I have been working towards a particular style, perhaps even subconsciously for quite some time. Some highlights were vibrant colours, minimal line weight, lots and lots of detail. It's something I think came from influences and artists I'd admired through the years (Moebius, Geof Darrow). The problem has always been fighting the need to get a post out, get some engagement online versus taking the time something like this needs. When the algorithms shifted, and my online engagements dropped, I sort of disconnected from the whole thing. I stopped posting for large chunks of time (well, larger chunks of time) and really didn't see a point.

More recently, I've come to realize that the joy in a lot of it was gone, and I was just chasing likes on Instagram or Twitter or whatever, even though I'd never had great engagement to begin with. I started drawing again, just for me, and realized that was the point. To create something for myself, to maybe push myself to do something new or challenging, and to not care if anyone noticed. Hell, the irony in writing all this on a blog that I'm not even sure folks check anymore is not lost on me.

This artwork is the result of me slowing down, realizing as close to the picture I had in my head at the time, and just revelling in all the tiny details. I doubt I'd do this consistently in the future, as rewarding as it is it takes a lot of time! However, I am proud of how it turned out, and hope someone, somewhere finds a little joy in it, knowing that I did first and that's all that matters.

Labels: Forest, forest spirit, Photoshop, spirits

Here's some more Copic marker work. I'm fairly confident in getting the grayscale marker work to translate in a scan, but it gets a bit muddle trying to bring the blues in. This particular color is very close to non-repo blue though, so perhaps that's the issue. At any rate, I'm really enjoying working with markers and hope to find a way to incorporate this with my Photoshop work more.

Labels: brush pen, Copic, Forest, markers, wolf

I believe I may have posted this elsewhere, but not in a proper scan and not here on the blog. Some more Copic marker work. I enjoy the depth markers can give an ink drawing without having to go to a full blown rendering in Photoshop. There is something to be said for the subtlety of traditional media. I have some more of these to post up, and some more ideas on the way. Enjoy!

Labels: brush pen, Copic, demon, Forest, markers

My head is all mucked up with cobwebs and glue these days. It's funny how life gets in the way of doing the things you love. I'm slowly trying to force myself back into a work pattern I find acceptable.

All of the periphery projects I've had on the go over the past few years have run their course or dried up, leaving me with just myself and my ideas. It's a daunting prospect, and can be debilitating at times; the idea that the only person depending on your creative output is yourself. It's easy to occupy yourself with projects when someone else is driving the deadline. The real challenge is driving yourself to finish something you could just as easily put off until another day.

All that being said, here's some sketching and ink work I've been chipping away at here and there. The first was a forest sketch I had tried, mainly to see the amount of time it would take for that level of detail. Final results are mixed. Second is an impromptu character design meant as a nemesis to an idea I've had in the vaults for a few years. Finally, another take on a character whose story always feels insurmountable, but who just won't leave me in peace. More soon.

Labels: character design, Forest, ink, pencil, robots

I've been plodding away at writing a short story using the themes I've laid out here. I've been moving at a pretty steady clip, but thought I'd share some panels from some of the pages I've inked (no colour yet). Comments and criticisms are always welcome.


And another one:

And one more:

Labels: Forest, ghosts, ink, sequentials

I coloured my previous sketch to test atmosphere and overall color palette in a story I'm trying to write, but I couldn't decide on which time of night I wanted (dawn or midnight). I ended up doing both, and I like them each for their own reasons. Let me know what you think!

Labels: colour, fantasy, Forest, ghosts, sketch

Just trying to work out some environments/backgrounds for a fantasy short story. The idea I initially had has completely changed and then run away from me, but I think I really like it. I'll post more when I have it, and perhaps I'll color this sketch.

Labels: fantasy, Forest, ghosts, sketch

Just a quick one from yesterday

Labels: Forest, pencils, sketch