Digitally Remastered

Alright so here are a selection of drawings from the open life drawing sessions in San Diego 2007. Pretty straight forward...5-10 minute poses, later finished from memory and imagination. I have already posted most, if not all of these...but at the time I had digitized these drawings, the only thing I had was a camera...now that I have a scanner I decided to create a clearer representation.

Enjoy!

2007

More studies from my parents' wedding photos

Sketchez

Here are some sketches from the summer of 2007

He Say You Braid Runner...

Alright...I think this is late 2007. I am not sure, but I kind of remember being originally inspired by Blade Runner while doing this page...and then it just turned into another imaginative figure study.

I like to watch movies while I draw...or I guess listen would be a better word (occasionally I will glance up and watch). Its really weird how fast time goes when you draw. I like to use music and movies as a time gauge...kind of like the movie Hudson Hawk. For really complex projects, my favorite thing to do is play a trilogy, or a series. Star Wars, Lord of the Ring, Matrix...

If I know that I am going to be drawing all day...I will play the entire series of Nightmare On Elme Street (except part 2...haha), Friday the 13th, Jaws, or anything else I can find. I really like movies from my childhood. Eighties movies are a big staple in my selections. There is something about that decade that was so horribly awesome...it was like pop culture had exploded and the market was open to any idea, no matter how vulgar or campy...and movies were no exception. Hulk Hogan ice cream bars...need I say more?

Layin Studies 2008

These were poses out of an artistic nude book...the goal was speed...it still ended up taking me 15-30 minutes on each, but I like the result.

Lego Madness 2008

Drawing Night 2009

This was from another drawing night at studio 2nd street...good times.

Good Times

Alright, so the bottom is a study from one of my all-time favorite illustrators, J.C. Lyendecker. It was done right before New Year...which is why I chose to draw a baby (one of his trademarks was his "New Year babies"). I tried to be as painterly as I could with the strokes...concentrating on economy and efficiency. It seemed to go pretty smoothly, and I really felt as though I had connected with something in the style and approach...then again, it could just be because I didn't have to imagine any of his incredible design work...it was all laid out there.

The top one was done in 2009 at my friend, Justin Fox's house...a really down to earth artist. The dogs were inspired by his dogs...mainly Bella, although the other dog was much more of a character...can't remember his name...want to say Barney??? Anyway...these were some people that were there. I had more drawings of this event, but they are lost somewhere. I will have to post them once I find them. Enjoy!

Dr. Zeus Dr. Zeus

Amadeus...my second favorite movie, with Cinema Paradiso as the first. These were done in 2008 at an attempt to better understand composition and storyboarding. It ended up being just me drawing the still as fast as I could. These took about 15 minutes a piece. Done in ball point and a dried out crayola marker. This was one of about 4 pages I did.

It was no surprise how many awards this movie won back then. You have excellent story, acting, environment, and a soundtrack by Mozart. Each frame of this movie could be an illustration on its own, so finding interesting screenshots to draw was easy and enjoyable.

Paris Studies

This was done in the summer of 2007...near the end of the Paris Hilton fad...thank god. Almost everybody was drawing her because she was in every single magazine pulling various publicity stunts. These are actually flattering drawings compared to most artist interpretations.

More of the same...

These are from 2007. I find that working on the back of color copied paper with prisma color gives some nice, smooth strokes for half tones and rendering. The drawings are done with this technique, and ink for the linear/graphic containment. Unfortunately, some places have either switched the process, or the paper...maybe they save a little with the economy the way it is??? I think Kinkos still uses the same stuff though. Anyway...it was a nice discovery for myself :)

More Old Art

Alright, so in this post...I have two pieces, which are both photos of my parents' wedding...I can't remember if I posted either of these, but if I did, oh well.

The top drawing was done in 2005. It is all in pen, no under drawing...it took me all summer to get to. I think the actual drawing time was probably about 9-12 hours?? I would work on it here and there, but the thought of messing up was so daunting, it took me forever. It was done on a 12x16 paper.

The other drawing was done sometime in 2006. Unlike the top drawing, this one was layed out in pencil, then drawn over the top with pen, then cleaned up with an eraser. Although the drawings are not as polished as the top one, I liked the process much better...there was less anxiety. But I do value the lesson in focus for the top drawing.

Despite what the common public thinks...I feel that drawing in ballpoint is much easier in the final out come than drawing in charcoal or other medium. The tip is always sharp and consitant, there is almost no smearing, and it is virtually permanant. The only draw back is that most of the pieces are smaller, and when it comes to fill in an area, you will either need a marker of the same hue and a slightly lesser value, or just a buch of time. There is something about working small that I like too...next post...

2007 Flashback

Another page of studies done bit by bit during slow times at Valleyfair. This one is from a series of ink brush samples. Just a way to pass the time...kinda like everything else.

Past drawings

I think this is winter, 2006

The portrait with hands was done in 2007 from a photo. The photo, however, was taken at a drawing session at Studio 2nd street that I actually was at, drawing this same model from life. The life drawing at the top was not as successful, but was a fun challenge and a good exercise...I was rusty as hell too, so it was much needed. The other one is a little off in her arm sizes...one is a tad bigger, the other a bit small.

