Oh and I named my dino Draculsaurus pyro (Fire Dragon Reptile). If my Latin is completely off, please let me know. Thanks.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Draculsaurus Pyro
I reworked my Dinogloth painting for the ArtOrder blog. Not much of a surprise that I would gravitate towards big scaly reptiles huh? I think this new version can now be considered a finished painting. I've been changing my way of doing things lately, due in no small part to Kekai Kotaki's article on ImagineFX Issue 41 (Kekai's blog is found here). His way of painting is much more free, spontaneous and more organic (not to mention a hundred times faster!). The tradeoff is that the line between work in progress and final finished painting becomes more hazy. I hope I have sound judgement on finding that line.
Oh and I named my dino Draculsaurus pyro (Fire Dragon Reptile). If my Latin is completely off, please let me know. Thanks.
Oh and I named my dino Draculsaurus pyro (Fire Dragon Reptile). If my Latin is completely off, please let me know. Thanks.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
ArtOrder Fire Elves Sketch
This week's ArtOrder sketch.
I've placed the Elven race on a far off planet orbiting a red dwarf star. Due to the low energy output of the star, there is very little heat on the planet. The only sources of heat and energy available are the many active volcanoes that dot the landscape. The elves have learned to harness the power of these volcanoes to survive and thrive.
The atmosphere of the world blocks much of the incoming visible light, but is transparent to dangerous UV radiation. In response, the elves have evolved pitch black skin to protect themselves and reflective corneas to help with seeing in such dark conditions. Thus, the elves eyes glow red.
I've chosen to depict a typical city of this race. Flowing lava is channeled throughout the city to keep it warm and to be harnessed for power. The city is built as compactly as possible. Skyscrapers are an inevitable result. However the elves have never lost their sense of grace, reflected in their organic architecture.
Thanks to matte painter Dylan Cole, whose art inspired this idea and to Seth Shostak and the SETI Institute, whose work continues to keep me thinking and coming up with these out-of-this-world ideas.
I've placed the Elven race on a far off planet orbiting a red dwarf star. Due to the low energy output of the star, there is very little heat on the planet. The only sources of heat and energy available are the many active volcanoes that dot the landscape. The elves have learned to harness the power of these volcanoes to survive and thrive.
The atmosphere of the world blocks much of the incoming visible light, but is transparent to dangerous UV radiation. In response, the elves have evolved pitch black skin to protect themselves and reflective corneas to help with seeing in such dark conditions. Thus, the elves eyes glow red.
I've chosen to depict a typical city of this race. Flowing lava is channeled throughout the city to keep it warm and to be harnessed for power. The city is built as compactly as possible. Skyscrapers are an inevitable result. However the elves have never lost their sense of grace, reflected in their organic architecture.
Thanks to matte painter Dylan Cole, whose art inspired this idea and to Seth Shostak and the SETI Institute, whose work continues to keep me thinking and coming up with these out-of-this-world ideas.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Saturday, April 11, 2009
ArtOrder Dinogloth Sketch
This week's challenge is a zombie demon dinosaur. Geekdom at its best.
He's a mix of a Therizinosaurus, the skull of a Dracorex, the teeth of a Tyrannosaurus, with a bit of the Balrog from Lord of the Rings thrown in the mix.
This image is a great way to grate on the nerves of a paleontologist....
He's a mix of a Therizinosaurus, the skull of a Dracorex, the teeth of a Tyrannosaurus, with a bit of the Balrog from Lord of the Rings thrown in the mix.
This image is a great way to grate on the nerves of a paleontologist....
Sunday, April 5, 2009
ArtOrder Bromide Sketch
This week's ArtOrder topic is the Bromide race. They're a race of plant based humanoids, mostly peaceful, full of agility and grace and with an inherent ability to defend themselves.
I chose to depict mine has a humanoid female, mostly because I haven't done much with the female figure (I find the female form one of the most intimidating subjects to take on artistically). Also, a woman's body lends itself well to depicting grace and rhythm. But as well all know, nature is red in tooth and claw, so I tried to design her hands and forearms to be thick, hard and durable in the form of tree bark.
I chose to depict mine has a humanoid female, mostly because I haven't done much with the female figure (I find the female form one of the most intimidating subjects to take on artistically). Also, a woman's body lends itself well to depicting grace and rhythm. But as well all know, nature is red in tooth and claw, so I tried to design her hands and forearms to be thick, hard and durable in the form of tree bark.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Go Get 'Em, Tiger!
