Red Torch Ginger

It took awhile...but I sent a postcard to my parents from Costa Rica. Instead of writing, I decided to share a painting of a flower I saw every morning. It's name is the "Red Torch Ginger" flower. This firery-red flower blossoms into a shape of a torch! Here I masked off the Costa Rican stamp and started painting.

Here's the final painting.(gouache on postcard)

Plein Air

Spent the day at China Camp Village and painted on the small dock down the hill from the main parking lot. It was great to meet so many other painters from both, the Benicia and North Bay Plein Air groups. We ended the evening with a bbq cookout and critiques.

I really enjoyed painting out into the water. The dock didn't shake, but the winds really picked up around 1pm...and my easel began to shake. When packing up, I really thought I'd drop a couple gouache tubes into the water...luckily I didn't.

Here's a closer look at the painting

(gouache on water board 9" x 12")

As for a personal critique: First, the chain linked fence was a challenge. It was the last part I painted...so I may have rushed it. I probably should have started with a lighter color instead of white? Second, the sky was bright & clear....I couldn't figure out how to make it more interesting?! But after I scanned the illustration, I tried adding a low opacity haze near the hills. That seemed to have done the trick.

Take a look below.

weekend hike

Managed to do some hiking and sketching over the weekend. This would have been one helluva Sketchcrawl idea. As much as I wanted to bring my gouache and brushes, I went with lighter supplies: 4" x 6" Fabriano Artist's Journal, watercolors, water brush pen, and white acrylic. One of the trails tapered off and lead me to a cove. I unpacked my gear and just soaked in the amazing views. During my first thumbnail sketches, I was visited by a friendly lady-bug. It just stayed at the bottom of the page while I finished up.

Here's a closer look at the first thumbnails.

Thanks to the lil' lady-bug that kept me company, but I decided to move to the opposite side of the cove and crank out 2 more thumbnails.

And here's the last one before hiking back to the car.

Surf's Up Dude

Another quick entry for the Post-It Project Blog. This one inspired from surfer's in front of Fort Point, San Francisco. I used to park here for lunch. It's just a 5 minute drive from the Orphanage building. I would scarf down my lunch and try to spend the other 40 minutes sketching fishermen on the rocks or surfers catching a wave. Sometimes I'm just in awe of the ginormous cargo ship cruising underneath the Golden Gate bridge. Good times.

Colors in the Sky

Trying to capture the low lighting during a night flight to Houston, TX.
Click HERE to watch how this was painted(Nintendo DS using "Colors" app)

Here's more of my previous animated drawings

Post-it

I wanted to share an idea to promote your art at work. It's just a simple Post-it dispenser with a clear plastic cover. Once you print your latest or favorite illustration, use the free template included to cut out the necessary holes....Wah lah! These can be purchased at any of your favorite office supply stores. Details and measurements listed below.

Plein Air (4 of 4)

Here's the last painting from the 2nd North Bay Plein Air Session. Starting at St. Vincent's Church, we planned to end the day by painting the Old St. Mary's Church in Nicasio (just passed Skywalker Ranch). But due to a large event, no parking was to be found and there were far too many vehicles blocking the entrance of the Church.

So we drove a bit further to the Nicasio Resvoir, where we pulled over and found a spot off the road to set up and paint. It was already 4:00pm, the heat died down and the cool breeze rolled in. We spent about an hour painting and called it a day.

(gouache in sketchbook)

Plein Air (3 of 4)

Here's an attempt to move out to the front of St. Vincent's and to actually start painting the church. There was a baptism event happening at the same time so many visitors stopped by my set up to say "hello". I got a few funny comments like, "hey, you're a lefty".

This is not complete due to the sun moving and causing me to do the moon-walk until I no longer had shade. I'll definitely return to complete and start another painting from another angle.

(gouache in sketchbook)

Plein Air (2 of 4)

This is one of the many halls at St. Vincent's Church. The lighting was really nice and overlooked the huge patio and fountain. Although the fountain was on my list to paint, it was just too far from any shaded area.

(gouache in sketchbook)

Plein Air (part 1 of 4)

Last weekend, I met up with 2 other painters at St. Vincent's Church in Marin. I decided to try a medium I haven't touched since art school...gouache! Most of you probably recall the weather reaching the high 90's on Sunday. So finding a shaded area to set up was key. Here's the view behind the church and what seems to be the San Pablo Bay.

(gouache in sketchbook)

Metamorphica (part 3 of 3)

(Watercolor, micron and brush pens)

(Watercolor, micron and brush pens)

These were painted on postcard sized watercolor paper (140 lb Cold Press) by Strathmore. Unfortunately, I lost track of time and tried to squeeze in one more towards the last 5 minutes of this pose.

