Commissions!

Hey gang!

I wanted to take the opportunity to show off some of the commissioned pieces I've been lucky to get.

This one's for Ryan over at Rebelscum:

This one's a tattoo for Greg at TheForce.net:

These two are for Kaela over on DeviantArt:

Finally, we hit week 11 of the Women of Star Wars digi-sketch cards, and this week it's one of my personal favorites, Aayla Secura!!

Digital Sketch Card Tutorial

Hey guys!

I thought I'd try something new this week. I've put together a pseudo-detailed tutorial on how I do my digi-sketchcards, featuring this week's Women of Star Wars digital sketch card...Dutchess Satine in Mandalorian armor!


I know she's a pacifist, but I really love her character, and I'm sure she's proud of her Mandalorian heritage. I'm hoping that, at some point, she understands that war is a necessary evil sometimes, if the Separatists attach Mandalore or something! I really love the image of her in the armor, cuz I feel like she'd be a complete bad-ass in it.

This tutorial is to illustrate the usual steps that I take to go from start to finish on a given illustration. Since I do all my work in Photoshop CS3, you'll need CS1 or higher to follow along! Here's the tutorial:

BAM! DEVIANTART!

So that wraps up week 10's Digi-Skecth Card. I can't believe it's 10 weeks in already! Only 5 to go, time to step things UP!

Greener Pastures

Hey dudes and dudettes!

So I'll preface this with saying that this week's post isn't really Star Wars related, per say. However, it's about a pretty critical and necessary step towards becoming a full time illustrator and cartoonist.

After 2 years & change and a phenomenally successful visit to Celebration V, I've decided to leave Market Maker Interactive & TRAFFIQ to pursue this dream of mine on a full-time basis. I'll still be working for them part-time, from home on Staten Island, though! Let me tell you, if I had to do something that wasn't art-related, this was the place for me. Looking back, I had a lot of fun working with these individuals, and I can't thank them enough for their understanding and support in my decision. I'm truly blessed to have worked there, and I wish them all the best!

Now, what will I be doing once I leave on September 15th?

• Pencil, ink, and color for a 48-page graphic novel titled (tentatively) "C.O.R.e." on a full time basis (paid gig!). More details to come!
  
• Commissions! They're always open. Hit the LINK to see my rates.
• As stated a moment ago, still working for Mmi from home, part-time.

After C.O.R.e. is finished, well, we'll have to see! I'm currently preparing for a Dark Horse portfolio review this October, so maybe something will come of that! In the meantime, while working on C.O.R.e., I'll just have to market myself like crazy to keep up the momentum.

SO! Without further adieu, here's Week 9's Women of Star Wars digital sketch card. I'm bringing you the first sexy Twi'Lek in Star Wars history...Jabba's slave Oola!

Celebration V Experience Part III of III: Artists!!!!

Okay, last post about CV. I promise. It's been over for almost a month already!

I just have one more round of people to thank for their warmth and time: The OFFICIAL STAR WARS ARTISTS!!

I got to briefly talk with Tom Hodges, Grant Gould, Lee Kohse, and Spencer Brinkerhoff III, and they were fantastic! But some artists were kind enough to even pose for pictures after offering some really fantastic advice: Jan Duursema, Matt Busch, Katie Cook, and JAKe!

With Jan at TFN's Party.

I ran into comic goddess and legend Jan Duursema twice: First at CV, where she autographed a free postcard for me! I told her how long I've been a fan (Since the early Republic days!), and it was great to meet her. Then again at the TFN party, Matt Long re-introduced us, and she complimented my banner! I was lucky enough to get a quick photo with her as well.

MATT BUSCH IS POINTING AT ME.

Up until now, I thought Ray Park was the nicest bigshot in the Star Wars business. Then, I met Matt Busch. I've been a longtime fan of his, and have always loved his You Can Draw Star Wars videos, so meeting him was awesome! He's probably the biggest thing to happen to Star Wars art since Ralph McQuarrie. This guy was already busy selling prints, and yet Matt took the time to compliment MY work (he loved the Ackbar card!) AND leave his table to come around and get a photo with me. This guy is truly a class act, and I can't say enough about him. Thanks, Matt!!

With JAKe!!!

JAKe was another class act all the way. He took the time out to talk to me and offer me advice TWO DAYS IN A ROW! He gave me a lot of constructive criticism about keeping my Star Wars and original work separate entities. He also complimented my work, and took one of the cards! I think the biggest compliment I received all week was when JAKe already knew who I was...through THIS BLOG! Awesome! Thanks for your time and kind words, JAKe!

With Katie Cook, the person I owe it all to!

Katie Cook didn't seem to remember me, but I sure remember her. For any of you usual readers here, she's the one who suggested posting work in the fanart forums on Star Wars message boards...which led to this whole gig in the first place!! I was so thrilled to meet her and thank her again for her advice in person, and she too was kind enough to take a photo.

I can't tell you how much of a rush it was mingling with these obscenely talented artists. All I wanted to do was go home and get back to work immediately! I can't thank them enough for their advice, and I promise not to let them down.

This week's woman of Star Wars digital sketch card is coming at you from another corner of the EU: Guri from Shadows of the Empire (in her SOTE: Evolution duds)! Special thanks to my girlfriend Alicia for posing!