All The Young Heroines

How do I start off today? I think that's where. That's the way today has been going. It seems like I'm always avoiding doing straight head on faces. I tend to over analyze them. The eyes have to be exact, the lips have to be perfect, the nose has to be here, the ears there, etc. While yes, you do have to have the right parts in the right places, If you actually study a persons face it's never exact. At least I'm aiming for perfection. Preston Blair's young heroine (as in the girl, not the drug *how could a drug be "young" anyways*) seems pretty straight forward, but not for me. Well not tonight it seems. Powered through it, and it actually turned out alright. After scanning it in and analyzing it, I found even more areas that I wasn't 100% satisfied with. On a more positive note it helped me recognize a couple more areas I need to focus on.

First day of my new character a day challenge. I was listening to Kim Holm talk about Norse mythology on Art and Story Extreme, and I've always been a fan of mythology, mainly of the Greek flair. At the same time I was thinking of the art style of Mucha Lucha. Which is odd because I've never actually seen the show. So I came up with the idea of Mythological Luchadores. After thinking about it throughout the work day and talking to Rhys about the idea. I kinda morphed the concept into what I've coined now as "Minithology". So here's a couple character ideas (Zeus, Hera, and Hercules).

Gilligan's trip to the Zoo.


Claude and his turtle try to change a light bulb.


As you might have guessed from some of my other posts I partake of the occasional computer/console game. I've come to the realization lately that I don't necessarily even enjoy playing them. I simply like to immerse myself into the imaginative worlds other people have created. When I was little I didn't have a video game system so I used to go over to my friend's houses and watch them play. I loved it even more than I liked to play them myself. Rhys and I bought a new Xbox360 today! Our old one Red Ringed. So I got to play a few minutes of Fable 2 today. I think that franchise might be in my top 5. The art style is such a great mixture of actual medieval / post medieval concepts and outrageous over the top creativity. If you've never checked out the art you really should do yourself a favor and spend a few minutes looking at Lionhead Studios concept art page or Mike McCarthy's cghub portfolio.

Cake Time!

I need to look into hand exercises. I've started to get cramps in my wrists and hands. Between work, drawing and my slight love of web-surfing I need to be careful to not get carpal tunnel. On a happier note I'm still loving drawing Preston Blair's kids. After today's drawings though, I've noticed I really need to work on my perspectives.

I've challenged myself to draw at least one new original drawing a day along side my daily artists studies and developing the characters I've made up already. I'm finding it helps open myself up to be more creative.



Gilligan on the Go


Attempting more difficult (at least to me) and dynamic poses with Claude and his turtle.


I found out earlier tonight that Preston Blair who I've been studying for the last month or more is related to Mary Blair! Thanks to The Magic of Mary Blair, a brand new website dedicated to Mary Blair's work that is run by members of her family. I'm not quite sure why, but it really makes me smile to see such talent come from the same family. If you ever wanna see some of the most creative use of color, check out any piece of Mary Blair's work. Someday I have to learn to color like her!

Searching For Your Message

I'm loving drawing Preston Blair kids. They're just so full of life and expression! I'm trying to incorporate different individual drawings into one to make a whole scene. It helps challenge me to try different perspectives. Wish I had more time to draw today, for that matter wish I could just draw faster. Well, practice makes perfect or so I've heard.

Ever since I came across Dr. Seuss Goes to War at Borders a few weeks ago I've had his drawings on my mind. Thus today, subject to your approval, I present to you Dr. Gilligan.



Wanted to try something new, so I started a semi post apocalyptic concept, in the vein of 9 and Fallout. Didn't have time to fully flesh it out today, but I like the idea behind it.



I mentioned how much I loved King's Quest a few days ago, and how I came across John Shroades. What I didn't mention was that, just on a whim, I emailed him to tell him how much I admired his work, and today to my surprise he emailed me back! What a great guy. He did mention one thing in his email to me that has stuck with me all day. "Keep drawing and searching for the message you want to tell the world with your work." I've thought about using drawings and art to tell a story, but I will definitely have to keep drawing and searching for what the message I'm supposed to tell is. Thanks John.

Such a Lovely Day!

I really enjoyed studying Preston Blair's kid drawings today. They reminded me a lot of the Golden Books I used to read and watching School House Rock!I still have a hard time drawing some of the limbs as simplistic as he does. Anyway, I hope I did them justice.

