Hulk: Crunching Numbers!

I've been hacking away on this commission for months and months; I finally got to a point where I felt it was done. The recipient, my wonderful comics-loving accountant, was pleased.

This was an exercise in pushing myself to work in a new way, with an unfamiliar subject, in a style I never work in. It was painful. Ultimately I ended up feeling like my skill set has expanded...though I can't wait to get back to scribbly pencil and watercolor washes and so on... :)

I am grateful to every person who has ever done a depiction of the Hulk and posted it online somewhere. I found inspiration from all of them. Thank you.

Illustration Friday: Mysterious

I love belly dancers and I especially love them as subject matter for art. It's been a while since I drew any (all those beefy guys taking precedence; see below). Tribal fusion belly dancers, in particular, are wonderful to create from: their sinewy movements and exotic and creative costumes evoke the mysterious.

Inspired by a photo by Falln-Stock.

Beefcake

I have been working on a large commission piece, of the Incredible Hulk, for a few months now. Before I really got going on it I knew I was going to need to practice drawing big beefy muscle men (not generally a part of my art repertoire.) I had no idea how much fun that would be.

Anyway, these were the best of the bunch, referenced from a variety of photos found via Google Image.

(What--you were thinking maybe these guys came and posed for me in my studio? I wish.)

Dr. Sketchy's Grand Rapids

Had a great time last night at the Sazerac Lounge in Grand Rapids for a Dr. Sketchy's session...I felt pretty rusty but copious amounts of alcohol, crazy music and bawdy behavior by the hosts and model and rest of the art monkeys made it all okay...

Firestar

I entered a contest at my local comics emporium, Clem's Comics and Games, in Lansing, recently. This is an edited version of what was submitted, since I made a mess of the background when I added some hand-drawn type. I replaced the mess with Firestar's 'logo.' Much better.

Hulk, Shmulk

I can think of no better way of shaking off the rust after many months away than to do a Hulk portrait.

A Clockwork Chickpea

What the hell? I haven't posted anything here since June?? I think I was kidding myself that it had only been a couple of months.

Okay, well, while I continue to struggle to find time to do something art-related, I will post photos in the meantime—something I rarely do. Here are some pictures of me as Alex from the film A Clockwork Orange, my costume for Halloween. I'm betting most of you reading this won't have a point of reference for the costume, or the film. Just like at the party. I think a grand total of 2 people knew who I was. It's okay—doing it was fun.





















Iconic! Kinda like the movie poster! A little.























Note the semi-authentic bloody eyeball cuff decorations. Those were hard to find!

PushPull

Digital, from a pencil sketch.

Daily Sketch Challenge: Black Widow

Another Daily Sketch Challenge...quick pencil sketch, scanned into Photoshop where I added color. Used my Black Widow statue as my model.

Probably 40 minutes or so from start to finish. Uploading this tonight against my better judgment, since I will no doubt see all kinds of things wrong with it tomorrow morning. Eh.

Daily Sketch Challenge: Benicio del Toro

About 20 minutes, digital quickie in Photoshop...didn't want to miss this Daily Sketch Challenge today and time was running out.

It's Benicio del Toro (mmmmm), by the way...though not particularly recognizable as him.

Marker—Quick Studies

Just some quick studies in marker and pen of my friend's fabulous, fashionable aunt, from some wonderful old photos she allowed me to use as reference.

I really love working very fast, blocking things in with marker and then scribbling in some detail with pen. I'm not wild about the marker fumes, though. *cough*

Daily Sketch Challenge: Reese Witherspoon

Quick entry for the Daily Sketch Challenge Group on deviantART. (The challenge was to sketch Ms. Witherspoon's face from provided photo reference.) I nearly didn't do this but managed to find a few minutes to enter--I am finding it far too easy to do everything else but draw these days! Must change that.

Pencil Portrait Commission

Pencil on Strathmore paper (which I wish I could find more of; it is the most gorgeous , responsive paper...a joy to make pencil marks upon.)

Delphine

Pencil and ink wash.

The actual paper is much whiter, but I liked the warm-toned background of the scan so I left it that way...

More Scribbles

...from recent 'Sketch & Kvetch' sessions.

Portraits

I am experimenting with portraits, with an eye towards doing commissions. I'm hoping to offer something other than the typical, traditionally-painted art from a photo ( though I'm working on a piece in that category as well.)

The girl was drawn and colored in Photoshop (the final was printed on 12 x 18" toned paper and I added some hand-drawn touches.) The young boy is watercolor and graphite on Strathmore paper.

Sketchcards: Jonah Hex * Green Goblin * Loki

Card trade with the multi-talented (and also very patient) Oran Parker. He requested these three guys who all have toothy grins (or grimace, in the case of the cowboy.)

Markers, pencil, white, gold and silver paint and one of those sparkly colored gel markers. I had a lot of fun doing these; thanks, Oran! :)

Eh

An average of 30 people a day visit this blog... Silently they slip in, look around, then scurry off, leaving nothing behind. I'm wondering if this little thing has run its course.

Red Sonja x 2

Art commission done for my wonderful, comic-loving accountant, who makes tax time bearable.

Pencil, marker, ink, some digital stuff, white paint and silver marker (which, sadly, doesn't scan well.)

Gone Wired Sketch 'n' Kvetch

My friend Diana and I have been meeting regularly at local coffee hangout, Gone Wired, for a few hours of whining, complaining, and sketching. Very therapeutic. We draw whatever's on the table that night--various toys, magazine covers, giant flies...there's always something.