Marvel-ous Endeavours . . .

I don't think I've blogged this before, so forgive me if I have. Thought I'd share some of the creative things I've been up to beside editing.

A while back I felt a little artistic and put together this little Marvel piece. It's done in ink and is A3 size. It took quite a while to do, and I did make a little error (in ink) that put me off it for a while, but I eventually forced myself back and I completed it. I am proud of it, but then I'm biased (and that error still glares are me but I think I hid it well. I'm not telling you where it is).

Anyway, while having a little down time in editing, I decided to put together a DC one too, pictured beneath the first. It's a work in progress, same size and currently in pencil, so any errors can easily be erased. I'll eventually go over it in ink like the first, and when that happens I'll post pictures of the final piece. Hopefully there won't be errors in ink like last time...😠

Marvel

DC - work in progress

Pic of the Week . . . Brandon McConnell

Today, highlighting the spray paint artist Brandon McConnell with his phenomenal talent with SpaceArt. I first saw a guy painting with spray paints about 15 - 20 years ago on a visit to Camden in London. He blew me away, so much so that I even went home and tried it myself. I created a few pieces, experimenting, but the cost of the equipment meant I didn't continue.  But still to this day, I could watch them spray all day long.

So, introducing Brandon McConnell. Be sure to check out his website - and, if you're interested, watch how he creates this specific piece in his video tutorial on YouTube.

Enjoy and have a grand weekend...

Pic of the Week . . . Anne Sudworth

A day late but Hay-Ho.

I happily discovered this artist via facebook and I have to say, her work blew me away! I'm an artistic person, but that lies best with charcoal and pencil. Working in colour isn't my forte - as much as I'd like it to be. I'm a perfectionist, and I hate it when a piece of work I'm working on doesn't go as planned - often the result when I'm working in colour.

But I have to repeat, this artist blew me away!!!

The way she handles her materials is phenomenal. She mainly uses pastels, and she's mastered her technique to perfection. Her work has a gothic feel to it that gives it a mysterious, ethereal feel, and the way she manages to capture moon light and illumination in a night backdrop is breathtaking. When I first say her work I found myself looking twice to ensure it wasn't a photo, but it's not. It's all been created by her talented hand.

Introducing Anne Sudworth. This piece is titled White Goddess and features Stonehenge, a place as mystical and breathtaking as her work.

Seriously, you guys have to check her out.

Hope you all have a great weekend - what's left of it.

Enjoy!

Artistically Sidetracked . . .

I apologise for missing my blogging slot yesterday. It was going to be the first for 2012 but I got sidetracked. As much as I love writing, not a lot has happened since before Christmas. I know the weeks have been busy with the build-up but I'm not using that as an excuse.

Instead I'm going to use the fact that I've been drawing a lot just lately, and when I'm not drawing, I'm thinking about drawing. I can't focus on writing when I'm in a drawing mood, and it made times whilst writing Son of Jack a tad difficult.

You see (and if you've been following for a while, you may remember) ever since I drew that picture of a few Marvel Characters for a friend, I've been almost to the point of obsessed with Marvel Art and wanted to continue with my gallery. I was so eager to start but knew I had a deadline to meet with writing, so put it off. Now I find myself able to pick up where I kinda left off a couple of months back.

So, with no real deadlines to heed to, I'm allowing myself some time off to fulfill other creative urges. Here's a sneak peak of one of the pictures I've done. It's a little dark, but that's what you get using a bog-standard camera phone. For those who are unaware, this is The Phoenix. . .

Pic of the WeeK . . . J Scott Campbell

A friend of mine - the same friend I drew the picture of the X-men for - sent me a text message yesterday, asking if I was familiar with the work by J Scott Campbell. I shrugged at this but was intrigued. Knowing my friend's taste in art and seeing as he said he was currently a favourite artist of his, I had to investigate further.

It was then that I realised I was familiar with his works but not him personally. This opened a whole new door for me.

J Scott Campbell is an American comic artist (no shocker there...lol) and started his carrier working for Wildstorm, DC and eventually Marvel. Looking at his gallery I discovered that not only does he draw the usual comic book heroes, but he also does other stand-alone pieces including as his own takes on Disney characters and fairytale characters such as Little Red Riding Hood and the Princess and the Pea. Some of these, I've been told, can fetch up to $300 a piece.