Gilligan Wars!


Claude and his turtle


Went out for a walk with my puppy and Rhys. It was such a lovely day. If you haven't spent some time outside lately it really is refreshing. Look at all the different colors in nature, they're so unique.

I stumbled across Joanna Davidovich's Blog this morning. Wow what a talent! I've never heard of her before or seen her work, but after today I'm hooked. Her expressions and style are adorable. If you get a chance watch her Monkey Rag animation sequence. It's beautiful!

And how do you know she is a witch?

Having trouble maintaining a good schedule, and I think it's cutting into my drawing. Worked on some more Preston Blair witches. I really like his expressions. Struggled a bit with some of the hands, adding over dramatic skinny and boney fingers looks cool, but it's hard to keep anatomically correct.

Gilligan's adventures of the day.




I was really in the mood to play with my puppy, but still wanted to get the rest of my drawings done. Thus Claude and his turtle got to spend some time together. On both the Gilligan and Claude drawings I draw them with a 5h mechanical pencil as apposed to my Preston Blair studies which I do with a 2H and then repencil with a 5H. I originally only used a 2H and was hesitant with the 5H cause it's so dark and there's a smaller margin for error. Now I find myself really liking the look and feel of the 5H, and having a hard time staying with the 2H. I'm still far away from being comfortable drawing with a Sharpie.

My family got our first IBM computer when I was around 9. A few months before, my grandparent's got a PC and there's came with King's Quest VI. I would love to go over there and play it. I was completely enthralled with the characters, the environments, the style, the music, everything about it. For my next birthday, my parent's got me a copy. It was love at first install. To this day the art of that game still inspires me. So much so that I did a little research and found one of the game's artists. John Shroades is still working as an illustrator and his drawings are just as captivating as the stuff I loved as a kid. Check out some of his outrageous fantasy characters! They are so original and full of life.


A whimsical adventurer reminiscent of King Graham.

Double Double Turtle and Trouble!

I've been having a great time designing my own characters. It's just so much fun. Worked on some more sketches of Claude and his turtle.

I've received a few name suggestions for Claude's turtle. So far the nominees are Simon, Tinker, and Cuthbert. I'll have to set up a poll. If you have any ideas for a good name for him please comment!

Finished with gnomes and elves, at least for the time being. I've now moved on to Preston Blair's Witches. I like how dynamic he makes the hands, at the same time he seems to be exaggerating their anatomy a bit too much (ie he drew them with only 4 fingers and at times they look more like claws human hands). That is of course in my, hope to be professional someday, personal opinion. I tried to find a happy medium of keeping an over-exaggerated gesture and a somewhat realistic anatomy. I also have noticed lately that I tend to not stick to what I start off drawing. I'm having a hard time staying with a set size for my drawings. Also if I draw a great arm or hip or foot that may not be exactly true the pose I'll change the pose rather than redraw the limb or feature. I need to learn to stick with what I started out to draw.


Gilligan the The Giraffe's adventures for the day.


Today's inspiration is Charles Schulz. Ever since I was a little boy I've loved his style. In third grade I did a report on the famous creator of the Peanuts. His drawings are so simplistic, and yet capture perfectly real feelings and emotions that bring true heart to his stories. Take a minute today and watch Schulz's Peanuts Dance. They have so much energy and life to them!



With even more passion than the real men of genius, here's to you Charles Schulz.

Dwarf Bowling!

(click image to enlarge)

Spent most of my free time today drawing this image. It turned out better than I had hoped. I learned a few things from it too, I still need to work on my perspectives, I have a hard time drawing on the edge of the paper, and lastly I'm getting faster at re-penciling!!

Gilligan the Giraffe's daily adventure.


Made up this little guy while watching a promo for the movie Kick Ass. I can't wait for it. It's based on a graphic novel which I've heard really good things about. I've got to pick that up pretty soon. Anyways, I named him Claude Cavalier and his pet turtle. Which I've yet to name. If you have any ideas for what his name should be leave a comment!



Today's inspiration comes from a book I got yesterday, Walt Disney Animation Studios The Archive Series: Story. I've only been able to leaf through it, but so far it looks amazing. The drawings are simply captivating.



Until tomorrow, keep on drawing!