Changes

Morning Bloggers,
Hope you are all well. I've been neglecting this site of late but truth is I'm a bit out of favour with it. I've done no artwork at all giving myself a break as it was just feeling to forced.
Anyway I'm still here, I'm thinking of changing a few things on my page, or even a total make over. Never happy am I?!
Hopefully back with more stuff soon so bare with me, and feel free to read and leave comment.
Jez.

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Further Progress on Picture

Short on sweet with this entry I'm afraid.  Just an update of what I've got done so far.  More colour has been laid down although its not been smoothed down or given any texture yet.

Kharn Progress

Thought I'd better get back to my own art stuff so here is some progress of my current project.  The basic colour has been applied with a bit more work done on the head.  Still all very basic but I'm now starting to concentrate on its form, and it is starting to take shape nicely.

Been a busy week, what with my Birthday and things beside, so I've only really got around to drawing again.  I seem to have the idea in my head that I want to take up trail running too...........I need more hours in my life to do everything that I want to do!  Been looking at running shoes on the Internet and researching the ones that are right for me.  It's amazing the amount of shoes out there and more amazing at how many hours this looking at the Internet takes out of my days!

Hopefully show you more soon :)

Jez

Pete Knifton - Blood Bowl



More artists I hear you cry?!  Oh yes, I'm afraid so.  It probably more a shameless attempt to disguise the fact that I haven't done much of my own art work lately. Guilty as charged.  So why this artist of all other? Well Pete Kniftton is to me a huge influence in my childhood. Huge.  More than I'd like to admit as I'm letting out a very geeky side to my childhood.........OK a bit of my adulthood too.

Like quite a few boys of my age at the time we were enveloped in the games of warhammer from Games Workshop. The game of Blood Bowl was one of their title games that was more a specialist than mainstream game but I loved it.  I knew the rules like the back of my hand and could play a mean game.  What I remember most though is reading through the rule books over and over, its stories and images captivated me.  It was Kniftons' artwork that adorned many of the pages of these books.  I would try copying them replicating them with some efficiency.  Its just a style I love.

Relevant then don't you think that I have chosen to do a comic book on this very subject some twenty years after playing my first few games.  Pete's artwork is very apparent in my art and style as the imaginary he used is also stuck in my mind.  I know I'm not alone in this.  You can see more of these pictures and other artists interpretations at http://www.bloodbowl.org/

I don't imagine for one minute that I can better these sort of images but in the spirit of what I enjoyed and still do enjoy I want to create and draw something with a similar feel.  Watch this space!!

Maciej Kuciara - Artist

Today I thought I'd show you another artists work that I really like.  Maciej Kuciara, a name I'm not entirely sure I can pronouce correctly, is a concept artist who is employed by underdog.  He has worked on various games and designs for them, the most current and most known at the moment being Crisis 2. He's been proffesional for about seven years now.

I adore his various styles from the quick painterly effects to the intricate detailed cities and streets he does.  By far my favourite is the one below with the lady in the snow which he just titled 'Winter'.  anyway enough of my waffle here are a few pictures to look at.  For a better look you can also see his art on his own website, http://www.maciejkuciara.com/ or his gallery pages on CGHUB, http://www.maciej.cghub.com/

Kharn the Betrayer - WIP

So after a week of being busy I've finally got around to updating my blog, and this time I have something to show for it!  In the little spare time I've had, I have managed to sketch lots of things but mainly faces and doodles, comic book art etc.  However, I missed drawing stuff in more detail so today I sketched this out and now have something to concentrate on.  I'm really happy with this sketch, I've already binned a couple of different drawings previously, but this one I feel will be fun to work on and should be good when digitally coloured.

I shall post updates on here on its progress when I get time.  This is one that's not ending up in the bin!

Toodles

Ork Template

And here is my Ork Template for you to use.  This will form the basis for my blood bowl ork team and concept drawing.  Again please feel free to copy and paste this and use for your personal use.

One of Those Moments

Last night wasn't a good one for me. My back was hurting after I'd mysteriously pulled it at work so I was already in a mood with my little self. Seeing as I was just sitting I decided to do some drawing on the computer. This didn't work out well at all. After about an hour, I'd pressed the delete button on what I was doing in frustration with myself and disgust at what I'd produced. Yes that's right folks I had a hissy fit. Seriously I just thought about giving up totally, even stopping this blog. Not sure who'd want to view my rubbish anyway.

Once I'd finished stropping, I did a bit of internet shopping then picked up my sketch book instead. Now pencil drawing I can do!! After a couple of hours of drawing my ork template and doodling some faces I was feeling happier and more at peace.

What can I take from this? Probably that I need practice using my wacom tablet. However, I maybe one of those artists that draw their stuff my hand before scanning it onto the computer. This for me seems to produce much better results.

Onwards and Upwards.

