50. Ilya 'The Wepin' Repin

Francis threw up a link to some Repin Paintings.

After I mopped up the blood from my bleeding eyes I did some studies, trying to figure out bits of stuff about colour. The drawing wasnt really my focus, which was silly, cos I only spent a few minutes on the lay in, which made the finals look really wobbly. On the other hand, I was suprised how much I had improved at eyeballing colours since the last time I attempted studies like this. Something has obviously clicked! Doing it from imagination is a whole nother ball game though :)


48. Island Time

Been very busy and inspired here in Ubud.




I have been working hard at the book, and I finished another article for Imagine FX, based on travelling, sketching and turning those observations into concepts... I'll be releasing a free full length DVD after the mag comes out... does anyone know the best way to host DVD's for free download online?

Here are some more studies from the life around me :)
















47. Pranoto's in Ubud


Found Pranoto's life drawing here in Ubud today. Professional model, good space, really great people, great life session overall. Its on twice a week so im ready to get into full time anatomy study while I'm here.

Here's a digi study I did in the session.

46. Swami Bagus

Here is the first painting from Bali, inspired by the beautiful Banyans, deep tradition and ceremony, ornate temples and serene energy. This was done for the 2 year anniversary of Gorilla Artfare and there is a lot of great art over there, do check it out.

Bali, and especially Ubud, is a great place to paint. We found a well stocked art supply shop, a big room with space to paint and a pool for the heat... its very cheap, wifi is everywhere, and it retains its genuine culture, without being over-touristed like the beach areas.

Im looking forward to painting and writing here for the next little while.

45. New home studio

This will be my home... and my studio for the next year and a half. It is a strange feeling when everything you own fits in a 70 litre pack.



I want to thank my 'sponsors' from 2009 - Epiphany Games, Lascivio, Wizards of The Coast - Jon and Mari, Babyfoot, Mitch Brown and the Bang Gang, Thundamentals, Capture, Mark Barold, Fuzzy, Green Ronin and of course all the gang from Empty Room... without ALL of you, this mad adventure would never have begun.

44. Darker than dark

Its the Underdark! Some stuff from Wizards that just got released, these were from around June last year. Only one day left in Sydney, then I fly out - and the real fun begins :)


(c) Wizards of The Coast


(c) Wizards of The Coast


(c) Wizards of The Coast

43. Back in the game

Hey everyone

Its been so long since I updated, no doubt I will have to go back on the campaign trail to bring back my jaded readers!

The second half of 2009 was an amazing rollercoaster... I got to work with two of my dream clients on two feature films which were extremely enjoyable and productive to work on. I have been forcing myself through the eye of a needle and I think it was a really beneficial experience.

I will be moving overseas for quite some time, attempting to work full time on the road as I travel, and it should free up quite a significant portion of my time to work on my own stuff - which is a long, long time coming. The cost of living in Sydney is so high, staying here feels like spinning your wheels... its time to go live where its cheap, sunny, and full of culture!

I have a great deal of work to do this year, and my pace will be just as frenetic - but thankfully I can say a temporary goodbye to restricitve NDA's and start posting actively here again. I will also be starting a second blog for a particular project before long. In the meantime I hope you forgive my absence, and I will try to have lots of work - and more importantly - process and thoughts - up here over the coming months.

I want to say a big thank you to Kim Taylor, Evan Shipard and Yohann Schepacz, for the huge impact they have had on my learning in 2009 - you are all true friends and I will miss being away from your inspired company!

Here is a piece I did for Imagine FX magazine recently. I am trying to arrange another article with them - something more unique and specific ot what I'm doing - I really hope it works out!





Here is a quick album cover for Electro/Disco group Golden Bug on the Bang Gang Label






And here is another quick illustration.





I will try to get permission to show some work from the films as time permits. Fingers crossed!! Next time you hear from me I will be amongst the silversmiths and warungs of Karangasem, East Bali -- wifi permitting :)

I hope 2010 provides many exciting challenges and shifts of thinking for all my brothers and sisters. Be good ;)

a

40. Desert Knight

Just a little sketch i painted up tonight. Desert-oriented fantasy gear. I didnt even realise I was painting it until an hour in... just came out of nowhere -- been a while since iv had that. it was nice :)

38. Wizards of the Coast AIRSPUR Tutorial

Hey everyone,

Im stoked to be able to show the first tip of the iceberg that has been my new freelance position with Wizards of the Coast. I had the pleasure of working with Jon Schindehette, the AD over at wizards who also runs the ArtOrder blog, on a series of illustrations. Jon and I decided it would be cool to do a write up on the piece's progress and then share it with the readers here and at artorder. So below is my step-by-step for my first ever WOTC illustration! I hope it is helpful to you -- and expect to see more of these in the very near future ;) Can't wait to show my other paintings also, as they are published :)

Make sure to click the tutorial to go full size!


37.785 - Want ad

Im really keen for a second hand canvas puller. The damn things are so exhorbitantly priced retail, would be very happy to take one off the hands of a willing donor! Happy to do an art trade for it!!

37.5 Cut and Paste

More news... in one week I will be a competitor at Cut and Paste, Sydney's biggest live painting competition. The winner not only gets a shiny new cintiq, but also gets to jet to New York to compete in the championship, siiiiiick! If you are in Sydney, come along and check it out, yo!

37. Sketches and News

Hey everyone :)

It has been a great week! I have wrapped up a couple of jobs and made some very exciting new inroads into creative collaborations in Sydney. First some news and shout outs...

Extra Cheeese 3 is on!

Now part of Sydney Design Week and run by my good friend Daniel Dittmar, The annual EC exhibition is now in its third year and has upped the ante by calling out artists and designers to join forces in 2-man collaborative efforts! I will be working with Dave Foster who is an amazing typographer. The call for entries is now open and I encourage you all to find a buddy and apply - it is a fantastic exhibition and the space this year will be magnificent.

ArtOrder feature: Wizards of the Coast

I was recently spotlighted on the blog of Wizards Lead Art Director, Jon Schindehette. I have had a lot of fun working on this job and will be able to post the work, and a tutorial, soon as its published.

Kim Taylor's Blog

Kim works as a Matte Painter here in Sydney at Animal Logic, but his concept work is easily on par with his matte stuff. He has started a new blog which is great inspiration for those who want to keep up their practise. Visit Pencils and Jam

Sydney Sketch Meet 3!

Its about time! For more info, go here. It is this coming Saturday, 6 June, and we kick off around 10am at the Archibald Fountain in Hyde Park. Come packing heat/pencils.


There is more news in the pipeline, which will have to wait for now! I have had a hell of a lot of work on the past few weeks so sketching has been on the backburner, but here is what I have managed to get down on the paper... more digital paintings soooooooon! Stay well.



Pen Pages
Click to enlarge


Sydney Sketch Meet (Artline + Water)
Click to enlarge



Origin (Gouache)
Click to enlarge



Mum (Gouache)

Click to enlarge



Float (Inspired by Joao Ruas)

Click to enlarge




The Filmmaker

36. More Lascivio

I have been steadily working at my production speed to get my work-for-hire as efficient as I can. Reduction, simplification, and a better starting thumbnail/block in.

The Lascivio project has been a loyal client and has allowed me to be very experimental and honest with my working methods - a real reciprocal client/artist relationship.

Here are 3 from the week just past, each less than a day from conception sketches to revision.



35. Bree

Usually I love to write a whole bunch of long winded nonsense to accompany my images, but when it comes to Bree words fail me completely.
So I'll just stick to 'damn you craig mullins!' and let dat be dat.
xx
A

from life

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