I hope everyone has had a great holiday and a Happy New Year celebration! I’m really hoping that everyone has a successful year in whatever you do!
Plans for Grotesque Moi! are as follows:
Illustrations – The goal is to produce 6 to 12 new portraits this year. some may be in the form of scene illustrations combining multiple creatures.
Illustration Canvas Print Frames – I plan to continue creating customized frames for each of my illustrations.
Red Bubble Catch Up – Setting a deadline for updating each newly finished and released portrait or illustration.
Expansion – Develop illustrations on a splinter line that are quicker to create and potentially making a separate set of pricing tiers that fits with these quicker illustrations.
Plan for phase II and III of Grotesque Moi! – More on these after the above has been integrated.
Grotesque Moi!’s Patreon Page – Add more sketches and line drawings to Grortesque Moi!’s Patreon page..
Plans for Terrene and Ba’anta
Now that Terrene and Ba’anta have been hinted at in the lore of the Grotesque Moi! creatures, it’s time to start the story debuting this world on Patreon!
It’s time to share the first posted sketches that was in my early blog posts here to Patreon.
All future sketches will debut on Patreon first.
Publish the updated labeled geographical map of Ba’anta on Patreon.
Create a large (maybe 48”x36”) illustration of the lands of Terrene.
There’s a lot of things planned out here! I will have to create a calendar to keep things on track!
Indicates Grotesque Moi! Exclusives And White Tier Merchandise!
I’ve been anxiously waiting for the moment when I could bring to you this magnificent creature! He is the latest addition to my Grotesque Moi! Collection. Perhaps you would like to know more about the Centaurians or Le Roi Chevalier. You can find all that is known of them here on the Grotesque Moi! Home Page. If you would like to own a print or canvas print of him please check out my shop here on my website. He will soon also be available on my RedBubble shop at http://www.redbubble.com/people/xtillos if you would like to collect him on other merchandise.
I’ve kept this quiet for as long as I can! I’ve begun working on some side projects for Grotesque Moi!. As I get image(s) and info for the new stuff I’m creating. I will post updates as I have something worth posting.
This is a rough sketch for a possible comic I’ll be creating. It will be part of one f the character’s back story.
I mentioned before that I have some new things planned for this year.
The first new thing is a plan to create coloring pages of the original released art!
The original line drawings will be converted to ink line drawings. The scenery and creatures / monsters will be simplified to make them more appropriate for coloring pages. The pages will be made available for digital download by purchase through my store here on my site!
Next is new watercolor art of all of the released art!
It starts with the ink drawings from the coloring pages! Using watercolors, the images will be brought to life!
Follow that with stickers!
The creature / monster watercolor art will be converted to stickers! This means the scenery will be removed giving the creatures / monsters a chance to really shine. There will be two sizes to choose from! Sets of three will be available for purchase through my store, as well!
How do you feel about stuffed toys?
Grotesque Moi!’s released creatures / monsters are on their way to become a bigger part (ok, a little bigger part) of our world! I’m working on the basic form designs to turn the released creatures / monsters into really great stuffed toys! You will be able to carry your favorite creatures anywhere with you! There will be one size for most of my creations available for purchase in my store, too!
The Grotesque Moi! illustrations will continue!
More Grotesque Moi! illustrations are on the way! The first one is close to being finished! there is also two more ready to start!
Show!
The show season is well underway! We have applications out to some of the bigger ones and waiting to see if we get in to them! Meanwhile, we are lining up events, markets and shows! Keep an eye out for where we’ll be next!
I submitted the 6 pieces that I finished last year to Infected by Art to compete for inclusion in issue #8. It was my first time submitting to them. A lot of my friends and fellow artists also submitted. There was nearly 2000 entries! The judging is done and all of the entries have been decided for inclusion. I didn’t make it in this time.
