See you all at the CON!
-JtJ
Btw... Make sure to check out www.SchellStudio.com
I've been studying Jordu's work(and other sculptors) for the past couple of months and I think it's been helping me greatly.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
...a Year Later...
~
See you all at the CON!
-JtJ
Btw... Make sure to check out www.SchellStudio.com
I've been studying Jordu's work(and other sculptors) for the past couple of months and I think it's been helping me greatly.
See you all at the CON!
-JtJ
Btw... Make sure to check out www.SchellStudio.com
I've been studying Jordu's work(and other sculptors) for the past couple of months and I think it's been helping me greatly.
Saturday, June 28, 2008
COMIC CON! -n- French Comic!
Hope all is well and I really hope to meet a lot of you at the San Diego COMIC CON!!!!!!AND! even though the Wall-E design is a complete Short Circuit ripoff.. the movie still ROCKED the Casbah!
^ ^
This is a preview of some quick exploratory sketches for aFrench comic I am working on. It should be a good 'boot camp'
experience for my Fading Oasis Graphic Novel.
-JtJ
BTW! check out this 19 year old French bbbad mamajama! Polllak.blogspot.com/
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Digital Junk Drawer
Here are a few sketches from the past couple of years. They're definitely not that great but, I think fun enough to post... (^ ^) -Joshua
Monday, April 21, 2008
Fading Oasis...
I've scrapped the Fading Oasis blog for my graphic novel
and decided to merge it here for the time being...
and decided to merge it here for the time being...
Man it's crazy...sooo many of these drawings are just plain JACKED UP! The structure around the eyes in relationship to the nose in perspective make me cringe! I tend to study Dermot Power's work quite a bit, along with Leyendecker and Rockwell and holy crud... much further to go. At least the journey is fun... I think.
Friday, February 29, 2008
Dolphin Safe Canned Game!
~Concrete Concept Dump~
You will see a Tourettes -like Schizophrenic change in Style throughout this post. It's a bit bonkers..
Part of the time I have some illusive feeling or dynamic in my head and it'll take an onslaught of thumbs to get where or better yet towards' where I'd like to go with a design.. I created a brush in Photoshop CS2 to mimic Painter's Triangle Chalk or Oil Pastel brush.(Cannot remember which). I got lucky with this one. It's one of the better opaque digital brushes I've come across. I really enjoy using it to knock out silhouettes in basic value and local color value...
~ Take all this rambling with a grain of salt ~
It's interesting how as a concept designer one of your
main job's tasks is to give endless options to the indecisive, those without the ability to drive an idea and/or help mold a design. So much time and money is wasted through the simple lack of creativity.(I have a recurring daydream of American Game Companies shoving fist fulls of money directly into the toilet. HUZZAH! ..splash'.) There is an absurdly disproportioned ratio of the demand of entertainment and 'creative' leads and managers. Time after time I hear of pipelines that ACCEPT the lack of competent direction as part of the process! It's part of the damn budget! The "we'll know it when we see it" dismissive BS gets real old, real fast. I am more than tired with the Ego's of the one's with less than credential backgrounds. They talk their talk' all day long, with a commanding voice and in the end their track record is clear, the game is either shit or canceled. They always have 'good' reasons to whittle something down to it's least appetizing and most generic form..and thats when there has been and actual decision made. But, don't worry they'll change their minds when they see the next Big' movie or game..
Grand Theft Gears of Fortress anyone?
Many of these 'Even More' Cartoony pieces were done during the 3rd! yes 3rd reiteration of the look of the game... and of course we reverted straight back on the track we were initially on.
The actual work on this game was very fun to do. Dodging headless chickens was less..
Though the real tragedy is no more Watts! For now...
^ ^
-Joshua
In no chronological order...
You will see a Tourettes -like Schizophrenic change in Style throughout this post. It's a bit bonkers..
Part of the time I have some illusive feeling or dynamic in my head and it'll take an onslaught of thumbs to get where or better yet towards' where I'd like to go with a design.. I created a brush in Photoshop CS2 to mimic Painter's Triangle Chalk or Oil Pastel brush.(Cannot remember which). I got lucky with this one. It's one of the better opaque digital brushes I've come across. I really enjoy using it to knock out silhouettes in basic value and local color value...
~ Take all this rambling with a grain of salt ~
It's interesting how as a concept designer one of your
main job's tasks is to give endless options to the indecisive, those without the ability to drive an idea and/or help mold a design. So much time and money is wasted through the simple lack of creativity.(I have a recurring daydream of American Game Companies shoving fist fulls of money directly into the toilet. HUZZAH! ..splash'.) There is an absurdly disproportioned ratio of the demand of entertainment and 'creative' leads and managers. Time after time I hear of pipelines that ACCEPT the lack of competent direction as part of the process! It's part of the damn budget! The "we'll know it when we see it" dismissive BS gets real old, real fast. I am more than tired with the Ego's of the one's with less than credential backgrounds. They talk their talk' all day long, with a commanding voice and in the end their track record is clear, the game is either shit or canceled. They always have 'good' reasons to whittle something down to it's least appetizing and most generic form..and thats when there has been and actual decision made. But, don't worry they'll change their minds when they see the next Big' movie or game..