Metamorphica (part 2 of 3)

After warming up in my sketchbook, I decided to try my hand at painting on ATC's (Artist trading cards) that measured 2"x3". Each card was taped down, creating a nice quarter inch border all around. I worried about the cards curling, so light watercolor washes were appropriate. I have to say that I'm really surprised neither of these cards curled when completed!Three to five models were shown at a time, giving a great mixture of quick gesture poses and one long pose. I had to decided quickly...which one to draw?

Metamorphica (part 1 of 3)

A handful of us had a chance to lock in a spot for this month's "Metamorphica" costume/life drawing session at the SF Bus Stop Gallery. Seats filled up rather quickly. Check out the vibe!

Here's a couple scans from my sketchbooks.(watercolors, brush pens in Fabriano sketchbook)

(Micron and Brush pens with a splash of watercolor)

Point Reyes - Market

Sketch from a previous trip to Pt. Reyes. Here's a large bin filled with pineapples and melons. The winds can get pretty intense here...I barely had enough time to finish before retreating back to my car.

(Watercolors, brush pen, background blur filter in Photoshop)

Day at the Beach

(Acrylic on canvas)

Plein Air - Marin Headlands (part 2)

Fort Cronkhite - Met up with 3 artists for plein air painting right on the beach. It was my first time painting on location, so it was all about exploring shapes, tones and mixing colors. I was really hoping to paint 2 canvas pieces but spent all my time on just one. Here's a photo of how far we painted.
I have to admit that the extreme brightness of the clear skies and the fast change in lighting & shadows was quite challenging. Before I share some thoughts and personal critique, here's a scan of the original painting.
Bringing the painting home, I saw immediately that I forgot to keep in mind the massing of colors and tones. Lemme show you what I mean....

1. The greens were way too saturated. I digitally added tones from the ocean and yellow hues to bring down the saturation. Now the yellow flowers felt more in sync with the greens.
2. I didn't realize how bright of a blue I painted for the sky?! The ocean often reflects the blue sky....So I digitally added some of the ocean tones into the sky and that actually looked better.
   

I could have continued adjusting the whole painting, but I just wanted to share my mistakes and possible improvements next time around. It's amazing how different painting live vs. the comforts of your own studio.

Even with all the mistakes, I did enjoy painting certain parts. I just loved the beach in the far distance where tiny specks of people played in the water.

And here's a few waves that I managed
to capture with minimal brush stokes.

Plein Air - Marin Headlands (part 1)

Don't drink the water!!! - Well, at least not the water bottle on the left...it was used to clean my brushes during a Plein Air study with some friends along the beach. Remember, no dumping in the Bay :D

I'll scan my painting tonight...still recovering from that gorgeous warm weather over the weekend.

Sketchcrawl 22 - Chinatown YMCA

San Francisco, CA - It was a bright sunny Saturday, but a bit windy. Getting a late afternoon start, I hiked up the street from Portsmouth Park and was immediately drawn to the architecture of the YWCA and was up to the challenge of rendering this illustration.

(upper right: from a personal Benicia, CA crawl)

Throughout the afternoon I was greeted by passers-by and curious kids looking over my shoulder. A tenant from across the street was kind enough to inform about the building I was drawing. The YWCA was designed by the famous architect Julia Morgan. The same Julia that designed Hearst Castle and the Fairmont Hotel. Supposedly there's a self-guided museum inside the YWCA, but only open on the weekdays :(

I totally got caught up in my crawl and forgot to grab lunch and dinner?! So I stopped by a local restaurant before my way back to the meeting point. Unfortunately most of the group already left, but I was greeted by Ronnie who stepped in to coordinate because Enrico caught that awful flu bug. I also chatted and exchanged sketch books with cartoon illustrator, Kevin Wood.

Just to give a taste of a Sketchcrawl, please view video footage by Goro. This footage is basically everything, and everyone I missed. LOL.

22nd SketchCrawl San Francisco from Goro on Vimeo.

100 Artist Project

(Micron pens and brush pens)

As much as I'm excited to complete this project, I'm just as enthused to hand the book over to the next artist on the roster, Clint Smith.

"Here ya go Clint!"Special thanks to Ben Rollman for coordinating the 100 Artist Project.
This project supports The Center for Cartoon Studies Scholarship Fund (Vermont).

Progression

Being the first artist was a little intimidating. Open the book and it's the first thing you see! Late in the process, I decided to scrap the idea of a landscape painting. Instead, I wanted to inspire... but at the same time...convey a message for each artist that opens the book for the very first time. Getting in there and and attacking those pages! Blessing each blank page with their creative minds and talent. Then came the idea of the first 2 pages being seen as one huge entrance way. At the same time, a bold warrior is pointing towards the massive door, telling you:

"Get in there...and DRAW!!!"

