One of the best ways I’ve found to develop my skills is to copy a master Artist. J.C. Leyendecker
If you like his work or would like to know more about him. I recommend this great book
Tifa Lockhart is a character fromt the Final Fantasy VII (FFVII) videogame. This illustration started as an assignment from my Character Design class last semester. This is the 3rd “final” iteration. It took several weeks, several attempts and hours of study and research to get a design that I was somewhat satisfied with. Sketches and groundwork included below as well.
“Tifa (from FFVII) Redesign”
Studies for Tifa’s costume, attitude and tools. Pen, markeer and white pencil on toned paper.
Costume studies for the “final” costume design. Pen, markeer and white pencil on toned paper.
At the end of July, I started a design for a dubstep inspired mech or robot. The idea began as a giant robot that can only be piloted by Dubstep DJs. Today I saw this interesting Deadmau5 video (see below) featuring giant robots piloted by Djs. Pretty cool huh.
This sketch is a WIP. Still needs a lot of work and finish. Character sketch and mechanical studies and sketches also included below.
“Skrillex Mech” sketch. Still a WIP. Pencil sketch rendered in Photoshop.
Quick character design of Skrillex the Dubstep producer. Pen and marker on toned paper.
One of the ways I like to stay motivated to practice something for 30 consecutive days. I call it a ‘30-day challenge‘. This last challenge was 30 consecutive days of oil painting, for at least 1 – 2 hours per day. This challenge took a lot of discipline and preparation. Anyone that oil paints, knows how time consuming and tedious the set-up and clean up can be. Of course, it was well worth the effort and a tremendous growth experience. What will your 30-day challenge be?
“30 Days of Oil Painting, 6/20/12 – 7/20/12″, oil on canvas.
I was surprised when my Character Design teacher at Concept Design Academy assigned digital skull studies as homeowork. Fortunately I was already studying a skull and had the fortune of having a full size replica on loan. Fun assignment.
This one was done traditionally in charcoal. 10″x13″, charcoal on Strathmore paper.
This image and the ones below were drawn and rendered in Photoshop.