Grand Theft Gears of Fortress anyone?
These faces are a bit less a accomplished than I'd perfer :( the Saga Continues!
Many of these 'Even More' Cartoony pieces were done during the 3rd! yes 3rd reiteration of the look of the game... and of course we reverted straight back on the track we were initially on.
This big dude reminds me of that great character in Lilo and Stitch that keeps dropping his ice cream.. heh. Poor guy.. ^ ^
"Team Fortress, Team Fortress.. .....Team Fortress 2!" The echoes of far too many meetings. Does it make anyone else sick to their stomach that the majority of leads in the industry have an artistic range that reaches as far as what they can bite? "Chomp, Chomp Son!"
HEY! Like wonky proportions? Apparently so do I!
Oh Look..more.
Developing character classes from small to large using the same animation skeleton can be rough, although a very good learning experience. It is' amusing to keep hearing "PUSH iT, just PUSH IT!" without considering the logistics. You know..just fill a volcano with jell-o and spoon feed it to Zeus.. you know..jus..just pick up the big spoon. Whats the problem. ...Note' the stubby arms.
I definitely need to get better at a quick/efficient finished look..
The actual work on this game was very fun to do. Dodging headless chickens was less..
Though the real tragedy is no more Watts! For now...
^ ^
-Joshua
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
the Silver Lining...
~Favelas~
One good thing about a
project being canned is being able to
post your work..hmm.. in theory.
post your work..hmm.. in theory.
This was done in Sept of 06. It was my first assignment at Concrete. I don't think I captured the grand contrast between the beauty of the clouds & mountains verses the grime & gritty character that the Favelas hold. Overall the piece is too happy and playful looking for what it should have been. Yet the 'creative' director said it was exactly what he was looking for...go figure. Wonder whatever happened to that studio > <
-JtJ
Friday, January 25, 2008
iSHUT -Concrete Games- DOWN'
El' Presidente' is not amused..
(In all his unfinished and ..guaranteed to be unfinished glory!)
(In all his unfinished and ..guaranteed to be unfinished glory!)
I wish a heart felt good luck to all the other guys and gals that were laid off. As for me I was seriously fortunate to be hooked up with some full time contract work the day after it went down. It's a different genre and very refreshing.
Sincerely,
Joshua
Sincerely,
Joshua
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Christmas APE 2!
MERRRY CHRISTMAS! ^ ^
This painting needs some love..
perhaps I'll paint on it a bit more...
and fix the drawing O O!
Happy Holidays,
-Joshua
This painting needs some love..perhaps I'll paint on it a bit more...
and fix the drawing O O!
-Joshua
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Watts Atelier - 2nd Post
...like dark images much? ^ ^
...little less than 2hrs?
Ahh..
I remember the first class I took at Watts and the ramblings I posted about how I would update every week no matter how bad they were.. Little did I know there is a level worse than bad.. thus I made no updates.
However I am pretty excited about class again and about taking 3 more come next session!! ..so I'll update with this piece from a make up class I attended. Erik widened the Skull and showed me a better way of abstracting the structure and shape of the eye and it's shadow while I was in my initial 2 tone stage. The tracings the instructors do with a sheet of tracing paper over our drawings are great but, seeing as I left my tracing paper in Arizona and haven't bought anymore I have been having Erik draw directly over my work. I find it incredibly invaluable to see how a more accomplished draftsman can take a few well aimed steps to improve a drawing.
This is now my 2nd class at Watts since I have been in the San Diego area and I finally feel like their method is clicking for me. By no means am I producing 'great drawings' but, I feel more confident when I sit in front of the model. I am not as overwhelmed by the grand complexities that the figure holds. With that said I by no means take for granted those complexities by diminishing what should be respected. I obviously still have far to go. I am just shocked and astounded that I am now learning a Life Study Technique that feel so unbelievably logical and with all due respect simple'. By simple I mean, there is an academic and well laid path in this method of Reilly lineage. Some might find it surprising that I exclaim over such a thing but, I believe some who are familiar with this approach of teaching may take it for granted. I went through 4 .5 years at CCAD where you were lucky' to find a teacher that would pick apart at your faults rather than help you disguise them as Style'. My personal work was for style exploration, I was there to learn'. I remember finding websites my freshman year of Ateliers and thinking WHY were we not learning what these guys are learning on a fundamental level. There were and are many reason which I'm sure we are all aware of. On my side of things I felt no matter how hard I worked I couldn't take myself to the next level. I'm now extremely proud to be attending Watts Atelier where I can study in a similar fashion to that of my heroes, Rockwell and Leyendecker. And BLOODY hell it is cheap! When I saw those sites about Ateliers mannny years ago I thought the knowledge was so grand and coveted that I would never have access to it. It's great to know even with student loans, a car payment and rent I can still make it to 3 classes a week.
