Inktober 2015: Paranormal Explorations, Batch One

I've been participating in this year's Inktober pretty well so far--only missed a few days and caught up right away! I decided to theme my illustrations for Inktober under the paranormal and supernatural. I am personally very intrigued and drawn to this subject matter so I knew it would be enticing for me to draw something new from within those realms each day. Also, there's Halloween! Who doesn't love creepy stuff in October? I also decided to standardize my sizes for ease of creation and sale. I'm working on 4.5x6 in. bristol board. Each Inktober drawing is available for sale for $25, including shipping! If you'd like to keep an eye on my Inktober originals for sale, follow my Facebook event.

Now, without further ado, let the creepiness begin...

black-eyed children

Victorian-era ghost

Nosferatu

ghosts in a graveyard... classic Halloween iconography!

shadow people

animal psi

doppleganger

ectoplasm

deva, or nature spirit

sleep paralysis

bloody mary

vampire

graveyard mystery

faceless woman ghost

pumpkins and a black cat... another classic Halloween iconography!

If you'd like to check out the rest of the month's Inktober drawings, you can also follow my Facebook fan page or stalk me on Instagram @datbootietho

I'll post the rest of the Inktober drawings in November. Enjoy the rest of October whether you're participating in Inktober, basking in the autumn season (of which I am very jealous of you since I'm in the constant sun of LA), or preparing your costume for upcoming parties and trick-or-treating!

Inktober: Halloween-inspired

Here's my Inktober drawings thus far. I decided to draw one every other day, but even that proved difficult. I'm two short, but aiming to stay on track for the rest of October!

To follow my Inktober posts more readily, you can like my Facebook page or follow me on Instagram @datbootietho.

That's right.

Booty.

Booties.

Instagram.

Reference Informs and Inspires: I Love Cemeteries, Part II

Here is part two of my cemetery reference photos. It's started to get chilly this week and is starting to feel like Fall and Halloween times at last. I love October.

This is one of my favorite spots in Mountain View Cemetery.

There are wondrous sights of the cemetery below once you've climbed a-ways up.

Perfect Halloween trees...

There are many beautiful grave markers and statues throughout the cemetery.

I went to APE (Alternative Press Expo) yesterday and had a great time. Likewise to last year, it can be a bit overwhelming at first but there was just soooo many wonderful tables full of adorable, cute, fun, and gorgeous artwork. I was able to snag some comics, a slew of buttons, and a few magnets and small prints. As always, I wished I had a million more dollars to throw to the artists' winds, but took happiness in the purchases I made and amassed another massive pile of business cards. Hopefully it won't take me an entire year to go through these this time. 

Reference Informs and Inspires: I Love Cemeteries, Part I

October is my favorite month out of the year, not only because it's my birthday month, but more importantly for Halloween. I've always loved Halloween and loved the autumn season. Living in the Bay Area means there really isn't the fall seasonal weather I'm used to, but there are still plenty of great places to adventure.

Last year I took these reference photos at the Oakland Mountain View Cemetery on Piedmont. I've always loved cemeteries and graveyards and have been immensely happy having this splendid cemetery so nearby.

This chapel/church is at the front of the cemetery. I love walking by it each and every time.

These magical, mysterious pillars ensnared in vines and leaves has been a constant inspiration. I have at least 20-30 photos just of this structure from a bajillion angles.

close up on the pillars and their vines

wonderful cracks in the walkway create a beautiful texture

follow the path ever deeper into the beyond...

There will be a part two of Mountain View Cemetery just because I have so many wonderful references from my visits there. If you're in the Bay Area, I wildly recommend checking out this cemetery, ideally with some lunch or snack break to appreciate the gorgeous views.

Heads in Costume!

So this past weekend was, of course, the weekend of Halloween parties as Wednesday just isn't quite the day to get plastered and go to work the next day. Hence why there were no posts for Halloween this weekend--Saturday was party time and Sunday was recovery.

Today I was happy to see all my friends posting their costume pictures dans le facebook, and took the opportunity to knock out some heads as well as draw something for Halloween today!

Top L to R, Pirate (one of two pirate brothers), Madeline, A cute cat lady

Bottom L to R, Malory Archer and a Spirit Guide!

Halloween is super fun time and I hope you guys are enjoying the festivities!

In a Graveyard

Today's Halloween-inspired post is brought to you by graveyards and cemeteries! One of the few benefits to spending thousands of dollars on death and burying your corpse--Cool places are created and I can walk around in them!

This morning and afternoon I worked on a little painting from one of those thumbnails I posted. This was without the photo reference, so just working from memory and the thumbnail. It was pretty fun to do and I'll definitely be working more on it in the coming week or two.

Technically on time...

I almost didn't make it with today's post! Today was a busy day and yet somehow I feel like I didn't accomplish very much. Those are never good days.

Well, here's some cemetery landscape thumbnails. Forgive the horrid picture quality. Let's just blame it on ghosts or something.

Sittin' Pretty for Halloween

Better late than never! Today was a busy day for me, but I managed to knock out an hour speed paint to kick off the days to Halloween!

black cat waits at the window...

There are still so many brushes to play around with in Painter... I am over-whelmed! But little speed paints give me the chance to explore outside of what I'm used to using.

I hope you guys enjoy! Tomorrow will be more spooky drawings!

Spooky and Silly Halloween Doodles

I took some lovely pictures at Mountainview Cemetery here in Oakland.

You may remember I mentioned in a previous post about a Halloween drawing challenge in which for each day of October you draw something inspired by Halloween. Well, damn, I thought.. Halloween is my favorite holiday and October is my favorite month! Although I may be biased since it also contains my birthday... but both birthday and favorite holiday all in one? Instant win.

So I started doodling and sketching some spooky things but quickly fell behind in the days. Since the initial challenge isn't really feasible for the entire month for me, I'm going to instead draw one a day the week before Halloween! So starting next week on the 24th, prepare yourself for witches, black cats, vampires, cobwebs, and all creepy Halloween imagery!

In the meantime, here are the ones that I accomplished before realizing the entire month was too daunting.

And I'll leave you with one more cemetery picture to see you on your way through the Internet.