Seeing as I'm still somewhat taken by the comic art style, I thought I'd share his work for this week's Pic of the Week. But I couldn't decide on just one. Instead I thought I'd indulge and share three. See if you can guess who they are WITHOUT looking at the captions on each piece . . .

Enjoy and have a great weekend.

Pic of the Week - Linda Bergkvist . . .

Hi all, it's that time of the week again. Yep, Pic of the Week...

This week I've decided to remind us all of the works by Linda Bergkvist. I think I've posted about her once or twice in the past, but it's been a while and so thought she needed another appearence.

This piece is called 'Jeirehneen' and I love the dark, subtle feel to it. If you're able to zoom in, I love the detail of the face and the wings - and if you look even closer above the guy you can see a fairy sitting in the tree watching the flock of birds. Jeirehneen doesn't hold colours that jump out at you and catch the eye like many other pieces I've published, but it still has a stunning mystery to it that I'm loving.

Enjoy and have a grand weekend...

Pic of the Week . . . Gambit and Rogue

I'm sorry. I told myself that I wasn't going to do this but I just can't help myself. God's honest truth!!

Ever since I drew that picture of the X-men for a friend of mine (it was huge! One of the biggest things I've drawn for a long long time) I've suddenly developed a little obsession. Not so much with the graphic novels - I haven't got that far - but with the characters themselves and the art behind them. When I first started the picture, I knew who Wolverine and Storm were from the films, I vaguely remembered Beast from childhood cartoons, but I had no idea who Gambit was. So I done a little research (it's always good to know what you're dealing with) and read this whole back story that was fantastic. I loved it. If they haven't already, someone should write a novel.

Anyway, it turns out that two of my favourite characters are Gambit and Rogue. They have this chemistry between the two, and Rogue is, well, Rogue, and Gambit is a swarve, charming thief that you just really want to trust. He's got that edge, you know, the bad boy that every girl wants (or some anyway).

I suppose, seeing as Marvel have been dealing with mutants since . . . 1965 ish, give or take a few, each of the main characters - even some of the secondary characters - are so well drawn out that every little detail about them is known. Wouldn't you just love to know your own characters that well. And wouldn't you just love that at some point in the future, someone would create a collection of art based on your work and your characters. I think that would be fantastic.

Anyway . . . despite the fact that I wasn't going to go down this route, I'm assuming you've already guessed what the theme is for this week's Pic of the Week . . .

Enjoy and have a Marvel-ous weekend (Ha! Boom boom!)

Pic of the Week . . . Schizophrenia

I finished the second part of 'Son of Jack' last night. I didn't think I would, but it was one of those evenings when I kept thinking "Just a little bit more - I'll just finish this bit," and before I knew it - well, at 1am - I finished. 30k. I was more than happy with that.

Normally when writing a novel, I plan my characters out so that I know more about them, thus being able to portray them better and keeping up with continuity. For 'Son of Jack' I haven't had the time to do that. Because I'm on a tight schedule to get the book finished, I've just jumped in the deep end. I hadn't done any prep work for my character Dan Pattman, but knew that he had to have a disorder and had to have a voice in his head.

Now, I'm ashamed to say that I don't know lots about Schizophrenia, and even as I started writing, the disorder never even entered my head. It wasn't until about a week ago whilst looking something up that I come across a website that highlighted the symptoms. It was then that I realised Dan was an undiagnosed schizophrenic. It was a huge surprise to me, and as I looked back at certain points in the story, things started to make sense.

Having put myself in the mind of such a person, I am now more the wiser of what they go through - okay, it may not be much, but I have a better understanding. So today I thought I'd dedicate this week's Pic of the Week to schizophrenia in hopes of creating more awareness.

Have a great weekend.

Pic of the Week . . . Brian Froud

So, are you the sort of person who believes in faeries at the bottom of the garden? Do you believe woodlands and forests to be filled with the enchanted?

I was reminded of the work by Brian Froud today. I didn't know of him personally, but remember his magnificent contributions to films such as the Dark Crystal and Labyrinth. I didn't realise he was a full time artist, and I've fallen in love with his work (which isn't surprising for me. I seemed to fall in love quite easily). Do you remember the film 'Labyrinth? With David Bowie and Jennifer Connelly? It was one my all-time favourite child movies, with Goblins and creatures galore, and probably one of the main reasons why I love fantasy. Well, Mr Froud done the art work for it. . .

