Costume Design 2

Here's the next round of costume designs for Iolo. It was slow to start at first but once I got into the swing of things I found myself making endless tweaks and not settling on any that I liked.

So I picked the six of my favourites and gave them a quick run through colour to see if that helped make any particular design stand out. I do now have a favourite that I think I'll use for the final costume design...but I won't say which just yet ;)

Costume Design 1

So I've finally decided to actually start a long term personal project in-between work ones. I have a feeling my ambition is slightly higher than my skill but it'll be a fun learning curve nonetheless, plus I've wanted to do something more serious with Iolo and his world for a while now. 

To start me off here are some costume designs for a young Iolo. I'm undecided just which look to go with yet but so far my favourites are A and C. I may do some more variations on them before settling and working on colour.

Saxon Stories Faces

What's this? Another update? Yup!

I've spent the last hour or so with a nice mug of tea, curtains closed, listening to Chris Oatley's interview with Brett '2D' Bean (which was a great listen by the way), and sketching Beocca. Hoorah for cosy, rainy, summer evenings ;)

Tomorrow it's back to work but hopefully at least a few of his companion's will be joining him in the future. (Once again I can't recommend the series he's from, Bernard Cornwell's the Saxon Stories, enough. Go check them out!)

Sketch-dumps and Padded Cells

So now for something...a bit creepy. 

I've had the past couple days off from work-work this week so I thought I'd do a personal piece. Originally intended to be just a quick portrait, this turned into a larger pic of a character of mine, actually my first OC, so he deserved a bit of attention. 

As a break from what I've been doing it was a load of fun to do but I am aware he is a little strange ;) 

And because I'm still quite fond of the head shot as it was here's a close up :)

Also recently I put together a sketch dump of doodles and works-in-progress that I'll share with you guys.

Saxon Stories

This weekend I visited a good friend of mine in York and had a great time, the city is absolutely stunning. Definitely worth a visit!

On the train I started to re-read my favourite books - Bernard Cornwell's Saxon Stories. It seemed quite appropriate given that the first book is set in Northumbria (where York is now) and involves a fair share of Danes, Saxons, warriors and monks - of which I saw a fair few over the weekend ;)

So here's a redesign of one of my favourite characters from the series - Beocca, a Northumbrian, Saxon, priest who is a real sweetypie, if not a little unfortunate looking.

I'd like to do a few more of these, King Alfred and Uhtred especially, but we'll see what time allows....

Storm Hollow

Hi folks, long time no art. I have been busy I promise, I just can't show you guys yet ;) I thought I'd kick off the week with some stuff I did for Game Salute earlier this year.

These are a mix of Power and Artefact illustrations for the game Storm Hollow. I did over 100 of these so this is just a selection of my favourites.

I was one of a team of artists on the game and I must say it was a pleasure to be a part of it. Storm Hollow itself is a fantastic world, and the game is one I'd love to play myself. Not to mention the art from everyone was beautiful ;)

It has been Kickstarted already but to have a look at what it's all about I suggest you go take a look at the page -

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/springboard/story-realms

Enjoy!

Study

Rounding off my weekend with a portrait study for you guys. 

I'm not entirely happy with his left cheek but I'm fairly pleased with how the colour turned out. As I should be doing client work I don't think I'll be taking this any further.

Enjoy :)

Lizard Cats and Crocodile Elephants

...Also known as Fossa and Guldai

I can finally share with you guys some art I did for the fantastic guys over at Kerberos Productions, these are a couple creature designs for their RPG Sword of the Stars: Freehold

They were great fun to do and I'm glad I can finally share them with you :)

Enjoy!

Sunday Character Sketchin'

Rounding off my Sunday with a nice round of character design.  This fella is from the same ship as Marinus I reckon. Gonna call him Vitus. 

The Immortals

I've been working on drawing characters in different costumes this week, so here's the latest pic - a character group for my portfolio.  They've taken a fair while to render but overall I'm pretty pleased.

