I have a brush pen! I'm a real artist!

Two weeks back my friends' band was playing a show at a venue called The Old Church. The space was beautiful, and the bands were amazing. As I was sitting there, feeling all inspired and stuff, I took out my sketchbook, brush pen, and started doodling. This is what I came up with. It was kind of the night of f-holes, and I couldn't help but smirk to myself as I layed the last one down.

Of the four bands to perform that night my friends were the only ones to escape undrawn. Next time. Next time.

Let Sleeping Dogs Lie

They're a lot easier to draw that way.

I recently discovered these Rembrandt - polycolor pencils by Lyra, and they're fantastic. They're delightfully buttery and rich in color. The dark sepia pencil is my favorite so far. Thankfully I had one (and my sketchbook) within reach the other night when my dog passed out in my lap.

Bamf!

A few weeks ago I jotted out some X-men inspired thumbnails and then kind of abandoned them. (They're thumbnails, it happens.) In a lull between projects I decided to flesh one of them out and further my exploration of a new pencil. It's quick and dirty, but I like the direction it's leading me in. More to come -- I hope!

Pencil and quick digital color.

More from the sketchbook

The thing I like most about working in the sketchbook? It's the best way to procrastinate and still be productive. It's such a happy distraction.

Another venture in distracting myself from what I should probably be working on.

Taking My Brain For a Walk

I've got an ambitious project on my board and truth be told I'm kind of scared of it. So, whenever I hit a roadblock in the process I would pull out my sketchbook and just do some random drawings to get my head right again. I think Brad Holland put it best when he referred to making art as taking his brain for a walk. So that's what I did, I took an inward vacation and drew for the sheer joy of drawing.

No pressure. No deadlines. No expectations.
Just me, my pencil, the page, and music blaring in my ears from an 86 GB well.

On the left is a sort of warm-up doodle, which is followed by a warm up sketch. I guess the point was to take me away from the problem I was working on while keeping my brain in the "art zone". Thus allowing me to get the distance and perspective I needed. Whatever the reason, it worked. I was able to get back to my project and slide right past the roadblocks. (Unfortunately there are always more waiting on the other side!)

At any rate, I have a few more things to post in the coming days - and I hope by the time I run dry I'll have finished side-stepping roadblocks and can share it with all of you.

Sketchbook Dump

I've been... well, let's face it, I've been in a weird mood as of late. As a result, I've kind of taken it hiding in my sketchbook in the wee hours of the night scribbling my tiny little heart out. Here are a few choice pages that I quite enjoy.

Anywho, I feel I'm on to something. As such I've started experimenting in this general direction and will have posts to that end shortly.