Bug forms.

Recently I started exploring http://www.ctrlpaint.com/.  I watched this video which talks about drawing though forms (thinking of objects with volume) instead of considering just the flat silhouette shape.  I tried the suggested exercise of finding bug reference images and drawing over the file while attempting to think about and display the flow of the forms in perspective.  All of the photos displayed were found on the web, and are not my own.  The drawings are all me, however and done digitally on a Cintiq. 

Photoshop brush test.

Lately, I have been refining my knowledge of custom brushes in Photoshop.  I followed a tutorial by Brian Recktenwald, from the book "Digital Painting Techniques", to set up a single custom made brush which has the ability to make multiple types of marks.  The exercise has you create a brush from an ink splatter (with some Photoshop tweaks) and convert it for use as a smudge tool.  What was most interesting for me however, was the idea of getting the most variety out of one brush as possible.  This is accomplished by modifying the brush settings (shape dynamics, scattering, texture etc.).  Combine that technique with a Wacom tablet or Cintiq with pressure sensitivity and you can simulate traditional 2D media very effectively.

I created a brush that would be useful for creating a rough surface and then modified it using some of the techniques I learned in the Digital Painting Tutorial.  Here is what my "raw" brush looks like:























I then found some photo reference of a rough faced old man to test my brush.  The image was found here and was taken by the photographer Anil Purohit.  I did not trace the image, or sample colors, values etc. from the piece, but instead used the traditional method of sighting my reference and directly painting in the way I would approach an acrylic painting.  I was not attempting to perfectly duplicate the photo, but rather use it as a reference point to work from.  You may notice that in my version, the head is more straight on, and the expression is more melancholy.
    
















 



The first stage is to block in my shapes and values using broad stokes with a large version of my custom brush.





















The second stage is where I refine my shapes using a smaller brush with less scattering dynamics.

The final stage is where I add the darkest darks, and lightest lights to the piece while adding a focal point (the eyes).  This is done with the smallest version of my custom brush.

Yellow lemon, lighter and gluestick.

Here is a traditional acrylic piece I did a little while ago.  I went for a complimentary color scheme with this one, using a deep violet instead of black (which tends to deaden paintings) to contrast the yellow objects.  

Robert Caisley's FRONT - Samuel French

Earlier this year, I was asked by the fine people of Samuel French for the right to license a traditional collage (I made more than a decade ago) for use on the cover of their actors edition of the Robert Caisley play "FRONT".  I originally created the piece while still in art school, in Philly, as part of a collaborative project where the theater, illustration and graphic design departments worked together to create a poster for the production of FRONT.  The title was recently picked up by the legendary play publishers Samuel French (doing business since 1830) and Robert was kind enough to bring my illustration to S.F.'s attention, who then licensed the art from me. 

Thanks to Robert Caisley and the fine people over at Samuel French for the opportunity!

Jackalope for Modern Eden's Myth Show

Here is my latest acrylic painting for Modern Eden Gallery.  A link to the sales page for my work is here if you are interested in purchasing any of my original pieces. 

She Wolf and Myth Show at Modern Eden

I painted a Jackalope for a show at Modern Eden Gallery in SF.  Come check out some great work!

UI inspired desktop screen.

I made this image for AAU's desktops for the summer semester.  It was created in photoshop using web 2.0 inspired gradient work underneath some modified rusty texture found imagery.  I used way more procedural processes than I normally do which resulted the largest layer count (for me) to date.  Was much fun.  Thanks to Carlos Joy for the tips and artistic eyes on this one.

"24 K" Boombot

Here is my customized Boombot, "24K" for this weekend's CRAYnial DIY (Boombotix) show at Big Umbrella Studios.  Some artists went off and sculpted the heck out of theirs. I went for simple and elegant / gaudy solution based on the target market of bike messengers, hip hop / Dubstep kids, J-Pop fans, and hipsters. Most of those folks tend to like it flashy. The piece is still available at Big Umbrella Studios.

Available work online.

Here is a link to some of my available work at Modern Eden Gallery in San Francisco, CA.  Scope it out and scoop it up!

Customized Boombot

 I will be customizing a Boombot for a show at Big Umbrella Studios in San Francisco next month.  You should come check it out!  How LOUD are they?

Hi-Fructose

My most recent piece was used as the cover image for the February 14, 2012 online edition if Hi-Fructose Magazine! I have been inspired by this publication for years, so I am both flattered and honored to be a part of it. Thank you to the wonderful people at Modern Eden and Hi-Fructose!

Modern Eden online store.

My new piece is currently available for purchase here at Modern Eden's online store. 20% of the sale goes to support the SFSPCA.

"Sugarpuss"

Behold Sugarpuss! This is my latest acrylic painting on canvas (18"x24") that will be going up this Saturday 02/11/12 at Modern Eden in San Francisco, CA. It was created in support of the gallery's latest group show, Menagerie to benefit the SPCA. I will be showing with some other wonderful established and up and coming artists. Come check it all out!

Sneak peak from Triangulum.

My lady sometimes snaps photos of me when I am working. Here is the artsy fartsy we were up to the other night which includes a sneak peek of my latest piece for the Modern Eden show opening Saturday. Amanda is working on some new line art that will be transferred to linoleum blocks to carve for the new upcoming block printing class she'll be teaching at Workshop. Check it all out!

My band, INTACT.

This is me and my friend's band, INTACT. I play bass on the album with the exception of the song Sauregurkenzeit, where I play the guitar. I did the cover art and layout design with the input of my band mates. You can check it out below and even pick up a copy of the album if you are so inclined here:
http://intactsf.bandcamp.com/
http://www.facebook.com/#!/intact.sf

Spring 2012 at AAU.

I did another digital illustration for AAU's desktop log in screens. I hope you enjoy!