-Joshua
Btw if you want to lose your mind check out Geirrod VanDyke's work! Grand large size oil paintings and super fun stylized sketch work! HIGHly recommended ^ ^
p.s. I have a blog for my GRAPHIC NOVEL! Thought I'd plug it since it gets extremely less love than this one ::sniff sniff:: ^ ^
FadingOasis.blogspot.com
~
...little less than 2hrs?I remember the first class I took at Watts and the ramblings I posted about how I would update every week no matter how bad they were.. Little did I know there is a level worse than bad.. thus I made no updates.
However I am pretty excited about class again and about taking 3 more come next session!! ..so I'll update with this piece from a make up class I attended. Erik widened the Skull and showed me a better way of abstracting the structure and shape of the eye and it's shadow while I was in my initial 2 tone stage. The tracings the instructors do with a sheet of tracing paper over our drawings are great but, seeing as I left my tracing paper in Arizona and haven't bought anymore I have been having Erik draw directly over my work. I find it incredibly invaluable to see how a more accomplished draftsman can take a few well aimed steps to improve a drawing.
This is now my 2nd class at Watts since I have been in the San Diego area and I finally feel like their method is clicking for me. By no means am I producing 'great drawings' but, I feel more confident when I sit in front of the model. I am not as overwhelmed by the grand complexities that the figure holds. With that said I by no means take for granted those complexities by diminishing what should be respected. I obviously still have far to go. I am just shocked and astounded that I am now learning a Life Study Technique that feel so unbelievably logical and with all due respect simple'. By simple I mean, there is an academic and well laid path in this method of Reilly lineage. Some might find it surprising that I exclaim over such a thing but, I believe some who are familiar with this approach of teaching may take it for granted. I went through 4 .5 years at CCAD where you were lucky' to find a teacher that would pick apart at your faults rather than help you disguise them as Style'. My personal work was for style exploration, I was there to learn'. I remember finding websites my freshman year of Ateliers and thinking WHY were we not learning what these guys are learning on a fundamental level. There were and are many reason which I'm sure we are all aware of. On my side of things I felt no matter how hard I worked I couldn't take myself to the next level. I'm now extremely proud to be attending Watts Atelier where I can study in a similar fashion to that of my heroes, Rockwell and Leyendecker. And BLOODY hell it is cheap! When I saw those sites about Ateliers mannny years ago I thought the knowledge was so grand and coveted that I would never have access to it. It's great to know even with student loans, a car payment and rent I can still make it to 3 classes a week.
-Joshua
Btw if you want to lose your mind check out Geirrod VanDyke's work! Grand large size oil paintings and super fun stylized sketch work! HIGHly recommended ^ ^
p.s. I have a blog for my GRAPHIC NOVEL! Thought I'd plug it since it gets extremely less love than this one ::sniff sniff:: ^ ^
FadingOasis.blogspot.com
~
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Centaur Head Sketch
~
I'm not super excited about this but, I think there are some fun structural things going on that I am making sure to be more conscious about in my newer works. It's amazing how harsh one can be on even a simple sketch. I tell myself that "if I just fix this, this and this..it..might be alright!" Then 2 hours later It's over-worked, mushy and down right fugly! Not to mention I'll be too discouraged to paint for the rest of the night. BUT NOT TONIGHT! I stopped just in time.. before I hurled. ^ ^
Off to work on some Fading Oasis stuff...
-JtJ
And now for this month's 'Artist O obsession!'
Saskia Gutekunst!
http://coyotesaskia.blogspot.com/
I have been falling in love with Saskia's work this week and the more I study it the more I feel like the biggest bone head. Make sure to check out her blog!!!
I'm not super excited about this but, I think there are some fun structural things going on that I am making sure to be more conscious about in my newer works. It's amazing how harsh one can be on even a simple sketch. I tell myself that "if I just fix this, this and this..it..might be alright!" Then 2 hours later It's over-worked, mushy and down right fugly! Not to mention I'll be too discouraged to paint for the rest of the night. BUT NOT TONIGHT! I stopped just in time.. before I hurled. ^ ^Off to work on some Fading Oasis stuff...
-JtJ
And now for this month's 'Artist O obsession!'
Saskia Gutekunst!
http://coyotesaskia.blogspot.com/
I have been falling in love with Saskia's work this week and the more I study it the more I feel like the biggest bone head. Make sure to check out her blog!!!
Sunday, September 09, 2007
Oldies BULLies!
