I’ve been doing a lot of house-cleaning on Ripsey these past few days; migrating a lot images over and getting rid of redundancies. In the process I came across a few works from 2003-2004 and thought I’d post them.

I found this image of a painting I did for a Secret Santa exchange a couple of years ago. YayHooray has played host to several secret santas over the past few years (with mixed results). In 2004 I sent this painting to leocap in Buffalo, NY.

This one’s a digital illustration I did for The Canadian Improv Games earlier that year. I’ve done several design jobs for the Games over the years, and still continue to be involved with the organization as a volunteer. This “ImprovBot” illustration was used in a poster campaign I deisgned for the Ottawa Regionals that year.

Lastly, here’s an interesting piece; my first attempt at digital illustration! I had just dug up my old tablet and was fooling around with Photoshop brushes. My aim was to do at least one drawing a day to get used to using my Wacom again (I had bought it about four years prior but never really used it for much).

I’ve just completed these two pieces for the Insulin Show which is taking place this week in Edmonton.

I’m quite happy with the results considering that I went from sketch to finished canvas in just over a week. Both pieces measure 12×12 gallery style canvases, and were done purely in acrylics.

Leaving, Part 1: Bidding Farewell

Leaving, Part 2: On The Road (Again)

I approached these paintings a bit differently than I normally do; I used really diluted paints (using FlowAid and water), and tried to build everything up in layers.

So this is the WIP of my submission for the Insulin Show (see post from earlier today). Two canvases that can be hung seperately or together… I have another few days to get these done and still haven’t even touched either the raven or Skullboy… ugh. I hope I have enough time!

The sketches were developed as seperate, but once I got the drawing onto the canvas, I realised they matched up and then worked to keep the light sourcing the same and make it so they could work together or apart.

I tried using the same approach I take with digital colouring; namely working in layers and building up the elements. I started with a sketch and then reworked it directly onto the canvas in pencil. I started painting heavily watered-down coats of blue/grey for the sky, slowly adding detail for the clouds and moon.

I blocked in all the elements in black (save for skullboy, who’s white) Then I started outlining stuff in a dark dark grey (I even started using my miniature paints and brushes!). I gradually lightened my paint and added more detail. There’s still a long ways to go, but I’ve got nothing better to do this week…

Besides watching the Lost season finale tonight… and working at Zaphod’s tomorrow night ( I run a spaghetti-western themed dj battle called “High Noon”)… and deejaying there again on Friday…

Okay, I’m screwed.