Colin

Colin

Ink + Digital. 2011.

Face I

Face I

Ink + Digital. 2011.

Towers II and III

Towers II & III

Ink + Digital. 2011.

A friend of mine was asking me how I make these drawings, so I'm going to extrapolate from that that other people may be interested to know. They're all done a bit differently, but essentially I start with a line drawing. This is one I did in my sketchbook while waiting for visitors at E.A.S.T. I then scan it into Photoshop, use the magic wand tool to remove the white background, and then insert another layer beneath the line drawing. Then, using either the pen tool or paint bucket, I fill in areas of grey, making a new layer for each new tone. (Keep in mind that each layer except the bottom one needs to be background-less.) Finally I select each respective layer and apply the Color Halftone filter, choosing a different dot pattern for each one. It's not much more complicated than that, and as you can see, it can yield some interesting results. Now on to self promotion:

Would you like to own a signed giclee print of one of my paintings? Does the prospect of my surviving the winter seem somewhat agreeable to you? Then check out my newly constructed online store! Give someone a really, really unique gift this holiday season! Also, anyone who purchases a print and lets me know that they follow this blog will receive an original drawing from me as well- for free. Ok, that's it.

Tower I

Tower I

Ink + Digital

Another new drawing for you and the family to gather around and gawk at this Thanksgiving.

Hover I

Hover I

Ink + Digital. 2011.

I'll post a report of E.A.S.T soon, but for now here's a little drawing.

Monsters

Monster I

9" x 10"

Mixed Media. 2011.

Monster II

9" x 10"

Mixed Media. 2011.

Continuing along similar lines to my recent comic, I have here two mixed media drawings of monsters. They were done primarily with acrylic, ink and Prisma. The drawings were done for the upcoming Monster Show at Austin's Domy Books. I really recommend checking Domy out if you're in the area- it's a bookstore and gallery that specializes in everything cool. (i.e. Zines, Comixs, Art Books, Poetry, Manifestos, etc.) It has sort of a counter culture vibe, but is spacious, well-curated and neatly organized. Definitely one of the best spots in Austin. Anyway, these drawings are based on celebrity photos. I'd be really interested if anyone could guess who these monsters are modeled on.

Dimensions

It has been a while since I've posted drawings here, I know. Well let me remedy that by posting for your enjoyment the first comic I've drawn in my "adult" life. No superheroes here. ('Nickman' has been retired, but my likeness is heavily featured here.) It's for the upcoming Dimensions III collection published by my good friend Zejian Shen. As a comics novice, it's really an honor to be featured alongside such pros as Hiromi Ueyoshi, Tom Toye, Leah Wishnia and others.

Thoat Art

Here's some logo art I whipped up for my friend Laura's non-profit arts organization Throat.

They're just getting started, but already doing some cool stuff. Check it out!

Grey Noises

Grey Noises I

Ink on Paper

2010

Grey Noises II

Ink on Paper

2010.

Updates have been sparse as of late because of two things:

1) Holiday lethargy (aka I'm lazy)

2) (More excitingly) I've been working on a 60x72" painting and it is now nearing completion! I've set up in my garage, using large brushes and rollers to make a work in which one can contemplate each mark, but that overall comes together in movements. I'm really excited to post it here once it's finished. It's a new foray in the exploration of the themes I've been invested in these past few months.

Summits

Summits I & II
Ink on Paper. 2010

Summits I

Summits II

These are fun exercises in markmaking- more immediate than the paintings despite appearing more painstaking.

Colin (Remember, remember the fifth of November)

Colin
Mixed Media. 2010

Just finished this drawing of my roommate, bandmate and all-around mate, Colin Foster striking a very characteristic rock-star pose. I realized as I was making it, that viewers might mistake the image for someone in a Guy Fawkes mask rocking out. In fact, Colin just looks a lot like Guy Fawkes, if those masks are to be taken as an accurate likeness. Thus this work helped me understand something new about my subject and it gives me something to call him besides "Captain Morgan".

For an extra-fun bonus, here's a photo I found tucked into my sketchbook recently of Colin and I jamming:

Photo by Melissa Cha

Happy Guy Fawkes Day!
(From Colin)

Gruesome Castle

Gruesome Castle

Oil. 2010.

Structural sketch for 'Gruesome Castle'

Pen and Ink. 2010

More Drawing About Town

Sitting outside drawing from life in the early spring. Does it get any better?