Anyway, here's some of the work from Brian Froud. Both his wife and himself are artists and get their inspiration from Dartmoor (UK). My parents live not far from there and we've driven through the moors on numerous times. It is definitely an inspiring and enchanted place, and I can see how it works in favour for Mr Froud.

Enjoy and have a great weekend . . .

Pic of the Week . . . Mark Kelso

It was on this day, 19th August 1612, when three women, Jane Southworth, Jennet Bierley and Ellen Bierley - otherwise known as the Samlesbury Witches - were tried for witchcraft. However, the evidence against them proved invalid when their accuser, a 14 year old girl, admitted that her story of them shape-changing, harressment, murdering and eating babies, and liasing with dark figures that were not like men were untrue. It turned out she had been coached by her priest to say these things.

This trial was one of many that lasted for two days and took place at Lancaster Castle, UK, seeing many men, women and children hanged.

This date also saw the execution of one woman and four men, all accused of witchcraft during the Salem Witch Trials during 1692, which took place in colonial Massachusetts.

Because of the coincidence of these two events taking place on the same day, I thought I'd go with a 'witch' theme for this week's Pic of the Week. The chosen artist is Mark Kelso. He does a lot of nature paintings - and some spectacular scenery - but he also has a collection of fantasy art. He's worth a browse . . .

Enjoy and have a great weekend . . .

"The Crimson Spell"

Pic of the Week . . . Hassansins

Hassansins were a group of feared Persian warriors between 1092 and 1265. Their order, Nizari Ismailis, captured many fortresses in the Middle East under the leadership of Hassan-i Sabbah, and their legends had a lot to do with their training and public missions, in which they were willing to give their lives to eliminate enemies. (Just watch Prince of Persia. You'll realise who they are . . .)

These were the first breed of assassins.

I love assassins. Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't like to meet one face to face, for surely that would mean they have business with me - but in the world of fiction our minds can work wonders. I love the whole dark mysticism that surrounds them, the power they hold, and the pain they must harbour despite supposedly being cold hearted. But that's just me.

I posted a Pic of the Week a while back that saw a piece of art from Assassin's Creed. I've never played the game, but the art work is stunning. I love the character. Anyway, flicking through yet more piccys of Assassin's Creed, I come across these. Something tells me they are done by the same artist, but I couldn't find who, so I decided to use both. These are two pieces supposedly depicting the real Hassansins.

Enjoy and have a good weekend!

Pic of the Week . . . Luis Royo

I just couldn't help myself this week. Whenever I look for a new piece of art, I always come across something by Luis Royo. Today was of no exception, so I decided on another of his pieces. He is, after all, one of my favourite artists . . .

Enjoy and have a good weekend . . .

Pic of the Week . . . Lauren K. Cannon

This week I'd like to introduce to you Lauren K. Cannon. She was born in New Jersey, USA in 1986 and is fascinated with the strange, the macarbre and the beautiful.

Her work is just amazing. I love the eye of this piece. There's something mellow yet haunting about it, and I think this chance discovery is worth more than gold. Check out the website of Lauren K. Cannon to see more of her work.

Have a great weekend and enjoy!

'Her Wound'

Pic of the Week . . . Trockn

I was going to give John Picacio a mention today (he is worthy, and it's a shame not to give him a mention. Check out his website. You won't be disappointed) but then I saw this piece and just fell in love with it. There's something about it and it just purrs at me . . . and no I'm not making cute lion noises.

The artist is a guy from Deviant Art called Trockn. He does a great scenery piece too which I liked, but for now, let's just concentrate on 'The Beyond Of Mystery'.

Have a grand weekend and enjoy!

Last Week's Pic of the Week . . . Michael Whelan

My apologies for the lateness of the blog. It's a fact among us all that family comes first.

Fellow blogger Michael Offutt asked in a comment if I was aware of artist Michael Whelan, and what I thought about his work. For those who don't know, Michael Whelan is a fantasy and sci-fi artist, and his works fit in wonderfully well with Pic of the Week.

By name, I hadn't heard of him. I had no idea who Michael Whelan was. Curious, I had to Google him . . . and was surprised. I knew his work. He illustrated two of the Dark Tower Books; the first 'The Gunslinger', and the last 'The Dark Tower'. I remember when reading, I had to flick through and look at the art, and thought that out of all the books (minus the first three as they were paperback and weren't illustrated) The Dark Tower was the best.