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Superhero Template

Here's a template that you can use to create your own superheros or comic book characters. Its been done to nine head high proportions.  Feel free To copy and paste for your personal use.  Even better, show me you inking and colouring skills and send them to me and I may put them here on my Blogspot :)

I've not been doing much digital art recently just been doing drawings with the ol pencils and paper.  Sketching mainly, and panning out some ideas.  I'll show some of my characters on here soon!!!

Bye till then

Jez

What Next?

Well here I am Saturday evening, on my laptop with the TV on in the background for company pondering not only my visit to my bed but also what to do with my art stuff next.

Well this is the plan: I'm going to tackle one of my sketches showed on here earlier on with the titan invading a mountain base.  Think this maybe a good challenge in scenery for me and something a bit different again.
After that I'm going to start on my graphic novel (never thought I'd say that).  Well that's the plan.  Currently I'm borrowing books left right and centre from my library about not only drawing, inking and colouring comics but also writing them.  I like to throw my self fully at these things, which will either work or crash and burn horribly when I realise I can't either draw, ink, colour or write. Or worse, all of them!  Still while I am thinking up characters, plot and all that Jazz, I'm going to do a concept cover piece.

This is my idea so far.  Based on a hardened world where people are brought up on war, poverty, from various species and races (I like orks, dwarves, and elves ok!) people live and thrive on the game of blood bowl.  Watched by the masses their blood lust is similar to that of those Romans who watched gladiators fight.  The game blood bowl is similar in some ways to American football just without the rules and brutal to play.  The plays are rarely people who want to play but rather criminals, slaves who are forced into the game.  Our hero is one such character playing to win the game, aiming to survive his harsh life a secret love, and above all conquer the blood bowl pitch so he can gain his freedom.

Probably far fetched.....a bit Tolkien meets gladiator in America!  Its still all an idea but I'm going to run with it and see firstly what pictures I can produce.  Anyway that's enough ramblings from me tonight, think my bed is in order :)

Oh and on a happy note.  Welcome to my blog Katy, aka 'kovah' :)

Blood Bowl Concept Piece - Comic Art

This is my finished piece of the Blood Bowl player I was working on.  This was good fun to do! Okay its not really one for the portfolio, it was more an experimental piece to play around with comic book art.  I think my inking stage needs some serious work and would give a much more smooth finish but as this was experimental I'm not going to beat myself up over it.  Got some more ideas so will be showing these soon

You can see my work process above from start to its conclusion.

On another note I'd like to welcome Lucpet and Pumpkinhat to my Blog. Welcome! Sorry everyone for the long delay between blogs, just been busy and away from my computer.

Jez

ICONS - Jim Lee Review

For those who do not know, this is one Jim Lee’s latest books to be released and can be purchased from most good book stores or at your local library.

Jim Lee

Jim Lee was originally born in South Korea but at the age of four, his parents immigrated to the United States.  It is apparent that from an early age, he was a gifted artist but it wasn't really until his adult life things came into fruition.  He was on course to complete a  four-year physiological degree when after taking an art class he refound his love for drawing.  Lee took a very bold step in his life and put his medical degree on hold to pursue a career in comics.  He would give himself just one year to achieve this and if nothing came of it, he would return and finish his degree. 



Throwing everything into this career move Lee was finally discovered by editor of Marvel comics, Archie Goodwin.  Here he worked on lesser titles of the Marvel such as Alpha flight and the Punisher, where he gained a fan base.  Three years on he was drawing for the premiere titles such as the X men series. In 1992, he joined fellow marvel workers who had left to form Image Comics.  He joined the imprint founding Wildstorm Productions but he was never very happy as a publisher and so sold Wildstorm to DC Comics in 1998 allowing him to return to drawing monthly comic books.

He has since last year become a Co-Publisher for DC Comics but keeps himself in a position doing what he loves best and that is drawing and producing monthly comics.

Content of the Book

Gathering together art from across the range of Lee’s finest work, ICONS presents an impeccable collection of full-colour illustrations and pencil sketches, spanning his career to date. Taking in stunning and vivid renderings of superstar super heroes including Batman and Superman, WildC.A.T.s, Divine Right and Deathblow, this volume also features Lee’s guest art for series such as Ex Machina, plus a host of previously unseen pieces.

Structured around an all-new interview with Jim Lee by comic’s journalist Bill Baker, this deluxe volume also features brand new art from Lee, both on the specially designed dustjacket, and in an exclusive, all-new Legion of Super-Heroes ten-page story, written by Paul Levitz and illustrated by Jim Lee.

Lee’s ascent through the ranks of comics’ stardom, both in art and in business, is charted in this definitive collection, as Titan Books lays out his rich, varied and astonishingly successful career through an array of beautiful work.

Each section is lavishly colourful, showing not only his fantastic drawing but also the inking and colouring of those he’s worked with such as Alex Sinclair and Scott Williams.  Full-page spreads show off Lee’s ability, some showing his sketches and the process to his finished pieces.  

