The Sketch Files

Lifelike: first look

2011-12-04T16:25:00.000-08:00

I realized that I haven't posted anything here in over a year. Well, if anyone still reads this blog here's a look at what I'm up to right now.

More 10 minute sketches

2010-09-20T19:26:00.000-07:00

Continuing figure drawing from random photo reference.

The Wraith

2010-09-20T19:10:00.000-07:00

Just a random head sketch of my character The Wraith. I am currently working on a story about him with writer Cassius Coleman.

Get "Infected!"

2010-08-14T01:27:00.001-07:00

This is the cover to an anthology that my favorite comic book retailer, The Comic Bug put together featuring the work of some of the customers.

The pencils are by Dean Yeagle

color and design by me

Infected! logo by Comicraft

52 pages! On sale now. There will be a signing with the creators involved on August 18th at the store. Come out and support if you can. More information at thecomicbug.com

10 min. Sketches

2010-06-16T10:17:00.000-07:00

Random 10 minute sketches from photo reference.

Redd Rocket: Behind the scenes

2010-06-01T04:09:00.000-07:00

Some thumbnails and concept art from my Redd Rocket story.

Free Comic Book Day

2010-04-30T23:03:00.000-07:00

Here are a couple of adverts I did for The Comic Bug's Free Comic Book Day event. If you happen to see this and stop by tell them where you saw the ad.

January Sketches

2010-02-08T03:50:00.001-08:00

Here's a handful of Redd Rocket related rough sketches from my sketchbook that I did in January.

Wolvie

2010-02-08T03:47:00.000-08:00

I believe this is the last thing I sketched in 2009

Emerald City Blues

2009-12-19T03:18:00.000-08:00

Hey you guys, if you like alternate takes on the world of Oz here's something for you. It's not my work but it's pretty darn cool. I just met "Komic Karl" fairly recently and he's a great guy with tons of art skills and he's actually not a bad writer either.

Check it out! It's all that and a bag of chips... with the dip!!! http://komickarl.deviantart.com/gallery/#Emerald-City-Blues

More slingshot

2009-08-13T22:08:00.001-07:00

I revised the look of this character to make her a bit more flamboyant and regal... plus I included a few clichés just incase you weren't sure of her heritage :)

final revised look

early concept

Slingshot concept designs

2009-08-13T21:51:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since I last posted (again) but I'll try to keep this blog updated more frequently from now on.
Here are a few of the character designs I did for Dan Morrow's "Slingshot" I'll post more art from this project as it develops as long as it's okay with Dan.

Redd Figure w/ flightpack

2009-06-17T11:57:00.000-07:00

I finished this a while ago but never posted it. It's the same Redd Rocket figure now complete with her flightpack. Check out that light-up action and she can even stand and support its weight.

There are also a few shots of the hand mod that I added. The older shots had her holding the gun using an invisible rubberband but I went in and added articulation so that she could grip things.

I think it's pretty cool.

Redd Rocket custom figure

2009-05-26T14:01:00.001-07:00

All done now, with the exception of her flight pack. It took a little while for me to figure out what to use to make it. I'm almost done with it now. I just need to get around to painting it.

Redd Rocket Figure WIP 3

2009-05-26T13:58:00.000-07:00

Here are a few more in progress shots including a before and after comparison.

Redd Rocket figure WIP 2

2009-05-09T04:54:00.000-07:00

Here I have purposely handled the figure and moved it around a bit to test the paint job and look for joint rub. I'll need to go back in and touch up many areas of paint. I have also started sculpting the body details too. After I detail her paint I will seal the figure with a matte sealer. The rest is mostly gear and accessories. My next big challenges will probably be constructing her flight pack and finding (or sculpting) a raygun.

Redd Rocket figure WIP

2009-05-07T04:55:00.000-07:00

I decided to try my hand at some action figure customizing. Even though I used to customize my toys all the time as a kid this is probably my first serious attempt at making an existing figure into something else, particularly one of my original creations. I started with a She-Hulk figure. This is still a work in progress but I am happy with my progress so far.

Darth Talon

2009-02-23T03:35:00.000-08:00

A little digital painting I started over a month ago. Just messing around. I doubt I'll ever go back to it at this point.

2009-01-07T01:10:00.001-08:00

My Top 5

2009-01-07T00:56:00.000-08:00

A few of my more popular posts at deviantART

Freedom?

