I had every intention once Inktober had wrapped, to select the best pieces (in my mind) and colour them; to keep the momentum going. You know what they say about intentions, right? At any rate, here we are now approaching the end of November, but I haven't given up!

This was actually one of the pieces from Inktober I was disappointed in. If I recall correctly, I was in a rush that day so I chose to draw a character of mine from way back. He was part of a pitch idea I had for a failed kids anthology that never got off the ground. I've been a part of quite a few projects that could never find their footing. At any rate, I loved the character at the time but I feel like the anatomy's off in this picture. I've been thinking a lot about the character's story, some of the pitfalls of the idea, and what would be needed to shape it up a bit. So I suppose I chose this one to give more attention to because it's been on my mind, rather than because I felt it was a particularly strong Inktober contender.

I purposely chose colours I didn't normally use, worked in a more saturated palette (at least in the foreground), and tried to limit the amount of 'extras' I typically default to. This was done all in an effort to push myself a bit out of my comfort zone. I find I stick to patterns if I'm not provoked to do otherwise.

Labels: 8-Bit, arcade, Inktober, video games

More than likely, I'm not going to make it to 31 drawings by this Friday. That being said, I'm currently at 20 drawings of varying success and quality, and if I had to stop today (I don't plan to, but you never know what life will throw you), I'd call this Inktober a success! My art output has been very light as of late, so producing 20 drawings in 28 days is a win in my book, especially considering I am proud of (most of) them.

This October, I've also finished some concept work I can't show you, for a project I can't tell you about. I will say that I am extremely proud of what I accomplished, I felt like I really pushed myself, and if/when I can show it I will. I think there may be some more art in that universe done soon, but we'll see. Really wish I could share!

Ok, back to Inktober and over-analyzing. Here's what I learned from week 4.

What I've Learned So Far

• I like a clean-ish line (a la Inktober 15 below). I've experimented with really varied lines, and unvaried lines and I feel that my personal preference is somewhere in the middle. I think I've gravitated there most of the time anyhow, but it's good to reassess every now and again.
• I need to stop 'cheating out' on faces and expressions. I think I'm more capable than I give myself credit for, and I need to just try and produce the best work I can without the shortcuts.
• I can draw cute and pretty women! I've been accused of drawing boxy, ugly women which, hey 'beauty in the eye of the beholder' and 'if it's good enough for Katsuhiro Otomo', but it's nice to know I have it in me. I'm never gonna draw pinups, but that's more so because I find that a bit gross and misogynistic more than anything else.
• I need to draw really terrible pictures every once in a while. I tend to think that every one has to be a winner, and if I don't feel like I'm going to put down a winner, I freeze up and don't move forward. It's almost like exercising demons in a way. Draw the terrible pictures so the good ones can be free.
• I find drawing details therapeutic. I need to find a fine line, but it can be a very zen experience drawing every ringlet of chainmail on a goblin. I can itchy sometimes if there's not enough detail in a drawing. Pros and cons to that I'm sure.

Here's the output for week four.

Labels: brush pen, goblins, ink, Inktober, Johnny Arcade, robots, video games, whales

I had posted this over at my tumblr, but if my stats are anything to go by, no one visits that page. I think I may either a) shut it down, or b) use it as a process site and post each phase of a drawing piece by piece. Then I can post a whole full write up on this site, which I'll always consider my "main site". Any thoughts?

I've had a love/hate relationship with Nintendo my whole life. It was my first video game console, and I played it into the ground, but I feel like lately either Nintendo's lost their way, or I've out grown (most) of their games. Either way, I've probably spent more hours finding out my Princess was in another castle than with any other game.

I have done some colours for this piece, but currently don't like them. I'll have to try again or at least try and salvage them at some point.

Labels: 8-Bit, fire flower, Super Mario Bros., video games

The topic this week at Drawer Geeks was "Classic Video Games", or anything that came out before 1985. I actually did 3 pictures for this one (one isn't scanned, and I'm not too happy with it). There was a big break over the holidays so I sort of chipped away at it here and there. I have always been a big video game fan, ever since I first played Super Mario Bros. on display at a K-Mart when it first came out.

First up is a re-design for Mario from Super Mario Bros. Sort of a grounded in reality, practical design. Not 100% sold on this one, but a good learning experience.

Next is just sort of an homage to the NES in general. I wanted to put a positive spin on the act of blowing dust out of the NES cartridges every kid who had one is probably more than familiar with.

Labels: Drawer Geeks, Excitebike, Illustrator, Metroid, Photoshop, Super Mario Bros., video games, Zelda