I just found out about this amazing German artist and thought I would pass the news along to you on the off chance that you, like me, had not yet heard of him - Franz Xaver Messerschmidt ( 1736 - 1783 ). As we all know, depicting facial expressions is fun but difficult and tricky. Messerschmidt seems to be a master. I hope you enjoy these. I think they are terrific.
I was recently contacted by Michael Falcone, a documentary film maker concerning his film The Hall of Giants. It's about the legendary Fremont Troll Sculpture in Seattle. He wanted to use my Troll Image in his film as an example of what trolls can, and of course "do" look like. I was happy to let him use my pic and took this old image back into Photoshop and spruced it up a little - it has to look good on the big screen.
Here's a link to a trailer on Vimeo for his film. The password is Troll - http://vimeo.com/29587103
It looks like fun.
Travel safely and peace be with you.
Cheers.
Some birds, just for fun.
More soon.
As you may recall from a recent post, I'm currently doing development work for an animated feature film - 3D, stereoscopic - the whole 9 yards. This gig is really fun and I'm dying to share the work I've been doing for them, but of course I can't. I'd be killed if I even breathed a word of it - very top secret, as these things always are. Anyway - needless to say, a ton of drawing has been done already - lots of landscape work and character design. So instead, here are a couple of recent warm up sheets.
More soon.
Cheers and travel safely.
I happened to be in a mall a few weeks back with a bit of time to kill so I treated myself to a wee bit of life drawing - the best practice ever. I set myself up in front of the Tim Horton's Coffee kiosk, where there was a long and continuous line for coffee and donuts - which explains why many of the figures are pointing the same way. Line ups are good for drawing because it forces people to remain relatively still for a few moments which gives us half chance at drawing them, but you still have to be fast. I could really use a bit more of this.
Once you get into the groove of drawing everybody starts to look like a character design. That's when it starts to get fun. Anyway - more soon.
Cheers and travel safely.
Okay, a few warm up pages. I thought I might draw some cowboys this time. I've seen a couple of good westerns lately and always love the grizzled old characters and nasty villains you get in those stories, so I had to try drawing some. Here are a few variations on this classic theme of the outlaw gang - just for fun - and for something a little different.
More soon.
I've just signed on to do visual development work for an animated feature film which is just going into production. This means I will be designing environments and characters for them. This also means that there is a very good chance that this blog is going to take on a rather animation/cartoon slant. Some of you may be thinking that it already has a cartoon slant and you're probably right, but it may become more pronounced in the future. I'm just giving you fair warning in case you find cartoons irritating - I know, but some people do.
As we all know, in production films are very hush, hush and this one is no exception. I won't be able to say anything about it or show the work I'm doing for it, but it is my intention to keep this blog going and let it be about visual development work and drawing for animated movies. I hope you will find this interesting, and hopefully we will both learn a few things along the way.
More soon.
Travel safely.
A little watercolour experiment from a few months back.
More soon - when the dust settles.
Cheers
Some recent sketchbook activity - witch birds. I've been thinking about them lately, which is exactly what they want you to do. They have long spindly limbs and are storkish, but I think they may have some fox blood in them too. You cannot trust them. They gather in flock covens and cast spells. They are dangerous and cunning and show no mercy. They prefer open country because their eyesight is very good. You'll have to be careful.
Travel safely.
Some recent sketchbook work. There is some Dickens motivation here as well as some other stuff.
Thanks for stopping by.
Cheers.
Back to Sherwood for the second of three posts. This time we have Maid Marian, Alan A Dale and Will Scarlet.
More soon.
Cheers.
Robin, Little John and Friar Tuck. Just for fun.
More soon.
Cheers
I wanted to take a moment and clarify a few of the facts concerning that recent troll business we've all heard about. I realize that many of you have been receiving inaccurate information concerning this unfortunate scenario and I would like to set the record straight. Misinformation in situations like this can only lead to further misunderstanding, name calling and muckraking.
Firstly and most importantly, there were no fatalities, nor were there any injuries. All sorts of things can go wrong during a storm and when trolls are involved the accidents can pile up quickly, but lets take a look at what really happened.
As we all know, the troll in question moved into the area last winter and by all accounts was very well behaved. He kept to himself and was very neat and tidy. The local residents, recognizing that a peaceful and in some cases even helpful creature was in their midst, welcomed him into the area with open arms. Some were even leaving food out for him. Everyone agreed that having a troll nearby kept wolves and unfriendly strangers away. Everybody was getting along fine until last spring on the night of the big storm. According to Emily and Rupert Sandstone, the owners at Easterbrook cottage who lost a stairwell and guest bedroom that night - "It wasn't his fault at all. He just got turned around in the storm, that's all. It was dark, rainy and windy, lightning too. He backed into our guest bedroom and knocked down a wall. He didn't mean to. Scared Penrose Cranston half to death but she walked away without a scratch. Startled her though which led to all that screaming and yelling. That's what set him off. He went crashing down the lane, over the bridge and fell into the creek. We haven't seen him since."
