Art, Artists and Alcohol

iPad sketch, 1/23: Man on Train

2012-01-26T17:11:00.000-08:00

Voodoo Child!

2011-12-29T11:50:00.000-08:00

Early this year I got the crazy idea to try and orchestrate an exhibit featuring new and original works of art based on the Disney Villains franchise. It was a pretty exhausting experience but one that proved worthwhile in the end. In all, we had works from 19 different artists and a total of 23 unique submissions, all of which were displayed prominently in a gallery created specifically for this event.

Along with curating the show I also contributed a piece. I chose Dr. Facilier from "The Princess and the Frog." I really loved everything about this character from his streamlined physical design all the way down to his serpent-like movements. I also thought the voice-casting of Keith David was brilliant.

This piece was done on black Strathmore paper, 18x24 with oil pastels, colored pencil and correction fluid.

iPad meets agentP

2011-11-02T21:44:00.000-07:00

A sketch of everyone's favorite platypus.

iPad sketch, 10/12: Rick

2011-10-14T21:06:00.000-07:00

Here are some notes from my last meeting.

iPad Sketch: Art Studio app

2011-10-11T20:54:00.000-07:00

Trying out a new sketch app for the iPad. It's called Art Studio and it's been out for awhile now but I'm just now getting around to it. MUCH different than Sketchbook Pro but I haven't used it enough yet to declare a winner. Stay tuned...

iPad: The Sleeping Series- "Process"

2011-09-24T07:36:00.000-07:00

A co-worker asked about my process. I think he assumed that I was able to complete these "Sleeper Series" sketches in one sitting. That is not, however, the case (although I wish it was!). There are a lot of factors that play into me NOT being able to do so but, regardless, I generally have just enough time to lay down the sketch and most of the base colors. It's not until later on (usually the same day) that I go back and add some of the light, texture and other color details to complete the drawing.

Got it? Great! Now go to sleep.

iPad: The Sleeping Series

2011-09-14T22:21:00.000-07:00

When people sleep, they don't move. When they don't move, I can draw them. Sweet dreams, weary travelers.

Self-Portrait...sort of.

2011-08-30T09:02:00.000-07:00

A fun exercise in self-deprecation. Digital: iPad.

More iPad Sketches!!

2011-08-24T21:34:00.000-07:00

So I've incorporated these morning sketches into my commute. A bit tough to do it on the bus, but occasionally I come up with something remotely presentable. The gentleman in the glasses (at the bottom) is Mark Steinberg, Lead Writer for "Jake and the Neverland Pirates," a very charming fellow.

Sketching on the iPad.

2011-07-06T22:20:00.000-07:00

I am now a proud owner of the iPad 2 thanks to the wonderful folks at Disney (Thanks John and Marie!). I'm still getting used to the drawing apps but so far I'm having a lot of fun with it. Here are a few examples of some early sketches. Enjoy!

My First Book!

2011-06-16T07:57:00.000-07:00

So it's been awhile since I've posted and now you know why. For the past year and a half I've been hard at work illustrating my first two books. This was a big step for me in my career as an artist for a couple of reasons. First and foremost, it's always been a dream of mine to be a published illustrator. Second, I'm literally surrounded at work by guys that have been published dozens of times, so for me this was a first step towards following their lead. And lastly this was an opportunity for me to work with my friend, Kristen, who is co-author of the book. She kindly recommended me to her publisher and I was honored to be a part of it. This was her first book as well!

The book is for educational purposes so it's technically not a Children's Book. The subject matter is geared towards teaching kids with special needs the importance of "listening with their whole body," hence the title of the book. Since the book is geared towards such a specific niche market, you won't find it at Barnes and Noble. But you can purchase it online at the publisher's website as well as Amazon.

www.socialthinking.com
www.amazon.com

"Whole Body Listening Larry at Home" is the first in a series. The follow up is currently being printed and will be available soon!

