Hooray for zombies. Here is a two page spread from the short comic I was working on that I called Zombie Cannon, which features my friend Sujin (she's the one kicking ass). I know it seems just like crazy fighting, but It does have many humorous moments. I have included my friends as well as myself in it. However, when I'm in it, I am either getting chased by zombies or getting beaten up by Sujin. It's like being stuck between a rock and a hard place.
However, I am not just making this comic for fun, it's also being done for preparation. Preparation for the day when THE ZOMBIES RISE UP AND ATTACK. You know it's gonna happen.
I wanted to get a lot more of this done but this single spread took a lot more time than I anticipated. Although I am very proud with how this turned out.
I think my favorite part is all the inside jokes that are hidden in it. I'd say there about five of them, most in the graffiti. Can you tell which they are? That is if I haven't told you already.
I'm not sure why but zombies seem to be so popular nowadays. Even within my circle of friends. One of my friends Jebus plans on writing a zombie romance novel, which will be amazing. And another friend has started his own zombie comic called Dead Line.
Please check out their stuff.
And now here is an update on my current projects:
Comic book heroes (mag cover): Rough Sketch
Goth Vampire: Rough Sketch
Squid vs Shark: On the Back Burner
Mythology Character Designs: On the Back Burner Well that is all for now. Hope you enjoyed.
I was there, I saw the great war. As heroes clashed in the sky and doomsday weapons ran free in the streets. I saw the great powerhouses of DC and Marvel collide. And then...... there was an evil alien squid monster.....or was there? Oh Watchmen.
Well in case you were confused, there was no great war, I know I was sad too, that would have been great though. If you asked me who would win in the end I'd say Dr Doom. Cause really he is DOOM. Anyway this is my rough sketch for the magazine cover I am working on. The article is obviously about graphic novels that have been made into movies, and their great success.
I ended up making this a great battle featuring; Rorschach, The Joker, Leonidas, Dr Manhattan, Iron Man, and V or at least his mask.
I realized I never really show my process on my blog so what better time to than now. I should have the finish for this in a few weeks keep a look out for it.
That's it for tonight or morning, laters.
P.S. a fun little pun the missile in Joker's launcher is a Spartan Missile. The idea made me smile.
DRAGONBALL EVOLUTION
NOT MY ART!!!!!!!!!
As I'm sure many of you know Dragonball and Dragonball Z were very popular manga/anime series in the days of old. You may also know that soon the American live-action feature film will be released (I say American because other countries have made live-action abominations of it, but trust me you do not wish to see).
Now I know I use this blog to showcase my art and to update current projects but for some reason I feel compelled to make popular culture commentary. Now, is my opinion one that should be held in high regard? Are my views so eye-opening that anyone who reads this will regard my comments as genius?.... HELL NO. However, I do wish to express my opinion, as this is my blog I want to add a bit of personal flare and insight into my tastes. It isn't like this is the first time I've done this as awhile back I told everyone of how much I loved Iron Man.
Now can I say for certainty this movie is bad or good? No I can not for I haven't seen it, and no one can say it is or isn't because THEY HAVE NOT SEEN IT. All I can do is comment on what I have seen and thus I will.
Now considering the ridiculous nature of Dragonball I know that somethings have to be changed for a transition from anime to film. Such as what villain to use, Raditz, Piccolo, Vegeta? Also what side characters should there be, because lets face it Dragonball was not the best written thing ever and it's secondary cast of characters, while enjoyable were about as useful to the plot as a fork is to eating soup. So I understand story may change and am willing to accept it, sometimes directors and screen writers want to tell a different story with their own ideals, which can be good. I recently was talking to my friend about the Silent Hill movie. While it butchered the original plot in many horrible pyramid head-like raping ways, I thought it was still a good movie, and by far the best video game movie I have seen.
But i digress. My point being that I can understand changes. However, this movie doesn't seem to change the story so much as tie it in a bag beat it with sticks and throw it into the Pacific. Lets examine the cliche and complete lack of creativity this movie has to offer just within its promotion. First of all the title. Dragonball was the original title and then when Goku grew up it became Dragonball Z. So if he's a kid in the film you call it Dragonball if he is an adult in the movie you call it DBZ, seems to make sense. Well in the movie our hero is an... angsty teen.... huh? Like every other f'ing movie the hero has to be a teen cause otherwise no one will relate to him. So the title of this film Dragonball Evolution. Are you serious? What the hell is it with movie makers who think it's a good idea to attach cool words like evolution, do they think that unless it sounds unnecessarily epic we won't care? Here is an idea call it fucking Dragonball we will get the damn concept.
Ok, well Goku is a teen, well this may be a change but perhaps he will keep that obliviously sweet and innocent nature he has that made him such a cute kid and terrible father. Seeing the latest preview no..... he is that poor kid who gets picked on by bullies (probably cause of his hair) but then finds his true power and can now fight back. How original, not like Transformers, Forbidden Kingdom, or any other recent movie. So, no, Goku does not even have the same in personality.
Well then his powers they are the same right, he was an alien child with a monkey tail who when the moon was full turned into a giant gorilla. And through years of training he learns to hone his great power and shoots energy blasts. NO he has no damn tail, he hasn't trained for years, and he has telekinesis. WHAT THE SHIT IS THAT? Telekinesis that's not even close to anything like Goku at all. I mean so far the only similarities to this and the original is that he has spiky hair but even that looks like shit? No one has hair that looks that stupid even the anime character's hair wasn't that bad.
