Sketch paintings 03

Some more morning warm-ups.

Illustration Friday: Polar

A polar party! This is an old sketch I did for a book a while back. The book got canceled so the painting never got painted. I liked the sketch and now I finally have a reason to show it.

Sketch paintings 02

Here are a couple new painting doodles.

Dude

Just another sketchy doodle. I also want to thank everybody who visits this ole blog. Your comments are really apreciated.

Sketch paintings

A few recent doodles that I did on the side while working on my freelance stuff. Sketched and paintedwith acrylics on scraps of arches paper.

Sub-Level 2 progress report 7

Freelance has been keeping me very busy lately, so the SL2 remodel was put on hold for a while. I was able to make a little progress though. I finally got the tables installed. I think they look cool. They still need trim on the edges (I'm thinking that old 50's style chrome) and a few coats of polyurethane. I am mostly moved into the studio and I have been painting down there for a couple of weeks, but I still have my computers in the old space. My lovely wife bought me that cool new rug today. Whatta gal!

Illustration Friday: Green

The "Not so jolly, Jolly Green Giant". Quick sketch with lame color added in photoshop.

News!

MRS. MCBLOOM has won Pennsylvania's 2006-2007 Keystone to Reading Book Award for best picture book! Thanks Pennsylvania!

Illustration Friday: I Spy

I'm not crazy with the way this one turned out. It looked way better as a sketch with the shadows done in a green wash. I should have just stopped when it was good. Knowing when to call it finished is one of the hardest things to figure out. Oh well. Enjoy.

Doodling

Quick little painting of my oldest daughter. Awwww.

Actually, it didn't start out as her. As the sketch progress it looked more and more like her so I just went with it.

New banner

I thought it was about time to make a new banner. What do you think?

Swimmin' wit da fishes

I sketched this a long time ago for Illustration Friday: Sea, but I never got around to adding color. I pulled it out again because I needed a drawing to use for a demo during my class. I was teaching the class how I stretch paper. When I was finished stretching I had a perfectly good sketch all preped and ready to be painted... so I did.

Gouache on paper

Doodles

A couple painted doodles from yesterday. Something to do for a break from real work.

Gladiator

I posted the sketch earlier today thinking that I wasn't going to go any further with it, but then I decided to add a bit of color. Looks like he is trying to figure out what to do next.

Illustration Friday: Communication

They are always talking on their shell phones.

This was my first idea for this weeks topic, but I wasn't able to develope it futher. I'm not crazy about it, but it will have to do.

Tex

A very quick demo for my class. Cowboys are cool.

Illustration Friday: Gravity 2

It is hard for a cow to overcome the effects of gravity, but it can be done with the proper ingenuity. Years ago I had a large empty spot on a wall that really needed something on it, so I painted this. I wasn't going to post old stuff anymore, but come on, it's a flying cow... overcoming the effects of gravity.

Sub-Level 2 progress report 6

Getting closer. I finished putting in the shelving last night. They are supported by cables attached to the ceiling. They turned out better than I thought they would. We also started moving in a little bit. The room needed a bright red couch, so I had to get one. The clock has been in our living room for years, but it finally found it's proper home in the studio. The desks are the last major thing left to do.

Illustration Friday: Gravity

I painted Isaac Newton in this painting. See if you can find him (you will have to open it to see it better). It is an illustration from Mrs. McBloom Clean Up Your Classroom. I needed to fill up this classroom with all kinds of Mrs. McBloom's junk. She already had an apple tree, so I thought it would be fun to have Newton getting hit by a falling apple. Okay, it's an old painting, but it just seemed to fit the topic. I think I will do something else too. Enjoy

Squid Rid

Want to get rid of those pesky squid? Use Squid-Rid!

Illustration Friday: Crash

I thought "Crash" sounded like a good biker name. Painted in gouache.

Sub-Level 2 progress report 5

With good help my wife and I were able to get the painting done. As you can see, my son gave us a helping hand, which he promptly painted. Anyway, the walls turned out really nice. I'm really happy with the results. Shelves and desks are next. Later.

Sub-Level 2 progress report 4

So, I bought some old bowling lanes to make my desks out of. I was planning on using a solid surface material for my countertops, but a friend of mine told me about an old bowling alley that went out of business and talked me into getting these. With a little work they could be pretty cool. I'll keep you posted.

Ink

A quick little gouache study.

Illustration Friday: Superhero3

Look, it's Jar Girl! Whenever little old ladies can't open their bottled pears, Jar girl is there! With her mighty POWER CLAW OF GRIPPAGE she easily loosens any lid. No jar is safe. Stuck jars beware!

gouache on paper

Illustration Friday: Superhero2

The Squid Patrol!

Illustration Friday: Superhero

I love drawing superheros with meaningless powers. I did these sketches during some meetings and then I poorly added a little color later with photoshop. For some reason I really like Mr. Rockethead. Fly (Fishing) Girl is a close second. I think I might be doing more of these as the week progresses. Later.

SL2- Progress Report 3

We did the floors this weekend. Concrete stain with an epoxy sealer. Sub-level 2 is one step closer to finished. Next step: baseboards.

Illustration Friday: 80's

1880's that is. It might not be the 80's we are used to, but I think she still might be hiding some Olivia Newton John leg warmers under that dress...maybe some parachute pants... or lots of zippers. I had some great costume reference from the 1880's so I thought I'd try something a little different. Just a sketch for now. I will add paint later. It may or may not happen this week. I'll post it as soon as it is done. Enjoy.

Cowboy

Quick sketch with color slapped on. 5-10 min.

SL2- Progress Report 2

We have painted sub-level 2. The walls are primed and the ceilings are finished. We also have light switches and plugs that work now and I installed the in-ceiling speakers. Next step: floors. I'll keep you posted.

Illustration Friday: Buzz

Not too exciting this week. I drew this girl while I was waiting for a phone call and added the bee while I was painting it so it would work for IF. I did this guy at the same time. It's what happens when I doodle with paints nearby.

Sub-Level 2 progress report

I have been remodeling our basement (sub-level 2) to be my new studio. Sub-level 1 (my current studio) is just too small. I ripped out all of the flashy 70's paneling and hip red carpet out of SL2 over a year ago -- maybe even longer and framed it all in. Then I ran into two problems: time and money. I never seemed to pocess both of them at the same time. Progress of SL2 kinda died. During the past holidays the remodeling gods smiled upon us. Time and money collided and work started again. I was able to get all of the electrical work finished and the drywall hung. Now I'm waiting to get the walls textured. I'm hoping to get everything painted, or at least primed by the end of this week. Then I'll do the floors. It may take longer than I want because the deadlines are back and the "time" part of the equation is gone again (so is the "money"). My wife might end up doing all of the work herself. I think it is because she wants me out of SL1 so she can make it her new sewing room. I'll keep you posted.

The first photo is SL2 during framing.

Second is from last week.

Third is what it might look like if I ever get it done.

And the other angle

Wall Steet Journal

I got a call yesterday to do this piece for the Wall Street Journal. It had a very, very short deadline which makes for some pretty stressful painting. I wish I had a few more hours to put into it, but I was happy with the results in the end. Look for it today on page C1.