?

Sir Kingsbury

Harpish

old scribble...
J...

Scatterbrained UPDATE 4

So here's the finished piece...
I ended up desaturating a few areas. I realized I really tend to drift around a lot, jumping from place to place. Although I don't normally like to use the "airbrush", I ended up using it a lot more in this one as I went on. It helped to soften certain areas. Generally I tried to get a soft tone with broad varying shades then used smaller brush strokes to cast heavier shadows and hilites here and there. I find in difficult to make certain calls over time because it feels like I dont know whats good anymore after I stare at it for too long.
At some point during the process I start to play around with textures. This is usually what makes me start changing some things. I might like what something does and it skews me in that direction. Sometimes for the better, sometimes for worse.
Thanks to Bruno again for some tips!
J...

Scatterbrained UPDATE3

Here's a quick look at where I'm at so far....
As you can see I decided to go with a cloud back ground over the rock and water thing I had goin in the sketch... Thank to Bruno for hookin' it up with some sweeeeet P-Shop brushes. Thanks you Bruno for slowing down my machine!
There's still a little bit I want to "clean up" and still some painful decisions to make.
I will also play with a few "atmospheric choices." But I'm feelin' its almost time to move on.
J...

Scatterbrained UPDATE

UPDATE:
That didnt take long... I already ended up making major changes to her hair and added some kind of hair bow thingy. As far as my actual coloring process, I'm a little all over the place... just feeling out what i think works. I do make sure to keep things pretty layered though. Sometimes I think Ive got too many layers...


I guess I instinctively tend to start painting detail in around the face. There's no rhyme or reason to where I start or what level of detail I work to. Since I feel that I run around aimlessly and uninspired at times it seems to keep me interested most. This is really rough and I'm sure that I'll end up pushing the contrast quite a bit as I move along, adding little things. And as always, who knows what the colors will be. I may even feel like dramatically changing her hair color or shape, who knows. I'm crazy like that. However, I'm liking the direction so far, so this is what I'm going with for now. I also seem to go really saturated with the colors off the bat. I may end up desaturating it a bit.
She's starting to look a little like my friend Jasmin. She was actually here this weekend from Dallas to celebrate our friend Sam's b-day! Drunken Karaoke was a good time! HAPPY BDAY SAM!
J...

Scatterbrained journey...

I'll admit...
Generally my creative process seems to be a bit "scatterbrained" to say the least. Its not that I havent tried to be a bit more "organized" as I create, but Ive just found that when I just "let go", more or less, I tend to like what I'm doing a lot more. Being more guteral seems to feed the artistic urge I get. Lately, Ive been trying to do something a little different than the quick color splashes over lineart that have dominated nearly every post on this blog. I've recently decided to go with more of a painterly approach in Photoshop to my last few personal pieces, eliminating all line art. I ended up liking my last attempt (which is quite rare), so I thought it might be interesting to document a few of the steps as I create my next one. I'll consider this a learning process for myself... in hopes of creating things a little quicker perhaps.
I grabbed this rough sketch from my last sketchbook Glam, and decided to see if I can ruin it:

I started by cleaning up the sketch a little bit. Fixing proportions that I thought were off and pushing a few more shapes. Somewhat redrawing it. Making sure I'm happy with the structure before I paint. I also realized that with "painting" in mind I eliminated somethings that I would normally do with just a sketch or doodle, like the swirly little loops in her hair that just flow out when I sketch aimlessly.
Here's a look at both the fixed drawing and how it compares with the original sketch. Ill use the one on the right as more or less of a guide as I paint over the top:


I found out this is'nt the only time I make changes to my drawings. I try to limit them but constantly play with shapes and proportions while I'm blocking out color shapes. I try to stay away from anything too major though. It sucks to have to change the structure half way through the painting. That isn't very practicle. More often than not I have to just accept where it's going, even if I may not be fully happy. Learn... move on... and apply to the next one...
The process I'm taking here may be a direct result of working in Flash a lot. I've blocked out the shapes in solid colors, like I would a vector drawing, keeping parts of her body on seperate layers. You can see I've made even more changes to the look of the flower petal, stem and wings:


Chances are these arent what the final color will be. As a proceed I feel it out and usually have some sort of revelation, or something"clicks" and everything changes, Sometimes drastically.
Here's one with a slight background added:Now comes more of the fun part for me. Once I have everything relatively blocked out, I start more of a painterly approach over my shapes. Adding textures with different brushes and the magic of photoshop tricks. I'll add updates as I get it done.
J...

