Some models

I've been hard at work creating a Virtual Joust exhibit for the Higgins Armory (basically the coolest place ever). I'm really fascinated by the history of jousting, how it's evolved, and well.. everything about it. This is such an awesome job.  Here's some WIP shots of the jousting arena: 

Happy Halloween

I have been busy beyond belief. Did a quick sketch tonight to relax, based off a funny picture of a friend of a friend, who looked both appalled/in awe. I didn't do a great job capturing the expression or her likeness, but it was nice to paint for a bit. It's good to look at something like this, because a year ago, I wouldn't have even imagined I could be at this level. Of course, I still have a *long* ways to go, but... it's always nice to see progress.

Forever

It's been forever since I updated!! I still don't really have anything to show. I've barely even had time to sketch in my book, let alone do any finished pieces. I have a sinking feeling that the entire year will be like this, but I'm going to try to reorganize things and set time aside for drawing every day.

We'll see how that goes..

Been A While

Been busy moving into a new house, being really sick, and visiting with my boyfriend for a week before school starts. Haven't been drawing much so I decided to sketch one of my friends today. I'm trying hard to start working with color.

Life Update

I usually don't go into my life in this blog, but I felt that this was important enough to address. I haven't updated in so long because I was in the worst art-slump I've ever experienced. It was about a month long, and I'm still easing out of it. I'm going to go as far to say that I hit "the Dip" - Point A (chart courtesy  of Sam(mich)).

I've felt discouraged, uninspired, and basically hopeless. I didn't seriously consider giving up as an option, but I felt like it. Tonight I found CGHub and got over myself after looking at hundreds of beautiful pieces of art. 

Instead of picking up my sketchbook and worrying about the overwhelming worries I have about my art, I decided to ease myself back into it by doing some master copies. I found some amazing pieces by CGHub user Daniela Uhlig. I decided to try and learn something by painting a few of them... and I did!

I also butchered a couple sketches. I love doing studies of other people's work.. 

House WIP

For Modeling 2, the goal is to learn architecture modelling. Here's a house I'm working on, still in the rough stages. No textures yet!

Here it is next to the concept I'm modeling it from. I'm getting there!

Placeholder

Just a silly thing I did because I'm incapable of making an actual illustration! Overlaid a lot of photos and started editing them. 

Everything in Moderation (Especially Moderation)

Been feeling a little discouraged about art lately. I attribute that to the fact that I've been doing environments (which I stink at) almost exclusively. Today I opened up my traditional sketchbook for the first time in months and started sketching some figures from reference. I enjoyed it for 2 reasons:
1. I improved significantly. (how, I'm not sure, but... I'll take it!)
2. It was extremely relaxing.
Definitely going to be sketching with pencil a lot more.  I'd like to get some mid-tone paper and start sketching with conte/charcoal as well.

Creepy Face

Well, I'm trying to make a habit of drawing more. It relieves my stress and I get better at the same time - double positives. 

Tonight, I was doodling funny over-exaggerated faces, and then for some reason I created this out of one of them. It kind of freaks me out. I also did a couple environment thumbs but my computer crashed and I wasn't able to salvage them.

I'm also trying to think something up for an illustration that's due in a week. When I asked my friend, he said it should be a penguin with a butterfly knife. For some reason the quick doodle I did for him makes me laugh a lot, so here it is:

I Stink at Composition

Well, today in class Horia talked about sketching environments with a purpose. I tried that, got frustrated, and then did the opposite, which failed epicly. :(

Horia's attempt to show me how to have not completely horrible composition (with a mouse!)

Metal Forest

Since I haven't actually posted anything I've done for 3d modeling... Here's the start to a redwood forest I'm working on. There will eventually be ruins, proper lighting, etc. Everything is mostly placeholders for now.

Silhouette

Today's lesson was on silhouettes. I'd like to finish this guy sometime.

Presidential Portrait

Today we were supposed to work on quick sketches. Composition is my weakest point so it was hard for me. Here are some presidential portrait thumbnails. Towards the end you can tell I was running out of ideas.

And one I decided to expand on a bit... (5 mins)

Thumbs

Today was the first day of digital painting at FuturePoly!! Here are some quick thumbs I did.

Franklin

Meet Franklin, the dog belonging to the friend whose boyfriend's dog I drew yesterday. He came out okay. I'm learning so much about color, shading, etc. with all of these.

Puppers!

This is my friend's boyfriend's puppy. She had a really cute picture so I decided to draw it. It looks like a completely different breed of dog, and not a puppy, and.. y'know, that paw. But... not bad for my first time drawing a dog!

Sketches 5/31

I couldn't sleep, so I booted up my computer, opened Photoshop, and started doodling. Afterwards, I did some posemaniac poses, and screengrabbed one that I have attempted many times; and failed. Tried to work out where things would go by doing an overlay.

I need to start drawing creatures & guys.

5/28 Sketch

Stressed out

Perlenspiel

Something I forgot to upload at the end of the year. This is box art (unfinished) for a Perlenspiel game. The enemies are red squares, and you're a blue square (literally just squares). I thought it would be funny to make them 3d with silly faces instead of actually doing concept art -- especially since it was the end of the term.

Gretel Redesign

Gretel Redesign. Wish I could have done the other characters to help get my idea across.

Also, an action pose. Truth be told, I spent a number of hours to get to this point, and it needs about 5 more to get anywhere good.

Monster Girl in Unreal!

Well, I finally got her into Unreal. I have a lot of changes to make, but the basic material works and everything's looking decent!  Can't wait to start fixing her up.

Some concepts

I've told myself I'm going to start putting things up as often as possible, even if I don't think they're good. So, here are some ink blot exercises and also some rough concepting I did for a project in Concept Art.

Monster Update & Sketch

Update on monster girl.

Also, a mediocre speed sketch.

Self Portrait 4/11

Sick and tired of my old self-portrait, so I did a new one. Was almost done with this last night when my computer crashed and I lost the entire thing.  Started over today, probably 3 hours of work.  Used a picture I took of myself for reference.

Monster Girl WIP

Start to the cute monster girl's face

Master Copy Update

Working on my master copy. I have a ton of work to do still, but a number of hours in, it's starting to take form.  Seeing the 2 together is very helpful; I see a ton of mistakes that need to be fixed.

Original

WIP Copy

Drapery 3/29

Another drapery study. I wanted to get the chair legs in but it's just one of those days. I'd like to try one of these with charcoal on newsprint and see what happens.

Figure 3/25

My first time attempting drapery

Monster Girl

Boyfriend playing TF2 until 3am = little girl in monster suit

Figure 3/23

Portrait 3/19

I drew a graphite portrait in class, then scanned it into Photoshop and fixed it up a little.

 

Doodles 3/12

Was just doodling...  crazy eyes! 

Figure and Bargue, February/March

Kinda washed out, my scanner seems to get worse by the day.

Bargue Drawing 2/16

Head Bargue drawing. Looks much better in person! Probably not done, but this is the version that's going in my portfolio.

More inspiration!

I'm getting my portfolio ready for Thursday, so I decided to give this painting another shot. I'm still improving!! (thank goodness).  Pic by itself on top, pic in comparison to the last 2 below it.

Figure 2/9