Ironhills Scout

I think I'm WAY to excited about the upcoming Hobbit movie. I've recently reread the book, I listen to the audiobook at work, I'm dreaming about Mirkwood....and so the sketch today: One of Dain's soldiers during the battle of five armies. This is a light troop, armed with a simple scale-mail hauberk and cloth. He wields a battle-mattock and a small dagger.

Rajah, Effrit of the Wastes

Finaly got my scanner on line! original is 14X17 and was a snap to import.

This is just a little character that poped into my head while on the train. She's a poor caravan girl who made a dieing pact with an Effrit which inhabits her body. She lives in a cave made from desert glass that she created with her flames. She wields weapons scavenged from the corpses of those unlucky enough to encounter her in the remote dunes of the wastes. Her blades are charred black from soot and her clothes are little more than singed rags. Her body is covered in fine scales.

(Pencil, Hi-Lighter, colored pencil, Prisma-color markers, 1.5 hrs)

The Tomb of Martin

It's been a while, but rest assured that I have a backlog of sketches that I will post when my new scanner comes online, till then here's a digital sketch to tide you over.

This is an image dedicated to the recently departed and much loved Brian Jaques, who's tales of Martin the Warrior shaped much of my childhood ideals of honor and bravery. Though never written in one of his stories (Martin is said to have died of old age) I decided to show the old champion of Red Wall laying in state, above him a relief of his victory over the wildcat Tzarmina. Where Martin and his greatsword, cast adrift on a tabletop amid the flooded plain of Mossflower, drove the evil tyrant into the cold arms of that which she feared the most: a watery grave. With her death a realm was finally established for all good creatures of the forest. And even though Martin would die, as all living things must, his spirit remains as a guiding light for future generations that live, strive and build upon the dreams he first laid down.

Saporling!

 

A quick speed painting of an old subject: the little plant creatures know as Saporlings! So cute with it's little bark covered talons and eyeless sockets :D

(Photoshop, 1 hr) 

Dragon Rider

Another b/w RPG character portrait today.
(Photoshop, 2.5 hrs)

What kind of Jackass plays the Banjo?!

This kind!
(Pencil, Photoshop 1 hr.)

The Histatistition

Another quick one today. Just a little character concept, a sort of steampunk cartographer/historian with a flair for adventure.
(Photoshop, 40 min)

Sherlock

When it comes to Holmes there can be only one for me (sorry Robert Downey) and that of course is Jeremy Brett. His sharp features, eagle like nose and his cat like grace and eccentricity is what I grew up with and what I will always think of when I picture the legendary detective.
I don't know what it is, I guess it's the death of Brian Jacques, but I've been thinking a lot about the creative heroes of mine who have passed on...I guess to keep to the rule of threes I should do a tribute to Frazetta next.
(Photoshop with that cool guoache brush from the last post, 1.5 hrs.)

Chops, 'stash and brows

Another brush test. This one has a ton more texture than the brush I used yesterday. If you're intrested the brush was created by Drew Green, here's the link: http://freakshow6.deviantart.com/art/Photoshop-Gouache-Tutorial-177890902 . Drop me a comment and let me know which you prefer, I'd like to get a little vote on texture/no texture :P

(Photoshop gouache brush, 2.5 hrs)

Icy Eyes

I've neglected the blog for a few days so I thought I'd bring something a little more than a sketch. A color portrait rendered with a new Photoshop brush I've been meaning to try out. Might like a little more texture but it's a good brush for smooth rendering. Did this with no preliminary sketch, a sort of digital alla prima.
(Photoshop, 4 hrs)

Hakkon the Rogue

Ran short on time today so here’s just a quick doodle of a dwarf :P

(Sharpie, Highlighter, colored pencil 40 min.)

Hydraulic Fist

Steampunk Combat Contraption
The Industrial Revolution finally made it possible for the bar maid to also be the bouncer.
(Pilot pen and Photoshop. 2 hrs)