Atsy Fartsy and Random

This post is complete randomness. A warmup illustration of some kind of Dryad guy and.....

Fine Art... in Oil... yeah. I'll be setting up a Store shortly where I will probably have prints and original art up for sell.

Professor Grape's Kickstarter

time for another Kickstarter Project.

It's the next Perilous Paths ebook by S.B. Coates

As you know the last one was Zombie themed. This one takes the reader in a "choose your own adventure" style time traveling adventure.

For $8 you can back the project and receive a copy of the book upon completion. You can also get a copy of the first Perilous Paths book Zombies Ate My Teacher through backing the project. And, as always, you have the option of getting an illustration of yourself (done by me) probably in Caveman form into the final book.

So, go check it out! The Author has to reach a funding goal of $1000 to get the book produced, have me do the illustrations, and onto your mobile device or computer.

Indiegogo Zombies

Here is the cover for the ebook Zombies Ate My Teacher!

and there is still time to get a zombie version of yourself in the book!

Click here (Kickstarter) or here (indiegogo)

The Kickstarter campaign to get funding for more illustrations in the book has less than 70 hours left!

And the Indiegogo campaign was just recently launched!

The writer only needs to raise $500 to get more art to grace the pages of the book, so check it out.

Raising the Dead

ooooo, this post has a definite theme...

First this marks my return from the blogging dead... I'm alive again and so is this blog.

Second I've posted the above image before so the Image has returned from blogging past.

And lastly, this is to let everybody know that there is a Kickstarter project I've been involved with that has returned. If the project is successful I will be doing additional illustrations for the interactive ebook; Zombies Ate My Teacher by S.B. Coates

So check it out and feel free to back the project.

yep.

Kaboom! Kickstarter campaign is live!

Hey Everybody!

Just to let you know that Big Squid Studios has teamed up with Potluck Games to bring you a fantastically fun card game called Kaboom!

The Kickstarter campaign is live now and ready for Backers. If you get in on it early, you can get a deck for a very reduced price.

So, check it out here:  Kaboom! Kickstarter Campaign.

Plus you can watch the Intro video below.

More Cards! well...

Alright, they are the same cards that were in the previous post... But now you get a good look at them. Plus!... I've made some changes to the art.

As I said before... I'm really excited to see this project realized... I'll post when it is up on Kickstarter so you can all get your own deck!

The card at the top is for a variant version of the game in which everything is zombie themed.

Card Game Cards

So, Here's what I've been up to lately.

I've been asked to do artwork for a card game that is going to be going up on Kickstarter in a short while. I'm pretty excited about this game. It looks like it would be a blast to sit and play.

And on the illustration side, I always enjoy doing a quirky, more outlandish style when I can. So, this has been a fun project.

I'll let you all know when the project is live... so check back.

Teacher + Zombies = Doomed

Time for another zombie... well kind of. He's not a zombie yet, but he certainly will be shortly. So, would this be a pre-mortem illustration?

Anyway. Now that we have those horrible puns out of the way. This was a fun piece. Honestly my favorite part to work on was the white board behind him. Oh, and the cracks in the wall. Weird...

On the last piece my favorite part was doing the chipped paint at the bottom of the bathroom stall walls, oh, and the scratches too. Maybe I should do an illustration that is simply a really beat up room. Sounds fun.

Zombie... stuck in the stall

Well, it has been a while since I've posted anything. And it's been a really long time since I've posted anything not having to do with Big Squid Studios.

So, here you go, This is the latest illustration for the eBook Zombies Ate My Teacher. Written by Samuel Brigham Coates.

Hope you enjoy!

Dwarven Padre... Padre

One more for the Big Squid!

It looks like it's also time to start some more illustrations for the Zombies Ate My Teacher book so I'll post what I'm working on as that goes forward.

yeah.... Dwarven Padre.

It's Time for a Hoedown!

I have been loving doing this concept art for the Big Squid game!

Why? you ask.

Because the west is just so awesome! Been doing research on the lives of outlaws and lawmen which has been very interesting. I've also been reading up about weapons from the civil war period. They had quite the range of technology in use at the time, gatling guns to single shot, muzzleloading pistols!

Anyway, this has been a blast!

Draw!... Dwarf...

Here is the latest piece of concept art for the Big Squid Studios game.

I have to say that this was truly fun. I love Dwarves, I love the Western setting, and I love comic book art. mmmmmmmmmm yeah.

So, anyway. I did this piece in a comic book style... duh. If you haven't noticed I've been experimenting a lot with different styles and techniques to find the one, or combination of styles that I like. So, enjoy the stylistic roller-coaster, and raise your arms on the drop.

