Craft of Illustration: Character Studies

I haven't been posting much of my work from The Lamp Post Guild class I've been working through, "Craft of Illustration" taught by Justin Gerard, primarily because it's mostly been rough sketches and thumbnails up to now. But these are some character studies I just finished up to share with the class that I thought I would post here. The scene I'm illustrating is from C. S. Lewis' The Silver Chair in which Jill Pole leaves the castle of Cair Paravel sailing through the night sky on the back of an Owl. I'll be sure to post more as I start to finish up the illustration.

#164 To Everything A Season

Quick Sketch of a Dude from the 1960's *

*this is not a self portrait. Unfortunately I don't look this cool.

*Also this image has very little to do with the actual blog post below.

   

Just a quick post to update everyone on some changes that I have in the works for Drawing the Sword, and some changes that have already taken place.

1. Blog Changes - Over the coming weeks I will be slowly but surely making some significant aesthetic changes to the blog interface. This will include (hopefully) a redesigned header, a visually unified series of buttons/banners for the sidebar, etc. I want this thing to look good.

2. More Posts - I will be trying to be posting LOTS more in the future. I don't want to bore you with sub-par sketches, but I'm working like crazy to build up a portfolio, so there is going to be lots more to show you over the coming weeks. Also, I may start posting more stuff about what inspires me, what things I'm thinking about. I want this blog to be somewhat more personal, I want it to be a place where you can come to get inspired.

3. Lose the # System - This is something that is bittersweet for me. After a lot of thought, I think it would be better for everyone to stop "numbering" the posts. It was an integral part of the concepts I had when brainstorming the blog, but I think it's something has run its course.

4. Unveiling my Etsy store! - I'm in the process of setting up an Etsy store for Drawing The Sword. It will be an integral part of the Drawing the Sword online presence, and I hope to sell original paintings, drawings, art prints, cards, bookmarks, and possibly an occasional comic:) I will be updating you with more information on this as it comes, so stay tuned! Also, I'm looking for art print services that are reliable and produce quality results. If you've had any experience with this type of thing, please leave a comment on this post. I would love to hear of printing services you have had success with in the past.

5. New Gallery & Contact Page - I've also set up a 2nd blog (which was about the only way for me to create a dedicated portfolio page) where I've posted some of my best work. I'll be regularly updating this, so check back frequently. I've set up a contact page as well, so if you have any project inquiries, questions, or just want to chat you can check it out. The links are right up there next to my profile pic.

So that's about the shape of things. I hope to make this blog a much more exciting place from now on! Glad you're reading, and I hope you're feeling inspired already.

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven

Ecclesiastes 3:1

#127 Inktober 2011 Sketchbook Flip-Through

Here's a little video flip-through featuring all 31 pen & ink drawings for INKtober 2011 in their unaltered, unedited state in my Moleskine sketchbook. I thought it would be fitting to collect them all into one video here on the 1st of November as a little thank-you for everyone who followed this mini-project and left feedback & suggestions. And a big thanks to you, Jake Parker for inspiring me to take the journey in the first place. It was certainly worth it!
I can't wait to do it again next year!
Happy November everyone!

#126 INKtober Day 31: Heroes' Last Stand

"...And so it was that he, along with the Archer and the Dwarf made a desperate last stand on that barren hilltop. The Lost Gold was safe, but any hopes of a return to the realm from which he came, and all hope of winning the hand of his lady had been dashed upon that desolate mountain. As the dragons circled around them, he resolved in his battered, weary state to die fighting, die nobly, and die with her name on his lips..."

___

And so, the great INKtober journey comes to a somewhat bittersweet end. I will miss doing an ink drawing every day. But it has totally inspired me to move forward and work harder than ever to become a better draftsman and artist. The month of INKtober has pushed me to think in creative ways, and to never give up.

It has been an amazing month, thanks to everyone who has commented and been following this incredible journey. I hope you'll stick around to see what November holds...
Until then, my friends!

#125 INKtober Day 30: Perilous Stair

“...after destroying the wild beasts that accosted him in the plains, he gained with no small difficulty access to the Perilous Stair. He began to climb, his heart trembling half with terror, and half with joy, knowing that any moment his life could be snuffed out, and that the Prize of his Quest was near at hand. But little he knew of the foul Evil that resided in that dark Tower...”

