I’ve been kind of quiet for a while. Besides working on developing some artistic skills, I’ve been secretly working on handcrafted anniversary cards for my wife and daughter. It’s our 20th anniversary at the end of November and for the past 18 years our daughter has been a part of every celebration. It is the most important time of our year! I won’t be able to post any photos until some time in December. So keep everything secret until then.
Year: 2017
W. I. P. – Illustrating Studies #1
I’ve been building a set of studies for a new illustration project. I felt it was be good to share my results here with you. It all started with the self portrait/fantasy portrait sketches I posted recently. I’ll post them again here:
The end goal is the upcoming project that they will be appearing in.
Its all part of the study I’ve been working on to better refine my illustrating techniques.
Here is an example of a marble study that I’m researching:
(Marble sample is from Pinterest and saved there by forevermarble.com)
I’ll add more examples as I’m developing each part of the project. Now it’s time to get back to work creating!
Dragon Con 2017
Dragon Con was as huge and great as ever this year! My daughter and I have been attending for about six years now. We were able to go late on Friday and caught a panel after getting our badges. Then to a photo shoot.
On Saturday we missed the entire parade, this time. Well except for the last ambulance. This was due to getting a late start and arriving after the streets were blocked off for the parade. Usually we get there an hour to an hour and a half before so that we can get into our favorite parking lot and get breakfast.
We did keep things simpler this time. We did the one panel, a couple of photo shoots, visiting and supporting artists at the Art Show, Artist Alley and the Vendor Halls. On Sunday we had breakfast at Metro Cafe Diner our go to place every year.
Over all things seemed easier to find and access for the most part. The only major setback was the traffic into and throughout the vendor halls. This was due to the expansion of vendors into the same footprint as last year and the increase of attendees over last year. The volunteers did a good job reacting to the traffic outside the vendor halls coming into the building.
Tattoo Design 1
I’ve just completed a tattoo design for a cover up. The client has approved it and I’m sharing it here with you. I present “Samurai”.
Fantasy Self Portrait Study
To continue my study in bringing more realism into my work, I’ve created a fantasy self portrait. Since there is a deviation in the color and shading from the Manga Studio image and the finished image, the actual shading appears darker and the contrasting colors of blue in the shading and orange in the highlights (especially in image 6) does not show up.
- Photo reference of myself.
- Tracing from the photo reference.
- 1st creature design. This creature came out looking too sympathetic so start over.
- Basic line drawing for new creature.
- Rough shading and design changes.
- Final creature design.
Relative Perspective WIP Update 6
I’ve finally got a chance to restart this project. there are a couple of elements that appear to be working, in general. With a little alteration they will stay.
- The sky will remain…but…
- There will be changes to the tint, saturation and intensity,
- The basic mountains seemed to work prior to adding the snow…. but….
- There will also be changes to the tint, saturation and intensity.
The snow is going to need some work, update next time.
Illo Journal Project Update #8.1
So I’ve found that the image is not saving the same as it was created due to screen height, angle and filtering. I am reintroducing the geographical map of Ba’anta. this is much closer to the original tonal values. Constructive critiques and comments are stil very welcome!
Revised Brightness
Previous Brightness
Illo Journal Project Update #8
I present to you, with revised techniques, the “Geographical Map of Ba’anta”. I’ve used more subdued colors with the more saturated colors used on the points of interest. This piece was started with the techniques that I’m trying to adjust my style to. There are no figures in this one, which another area I’m also working on. Constructive critiques and comments are very welcome.
MomoCon 2017
Last day for MomoCon. It’s been a great con. Were getting some autographs and checking out the Artists’ Alley. Teh rest of the day will be just casually enjoying the con.
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This weekend has been busy! There’s still one more day left for MomoCon 2017 but I thought that I would share some shots, so far:
My daughter and I have attended for the last few years. My artistic drive has carried over to her. I am both directly and indirectly responsible for awakening her creative spirit. Here she is playing Yoosang from Mystic Messenger, a phone game.
She loves to cosplay. Sh usually dresses up at school so much that most people don’t really react to her inventions. Mostly she cosplays characters from her favorite books, shows and games.
These to images are from the modern version of Voltron. Pidge is the character she is playing.
Relative Perspective WIP Update 5
For Update #5 it looks like it’s back to the drawing board, again. I’ve sought advice from some fellow Illustrators on my work. The response was clear and definite. Great advice and constructive critiques that I plan to implement or at least work on developing. So this means revamping the project, again. If you would like to comment on my work please do. I am on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/xt.illos / Instagram at http://www.instagram.com/xtillos/ or you can email me at Richard.Thaxton@xtillos.com. Here is the last view of this version. The next time we see this project it will be with the new techniques.