Stay tuned, up next.....Inking :D

Out Cold...

Sorry for the delay in posting....I'm just recovering from that nasty Cold bug going around. I've been sketching while laying in bed, so hopefully I can post some new drawings. Stay healthy everyone!

One new project I'd like to share...

I just received in the mail to participate in the "100 Artist Moleskine Project". This will be for the Volume II Edition in which the small moleskine book is mailed from artist to artist with the goal to support the Center for Cartoon Studies Scholarship Fund. I'll be sure to give my review and process in the weeks to come. But if you want to get in on the waiting list to participate, please visit the site and mention my name.

Okay, I said I would clean the dust off my sketchbook and instead, I lied and entered another NDS "Colors" Weekly Challenge.

Topic was FUTURE, so here's my tribute to the original Marty McFly film, "Back-To-The-Future". I love that Doc Brown line at the end, "Roads? Where we're going......we don't need roads". When I saw this in the theater, I looked at my dad and said "There's gonna be a part 2?!!!". LOL.

Pocket full of change

I've been fully immersed in using the "Colors" application on my Nintendo DS and decided to enter a small illustration contest on the main site. The deadline was Feb. 27th, but the announcement for the winner has seemed to be forgotten. So I decided to go ahead and share my entry.

The theme was "99". New Zealand artists Greg Broadmore and Christian Pierce held an exhibition where each drew one item....99 times (only using the Colors app on the NDS)! Chris chose hot-rods and Greg chose a woman slipping on a banana peel. Here's a link to the method of their madness. They each released a book showcasing their "99 exhibit: Deadly Slips and Dodgy Sleds". Printing was limited quantity :(

I came up with 5 ideas and narrowed it down to a simplistic subject that everyone could relate to.....loose change. Everyone has loose change in their pockets, purse, backpack....and even between the pillows of your couch. LOL.

I made sure that the change I drew equaled out to 99 cents and I've gone as far to add 1994 and 1996 to a couple coins to keep with the theme. Okay, that was a bit corny :D

Winner will be chosen by Greg and Chis.....So what does the winner get? Actually there will be 2 winners awarded (1 book each). Overall, it was a fun contest and I met a couple artist along the way. As for now, I'll give my DS a break and start giving my sketchbook some TLC again. Have a good weekend!!!

Continuous rain and high winds in the Bay Area. Staying indoors to sketch.

King Thoron

(Concept art created by Josh Frost)

Another quick collaboration...this time on "King Thoron - a dark king with a lust for power!!!" He is in a little story Josh has been working on for sometime.

I took the first concept and began painting the head and crown. Unfortunately, I misplaced my Wacom tablet and used the good ol'......mouse!

After finding my tablet, I continued painting in the robe and background colors. I didn't know much more on King Thoron's history, so I treated this more like a character concept page. It's a little dull, but it helped give some life to the design.

4-shoe NDS Series completed

Here's the final addition to my shoe illustration series. Thanks for the comments, great questions, and for checking out the progress every other day.

Here's the 3rd addition to the 4-shoe NDS series.

Here's the second shoe illustration for my 4 shoe NDS series. I almost went with a solid background but decided to go with a soft pillowy feel to compliment this pink flat. Have a good weekend everyone!

Decided to work on a short 4-shoe illustration series on the Nintendo DS. I have no idea why I chose a boot as a first attempt?! LOL. I had fun working on the shiny leather but had difficulties on choosing a background color.

I normally don't draw vehicles, but here's a random car sketch while hanging out with friends over dinner in the East Bay.

Created during a late night dinner at an outside cafe in San Jose, Mexico. The winds started picking up so I had to eat & draw fast. (20 minute sketch).

Cabo San Lucas - Done during our wait to board the whale watching boat. Due to the bright outside light that day, I stayed in a shaded area to complete. (35 minute sketch)

Finally trouble shooted the "save" issue on my NDS and....just in time. Here's a quick "Colors" sketch 15 minutes before boarding the plane.

Wildlife Museum - Walnut Creek, Ca.

Boards

I recently got clearance to show these storyboards I worked on several months back for a small start-up company in Seattle. The project has been put on halt until further notice. because of a few story re-writes. These boards are in connection with the Hero character that I painted back in September. I was just happy to be able to contribute to a scene. Back in the pre-viz stage, we were hoping for this to become an animated music video with original music and sfx. I still wouldn't mind if this ended up as an animated short.

