Character Design Homework #1

This is my first homework for Stephen Silver's character design class. We were given a character profile of Londoner Walter Chipwitter, an enthusiastically jolly, heavyset, wealthy entrepreneur in his 60's wearing a bow tie, smoking jacket and a monocle.

Homework #1 was to gauge our technical abilities so he could give us better feedback in the upcoming weeks. I wish I could have spent more time on good ol' Walter, but The Bear and I were heading out to Seattle to celebrate our anniversary, so no weekend time for this one. Kind of rushed.

His feedback? That I needed to draw through my shapes and focus on better anatomy and construction. Yup yup. Too many parallel lines. And it would have helped to draw the gesture of the pipe first, then figure out how his hands were going to wrap around it rather than the other way around.

Monster #14

Bear-Rat has heard of trying to find a needle in a haystack, but nailclippers? At least his friend Apple-Bird is trying to cheer him up with a song.

Akuma WIP

Just more digital painting practice, yay something besides daily sketch monsters! Although I guess he is a monster demon type thing too... 2 hours in so far, using Capcom 3rd strike pics for reference. (by far the best one in the series, IMO)

Monster #13

Yes, she is a natural redhead! I guess you could also call it strawberry blonde.

Monster #12

I'm falling behind on posting monsters, mainly because I get too lazy to boot up my computer in the evenings after work. The blogger interface on mobile devices doesn't play nice with uploading images. Something to do with wanting iphones to use Google+ to upload images and not recognizing images or the actual app after installation, blah blah blah. I wish Apple and Google wouldn't hate each other so much.

On a completely different note, I'm going to be taking Character Design with Stephen Silver this fall starting next week. The monsters will probably trickle in more slowly and be often replaced by homework from that class instead. Several of my friends have already taken this course and recommended it highly, so I'm excited!

Night in Caye Caulker

I've been working for a while on a digital painting for an art book that my friend has been putting together. It features the coordinated efforts of a group of us that all work here on the same project. I feel honored to be in the company of such talented people on a daily basis and do my best to learn from them. :)

The book will go to print in the next week or two and will be available at the Alternative Press Expo (APE) being held October 12th and 13th this year in San Francisco. If all goes well, I will also be bringing some Kokedama with me and helping out with the booth. Here is the painting, inspired by my trip to Belize earlier this summer.

Monster #11

I've only been stung by a wasp twice in my life. Both happened this year. The first time was when I put my foot in my old comfy pair of Toms to walk out for a snack right after getting back from our Belize vacation. Little did I know the little f*cker was hanging out in my shoe!

The second time was when we drove out to the Animal Ark out near Reno. While one of the Jaguar feeders was talking to me, one crawled up my shirt and stung me next to my belly button. She kept right on talking through my look of horror and subsequent frantic arm flailing/foot stomping.

Monster #10

Whistles while he works, which would drive his coworkers up the wall if they had any. Oh well, whatever it takes to get by on a Tuesday.

Monster #9

My friend and coworker went fishing this weekend and caught an extra bass that he is bringing to work for me. I am excited for a fresh fish dinner tomorrow. :)

Monster #8

Might just be a smug looking cat with swirly chest fur and a flaming tail.

Monster #7

This grounded and heavy species feeds on fruit high up in the trees. A height and keen sense of smell allow them to seek out ripe morsels beyond the reach of other creatures. Their characteristically fearsome, sharp fangs are in actuality hollow and remarkably unbreakable, which allows them to pierce through thick rinds to suck the juices out of their favorite fruits.

Despite the comical look of their splendid whiskers and useless, showy plumage, these creatures are devoted, fearless parents and have been known to stand watch over any egg from their flock with unwavering determination.

Monster #6

Monster #6 listens to Rihanna while waiting to train home from work. She's lucky to live near good public transportation.

Monster #5

This guy enjoys slithering around, eating fish and listening to classical music. Being drunk makes him a bit timid. He worries too much about deadlines.