Concept Design Academy requested I provide them with an online portfolio via Blogger. Good a reason as any to kick off a new art blog.
There's also more than four per category requested. I have great difficulty deciding what pieces I like more. It was a struggle to narrow it down. Sentimentality won out. That and obsessive thoroughness.
Go to its imgur gallery for full size
For Perspective and 3D Form
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| Exploring the history and construction of "Andrew", a sentient mutant undead for Umbagog I like completely filling pages with cluttered illustrations in my sketchbooks. It's my favorite method of exploration. If I can turn the literal renderings into an abstract, oddly flowing art piece in of itself, even better. The tiny notes just add to that. |
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| Attempting to refine details on "Corpse-Eater". Defining face shapes and exploring attitudes. For Umbagog Another cluttered sketchbook page I love for all its frantic mess |
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| A more mainstream, children's television based character. I like the dump hippo dragon more, and I will be filling him out. But this was a deliberate attempt at a Dora the Explorer Flash-friendly design. So marketable baby dragon it shall be. |
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| A page from exploratory comic demonstrating perspective and exterior design for Umbagog I developed a virulent hatred for fences after this. Selectively limited palette meant to emphasize night light and provide contrast to later scenes, when the character's eyes grow back. |
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| Bar sketches. For me, life drawing is social exercise. Go to the cafe, a club, a market. Catch folks in the midst of thought. Integrate their environment into it as much as possible. Environment drives thought as much as will, in my mind. |
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| A commission. Client requested an overhaul of their initial concept. Went rather overboard, but they liked it. Ridiculous pseudo-science fiction is a special pleasure. |
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| Work from Moonscoop. Some variations on vehicle designs for Lalaloopsy. I still pine for that cheese car, but the client didn't like it as much as me. Moon/Stars car is a favored second. |
For Color and Painting
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| Color, lighting, and setting explorations The exterior, interior aboveground and interior belowground Every time I look at these, I'm driven to paint more. for Umbagog |
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| Interior and painting practice. Studies were based on photos. I made a point to try something different in each piece. |
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| Explorations of Corpse Eater's cabin for Umbagog These tiny thumbnail paintings fascinate me more when blown up to excessive resolution. |
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| Miscellaneous props I enjoyed for Moonscoop for Lalaloopsy The direction for the toaster was "make it look like crap" |
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| Silly Valentine's cards I distributed at Moonscoop. They endear me. All hastily done in the space of two hours or so. |
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| Commission of a anthropomorphic cheetah waiting in an southern African inspired bazaar. It's the oldest piece here, but for all the weaknesses, I still enjoy the palette, the lineweight, and the story inherent. |
My Best Work and Favorite Styles
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| I spent several years on this piece. Not because it takes me years to paint something on this level. But I continually revisted and revised it before slapping myself and saying "No Erin, you will put it down now." For a friend's book illustration. |
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| If ever I'm tired or just need to warm up, I draw my pets. They're comprised of such lovely shapes and never lack character |
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| The client handed me a photo of a kid and said "design a character based on this goat." Too much fun. |
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| Tiny pencil drawing. The prompt someone gave me requested these two characters toking up together. For Umbagog |
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| This is another piece with weaknesses inherent in the shape design. Muddy coloring too. But I still love the story and the posing and so must hold it up and proclaim it good. Good, at least, in making me smile. Story and appeal wins out over sheer technical skill. for Umbagog |
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| Another muddy paint job, but the story and the line weights draw my eye. Related to the piece above for Umbagog |
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| Eight legs are absolutely dreadful for clear silhouettes. But I seek challenge like a falcon hunts ducks. This will be refined later into a dual reference sheet for both Youngun and Oldun. |