Monday, July 23, 2007
Harry Potter and the Cartoon Grim!
the Last Book :(
Err..it's kinda in there ^ ^
Saturday day night I was listening to my copy of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows while working on the image below this text. I also had a bad cough so I decide cold beverages weren't the way to go so I brewed some tea. And when I was through with my drink I was surprised to see a CARTOON GRIM staring back at me! You can see his two ears, two bushy black eye brows(I assume only cartoon Grims have eye brows ^ ^) and his snout ending in a black nose which is a bit obscured by the glare in the photo. Perhaps because it was 4am or because of the euphoria that is J.K.Rowling and Harry Potter I was extremely pleased to see this dark yet cartoony omen. Or perhaps because it was 4am I went completely mental. I don't rule that out. ^ ^ I have since then completed the book which I really enjoyed. Perhaps the Grim symbolized the end of all our adventures along Harry's side. I will greatly miss new adventures with Mrs. Rowlings characters.. :( DEFINITELY NOT NERDY AT ALLL!
40k Chaos Space Marine
And on a more solemn note here is something I most likely did for nothing. I feel like no matter how much care or passion I put into what I am doing I'm thwarted again and again. I assume that people who draw stick figures or to those enthawled with sloppy brush strokes and no desire for anything that resembles draftsmanship that notion may sound falsely modest. I'm just tired of making fluff. But, there is always my graphic novel Fading Oasis and that makes me happy enough . OH! ..and good news! The COMIC CON IS THIS WEEK!!!!! ^ ^
-JtJ
Err..it's kinda in there ^ ^
40k Chaos Space Marine-JtJ
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Get Cho COMIC CON on!
~
I reallly don't like to throw around the word 'BOOYAW'! But, the Comic Con is just so bleedin fun! Hope to meet an absurd amount of artists and art books! To my imaginary friends that read this slow motion blog, who all are going !! ? !!
And so this post isn't a complete waste..here's something recent.
This is a work in progress(note the lack of legs and ground O O). My good homie Jaime Jones did a paint over for me(see the 2nd image). He mentioned the monster's arm on the right is a bit distracting and the guy's perspective on the right is a bit off compared to the rest of the characters. I'll do what I can to fix that up, but I really need to just finish this tragedy and move on to the next. This was the first of a couple of images I was going to whip up to show to the Magic the Gathering AD to hopefully get some some card illustration freelance. At 26 I just got my first car and that loan could use some chunks knocked out of it. ^ ^
And now for this post's 'Link of extreme Xtremeness'! Please visit http://jsbrush.blogspot.com/ But, only if you want to be amazed. Xiangyuan Jie is a true master...
I reallly don't like to throw around the word 'BOOYAW'! But, the Comic Con is just so bleedin fun! Hope to meet an absurd amount of artists and art books! To my imaginary friends that read this slow motion blog, who all are going !! ? !!And so this post isn't a complete waste..here's something recent.
W.i.P.
This is a work in progress(note the lack of legs and ground O O). My good homie Jaime Jones did a paint over for me(see the 2nd image). He mentioned the monster's arm on the right is a bit distracting and the guy's perspective on the right is a bit off compared to the rest of the characters. I'll do what I can to fix that up, but I really need to just finish this tragedy and move on to the next. This was the first of a couple of images I was going to whip up to show to the Magic the Gathering AD to hopefully get some some card illustration freelance. At 26 I just got my first car and that loan could use some chunks knocked out of it. ^ ^
And now for this post's 'Link of extreme Xtremeness'! Please visit http://jsbrush.blogspot.com/ But, only if you want to be amazed. Xiangyuan Jie is a true master...
-JtJ
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Murchie Monster!
My college friend and fellow concept artist Jeff Murchie finally has something that resembles a website!(as if I can talk) You can view his AWESOME work here at...
Jeffrey Murchie - http://MurchieMonster.blogspot.com/
Oh and btw Paul Richards owns a Potatoe Factory and sells 800 lbs bags of Concepts!!!!! http://www.autodestruct.com/ !
Thursday, December 21, 2006
Christmas Ape!
"HI! I'm Troy McClure. You may remember me from such cartoons as Christmas Ape! and Christmas Ape Goes to Summer Camp!"
Merry Christmas Everyone! -JtJ
Like anatomically incorrect apes much? ^ ^
Rest in Peace Phil Hartman...
Monday, November 20, 2006
J.C. Leyendecker - Art' Exhibit!
www.HagginMuseum.org
- a Great show of an artist long forgotten.-
My hand doesn't look nearly' as cool as that old man's!
the Haggin Museum in Stockton CA, near the Bay Area has an Amazing display of the Master and my favorite aritst J.C. Leyendecker's art work! This weekend I was blessed to have spent nearly 4 hours staring at about 50 of his Beautiful and Efficient paintings. I realllly hope I can get back up to Stockton before the show goes on a traveling tour of the states. The last day of the show will be on the 31st of December. Thankfully it is the Haggin's private collection and will return to the museum after it's tour! ^_^
PLEASE make sure to check out this show and tell everyone! even your mother! And hopefully his legacy will grow in power.
www.HagginMuseum.org
- a Great show of an artist long forgotten.-
My hand doesn't look nearly' as cool as that old man's! the Haggin Museum in Stockton CA, near the Bay Area has an Amazing display of the Master and my favorite aritst J.C. Leyendecker's art work! This weekend I was blessed to have spent nearly 4 hours staring at about 50 of his Beautiful and Efficient paintings. I realllly hope I can get back up to Stockton before the show goes on a traveling tour of the states. The last day of the show will be on the 31st of December. Thankfully it is the Haggin's private collection and will return to the museum after it's tour! ^_^
PLEASE make sure to check out this show and tell everyone! even your mother! And hopefully his legacy will grow in power.
www.HagginMuseum.org
Monday, November 13, 2006
Fading Oasis Blog Updated!
