One Night ...

These are part of the same series of 'experimental' storyboards. They have a loose energy and some cool parts, though they make lack consistency and get muddled in places. Some things happened in these that I am pleased with.

Stumbling is Learning

On this sketch I played more with the subtractive line I see guys like Mignola and Toth use quite effectively. However, since my style has never been that graphic, and I am obsessively compulsive with details, the problems I face when making the attempt become complicated. The graphic, bold force of blacks perhaps calls for a more understated approach that I am used to. I feel balance and focus are really off on this piece, but I think as long as I myself know that, it's ok -- it means I discovered something I can solve later and improve upon, making me a better illustrator in the long term.

Tracking the evolution ... getting closer?

So, I got around to doing a revision for a concept sketch for a client, this time employing my new explorations and after cramming my head full of comic books by artists I am falling in love with. Obviously, I am still practicing, still searching. But I think from this example alone, I am better than I used to be. Mind you, this concept sketch was never meant to be a fully realized illustration, just an idea, like most sketches. But I still think the improvement is clear, in spite of the obvious mistakes, flaws, and problems with the updated 'after' version.

Before


After

Trying something new ...

I have had a real desire to radically change how I draw, stemming from a state of boredom with my own work, a lack of recognition as an artist instead of a pair of hands for shampoo commercials, suggestions from respected peers to try other things, and a renaissance in my life of comic books thanks to The Dark Knight, leading me through old favorites like Sam Keith, Jim Lee, and Neil Adams, to newer influences (for me) like Mike Mignola, Paul Pope, and Sean Phillips.

Below is a sample of some first attempts. The client for these storyboards was cool with me giving him something that didn't necessarily reflect what I have in my portfolio. I used the assignment to develop an approach which I may carry into other work.



As you can see ... not my best storyboards!! At times illegible, at other times, just plain sloppy ... have to be honest about that. If the client wasn't so cool with me exploring, these probably wouldn't fly ... or would they?

Introduction

So ... if you have found this, you likely knew about the old blog, 13th Hour Studios.

Well this one is a reboot. I wanted to completely start all over. Get fresh, clear my head.

That's it for now.