Heroes pt. III

Here's the other commission I did at HeroesCon last weekend. I was really happy to hear, "whatever you feel like drawing" as my only direction. If I hear that I'll probably end up drawing from The Hidden People.

King of the Walking Hills

I thought of this guy as the King of Walking Hills. With a crown of old trees and grassy beard. Heck, maybe he's blind, even. He looks really old. Once I put the finishing touches on my entire book of The Hidden People (beyond the sketchbook) I'm certain I'll have figured it out.

(Here's what I guess is a comparatively young Walking Hill, for reference.)

Previously,

HeroesCon pt. I
HeroesCon pt. II

HeroesCon pt. II

Here's a look at the booth set up and two commissions I did this past weekend at HeroesCon in Charlotte, NC.

David Petersen has been amassing a collection of work inspired by Harry Potter. I'm honored to join  the gallery with this drawing of Dumbledore. I throughly enjoyed working on this one.

Professor Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore.

And then because I had a little bit more paper I penciled a quick Dobby the House Elf.

Dobby.

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And here's a look at the booth set up. Some day I would like to have a booth all arranged with tree limbs, sticks, leaves, moss, acorns, flowers, and miniature woodland creatures gamboling about. And also a team of faerie engineers to design, build, set up, and take it down. But that will be a little while? Probably.

Behold! I'm talking about things!

My two books. The Hidden People and Menagerie

Labyrinth FCBD originals.

Mother's Love! A miserable puppet! Mr. Gerard, run out the long nines!

I hope you've enjoyed your time here. Next time (Friday) if I get a scan or picture of the other commission I did I'll post about that ... otherwise, it will be time to resume treehouse renovation postings!

Heroes!

This past weekend we exhibited at HeroesCon, a convention in Charlotte, NC.

I've always meant to get around to Heroes; it's so close, practically in my backyard, but I'd always forget. This time we got our act together and made it to the show.

Justin and I didn't split a booth this go around, we secured neighboring booths and made a kind of SUPER BOOTH. Like the Death Star of booths.

We had awesome time hanging out with David Petersen and his wonderful wife Julia. Also, Jeremy Bastian, a man who's brain works in intricate ways (as evidenced by pictures from his sketchbook, below). And we also spent some time hanging out with the super Skottie Young.

Our booth neighbors were great as well, friends from FaerieCon and on the other side we met Ken and Nikki of Grimwood Fables.

I went into the show not expecting to take on commissions; I suppose in my mind I was expecting that if I opened up that option it would mean I would be obligated to draw Wolverine stabbing Dr. Who in the face while R2D2 watched. Also draw them all as samurais. For $15.

Thankfully, I encountered a higher class of gently persistent collectors who were looking for original work at respectable rates (sorry if I was initially reluctant, I had to bum paper off of Justin!). You guys were awesome. I had a really great time with all your commissions. The experience you gave me has put faith in me to decide to take commissions for real at future conventions. Thanks again! I'll post those drawings if I get scans from the commissioners.

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Here's a look at some of the things I picked up from the show; just to note, I failed to get pictures of some small posters. In general though, I usually only pick up sketchbooks though, so that's mostly what's represented below.

The tiny haul.

A few other Archaia FCBD book contributors were there!

Can't possibly recommend Mouse Guard enough.

The intricacies of Jeremy Bastian's brain.

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I rarely actually draw in my sketchbook, usually I'm making notes or writing but at a convention there's too much activity for me to be able to think too much so I ended up doodling a good bit more than usual. Here's some of how I spent my time while at the booth and hanging out with some of the aforementioned rock stars of comics.

Always trolls.

All in all, a great time at HeroesCon. I had no idea what to expect but we had a profitable show as well as fun, thank you to everyone who came out and supported my work!

Din's Purging Fire

Din's Fire from The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is the coolest thing. 


And to think of fire, something that's terrifying, wild, and out of control but in this context it's set into a gem and turned into a protective element, a force for good, is a powerful thought to me.

A quick piece I did for a friend. More or less another entry in my 'bit and run' series. At least in style, working method, and tone.

bit and run Volume One

bit and run Volume Two

Digital Forest pt. III [final]

Here's a look at the steps of completing this illustration. To see the thumbnails and original idea, visit the previous post.

The figure silhouettes.

Detail.

Watercolored, knocked out and layered trees to play with.

Arranging the forest.

Most of the elements added.

Playing with the colors.

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The final.