You may recognise a few as some OC's of mine and Kovah's

From left to right they go Jerry, Iolo, Aysel, Cydric, Damien, Enoch, Nicks and Solomon

Marinus

I've had a couple days off client work this week so here's a character design for my portfolio. I decided to have a go a slightly more victorian / old naval uniform (with a pinch of steampunk awesomeness thrown in) rather than my usual medieval.

Which is fitting for this guy - Marinus, captain of the great sea ship Oceanus. He happens to come from a place where they use magic and science in equal measure, so he could either shoot you with a missile or maybe make a whirlpool beneath your ship. He hasn't decided which yet. Either way it will be...efficient.

Hup! - Two, three, four!

Happy Sunday everybody! Hope everyone's had a nice lazy morning :) Here's today's art update. 

With less than two days to go I want to remind you all, if you haven't already, to go take a look at Formula E over on Kickstarter 

It's a really great racing game with a rather hefty difference - instead of card or horses or even camels you race elephants! If ever there's an excuse to put on Colonel Hathi's March and break out the Amarula this is it.

(Yes I know Amarula is a favourite drink of African elephants not Indian ;), but trust me, the heftylumps won't mind.) 

Of course being the artist I may be a wee bit biased, so don't take my word on it. Go have a look at the vids on Kickstarter for yourself. 

Just for the occasion here's the cover I did for the box to get you all in the racing mood.

Iolo Nouveau

Don't want you guys to think I've forgotten you. Here's another art update for you. This one is an illustration I did to experiment with a flatter more art nouveau style.

Good Morning V

Wouldn't want to let you guys think I forgot today's art dump. So here's another for you.

Actually I've been a bit naughty here. I realised I have a bad habit of doodling heads whenever I get bored, which doesn't exactly teach me much. So I've decided next time the urge to head-doodle arises I shall resist and try something more constructive. I can't promise I won't slip though!

I spent yesterday listening to Bobby Chiu's 'The Perfect Bait' over at Schoolism - which was a really great listen by the way, go check it out here - and it gave me a much needed kick in the art pants. So lets see how this new verve goes!

Good Morning IV

I don't want to deny you guys today's art update so here's a more realistic Solomon from my final film Gums for you.

This was an experiment in adding the noise noise and aberrations you'd normally find in photos to make the image look more interesting and gritty. Overall I'm pleased with how he turned out.

Formula E

Good morning all! For those of you who've been wondering what I've been up to (and for those who haven't ;) ) I can finally show you one of the projects. 

Huzzah! 

Let me introduce you all to Formula E, an elephant racing game that has been a pleasure to work on and I know will be just as much fun to play. 

Please everyone go check the Kickster page to see the art, videos from the designers themselves and, of course, much more. 

Enjoy!

Good Morning III

Happy Monday Everyone ;)

Here's today's doodle; a quick 20 min portrait of a new character.

Good Morning II

Hi all :) Here's today's art dump.

Today it's something  a little less family friendly; a portrait of my version of Belial, a Prince of Hell from John Milton's Paradise Lost.

Good Morning I

Good morning folks!

Let's see if I can keep this up.

In an effort not to look dead I've decided to post some art I've done recently, I seem to have fallen out of the habit of publishing stuff - possibly because with work if I do before I'm allowed I'll be in big trouble...and we wouldn't want that.

So here's some personal stuff. Starting off with...

A girl and her dragon. I think I'll add him to the long list of animals I want in my back garden.

Advanced Lighting - Lessons VIII & IX

I hope you all had a great Holiday Season! Here's a bit of an after Christmas art dump for you guys.

First of all here's Lesson VIII & IX of Advanced Lighting -  Water and Light and Human Experience


I didn't have much time on either of these two and I'm not overly pleased with my work on Lesson 8, though the theory I learnt for painting water will be invaluable. I'm pretty happy Lesson 9 however, time spent on that one about 4 hours.

That's it for Advanced Lighting \o/

I just have to say it's been a fantastic course and I've learnt a tonne...now the trick is to keep it all in my head ;)