Finally! > _<
You can check out an illustration for my Graphic Novel here...
FadingOasis.blogspot.com/
-Joshua
~
You can check out an illustration for my Graphic Novel here...
FadingOasis.blogspot.com/
-Joshua
~
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
the Truly Naughty!
Ongry Santa...
I hate to be the one to break it to you all, but Santa is pissed! Can't we wait until after Thanksgiving to start celebrating Christmas. A month before Halloween you find stores littered with Xmas goods. By the time Christmas actually rolls around Santa is quite sick of it all...
**P.S. "Momma say gators are 'Ongry' cuz they got all them teeth and no tooth brush"** ^_^
I hate to be the one to break it to you all, but Santa is pissed! Can't we wait until after Thanksgiving to start celebrating Christmas. A month before Halloween you find stores littered with Xmas goods. By the time Christmas actually rolls around Santa is quite sick of it all...
**P.S. "Momma say gators are 'Ongry' cuz they got all them teeth and no tooth brush"** ^_^
Saturday, October 21, 2006
Watts Atelier!
Session 1
I just returned from my first figure drawing class at Watts Atelier- Atelier of the Arts and it was a brilliant breath of fresh air. Taught by two instructors, Jeffrey Watts and Erik Gist, this class touched on many key points that took me nearly ten figure drawing classes throughout college to discover by natural trial and error. There is so much balance that goes into figure drawing that many small concepts when stated seem so simple, but can become lost or forgotten during the course of a drawing. Both Mr. Watts and Mr. Gist performed a 25 minute demo where they both provided commentary on the steps they were taking to create a successful figure drawing within that time. And it was beautiful. I don't know about you, but I have taken roughly 13 figure drawing classes since I first attended art college and I have NEVER had a teacher demo a figure drawing, let alone two teachers! ... and demo it damn well!
This drawing of mine is far' from accomplished, but I think it will be interesting to show each class drawing no matter how good or bad. You can witness any small triumphs and any destructive downfalls. This will be a ten week, weekly diary that should give me an extra nudge of motivation to obtain that much needed progression. [EDiT! that didn't work out so much..only one post] Here is the first figure drawing in all its Broken Bone, Mis-proportioned and Unfinished glory...booyaw.
-JtJ
...that drawing is quite embarrassing. I haven't been figuring drawing much since I left college, but that is a weak excuse. If next weeks isn't better I will officially shooting myself in the face.
I just returned from my first figure drawing class at Watts Atelier- Atelier of the Arts and it was a brilliant breath of fresh air. Taught by two instructors, Jeffrey Watts and Erik Gist, this class touched on many key points that took me nearly ten figure drawing classes throughout college to discover by natural trial and error. There is so much balance that goes into figure drawing that many small concepts when stated seem so simple, but can become lost or forgotten during the course of a drawing. Both Mr. Watts and Mr. Gist performed a 25 minute demo where they both provided commentary on the steps they were taking to create a successful figure drawing within that time. And it was beautiful. I don't know about you, but I have taken roughly 13 figure drawing classes since I first attended art college and I have NEVER had a teacher demo a figure drawing, let alone two teachers! ... and demo it damn well!
This drawing of mine is far' from accomplished, but I think it will be interesting to show each class drawing no matter how good or bad. You can witness any small triumphs and any destructive downfalls. This will be a ten week, weekly diary that should give me an extra nudge of motivation to obtain that much needed progression. [EDiT! that didn't work out so much..only one post] Here is the first figure drawing in all its Broken Bone, Mis-proportioned and Unfinished glory...booyaw.
-JtJ
...that drawing is quite embarrassing. I haven't been figuring drawing much since I left college, but that is a weak excuse. If next weeks isn't better I will officially shooting myself in the face.
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
Doppel Gang Banger...
In the spirit of Halloween...
Because I am tired of looking at my last blog post I have decided to update with this Horrifying piece of concept art. Mind you..when I say 'Horrifying' I am not referring to the genre, but the quality of the execution. This 'Doppelganger and Variation' was done when I was still with Mythic for the upcoming Dark Age of Camelot expansion, the Labyrinth of the Minotaur(heh- every time I read that title I hear it said in an old 50's horror movie announcer's voice ^_^).
Just to clarify.. On this blog you may find me speak in a manner that will seem self-loathing, but I assure you it's an attitude set only towards self improvement. When there are works out there from great artists such as J.C. Leyendecker, Dermot Power and Neil Campbell Ross(Limbolo) it's quite difficult to become too satisfied with ones self...