So this week's - sorry, last week's - Pic of the Week is dedicated to Michael Whelan with his depiction of Stephen King's 'Crimson King'.

Thank you Michael Offutt for pointing him out to me.

Enjoy!

Pic of the Week . . . Edgar Mueller

I've been a bit busy today, and I blame my car for today's post being late. It's off the road at the moment, but we have a wonderful friend who is in the process of giving it some tender loving care. Anyway, because I've been busy, I haven't been able to give much thought into this week's Pic of the Week. Then, reading Michael Offutt's blog, my mind was made up for me.

He used a picture on his post by Street Artist Edgar Mueller. I think he's an extremely talented artist, not just for his ability with a bit of chalk, but for the ability to get his angles spot on when looking from a specific direction. He drawers on pavements and elongates the image so that when you stand in front of it, it looks in proportion and almost 3D. Here's an example.



I couldn't find a direct website for this guy, so instead, here's a link to the website where I found these. Having said that, you could always Google Edgar Mueller and check out the images...

Enjoy and have a good weekend!

Pic of the Week . . . Max Bertolini

As the name suggests, the artist is Italian (sounds like a type of pasta).

Max Bertolini started his art career in comics. He then went on to illustrations, including book covers, and has continued ever since.

Some of his pieces are spectacular, and it was hard to pick a specific piece for this week's Pic of the Week, but eventually I made my mind up. If you want to look at more of his work, you can visit the gallery on his website.

But in the meantime, Enjoy . . .

'Thousand Year Empress'

Pic in the Week . . . Angels & Demons . . .

Happy Friday everyone!

Since Tuesday's post were I offered the last scene from 'The Da Vinci Code' to watch if you were interested, I have still been in a Dan Brown mood and watched 'Angels and Demons'. This reminded me that art isn't just limited to Paint Brush on Canvas, but also in Sculpture.

I follow a couple of art blogs, one especially that focuses on some amazing scultpure work, and I really admire it because it's one thing that I've never tried.

Anyway, in the film set in Rome - for those who remember and those who haven't seen it - the character Robert Langford finds a sculpture of a being half angel and half demon. It's only there for a second, but it's a spectacular sight. I've since discovered that it's not an original Roman sculpture but designed and created specifically for the film. I love this piece. Here's a quick look at what the statue actually looks like in daylight.


And here is this week's Pic of the Week.

Enjoy!

Pic of the Week . . . Dave McKean

And I thought I had everything planned. Musing over my usual blogs this morning, I noticed that one blogger (SuperZero - everyone say Hi) mentions his favourite artist. Dave McKean. I've never heard of him, but the curiousity got the better of me - and me being me, I had to Google him. This threw all my planning out of the window.

Introducing Dave McKean.

He incorporates drawing, painting, photography, collage, found objects, digital art and sculpture into his work, and some of his pieces are rather interesting. But this wasn't the only thing that caught my attention.

Talk about Jack Of All Trades - and Master Of Them ALL . . .

Not only does he produce Art like this, he is also an illustrator, photographer, comic book artist, graphic designer, filmmaker and musician. I then discovered something else. He also created some of the fantastic original artwork that can be found in the Hardback edition of Stephen King's The Dark Tower: Wizard and Glass - as well as smaller pieces that can be found in other editions (although the Picture below is not from this gallery).

For this alone he deserves a slot in this week's Pic of the Week.

Enjoy!

Pic of the Week . . . Banksy

And Now For Something Completely Different . . . (name that quote)

As opposed to my usual style of Fantasy etc etc, I've decided to dedicate this week's Pic of the Week to Banksy.

For those who are unfamiliar with Banksy, he's an anonymous Graffiti Artist whose work has appeared in cities all over the world, and who has a very polical view.

I hate to say it, but I do like looking at graffiti - not the typical tagging pieces that state "I Woz 'Ere", but the large, colourful and artistic pieces that brighten up a dull train journey into London. Some of these people have a talent that is more often than not unrecognised. I know the arguments against such graffiti, but some of these pieces are stunning!

Anyway, back to Banksy. It was hard to choose a specific piece, so here's a little taster of few I liked:

And now for the Main Pic of the Week (and you get more points for naming the film...lol)