Yet another sketch dump!

Can't tell you about the character... its a secret ;)

Hellverine Vs The Kraken!

Commission for Zabalou @ DeviantArt.com



Merry X-MAS!!

Cold Blue Vein

A little color sketch dump for you...

Behave to be...

I am struggling with something... I want to make good living professional comic artist. Preferably doing my own graphic novel but I would be happy just making a good living... (maybe even just a living). Recently, I was given some advice by a successful artist. Some of it was very good. He said a saying someone else told him, "Write your goal in pen and your path in pencil". This made a lot of sense to me. I have the first part, but here is where I struggle... how do I get there? What do I need to get started AND what are the action steps to get the snowball rolling as well as keep it rolling/building?

Here's what I have so far...

1. Act like you are already a professional comic artist
- I changed my pricing scheme ( not there yet but its a start )
- Developed a better understanding of how a professional works

2. ?

If any of you have any advice/experience you could share with me it would be greatly appreciated!!

Hellverine

A little commission...

AMERICAN IDOL

Right now... my state of mind... I feel like I a contestant on American Idol. WTF? is probably what you are thinking right now. But it does make sense.. just without the millions of people watching me. Take that part out and that's what I feel like.

Here's what led me to be at this point. For years I have been trying to chase a myriad of rabbits all at the same time, catching none. Recently, whether it be my age, maturity or other I decided enough was enough. It was time to pick one and get it no matter what it takes. I decided I was going to put my mind to doing what ever is necessary to become a professional artist.

One of which was to learn, learn, LEARN! The first step I took... google to see what resources I had in my area. Boy that was ever a disappointment... let me tell you something... Connecticut is the world black hole when it comes to creativity. No comic companies, gaming companies, no creative companies of any kind... at all. ( cue sarcastic tone here ) I mean I live in the insurance capital of the world... shouldn't this place teem with creativity?! ( end sarcastic tone here ) After hours of painfully disappointing googling I came upon one light in the black hole of the Connecticut... Gilchrist Studios.

Soon I made an appointment to meet with Guy. I wanted to put some feelers out there to see what was available. Unfortunately, there wasn't much that he could do for me. On the other hand the portfolio review and ensuing conversation ended up being what I sorely needed... an honest review from a consummate professional. The guy was great ( even if it did leave me a little preplexed)!

Now, here's where I make the American Idol connection...

When he looked at my stuff, he said, "You're good... REALLY good but your stuff all looks the same...". At which point he points to my drawing "Scottish Rebellion". All I could think was, "?!... but I made all the effort in the world to make all the faces different!" But then he expounded... " What I mean is, your stuff looks a lot like the stuff that is already out there. If you want to really last you need to have a style people would be able to recognize anywhere anytime. You need to find what makes you, you..."

I have always, on some subconscious level known this. However, I am still at a loss at how to arrive there. Is it the mileage I need to put in? Is it some change in my line work or something else that eludes me? All I know is that right now... I feel like one of the singers who is struggling to find out what I am....

Sketch Dump

Been working to improve the skills using some book resources I ordered recently. I especially recommend...

Force by Mike Mattesi

Dynamic Wrinkles and Drapery by Burne Hogarth

They teach concepts that you can take with you. I personally take away more when I am taught a concept that I can absorb, process then apply. So these books are being very good to me ;)

Here's me trying to better grasp some of the ideas...

Best Week EVER!

I cannot tell you how amazing the past week and change has been. NO literally, I can't tell you. All be it I can tell you the majority there are somethings I cannot reveal...

1st and MOST IMPORTANTLY: I AM GONNA BE FATHER!!!!!!!




Don't know the gender yet ( we're only at 14+ weeks ). We find that out at 20weeks. I CANNOT wait! This is the most amazing thing to ever happen to me and I am looking forward to ever part of it ( even the baby poop... yes that's right even that ! )

Now onto some other kick arse news...

2 It was me birthday yesterday! Yah me too!

and ...

3. MSD: I can't tell you about this one! ( I wish I could tell anyone ) But for future reference let's just call it... MSD ( For me this is BIG! I am just biting my lip right now! )


4. Lastly.. new art... I mean that's what the blog is for anyways right?!?

FIRE IN THE HOLE!!