Gorilla Painting

My third painting is complete. As you can see I went with a gorilla/western theme. This time around I took photos throughout the process so that you may enjoy seeing the steps between the blank canvas and the final piece.

Step 1: The idea sketches

I forget the specifics, but a co-worker and I started talking about gorillas and before I knew it I was drawing gorillas all over my sketchbook. I finally got settled on the idea of a cowboy gorilla (going with my animals in people clothes motif). As you can see in this sketch I've already got my colors picked out. I did change the overall look of the gorilla, going for a more simplistic style. When I get my sketches to look the way I want I move on to the canvas.

Step 2: the background

Since I knew I was making the gorilla blue, I wanted to make the background compliment him. I decided to go with a yellow/orange sunset fade.

Then I added a canyon scene, because what is more western than a canyon scene? I used sponges to give it a nice texture.

Step 3: the gorilla

I allowed the background to dry and then added the gorilla. I used a blue color pencil to sketch it out. As you can see I started with the bigger spaces first and then worked my way down to the details. Over the span of two days it took me just a few hours to finish. For the time I took on it I would say I'm happy with the results. 

On to the next painting...

Girl Poses

Practicing my gesture drawings with a little girl character. It's a great way to get the feel for a character and an awesome way to stretch yourself as an artist.

Painting #2: Pig Scout

Painting number 2 is finished (or at least I'm not going to touch it anymore). I feel like I've learned a lot between painting 1 and 2. Needless to say I've got a long way to go but I'm happy with the progression. I would like to give a shout out to the painter who inspires me, Scott Wills. Scott is a background painter for many animated tv shows, including Ren and Stimpy, and Samurai Jack. I feel like calling him good is just too much of an understatement. 

It's on to painting number 3. I think it's going to be a gorilla...a dancing gorilla....a blue dancing gorilla. Yup, that's probably right.

Cat Painting

I've decided to try my hand at painting. This is the first of hopefully many. I don't know a lot about painting in general so this first one was mostly about getting a feel for it. All I can really say is that I'm excited to get started on the next one. I've already decided to keep these paintings to a theme, which will probably be cartoony animals in clothes. Up next: either a gorilla or a pig. I'll take request, but I make no promises.

My Cat: Sprout

I know what your thinking and your right, I haven't posted in a while. Let's just say I've been busy (not that there are many who check this blog out). So here is a picture of my cat Sprout. She has the biggest eyes.
Sometimes I get the feeling that she's trying to hypnotize me. I think she just might be capable. Now if you'll excuse me, I've got some tuna to prepare for my master....er....I mean, cat.

YOLO