Cheerful Holiday Greetings!

I just finished this Christmas illustration before this month expires.
Everybody enjoy the holidays.

A New MFA Addition

For those of you who rarely visit museums you just might want to consider a trip to the MFA's new addition "The Art of the Americas". I took advantage of "Community Weekend" for a tour of the Shapiro Family Courtyard and the impressive "The Art of the Americas" exhibits. I am not one with strong feelings for colonial art but the rooms which contain some of these masterworks certainly made me enjoy the settings where these exhibits were placed. My interest is more with the twentieth century artwork on the third floor. If you have a passion for colonial art the interior settings is an added benefit. I suggest you take advantage of the discount days held at the museum during the week or discount passes at libraries to qualify for a reduced fare; otherwise you need to pay the maximum fee just to enter the museum. Select this link if you would like your very own virtual tour narrated by our very own Malcolm Rogers, director of the MFA. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMb8prTLhK8

Spooky World

Some illustrations for friends to celebrate one of my favorite holidays.

Alternative Reality

When I am not working on commercial projects I will explore another style using photographs altered in Adobe Photoshop. I did a series of art pieces that incorporate sketching photographs in a very loose style. Once I feel the sketch is completed I scan it directly into Adobe Photoshop with separate layers. One layer for the pencil sketch and a separate layer above for coloring. I enjoy exploring the brush capabilities that Photoshop offers to alter my brushes. I am able to change the size for my brush or even create my very own by selecting the brush menu and selecting expanded view. My color selections involve complimentary and supplementary color selections. Exploring the mode feature on the top of the menu to the left and altering the menu bar in the layers feature gives me a greater latitude altering my use of color with my selected brushes. I even change the modes I work in moving from Duotone, RGB and Multichannel to alter the affect of colors within my image. When I reach a point where art piece is complete I save the file and make several prints. I will make any further adjustments before the image is finished. Enjoy!

Imaginary Swim

I created this imaginary illustration using Micron pens and scanning the drawing into Adobe Photoshop. I have two separate layers, one for the black lines and one for the color. I enjoy using the Micron pens because of the textural feel and desired results I am able to achieve. The computer can tighten the creative process and I like the loose feeling that the Micron pens are able to achieve. Once I finish the black line drawing I scan it into the computer where I create a separate layer above and complete with the coloring process.
Now, if I can only figure out a way to take a vacation and go swimming in the Carribbean.

Golden Age of Illustrators

Here is a web site I discovered that I suggest you visit. The site consists of purchasing prints from illustrators from the Golden Age of illustrators. Illustrators mentioned such as Harry Clarke, Edmund Dulac, Kay Nielsen, Arthur Rackham and many more. For an easy way to look at some exciting work. Go to: http://www.nocloo.com/home/

Animation Drawing Sample Reference Exercises

Here is a web site I came across for those who are interested in practicing their basic animation drawing skills,(http://www.animationarchive.org/2006/05/meta-100000-animation-drawing-course.html). The site is part of Hollywood Animation Archives and leads off with information about Preston Blair, one of the finest draftsmen to work for animated film and John Kricfalusi who revolutionized television animation. I consider myself lucky enough to own Preston Blair's "Cartoon Animations" book a great inspiration and reference book in my library. Here are some of my practice samples from the sample pages provided. Check the web site out and view the wealth of animation material.