Friday, April 30, 2010

Carrion Queen


Here is my Muse concept rough followed by a very quick color rough to generate a sense of depth. "Carrion Queen" will likely be 16x20 in Oils. For those that don;t know, the Muse Challenge is a very specific challenge that ArtOrder is hosting. We had a specific model that we had to use and her image had to be strong, sensual and confident. I have toyed around with quite a few concepts and think this will be a little more distinct. I welcome any thoughts or suggestions. Thanks!

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Pac Attack


And here is another piece I finished recently. It is another one in the vein of the "super-studies" but is at 16x20. This is an example of how one of those could lead to a more finished work without having to be the next White Dragon. In essence, I am using these types of fast works as a means of self-expression while deliberating over grander portfolio pieces. I will probably still include a few of these in the folio but more than likely at a reduced size and all on one page.

Pac Attack was done in Oils and after about 6-7 hours.

Monday, April 26, 2010

Things


So here is a quick work and some thoughts on what I have been up to. I sketch all the time and do daily anatomy studies. each day I focus on a new body sytem drawing only the component parts. Ex: Monday -heads, Tues - Hands, Wed - Torso, Thurs - Arms, Friday - Full Body. This way I spend more time learning about the area involved and less about crafting an entire image. Sketches range from 90 second faces/hands to 5 min. torsos/bodies. It has really helped out and I recommend the practice.

In addition to this, I have also started a series of super-studies. These are paintings like the one above (Horseface Triumphant) and the subject matter will vary. The idea is to keep painting; even when I am depressed, discouraged or frustrated. I maintain the painting momentum, produce work of varying quality and get to work out images quickly that probably don't warrant the full process. Horseface Triumphant took about 3.5 total hours in Oils on Gessoed Clayboard (8x10). Most of the time spent was just getting the paint applied.

In this vein, I am also going to start...Fairy Painting. That's right: Fairies. Not my usual fare, but I really need more marketability while I tour the con circuit. Do Gamers in mobile want bad-ass robot paintings or a kitsche-y Fairy on a toadstool? No brainer. In addition to the revenue stream from prints, postcards and original sales, I plan to do these in a Waterhouse, Burne-Jones, Rosetti Style. Give it the PR mood and composition while using it personally as an elaborate figure study. Naked chicks with wings if it is more palatable.

And that is my story for the moment. Mobicon and Imagicon in May, IMC in June, personal painting in July, Gencon in August and Dragon Con in Sept. (if any of you want to pop by and get stupid). I'll try and post more, but know that I am watching you and stuff that sounds creepy. Peace out!

Hellboy Redux


Well, better late than never. Here is the final Hellboy piece. I added some "layers" of Oils to piece and resized the hand. Got some good criticism and took it to heart! I have some more pieces to toss up here, but the girls are being nuts. maybe later tonight...

Saturday, April 24, 2010

Sorry

Well, it has been 2 weeks now and that is no excuse. Since my last post I have been working. Seriously. I have really pulled back in to try and figure out why I paint and what I should paint. Throughout this I have kept up my blistering salvo of figure drawing. No rest for the ambitious. And what I have come up with is this:

Keep Painting.

That's it. If I slow down to logic it out or bemoan my lack of success, I won't accomplish anything. Even if I paint like crap for awhile, and I do, then at least I was painting. I am getting close to the summit's edge now, and the rest of the year will spiral out of control. As long as I have a foundation of pure determination, I think I will be able to maintain the momentum that IMC, Gencon and DragonCon will yield. So, for the rest of the year, I am setting my phasers to stun your pants off and pushing this puppy into "Shutupandpaint" mode. I will post these results no less than weekly...ish. In the meantime, for those that read this, please spread the word to friends and family. Post a comment. Show me that you are out there. My first audience is me, but I still wouldn;t mind a reaction from the crows; even if it is booing.

More to come!

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Final Hellboy

Hey there Guys! I finished working on my Hellboy Illustration this morning and here is the final concept:
The actual Illustration doesn't include the lettering and borders and looks like this:
I am really pleased with thsi piece. It took about 13 hours of actual painting and I really like the look I came up with for Hellboy. As I stated before, I didn't want to just paint Big Red, but wanted to bring something personal to it. I also didn't want to do a whole painting but more of a book cover Illustration. Strong Character work is not necessarily my forte and I figured I should start practicing. I would really like to hear your guys' feedback; especially where the interpretations are concerned.

Sunday, April 4, 2010

BPRD Series



So I promised you guys some pics of the next piece I am working on . The sketch took about an hour or so and the painting is about 5-6 hours in. I am not really trying to reinvent the characters, just treat them with a different lamplight. Mignola and del Toro have defined the characters so beautifully, that to try and copy their visions would demean me and them. Sooooo, I thought "Why can't they be more heroic and polished up?" Admittedly, that is absolutely countercurrent to what the BPRD stands for. I am a huge fan of the comics, the books, and the films: both Animated and live action. I just didn't want this to be another series of fan art images. I look forward to your feedback and thoughts as the project progresses.

Friday, April 2, 2010

Planet Comicon


Here is a quick shot of the booth!

So what's up?

Hello everybody! I know it has been a bit. I took a few weeks off from painting to get my booth and presentation materials together for my first convention of the year. That is right: Grant Cooley visited Planet Comicon as an attending artist! I did character portraits, original sketches and sold quite a few prints. If I had been able to sell prints of my Superman piece I would have killed. As it is, I did alright and learned a lot. ConGlomeration is in just a week and I am really looking forward to that one. Here's to hopefully selling an original! Anyways, I think that is it for now. I am going to post up shots from the con, some ongoing shots from my new Hellboy/BPRD series, and some of the tons of sketches I have done in the past month. Just because I wasn't painting doesn't mean I didn't stay busy. (triple negative=75pts).

So last month's lesson: Do what you can when you can, and your time isn't wasted. Trying to force your will on the universe makes the universe want to punch you...and it will.

I'll send out more thoughts and photos soon!