Here’s a quick selection of my recent pieces from the Remake/Remodel threads over at Whitechapel. I find they’re a great art exercise, full of interesting ideas, and a lovely excuse to draw demented things. The sense of participation and seeing what everyone else comes up with makes them a lot of fun.
This Ace of Space character, I based on Motörhead’s Ace of Spades, going for a bit of a Mad Max feel.
This Shinto Samurai may be my first fully watercoloured R/R and he is stabbing wildlife while standing on pillars in the ocean, naturally.
This here is Mr E and his shapeshifting gnomic friends, outside his forest cave. Less in keeping with the theme than an excuse to draw a crazy dude in jodphurs surrounded by odd little creatures.
Yes, I was away for a brief jaunt to Malacoota, then Sydney to see my extended family (hi relatives!). Good times were had by all. I’ll talk more about that in my next post, with some photos from the trip. This one’s about the sketches.
Firstly, a set of cards I painted for my family. The popular favourite was Lil’ Wayne shark.
I experimented with a new travel art kit idea, so I could sketch and ink on the road. Aside from pencil and an ultra-fine pen, I got two Japanese brush pens. One fine, filled with black ink, slightly diluted so it runs better. The other one is nice and fat, with heavily diluted ink so I can use it for washes and shading.
Using brushes while traveling has always been a pain in the arse, because not only do you need to carry the ink/watercolours and brushes, but you need to set up a receptacle for holding water and have a flat surface to put these things on. With pre-loaded brush pens, you can whip them out anywhere and work on something. I loved it. Here are a few results, click for largeness:
Next up: Photos from the trip. Next week: Back to some illustrated fiction or a short strip.
Here we are again. I bashed this one out earlier in the week and thought, ’surely I’ll come up with something more sane’, but why would I want to do that?
Who Invited That Guy?
In a modern, high class function room atop an illustrious inner city hotel, Eric thought the cocktail reception seemed to be going well, as an unfamiliar face strode up to the circle of colleagues he stood with, nibbling on a cabbage wrapped hors d’oeuvre.
“This room is clean enough to perform several invasive surgeries in, is it not?” Bellowed the stranger.
“Heh, I guess it is rather spotless” replied Frank from accounting.
“Say, where are you from, Mr…?” Asked Jenn the services manager.
“Joe. I am Mister Joe and I hail from the feudal monarchy of never mind! Furthermore, I have urgent business to attend to. I bid thee adi-due! Bon evening, esteemed brethren” Mr Joe babbled, scuttling off in great haste.
While his behaviour seemed a little odd, he was ordinary enough in appearance and Eric found his presence not entirely unsettling.
“What a strange fellow” remarked Jenn.
“Funny, I was about to say, what a dick” Frank replied.
“Your voices are still audible to me and I am not a phallus” barked Mr Joe’s voice from across the room.
Conversation paused momentarily and glances were shot in Mr Joe’s direction, then the reception resumed in high spirits.
~~~
I may not be able to get one in next week, as I’ve got a hectic week coming up, then heading up the coast on the way to Sydney for the big family Christmas. I’ll be taking my laptop and some art supplies, so no doubt there will be drawing and writing done and I’ll have stuff to show when I get back.
A little late but here we are again. Toying with first person and genre for a change. I have a strong feeling that next week will be my most idiotic piece yet, so stay tuned for that one. Until then, enjoy, comment, say hi.
Click on the image for a brief explanation of my process and larger sizes on flickr.
~~~
I’ve always loved westerns, but never wanted to be a cowboy. I can’t grow a beard, my face is not weathered, my hands are soft and horses take a peculiar disliking to me.
Yet, here I am, outside a saloon, about to face off with Toothface Taylor after sticking up for Laelene the prostitute, when he was liquored up and getting slap happy.
While it’s terrifying and not nearly as cool as in the movies, I do feel pretty fucking rugged. Do I actually stand a chance? Well, I have played a lot of lacrosse, my reflexes aren’t bad. I was ok at the shooting range and I always kicked my brother’s arse at Halo. He’s still drunk from last night. Maybe I won’t die.
Ooh, we’re starting the walk. I’m sweating a monsoon. Stay calm. Focus. Spin, draw. Oh, he’s fallen over.
“Do I still have to shoot him?” I enquire. Nothing. Thanks guys.
What’s he doing? Writhing around with his hand in his… Right, he’s trying to draw. Guess I’d better shoot the bastard. Squeeze bang. Is he dead? He’s still moaning. What do I do now?
What am I even doing here? These people don’t need insurance.