2008-10-06T20:47:00.000-07:00

So my boys Vinny and Joey and I decided to start an ongoing sketch jam. The first topic was "Freedom". Well there you go. This is pretty much what I pictured.

Painting WIP

2008-06-07T16:17:00.000-07:00

These are some of the stages for a commission that I'm working on. I was given a lot of freedom as far as content and composition. The color scheme was pretty much the only thing that was specified. The client also said that she likes my afro chicks... so there you go.

The Real Thing

2008-04-29T15:24:00.000-07:00

A graphite portrait of one of my favorite singers, Jill Scott.

Is there anything in my teeth?

2008-02-06T03:40:00.000-08:00

Hulk ink sketch

Last sketches of 2007

2008-01-22T11:59:00.000-08:00

Rumor Has It

2007-12-23T00:59:00.000-08:00

This is Rumor, a character created by Melina aka akiraine. I got her in the Secret Santa pool over at deviantART and I had fun drawing her character. I think it's a pretty cool, classic design. She kinda looks like a modern day pulp hero.... like she's the shadow's grand daughter or something.

Unveiling

2007-11-02T13:09:00.000-07:00

Veil is an original character that belongs to Angela Vale. This is my half of an art trade with her. The finished color piece is posted here.

lines for final piece

preliminary sketch (I was gonna do this one, but I thought the pose was a little too static and boring)

Green and Grey

2007-10-25T16:39:00.000-07:00

I was up late playing with my Prismacolors. I love the color green so I just naturally ended up sketching one of my favorite characters. By the way, it's The Hulk in case you couldn't tell.

Bats In My Belfry

2007-10-24T03:55:00.000-07:00

I've been feeling a little batty lately. I'm sure it has something to do with striffle 's Batman art jam over at deviantART.

33 Hours Later...

2007-10-21T21:25:00.000-07:00

After survivng 24 hour Comics Day I do still have the urge to draw. As I relax for a bit and get my mind back into regular mode I decided to do some loose sketching with my Tombo brush markers. This is just a rough Batman from my sketchbook... nothing special.

I believe that the comics we worked on this year will be posted online at some point, and when I get that information I'll post a link.

Redd Rough

2007-10-11T17:06:00.000-07:00

I know it's been a while since my last post. I have been sketching a lot and working on pages for Lost Rights. I will probably post some of that stuff soon. I have decided that I will mostly post sketches and rough work on here and the more finished pieces will be on my deviantART page.

This is just a quick sketch of my character Redd done with a red pen and a little bit o Sharpie. Um, yeah... the ghetto booty was not on purpose, but ah well, it stays. :D

Natural Soul

2007-09-17T02:38:00.001-07:00

Loose Bat

2007-09-17T02:36:00.000-07:00

Just a really rough doodle I did while working on pages for LOST RITES.

Kinetic

2007-09-17T02:33:00.000-07:00

A recent drawing of my original character Kenetic in action.

Kinetic is ©2007 me, so hands off... that means you.

The Solution: JUNKMAN & SABRA

2007-09-17T02:24:00.000-07:00

These are the lineart for two characters that I submitted into an "artjam" on deviantART. The details of the jam and all the posts including my full color versions of these two can be found here.

Disco Queen

2007-09-04T19:18:00.000-07:00

Oliver again, but this time with a twist.

2007-08-27T18:39:00.000-07:00

I was messing around and dedcided to finally color this Green Arrow. There are some problems but it was just a rough sketch and I'm satisfied with it.

Flower Power

2007-08-12T03:34:00.000-07:00

This is the preliminary sketch for a painting that I have posted on my deviantART page. It is based on a photograph of model Vishani taken by my good friend Bazille

Leo

2007-06-26T19:33:00.000-07:00

Here's a tattoo design that I did for my sister. Yeah, she's pretty brave I guess. It wasn't totally my idea. I basically took elements that she wanted and aranged and rendered them in what I thought was a tasteful design. I know they'll have to omit some of the detail.

I'll post the actual tat when she saves up enough and finds a good place to get it done.

Condiment Girl

2007-06-24T23:38:00.000-07:00

This is Condiment Girl. She belongs to Volt-reborn my buddy over on deviantART. I did her as part of an art trade. He did the Redd in the previous post. His original deviantArt post is here.
My FULL COLOR deviantART Condi post is here.

