Another Chrome Figure

I did this one a while back. You can see the brush strokes better.

Chrome Dancer

This was created by drawing and painting a figure using Corel Painter's liquid metal tool. The clothes and shoes were painted with "regular" brushes. I use this brush every now and again as a "change of pace."

Spacey

A quickie that came to mind after looking at photos on the 'net. I found a pose that I liked, drew and painted the figure and background. I modeled the space suit after the ones worn on the old tv series, "Lost In Space."

Why the long face?

With all of the interest in the upcoming U.S. Presidential election, I've been paying more attention to the editorial cartoonists. One of the visual aspects that I most admire is their ability to caricature and exaggerate. Its probably the same reason that I am drawn to cartoon art. Elements of cartooning usually find their way into my own work. I've found that I like to develop them into fully rendered characters.

One of my favorites who successfully combine caricature with cartoon stylings is Mort Drucker of Mad magazine fame. I count his work in the varied melange of artists that I feel have influenced my "art style."

This latest painting is an attempt to further fuse the elements that I like into my own interpretation.

Large Eyed Girl

Finished off another old sketch. It was nice practice for skin tones.

Elf WIP4

Worked on the painting a little bit more. Heading into the home stretch.

Elf WIP3

Referencing Matt Dixon's book again, I simplified the background. I think that the figure was getting lost in the previous background. I think that this change really emphasizes that the figure is the focal point of the painting.

Another Quick Sketch

Just a quickie because I had a little bit of time to fill. I think that I mentioned before that I try to draw or paint daily even if its just a scribble. I think that its an important habit to develop. It keeps me from going back to those long spells when I wouldn't create any art at all and risk losing whatever gains I've made.

Sites I Like: Painterly Arts - Digital Painting Portfolio

I recently came across Painterly Arts: Digital Painting Portfolio of Simon Dominic Brewer. The teaser image on the splash page was enough to make me click through to the main site. I was not disappointed. He has a great gallery, full of imaginative, well executed digital paintings. My favorite is called "Six Shooter," located in the Science Fiction Gallery. He has a real talent for atmosphere and lighting. The character designs are varied and interesting.

This site is well worth a look!

Background Study 1

I just picked up a copy of "The Fantasy Artist's Figure Drawing Bible" by Matt Dixon. While I think that he does some nice figures, I really like the backgrounds that he uses. The use of implied shapes and texture appealed to me. I decided to work through his book and try reconstruct some of the backgrounds.

This is my interpretation of a background that Dixon used with his wizard figure.

Girl in a White Blouse

The base of this painting was another that I started some time ago. So, I'll consider this another work completed for the Finishing Project. I really enjoyed painting the interplay between shadow and light on the face.

Expressive Painting

In issue 20 of Corel Painter Official Magazine, artist Zhu Hai Bo AKA zhuzhu penned a feature called "Paint Movement" which was about expressive painting. After reading the tutorial and viewing the reference images, I decided to try it for myself.

I've recently started taking Detroit Style Ballroom Dancing lessons. I wanted to try to capture some of the motion of the dance in a painting. I looked up some vids on YouTube, screencapped a few scenes and used them as the model for the figures.

I started out doing a few gesture drawings, until I got one that I liked. I didn't stick with the instructions completely, opting for a little more definition. I used only the brushes suggested in the tute.

The attached image was finished in one sitting.

Catwoman

Another doodle that made its way to color.