Self Portrait as Walrus vs. Self Portrait as Rhinocerous

Here are a few more from an old sketchbook. The assignment was to do a self portrait as an animal and these were my preliminary sketches.





I eventually settled on the walrus for the final piece pictured below.

Thievery!

This wasn't the face that I made when I found out my backpack had been stolen out of my car last Thursday, but it sure could have been. As some of you know I've been in a bit of a funk the last week due to this theft which included both of my primary sketchbooks, art materials, one of a kind reference photos, post cards, my ipod and headphones, and a library book of the adventures of Baron Munchausen. I'm feeling a bit better than I did and making a real effort to stay on the positive side of things. Here's a list of positive things to come out of this situation:

1. While my stuff was being stolen I was seeing an awesome concert. The thief did not get to see this concert, therefore is eternally bummed.
2. Since I post everything on this blog there's only a handful of drawings I hadn't scanned yet, so at least I still have a record of the images lost. (though I am sad I won't get to share the ones I was working on with you folks)
3. I'll have to get a new ipod which will most likely be infinitely superior to my old one. Joke's on you thief!
4. Maybe the thief will be turned on to some awesome music from my ipod which will change him forever.
5. It's always nice to be reminded the uncertainty of life and to not put too much importance on possessions, even artwork. There will be many more drawings in my lifetime no doubt, even better than the ones I lost.

The worst part is just that feeling of violation. The feeling you get in the pit of your stomach, and all those lingering questions. When exactly did he take it? Where is my stuff now? If I had parked on a different street would it still have happened?



Well, enough dwelling on it. Time to move on to BIGGER and BETTER things!

Oh dear, what a colorful mustache!

Here's a first pass with color. For this one I just set some values down in a burnt sienna to "set the stage" for what's to come in the future. I'm having fun with this one so far and it's nice working with a new medium. Especially one that's so hard to control. I'd still like to get looser and more spontaneous with my work. Maybe I'll do another version of this once I'm done with this one without the pen marks.

Self Portrait with Mustache

Here's the bare bones of what will become a watercolor painting I'm doing of myself. Right now I'm too tired to post any more. More to come tomorrow.

Yesterday (chops chops)

So, this is kinda what I looked like yesterday. I always like to shave my beard off in stages before taking the whole thing off and starting from scratch. I'm growing tired of this though and will probably be entering mustache town soon. I forgot how much I like working just in pen.

I've also been feeling a little negligent with the blog. Only 38 posts this year and it's already April? Pretty pathetic for something called "Sketch a Day." I'll try harder folks. Bear with me. Until I have a bare face that is. Then do whatever you want.

In-animation

Drawing games are always fun while waiting for your food at a restaurant. This one was "draw a self portrait as an inanimate object" and "anthropomorphize an object that you own." Thus you have me as a calculator and Mr. Bedside Lamp. Sorry that they're not more impressive drawings.

It's been a while

I realize I haven't posted in over a week and I didn't really want to apologize for it because I don't want us to have that kind of relationship, but I do think an explanation is in order. Simply put, I had the flu. I fantasized about how I would continue drawing during my ailment and create amazing illness inspired art, but the fact is I just didn't feel well enough to do anything. Finally I'm better and am ready to post some sketches. I've been focusing on drawing things from my imagination, which is kind of hard when you've been working from life for so long. Not only do you have to tap into your imagination, but you have to have confidence in your drawing skills. Everything is so much easier when you have it right in front of you. Here's a caricature of me surrounded by angry, fluffy creatures. These are the monsters of winter and if only I could figure out how to banish them for good.

Self Portrait Scribble Shade

Self Portrait! This was actually supposed to be the second drawing of a three part series. The other two drawings do not include me. Unfortunately I wasn't really happy with the first drawing in the series so it may just turn into a two part series. Part two coming eventually

I'm not entirely sure what's going on in this picture, but I may be removing my sweater. Pretty erotic, no? If you like it the way it looks, wait till you see it in super saturated mode.

(to view in super saturated mode please scroll down)













!!!

And if you're in Portland tonight you should come to the Doug Fir to see Mighty Tiger, Grand Hallway, and Cabinessence. Perhaps you've seen my flier for it around town. If you haven't, here's a black and white version of it!

Jet Lagged? How about a nap(kin)?

Amazingly I got some drawing done on my flight back to Portland on Monday, between working on the in flight crossword puzzles and reading my book. I'm pretty happy with the self portrait on the bottom. Perhaps it's time to shave the beard? It belies my youthful good looks. Right? (right?)