The highlights of the book really are the Superman and Batman chapters, which take up a considerable part of the book and will keep fans of his work engaged for a long time.

My Opinion

This book is fantastic if you like comic book art.  Even if you don't the content has to be admired, and with just under three hundred pages of pictures there is enough to keep you engaged.  I seem to notice new things every time I pick it up!  If anything, the artwork is inspirational and will have you reaching for your pencils attempting the same thing.  The written content is very informative and for those lacking knowledge in the comic book world (me included) is easy to follow, but has enough content for the more fanatical too.  Personally, I was just happy to look at the pictures!

The highlights of the book really are the Superman and Batman chapters, which take up a considerable part of the book and will keep fans of his work engaged for a long time.

So is it worth the £25 price tag? I would say yes.  It's a big book packed with pictures and information that you will want to look at for years to come, and if you don't have the money you could always borrow it from your local library!

Something Different

Good morning bloggers.  Where I'm sure lots of people where out drinking and having a good time (my wife included!), I was sitting behind my laptop drawing and haunting Artorders forum site. 

I have suddenly been hit by comic art fever.  I sketched this blood bowl character last night and am liking this style! It was quite easy to create and a big step from my usual fiddly drawings.  I'm going to call this a work in progress as I'd like to finish it and see what I can do with this style.  I'm tempted to do some more stuff like this using the blood bowl theme.  Time for some orks, elves and dwarves I think!  Did I mention doing a more mature style to this theme.......oh well that's gone to pot.  Think I'd like to do a comic strip on this to see what I can do.  First I think I'll just do character and action shots and practice the style a bit more.

Watch this space for the finished piece and more to come!!

WIP Untitled

Picture is taking shape fast, adding more colour and smoothing the colours.  Nearly ready to add texture to the tunnel then I can work on my player.  Not decided what to call this piece yet.  Any ideas?

New Look, New Blog Button!

Yep, I've done it! I've done my own blog button.  Think it all works too!!  Bloomin heck that was long winded to get right.  Think its ok, I actually wanted it to have a transparent back ground but couldn't seem to get that to work. Never mind.  For my more regular viewers you will also notice a slight change to my blog.  After waiting for feed back, it appears that my blog was too dark, distracting and cluttered.  I'm hoping this is something of an improvement.

My son Jake is poorly at the moment, nothing serious but when he refused my chicken roast dinner I knew he wasn't himself.  He managed school but it took its tole on him and by the time he got home he crashed out on the sofa.  Bless.

Hope you like the new look site.  I'll be back soon with more interesting news hopefully!

New Work Begins

Well having just finished my last picture, I just had to start on my next one.  More to just get the idea out of my head and onto canvas.  My next series of painting is going to be based on the game Blood Bowl which was a very popular game made by Games Workshop in the 1980s.  The game was one of my favourites and the art work for it was great.  However, I'm approaching my art in a more grown up way compared to the more cartoon style ones published in the rule books.

Pictures still rough but it gives you an idea.

And to prove I've been a busy bee tonight that's not the only thing I've been working on!!!  I've also started (and nearly finished) my personal button for my blog.  Think of it as a metal flower.  Not sure what to do with writing.  I'll just have to have a play around.

Finally Finished!!!!!

Its taken an age to do and I'll be the first to say I need to sort my methods of work as its too slow.  I'm fairly happy with it, yet I have some niggles still.  I'm moving away from this now and will come look at it in a few months time and see it with fresh eyes.  Time for something different.  Let me know what you think :)

Nearly, Nearly There!!!!!

Thought I'd post this before making a retreat to my bed.  Hopefully you'll be able to see changes from my last picture.  I really only have a couple more things I want to sort now.  That Includes the sword blades and the wolf emblems on the shoulder pad.......colour gold is giving me grief!!!  I shall then mark it as 'to be judged' for a while.  If I fail to see things I want to change then I'll sign it and call it a day!

Good Night All.

Dead Line

That's it. I'm going to set myself a deadline for my finished piece. Time it was done and dusted, as I've got other things I want to be getting on with. Id like to do my personal button for my blog then perhaps work on either the sketch below or another project idea a little away from my usual sci fi. So my date is ONE WEEKS TIME. That's right, and if I don't have it done by then you have my permission to throw a torrent of abuse at me!

I've done very little this weekend with the family, its not really been great weather and Helen and I are very tired. Been to the garden centre and got our hanging basket sorted........just need to drill some holes into the bricks for the bracket to hang it up with. DIY is not my strong point. It's bound to end in an injury! If you don't hear from me it could be because I've fallen off the ladder and drilled myself!!

Hope you've had a good week. Wish me luck in getting my picture finished by next Sunday :)

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Ideas

Here is something I just sketched out this afternoon.  Really rough and just an idea, but I like it and may run with this.  It'll be totally different from what I normally do, as I'm concentrating on landscape more.  Bit naughty as I've not quite finished my other one but I needed a break from it!