Sketch Book Pt. 2

The Creature from the Black Lagoon

Fooling around with my favorite Universal monster.

The Electric Mayhem

"I believe that we form our own lives, that we create our own reality, and that everything works out for the best. I know I drive some people crazy with what seems to be ridiculous optimism, but it has always worked out for me."

-Jim Henson

"I`ve always tried to present a positive view of the world in my work. It`s so much easier to be negative and cynical and predict doom for the world than it is to try and figure out how to make things better. We have an obligation to do the latter."

-Jim Henson

"If our `message` is anything, it`s a positive approach to life. That life is basically good. People are basically good."

-Jim Henson

You Can't Take No for an Answer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sF0-jHSsgpE

The Forgotten Wildlife: Vine Cat

Here is my submission for C.O.W. #154: Hangs Upside-Down

The vine cat is neither a vine nor a cat. This affectionate little creature spends most of it’s life high in the tree tops of the Nufsed steam fog jungles. While courting, the vine cats offer each other various gifts- painted flowers, sugar fruits, and jewel pebbles are some of their favorites. They mate for life and the gift giving ritual extends to their offspring. They live in literal “family trees” with the oldest generation living highest in the tree. As the suns set, mated pairs and their offspring gather in hanging tentacle clusters where they sleep through the night.

Love Now!

My sympathy for all the victims and families affected by heinous acts of violence. Much respect and appreciation for all the men and women fighting the good fight as well as those searching for an end to the violence.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LeFlPxMTP24 Amen, Nick and Elvis.

Dad, watch this. Dad! Dad! Watch! Dad! Are you watching?!

"Hey! Wanna dance?"
"What?"
"Do you wanna dance?"

"What?"

"DO YOU WANT TO DANCE?!!"

"Oh, sure. After I'm done dancing."

My daughter loves to dance. She says she wants to be a dancing doctor/teacher/mom when she grows up. Well, that's what she said last night. She has also said she wants to be a zookeeper, an artist, a princess, a vet, a chef, and for Halloween this year - Dorothy. She thinks I should be the Scarecrow. Guess what movie has been playing over and over at our house.

The Forgotten Wildlife: Mountain Monster

Even the great walking worms and legendary behe mouth are dwarved by the most gargantuan creature that has ever walked the plains of Nufsed: the notorious MOUNTAIN MONSTER! The mountain monster can devour whole forests in a matter of hours. Though all it really wants to eat are the trees, countless creatures are swallowed as the mountain monster gorges on the forests. Most of the creatures would probably be able to escape if it weren't for the mountain monster's excellent camouflage.

See if you can spot the mountain monster in the picture above.

Poses for the People!

This site is amazing and awesome. It has tons of poses that can be rotated or animated in action sequences. http://www.posemaniacs.com/blog/pose/ I'm so thankful for the generosity of other artists and the technology to distribute resources like this.

Happy Labor Day Weekend

The Forgotten Wildlife: Echo Lizard

Echo Lizard

The echo lizard lives on the sandy green beaches of the Beant Islands. This man-sized lizard walks upright as it scans the coastline for beachfish, it's favorite meal. When it spots a beachfish basking in the sun or cooling in a tide pool, the echo lizard emits an intense series of squeaks and clicks. It focuses the sounds into powerful "echowaves" by wiggling it's tongue towards it's intended meal. When a beachfish is hit by an "echowave", it is temporarily stunned and becomes easy prey for the echo lizard.

The Forgotten Wildlife is an idea that has been with me for over a decade. I have hundreds of creature sketches and concepts. I'm not exactly sure what to do with them, but they are constantly on my mind. Any ideas or suggestions for these guys would be greatly appreciated.

Beachfish

A huge influence on The Forgotten Wildlife are the dozens of excellent nature programs by David Attenborough. His take on the natural world is fascinating, informative, and entertaining. He is one example to prove that television is more than just a vast wasteland for the mind.

This clip is a nice overview of his career but I suggest digging around youtube and/or Netflix, which streams most of his specials. Great Stuff! (The theme for Jurassisc Park is playing on this clip. David is the brother of director and actor Richard Attenborough, who played John Hammond in that film.) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHc8ATrA4oQ

Another influence on The Forgotten Wildlife are the Walking with... specials. This is one of the cheesier clips where Nigel Marvin "travels back in time" to "research" prehistoric animals face to face. Still great, though. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ZtlHvhAqho

Crabby Crab Crab

self portrait

Here's some badassery:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQdMZ1qrn6k

Sketch Book

Frankenstein's Monster meets Michigan J. Frog

Having some fun with concepts for Frankenstein's Monster

Here is a clip from James Whales' 1931 film Frankenstein. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lld7DIuWwnw I love old black and white horror movies. I think this scene from the beginning of the movie is especially creepy. And I love the surreal set design of the graveyard. A very high recommendation from me. The sequel, Bride of Frankenstein, is just as good and adds some humor to the mix.

Maybe it is a little hokey by today's standards, but Frankenstein shocked it's 1931 audience and introduced horror icon Boris Karloff to the world. One of my favorite roles by Boris Karloff was the narrator in Chuck Jones' adaptation of Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Three very talented and creative forces collide in a great cartoon that has stood the test of time.

from How the Grinch Stole Christmas

Chuck Jones was an animator and director at Warner Bros. Studios. While at Warner Bros., he created a ton of great classic characters including Wile E. Coyote, Pepé Le Pew, Marvin the Martian, Road Runner, and Sam Sheepdog. He also added to the development of Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Porky Pig and others.

Here's a short from Chuck Jones:

One Froggy Evening

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jhq0N4ORYjM

Dr. Seuss will get his own blog post soon!