Did a quick color overlay with my mouse instead of a more refined version ...just no time lately. I am feeling bad not getting more work up on the blog lately. Work has been keeping me away from the blog. Hope you like.
Cheeta run page 2
Lorene's Birthday...and I am sketching...sorry but I will keep it quick! Here is a quick second page...I need to redo the text and Cheetah is also spelled Cheeta (I think)...more revisions to come ...maybe even ...color!!!
Bedtime Cheeta story
At Grandma's this week, stayed the night and put the kids to bed in Jim and Bob's room. On the wall was a African painting of a cheeta. So this story is the result....It is a two part ...the next page will come later. I had fun with the images and threw in the text as an afterthought so I will reword and try for something better....anyway time for bed....
This is the original sketch from my notebook....
This is the original sketch from my notebook....
more fuzzy
Lorene says my mice look like rats or possum...so still working on the right look for these little guys. Worried about this taking way to long but I am just working to slow...This little guys looks cute today..will see if he looks good tomorrow. Used a marker base with a new fur bristle brush and my smudge tool for the blending ....overlays for color...I like the front leg.
pencil anxiety
The pencil was much to large for the little mouse to use...so he had to get creative...
(another test page...I enlarge these and am working at double scale...they look good until reduced and on the blog..then I see the value and shape issues at a smaller scale...need to work on this)
(another test page...I enlarge these and am working at double scale...they look good until reduced and on the blog..then I see the value and shape issues at a smaller scale...need to work on this)
three colored mice
Study of different furry textures and coloring...
Rough sketches
Here is a test with a furry little mouse. "Rough" (or "Mousey" as Ethan and Natalie call him) is just starting to tell his story of searching for his lost friend (Tumble) in the city of Plymouth, Michigan. More test renders to come...color is off and I need to look at the details...but having fun so far.
Color mice
Trying to figure out the rendering style of the mice. Thinking I would render the mice more realistic in contrast to the loose sketches....not sure about this yet. I need to do a lot more sketching....Used a photoshop with a good filler brush for the base....a stippled blender with scatter on for the fir effect...and a color layer overlay to bring out the oranges, warms and cools....added a little torn page effect because a mouse traveler may get hungry and nibble on his own work :) Not sure if I like this...time for bed about 2 hours ago..the little guy looks worried!
A mouse's tail
I am starting a new project looking into digital books and publication...here are a few images of what I hope to be releasing soon. More to come and wish me luck...
Visualize Ideas
An offsite ....normally I would not put any work stuff up here (blog) but this was fun and shows the power of visuals to influence and explain ideas....as our groups worked in separate rooms I took advantage of dry board painted walls. In an hour I cover the main ideas with quick sketches ...very fun and I think, helps people see ideas.....I should do this in the kids classroom....
Mouse Tales (get it...)
Here my mouse....(Ethan calls him Scamper) begins to use his tail to tell his tale. Speaking in pictures, he tells of looking for his dear friend, Mousey (Natalie named that one). The drop of ink hangs from his neck and using tail and claw he will hopefully create something interesting for the kids to search for....
More Mice Studies
Looking at different types of inking tools and techniques...from felt pens and brush tipped markers to big fat black sharpies....having fun ....hoping the mice can change the world....
Fine tip and Brush marker....got to respect the butt!!!! This mouse can dance!!!!!
Felt tip and Brush pen markers
Big Fat Sharpie Markers
Fine tip and Brush marker....got to respect the butt!!!! This mouse can dance!!!!!
Mouse sketches
I could tell the mouse was trying to communicate...trying to tell me a message...so I gave him a pencil..
a mouse tail....
a mouse tail....
Mice on the mind
Looking at doing a coloring book for the kids and though about starting off with Mice....
Some possible looks...
Magic Box
Did a story last night about a "Magic Box" hidden below the town High River's cathedral for 700 years. Once every 100 years the box is raised and opened letting out all the magic hidden within. The legend goes that the box must be left alone unopened for 100 years between openings or a curse will fall upon the town. Jack the Black enters the town preaching to the people that, in fact, the box is filled with dark secrets and must not be trusted. Convinced the hidden box would only bring evil, the towns people ignore tradition. They create a deceitful plan to send the box to a neighboring village, claiming it as a valuable gift of friendship. Letting the small village of Low River suffer the terrible fate, while satisfying the curiosity of the townspeople. In the end, Jack the Black ushers the box to his home town, Low River, tricking the people of High River out of their most prized possession.
The panels are out of sequence a bit...and the trickster Jack looks more evil than he should...but I had fun with this and it was done in one sitting...I may clean and revisit some day...
The panels are out of sequence a bit...and the trickster Jack looks more evil than he should...but I had fun with this and it was done in one sitting...I may clean and revisit some day...
mice can't be trusted!!!
Planet of the mice...they are small and have a plan....this was a fun little sketch just started as a doodle. I used photoshop brushes to get a ink line that I liked. Looking at more of a graphic black and white and simulated brush work on this. The brush made some of the eyebrow and fur gestures look nice...Tried to use less line and more negative shape....
P
This is the original sketch from my sketchbook
Crosswords
Its hard to get her to sit still, let alone hold for a sketch. I have to get her when she is focused and not looking. Natalie was doing a crossword puzzle and cutting out puzzle pieces from a workbook.
Ethan's robots
Ethan and I have been dreaming up robots to do all sorts of things. Here are a few of our creations:
Doodles
Just some doodles because its been a while. Went to the "Kids Read Comics" weekend event in Chelsea MI. It was fun and got me interested in comics again!
