Computer Zombies

I spent this afternoon cleaning out my hard drive, and happened to come across this sketch/rendering I made several years ago to accompany an article about zombified, viral computers taking over your poor, helpless MacBook. Big rough sketching was as far as I got with this. Pretty literal, but I remember now that I really like this sketch.

Below is a quick thumbnail sketch I made before diving into the above version. That helpless MacBook's expression makes this for me.

B2 — Finished

At long last (or 2 weeks since I started), B-Rock #2 is finished.

I recently had the opportunity to listen to a fantastic illustrator, Danny Gregory, speak about his process, his subjects, and his life as an artist. I think I could write an entire entry on how heartfelt his lecture was (and maybe will), but he inspired me to re-examine my own approach to creating. I've been tinkering with my process on this project as a whole, spending about 3x more time sketching and studying light and dark as they affect composition and subject. That's the same advice Dave Palumbo gave me 2 years ago, which I chose to ignore at the time, but I'm pretty pleased with the results so far.

On to the next! (cough, B3, cough)

p.s., Thanks to anybody who's been bothering to read my rantings and check out my paintings. I hope you like what you see.

B2 — Progress

I've been feeling full of energy lately. This is one of several value studies I worked out last evening for B2. Hope to get this ready to paint this weekend. Let the paint flow!

Stay tuned, folks.

B2 — Obama Portrait #2

I mentioned two posts ago that I'd be creating a number of Obama portraits since he's a subject I've been wanting to work on for years... and I'm happy to say that Portrait #2 is progressing smoothly! Above is my final sketch for this one.

I'm hoping to get this done soon, I'm putting off making wedding invitations to crank this out. Here's a photo of my wonderful fiancé just for fun.

B1

Happy Friday. As promised, I've got the first finished presidential portrait I mentioned a few weeks ago. As of now I'm planning on making a few more of these, so stay tuned.

-S.

Portrait Series: B-rock

I've been wanting to paint a tribute to our 44th president for quite awhile now, basically since he was elected the first time, but have been tied up with other projects. Hopefully those other projects will see the light of day soon, but in the mean time I've been doing some research and sketching. 

More to come soon.

Jerry Kalback

I found out this week that my illustration professor at Kent State is retiring after 30+ years of teaching. Jerry had an enormous influence on my painting style and inspired me to look beyond the contemporary crop of illustrators and artists into some of the great painters from the 70's and 80's (Bart Forbes, Bernie Fuchs, David Grove, Marshall Arisman, Alan Cober, etc.), and also to love the art that I make. A tip of the hat to one of the greatest teachers on earth, and I wish him a paint-filled and relaxing retirement. You can see some of Jerry's work here.