Volt's Redd -Guest Artist Post

2007-06-22T00:12:00.000-07:00

I don't usually post other people's work on my blog but I had to share this one. Volt-reborn on deviantART did this pin-up of my character Redd -everyone's favorite Rocket girl ;) as part of an art trade that we agreed upon. I'll post my contribution as soon as I do it. He's got some pretty cool stuff if you get a chance check him out over at deviantART

Shishkerine?

2007-06-11T23:57:00.000-07:00

Well in my efforts to draw something just for fun every day I sometimes fall a little short or just make no sense at all. With that said I have no idea why this little sketch that I did to commemorate my 100th hit (or pageview) on DeviantArt is of Logan with a "Wolver-kebab". Anyway, if you have some time shoot on over to D.A. and check out my gallery. There are a few repeats but a lot of it is different than what is here.

By the way it's just a quick little sketch but I'm bothered by his arm other than that it's decent I guess. Hmmm, maybe two elbows in one arm is an interesting mutation that no one has used before.

World's Finest

2007-06-10T04:03:00.000-07:00

I just got this image in my head the other day. I'm not sure why. I imagine Batman finding some kind of clues that lead him to where ever he is now. He realizes the scope of this mystery and contacts Supes who is just arriving. I wanted to keep it simple and clean and show the contrast between these two. If I get around to coloring it I'll try to maintain that approach. I'm pretty content with this one, I think my Superman needs work though.

The Slayer

2007-06-08T02:01:00.000-07:00

What can I say. I'm hooked. I bought the boxed set of this show and I am now a fan. It's actually like a drug in a way. If you've never seen it or read anything by Joss Whedon google his name and give something a try. Oh by the way It's Sarah Michelle Gellar AKA "Buffy" in case you couldn't tell.

Get Loose

2007-06-05T23:29:00.000-07:00

Well, let's face it. That last Spidey kinda sucked. Well I had a fairly crappy day today and decided to just come home and not think too much. I figured I'd take another crack at Spider-Man. I'm much happier with this one even though some may find it messy that is what I like about it. This kinda of loose gestural drawing is usually relaxing and is a good warming up excercise. Using just the pen and no pencil also makes you think a bit more about form even if you don't care so much about the stray lines like I have here. I actually scribbled extra uneccessary lines just because it was fun. By the way if someone is reading this please feel free to leave comments. I appreciate any comments including critisism. At least that way I know someone actually looks at this crap.

Something was bugging me...

2007-06-03T23:42:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since I made a post. I've been busy drawing a lot but not too much that I can post here, and some of my little rough doodles would just be a waste of space I think. Here's a quick little Spidey just because. I'm kinda whatever about this one. It's boring and pretty unoriginal in pose and style.

"To Infinity and Awaaaay!" or maybe " Up, Up and Beyond!"

2007-05-06T23:56:00.000-07:00

Honestly I just couldn't think of a good title. So here we have two Redd Rocket posts in a row. I decided to go with a more simplified style on this one. I think it works but just doesn't really get that sexyness across. Hopefully it has a sort of Saturday morning feel to it. It's not quite the same as my previous animation inspired R.R. post but it has some elements that I think work better. I'd like to find a happy medium between the two. I kinda prefer the "attitude" of the previous one.

Fly Air Redd

2007-04-28T22:54:00.000-07:00

Well here we have another Redd Rocket. This one was a request. You know who you are. I have a couple more that I plan to post that are in the more "animated" style. I'm very happy with the way this one turned out. It looks like a cover image to me. There isn't a whole lot of action but I think there is the hint of some action to come. In my original sketch I had her with a raygun in her right hand but decided to ditch it in order for her to be more streamlined and have more elegant body language. Hopefully she looks graceful and like she can actually fly and not appear heavy and stiff.

The Dark Knight Returns (plus bonus)

2007-04-24T00:39:00.000-07:00

Well I know it's been over a month. Fear not! I have returned... but don't call it a comeback, I've been here for years. What? Okay now that that's out of the way. Here's a typical Batman sketch from me that I decided to color in Photoshop basically just so that it was a little more presentable. Nothing too exciting but I'm fairly pleased with the fact that it came out pretty much as imagined. The second image is a little tease (for Josh) from the first page of my current comic project. Stay tuned more to come... I promise.

Seeing REDD

2007-03-04T20:38:00.000-08:00

Most of you guys that check out my blog have probably seen this character before, although I never posted her here. I went for more of an animation style on this one. It didn't come out exactly as planned but I'm pretty happy with it.

