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!

Blast from the past

Well, what a fun week. Firstly, Mr Jeremy 'Boba Fett' Bulloch dropped me a note to express his amusement at my recent F3-7T picture, which is rather excellent in its self.

Secondly, I've just been informed that my short film Early Bird has been selected as a finalist of the 2012 Film the House competition, and all without a public vote to rig!

'Industry experts have announced the finalists of the national Film the House competition today. From over 1,000 hours of film entered into the competition, just 18 films have been short-listed for the final.' 

Seeing as this film almost never got finished and that I submitted it on a whim then I can genuinely say I'm totally amazed at the reception its received. It'll no doubt be a fun, if slightly surreal evening at the awards ceremony, and if you hear nothing else about it, its because I drank too much and got disqualified. Or there was better competition. Or both.

I'm pretty sure you've all seen it, but for any noobs out there who've missed it here it is. In the mean time, I need to stop life getting in the way so I can finish off my next effort.

And for anybody who just comes here for pictures, I've had a busy couple of weeks. But here's some quick doodles from my sketch book to keep you going :-)

F3-7T

I've harked on about my undying love of all things Star Wars in past posts, so I'll keep this short.

I wanted to take Artoo's cocky little frame and bestow it with some of the razor sharp coolness usually reserved for Mr B. Fett. I don't know if its because its getting late or I've been working on it for too long, but theres something about this mash up that already feels comfortably familiar.

May I present F3-7T.

JUDGEMENT DAY

While its been several years since i picked up a copy of any of 2000AD's titles I cant deny that they were a staple part of my cultural diet throughout my teens and a stack of well thumbed issues still reside under my desk (Its been said that I'm something of a hoarder), too loved to throw away.

Its often said that the best characters can be identified from nothing more than a silhouette. While this maybe true, its possible to create a character that is identifiable through far less than that, Judge Dredd being a fine example.

Taking this into account I wanted to try and convey the strength, brutality and utter lack of humanity Dredd possesses with as little info (and time) as possible. That said and done, I think I could have gone far more minimalist and still delivered.

Lets hope Hollywood manages the same. This time.

Steps, Leaps and Bounds

Neil Armstrong was the first man to walk on another world and thereby performing one of the greatest feats in all of human history.

Awesome.

I created this picture by way of doffing my cap.

Well played NASA, well played indeed.