I went to an amazing Venue for the first time called Dr. Sketchy’s! It was recommended to me by friend and fellow artist Pablo Ramos. You pay $12-$15 and for 3-4 hours you get to draw live models.  Although Pablo could not make it my amazingly talented friend and artist Tim Beard came with me. It was magic. The lighting was terrible, but the models, vibe, and Bob the host were all fantastic. I plan to make it a regular thing now.

Here are the photos of some of the stuff I managed to create that night! It was either India ink wash followed by a chalk pastel crazed, finger cramping stumbling, or charcoal pencil.

I just wanted to give you wonderful peeps an update on my progress, since I haven’t posted a new sketch for almost a week. I have been inking the pages for the coloring book! Yes, I’m on stage 2 of 4. Stage 3 is scanning it, putting it all together, writing the copy. Stage 4 is SENDING it away and seeing if anything comes of it. Go stage 2! Go stage 2!

I will not be posting the final inkings. However, those lucky peeps on my mailing list will be getting a special treat to download if they wish. So, if you are reading this on facebook or this blog, and have not signed up for my mailing list and want art that I don’t post for free anywhere else, sign up! I promise the mailing is few and far between.

Take care you all on this fine Wednesday. Until the next post, adieu!

Because I enjoyed the last scribble with permanent marker so much, and because work was tiresome again today, i thought I’d enjoy another random, unplanned marker seizure. Again…interesting. I have no idea what shes holding, but I think I might steal it for another story…

I would like to introduce you to a new character we were discussing. For now, all I will tell you is that she is called “The Artist”. And remember that “Kraken” sketch I did for my coloring book? I loved it so much, she gets a little pet inspired by that. Except this bejeweled octopus can float in the the air and kick it on her little octopus pauldron.

THIS one was really fun: no planning, no thought, just me and fatty sharpie marker. I want to do more of these. She’s so FIERCE!

I really like this one – she sort of has a fish face, and a funny expression. I wonder what fish people think about.

I have yesterday’s and today’s daily sketch…but my scanner is threatening to give up the ghost. Everytime I try to scan, it just shows me a rainbow. Maybe my scanner is dreaming! OMG, is that what scanner’s dream about, rainbows?

I will try it again tomorrow after my scanner, and myself, get a  good night’s rest.

However, the FANTASTIC news is: I have finished all the the concept sketches for my coloring book! YOWZA! So, now its all about inking then and making them look like they were draw on purpose. If all goes well, I will have all the pages inked by the end of this month – then writing the information panels….and then sending to a publisher to get it accepted!

I’m thinking of names:

“Fantastical Beast Babies Coloring Book”

“Baby Fantasy Creatures Coloring Book”

Tires. Just got in from work. Take care, you all, and greetings from the wolpertinger

Guess what, Ashley, ANOTHER from one your recommendations for the fantasy coloring book! The famous Loch Ness Monster, otherwise lovingly known as Nessie.

The classic Sea Monster for the fantasy coloring book! Basically, a big serpent dragon with spikes, gills, and a long, winding body. They took many other strange and creative forms as well. These were traditionally depicted on nautical maps from the 1500′s to represent dangerous waters and the uncharted oceans of the world.

I rarely post things this unfinished anymore…but i liked the lines and the fact that I drew this right after waking up from a long, intense, and vibrant dream – I was still in a dreamy stupor and I sat up in bed, grabbed my sketchbook from the nightstand, and drew and wrote notes before the dream slipped from me. I like it so much I’ve incorporated this into one of my graphic novels. Sometime soon I shall create a finished drawing for my main character.

So I sketched this while I was in Mammoth this last weekend. The land was so beautiful! We arrived at 2 in the morning, the snow vibrant with the light from the full moon. Anyway, I decided this would be awesome hilarious art series to have on a snowboard: naked ladies, but the shoes attached to the snowboard would act as their “censorship bars”. I had to draw enormous boobies to have the boot work.

For the fantasy coloring book: the AKUPARA! (Thanks for the suggestion, Ashley!) Its a giant turtle or tortoise supporting or containing the world! It occurs in Hindu mythology, in Chinese mythology and in Native American mythology. The name Akupara is apparently Sanskrit. I’m thinking of adding some planets in the background to give it more of that celestial feel.

Um. So, posting scans didn’t happen last night. Obviously. To make up for it and to distract you from my inability to stay awake after eating a big meal late at night, here is a video to make it ALLLLLL bettah! (Thank you Blair!)