Robin of Loxley

I was looking for a small project that had enough mileage for me to be able to produce both characters and also a rich environment for them to sit in. Enter, Robin Hood. I selected the famous moment when Robin hood encounters Little John for the first time, described below in one of the 17th century Robin Hood ballads.

'Thou talkst like a coward,' the stranger reply'd;

'Well armd with a long bow, you stand,

 To shoot at my breast, while I, I protest,

Have nought but a staff in my hand.' 

From The English and Scottish Popular Ballads
by Francis James Child, 1888.

Despite its popularity the Robin Hood mythology has only spawned one notable animated adaptation so I felt there was room for me to explore new versions of the characters without treading on the toes of previous incarnations.

The reverence that has been built up surrounding Sherwood forest allowed for a nicely atmospheric depiction without feeling too far removed from the English countryside.

The Evil Queen Bavmorda

I've harked on about Star Wars more than once on here, but there is another film that I used to adore as a kid. Willow. I LOVED it.

It was on one Christmas and recording it I proceeded to watch it as often an humanly possible to the degree that I can still recite vast portions of it almost word for word.

It felt grounded and, as with Star Wars, it hinted at a world beyond what was on screen. It had Little people, dragons, trolls, great warriors, drunk brownies, faeries, sorcerers, love potions, princesses, witches, bar brawls, a troll skull wearing bad guy, armies, magic and sledging. What's not to love?!

The Evil Queen Bavmorda ruled, sitting in her looming, slate grey castle, her robes clearly inspired by the garments of catholic nuns and Jesus' thorny crown, whilst her willingness to stab a baby to death was testament to her being a fully qualified nasty piece of work. Jean Marsh played this off brilliantly against the gentle and somewhat paganistic 'nature magic' of the simple country folk personified by Warwick Davies' perfect turn as the titular, naive Nelwin.

Twenty five years later its arriving on Bluray (11th march kids!) and I cant wait to sit down and watch it in shiny HD. I'm half tempted to order hundreds of copies in the hope that Disney are gauging if there's a market for a sequel.

I'm pretty sure there is. Right? RIGHT?!



OK. Love letter over. Move along.

The Next Link

Not been able to throw myself into my personal work as much as i'd like as of late so I set myself the challenge of doing a picture in just one hour. I managed to complete this in just under.

Inspired by watching a documentary showing that primates have now been recorded using a number of tools I imagined what they'd be up to in the future if we left them well alone. It was tempting to put the ruins of our civilisation amidst the trees in the background but it became a little too distracting and interrupted the serenity of the scene.

Having learned of the brutality chimps are capable of when hunting or patrolling their territory, the fact that we have always been a pretty temperamental species is hardly a surprise.

Put it this way, they don't just eat bananas.

Boba Fett

Despite any official Announcement its looking likely that along with Han Solo, revered Bounty Hunter and fan favourite of the Star Wars saga Boba Fett is to be the star of his own film, so this seems to be as good a time as any to put out this image:-)

Last year I did an image of Judge Dredd, a character that bares some similarities to Mr B. Fett so I was encouraged to revisit the image with a Star Wars take on it.

As with my most recent Star Wars image Little Lukes Destiny, this is also part of a series featuring  armoured characters from the Star Wars universe, as they all posses such iconic designs and can be easily recognised from the bare minimum of information.

Hmmm... Perhaps I should do an accompanying Solo image? 

Lets hope that these new films will build on the best Star Wars has to offer and like the outstanding Clone Wars series, really deliver what was missing from the prequels.

The Return of Space Jane

Its not the first time I’ve drawn space Jane but this is definitely a new approach. I wanted to retain the 60s inspired elements of her space suit (the miniskirt, boots, Afro-esque helmet and that eras utter lack of political correctness), yet give the image a more updated feel with a richer palette.

Deciding on an 'animated' style I looked towards the likes of Shane Glines and Bruce Timm for inspiration whilst avoiding their more angular lines. The half-tone texture and weathered landscape poster format were also supposed to retain a 60's feel despite the more modern approach.

In a side note, I've noticed that the last few posts have all contained 'widescreen' pieces. Too many movies perhaps? Too few? Answers on a postcard.

Destiny

Happy noo yeah!

I figured I should start back after a holiday break with something fresh and exciting! Star Wars! Bah, OK, so not fresh. Comfortable? Definitely.

