NEW SITE, NEW BLOG

I've had this blog longer than Erin and I have been married. I began it in 2005 post-college. It's been around for every major event, professional and personal.

At long last I've got a new site and a brand new blog.

Thanks for all the good times, this blog.

You know what, I should do a final series of posts, a collection of all the best posts on this thing as a proper send off.

Next week.

TLC Workshop recap!

Behold! At long last a TLC Workshops wrap up.

The wonderful Tara Chang invited Justin and me to teach an illustration workshop back at the end of August. We ventured forth unto the lands called Seattle and crafted many drawings (and some paintings things).

From Justin,

Last week Cory Godbey, Iain Mccaig and I did a workshop in Seattle for TLC Workshops.  It was absolutely fantastic.  There was action, romance, drama, pencil drawing and Iain did real-life, actual magic tricks in front of everyone. It was a great experience and if you are wondering if I would recommend that you go to one, then yes. Yes I do.  

Here follows my attempt to chronicle our exploits and convince you that yes, this was actually the best.

Don't worry, we are professionals!

Digital demo!

Left. Jedi Knight and friend of Capt. Solo, Iain McCaig.

Flaming death! I mean, Justin painting things.

HARD AT AWORK

GET BACK TO WORK

Iain making magic tricks.

Don't mind me, looking a little rough on the third day of class.

A nice picture.

Another nice picture. 

* * * 

I worked on Alice and the Caterpillar for my piece. Here's a look at the progress.

Thumbnails.

Digital rough.

As you can see, I turned Alice around and had her creep from underneath the mushroom because my digital rough was beyond boring having her facing away from the viewer.

Finished drawing.

WIP, Alice.

WIP, Caterpillar.

I have yet to complete it but you can be sure I'll post it here when I do. The main thing was demoing my process.

You can find many more pictures as well as the attendees projects at the TLC Workshops blog.

* * * 

This whole experience was some of the most fun I'd ever had and I certainly hope we get to wreck Seattle once again sometime.

The Art of Personal Work + 15% off

My course for The Lamp Post Guild, The Art of Personal Work is launching next week!

This 10 week program covers my working method for planning and producing a new collection of work every year. It's a process that's become invaluable to me and I hope it will be useful for you as well!

You can check what those 10 weeks would look like and the trailer introducing the course here.

Also, you can use the code "PersonalProject2013" to get 15% off.

The class starts on Tuesday of next week, July 16th. I hope to see you there!

Motivarti, Fall Semester

Hey, I'm very pleased to announce that I'm returning for the Fall semester of the Motivarti 10 week mentorship program! 

Motivarti is an organization dedicated to providing resources, networking, and inspiration for people who create art related to the entertainment industry. Whether you’re a working professional, a recent graduate, or a student, you’ll find lectures, classes, workshops, and events that will broaden your creative horizons. Motivarti strives to bring together an alliance of entertainment artists, as well as providing motivation and resources to support the community.

Apply! I'd love to work with you. 

Applications run from July 1st - July 24th.

Lyrebird - now available!

At long last my 2013 sketchbook, Lyrebird, is now available online!

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Here is a video tour of the book. All 54 pages.

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Lyrebird represents the sixth entry in yearly sketchbook series.

6 x 9. Soft cover, perfect bound. 54 pages.

Thank you for supporting my work! By picking up Lyrebird you help to fund this and other personal projects like it. I can't thank you enough for that.

Story and Pictures - update!

The upcoming TLC Workshop that Justin Gerard and I are teaching just got an exciting (and massive) update: Iain McCaig will join us for an afternoon!

Seattle in August, the guy who created Darth Maul, two other guys who saw the movie. I don't know what else you could ever want!

Space is limited. 

Sign up here!

Story and Pictures with Cory Godbey & Justin Gerard, 

Fri-Sun, August 16-18. $500.

In this dual-faculty workshop, Justin and Cory will cover their illustration processes and approaches to character-driven art. Students will work alongside the instructors to conceptualize and design their own character, craft their visual story and put it all together into a single image. The class will be heavily geared toward drawing and painting traditionally, but Justin and Cory will also demonstrate how they use digital tools to enhance their work (digital artists welcome!).  Limit: 23 students.

Announcing a Special Guest - the amazing and fabulous Iain McCaig!

Iain will spend an afternoon with us sharing his process for creature and character creation - a very entertaining and hands on demo.  

SFAL 2

Last weekend was Spectrum Fantastic Art Live, the convention organized by the creators of the celebrated Spectrum annuals. 

Last year SFAL was, for me, the best show I had ever been apart of. In terms of quality of exhibitors, collectors, and really the whole event, from the awards show to meeting everyone. It was hands down the best show I'd ever had. Going into year two I had terribly high expectations. I'm pleased to report that the Fenners, and everyone involved with making SFAL outdid themselves again.

As long as it's around, Spectrum will be my big show for the year. It's no exaggeration to say it's everything I love about conventions and none of the stuff I hate. No filler, no entertainment and media, just fantastic work and people who love it.

Here's a look at our time. Some of these are pictures Erin took, some of them are from other friends.

Me, Zach, and Justin.
Zach's going "COOORRRYYY" you can see his mouth do that.

My 2013 sketchbook, Lyrebird debuted at the show!
Available online early June.

Last day of the show oh my gosh

But, award.

Behold that triangular object.

See, one of the great things about getting everyone together for a show likes this is the award show. Saturday night, what amounts to the Oscars of Imaginative Realism takes place at the Midland Theater. 

This year I'm pleased to report that I was nominated in the Unpublished category and The Fish Master won gold.

The Fish Master

David Petersen and me. This is an award winning photograph.

Paul!

#gerardtweets

Zach and me. A nice picture.

CALLING MOM OF COURSE

* * * 

Paul Bonner and Justin Gerard.
WHAT'S SO FUNNY HUH GUYS

Sketchbook 2013

At long last! I've got in hand my new 2013 sketchbook, Lyrebird.

The 54 page book, my longest and most densely packed collection of work to date, will debut at Spectrum Live this weekend.

Lyrebird will be available online in my shop in early June.

This represents my sixth yearly sketchbook and marks the I don't know number of personal projects I have taken on in my quest to better myself as an artist.

MicroVisions pt. 4

MicroVisions process post collection.

Ready for watercolor.

First wash.

Gouache stage.

Drawing back in with the paint.

Ink.

Final, with terribly messy edge.