Here are some more pages from the book:

DIY Project: #437

2010-12-05T21:34:00.000-08:00

OK... So in continuing to shed light on the contrast between the life of Ryan Astamendi and myself, I have decided to create a new entry in the Hall of Shame. This episode is called: "Stay-cation Side Project." Featured below is a description of a home improvement project that I decided to tackle whilst enjoying my week off from Disney. And to conclude, in sharp contrast, will be how Ryan spent the same week at his home while still working. One of us was actually on vacation and one of us was not. You be the judge.

So there's a small space that divides the unattached garage from my house. It's a bit of a mess and recently our dog, Benji, has taken to digging up the area and escaping underneath the fence from time to time. Here's how it used to look:

I figured now would be a good time to tackle this problem and create a space that's both livable and secure for the dog. The old, dirty lava rock mulch was a nuisance because it's too light weight and makes a mess anytime I try to use the blower. Easy ladies. So the first thing to do is to remove it.

After clearing the area of the mulch I then had to trim a section of chicken wire to staple across the base of the fence. In order to ensure the dog cannot dig, the wire has to be cut at a long enough length to bury it in the ground directly under the fence. So I dug about 4 inches down and rolled the wire backwards away from the fence. Then I covered the wire with the back fill dirt.

Next I tamped the area flat and then laid out the bricks. I angled the ones resting against the fence as a further deterrent for the dog.

After the bricks were all secured I measured the space and cut a piece of landscape fabric to fit, making sure it was long enough, though, to allow me to tuck it under the bricks.

DIY Tip: Whenever laying bricks or paving stones always try to sweep dirt or sand in between. Over time, the dirt settles and holds the bricks more securely in place. Am I turning you on yet, ladies?

And finally, I filled the space with a heavier rock mulch called, Mexican Sea Pebbles. You can find it at Home Depot but I was able to get it in bulk for cheaper at a local stone yard.

Beautiful right? What more can a man ask for other than to gaze upon his home and see the fruits of his labor shine like the...uhhh...

I mean, shine like...umm...

This is Suelyn. She was nice enough to pose for Ry the same week.

Stupid f#!@ing rocks.

Vacation

2010-11-28T08:33:00.000-08:00

Good times. Seriously.

Sketchbook Doodles

2010-11-27T20:48:00.000-08:00

Had some fun playing around with shapes and expressions. Nothing much to expand on. It is what it is. Enjoy!

RIP: Paul Conrad

2010-09-06T07:10:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite political cartoonists and inspiration for my early work in cartooning, Paul Conrad, died at the age of 86 on Saturday. For those not familiar, he was a giant in the industry who worked at the LA Times for over thirty years and won three pulitzer prizes for his work. He was one of our nation's greatest political satirists.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/09/05/AR2010090500714.html?hpid=moreheadlines

Creature Portraiture

2010-04-23T15:46:00.000-07:00

Since my last post didn't garner too many responses I figured I need to step it up a bit. I always like the challenge of trying to render different textures and material in photoshop. For his hoodie, I was going for a vinyl look, almost like a swimmer's cap. I didn't realize it at the time but there's definitely a Boris Karloff "Frankenstein-thing" going on here. Had some fun with this one.

Shapes n' Sketches

2010-04-07T08:15:00.000-07:00

For lack of a better term...

I've been experimenting lately with this new technique, well... new to me. I'll start with a sketch of someone and then build upon their shape with a bunch of random thoughts and doodles. Kind of a cool excercise while riding the train. I think eventually I'd like to try telling a bit more of a story by using congruent ideas rather than completely random objects. Then, who knows, maybe even some color.

Whoa!! Slow down, Hutch! One step at a time, baby!

Liz and Gorgeous George

2010-01-22T09:54:00.001-08:00

A sketch from one of our character art meetings last week.

Liz took a break from coughing just long enough for me to sketch her. George was present but he left soon thereafter.

Yikes! More Traffic School Sketches!

2009-12-18T13:46:00.000-08:00

For those that follow this blog (the few of you out there!), you may remember some sketches I posted from traffic school not too long ago. Well... sadly, I got another ticket and recently had to complete 12 more hours! Shit!!

Anyhoo, I brought my sketchbook, and while the voice of Craig T. Nelson could be heard narrating the instructional video in the background I sketched for hours. The world was perfect again.