And for those imaginary friends reading this blog I promise FadingOasis.blogspot.com/ will be updated shortly. <( ^_^ )>
-JtJ
p.s. if you haven't yet, take a look at Jeremy Lipking's work. He has some great figurtive paintings.
www.lipking.com
Happy Halloween Sketch!
...this was taking too long to finish so I'll abandon it and call it a sketch ^_^
Because I am tired of looking at my last blog post I have decided to update with this Horrifying piece of concept art. Mind you..when I say 'Horrifying' I am not referring to the genre, but the quality of the execution. This 'Doppelganger and Variation' was done when I was still with Mythic for the upcoming Dark Age of Camelot expansion, the Labyrinth of the Minotaur(heh- every time I read that title I hear it said in an old 50's horror movie announcer's voice ^_^).
Just to clarify.. On this blog you may find me speak in a manner that will seem self-loathing, but I assure you it's an attitude set only towards self improvement. When there are works out there from great artists such as J.C. Leyendecker, Dermot Power and Neil Campbell Ross(Limbolo) it's quite difficult to become too satisfied with ones self...
And for those imaginary friends reading this blog I promise FadingOasis.blogspot.com/ will be updated shortly. <( ^_^ )>
-JtJ
p.s. if you haven't yet, take a look at Jeremy Lipking's work. He has some great figurtive paintings.
www.lipking.com
Happy Halloween Sketch!
...this was taking too long to finish so I'll abandon it and call it a sketch ^_^
Sunday, August 20, 2006
Most Extreme News to the Max...
Today I turn an Ancient 26 years old...
I also watched a lot of StarGate SG1 today. It was a good day 'indeed'.
Imagine FX
A fellow co-worker Donald Phan(a character artist on the WarHammer MMO) brought in the Sept. issue last week and allowed me to scan my article. I tried my best not to sound pompous, but you can be the judge. I have to really thank Rob Carney the editor for the opportunity to get my work publicized like this. It was especially great to see my graphic novel Fading Oasis mentioned in print!
Thanks again Rob!
San Diego Comic Con and Food Poisoning Extreme...
So, many interesting things have happened since I have returned from the San Diego Comic Con. First thing was a week and half Food Poisoning marathon. I spent about 8 hours in the emergency room but, the doctor prescribed some medication that cleared it up eventually. Thank the Ancients for medical coverage.
The Comic Con itself was great as always. It was also great to hang out with college friends for four days. The Con is an overload of art and I usually leave after 3 or 4 days without seeing it all. We met so many great artists there. Steve Silver was selling a great sketchbook that you can check out here at www.silvertoons.com. Also Chris Sanders the writer and director of Lilo and Stitch had a booth where he was selling his ashcan sketchbook. Turns out he is directing a 3d movie for Disney. I can't wait to see what he pulls off. I really loved Lilo and Stitch. Jose Lopez was another really nice artist to meet. He put out his first artbook, Mariachi Samurai, which you can find more info about at his blog desoluz.blogspot.com. David Colman had a couple really great ashcan-sized sketchbooks of animal drawing he was selling. Turns out he is actually putting out an Animal Character Design book with some tutorials I believe. It should be an awesome buy. Check out David's site at www.davidsdoodles.com. A couple of us also spoke with Clement Sauve a really, really great artist from Canada. He is doing some comic work and freelance concept design. Make sure to check out his work at www.clementsauve.com! Jon Foster's table is always a great visit. Most likely the most charming artist to speak with. I bought a great print of his. Btw check out the guys over at Atomic Monkey! I love that Franken Monkey statue! Buy one and support the ATOMIC MONKEYS!
Beyond the armada of artists we ended up meeting I also spent a decent amount of cash on some great artbooks. I bought the 3 Oz books and Les Liberateurs which Enrique Fernandez illustrated so beautifully! You can pick them up on the French Amazon site for about 16 bucks each! Oz Books & Liberateurs on Amazon.fr. Also I picked up two Claire Wendling books which are amazing! Her books Drawers 2.0 & Iguana Bay 2.0 are a must have if you simply love great drawing.
The Con is great overall but, I would have to say it is the unexpected that makes the Con great. The last day of the Con a couple of us were walking by the Weta booth and I was surprised to see the Master Richard Taylor sitting and signing posters for a small line of fans. He is the Company Director, Effects Designer & Supervisor of Weta Workshop. Seeing how absurdly short the line was I jumped in. I overheard him speaking with another fan and it turns out they still are interested and negotiating for the rights to make the Evangelion movie! When it was my turn in line I asked to show him my portfolio and he graciously obliged. I was a thrilled fanboy. Then Mr. Taylor did the unthinkable and actually said some nice things about my work ...which made me think that's what he tells all the ladies ^_^ but, then he also gave me his card! That was the greatest moment of the Con for me. There is no cooler swag than Richard Taylor's business card.
