Pencils

I had the idea for this piece while out riding my bike around town late one night. The idea in my head as I rode around had Ryan leaning into the viewer, perturbed, asking, in an ironic tone, "can I help you???"

So, as soon as I got home I sat down at the drawing board and sketched this out.

Now, if I can find some time I want to ink and color it. Maybe I can finish it in time for tomorrow, when I'll need a new image for the blog header.

Back to the drawing board, break out the ink!

Driving Test

On Thursday I found myself with some free time so I decided to jump back into the OilCan Drive pool and draw a picture of the band I've been wanting to do for a long time.

The idea was to have the whole gang on one motorcycle having the time of their life. I had sketched the idea out in my notebook a while ago and even went so far as to get some reference of a motorcycle that I liked.

So, I sat down late Thursday afternoon and started sketching the piece out.

The problem was is that it just didn't feel like it was working. Right from the initial blue line pencil sketch I wasn't sure I was moving in the right direction. So, I decided to quit.

And sometimes, when you quit, that's when you can really let loose and just keep going, not caring how the piece comes out. So, I decided to chuck out the idea of doing a good piece and test myself to see how fast I could do it.

I started with a blank piece of paper around 4:30 in the afternoon and was done with the penciling in time for dinner at 6:00. Monika and I went out, got some dinner, and I watched a bit of the hockey game. I kept staring at the pencils as I paced back and forth during commercials.

Then I decided, to hell with it, I'm going to ink it and see how much I can get done before I go out for my bike ride at 10:30. So, I sat down at 8:00 and started inking. By 10:30 this is how far I got.

So, while there are still things here and there that still bug me about this piece I can look at it now and really admire how much I can do in a little less than four hours.

Not bad. I may still have a comic book inside of me yet if I can keep a pace like that.

I hope you enjoy and have a great week!

From The Vault - Gen 2005

When I was messing around with the timing of a test video a few weeks ago I put a bunch of art into it to make sure the changes of the pictures worked with the drum beat. I sent it off to a few people and one of them, Rob Kelly, mentioned he hadn't seen this piece before.

So, I figured if Rob hadn't seen it that meant I hadn't shown it off on From the Vault Friday yet.

So, here ya go, a pretty girl with great eyes. I tried to do something artsy with the panel borders but I'm not sure how entirely successful I was.

Ah well, she seemed to like it. Another satisfied customer!

Have a great weekend!

Adding The Color

And once all the images are inked and scanned into the computer I can start coloring them.

For some reason I always use a neutral light green background when I paint. I find it easier to see when I am going outside the lines and making a mistake than if I am looking at a pure white background. And, I think, the green background is also a bit less harsh on the eyes than bright white when you're looking at the computer screen for hours on end.

OK, off to finish these up and get on to the next project. Have a good one!

Inking it Up!

The inks have been laid down on this newest piece and the one thing I had to change was to make the character Asian. So, a few little changes of the brush strokes on his face and I think I accomplished the change. Once the color is laid down it will be even more evident.

I also decided to leave the front tire of his bicycle sketched in so I could easily create it digitally in the computer.

Now it's off to scan this piece into the computer and add some color.

Off to the computer. Have a great day!

Running for the Finish Line

Here's a piece of art that's sitting on my drawing board today just waiting for some ink to be splattered all over it.

I think it's my favorite running piece I've done in a while and I can't wait to see how it all turns out.

OK, off to shake up my ink, get my brush dirty, and see what happens.

Have a great day!

OilCan Drive

After a weekend of thinking it over and weighing my options I've decided to give OilCan Drive a bit more of my attention. The band in the back of my head is really bugging me to record some music. After all, I already prepaid to distribute their debut EP so it would be a shame if that didn't happen.

Thank you all for the words of advice. I think my brother said it best. I already made one thing I love, art, into a working business and music was supposed to be a new hobby away from all of that. And slowly, it seems like I am being asked to work at music as well.

So, OilCan Drive wins out and will begin recording soon.

It's time to quit or at least take a break from Lou's Angels.

It's time to break up with Lou.