Ying the Bohol Sea QueenPuddle Sprite E
I am impressed by the the number of views that I got and the statistical data that’s being collected. So far there have been 260 impressions with Ying the Bohol Sea Queen getting the most impressions at 58! Tamaska-Ahas was second at 50 imprints! I’m glad that I took the chance to try this. I’m already planning my entries for the next issue!
Tamaska-AhasUila
To all who entered and didn’t make it in, congratulations on taking the chance! You’re in good company! To everyone who mad it in a huge congratulations to you all!
I’m starting a new topic blog that I will add to from time to time, more likely as the subjects come up. This will be where I share lessons I’ve learned along the way, techniques I’ve picked up or improvised with or circumstance that affect the creative process. You are welcome to comment and share any relevant posts either here or on social media. My wish is that this becomes interactive and informative! The first installment is below.
(C) 2020 Richard Thaxton, XT Illos
1st Topic: How Is Your Support System?
This subject comes up often in groups. Today it was more direct. Before I elaborate I want to get these questions out to you for your perspective. How is your support system? Are you getting the moral support that you need to help you pick up that banner and fight on? If so, please describe how you found it and tell what you do to reinforce that relationship. If not, please share how you recharge the will to push through the obstacles so you can move forward. Are there other forms of support that you have in your creative process? If so, can you describe what it is and how it impacts your creativity? In most cases it will be obvious but for the uninitiated this could be the creative lifeline they need to get to the next level.
I often run in to the situation where my vision and long term goals don’t mesh with others around me. Many people expect to see immediate results. If there’s no apparent progression they want to abandon the goal for something more secure. “This is a commodity and needs to show profit!” Actually, this is a long term investment that matures over a period of time. “When will that happen?!” It really all depends on when like minded people find the work and you interesting enough to want to be a part of it. It may take a short time or it can take years. To be honest, it can take more than a life time or not at all.
The question at this point needs to be,”Why are you doing this?”. If you’re chasing fame and notoriety you may find it but more often you won’t ever get the chance to see it. It’s a pipe dream. So, why do it? If you create then you know the feeling of being compelled to to bring things to life, into the world. For some, it’s a drive that can’t be ignored. Pouring ones being into something that speaks strongly to them is a very powerful experience that not everyone gets to be a part of. The higher version of this is when you raise a child up to become the person they are to be. This also happens when you mentor someone to bring them up to a new level. It’s very similar.
Why would anyone put themselves through this if there’s no guarantee that there’s any form of reward for all of the hard work? “Why not just create the things that are easy sales like impressionistic paintings, still life, animals or portraits? People will buy those?” There’s absolutely nothing wrong with creating any of theses, if that’s what you are compelled to do. I’ve actually even tried it for the sake of sales, because it’s what was selling. Except that mine didn’t sell….. at all…. It was because I didn’t have passion for that type of work. My vision is in Fantasy Art. I love the whole illustration process and making new creatures.
I feel there is so much storytelling and so little time to tell it. It will be done through images, illustrations of the world I’m building along with the creatures. I feel that they need to be presented to the world so that everyone will know their stories. The point to this is that it requires conviction to the work you want to create. Sticking to it all the way to the end for the sake of the story and the creations is the reward. Everything else can come after.
What’s your experience? Has your path brought you to this same point? Or, have you arrived at a different place?
I hope everyone’s New Year is off to a great start! If you’ve made resolutions, I hope you have a great plan and succeed by the end of the year!
XT Illos has some new things coming this year, too! Before we get to that, I wanted to remind everyone that Grotesque Moi! has exclusive content on the creatures being created over on our Patreon account! There’s also a couple of reference videos that are free to download over there, too!
Speaking of Grotesque Moi!, there’s a couple of new things on the horizon! I’m looking into possibly doing stickers and coloring books. This means there will be a new set of flat color pieces done for these projects.
For XT Illos there will be some new tutorials and processing for some of the projects I’m working on there. The instructional videos will be made available to purchase by download. There’s quite a few projects that I have to choose from!
As for everyone who has been with me from the beginning I have a surprise for you coming up soon over on Patreon! Also, for any who is fairly recent, there will be something for you in the works too on Patreon!