The sad part is that despite all of this I still have no desire to drive slow.

April

2009-12-02T12:46:00.000-08:00

Another talented co-worker. Got inspired to try and hit her with some color. Prismacolor markers.

Vinnie...again!

2009-11-23T14:11:00.000-08:00

Can't get enough of this monkey! One of my favorite people to caricature. Vince is truly a good sport... and he always brings the energy!

Sci-Fi Suckas!

2009-10-04T08:08:00.000-07:00

Two of my favorite people. Sometimes the mind wanders and you just gotta roll with it. I have no idea where I was trying to go with this. I originally wanted to try and caricature Eddie and Vince by memory. So I worked it out in my sketchbook and just decided to stretch it out a bit. I liked the drawing so much that I went ahead and rendered it in order to avoid another plain 'ol sketch on the blog. Trying to raise the bar...so to speak.

Bizarro World

2009-08-24T22:37:00.000-07:00

My co-worker and good friend, Ryan Astamendi, and I always joke with each other about how vastly different our lives are. Every Monday we deliver the standard, "What did you do this weekend?" My weekends usually consist of yard work, birthday parties and early bedtimes. His weekends usually consist of...Well, let's just say that his weekends yield new photos of half-naked brunettes. Bastard!

Anyhoo, last Saturday I was knee-deep in tree roots and thinking to myself, "This is as pure an example of what I do on weekends as anything! I really need to document this. Hopefully I can laugh about it...Otherwise, I'm going to cry!

And this is how Ry spent his weekend.

Fuck.

Sketchbook 8/14/09

2009-08-14T08:57:00.000-07:00

Creature Sketch!

2009-07-31T09:56:00.000-07:00

This is Greg. He enjoys bringing misery to the world around him. You wouldn't know it by looking at him. He seems relatively harmless. But if you happen to wake up early one morning, just as the sun peers out over the hills, don't be surprised if you catch him trampling in your garden.

A Stitch In Time...

2009-07-20T08:08:00.000-07:00

Well...almost in time. It was a day late but overall I'm happy with it.

These types of projects are so much fun because it presents an opportunity to see how other people approach a similar canvas, which in this case is a white, 3-Dimensional vinyl figure. I thoroughly enjoyed the dialogue I had with all of my co-workers who were also taking part in this "experiment," and loved seeing the outcome. Thanks to Whitney, Ronnie V, Tanner and Quinn for their insight.

But I would have to say the best part overall was that my daughter was so enthralled by what I was doing that she wanted to come outside and "paint" with daddy. So I set up her easel, grabbed her watercolors and my daughter and I painted alongside each other for the first time. It was truly one of those moments that will stay with me forever. As a result I'm planning on buying her a small, white vinyl figure that she can have fun with in the hopes that she too will have something to take away from this experience. I'll keep you posted...

Meeting Sketches 5/13

2009-05-13T23:18:00.000-07:00

Trio

2009-05-02T22:34:00.000-07:00

Vince and Ryan, the only two people who still visit my blog, have been bugging me lately to put up something new. So this one is for them.
To explain, I feel very fortunate to work with people who are not only extremely talented but are people with whom I genuinely get along with. Vince and Ryan are like "brothers from a different mother." When one of us is missing, there's a complete shift in the way noises, dialogue and laughter flow from our workspace. Probably to the relief of those around us. I have a sneaking suspicion, though, that as I grow older and continue in my career as an artist that I will look back at this time in my life and fondly refer to it as the Golden Years.
Scary thought.

Train Sketch and Render

2009-02-10T22:05:00.000-08:00

Here's another head sketch from the train last week. This guy was sleeping a couple rows in front of me. Perfect candidate. Decided to do some basic rendering to break up the monotony of this dreary blog. I think I need some cupcakes.

Head Sketches

2009-01-27T22:14:00.000-08:00

I was really bummed that I was unable to enroll in this semesters "Head Drawing" class at Disney. In light of my frustration I decided to focus on sketching only heads on the train and at work. Here are some of the results.

A Face Only An Artist Could Love...

