Sunday, January 1, 2012

Friday, December 30, 2011

Hey now!

Well, it's almost 2012.  A whole new year, with a whole new list of resolutions to forget about...
Figured I'd start a week early on my list.
So, here I am back on the blog train!  Picked up a new "toy" recently that I've long wanted.  And, finally, after all these years I finally picked me up one of 'em fancy Wacom tablets.  It's dreamy!
Here are a couple of sketches I did, moments after powering it up for the first time.
First up, are the ninja turtles.  Man, I love these guys.  Waaaay before all the "cowabungas", pizza, and a ninja April O'Neil.
Eastman and Laird's comic are on the list of big influences in my childhood days of wanting to be a comic book artist.  I remember the day my mom helped me order the big compilation book of all the early issues.  I must have read over that book for weeks.
Felt good to sketch 'em up again...

Next up, are a few drawings I did with the original True Grit movie playing in the background.
John Wayne's just a badass.  Damn good storyline, too.  I'm a fan of both versions...

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Muppett Rawk 3: The carving!

Muppett Rawk 3 sure came up fast.  I decided to try something a little different.  I chose the album, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill.  I thought about going to painted route, but then I thought, why not replicate the school desk and actually carve on it?  Something different that I've never done before; Wood carving.
There aren't a lot of female muppets on the roster to choose from...  Miss Piggy, Janice, Camilla the chicken and maybe a couple of more obscure muppets.  Then, I remembered a muppet who was created for the new generation of kids:  Abby Cadabby.  She was a the best choice for the cover, especially with the fact that she goes to a fairy school kind of tied in with the album title.  
So, I picked up a 4 dollar piece of a broken shelf at Ikea.  And, with the help of my buddy, Tate and his plethora of power tools, he helped me cut the shelf to the shape of a school desk.  I asked if he could add the pencil holder, too!
The one thing that made me nervous the most, was the fact that this was my only canvas.  If I screwed up, well... it wouldn't have been good.
So, this took a little more planning.  I sketched out Abby, the album title, took a sheet of Saral transfer paper and retraced everything onto the wood.  First, Abby.  I decided to save all the lettering for last.  I figured I'd have learned a little more control and accuracy carving lines...
Each night for the next few days, I spent a couple of hours using my 10 dollar wood carving set to nick away at the pine.  Each time, building more confidence at this new craft.  There were a few times where more wood was picked off that I had wanted.  But, hey... "there is no accident", right?
Eventually, it got to the point where I was ready to stain it.  Back to Home Depot I went, and picked up a can of antique red, a brush, and a piece of tarp to work on.
I'd also forgotten to add something to the back to help, not only hang it on the wall, but in a way that left some space in between and give it a shadow.  The strongest wood glue was also acquired.  The one thing I failed to notice was the 24hr drying time it recommended.
Did I mention that this part happened on the evening before the show?
A slight panic attack occurred while I searched my place for a piece of wood I could use for my last minute plan.  Luckily, I had some leftover 5x5 wood "canvas".  With the help of a lot of tape, a ruler and a somewhat accurate measurement to center the piece of wood, I added on my backing.  A lot of glue was used.  And, tape, to help hold it in place.  A lot of tape was used.
Nap time.  I think I passed out for a few hours.
The next morning, I still didn't want to take a chance at staining the piece.  The wood I glued on seemed to hold steady.
Did I mention that this part happened on the day of the show?
It wasn't until I got to the gallery to begin the staining process.  I had the sun on my side to help speed the drying time.
Within a half an hour, stain had been applied and dried.  A couple of hours to spare.  Whew.

It was about this time, I had forgotten to pick up a pencil for the pencil holder.  Sigh.

Anyways, here are some pics of the progression!  Enjoy!

-Law


















Thursday, September 22, 2011

Dabble dabs...

Kenny called me out.

Man, it's been a while.  In a blink of an eye, months fly past.  Fast, like a hungry cat hearing the first turn of a can opener.
But, getting back to it... Coining the phrase, "like riding a bike".  Babysteps.
So, here are some warm up portraits.  No one in particular... just random faces that I see in my head.  I mean, why not?  I hear their voices... O____o




Monday, May 30, 2011

And the rough...

Here's the latest layout for the page... Still might change towards the final.  But, I'm liking the direction it's taken.

catching up!

Focus sure is a tough thing to do when there are so many distractions.  Thought I'd share a sneak peek of another Alice page I'm putting together for the Alice's Adventure in Wonderland project.  I had a lot fun working on the last one, I had to do another... despite the other art projects I need to finish. :OP

Here are a few sketches: