Out of my color zone. Forcing myself to deal with more yellows than I normally use. Not finished yet, but I'm not sure which way to go next.

Bob's Burgers show is up at Gallery 1988 in LA if anyone reading this is out there!

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Computer art is interesting. I usually don't like it due to how slick everything can get. In a way that is probably what people are reacting to when they say they don't like it. It usually lacks appropriate texture. It's tricky because you can't use a technique just to use it. An artist needs to recognize when it's the right time to push it or reel it in.

I'm using the computer to work out the colors, but if I was to do computer art as a final I would try to find what techniques the computer tools are stronger for. It's a different medium that mimics traditional medium as a starting point. It allows people who haven't developed traditional drawing and painting techniques to put out something in their head in an efficient manner. I think a lot of accomplished artists with traditional techniques resent people who have figured out how to get the computer to do what they want because it seems like a "cheat".

In a lot of cases it is do to it's inherent ability to look like polished art in half to a tenth of the time of traditional (physical) art takes. There are people who try and take that medium past merely copying what traditional art and those are the true pioneers pushing boundaries. I like seeing something pushed farther.

My approach to using the computer is as a sketch. I learn a little more each time I do these and maybe in the future I'll begin to push the computer techniques. But for now...

I have some great models. Of course I always appreciate all my models! I know it's a hard job. I tried it a bit in college. OOF! And I was a lot more spry back then. It was for regular figure drawing. I wasn't a pretty person but I was pretty lean so if you wanted to learn anatomy my body would do. No extra arms or legs. Exactly the right amount of toes and fingers. My first time modeling I was WAY too ambitious. I was doing back bends, stretches and twists to rival any yogi... in my head. Every pose hurt. I was pretty sore the next day. Even if I had never modeled for a figure drawing class again, that one experience gave me a great respect for anyone willing to model for me.

So this is Freya. She modeled for an impromptu photo shoot that I can use for reference. It's more pin-uppy. There was a car involved. Some time I'll get back to it. And yeah, she has an amazing tattoo. Drew this at the bar.

Two paintings will be going out to Gallery 1988 very soon. I'm sitting on this one for the moment to see if anything else needs resolved that I'm not seeing right now. It's gouache on heavy watercolor paper. There are a few in-jokes. I remember when the X-Files started getting more absurd and humorous at times. One o the surprising episodes was the alien  in the Hawaiian shirt that would talk to Mulder when he would be in a somewhat dreamlike state. Up to that point the aliens had been treated in a realistic manner that was a threat or an unknown thing we should be serious about for many seasons. Then one time this alien appears and I think he's introduced as "Bob" or something. I think it was a reference to an abductee's tale that was making the rounds of the UFO junkies in the mid 90's. I don't know if "UFO Junkie" is the official name of that group. Maybe UFO enthusiasts? Regardless, it made an impression on me when I saw it.

The title of this image is, "It's Yours"... For the moment. I sort of want to reference the idea that most alien abduction stories tend to involve magically winding up on a cold metal table (on a space ship?), aliens with scary medical looking tools bending over them, telekinesis calming their minds as they are afraid over the fact they are paralyzed and confused. Later, they realize they are missing time and the pieces they remember are scary and involved some unwanted surgery or pregnancy.

I was playing on the idea that to them, humans all look the same. Much like we would probably say the same about the aliens. So of course when they operate on humans they might mix up a head or two when putting them back on the body.

I did comics once upon a time. I was a penciller for DC Vertigo. "Animal Man" was my title with a few guest pages in "Doom Patrol". At Marvel I was an inker and finisher for Marvel Comics Presents, Dr. Strange, Savage Sword of Conan, and other pin-ups here and there. I didn't grow up with that goal in mind, but being in New York City, this is what I had the opportunity to do so I did. I learned so much! I worked with many different artists. Some good and some bad but I think I came across some new knowledge from all.

Since then I have become friends with even more comic book artists who inspire me. Of course my good friend Steve Ellis, and Dean Haspiel, and Gregory Benton.
They do more personal comic book work that doesn't always deal with a fight scene. Their themes are more adult oriented and they and the slew of others I don't have the time to write down and link to inspire my desire to tell some stories. 

This is my character "Klunk". He's loosely based on me. Very loosely. Because you are here looking at this and because I have a keyboard connected to my computer in front of me I will share his story with you... or at least an explanation of the character. Klunk appears to wear a gas mask. It is a metaphorical device I use so the reader is able to get past what he looks like and go immediately to what he "feels" like. The viewer never sees Klunk's face. This is my personal challenge. How do I get across the full range of emotions and expressions a faced character can do? I like the idea that although the viewer can't see his whole face but a character in the strip might say something like Klunk you have a piece of tentacle stuck between your teeth" implying that they can see his whole face.

So here is a Klunk story he is barely in. And you can interpret it in several ways, which I like.

Reworking a composition I don't like in gouache but I'm using Oxgall medium this time. I never tried it before even though I've known of it for years. It seems pretty cool. A subtle difference from just using water but it is definitely different!