Sketches of Skull Ladies

It's nice just to sketch. I gave myself some sketching time last week and decided to draw some ladies (not surprised there). I often like to draw this fusion of beautiful women with skulls--either both eyes are mere sockets or just the one. I like playing with the juxtaposition of beauty and decay, youth and death. I think I'll do some more sketches in the future and then paint one of these fine ladies with some sick inkwashes and watercolor textures.

Chicks Kick Zombie Butt

A running theme for me the past five months illustrating has definitely been ZOMBIES.

I've been working on some visual development for an original zombie apocalypse story so naturally it's been on my mind and in my hands. I had this rough sketch, concept, and awesome reference photos (seriously, one of the most fun model photo shoots I've had) so I had to make an illustration!

Here are two chicks fighting off some rude zombies trying to bust into their nice home. Really, zombies. Would it kill you to knock? Oh... wait, yeah....

The drawing! I spent a good bit of time on this and had a lot of fun with the girl in the foreground's expression. It was so much fun (albeit a struggle!) and I love the comical edge it adds to it, since this short story concept definitely had some humor in my head when I envisioned it.

Then I inked the drawing, traditionally.

And colored it digitally! I wanted a simple one color process and green gives me that creepy zombie vibe.

I hope you enjoy the illustration and the process! More to come this weekend.

Holy Shit, Zombie Attack!

Hey there! You may have noticed that I haven't been posting regularly the past week, week and a half (you also may have not). I had some family visitors in town and coupled with the intensity of the summer semester there just was no time. I actually have an abundance of things to post, but just couldn't find the time.

Fear not! We have returned to our regularly scheduled posts! I'd like to add another day so that I update three times a week, but I just can't commit to that right now. : /

So a lot of what I'll have to post in the coming days will be drawings from my Character Design class, but I thought I'd give a little interlude of a painting.

Behold! Implied Zombies!

Here is the painting in its finished stage at the moment. I'm going to take her into Painter and Photoshop to finish the job since I want to test a few things but not ruin the painting if I don't like it (ie, add more zombie hands). Also, I am very far from working well on small details with oil.. maybe I just need smaller brushes or different small ones, but when I want just very thin lines it's extremely difficult for me to control it that well. Hence, the wonderful computer!

Some in progress shots a'coming... I was keeping to the notion of working loose, so I only roughly placed in figures and elements with the brush this past semester. It definitely helped me to keep loose.

mmm... blacks...

I've gotten into the practice of doing a black and white underpainting. This helps me tone down my overly vibrant colors, as well as give it a mood which I like.

Glaze dem colors and lots of small working and re-working then...

Voila! The completed oil painting!

I'm excited to add the small details and everything. I may go back and add the changes to the actual painting later, but we'll see. It'd be fun to put up in the hallway or living room... Zombies!

Have a great Wednesday.

Remnants of RAW's "The Blend" Show

I know I already did a blog post about it, but the professional photographers going around at the RAW gallery show posted their sweet shots, so I felt the need to share.

Also, this gives me a chance to re-work a painting for next week's blog post.

It's a Misa! Photos courtesy of Spacecat and the RAW photographers.

Now that my wonderful friend has finished her visitation, I'll be getting back to the regularly scheduled Wednesday and Friday posts.

Have a great weekend and see you next Wednesday in the interwebs!

Gallery Art Extravaganza: The Most Epic Blog Post to Date (brace yourself for images ahead)

Happy Friday, everyone! Someone may have noticed (but probably not) that I didn't post this past Wednesday. Sorry about that; I don't intend on missing my post schedule, but these past two-three weeks have been insanely full of creation.

Yesterday was the epic gallery and art showcase with RAW. It was pretty effin' sweet. My head has yet to return fully to my body, but it is floating mere feet away so no worries.

Now to present you with one of the longest blog posts to date.... Here's the work I presented at RAW's "The Blend" Showcase.

Here's my part of the fence. There was more light provided earlier in the night, but by the time I got around to taking pictures it was dance party time. Still, it helps convey the atmosphere.

Those are the only pictures I took last night; a little sidetracked with everything else going on. RAW had photographers going around and there'll be an interview with me (gah, I hate hearing my own voice recorded). Once those are posted, I'll definitely share.

Now for the breakdown of each painting/illustration!

Ideal I

pencil underdrawing

monochromatic underpainting wash

final

Ideal II

underpainting

final!

mmm... boobs... I really enjoyed drawing this torso.

Beauty

I really enjoyed the drawing for this one. 

underpainting

final

mrow... sexy-yet-still-cute cat with attitude

Beauty is in the Eye

only one in progress of this painting... I was far too absorbed! Creepy at this stage, though, right?

Final! I always wanted to paint on an oval canvas. One of my art experimentation dreams has come true!

face detail

see a running element?

Transitory

The last painting of the show. I have a lot of in-progress of this painting that I'll make into a separate blog post. I had plenty of time to photograph and stare down this painting since it was also my final for Figurative Painting this Spring semester.

Knees!

wisps...

A super big thanks to everyone who came out! So many friends showed up and it was heartwarming to constantly have someone to talk to; it made the time fly by! I also had an absolutely wonderful time meeting the other artists at the show, so if any of you may be reading this--great job! Lastly, it was so great to talk to people who walked by my work. All your comments, insights, and responses were invaluable and I'm so glad people enjoyed the paintings and female form in all her glory.

Ah, and just one more thank you... super big thanks to both my families! Ma, Dad, and Cat, thanks so much for your encouragement. Also huge thanks to the Gomez Family and your great support. Even from miles away, you all helped me make this night awesome. Last, but certainly not least, Jesse is the most awesome partner I could have.

Okay, I'm done with my thank you rant. I'm pretty sure I heard the wrap-it-up music sentences ago.

I'll be posting this work on my Etsy store in the coming days so if anyone's in love with one of these paintings, it could become your very own!

Have a great weekend 'cause I sure as hell will.