May 2008

Inspired by John Mayer’s Heartbreak Warfare

I was never really an Art student per se, although I did complete a Digital Media course at an arts college.

High School art for me was more about learning the history and the works of the great artists (of which I’ve forgotten all now), rather than being trained in artistic skills like painting, photography or even drawing. And when the time did come for practical skills, I never really got the grasp of ‘feeling’ it. I was mostly doodling Simpsons characters and whatever that represented Manga/Anime. My painting skills were also non-existent, where they were made up of solids of colour and with no variation between shades.

I’ve been drawing ever since I could hold a pencil, but it’s always been on and off, with some intention of doing so to pass time. I think I even went on for 2-3 years without doing anything in a sketchbook. And it was only 2 years ago when I really understood the differences between pencil densities like HB, 2B, 4B etc lol

Anyhow, currently using 4B pencils at the moment. They rock.

(I’ve always wanted a curly mustache)

Some reference used for the facial structure.

I remember back in 2007 when I started watching the behind the scenes of The Lord of the Rings (Extended Editions) when my mind was blown wide apart by the artisans behind the magic at WETA. I honestly found the process of building and creating the world of Middle Earth more appealing than the films. There was even a moment where I seriously considered “trying” to get a job at WETA. My concept art/design folio was non-existent, so I didn’t care if I had to clean the toilets, or peel the potatoes in the kitchen – I just wanted to be part of it. And in early 2008, when the rumourmill was in full effect with news that The Hobbit would be in the works, my desire to ship over to New Zealand (where WETA is based) only became more powerful.

Anyhow, ahem. Fast forward to today.

PS. Back in my day, I bought the Extended Editions for $210!

Anyone recommend any good inking pens? I’m using these pigma brushes at the moment. And felt tip pens don’t go too well over pencil.

Sadly, this took me 3 hours. Initially I started it as a painting, but that didn’t work. Then started doing line work in Photoshop and that didn’t work either. So in the end, I just threw in some colours with my original line work to create the sense of form.

So so far to go.

Oh, and I’ve been listening to this masterpiece of a track composed by Hans Zimmer for the Batman Begins soundtrack. Always gets me in the doodling mood 😉

Painting in Photoshop really sux.

And I just realised something. The strap that sits on top of the shoulder shouldn’t be stretching over to the top of the bicep. Oh well.