Also look at the poster I added, EVEN THE POSTERS ARE SHIT. Look at it, if the damn ball is giving off the light why is there no light under his eyebrow? And why is there a cast shadow on his neck? If the light from the ball was that damn bright his whole face would be washed out. It's obvious that all they did, was have him stand there with a light far off to his side and take a picture. Then they put a crappy background around him, horribly Photoshop the plastic mass that is his hair, and then some jerk got way too happy with the damn lens flare filter. In case you didn't know that is possibly the cheesiest filter in all of digital imagery, so here's a hint DON"T USE IT.
I could rant more about what I've seen like how Piccolo looks, the fact Master Roshi isn't bald or a silly pervert, or the renditions of any of the secondary cast, but I will leave it there.
Sorry I do not mean to sound pretentious, I just see a car wreck happening in front of me that's about to kill my childhood and there is nothing I can do to stop it. I know Dragonball was not the best thing written in fact at times it was pretty terrible, but either way it deserved better than the raping it seems to have received. If you are going to take someone's intellectual property and make it into a movie at least show it a little bit of respect.
Now will I go see this film? Definitely. I can't say something is bad without seeing it, that would make me a douche. After all it is a small piece of my childhood. If nothing else my low expectations for this will only help the movie pleasantly surprise me when I see it. I can hope for the best but I doubt it.
That's all for now. I feel much better after that nice long rant.
P.S. there is a rumor on a website that apparently the sequel has already been green lit..... God help us all.
Considering that this illustration was done as two separate spots I thought I should show how it was actually printed. I figured this would help give a better idea of how they work together.
Also an update on upcoming projects. As I mentioned before I did an illustration for a local magazine, that would be this one (I know I said I would post sketches but I was a bit behind so I posted all at once). I'm working on the magazine cover with all the comic book heroes, I have a rough sketch for that one finished. Also I had mentioned a long time ago I was working on a zombie comic I have a two page spread for that done, and it will be posted soon. I also did get a new gig for another prototype magazine who wants me to illustrate an article about the popularity of goth and vampires ex. Twilight, I'm working on thumbs for that. As far as my shark vs squid and mythology character designs they will eventually get done but are still sadly on the back burner.
So to recap:
Zombie Comic: COMPLETE
Comic book heroes (mag cover): Rough Sketch
Goth Vampire: Thumbnails
Squid vs Shark: On the Back Burner
Mythology Character Designs: On the Back BurnerI think this listing will help inform anyone who wants to know what I'm up to, as well as help keep my schedule straight throughout my posts. That's all for now, keep commenting..... I like the attention.
This was an illustration I did for JERK magazine. The article was about the sexual stereotypes of African-American women, and how they are by nature supposed to be amazing in bed. it was an interesting article, a little blunt at times. However, it definitely brought up good points. I completely agree that no one should be judged based upon their race even if it seems like a positive stereotype.
The magazine wanted me to make my one illustration into two separate spots. These being of the male who obsesses over the African-American woman, and the sexual icon that he thinks idolizes.
What i wanted to convey with the woman was, yes, a very sexual woman who is the very stereotypical vision of the man. However, I also wanted her to seem elegant at the same time, he may be looking up to her as a sex goddess but she is looking above as well, not even giving him a second glance. I feel this gave her a bit of empowerment, considering the context of the image. As far as the guy I wanted him to seem like a stereotypical stuck up douche, hence why I gave him a collar because what feels more pretentious than a "popped collar douche"?
As far as the painting, it was a pencil drawing that I scanned in and painted in Corel Painter. I was quite pleased with the sketch of the woman. Although, I think I could have done better with the paintings. Sadly I was having trouble with my comp as it was lagging to a ridiculous extent. Since then I got my new comp so no worries. And on another note I love this new computer it is quite sexy and extremely fast.
I feel as though I have rambled a bit but ehh. At least I am actually posting, but that would be it for this one.
Well it certainly has been awhile since I posted last. A lot has been going on since then. Lots of work, getting hospitalized, but the main thing is that I have been going through a very bad drawing rut. Fortunately I think I'm finally coming out of it. I think what really helped me was getting back to basics. I started drawing figures from the masters: George Bridgeman, Andrew Loomis, and Robert Barrett. I also bought a new sketchbook dedicated solely to figure studies. Hopefully when I get some pages I really like I'll post them. I really should especially since this blog is called the "sketchbook" of the level 20 artist.
One of the things I have done as of late was this portrait of me in my fedora. I thought it turned out pretty well so I decided to use it for my new icon.
Now for whats to come. I haven't posted in awhile so I have a lot of things that will eventually get done and posted. Some things are, as previously mentioned in older posts, my zombie comic. I have a large 2 page spread that's in the works. I'm really pleased with it so far, hopefully it turns out well.
I also finished an illustration for a local magazine I will post the sketch for that soon.
I've also been asked to do a cover for a prototype magazine. The main article for the magazine is about graphic novels that have been turned into movies, so that illustration will be epic. Lots of super heroes fighting each other, also think I'll have the Joker in it with a rocket launcher....... fun times.
There are some other projects going on. Such as a new "shark vs squid" illustration and some character designs from my mythology. Those however have taken a little bit of a backseat for some of the other projects, so they will take a little longer to get posted.
Lots to do, so expect more updates more often in the next few weeks. However, that is all for now, I'll make sure to post again very soon.
Hooray for zombies. Here is a two page spread from the short comic I was working on that I called Zombie Cannon, which features my friend Sujin (she's the one kicking ass). I know it seems just like crazy fighting, but It does have many humorous moments. I have included my friends as well as myself in it. However, when I'm in it, I am either getting chased by zombies or getting beaten up by Sujin. It's like being stuck between a rock and a hard place.
