Studying The Photos

Here are a couple of Studies done from Photo Reference for an assignment from Noah Bradley's Art Camp. The first pic is a series of Thumbnail compositions of Environments from various pics off the internet. I added a few imaginative elements in and changed color and composition as I see fit. Next is a portrait of an old man, I figured I would mix up the studies subject matter and use subjects that benefit me. This guy for instance can lend himself to some great Horror art:) where the enviro thumbnails can also be used for sci-fi background etc. The wrinkles were a great practice for me. And lastly, a study of a bird from a pic I took at the Zoo. This one was good to study and utilize for possible creature design. Thanks for stopping by, Enjoy!!!

Guillermo Del Toro

One of my favorite Directors with the Faun from Pan's labyrinth.  This caricature was done for a facebook Caricature group's weekly challenge. Thanks for stopping by. Enjoy!!!

Heavy Metal Magazine

So I am happy and proud to announce that I am featured in this month's issue of Heavy Metal Magazine's artist showcase section. Thanks to my good friend Kevin Eastman co-creator of The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and the rest of the crew for allowing me to be a part of such a historical art magazine in the Sci-Fi and Fantasy genre. I collected Heavy Metal as a young man and was so inspired by all the great artwork that graced the covers and interiors every month. Artist like Moebius, Frazetta, Vaughn Bode, Jeffrey Jones, Bernie Wrightson, H.R. Giger, Simon Bisley, Azpiri, Frazatto, Milo Manara, Arthur Suydam, and the list goes on and on, have contributed to the magazine's amazing artwork over the years. You can read more about the magazine on wikipedia here. This month's issue is no exception, I'm definitely in good company with the awesome talent, so I hope everybody picks up a copy :) Below is the cover featuring art by uber talented fantasy artist Michael C. Hayes.

Beastman

A creature I came up with. incorporating techniques I picked up from watching Scott Patton , Bryan Wynia , and Josh Crocket tutorials. Done in z-brush and composited in Photoshop. Thanks for stopping by, enjoy!!!

The Karate Kid (1984)

Actors Ralph Macchio and Noriyuki "Pat" Morita as Daniel and Mr. Miyagi in the original Karate Kid. I decided to add the bruises,and bandage on Daniel's face and the Fly caught by the chop sticks last. I thought the piece could use something more comical in it. Thanks for stopping by, Enjoy!!!!

Mech Suits and Plein Air Painting

I finished up this Mech today after taking my laptop to the park for some Plein Air painting. The Mech sort of reminds me of the anime Guyver. I still have a bunch of the VHS's somewhere:) These thumbnail studies were done for Noah Bradley's 12 week summer boot camp. This was not easy to do digitally. I took an umbrella with me to try and block the glare on the screen, but to no avail. I could not tell what colors I was using at all. Still it was a great exercise and I will definitely do more when I can, hopefully with a better set up.

Castle In The Sky

This concept painting is inspired by Hayao Miyazaki's (Studio Ghibli) Castle In The Sky, Puss In Boots, and Jack The Giant Slayer. The structure in the middle was an old Google sketch up model that I decided to re purpose for this piece. Below is the painting sketch followed by earlier versions. Thanks for stopping by, enjoy:)

Monsters

Here are some thumbnails and a creature sketch I did today. No real direction , just generating ideas for future paintings. Thanks for stopping by, Enjoy!!!

Arnold Schwarzenegger

Arnold Alois Schwarzenegger (born July 30, 1947) is an Austrian-born American former professional bodybuilder, actor, businessman, investor, and politician. Schwarzenegger served two terms as the 38th Governor of California from 2003 until 2011. Schwarzenegger began weight training at the age of 15. He won the Mr. Universe title at age 20 and went on to win the Mr. Olympia contest seven times. Schwarzenegger has remained a prominent presence in bodybuilding and has written many books and articles on the sport. Schwarzenegger gained worldwide fame as a Hollywood action film icon. He was nicknamed the "Austrian Oak" and the "Styrian Oak" in his bodybuilding days, "Arnie" during his acting career and more recently "The Governator" (a portmanteau of "Governor" and "The Terminator" – one of his best-known movie roles). My earliest memories of Arnold was his role as my favorite Cimmerian, Conan The Barbarian. My father took me to see the film at the Commodore Theater in Brooklyn New York when I was a young boy. There was a news stand right as you got off the train exit in Broadway that sold comic books and magazines. Every time we went to the theater to see movies I would ask for the Conan magazines which featured art covers by the great Frank Frazetta and interiors by the amazing John Buscema. As soon as I heard the movie was gonna come out I begged to go see it. till this day it was very influential to me as a fighter and as an artist. I will never forget the Friedrich Nietzche quote at the beginning of the film, "That which does not kill us makes us stronger". Arnold conquered the Bodybuilding community, became a blockbuster star, and then went into politics. That is a lot to do in one lifetime. I think he may actually be made up of "human flesh and tissue over a metal endoskeleton"lol Here is my caricature of Arnold as the Governor of California, followed by some process shots. Thanks for stopping by, Enjoy!!!!