This painting is derived from Games Workshop's Warhammer universe. The background is very dark and grim, so I thought I'd try to add a bit of humor (albeit, dark humor) to this piece.
You think our little guy's got a chance?
PS: Incidentally, I feel like the little guy myself sometimes when I'm taking on the competition in the illustration market.
You think our little guy's got a chance?
PS: Incidentally, I feel like the little guy myself sometimes when I'm taking on the competition in the illustration market.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
ArtOrder Orcus Sketch
This week's ArtOrder assignment is to create a pet for Orcus, Demon Prince of the Undead. First off, I did a sketch of Orcus himself. Here it is!
Now I did this because I wanted to hold to that urban legend that pets and their masters begin to resemble each other. With that in mind, here's his pooch.
He's kind of a blend of a bear, some horrid scaly lizard, and a skull that's part ram, part Tyrannosaurus and part entelodont (a long extinct ancestor of the warthog).
Hope you like it!
Now I did this because I wanted to hold to that urban legend that pets and their masters begin to resemble each other. With that in mind, here's his pooch.
He's kind of a blend of a bear, some horrid scaly lizard, and a skull that's part ram, part Tyrannosaurus and part entelodont (a long extinct ancestor of the warthog).
Hope you like it!
Sunday, March 15, 2009
ArtOrder Garreth Sketch
This week's concept is to create our concept of the Garreth, described by Jon as:
"...a race of tiny humanoids that populate the desolate region around red dragon lairs. They live off the charred remains of unfortunate adventurers, stealing away with trinkets that are too small for the notice of the mighty red dragon..."
The first thing I thought of was a grubby, disgusting, backstabbing, mischievous, greedy little bastard of a critter. So here he is:
Four arms to help them grab more shiny stuff, which they decorate themselves with to show off to their brethren (although in reality, showing off too much just makes them prime targets to others of their kind). They arm themselves with little swords and knives (the pretty ones of course) the better to knock off another neighbor. A rat tail and ears to complete the vermin look. No hair or body fur though: too easy to ignite, which is bad when you're living off the scraps of a foul tempered red dragon. Hope you like it!
"...a race of tiny humanoids that populate the desolate region around red dragon lairs. They live off the charred remains of unfortunate adventurers, stealing away with trinkets that are too small for the notice of the mighty red dragon..."
The first thing I thought of was a grubby, disgusting, backstabbing, mischievous, greedy little bastard of a critter. So here he is:
Four arms to help them grab more shiny stuff, which they decorate themselves with to show off to their brethren (although in reality, showing off too much just makes them prime targets to others of their kind). They arm themselves with little swords and knives (the pretty ones of course) the better to knock off another neighbor. A rat tail and ears to complete the vermin look. No hair or body fur though: too easy to ignite, which is bad when you're living off the scraps of a foul tempered red dragon. Hope you like it!
Sunday, March 8, 2009
ArtOrder Cockatrice Sketch
This new sketch is part of the ArtOrder Blog Sketch Challenge. Check it out here. The challenge is to take a standard D&D Cockatrice and evolve it 4000 years into the future.
For mine, I thought it'd be fun to put a sci-fi spin on it and stick the creature on a different planet. I came up with a volatile planet that orbits very close to its parent star. The planet is tidal locked to its sun, meaning that the same side faces the star at all times, making one side permanently day (and scorching hot), the other, constant, freezing night. The only part of this planet that can sustain life is the terminator, the zone where day and night meet. To extend its range into the night zone, our cockatrice has evolved a second pair of eyes, able to see in the infrared range.
In addition, the planet has extreme volcanic activity, spewing all sorts of gases into the atmosphere, making the air very thick. As this kind of environment encourages an airborne existence, the cockatrice lives almost all of its life in the air. Its wings have grown to a very large, majestic size, while the back legs have atrophied. Also, to help hunt in mid flight, it has evolved a tongue with the ability to spit sticky silk at potential prey. Large thin teeth help hold on to captured prey.
Many thanks to Dr. Seth Shostak of the SETI Institute who came up with the hypothetical planet which I ripped off for this piece. Also, thanks to Jon Schindehette, the Grand Pooh Bah of the ArtOrder blog.
Well, hope you like it. Color final to come!
