Dorothy, as she is

Well, the painting has been coming along, not quite fast enough for my liking, but it is still in progress. I wanted to just post up some images to show where she's at before heading off for some much needed vacation {I am wound tighter than a Tin Man's ticker} Watch for the thrilling conclusion in about two weeks after my return.

PS: to see the final post and the finished image go to Post #4: Dorothy, Then a Stange Thing Happened
to see the previous post about this image go to Post #2: Dusting off Dorothy
to see the original post about this image go to Post #1: Steampunk Wizard of Oz

Orbital Debris: Zeta Thief

While waiting in a Doctor's office, some people read magazines while others knit. This comic page was waiting for me while I waited. It's a self directed comic, I was surprise to watch it emerge from my sketchbook. I didn't know it was in there, but here it is.

Comics are a great way to work out that narrative image making skill, with the addition of time. I've noticed that in, what I see as successful, single image pages the viewer can get a glimpse of what just happened, or what will happen, alongside what is happening in an image. With sequential art, there's all kinda space to play with time, place, as well as core story telling ideas like foreshadowing, metaphor and so on. Of course books have been written on the subject of comics and how to read and draw them, so I'll hold back the diatribe on comics... for now.

As I continue to delve into the world of comics {who knows, maybe there is work for me in the industry yet,} and develop styles and so on, I have to give a tip of the hat to some of my heros: Barron Storey, Bill Sienkiewicz, Sam Keith, John J. Muth, Jeffrey Jones, Berni Wrightson, and Stan Sakai. Each is a hero for different reasons. If I were to grossly hack these select few into groups, I'd have to say that Barron, Bill, and Sam would have to go into a bag labeled, "Freakishly Great Art and Story Telling." The remaining fellows could be slapped with a label that read, "Stories and Drawings to Make Angels Weep." 

This piece leans on lessons gleaned from Barron's classes, and tries to refine and incorporate the graceful inking of Jeffery Jones or Berni Wrightson. Having said that, I've got a long way to go!

Dusting Off Dorothy

With more than a little help from my cattle prod wielding friends, I am happy to have brought Dorothy back to the edge of OZ. There have been many reworks of this piece since it was last posted on the blog, but well worth it. There's been some great learning experiences so far. You can visit where last we left Ms. Dorothy here, and after viewing that should handily be able to distinguish the two images. "Why, Brian," you may well ask, "why all the changes?"

Well, dear reader, to begin with my original intent with Dorothy was to have her floating between the two words, the gray and bleak of Kansas, and the emeraldy goodness of OZ, so the first change was the direction. A simple reflection upon the vertical axis, and already she's less planted on the floor boards and more sliding into the cyclone cellar. Then came the feet, I don't mind say, I've swept her off her feet. {oh hardy har har~}

Also I've simplified the image somewhat, and tried to focus more on her face and her reaction to all this whirling dervishness, and that's been done by creating a richer value structure. This is of course, the cornerstone to any narrative image, VALUE, VALUE, VALUE! I've had some real help with taking my sheepish values to a more dramatic place by one Zelda Devon, big props go out to her. There were a number of people who were very generous with their time and there informed perspectives. In the end I hope the piece lives up to all that was put into it. And that's the next step, painting. Look for the next post in two weeks.

PS: to see the next post about this image go to Post #3: Dorothy, as she is
to see the previous post about this image go to Post #1: Steampunk Wizard of Oz

In the between times

Somewhat in preparation for the upcoming Dorothy piece, and for the experience of putting paint onto the page again, I've sketched out this SciFi scene. It's all free hand, so it is what it is. 

I've had some recent inspiration reading the July issue of Imagine FX magazine, especially the Justin Gerard article. I really admire his work and was fascinated to glimpse his process, and the way that he utilizes Photoshop to manipulate his image. For my tastes however, I can't get over loving to make a painting. There's a certain thrill in that for me. Sure, as I stare at the blank page I am certain that I don't know what the hell I am doing. That's just a crucible that has to be passed through. I am told that other's have similar feelings, that doesn't make it any easier however. 

This piece is just a fun little thing. A giant tentacled creature, a spaceman wielding a broad sword and protected by his t-shirt and fish bowl helmet! {some of you may be able to spot the artist who's work I've been drinking in lately..}

Dorothy's up next, stay tuned.

Art Auction Wrap-up

I'll start by thanking everyone who helped to make this poster sale a success. A Gigantic thank you to Brent and everyone at Shinteki who brought me this work, and took the extra time and effort to have the auction on Ebay. They have tireless energy and are super fun to work with. A thank you goes out to each and every person who put bids on the work, it is an honor and I am touched by your efforts.

Brent brought the posters over to the house to have them signed before they are to be shipped and distributed to their new rightful owners. Each poster got a signature and a message to the buyers on them. (see above)

This was the first occasion I actually had to see the final posters. It was really fun to see them at size, and then to compare them to the original drawings that I had scanned in, it was something like a 300% increase in size. I have to say, bigger is better in this case. However it does drive home the point that I picked up from David Lance Goines that if if doesn't work small, it isn't going to work big.

In the end, I am really happy with the turn out for this project. It was fun to generate 7 pieces in about 2 weeks, and to fortify some computer-art skillz. Then to seem them so warmly received, and to have them go on to have extended uses beyond their originally intended use is such a delight.