The 3 colored panels were completed by 2 other artist.

Colors

Finally giving the program "Colors" a try on my Nintendo DS. Unfortunately, my R4 card does not have an automatic DLDI patch so the save option did not work :(

Thus, the crappy photo of the NDS screen. Yuk!

Once I figure out how to patch this darn
thing and save images, I'll be sure to share.

The WOZ

Sorry for the 2 weeks of not posting...I caught that cold bug, practically lost my voice and I'm almost fully recovered. I ended up missing the San Francisco Sketchcrawl event....I heard there may have been a new attendance record of 100+ !

But for now, how bout some photos from MacWorld?

I was invited by the Axitotron Team to help promote the coolest Mac product.....No, not the "Macbook Wheel".....but the new MODBOOK PRO! The first and only Mac tablet.(photo courtesy of famous photographer, SigthorMarkkuson)

Unveiled on Tuesday was the new 17" Modbook PRO with new "Synergy Touch". In other words you'll soon be able to use a stylus and finger touch - AT THE SAME TIME!

(photo property of Axiotron)

But I didn't demo on that.....that was tucked away safely in a protective bullet-proof glass case. LOL. I demo'd drawing in Photoshop & Sketchbook Express on the latest Modbook.
Yeah, that's me cheesing while drawing quick landscape thumbnails for customers. Photo courtesy of story artist Jim Mitchell.

So why is there a crowd developing behind me? And only one little kid pretending to watch me, while listening to her headphones? It's because of this guy....

Here's Steve! No, not that one....the other Apple co-founder - Steve Wozniak (now an Axiotron Board of Advisor). This photo was just after the announcement of Axiotron's latest products and technologies (as mentioned above).

That's not all...the emmy award winning character designer and animator (Foster's Home of Imaginary Friends), Shannon Tindle demo'd some secrets to his character design process.Shannon currently work at Dreamworks

And I finally got to meet another awesome character designer and story artist (Kim Possible and Mighty B), Louie del Carmen. Here's Louie sharing some of his story board process using CS Bridge and Sketchbook Express. It was nice chopping it up with Louie in between demo's.Louie is currently works at Dreamworks

Awesome comic book artist (Beowulf, 30 days of night, Punks), Kody Chamberlain also did demo's throughout the week. Here's Kody taking some time to whip up a caricature. He's such a cool guy and always open to sharing ideas and techniques to his art.

I don't have anymore photos, but here's a couple links to the other awesome artist I was able to work with:

• Kevin Dalton, story artist - South Park Sudios (L.A.)
  
• Steph Labaris, Illustrator (Bay Area)
  
• Kevin Hueck, Illustrator (L.A.)
• Paul Lee, Phenominal portrait artist, illustrator, comic book artist (L.A.)
  

As for me....I've been dabbling in storyboards on a side project, but can't show just yet. Let me get clearance on another project that I boarded a few months back...see if I can share...I'd love some feedback. Thanks!

Are you ready?

Just received my "Galaxy Blue" Sketchcrawl shirt in the mail...just in time for this weekend's Sketchcrawl #21 Jam Session. Order yours here.

that's a wrap!

Here's the final illustration
(brush pen over watercolor)

You'll see I've included 2 human shaped forms along the top
of the trunk tree...as if they've been taken over and petrified.

Here's how it looks merged with the previous artist illustration

To see the next artist continue the project: Click Here

The 2008 Wrap Project

"As economics and boundaries (try to) rule the world, I want to make a gesture to all artists. Let's make a piece of artwork together, without the limitations of age, distance, expansive travel, galleries."

- Johanna Haagsman
(creator of the wrap project)

I stumbled across the wrap project back in August 2008 and admired the idea of creating a continuous, banner like, painting that would include artist from all over the world. 3 months later (mid November), I received an email from Johanna and was invited to submit an illustration based on the previous entry of artist, Lyden Masland. I had only 2 weeks to complete and Thanksgiving was just around the corner.

I've been practicing digital painting for a future gig, but decided to keep to the analog theme. Ideas came from several places and events:

• I was invited to an annual banzai show last month and was blown away by the 50 + banzai trees that were neatly pruned and shaped. We were also treated with a critique from an Italian banzai artist that trained for several years under an actual banzai master in Japan.

• I came across a recycled binder company in Seattle called "Sustainable Group". They've got a great variety of recycled products if you're thinking of another way to help the environment.

• I've been hooked to that new Animal Planet show, "Whale Wars". Have you seen it?
  

So a question came to mind...."As we've become accustomed to living comfortable lives with the excessive use of our resources, what if the roles were reversed, and nature fought back to take it all away from us?"