For mine, I thought it'd be fun to put a sci-fi spin on it and stick the creature on a different planet. I came up with a volatile planet that orbits very close to its parent star. The planet is tidal locked to its sun, meaning that the same side faces the star at all times, making one side permanently day (and scorching hot), the other, constant, freezing night. The only part of this planet that can sustain life is the terminator, the zone where day and night meet. To extend its range into the night zone, our cockatrice has evolved a second pair of eyes, able to see in the infrared range.
In addition, the planet has extreme volcanic activity, spewing all sorts of gases into the atmosphere, making the air very thick. As this kind of environment encourages an airborne existence, the cockatrice lives almost all of its life in the air. Its wings have grown to a very large, majestic size, while the back legs have atrophied. Also, to help hunt in mid flight, it has evolved a tongue with the ability to spit sticky silk at potential prey. Large thin teeth help hold on to captured prey.
Many thanks to Dr. Seth Shostak of the SETI Institute who came up with the hypothetical planet which I ripped off for this piece. Also, thanks to Jon Schindehette, the Grand Pooh Bah of the ArtOrder blog.
Well, hope you like it. Color final to come!
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Life Drawings
It's been 4 years since I took a life drawing class and tonight, I got to try it again. If any of you good readers live near White Plains, NY and are looking for some good art continuing ed classes look up the Westchester Art Workshop right here.
Anywho, I feel rustier than a Ford Model T that was half drowned in the Louisiana Bayou. Hope you guys like it anyway. Oh and sorry about the less than professional photos. I'll see if I can make better ones later.
Anywho, I feel rustier than a Ford Model T that was half drowned in the Louisiana Bayou. Hope you guys like it anyway. Oh and sorry about the less than professional photos. I'll see if I can make better ones later.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Mammoth Hunt
Mention the Mammoth to anyone on the street, and chances are, the first thing to pop into their heads is the Woolly Mammoth, Mammuthus primigenius . The Woolly Mammoth lived around 135,000 to 11,000 years ago, during the time periods known as the Late Pleistocene and Early Holocene epochs. The living conditions of this time period can be summed up in one word: cold.
The Woolly Mammoth’s range during their heyday was pretty much the entire northern hemisphere; preserved specimens have been found in North America, Eurasia and especially Siberia. They were pretty much the same size as their cousins, the modern African elephant: around 10-11 feet tall, 6-8 tons. They had dramatically huge tusks, up to 16 feet in length. Why exactly these tusks were so big is unclear, but it has been suggested that mammoths used them as shovels to dig through the snow in their never-ending quest for food. As their name implies, they had a thick, woolly coat of fur to fight off the cold, as well as skin glands which secreted fat into the hair, further insulating the animal. Mammoth lived in wide open tundra, feeding primarily on grass and when necessary, tree bark. Like elephants, females band together, forming sisterhoods led by a matriarch. Bachelor males lived a solitary lifestyle, only meeting with herds for mating.
The Woolly Mammoth most likely went extinct with the recession of the ice age 11,000 years ago. Mammoth range dropped dramatically (90% habitat loss in 30,000 years) with the retreat of the glaciers. Human hunting also added too much pressure, and Mammuthus primigenius passed from this Earth and into history.
Much of what we know about the mammoth comes from well preserved bodies. These bodies are frozen, not fossilized, thus allowing the preservation of skin, organs and even hair. In addition, as modern Homo sapiens existed by this time, cave paintings have given scientists further information about these animals.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Friday, January 16, 2009
Pachyderm Madness!
Seems I've been on an elephant kick lately. And why not? Our friends from the mighty order Proboscidea rank as some of the largest, more awe inspiring land mammals to have ever lived.
So first off is this on site painting I did at the Field Museum in Chicago, which I had the good fortune of visiting for the New Year (hi Kat!!!). This is Loxodonta africana, the African Bush Elephant, the largest living land animal on the Earth today. It measures in at around 20-24 feet in length, 10-11 feet at the shoulder and weighs in at a scale bending 7-10 tons. African elephants sport large tusks, both in males and females. They are a remarkably intelligent species, showing advanced skills in reasoning, learning and memory. Females band together, living in matriarchal herds. Males leave the herd after adolescence, grouping into bachelor herds, and then striking out on their own at full adulthood. African Elephants rank as 'near threatened' according to the IUCN. It won't go extinct tomorrow, but efforts must continue to be made to conserve these amazing animals.