It's at this point that we need to pay attention to the facts. All of our eye witnesses agree. This was not an attack or an offensive gesture. Nobody was hurt. No one's compost heap was disturbed and all the out-houses are still in tact. There have been a lot of wild rumours flying around the area lately, but as far as we can tell, none of them are true.
All agree that this little community is not the same without him and he is missed. The Sandstones are already rebuilding their guest quarters and harbour no ill feelings. Everyone is anxious for things to get back to normal. Peace offerings of wool blankets and baked goods have been left out for him but so far remain untouched. With any luck he will soon be back, his protecting presence casting a warm and secure glow over this little area and everyone in it.
Wolves have been heard howling in the woods again and dark strangers have been recently observed on several local roads.
I hope this clears things up.
More soon. Peace be with you.
Well, I was finally able to scrape a few minutes together over the Christmas break and actually make a picture for myself. It has been quite a while since I've had the chance to do this and I really wanted to make the most of this little opportunity. There had been a story circulating around the taverns and roadhouses outside Gwelf for a few years now concerning a company of armoured knights engaged in a pitched battle with a band of brigand trolls on the old bridge at Albion. I thought this would make a terrific subject for my next piece and wanted to be sure to do it justice.
There were still a few details I wanted to clarify so I decided to conduct a little investigation and see what I could find out. I wanted my depiction of these historic events to be as accurate as possible and so I decided to interview the eye witnesses and see if I could track down anyone who was actually in the battle. After conducting a number of covert interviews and eves dropping on several very secretive conversations the truth began to appear. As it turns out, the company of armoured knights became a handful of terrified farmers and the band of brigand trolls became one peaceful and snoozy troll asleep under a bridge with a large jug of vintage pear cider. After a brief verbal exchange the troll agreed to vacate the vicinity by the end of the day. Everyone went home satisfied. Lamps were lit and dramatic war stories were told by the fire side. I much prefer this version of the story and that is what I've depicted.
More soon.
Peace be with you.
Lets consider this a seasonal post. A little heads-up as to where you might want to stay if you should happen to find yourself on the other side of the ethereal border this holiday season. Travelling in the Faerie Realm, as we all know, can be a little tricky, what with booby traps, disguised personalities, hauntings and many other dark magic shenanigans to contend with. A little caution is always advisable.
So this time we would like to point you in the direction of a charming little pub called The Toad and Teasel, located on the East Road when leaving Gwelf and heading for Inverary. The Toad and Teasel comes highly recommended from many reliable sources including your truly. The food is first rate - good old fashioned pub fare, sticks to your ribs and makes you happy. The ale is dark and rich and goes straight to your head. The rooms are warm and comfortable and fully protected by powerful spells of defense and safety. The invisible lodger in room 3 was banished once and for all during a lively ceremony last summer, rendering all rumours to the contrary wholly untrue. You can rest easily and without worry at the Toad and Teasel.
The proprietors, Mr. Duncan Cheesewater and his wife Penelope will go out of their way to make you feel at home. You'll find Duncan at his usual station behind the bar and Penelope up to he elbows in the kitchen, toiling away to make sure your stay is warm, cozy and festive, unless you are allergic to cats of course. There's one in every room and there doesn't seem to be a thing anyone can do about it. "They have their ways and we have ours" as Duncan often says. "It makes you wonder whose feeding them".
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Duncan and Penelope
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If you should happen to make it over to the Gwelf area in the next couple of weeks you will be able to take part in the local festivities. The Midwinter celebrations will be going full bore until the end of the month. Even if you are unfamiliar with the Winter Solstice holiday we're sure you will feel right at home. The customs are very similar to ours with eating, drinking and singing being among the favourites. Be sure to celebrate safely though. Every year we lose a few careless revelers to witch attacks, so be sure to stick to the main roads.
Happy holidays everyone and peace be with you.
One more thing while I'm thinking about it. Wood Gnomes, Flickers and Pixies have all been spotted recently in the vicinity of the Toad and Teasel. This is a very good sign as these little forest creatures only appear where the spirits are high and a general feeling of good humour is present.
8 Comments on The Toad and Teasel, last added: 1/12/2012
This is a typical example of the kind of witch dwelling found in the Hill Country just north of Gwelf. This area is very remote and unforgiving. Much caution and care need to be taken if you should ever happen to find yourself traveling in this dangerous region. Although the dark and unholy occupant of this cottage has not yet been observed, the troll (below) has been reported in the area several times and is believed to be defending her property.
More soon - peace be with you.
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Hey Larry, make sure to post the URL of your new blog so we know where to go. Thanks!
I really like the mermaid tail in your last sketch, I don't think I've seen one that wasn't a straightforward disney's little mermaid-style dolphin tail. This one is more eel like or something, looks more natural somehow.
And much I do care!
Catch you on the new blog then!
James, Nathalie, Mordicai - I will definitely be posting a link to my new blog in a couple of days. Thanks !
That's sad news about having to move, but I'll certainly follow you Larry, looking forward to the new space!
Thanks Mountain-Ash. I'll be posting a link in a day or two.
See You on the 'otherside'.
Thanks James. I'll be there. ;)
Great stuff as always , I'm looking forward to the new blog!
Thanks Raoul - I will have a link to the new blog this week.