ooblog

Recently I had a chance to look at the moon through a telescope.  I haven’t had that experience in over 20 years.  Although we accept the fact that space/planets/galaxy/universe exists, I couldn’t help but think “What is that thing doing out there.”  As this is Memorial Day weekend and people try to spend time with loved ones and family, I couldn’t help but think about those who aren’t here as well.  An appreciation for the now is always something to be thankful for.  We all have something to be thankful for even in memory.

Below is one of my favorite figure drawings, along with some details, from a sketch book still in the works.

One of my favorite pastime work horror stories starts when I was turned down for a higher position at a company I was working for.  I was pulled into a room and my manager gave me a review of what I had done and what might have gone wrong.  About a half an hour into the process my manager says, “It looks like you didn’t do so well on the …survey.”  My reply was” That’s funny,  I was never given the …survey.”

Below is a detail and image I made recently.  Reminds me of a Sherlock Holmes mystery.

Any sci-fi art enthusiasts in New York should swing by Society of Illustrators and check out the Microvisions show on the third floor.  I saw some images online of the show, but seeing them in person is an amazing site.  Although many of the artist that participated are some of my favorites, I would have to say Bill Carmans stood out as my best in show.  I was so amped, I drew something in my travel sketch book on the train home with a tighter more refined outcome in mind.  Below is Bills piece along with a piece I made in response to the oil which continues to spill into the gulf.

Thick ink less color.  Minimal ink more color.  Often ink lines “get less emphasis” if a more involved coloring system is applied.  This isn’t an issue if the final image is black and white, but color adds so many elements.   Are the shadows defined by black or dark colors?  Is the color treatment supposed to be a method to distinguish different objects or is it used to describe depth, texture, light etc.

Inking in black and white vs color.  I’m sure it’s something many inkers think about on a regular basis.  Recently I’ve gone heavier on the ink side and less on the coloring side.  This allows for flat color application instead of making the additional “marks” in color.  Here are two eels I worked on recently.  Since eels are mainly monocromatic it was a pretty easy decision.