Still here...

Still here... but its not pretty.

Ive been real busy lately with quite a few things.
I thank everyone for still bothering to stop by evry once and a while.
A lot of things coming up soon, especially with SDCC right around the way!
stay tuned...
J...

HELLO 2008!

A belated Merry Christmas to everyone!
I've been consumed by work lately and just wanted to pop in and let everyone know that I am still here...
This last year has had its ups and downs and now its time to start anew...
Hopefully 2008 will bring you all great new ideas, inspiration and success!

and what the heck, one more gal for the old year, ringin' in the new one!

My best to all, and thanks for all your words and support!

J...

Just a splash...

...of color on a sketch.

I've been drawn to more sepiatoned and monochromatic feels lately.

J...

Glam Gal 3

Hey Gang... Heres another pinup... I was a little unsure of exactly what I wanted here and ended up struggling a bit with this one. As always, digital painting just gives you an endless amount of choices...

J...

Glamour girl 2

A pin-up for tonight...

I've been trying to keep these relatively quick.
I still end up working it over way more than i feel i should.

J...

Lost In My Head Space

a quick colored sketch for tonight...

Gettin' Glamorous...

A little Pin-up for tonight...

I know its late, but I'll be dumping some San diego pics soon.

J...

Comic CONundrum

It's been a while people... and again I thank you for sticking around.
So here's a new look for a change. I'm currently working on a big overhaul here. I have a lot of new people to link and too many to thank. I will also introduce multiple blogs of some personal work in the near future. I've also made my book GLAM available in the "STORE" to your right for just $10 plus shipping(hopefully it works).

If you know me, you know that I'm really not the type to use my blog to ramble on about things. I at least try to keep it all art related. However, my recent experiences at the San Diego Con this year has made me think about things on a different level. Enough at least to write a little about it.

To say the least, SDCC was once again an awesome event that evoked quite a few different feelings from me. I walked away form the experience inspired by so many great, talented people, and was able to share my art with others. You really do develop such a heightened appreciation for it all. Truly, I'm grateful for having had the opportunity to meet so many awesome folks this year.

After a month or so of letting it all sink in, and doing back to back cons for the first time ever, I began to question a bit of what it is that I do. A sort of "questioning ones self" as well as ones artistic integrity. A crossroads... art imitates life I suppose.

Over the coarse of time that I have had this blog, my thoughts, feelings and art have all undergone a sort of maturation process. As do people, art evolves, and I've always felt somewhat uncomfortable sharing that process with so many. But here it is... for all to see. A part of the process that i painfully accept... because I realize that something about art begs for it to be shared with others. As artists we paint pictures and write stories. We play music and perform on stage. Shaman of our time... and each of us with our own unique voice. A voice sometimes that we need to find, but one that I romantically believe, more often than not, finds you. Perhaps, an eternal quest...

Of all things uncertain and indescribable, I am sure of one thing... that I am fortunate to have the love and support that I do...

Here's to finding ourselves...
Thanks,
Javi

Wizard World Chicago Aug 9-12

Warning:
The following is a quick shameless plug for Wizard World 2007.