Value Study Time

So, I need to up my art game. I've become far to dependent on line to hold a drawing together. No More I say! So, I've decided to start doing little value studies on a regular basis. I did this one last night while watching Support Your Local Sheriff with the Misses. The expression on the face tickles me every time. yep... still does.

Anyway, hope your enjoyment level is ≥ off the hizzy.

A Great Big Rattilisc... Yikes!

Add caption

Alright everybody... here is another piece of concept art for Big Squid Studios' first game.
These have easily been the most fun pieces to do and I look forward to doing more of these field note sketches.
It's always fun to create something from scratch... creation of ideas in it's various forms is definitely my passion.

Jared Salmond Blog Swap!

Remember those good old fashion swap meets? Well, this is nothing like those... take it away Jared.

Hey Cameronites! 
Jared Salmond here, schoolmate of Mr Kendell. Cameron and I are both lovers of tmnt, tentacles, and cool stuff in general. Last semester in school Cam and I competed in one of Will Terry's classes to see who could garner more of Will's love. Cam won as usual. But someday I vow to be Will's favorite student. Or not. At least I got Will to tell me to 'suck it' in one of his videos . So anyway, Cam has the cahones to go out into the art world and show his talent with his new awesome projects! He told me I should throw out a design for an native american inspired elf, so here they are. The images on bottom are more of my exploration as I searched here and there for native americans on google. It was tough and my fingers still hurt! Make sure to check out my blog: jaredsalmond.blogspot.com for Cam's post on my blog!

oh yeah! Thanks Jared... These are truly fantastic. Your style is always enjoyable to behold.

Hopefully you have all enjoyed being graced by the artistic glory that is Jared Salmond. Make sure to go check his blog for more sweetness in the key of the above posted images. Oh, and as you may have guessed, this has something to do with the Big Squid Studios project.

Yep, concept time again!

Ahoy all y'all...


blasting your face with yet another piece of concept art for Big Squid Studios.

oh please, do enjoy.

Sheriff ... uh what...

Yippy Ti-yi-yea... (how in the world do you spell that? Can't be bothered to look it up just now.)

anyway, as you've guessed, one more piece of concept art for Big Squid Studios.

I think i'ts time for a round up... y'all.

Senior Esqueleto

yeah.... that kind of stuff is always weird. Oh, sorry, didn't see you reading there...

here is a quick, macabre reminder about Zombies Ate My Teacher. The Kickstarter project by Samuel Brigham Coates that I've singed up to do illustrations for. Time is almost up! He has already reached his goal but I thought I'd let you know that time is almost up to get your zombie likeness in the book!

The Vulture Griffon

Fulvus Coragyps,  Vulture Griffon  (vulture-griff, buzzard-griff, jack griffon)

yep... you guessed it. Here is some concept art for Big Squid Studios. Check yourselves everybody... please. I don't want it to get out of hand. that would be serious.

oh, and Jared (I'm hoping you'll see this)... I want to do a blog swap... I'm all jealous and everything.

A Steady Stream

yep, that's right. This stream of posts is a flowin'!

behold, a goblin. yes, a goblin. This is another piece of concept art for Big Squid Studios. This was definitely a fun one to do. I've always loved drawing goblins with a beak-like face/nose. It makes them look extra creepy, with a splash of comical.

Hopefully you enjoy it.

And as always, if you have for me to do just shoot me an EMAIL.

Concept Gun... and glowy bullets.

Oooooooo, glowy bullets with a rune inscribed pistol!  yeah, This is some more concept work for Big Squid Studios.

The great thing is that all this concept art is of stuff that I love to draw! It's like I'm not even working anymore.
Went to the local library last week and picked up a number of books for reference. That has been a great resource. Oh, and I picked up the audiobook version of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes. That was a great listen/read. Ben Kingsley is the narrator and does an excellent job of it. Delicious.

Hey, my gun is smoking.

Well, anyway, here is a bit of concept design for my Game company Big Squid Studios. yeah... not much else to say really except that I like using cardboard and acrylic paint.

Zombie Principal

You've been sent to the Principal's office...
... and he wants to eat your brains.

... mmmmmmmm, you are definately a grade A student.

Here is another piece for Zombies Ate My Teacher. A delicious creation of Samuel Brigham Coates' mind (at first there was no pun intended but then half way through the sentence I realized what was going to happen and I full on went for the pun.)

For this piece I started traditionally with acrylic paint, cardboard, marker, and pencil.
Below is the piece before I took it into Photoshop for the final morsels of color and value.