Regardless, this image is the first in a series of pictures depicting key characters from the series as 'younglings', engaging in acts that reference key moments from their future. Despite being completed before Disney took over the Galaxy, the style isn't out of place with their mantra, representing the childish outlook of the subject whilst drawing on and exaggerating the colour palette of the films worlds.

I also liked the idea of Luke playing with his toy Star fighter just like many of us did in our youth.

The 'wide-screen' format gave the image a more cinematic quality whilst making the colours seem more vibrant and the text added to generate a more positive, motivational and life affirming blah blah blah blah blah...

Keef

This image was inspired by some photos of a friend of mine, who currently goes by the pseudonym of SP076 (I'm pretty sure this was his cell number at some point), and his accomplices creating some street art. I thought there was a great contradiction between the flowers in the long grass and the concrete walls that were serving as canvasses. The painting he's working on is in this drawing is actually a photo of his piece. I hope he doesn't sue me.

The pose was derived from an exaggerated version of the stance fine artists adopt when clutching a palette in one hand and expressively slapping paint onto a canvas. I also drew on the movements of  chefs in a kitchen when they get passionately animated and toss ingredients into a lively mix while working on new recipe.  I mean, I know that's not how it really works, I've been in kitchens and from my experience most chefs spend their time grumbling and swearing at waitresses.

Shanta... hic!

Well its that time of year again where an ancient pagan ritual results in collective days off and an excuse for over indulgence. During this festive period I shall continue sneaking down to my bat-cave, whittling my quill into a sharp point and topping up the ink wells in preparation for a new year of doodling.

I hope everybody makes the most of their Christmas break by fattening up for winter, getting intoxicated, watching plenty of movies and catching up on those backed up games. Hold up... I just described 2012...Here's to 2013!

Merry Christmas and a happy New Year!

DISCLAIMER
You may have noticed a lack of reference to the end of the world. That's because this myth is based on the scribblings of people from over a thousand years ago, and should be taken as nothing more than a silly story.

Steel

I'm managing to slowly indoctrinate my son into geek culture starting with the Max Fleischer Superman cartoons form the 30s/40s. Despite the questionable racial stereotypes (see the episode 'Japotage'), a product of wartime propaganda, they're still fantastic productions that clearly influenced the equally brilliant 'Batman: The Animated Series'.

Referencing those via the retro Superman logo I bashed this quick sketch out in an hour or so.

The exaggerated proportions intended to contrast with the almost bland body form of these cartoons, that have since been refined over the decades into the sculpted form we're all so familiar with.

The loose cummerbund garment was just an idea to add the dash of colour that I felt was missing from his midriff in the pant-less redesign from the upcoming film, that I desperately want to be brilliant.

Horned Beast

Dinosaurs have become increasingly popular in our house, courtesy of my 2 year old son. I remember being interested in them but not really knowing any of the details that I've recently been reading up on (in an ongoing attempt to be able to impart wisdom). For example: Chronologically the T-Rex lived closer to humans than it did to the Stegosaurus. Crazy, right?

As theres greater room for creativity in fiction I rarely feel the desire to depict real animals, though these extinct mega fauna undeniably served as inspiration for this quick sketch. Pleased with his stance I felt I should add some colours and texture to really bring this alien dinosaur to life.

Last Exit To Nowhere

OK, I swear I'll get back to drawing soon. For real. I've got a few lovely things in the works and I'll have them finished off very soon, but before I do here's another tiny film that I've put together for a 30 second film competition.

Trying to pace a 30 second story in which you can only realistically fit 3-4 lines of dialogue and very little exposition is a little bit tricky but also kind of fun. I often watch Samurai Jack and marvel at how they could fit tension, a cohesive plot and often epic action sequences into only a few minutes. Outstanding work. So this was definitely a learning curve, as is messing around with sound. And accents. Ahem. Forgive me.

Trick or Treat

Well, Early Bird secured best comedy award at Film the House 2012. Hardly the Oscars, but not too shabby for a first try. Very surprised, flattered and pleased with that result and congrats to the other winners and especially to overall winner Patrick Ryder for his short Cerberus.

Well despite my best attempts, life has thwarted my goal of delivering the final cut of my next short 'Dead or Alive' in time for All Hallow's Eve. However, I couldn't let it pass without unleashing a sample of what's to come. A treat if you will. Guffaw.

Watch this space for more info on this reckless venture.


Happy Halloween!