I'll be at booth 3908 B with my good friend Bruno Werneck.
We'll be trying to unload a few more of our books and hopefully meet some of you who couldnt make it out to San Diego. If you're around, stop by! We'll be there Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Hello kiddies,
Right off the bat let me say that San Diego Comic Con was AWESOME!
It'll truly be a difficult thing to put it all into words. Especially since my throat hurts from some apparent bug that was going around... sux.
As soon as I get my camera back from my girlfriend I'll post a few pics and mention all the great people I met... I havent forgot yall!
Best,
J

GLAM... '07 sketchbook

Holy crap it's gettin' so close...
San Diego is less than 2 weeks away and it should be fun!
Once again, please stop by table F5 if you plan on comin' out, I'd love to meetcha and shoot the shit...
Here are some sample pages from my new sketchbook "Glam" that i'll have at the con this year...Its a 5.5" x 8.5", 32 page, full color compilation of scribbles, conceptual work and illos done over the last year...
and yes, its all girls all the time...
Once I get back I'll set up on-line orders through Pay-Pal as i did for last years sketchbook...
I always come back so pumped and inspired from th con... I cant wait...
J...

San Diego Comic Con 2007 TABLE F5!

As I've mentioned before, I'll be at the San Diego Comic Con again this year!
I'll be shaing TABLE F5 with my good friend and all around great guy, Bob Rissetto!
Also joining me will be my mani squeeze, so everything is bound to go a hell of a lot smoother the second time around! Everything is pretty much cemented except for one small detail...
I have no actual sketchbooks in my possession yet! You can see how that can make you a bit apprehensive...
I'm expecting my new sketchbook "Glam" to arrive from the printers in a few weeks, just in time for the San Diego Con... "Glam", is essentially a 32 page collection of sketches, scribbles and color works all sharing one common thread... they are all girls!... a small humble tribute to the greatest work of art in a way...

Big ups to my man Bruno Werneck for gettin' down and dirty and really making this sketchbook happen... A big source of help and inspiration throughout getting this thing together... my Jimminy Cricket!
His attention to detail is second to none...

My good friends and I all shared a table last year and it was an overwhelming blast to say the least! This year, however, we were all pretty much approved for our own individule exhibitor tables! Woo Hoo! If it's only half as fun as last year I'll be a happy camper. I had the oppertuntiy of meeting a lot of cool folks and expect to see them again, as well as meet a ton more!
So if you plan on attending the San Diego Comic Con this year, look out for all new sketchbooks this year from my fellow Chicago gang:

Bruno Werneck
Darryl Young
Bob Rissetto and Dave Pryor
Sam Aquino
Kevin Barber
Ryan summers

Joining the dispersed gang this year will also be Robin Mitchell,
artist and ex disney sculptor Jason Peltz
and I'm counting on the former "Canadian Strong Man Competition" runner-up Steve Lambe to show his ugly grill as well!
Stop by their respective blogs to find out whats cookin. I'll be posting more info as we get closer to D-Day...
So if youre gonna be in San Diego for the con, let me know and stop by table F5, I'd love to meet everyone!
It should be an awesome time and I can't wait...
now, all i need is those darn sketchbooks...

J...

Another Gal...

color scribble for tonight...
J...

lovesmenot...

a drawing for today...
would like to paint this one sometime...
J...

Scribblings...

Here I started painting some more brush textures in there

and also killed a lot of the saturated color...

A lot of ways to go here...

STEP 3?
Well, Ive really lost track of specific steps at this point... It did'nt take very long.
I've begun painting in textures and lighting. Just trying to make things fun for myself.
I wanted to try a more "painterly" look for this guy...

Step 2:

Ive painted in some details...

Thought it would be a nice change of pace to perhaps post my steps for this guy...
Just wing it and see what happens. It may do me some good to step back every now and then and actually try to be cognicent of my working process.
Here I've blocked out major color shapes...
With a little room for interpretation as always. I find I correct way to much during the paining process. I guess thats what happens when you paint off of loose sketches...

For some reason, lately, I've had wrestling on the brain.
No doubt inspired by the fantastic work of Thorten Hasenkamm.
This guys paintings are just full of fun designs and kick assy painty goodness!

So this lil' scribble of someone I call Jonny Estrella has gotten the 'ol cogs movin'.
Just having fun with some shapes...
hmmmm...