But, REALLY speaking of the unexpected. I ran into Jason Manley on the street that Saturday night and he invited us over to the hotel where they are staying to hang out. So there we were, there I was and there.. was .. Marko. That's right thee Marko Djergevkjaksahg! And his sidekick Android Pwns(or perhaps it's the other way around) I have to say Marko kept it insanely real. And boy they just couldn't stop giggling. They just thought the idea of Marko Dgurjevisadklgs and Joshua The James occupying the same space at the same time was just a hoot and a holler. But, I will say this.. They seemed like nice guys...in pirate cloths.
Besides all that I think I owe Chuk W about 800 beers. He thinks he can just pick up the tab and get away with it, then disappear. (I don't usually drink but it was vacation) Chuk will PAY! ...but not for the beers.
New J O B
So after the Con I come back and immediately get Food Poisoning.. After my sickness clears up I come back to work at EA Mythic and see an I.M. from my friend John Pearl at StormFront up in the Bay Area telling me "I have a job for you" (turns out John knew the AD at Concrete) The next thing I know I am flying BACK out to San Diego for an interview with Concrete Games 30 minutes north in Carlsbad CA.
I value the experience and knowledge I gained at Mythic but, I just don't/didn't have a healthy living situation. So to Cali it is...
Most Extreme 'Road Trip' Challenge!
So this Friday at 5am theIncredibleAndy and I will be driving out to Cali from Fairfax. I don't have a drivers license so in turn for buying Andy's plane ticket to next year's Con he is going to drive the moving van. We have an awesome trip planned. Fairfax VA to Knoxville TN for lunch with friends then off to Memphis TN to stay the night with Andy's extremely well-off Uncle. Then day two we head down to Austin TX to say the night with a good friend Eric Ehoff who is a Big Time Concept Artist at NC Soft( ^_^ -haha) The next day we head up near Albuquerque NM find a hotel and check out the Petrified Forest and the Painted Desert in the morning. At night we should arrive at the Grand Canyon and stay the night there and check it out during the day, then drive 4 or 5 hours down to Phoenix AZ and stay the night at my sister's in Mesa. There should be awesome opportunities to take photo reference. The next day we head towards LA to have dinner and stay the night at a friends. Then the next morning we get to Carlsbad and my corporate housing. Then the real fun starts when I have to look for an apartment. >_<
wow...
I just realized.. Who the ruddy hell am I typing all this B.S. to?
I should really be painting..or at least StarGating... ;)
-Joshua
I also watched a lot of StarGate SG1 today. It was a good day 'indeed'.
Imagine FX
A fellow co-worker Donald Phan(a character artist on the WarHammer MMO) brought in the Sept. issue last week and allowed me to scan my article. I tried my best not to sound pompous, but you can be the judge. I have to really thank Rob Carney the editor for the opportunity to get my work publicized like this. It was especially great to see my graphic novel Fading Oasis mentioned in print!
Thanks again Rob!
San Diego Comic Con and Food Poisoning Extreme...
So, many interesting things have happened since I have returned from the San Diego Comic Con. First thing was a week and half Food Poisoning marathon. I spent about 8 hours in the emergency room but, the doctor prescribed some medication that cleared it up eventually. Thank the Ancients for medical coverage.
The Comic Con itself was great as always. It was also great to hang out with college friends for four days. The Con is an overload of art and I usually leave after 3 or 4 days without seeing it all. We met so many great artists there. Steve Silver was selling a great sketchbook that you can check out here at www.silvertoons.com. Also Chris Sanders the writer and director of Lilo and Stitch had a booth where he was selling his ashcan sketchbook. Turns out he is directing a 3d movie for Disney. I can't wait to see what he pulls off. I really loved Lilo and Stitch. Jose Lopez was another really nice artist to meet. He put out his first artbook, Mariachi Samurai, which you can find more info about at his blog desoluz.blogspot.com. David Colman had a couple really great ashcan-sized sketchbooks of animal drawing he was selling. Turns out he is actually putting out an Animal Character Design book with some tutorials I believe. It should be an awesome buy. Check out David's site at www.davidsdoodles.com. A couple of us also spoke with Clement Sauve a really, really great artist from Canada. He is doing some comic work and freelance concept design. Make sure to check out his work at www.clementsauve.com! Jon Foster's table is always a great visit. Most likely the most charming artist to speak with. I bought a great print of his. Btw check out the guys over at Atomic Monkey! I love that Franken Monkey statue! Buy one and support the ATOMIC MONKEYS!
Beyond the armada of artists we ended up meeting I also spent a decent amount of cash on some great artbooks. I bought the 3 Oz books and Les Liberateurs which Enrique Fernandez illustrated so beautifully! You can pick them up on the French Amazon site for about 16 bucks each! Oz Books & Liberateurs on Amazon.fr. Also I picked up two Claire Wendling books which are amazing! Her books Drawers 2.0 & Iguana Bay 2.0 are a must have if you simply love great drawing.