Old Glory

2007-03-04T20:33:00.000-08:00

I found this old Captain America from August 2000 the other day. I just thought I'd share. It appears it got wet somewhere along the way... that's what those specks are. I just didn't feel like cleaning it up.

Red, White, and Blue (Finally!)

2007-02-18T00:13:00.000-08:00

By popular demand I finally colored that Captain America... well, technically I didn't. I grew tired of the old sketch and decided to start from scratch. Although I think this is a better composition and has more of the characters spirit, I'm not totally satisfied. I'm pretty happy with the colors on this one but once I did color it I noticed a few flaws in the figure. It's also a bit stiff if you ask me.

"Size matters not"

2007-01-29T23:48:00.000-08:00

I drew this in somebody's convention sketchbook on Friday. He's a big Star Wars fan. I don't think I've drawn Yoda since there were only three SW movies... maybe two.

2007-01-28T19:54:00.001-08:00

More pics from Virginia. Check my LINKS.

"The Thundercats are loose!" "And we're gonna loosen your bones for ya too."

2007-01-28T17:50:00.000-08:00

I found myself in a Panthro mood today. I was just going to sketch and mess around but found myself playing on Photoshop until the coloring was complete. So, even though I had originally planned for Captain America to be the first coloured peice Panthro beat him to the punch. I think J.Ho in particular will appreciate this one (yeah, take that Bootleg. Who's drawing 80's toy inspired cartoons now?). Ahem, But I do have to give J.Ho props, his work inspired me to do this in the first place. There's also a little bonus in there... while I was sketching I ended up with a decent little Cheetara head... um that's not meant to be dirty.

God save the Queen

2007-01-25T23:03:00.000-08:00

Well as it turns out I managed to find some time to sketch today at lunch. I did this one with my good friend and collaborator Josh in mind.

The Angel

2007-01-25T00:13:00.000-08:00

Working overtime including over the weekend has resulted in me having No new stuff for this week yet. So, here's an oldie for you guys to enjoy.

Sketchin' all over the country Part deux

2007-01-17T00:11:00.000-08:00

This one shouldn't come as a shock to anyone who knows me well. It was only a matter of time before this guy made his way on to the "sketchblog". I drew these two on my way back to L.A. in turbulence mind you... Turbulence! Hope you guys enjoy it as much as I enjoyed drawing it.

SHORT EARS!

Don't worry, I plan to get some color on here soon. Don't forget to check out my LINKS

Sketchin' all over the country.

2007-01-16T23:55:00.000-08:00

Well, some might find these a refreshing departure from muscle bound guys in tights, and some maybe a little disappointed but nonetheless, I sketched some portraits while I was visiting my friend KeVonne in Virginia (by the the way there are pictures in the "Virginia Trip" Blog in my LINKS section). Yes actual real, live people that don't thwart crime. At least I don't think they do. Is there anything else in the world to thwart besides crime?... just wondering.

KeVonne

Genitra

Bird Brain

2007-01-16T00:06:00.000-08:00

I am finally back from my trip to Virginia (I plan on creating a blog with vacation photos soon). I have a few sketches to post but it is late so I'll strech it out over a couple of different posts. As for this post; I'm not sure if it was all the flying or what but this really rough sketch of Hawkman was the first thing I drew on the plane on my way out to VA. Hawkman used to be one my favorite slghtly obscure characters when I was younger. He was on one of the incarnations of the Superfriends... I think it was "Challenge of the Superfriends" and I had a comic with him and Hawkgirl solving some cool mystery on a rainy night. Anyway, for some reason I've recently found myself becoming fond of the character again for some reason. He has a great, classic costume. I think we might see some more Hawkman drawings sometime soon. By the way I'm a little rusty so bear with me. I'm sure some of these pieces will start to become a little cleaner as time goes by and I get back into the swing of things.

Not so Red, White, and Blue (yet)

2007-01-07T11:43:00.001-08:00

Okay, so here's a little teaser of my in progress Cap piece. I'll be out of town for a week, so we won't see any updates at least until Jan. 15 at the earliest.

In the beginning...

2007-01-06T16:33:00.000-08:00

Welcome to my "Sketchblog". I will be updating this space weekly (hopefully) with sketches and maybe some more finalized pieces of my artwork.