In addition, here is a digital rough of my next painting, the hunting of the Mammuthus primigenius, the Wooly Mammoth. Final to come shortly.
So first off is this on site painting I did at the Field Museum in Chicago, which I had the good fortune of visiting for the New Year (hi Kat!!!). This is Loxodonta africana, the African Bush Elephant, the largest living land animal on the Earth today. It measures in at around 20-24 feet in length, 10-11 feet at the shoulder and weighs in at a scale bending 7-10 tons. African elephants sport large tusks, both in males and females. They are a remarkably intelligent species, showing advanced skills in reasoning, learning and memory. Females band together, living in matriarchal herds. Males leave the herd after adolescence, grouping into bachelor herds, and then striking out on their own at full adulthood. African Elephants rank as 'near threatened' according to the IUCN. It won't go extinct tomorrow, but efforts must continue to be made to conserve these amazing animals.
In addition, here is a digital rough of my next painting, the hunting of the Mammuthus primigenius, the Wooly Mammoth. Final to come shortly.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
The Tyrant King
Well, the painting's finished.
It's been a long time since I've done a piece of dinosaur art.That's very strange and surprising to me, since it was dinosaurs that got me to start drawing, and sent me down the path that led to my life as an illustrator today. I feel like I owe the field of vertebrate paleontology a huge debt.
It's very hard to talk about the Tyrannosaurus Rex without resorting to superlatives. Its name alone translates to 'Tyrant Reptile King.' At over 40 feet long, roughly 18 feet tall and weighing about 8 metric tons, it is one the largest land predators to ever walk the Earth. Its teeth were 6 to 12 inches long, round, thick and serrated, and were capable of crushing bone. Its head was massive, a full 5 feet long. The arms were tiny, with only two fingers. That being said, they were well muscled and powerful. The legs of Tyrannosaurus were long in proportion to the body. There is still much debate in the scientific community as to the top running speed achievable by Tyrannosaurus. The Tyrannosaurus's tail was long, thick and heavy, required to counterbalance the rest of the animal's bulk. Finally, many of the bones were hollow, reducing weight without loss of strength.
Tyrannosaurus appeared on Earth about 68 million years ago (MYA), at the height of the Cretaceous Period, the final period of the Mesozoic. Its range was Western North America, which during the Cretaceous, was part of the continent of Laurentia. The The Tyrannosaurus's prey included the duckbilled hadrosaurs and the horned ceratopsians. In this illustration, our Tyrannosaurus has taken down an Edmontosaurus annectens, one of the largest of the hadrosaurs (in fact, it nearly matches the T. Rex in length).
The Tyrannosaurus perished, along with 75% of all life on Earth 65 MYA during the KT Cataclysm. However its impact on the modern world is substantial (in my personal opinion, no other extinct animal has had such an impact on popular culture as the Tyrannosaurus). It has appeared in movies such as Jurassic Park, the Toy Story Series and King Kong. The largest Tyrannosaurus exhibit in the world, Sue, is a popular attraction at the Field Museum in Chicago, IL. Childrens' books, toys, and games revolving around Tyrannosaurus remain popular to this day.
It's been a long time since I've done a piece of dinosaur art.That's very strange and surprising to me, since it was dinosaurs that got me to start drawing, and sent me down the path that led to my life as an illustrator today. I feel like I owe the field of vertebrate paleontology a huge debt.
It's very hard to talk about the Tyrannosaurus Rex without resorting to superlatives. Its name alone translates to 'Tyrant Reptile King.' At over 40 feet long, roughly 18 feet tall and weighing about 8 metric tons, it is one the largest land predators to ever walk the Earth. Its teeth were 6 to 12 inches long, round, thick and serrated, and were capable of crushing bone. Its head was massive, a full 5 feet long. The arms were tiny, with only two fingers. That being said, they were well muscled and powerful. The legs of Tyrannosaurus were long in proportion to the body. There is still much debate in the scientific community as to the top running speed achievable by Tyrannosaurus. The Tyrannosaurus's tail was long, thick and heavy, required to counterbalance the rest of the animal's bulk. Finally, many of the bones were hollow, reducing weight without loss of strength.