So there you go. This really was a lot of fun to work on. Hope you enjoy.

Oh, and there is still time to go and get yourself into the ebook, all zombified and whatnot.

And as always, stay tuned for more exciting images and rambling!

Painted Miniatures and stuff...

See, I told you I'd be around more... what has it been? maybe 3 days? yeah, we're going to become kindred spirits for sure.

this post is all about News. Zombies Ate My Teacher was successfully funded so I will be doing more illustrations for that piece of sweetness. Hey, if you go and back the project you could get an illustration of you as a zombie in the book! mmmmmmmmm.... zombie likeness....

In other news, I thought I'd share some miniatures I painted.

Even-though I've moved on from my days as Painting Art Director at Blue Table Painting, I still love miniatures and war-games. In fact... as the final piece of news... I've started a company called Big Squid Studios. We will be creating war-games, board games, card games, and miniatures and all things awesome! So, Go check out the Blog if you like... come on, you know you want to.

Oh, and as always, I'm open for illustration work so just shoot me an Email

Overdue Zombie Homework

Okay,

My apologies to everybody who checks this blog and to myself... and that guy over there. Sorry dude. It is long over due that I post something.
But... good news! you are going to be seeing a lot more of me!
"why?"
"because I quit my job last week"
"....oh, sorry to hear that..."
"don't be, 'cause now I'm going it alone... it's solo time gentlemen."

Anyway, I'm going full-time illustration and I'm creating a game company.
So, you'll be seen more of me.

On that note: Here is one of my current projects.

Zombies Ate My Teacher

This is a project by author/artist Samuel Brigham Coates. Right now it is on Kickstarter for funding. Depending on the funding level reached there could be a number of additional illustrations in it.

This is the first of a series of interactive eBooks called Perilous Paths. Akin to the choose your own adventure books of the days of yore, the reader gets to choose their path.

Anyway... go check it out an fund it if you feel so inspired. I would love to see this happen.

Oh, and here are a few variations on the image that I provided the author.

And as always, I'm open for work, just shoot me an email.

And another update...

He is looking more like a troll than an ogre now. So... Troll away.

Mmmmmmmmoo

And here we are, a new piece done in my favorite medium... Acrylic paint, marker, cardboard.

Yep, a cow eating a steak.

Looking at it now... I think I'll add a little something more.

Doom Angler and a Poor Choice

Okay,

Here is my final piece for a class I'm currently in.

Two options... let me know which one you like better.

A or B

Anyway, Let me know in a comment or something.

Printmaking Dwarf

Yeah, another sketch that will be turned into a print. I'll post the print when I'm done.

oh, and I'm still working on the Ogre piece... promise. Dwarves and Goblins... yeah.

This Old Thing

Driving along center street in Provo, I came upon this little bit of recent history.

The Oz ballet I did a piece for is being performed at the Covey Art Center. So yeah, the photos have too much glare action but it's the banner on the end to the right. ...you get the idea.

The Village Idiot and the Ogre

Sorry everybody, it's been a while I know. Okay, as promised, here is a Work In Progress update on the Ogre piece.

Obviously nowhere near where I want it to be. With classes coming closer to an end and my job duties changing at Blue Table Painting, life has become life.

Thanks for the patience and all that blah blah blah.

Oh, so... The Wife and I went to an awesome show last night at the Capitol Theatre in Salt Lake City. It was Radiolab Live: In The Dark. What a fantastic blend of music, dance, comedy, and science. The whole night was a show discussing the topic of darkness (not being evil, just the absence of light). The comedian Demetri Martin was part of the show and had Melissa and me to the point of tears.
Anyway, here is a link, just in case you are not familiar with RADIOLAB, my favorite podcast.

Sneaky Ogre

Okay,

I didn't like the new look of the blog the past couple weeks so I reverted back to the good old days... mmmmmmmmm... welcome home.

A few weeks ago, in class we were given the assignment to create an illustration including an Ogre, and a whole huge list of other things. It was a great exercise but in class we stopped short of doing a final piece. Anyway, I liked the composition enough that I feel inspired to take it to a final piece, and share the process with you.

Anyway,  Here are the thumbnails I worked up.

After narrowing down to the Thumbnail I felt was working the best I reworked it paying a little closer attention to positioning.

Then came the comp in which I payed attention to detail and placement even more.

this is as far as we got in class... which left me all gung ho to do more! So, I've brought the comp into Photoshop and have begun messing around with it. 

Next time I'll post my progress on the piece.

yeah... art stuff.