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Above. Owl and squirrels are probably best friends.

That's me in the hat with the backpack.
Sort of. Not really. A little. Never mind.

The finished spread.

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Like I mentioned previously, I don't often get to do just single, one off illustrations so it's always extra enjoyable when I'm asked. I enjoy pouring everything into one image.

I had a really great time on this one.

Digital Forest pt. II

The art request must have been written with me in mind: a forest, at night, roots, interconnected tree limbs, animals, stars, fireflies, and a small group of figures admiring it all.

I really enjoyed my time on this piece. For this second post we'll walk through the conceptual stage. I did a few variations of the art request. I'm a little envious of those people who do a zillion thumbnails to find their piece. It must be nice to think of a lot of different things. I tend to see it quickly and get the idea down or I just struggle with it for a while, nudging the elements around in my mind until I arrive. Usually though, I'll hear a request and immediately see it. 

The three options.

The refined thumbnail. B.

I liked C. a lot because I would have gotten to do more trees but B. ended up being the best choice because I'd get to do larger, more involved figures (and trees) which is ultimately my favorite thing to do. I love organic shapes and human (or human-like) figures.

So this was approved and I moved on to making all the elements. Working along the lines of the Zune commercial meant working (mostly) all digitally and I started to put together the pieces.

Le Cadeau du Temps for Microsoft Zune.

Next time, Friday, we'll take a look at finishing the piece.

Digital forest

I don't often get to do editorial work or single, stand alone illustrations for magazines so when I do it feels like a treat. Here's a look at a one such recent piece.

The AD referenced my Microsoft commercial as a direction he wanted to go which I was thrilled to hear, I also don't get asked to work in that method too often either. 

This week (M/W/F) I'll provide a look at the stages of it's creation.

Originals now available!

Here is the collection of available original art from Menagerie!

Dimensions and prices are marked. The size stated does not take into account the mat. You can add two or three inches (in most cases) on each side to get the total size.

Shipping will be handled on an individual basis. (I would estimate insured, UPS shipping an additional $10 - $20 ($50 - $75 for the larger pieces.) Of course I would get an exact quote before sending an invoice.)

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To purchase or ask about a piece please email me by clicking here! Cory's personal email. 

Or use cory [at] corygodbey [dot com]

One final note, payments will be accepted through a PayPal transfer.

Enjoy!

Gryphon I.
8" x 10"
$250 SOLD 

Gryphon II
8" x 10"
$250

Gryphon III
8" x 10"
$250 SOLD

Il Canto di Braci
(The Song of Embers)
15" x 19.75"
$800 SOLD

Dragon I (Love)
8" x 10"
$350

Dragon II (Unrequited)
8" x 10"
$350

Tiger (profile)
8" x 10"
$250 SOLD

Tiger Prince
8" x 10"
$250 SOLD

Tiger King
11" x 14"
$400 SOLD

The Gilded Fox I
8" x 10"
$250 SOLD

Klaus
10" x 8"
$250 SOLD

Monocle
8" x 10"
$350

Fox Knight
8" x 10"
$300 SOLD

 Renaissance Baire I
10" x 8"
$250 SOLD

Arthur II
8" x 10"
$450 SOLD

 Renaissance Baire II
8" x 10"
$450 SOLD

Fox Squire
8" x 10"
$250 SOLD

The Gilded Fox II
8" x 10"
$250 SOLD

Look, it's a Bear in a Suit with a Mustache!
8" x 10"
$250

Arthur I
17.5" x 21.25"
$1000 SOLD

The Gilded Age
16.5" x 19.75"
$1000

The Field Day
15" x 19.75"
$800

The Golden Apples
(from The Hidden People)
14.75" x 19.75"
$800

Gryphon story-telling
16" x 19.5"
$800 SOLD

Self portrait
12" x 15"
$450 SOLD

Renaissance Baire III
9" x 12"
$450 SOLD

The Stone Troll
(from The Hidden People)
20" x 14"
$700

The Tomte I
(from The Hidden People)
12" x 15"
$800

The Troll Father
(from The Hidden People)
17.25" x 21.25"
$800

The Elf Mother
(from The Hidden People)
17.25" x 21.25"
$800 SOLD

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All of these drawings and more are collected in my new 2012 book, Menagerie. 44 pages.

More information about my 2011 book, The Hidden People, can be found here. 40 pages.

For more work, including sketchbooks and prints, visit my shop!