Fantasy Novel Cover

Hi folks, this is a new piece I just finished. The idea was to illustrate an image that would be suitable for a fantasy novel cover. I started with a pencil sketch, detailing the composition, light source and general mood of the piece, then i scanned and coloured and rendered it digitally in photoshop. A real fun project. A huge leap forward for me i think.



Also, another concept piece im cureently working on. Its done in a style of a childrens novel illustration. The kids look kinda creepyish at the moment.

Cheers for looking!

Study colour piece - WIP

Hi folks,

heres a colour study piece i'm working on. Its a rather flawed composition. The horizon line is centre, the guy in the foreground and the background are competing for attention, and the lightsource is becoming a bit confusing. BUT, the aim of this piece is to push it as far as i can, in terms of my colour mixing and lighting. Sometimes i find i'll probably learn more from proceeding with a flawed image, rather than scrapping it completely.

I've been keeping all of my sketchbooks since May 2008 (when i began learning to draw) and i decided to look through them for giggles. I'ts really encouraging looking back on old work and seeing how far you've come. Below are some images of all of my sketchbooks i've kept - 24 books ranging from A5-A3. And a pile of studies i've been doing since feb (about 150 A3 sheets worth). I'd post scans of how bad my work is, but it's embarrassing to look at :)

Ink Spread - Graphic Novel

As mentioned in the previous posts, im currently writing a graphic novel. I finally got around to scanning and piecing this spread together. I'm thinking the black and white ink look is much more successful than the coloured spread. It has a more 'hands-on' look. Im thinking of going in this direction when i'm ready to start illustrating the real thing.

Graphic Novel half Spread

Hi folks,

This is a snip of a spread for my graphic novel. It's done using pens, sharpies, inks and whiteout pens. Im not sure if i'll be colouring it at the moment. I think the best thing wouldbe to get the final drawings done and then if needed, add some colour to establish mood. this has been really good practice for my stroytelling through images.

My only beef with it at the moment is that my scanner picked up the bubbling of the paper. It adds a cool element to the pages, but i think i may need to spend some $$$ buying good quality watercolour paper.
Cheers for looking

Comic spread - finished art

Finished the art for this spread. It was a good practice piece. I learnt a lot about colour theory and defining shape with ink. I think the real major issues are the actual drawings themselves. things are a little off like the perspective and anatomy, but that will get better with time.

Graphic Novel cells - pen and ink

Here are two cells from a 2 page spread graphic novel i'm working on. These where drawn in pencil and toned in felt pen and ink. This is really putting my understanding of shape, perspective and lighting to the test, as i have to convey information in only blakc and white. Im really liking the process, and im finding it much more reqarding than my usual work i've been posting. Just 10 more to go then i have one spread finished! Cheers for looking.

Landscape scene

Decided to call this image finished. It isn't as successful as i'd hoped, and my initial idea has been lost. Was a good study for practicing colours and painting rock/water.

Acrylic/Ink paintings

Hi folks,

I'm doing a series of little loose paintings based on NYC during the era of 1920's/30's. This one is done in acrylic and ink on illustration board. Really fun working traditionally. I need a good break from digital.





Here is a WIP sketch which im thinking of eventually painting in oils. Not really concerned with whether the end picture is successful or not, im just mainly doing it for the practice.

Peter Dribens pin-up - oil study

Heya, did this painting i did last week for one of my mates 21st b'day. I didn't know what to paint for him, so i did him a pin-up girl. I decided to re-create one of Peter Dribens works, trying to replicate it as best as i could using oils on masonite. I changed some of the elements, mainly because time was against me. Not as successful as i'd hoped, but definately a learning curve. I think i'm going to be doing more oil work from now on. Poor photo quality. Way too big to scan :)

Heres the original 'real' version of the painting

Landscape study W.I.P

Landscape study i started yesterday. I've been getting into the Clint Eastwood western films (particularly The Good, The Bad & The Ugly) and really like the wide landscape compositions used in the films. I have attempted to apply those visual ideas to my illustration.