A little early this week, because I can and because you’re all so wonderful. Another 200 words, another illustration. Enjoy.
__________.__________
An inter-city high speed train is cruising along between mountains and over rivers. Sadie, tired of staring out the window, casts a glance around the car. A grandma playing cards with her grandson. Bored looking business man nodding off. Young scruffy guy stands up to get something from his bag. He checks his watch, pulls on a spray jacket and zips it right up, then puts on his small backpack and clips all the buckles up tight.
‘Typical, hot dude’s leaving me with spoiled grandchild, drooling suit, fatty and the giggling bimbos.’
He runs a hand through his hair, catches her looking, then reaches into a pocket and pulls out what appears to be a small pick.
‘Busted. Now what the fuck’s he going to do with that?’
He steps to the window, turns his face away and whips out his wrist, shattering the window in an instant, then hops onto the sill. Squatting on his haunches, he casts a last look around the carriage, tightens a hood over his head flings himself with full force out of the window.
‘Well that was fucking cool’ Sadie smiles to herself as some gasp in shock and others scream in terror.
Back in the game with my weekly illustrated flash fiction. Story below.
“You’re terrified, aren’t you.” Thelma whispered to Byron.
“I prefer to think of it as a highly developed sense of self preservation” replied Byron, stepping up to the platform. “I’m thankful, for if I were less frightened, I may not have lived as long as I have.” He paused, attempting to compose himself. “Although these shakes are irritating” He gave her hand a brief squeeze and mounted the platform, surveying the crowd before him.
“Right you parasitic germ sacks, I am your leader now. Thelma here, is your queen. Treat her as such and she will reward you. Not in the many incredible ways she rewards me, but rewarded nonetheless. Treat her as less and you won’t live long to regret it. Now, you can jump on board or get thrown off screaming. Who’s with me?”
A roar erupted from the small crowd, fearful of showing a lack of enthusiasm.
“Jeffries here, will assign you positions. Form an orderly line and no fighting. Now!”
As the assembled crew jostled into line, Thelma and Bryon stepped down, strolling towards the ship.
“There, that wasn’t so bad, was it dear?” asked Thelma.
“Actually, I found it rather fun.”
I was planning on getting another illustrated flash fiction piece up this week, but unfortunately the hard drive in my laptop died in a rather dramatic fashion, with little hope of recovering any of the data.
This means, not only have I lost any pieces I had already written, but I’ve also spent most of the last few days trying to figure out what to do and attempting to get a laptop again. I have also been madly rushing to figure out what to do about the two jobs I had been working on when said computer went kaput.
Anyway, the computer should be back in action in the next couple of days, so although I’ve lost a lot of work and data, I’ll be able to get back on track.
In the meantime, I feel bad about starting something and not seeing it through, so for this week, please accept these drawings from a recent Dr Sketchy Melbourne ‘Under the Sea’ themed session starring the lovely Miss Vesper White (as Octogirl) and Rollergirl (aka Hayley Gray).
(above inked after the session, below done on the spot)
click through for full size
I’ll be back on track next week, so please stay tuned for more ridiculous stories and illustrations soon.
So this is my new plan. Weekly flash fiction, with accompanying illustration.
Week 1: Dinosaur fights.
Crawling out of his bunker, Clarence surveyed the damage. Not bad. The collapsible fence was a great investment. Otherwise, the oak tree was split and the vehicle had a few more scratches.
The dinosaur fights were becoming more regular. Aside from having to wait out the fights and the property damage tolls, the dinosaurs weren’t bad neighbours. The camera he’d installed to watch the house from the bunker kept him entertained and let him know when it was safe to return.
Looking north, Clarence watched a lasso-gun mounted rover chasing the stegosaurus into the hills. Fucking cowboys.
Every Monday til I get sick of it. Comments welcome. Bonus illustration because I was running with a theme:
Firstly, a quick note to say that I have a plans for a new creative venture in the works, which will involve more regular activity here. Nothing colossal or earth-shattering, but a bit of fun to keep the artistic juices flowing.
For now, here’s a quick 10 panel comic, with no words, that I whipped up over the weekend: The Quest
I just realised I haven’t posted here since I left Bali. So, what’s been happening? Obviously not much writing, but if you follow me on flickr you’ll have seen all my drawing. Here’s but a small selection:
This Shinto Samurai may be my first fully watercoloured R/R and he is stabbing wildlife while standing on pillars in the ocean, naturally.
This here is Mr E and his shapeshifting gnomic friends, outside his forest cave. Less in keeping with the theme than an excuse to draw a crazy dude in jodphurs surrounded by odd little creatures.