The Con is great overall but, I would have to say it is the unexpected that makes the Con great. The last day of the Con a couple of us were walking by the Weta booth and I was surprised to see the Master Richard Taylor sitting and signing posters for a small line of fans. He is the Company Director, Effects Designer & Supervisor of Weta Workshop. Seeing how absurdly short the line was I jumped in. I overheard him speaking with another fan and it turns out they still are interested and negotiating for the rights to make the Evangelion movie! When it was my turn in line I asked to show him my portfolio and he graciously obliged. I was a thrilled fanboy. Then Mr. Taylor did the unthinkable and actually said some nice things about my work ...which made me think that's what he tells all the ladies ^_^ but, then he also gave me his card! That was the greatest moment of the Con for me. There is no cooler swag than Richard Taylor's business card.
But, REALLY speaking of the unexpected. I ran into Jason Manley on the street that Saturday night and he invited us over to the hotel where they are staying to hang out. So there we were, there I was and there.. was .. Marko. That's right thee Marko Djergevkjaksahg! And his sidekick Android Pwns(or perhaps it's the other way around) I have to say Marko kept it insanely real. And boy they just couldn't stop giggling. They just thought the idea of Marko Dgurjevisadklgs and Joshua The James occupying the same space at the same time was just a hoot and a holler. But, I will say this.. They seemed like nice guys...in pirate cloths.
Besides all that I think I owe Chuk W about 800 beers. He thinks he can just pick up the tab and get away with it, then disappear. (I don't usually drink but it was vacation) Chuk will PAY! ...but not for the beers.
New J O B
So after the Con I come back and immediately get Food Poisoning.. After my sickness clears up I come back to work at EA Mythic and see an I.M. from my friend John Pearl at StormFront up in the Bay Area telling me "I have a job for you" (turns out John knew the AD at Concrete) The next thing I know I am flying BACK out to San Diego for an interview with Concrete Games 30 minutes north in Carlsbad CA.
I value the experience and knowledge I gained at Mythic but, I just don't/didn't have a healthy living situation. So to Cali it is...
Most Extreme 'Road Trip' Challenge!
So this Friday at 5am theIncredibleAndy and I will be driving out to Cali from Fairfax. I don't have a drivers license so in turn for buying Andy's plane ticket to next year's Con he is going to drive the moving van. We have an awesome trip planned. Fairfax VA to Knoxville TN for lunch with friends then off to Memphis TN to stay the night with Andy's extremely well-off Uncle. Then day two we head down to Austin TX to say the night with a good friend Eric Ehoff who is a Big Time Concept Artist at NC Soft( ^_^ -haha) The next day we head up near Albuquerque NM find a hotel and check out the Petrified Forest and the Painted Desert in the morning. At night we should arrive at the Grand Canyon and stay the night there and check it out during the day, then drive 4 or 5 hours down to Phoenix AZ and stay the night at my sister's in Mesa. There should be awesome opportunities to take photo reference. The next day we head towards LA to have dinner and stay the night at a friends. Then the next morning we get to Carlsbad and my corporate housing. Then the real fun starts when I have to look for an apartment. >_<
wow...
I just realized.. Who the ruddy hell am I typing all this B.S. to?
I should really be painting..or at least StarGating... ;)
-Joshua
Monday, June 19, 2006
Salaam' and Salutations!
Welcome to my Personal Blog.
Aside from the Fading Oasis blog for my Graphic Novel, this is a place for me to display my more motley works. I will update with Life Studies, such as Figure Drawing and Painting, my Commercial work and what our good friend Terada calls "Rakugaki". ^^ Currently I am working on a Tdome piece for a competition over at CA.org which is nicely doubling as a promo illustration for my Graphic Novel. That illustration along with some concept sketches will be updated on the F.O. blog sometime after the deadline of July 9th.
Also' the San Diego Comic Con is coming up! I am very excited. As I've grown older it has become the 'new' Christmas for me. It is a great place to introduce yourself to artists and meet up with friends & colleagues. If anyone else is going and would like to meet up let me know!
Btw if you haven't already Check out James Jean's work. JamesJean.com and his blog ProcessRecess.com I had been studying it all weekend with nonstop inspiration.
Thanks for visiting,
...I will post some work soon. ^^
-Joshua James
Aside from the Fading Oasis blog for my Graphic Novel, this is a place for me to display my more motley works. I will update with Life Studies, such as Figure Drawing and Painting, my Commercial work and what our good friend Terada calls "Rakugaki". ^^ Currently I am working on a Tdome piece for a competition over at CA.org which is nicely doubling as a promo illustration for my Graphic Novel. That illustration along with some concept sketches will be updated on the F.O. blog sometime after the deadline of July 9th.
Also' the San Diego Comic Con is coming up! I am very excited. As I've grown older it has become the 'new' Christmas for me. It is a great place to introduce yourself to artists and meet up with friends & colleagues. If anyone else is going and would like to meet up let me know!
Btw if you haven't already Check out James Jean's work. JamesJean.com and his blog ProcessRecess.com I had been studying it all weekend with nonstop inspiration.
Thanks for visiting,
...I will post some work soon. ^^
-Joshua James
Sunday, June 18, 2006
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