1027 Final (For Real This Time)

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Here’s the follow up to my figure study post from a few weeks ago.  After “finishing” this piece without the figures I felt something was missing from it.  I really thought it could benefit from another narrative layer and added the two foreground figures.  Adding the human element to the painting really transforms the piece from a nice train portrait to a much more narrative story.  Check out a larger version and zoom details here.

-Dom

Art Order Calendar

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Back in December I was lucky enough to be featured in Jon Schindehette’s 2010 Art Order Calendar.  For those not familiar with Jon he is the Senior Art Director for Dungeons and Dragons.  Besides his work at Wizards of the Coast Jon’s ArtOrder blog is a great resource for illustrators both new and seasoned for all things fantasy art related.  The calendar was conceived of as a promotion for prospective sponsors of his blog.  Jon is also selling them ($12.95 + Shipping) on his site to defray some of the cost.  So head on over and grab one while you still can!  Other artists included are:

Aaron Miller
Andrew Olson
Anna Christenson
Eric Braddock  (Fellow U-arts Grad)
Garrett Hanna
Lu Vazquez
McLean Kendree
Sabin Boykinov
Tiziano Baracchi
Tobias Kwan
Tyler Jacobson
William O'Connor

Thanks again to Jon for including me in the calendar and for all his time he gives the illustration community.

-Dom

A Princess of Mars

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This was one of the assignments for the Illustration Masters Class I attended last Summer.  It is a cover for the Edgar Rice Burroughs science fiction novel A Princess of Mars.  The first of his famous Barsoom series. It is also Burroughs' first novel, predating his Tarzan stories.  The story is considered a classic example of 20th century pulp fiction or more specifically the planetary romance genre.  You can check out a larger version in the portfolio section here.

IMC is a fantasy and science fiction illustration week long workshop created and run by Rebecca Guay in Amherst Massachusetts.  It is an intense week of learning and Attendees benefit from a full schedule of classes in figure drawing, use of reference, drawing from the imagination, digital and traditional painting technique, as well as live demos and lectures.  We were assigned a project and expected to have finished sketches when we arrived. We then spent the week working with some of the best in the industry on our pieces.  This coming years faculty include:

Julie Bell
Dan Dos Santos
Scott Fischer
Irene Gallo
Donato Giancola
Rebecca Guay
James Gurney
Greg Manchess
Boris Vallejo

Many of the nights went on into the wee hours of the morning and the collective art boost that everyone provided was just awesome!  I cant wait for this years.

-Dom

Bighorn

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I painted this piece as a challenge after getting back in touch with fellow U-Arts Alumn and friend Will Spear.  He paints all sorts of great wildlife and landscapes avoiding the figure at all costs.  I on the other hand like to paint more narrative figure work.  We flipped this on its head and I painted the wildlife while he painted... lets just say... a not so flattering swashbuckling portrait of myself.

All in all I really enjoyed painting this.  It was a fun departure from my usual subject matter.  I think Ill try something similar soon.

*Here is a link to Will’s facebook page because he doesn't have his website up yet.  Go connect with him and check out his really great Plein Air paintings.  Make sure you let him know where you heard of him.

-Dom