#124 INKtober Day 29: Master of the Forest Way

"Well he knew that blade and its cruel master, but this would be their last meeting. 'Twas a slim chance that he would make it through that grim forest, but there was no turning back, indeed there was no other way to find the lost gold, and win the fair hand of the lady Gwyneth.."

#123 INKtober Day 28: Speed Demon

Nothin' like cruising the back roads in a hovercraft on a crisp, fall day..

#122 INKtober Day 27: Overnight Shipping Co.

Special Delivery.

#121 INKtober Day 26: Unicorn Battle

UNICORN BATTLE!

This is based on a suggestion by @jackierudolph84 (on twitter). I couldn't wait to do this one, because I loved the idea of 2 mythological creatures fighting to the finish in a battle of good vs. evil. Intentionally, I left it up for you to decide which one is good and which one is evil. I have my own opinion, but I won't bias you either way. I'd like to hear what you think in the comments.

Only 5 days left of INKtober! I hope to make them count. More tomorrow!

#119 INKtober Day 25: Fido

Yes, my dog bites.

#117 INKtober Day 24: Voyager

"Reluctantly the dark corridors of space gave up the trinket it concealed, depositing it on a lonely forsaken planet - the glistening, majestic Voyager whose singular goal was the transference of humanity between worlds known to worlds unknown. There it stood - a monument to the grandeur of space, soaring into the cold black sky of the alien wilderness."

An eloquently written excerpt from a book that was never written, but seemed fitting for this particular INKtober.

#115 INKtober Day 23: A Very Respectable Hobbit

A Very Respectable Hobbit.

#114 INKtober Day 22: Smuggler

I imagine this is one of Han Solo's colleagues.

#113 INKtober Day 21: Clocks

Okay, I'll start off by saying I don't like this drawing.
Then I will finish by saying that it is a very early conceptual-type drawing for a hero for a comic series I'm fiddling with in my mind. I might call it Clocks and yes, that is somewhat indirectly inspired by the Coldplay song of the same name. You can never tell, it might end up in the shops some day.

#112 INKtober Day 20: Frankenstien's Monster

This thing came to me fast. I mean, I just started drawing, and it appeared in the page. So that's what you get for INKtober today. The End.

#111 INKtober Day 19: B-Wing Attack

Today's INKtober honors the unsung virtues of the B-Wing Fighter.
Admittedly, the B-Wing is an unusual-looking craft, but its speed and firepower make it a valuable asset to the Rebel alliance.
And in case you haven't noticed - I have really been enjoying using black in my INKtober sketches. It adds a lot of depth and contrast to the sketches. The application is a bit rough in places, but I like that markery look. It's cool.
Until tomorrow troopers!

#110 INKtober Day 18: Moonlight

Moonlight buddies!

My mom suggested "mushrooms & owls" so I drew them. Sort of a nice departure from the stuff I usually do. It was fun, even though it sort of looks like Super Mario Bros. meets Winnie the Pooh. And why the Mr. Owl is talking to the bugs and the mushroom and not eating them is beyond me...

Anyway. Hope you like! More tomorrow.

#109 INKtober Day 17: Tunnel Bot

Upon blasting through miles of thick rock, the Tunnel Bot finally discovers its objective: the Lost Jewel! Why does he want to find the Lost Jewel? Why Not? He's a Tunnel Bot. He like finding stuff underground. 'Nuff said. Any arguments will answered with the buzz saw. The end.

And today I cheated. I used a grey Prismacolor marker. I just couldn't bear that black to white transition. Hey, it's ink isn't it?

And today's drawing is inspired by none other than ZBots! I had a few when I was a kid. The saw arm is pretty much a copy of the purple one in the picture. Cheers!

#108 INKtober Day 16: Darth Vader's Birthday, Pt.6

The conclusion of our 6-part epic saga. Poor Vader.
Okay, now I'm finally done drawing Darth Vader for a whole week straight! On to cooler things tomorrow, I promise!! Thanks for your INKtober support guys & gals!

#107 INKtober Day 15: Darth Vader's Birthday, Pt.5

In which Lord Vader receives a present!

For all you Star Wars fanatics like me, here's a wonderfully descriptive article on the Star Destroyer which I used as reference for today's INKtober. Enjoy!