Better late than never...

Blizzard finally posted a piece I did back in August '09.  It's a piece of fan art for their World of Warcraft mmorpg, and I was beginning to wonder if they were ever going to post it, or if it had gotten lost in the shuffle.  I like the image, though looking back, I can see where I'd do some things a little different.

Isn't that always the way though?  No painting is ever really finished; there's always some small detail to tweak, or some accent to jot.  There's an old saying "It takes two artists to make art...one to create it, the other to tell them when it's finished".

Blue Devil

My entry for the latest challenge over at ArtOrder; a re-envisioning of the Assassin Devil, one of the denizens of the Abyss.  Looked fun, it's supposed to look like an actual vignette from the Monster Manual.  Overall I'm pleased with how it turned out, but painting this image served to spotlight something in my work that has always...troubled me.

One of my major artistic challenges is getting rid of these outlines I tend to surround my figures with; it's like I'm afraid to paint over them and fill all the shapes and just let the color and and light define the composition.    Mind you, there are great artists where the drawing is featured prominently in their images, and they do gorgeous work...Carlo Arellano comes to mind.  And maybe I should just embrace that way of painting.  But something inside screams Alla Prima!  which I know for a fact is possible with digital medium.  I need to summon up the courage to paint outside the lines again, like we all used to before we were taught not to.

Dark Sun! Dragon Kings! Aaaagh!

Dark Sun has been revised for 4th Edition DnD, and I couldn't be more tickled pink!  In my ever humble opinion, the Dark Sun campaign setting is on of the best campaign worlds created.  Dragon Kings, Defilers, Feral Halflings, Thri-Keen and Muls...oh my!   All set in a post-apocalyptic fantasy world where magic is a rarity, and psionics is the rule of the day.   Ah, memories...

Well, needless to say I was inspired by this news to paint a Dragon King image.  Ok, so maybe it's more of a Defiler enacting the ritual for the next stage of his Dragon King metamorphosis, but you get the idea.

Quickie update

The website is updated to include the latest images.  Link's to your right.  I feel it's finally finished, and I'm ready to take the next step and start approaching Art Directors.  Wish me luck.

Tis but a Scratch...

I love the monsters, truly I do.  Can't get enough of them to be honest.  But every once in awhile, I feel the need to paint some regular folk.  Just people.  Blades a' flashing, plated armor glinting in the fading light, defiant heroism...and blood everywhere.  No antennae, no feelers, no gills, claws, glowing eyes et al.  Just...people.

Of course, having said that I'm suddenly gripped with the urge to paint something creepy crawly with antennae...and gills...and claws...and and glowing red eyes!

New Year, Old tricks...

So lately, with all this digital mayhem going on, I've found myself looking at art by the Old Masters and wondering if I could maybe capture some of that feeling and influence into my digital work.   I dug up an old sketch and decided to paint it up, and try to incorporate a bit of Old Master goodness and see what happens.

While I'm happy with the overall result, as far as any Old Master influence goes...I think maybe it got lost in the process.   Not sure what I'm looking to capture really;  it's not impasto brushwork or style.  I guess the Old Masters just had a certain way of seeing things...and bring it to life.   Ah well, it's not the destination, it's the journey right?  So onwards...to the next image and the next lesson.  Hell, I'm having the time of my life here...so no complaints :)