I hope everyone will have a great and prosperous 2020!🎊🎉🍾🥳😁
I’ve been working on the next creature illustration for Grotesque Moi!. As it usually happens, I’ve come to a point where I have to work out a design change.
My original sketch had the stinger and claws turned the wrong way.First I inverted the stinger then adjusted the shapes.Next are the claws. This is where I’m still playing with the design.
I’m happy to finally present to you the inspiration that started this project. I present to you Id! The physical embodiment of the Freudian model of id, ego and super-ego. There is much to share about him that I will be posting in my Patreon. I can say that he has been around since before I understood who or what he is. It is truly thanks to Id that I’m here to share all of these things with you, today! Without further ado I give you Id!
Welcome to Grotesque Moi! An Illustration project with you the fan and collector in mind. Inside you will find yourself transformed into your favorite fantasy creature! As your guide and illustrator, I will help you find the best hybridized image of yourself as your fantasy creature. When completed you will receive your illustration digitally printed on a 16″ x 20″ canvas ready for you to frame. Each completed purchase of a tier will set aside a block of my time to create your fantasy creature illustration. Below is a breakdown of each tier.
Please Note!
Before purchasing a tier, please contact me by email to go over the contract. Once it is complete you will be able to purchase the tier and begin the illustration process. Richard.Thaxton@xtillos.com
Tier 1
First level commission for the Grotesque Moi! project. The business contract will be negotiated before any work starts. This work will be produced through a digital media painting method. This canvas will be illustrated vertically. Character is in a full body illustration. The background is subdued in a slightly out of focus vignette style. Completed purchase will include one 16″x20″ canvas print of the illustration, one 8″x10″ glossy stock print of the illustration, one glossy stock XT Illos/Grotesque Moi! postcard and one glossy stock XT Illos/Grotesque Moi! business card.
Tier 2
Second level commission for Grotesque Moi! project. The business
contract will be negotiated before any work starts. This work will be
produced through a digital media painting method. This canvas will be
illustrated vertically. Character is in a full body illustration. It
has minimally illustrated foreground and background. Completed purchase
will include one 16″x20″ canvas print of the illustration, one 8″x10″
glossy stock print of the illustration, one glossy stock XT
Illos/Grotesque Moi! postcard and one glossy stock XT Illos/Grotesque
Moi! business card.
Tier 3
Third level commission for Grotesque Moi! project. The business contract
will be negotiated before any work starts. This work will be produced
through a digital media painting method. This canvas will be illustrated
vertically. Character is in a full body illustration. It has a fully
illustrated foreground and background. Completed purchase will include
one 16″x20″ canvas print of the illustration, one 8″x10″ glossy stock
print of the illustration, one glossy stock XT Illos/Grotesque Moi!
postcard and one glossy stock XT Illos/Grotesque Moi! business card.
Tier 4
Forth level commission for Grotesque Moi! project. The business contract
will be negotiated before any work starts. This work will be produced
through a digital media painting method. This canvas will be illustrated
horizontally. Multiple characters up to 5 are in full body
illustrations. It has a fully illustrated foreground and background.
Completed purchase will include one 16″x20″ canvas print of the
illustration, one 8″x10″ glossy stock print of the illustration, one
glossy stock XT Illos/Grotesque Moi! postcard and one glossy stock XT
Illos/Grotesque Moi! business card.
Glossy Print
This is a quality art print of one of Grotesque Moi!’s illustrations.
The image is corrected to 8″ x 10″ and is suitable for framing. Please
allow up to two weeks for order processing. Thank you!
I look forward to creating your fantasy creature illustrations! Thank you for stopping by!
Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here:
Cookie Policy
Quality print on archival paper suitable for framing of pen and ink drawing created by me for small press publications. Please allow up to two weeks for processing orders.
$20.00
Welcome to my store! Please take a look at the available products. Also, due to rate increases free shipping is no longer available for US customers. Thank you for stopping by! Dismiss