Tyrannosaurus appeared on Earth about 68 million years ago (MYA), at the height of the Cretaceous Period, the final period of the Mesozoic. Its range was Western North America, which during the Cretaceous, was part of the continent of Laurentia. The The Tyrannosaurus's prey included the duckbilled hadrosaurs and the horned ceratopsians. In this illustration, our Tyrannosaurus has taken down an Edmontosaurus annectens, one of the largest of the hadrosaurs (in fact, it nearly matches the T. Rex in length).
The Tyrannosaurus perished, along with 75% of all life on Earth 65 MYA during the KT Cataclysm. However its impact on the modern world is substantial (in my personal opinion, no other extinct animal has had such an impact on popular culture as the Tyrannosaurus). It has appeared in movies such as Jurassic Park, the Toy Story Series and King Kong. The largest Tyrannosaurus exhibit in the world, Sue, is a popular attraction at the Field Museum in Chicago, IL. Childrens' books, toys, and games revolving around Tyrannosaurus remain popular to this day.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Website Updated!!!!! (and Giant Dinocidal Apex Predator Therapods)
My website is updated. Check it out.
www.piyastudios.com.
Let me know if you like it (enthusiastically). Let me know if you don't (tactfully). Let me know about all the broken links you find (expeditiously). Much obliged (honestly).
Oh, and here's a Tyrannosaurus sketch. The dead dino on the wrong end of the prey-predator relationship is the Edmontosaurus (guess where in Canada this guy was found). Final to come.
www.piyastudios.com.
Let me know if you like it (enthusiastically). Let me know if you don't (tactfully). Let me know about all the broken links you find (expeditiously). Much obliged (honestly).
Oh, and here's a Tyrannosaurus sketch. The dead dino on the wrong end of the prey-predator relationship is the Edmontosaurus (guess where in Canada this guy was found). Final to come.
Monday, December 1, 2008
Saw Whet Owl
A big side dream of mine has always been to somehow contribute my art to the field of biology. Despite being an artist, science has always been a big love of mine. In fact, I used to be a biology major in college before switching to art. (I probably would've finished my Bachelor's in biology if organic chemistry didn't have its way with me. ) My hopes of becoming a scientist has long since been packed away, but my passion for nature has never really disappeared.
I've decided it's time to put my money where my mouth is and try more science based artwork. I was looking for an animal that I've never really done too much of and I happened to find a photo of a Northern Saw Whet Owl (Aegolius acadicus). So I thought, ah, why not? So right here, ladies and gentlemen is my very first professional level biological illustration!
Aegolius acadicus is a small American owl (about 7 inches long with a wingspan around 18 inches), living throughout the US and Canada. It's a very plentiful species, occurring mostly in coniferous forests feeding on rodents and insects. Those living on the American West Coast are also known to feed on crustaceans. Its common name, the Saw Whet Owl comes from the sound of the animal's cry, said to resemble a saw being sharpened against a whetstone.
I've decided it's time to put my money where my mouth is and try more science based artwork. I was looking for an animal that I've never really done too much of and I happened to find a photo of a Northern Saw Whet Owl (Aegolius acadicus). So I thought, ah, why not? So right here, ladies and gentlemen is my very first professional level biological illustration!
Aegolius acadicus is a small American owl (about 7 inches long with a wingspan around 18 inches), living throughout the US and Canada. It's a very plentiful species, occurring mostly in coniferous forests feeding on rodents and insects. Those living on the American West Coast are also known to feed on crustaceans. Its common name, the Saw Whet Owl comes from the sound of the animal's cry, said to resemble a saw being sharpened against a whetstone.
Friday, November 14, 2008
Chaos Knight
I decided I needed some more practice with quick paintings. So here's a three-ish hour painting, depicting a Warhammer Chaos Knight. I've been a Games Workshop fan for about 12 years, but I only played for about 3.
This painting started out as a rough paint spatter using textured custom brushes. From there, I tried to sculpt the painting out. Hopefully it's fairly successful.
This painting started out as a rough paint spatter using textured custom brushes. From there, I tried to sculpt the painting out. Hopefully it's fairly successful.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Monday, October 13, 2008
Back to the Cute Stuff
We're back to my little dragon guy and his girl. Since we're artists, my first piece is of him painting.
And my friend Joni really wanted me to do this super mushy piece. I hope you like it Joni! I painted this while fighting a cold!!!!
And my friend Joni really wanted me to do this super mushy piece. I hope you like it Joni! I painted this while fighting a cold!!!!
Sunday, October 5, 2008
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