an artist.
click for larger view
I also made a few posters for the kids to take home. This was a promotional poster that I made for October. I had it printed on a glossy stock so the kids could roll them up – so it looked a little different from this image.
click for larger view
Of course to top it all off, I got a packet of letters from the kids yesterday, thanking me for visiting their class! I can’t express how much this means to me! They are the best thing ever! I’ve read every letter and will probably keep this in my desk (along with the letters from last year’s class). I love all of the lovely pictures each of the students drew for me!
click for larger view
click for larger view
Here are three of the letters from the packet. They are amazing and I wish I could post them all! So, You’re welcome Mrs Smith’s class! It was a pleasure visiting you all! :D
click for larger view
click for larger view
Saw these on the stands yesterday in Imagine FX magazine. They were created for issue 75′s Q&A section. Be sure to check them out if you can! This round was particularly challenging but the two creatures feeding on the carcass up top were especially tricky. My goal was to make it look natural – as if the predators have always eaten this way. Nature can be incredibly gruesome and gory at times and I really wanted to show that without exaggerating it. In any case, these were so much fun to paint.
I’m currently visiting the Mojave desert area to see family. I’m also taking the opportunity to take some notes and photos for The Red Valley. I’m very excited to begin posting content for the project. I should begin in early November.
New work to be posted soon!
click for larger view
click for larger view
These two images have gone live in the current issue of Imagine FX magazine. I created them for the Q&A section to talk about how to paint slimey alien skin and how to color pencil lines, digitally.
Issue 74 is a special Star Wars issue so be sure to check it out! If you’re interested in creature design, it has an amazing tutorial section by Terryl Whitlatch! Anyway, pick one up if you can.
click for larger view
I’ve also found out that I’ve been included in Ballistic Publishing’s Exotique 7 this year! Very excited to be included with so many talented artists! My piece “Mars” will be featured inside. Check it out!
click for larger view
I will also be showing a piece in CCAC’s Faculty & Alumni show this year. I am incredibly honored and very humbled to be included in the show. I’ve also been asked to give a small talk about my experience at and after CCAC along with 4 other alumni. I’m very excited (and also very nervous) to be able to talk about my work and what I’ve done so far. I’m looking forward to seeing everyone and seeing the work this year.
click for larger view
Anyway, that’s the news for now. I’m off to get some commission and personal work done before this next project hits. Really looking forward to October! :)
Letters from the Second Grade!