2008-12-19T09:47:00.001-08:00

One of the great things about working alongside such talented people is that you are never allowed to take yourself too seriously and never able to sustain any kind of ego. I am constantly humbled due to the continual output of amazing caricatures by people like John Quinn and Ron Velasco. Each has a unique, inimitable style which always inspires me to work harder at my craft.

John T. Quinn III

Ron Velasco, aka "Ronnie V"

I am honored to be a "target."

I gots me some Street Cred, yo!

2008-12-08T16:31:00.000-08:00

Just had the opportunity to meet Bobby Hundreds, a very nice, young fella' who is part owner/creator of "The Hundreds," an extremely fast-growing start up company that specializes in aparrel/accessories for urban youths. Bobby was kind enough to include me in his video which takes a behind-the-scenes look at how we create art for production at Disney. Specifically the video is dedicated to the release of the Lost Boys line which goes on sale this Thursday 12/11 for which I created the art.

Check it out:
http://www.thehundreds.com/wordpress/?p=8126

Power Rangers style exploration

2008-12-03T09:41:00.000-08:00

One of the fun things (among many!) about working for Disney is that because it's so far reaching (regarding the amount of properties that the company represents) there are ample opportunities to try new things with previously established characters. The following are examples of some Power Ranger style explorations I did awhile back. We were going for a comic book inking style similar to that of Spawn. As a result I was able to hand ink all of the completed tight pencils and render a couple of them in order to provide clear design direction. I was very happy with the result and thoroughly enjoyed the process.

My Favorite Calvin & Hobbes strip...EVER!

2008-11-23T22:47:00.000-08:00

Let me be clear...I am a HUGE Calvin & Hobbes fan. I have been reading the strip since I was in 8th grade. I have most of the books and collections in paperback. Also have the recently released three-volume collection in hardback of every strip published. I know that Bill Watterson is an asshole, but I don't care. I know if there's one person I could have lunch with before I die it would be him.

It's always difficult to pick a favorite out of something you love so much, but because I'm such a dork I've actually put thought into this. After much internal strife and rigorous debate with multiple personalities I have concluded that the strip you see here has won the coveted award of "Dork's Favorite Calvin & Hobbes Strip."

This strip still makes me laugh every time I read it and, in my opinion, pretty much embodies all that Calvin and Hobbes is about. Calvin's antipathy for school and the morning routine that precedes it, societal anarchy, subversive dialogue and a conclusion that you know is going to get him in trouble...again. It's all there. And sitting as always by his side, serving as his conscience, is the loyal Hobbes. What a pair. What a comic strip. One of the best.

Train Sketches

2008-11-19T08:40:00.000-08:00

More fun on the way to work.

The Fire in Hidden Hills

2008-11-18T05:48:00.000-08:00

This past weekend in Southern California fires raged out of control throughout the city of Yorba Linda and more specifically, the neighborhood and area I grew up in. The area just beyond the hills of my parents house is where Chino Hills and Corona merge with Yorba Linda. There's a lot of undeveloped, dry hills that tend to be fire prone, but thankfully, our area has never severely been threatened. All of that changed last weekend.
The entire city and surrounding areas were engulfed by smoke and flames. It was an experience I'll never forget. Thankfully my parents house was not burned down thanks in large part to the heroics of our nextdoor neighbor who happens to also be a firefighter. After my folks were evacuated he stayed behind with a hose and soaked the surrounding trees between his house and ours. Thanks Jim! The house directly above them, however, could not be saved and burned down. Two other houses along their street burned as well.
These images were taken outside of my house in La Habra which is less than a mile from where the Brea fire was located and only about three miles from the Yorba Linda one.

Cracked Pavement

2008-11-01T08:26:00.000-07:00

Having grown up reading comics in the LA Times, it has always been a dream of mine to have a syndicated comic strip. This was my first attempt at it. "Cracked Pavement" was a strip that I created after Bill Watterson quit the business. His leaving left a huge void in my life and this was my attempt at filling it. I created about 15-20 strips, bundled them up into a portfolio and sent it to all the major syndicates. Of course, it was rejected, but I still had fun doing it and hope to continue with it someday.