Best Buddies

Today I just felt like doing something cute and fun- and I thought "Best Buddies" would be a good theme. Of course- here's a stylized illustration of Ariel with her BFF, Flounder! This was fun to do.
I might have to do more illustrations with this theme in mind.

More Sketches...

Pretty self explanatory- just sketching for the fun/practice. Plus it's HOT outside!  Pluto is one HOT DOG! Whew! Happy holiday weekend, everyone!

Sketches

Manatee...

This sketch isn't new- but it isn't that old either.  This is just a cute little manatee I wanted to draw.  I still need to make it out to Animal Kingdom and do some quick sketches of the animals.  All of the ones I've done lately come out looking very cartoony.  Not complaining!  I think the day I drew this- I was having a very "Chuck Jones" kind of day.

Tiki, tiki, tiki room...

I LOVE tikis!  And I think I'm in need of a trip to the Polynesian and/or Adventureland.  A fun filled Jungle Cruise may be in order...

Sorcerer's Apprentice- Rendering

It's not done- but this is rendering I'm doing for fun, practice... all of the above.  This will probably change a bit yet- but I think this is a great start. ©DISNEY

Painting class

I can go on and on about the importance of continuing to learn/grow as an artist.  I've been taking a painting class at Crealde.  (I highly recommend it!)  No matter how long I'm in the business- there are going to be things I can learn.  I took this class to get back to some basic fundamentals and work out some issues I've been having... and it's really nice to get back into a classroom environment, get some instruction and learn new ways of doing things.  This is one of the oil paintings I did in the class.  I got a lot out of the class and I'm hoping that with the new perspective, I'll be ready to come back to the other things on my "backburner list".  That list never seems to get any shorter- but that's the nature of creativity.  It's challenging but rewarding to balance work with all of the tutorials, paintings, and other personal projects and general practice that I need to help me grow.  On a side note... I can't remember the last time I painted on a canvas this small!  This weekend, I have some sketching to do- but I need to schedule time to just paint... no matter what the subject matter is.

Revised Stitch

I wasn't completely happy with the Stitch rendering I did before.  While this one still needs some tweaking- I feel like it's going in a better direction.  I keep looking at this and one thought keeps popping up... I CAN'T BELIEVE I DID THIS!!! :D

This weekend...

Here's a couple of sketches I did first thing this morning to loosen up and have a little fun.  I woke up today thinking about what I might want to do this weekend.  Sure- there's normal errands and such... but I'm thinking I'm in need of two things right now... a beach day- and lots of time spent sketching.  Good times, right?  So... surf and sun- here I come!  Then later... lots and lots of sketching!

Monkey see...

I think I need a day of drawing at Disney's Animal Kingdom...  I've been in the mood to draw animals lately.  If only they would hold still...  I think I know what I'll be doing this weekend!

Look at this stuff... isn't it neat?

Yes, I've been watching a lot of The Little Mermaid lately, and yes- I'm a really big nerd.  I think it's really important to surround yourself with things that inspire you.  This is where you'll find me most of the time... in my home studio.  If I'm not in front of my Mac or standing in front of an easel- I'm usually hunched over my most prized possession: my Animation Desk.  Add to that a bunch of maquettes, pins, Vinylmation, toys and assorted animation art- and you've got my studio.  You're bound to feel inspired with all of that good stuff around you, right?  I'll be there drawing away or cleaning things up/designing on my Mac- listening to Cartoon Network or whatever film playing in the background- and  I'll get into such a groove that I don't even notice how fast 8-12 hours go by. I guess that's what happens when you're doing something you love. <3