The Challenger - Part 3

So the lineart is done, and I've come to a crossroads...should I go digital or watercolor?  Digital has a billion options, however I like the look and texture of watercolor more.  Then again, this color study looks superb, even in its unfinished form...then again, it's just a color study, a prelude to the final piece.  Decisions, decisions.  I will most likely go with watercolor for now, and leave doing a digital version for later.

Thumbnails

If you know who Feng Zhu is, you'll know he's a big fan of thumbnails.  If you haven't heard of Feng Zhu, check out his Youtube channel.  He's a fantastic concept artist, there's a lot of good advice in his videos.  Long story short, I saw his video on thumbnails, and put this out in twenty minutes.

The Challenger - Part 2

Ink is done on the Challenger, bring it to the halfway point.  Debating on whether to color it by watercolor or digital now.  I will definitely add a helicopter for scale on the robot.

Busy

Haven't had much downtime for a few days.  Been exercising again.  Tired, but satisfied.  Better tired from good hard work than comfortable in apathy.

The Challenger - Part 1

Hi again, got a new painting on the way.  This is part one of a series, set in the near future, featuring "superheavy specialist" mercenaries.  They pilot giant mechs and hire themselves to any army willing to foot the bill.

Notes and preliminary sketches.

Digital comp.

Pencils nearly done.

Hawks and Vultures: Finished

Got 'er done!  Now to stick a story to it...

While this did have ideas and characters mixed up in it, this painting was more of an experiment to see how ink and watercolor did on smooth Bristol paper.  The ink went great, the watercolor was only all right.  It sank in fast; if I wanted a soft edge, I had to soften it quick.  It turned out good, however, and I know what to expect from Bristol now.

I'm Back!

Hey there!  I went backpacking into and out of the Grand Canyon, and managed a couple plein air watercolors on the way.  First one was done near Phantom Ranch, second one was done sitting out on Plateau Point by Indian Garden campground.

First attempt: a muddled cliff face...

Second attempt: that's more like it!

Normal Activity to Resume Soon

Normal activity will resume soon, thank you for your patience.

Older Sketches

Some of my older sketches of an alien empire, one whose forces are based off crustacean and mollusk-like biotechnology.

Wild and Unpredictable

Is wild and unpredictable variation in subject matter a good thing or not?  I sure hope so.  On one hand, it keeps the creative juices flowing, and keeps me in practice.  On the other hand, I think I skip over things too quickly, and don't take the time to absorb the lessons I learn from drawing a single subject multiple times over.

Keep drawing, keep practicing.  That much I know is true.

Hawks and Vultures: Progress

Progress on the painting!  In other news, posts will be pretty sparse for the next week or so, apologies in advance.

Hawks and Vultures

A work in progress, ink on smooth Bristol paper.  More coming soon.

Digital Robot Villainess

Concepts for a lady robot with artistically villainous inclinations.  She's like a make-up artist combined with a digital illustrator, a pumped-up ego to match, and a deep desire to gain a following of millions, either through subtle digital machinations or overt displays of nanomachine-assisted superpowers.