My roomate Nick and I went from San Diego to Encinitas a couple of times for these sessions. This was the first time I was in Studio 2nd Street, but I had taken classes and met with Ron and Vanessa Lemen before (see side panel of inspiration for their blogs). I remember spending the full 3 hours on this head...and fighting the frustration cause I knew I had done way better than this before. With about 40 minutes left, Ron came in. He said hi to Nick and myself and then set up behind where we were sitting with a 4x4 foot canvas. All I could hear for the next 20 minutes were the sounds of charcoal swooshing around. When the bell dinged at the end of the interval, we all got up and stretched a little and I walked to see what Ron had done. He had whipped out a full on figure with everything in there...hands, portrait, clothing with all the folds, jewelery...plus the backdrop, and who can remember what else...it was really loose, but it was all there. In the next 20, he finished the drawing. I guess the next week, he painted over it and gave it to the model (at least I think). Anyway...I can remember looking at my drawing and then his and feeling really humble. I thought it was pretty funny, but I also learned that I need to move (or at least think) faster.

That is the thing that inspires me most about artists. Sure quality and accuracy are good, but if an artist can do these things in the matter of moments...that is really captivating. In the end, I don't really know if that is who I am or if it even matters...there are tons of great artists who take their time...and there is something to be said about that. However, I do know that a quick and efficient artist is what I strive to be.

Page o' Faces

This is late 2006. I was doing this to prepare for a gig...it was going to be my first time using art sticks. The gig was way over staffed with artists...probably about 7 all together. Plus, it snowed the night before and not as many people showed up, so I only drew about four drawings.

Gigantor Legs...

This was done in 2006 for a company that was promoting baldness as being beautiful...they ended up choosing some other designs that I did...but I think this one was pretty fun, for the time I spent. Looking back at it now...there are some things I would have tightened up...starting with the woman's hand. Oh well...I guess that's what happens when you grow.

Wabbits

Winter 2007

Bear Naked...

Don't remember, but I think I was talking to a friend about the concept of being nude vs being naked....and this is what came of it...a bear in underwear with a girl thrown in for good measure. I don't know what the list is about...maybe he is calculating something? 2007-2008

Double Post...

Oops...forgot to post the other night...so today there will be 2 blast from the past posts. This was done in the winter of 2007. I kind of like this style...hands and feet needed some work back then...they are always tough, but they are less tough now.

Actually, this is just an ad for Generals Layout Pencils.

Enjoy!

Another Blast form the Past

I think this is from fall 2007...but I am not sure. Hands are tough, always have been, but I think I have improved...I hope :) The queen at the bottom left was obviously inspired by the Evil Queen in Sleeping Beauty (or whatever her title is). The style of animation in that movie is one of my favorite disney styles for drawing human charcters. Even the animals, and how they fit into the realm of the style is really interesting...not to mention the insane backgrounds. To bad the subject matter is so horrible. I wish they would have done more with those goblin henchmen characters...those guys kick ass!

Twins game was pretty exciting. I had to step outside a couple of times to relax. Getting old sucks.

Until tomorrow.

Howser's Log

This was done in January 2009 when I first moved to live in Encinitas...enjoy

Journal Times

So this is from the spring of 2007. These were some people in a life drawing co-op...only $5 for 3 hours...just 3 or 4 blocks away from our house. In the winter of 2007, I moved to San Diego to live with one of my good friends Nick Navatta (see my inspirations link for his art). It seems like a long time ago, but as I am looking at this drawing, it is begining to feel like the whole experience happened just yesterday.

Although that experience was really challenging at times, I met some really good people, and had some good times. When I first moved out there, I had a mini lapse of confidence, and moved right back home about 2 weeks later. At the time, it felt like a failure, but I think the sudden contrast of environments really helped me to see the difference of life styles, and also made me realize that I needed to go back.

After about a week at home, I flew back to San Diego and started to live there again. Originally, I was going to work at Sea World, which would have been a really awesome and humbling experience because of the talent out there, but when I got back, Nick told me that the zoo was just 5 blocks away from where we lived. It was awesome working at the Sandiego Zoo...even though I didn't really agree with the business I worked for...the people were cool, and the animals were really inspiring to be around. The managers were really understanding, although they were probably a little annoyed with my flakey approach.

Everything was an easy bike ride away...and right next to the zoo was Balboa Park...a very beautiful and cultural area. There was also this sweet mexican restuarant just a block away from our house with these awesome breakfast burritos that weighed as much as a brick. I would get one almost every day after work...eat it, and fall asleep on our couch at about 6 pm. They are probably really unhealthy for you, but for $3.25, you can't argue too much.

Anyway...I am really glad that I had the chance to experience these things...those were really good times. More to tell about those times later...enjoy!

Journal Entry

Alright, so this is the start of many entries to come where I am going to be reaching back into the "Oldies But Goodies" files...This one is from 2007?

I am doing this for many reasons. It is good to give these pieces some exposure, I can see my progress, and it is essential for me so I don't forget what I liked/like about my own style. On that last reason...there is something in me even from my childhood, that is the fear of losing something. I think many people have this, but I remember it happening to me with basketball. The season would end...months would go by, and I would play different sports...when I came back to the next season...it was like learning all over again.

I eventually learned that to obtain that skill permanantly, you had to keep in practice...for me to gain back a lost skill takes about 2 weeks of solid drilling...then I feel comfortable enough to start to grow further. I think those two weeks really take a lot of energy though, so I am always hesitant to quit something for that reason...unless I lose interest.

So...I will post again tomorrow, with another random tangent of life as I see it...enjoy!