A Cross-Section of Steven W. Howard Art

Job in the Space Industry!

2012-02-11T21:32:00.000-08:00

Awesome news for all of you who didn't get to see my facebook post. I recently was hired as a full-time technical illustrator for Space Systems Loral down in Palo Alto, California. I will be mostly illustrating satellites. They are a great company and have been around for the past 50 years so they have great experience and deep connections with the space industry world wide. I'm still currently living in SF, but hope to move closer to work as soon as I'm able. On the side I will continue to create cutaways and cross-sections and have a book (based on a very popular science fiction novel) in the works that will probably be published in the next two or three years depending on the time I'll be able to devote to it. Either way, in the future you will be able to see updates and in-progress of the book. As far as seeing what I produce for SS/L you will just have to wait, if and when, those images are posted by the company on the site.

Workspace Update

2012-01-16T17:11:00.000-08:00

Yo, blog world and followers! It has, as of lately, again, been awhile...

I'm still on the look out for work. That seems to be how freelancing will be, but as long as I'm illustrating something for someone I'm happy! :) I was able to have one of my files recovered from the old dead harddrive of my Macbook pro. It is a slow moving project with hundreds of delays and I have nick-named it the "cursed project." But I still love working on it. Whenever I have downtime I will pull up the file and tweak it here and there. Here is a sneak peak of the progress for the Raijin cutaway (all Adobe Illustrator):

I've also been meaning to share some images of the new set-up I have. I now have two computers (the 27" iMac as my main workhorse and the Macbook Pro as my back-up computer in the case I have another computer failure while working on a project for a client- you can always have back-up devices to save files and such, but a back-up computer can allow you to continue working while the other hopefully gets fixed). Next to it on the right is my 21" Cintiq which allows me to draw on and illustrate all kinds of beautifully overly detailed complex goodness! :D

Lastly is my updated work chair. Granted I want to get a more comfortable chair in the future, but the nice new add-on is the Razer Nostromo. It normally is sold as a gamepad, but works very effectively as a handy keypad for Illustrator and Photoshop so much so that I could easily illustrate without ever having to reach over and use my keyboard. Plus, keyboard shortcuts which were once several different keys on the keyboard are now single keystrokes on the Nostromo!

Anyway, thought I'd share that with you. Once I finish the top portion of the cockpit on the Raijin cutaway I will post that up here. I'll also try to post the other art stuff I'm doing when I can.

New Work-Technical Illustration

2011-12-23T16:27:00.000-08:00

Check out my other blog for more views of work completed for the company I have been working for: Tungsten Advertising and their client Seatel: http://swhowardillustration.blogspot.com/

All work shown on this post and the post of the other site are property of Tungsten Advertising and Seatel 2011.

Sorry again for the delays in posting. My last computer decided to crash the harddrive. Recently I was blessed by a friend who was able to recover most of the disk and some of my previous work, like the Raijin cutaway, can be worked on once again. That mistake will never happen again and I have and will keep expanding on my back up devices. I currently now have my old macbook pro with a new drive and my new, main workhorse, a 27" iMac. As always I will try and keep this site updated as often as I can.

Job!

2011-10-19T07:31:00.000-07:00

Life has just gotten really crazy recently, but I am very thankful for it.

I recently got a job as a contracted Technical Illustrator for an advertising company!!! I am still working as a security guard as well, just to be able to pay the bills.

So needless to say, my cutaway of the Raijin is again... interupted, but thankfully so as I needed to get an art related career to get my foot into the professional artworld. I will try my best to update this blog as often as I can.

Raijin Progress Update

2011-08-13T23:40:00.000-07:00

As usual, my post is long over due. I'm still searching for an art job and am back to hitting the job boards once again. Thankfully, though it is a job as a security guard, I'm glad I have something to keep paying the bills while I look for a job in relation to what I studied so hard for. I've had a bit of a delay on all my work recently as I had surgery on my tail bone area and couldn't sit at my computer :( Even though I'm still healing I can finally get back to working on some self-promotional stuff and I even finally upgraded to Adobe CS5 :D I have a plan that hopefully will only be upset if I get an art related job, but, the image above will hopefully be part of a series of many cutaways to come involving some mecha from 80s anime and current anime, plus possibly a very iron hero of a man ;).

Anyway, here is an updated sketch of the Raijin suit (design by the amazing Emerson Tung!). This by far has been one of my most interrupted projects, but now that I've set a deadline you should see some updates on the project soon! Once I finish this base sketch it will be on to Adobe Illustrator to clean up the line work and then add color.

Christ Church Mural (finished!)

2011-06-10T22:16:00.001-07:00

Needless to say, it has been quite some time since my last post. I have been very busy with many things... excuses, excuses, blah, blah, blah...

Nevertheless, here is a post I have been anxiously anticipating to make. I have not only finished my mural commissioned by my church, Christ Church at Park Presidio, but I have also just recently mounted the entire project!

The entire mural was produced in Adobe Illustrator

with vectors and high resolution photos of stained glass pieces which were then clipped digitally to fit into the drawings I had made. The project took over 280 hours. Each panel is 37.5 inches wide and 101 inches tall. There are 9 total panels- each removable. All of this started from a crude 30 second sketch one morning

at church.

From here I started working out various details to later work on.

Next I worked on the individual "medallions" that would help add extra story elements to each panel. Each panel had 2 "medallions" corresponding to the Biblical event depicted.

From there I finished the panels and they were sent off to a printer in Arizona that could print 4ft by endless.

The prints are giant stickers that we had to cut and peel. The process involved soaking the board surface and the sticker, then using a squeegee to take out the excess water and air to adhere the sticker to the surface.

Then we had to set the panels out to dry...

Then we put up all of the panels.

Come see the mural up close if you can at 856 Cabrillo St. San Francisco, CA 94121 10:30am on Sundays.

Special thanks to the printers in Arizona, Christ Church at Park Presidio and Sovereign Grace Ministries, and Toby Kurth, Jeff Locke, Gene Mercado, Scott Rim, Adam Lumb, and Ryan Edson for all the support and help to complete this project!

AX-1 Speed Form

2011-03-30T05:30:00.000-07:00

Just one of those nights/mornings where I have a strong urge to illustrate something besides the current projects I'm working on. The sketch above is from last year and can be found earlier in the blog. I took it into Adobe Illustrator tonight and completed it in about two and a half hours. It's a good feeling (even if it keeps me up 'til 5am) to touch up a sketch like this. Hopefully I'll have time in the future to do more of these.

Christ Church Mural Sneak Peek #2

2011-03-22T23:50:00.001-07:00

Still working on this thing! I have four more panels to go (two on the left and two on the right). Once that is finished the images will be sent out to a printing company and then printed and pasted on the movable panels at Christ Church at Park Presidio. It's been a fun experience thus far learning new tricks and size reducing methods in Adobe Illustrator. Here is a sneak peak at the middle five panels (top and bottom hidden). The full mural will be revealed on this blog once it is finished and printed and pasted on to the wall at the church. Sorry I haven't updated in awhile. It's been one of the most challenging and busy months I've had yet!

Take 'em back

2011-02-26T11:17:00.000-08:00

Song inspired by book of Philemon. Open up the Word and see the call it has for each of our lives. I'll let it speak for itself.

Take Em Back

116 Clique, Dillon Chase from 13 Letters

Verse 1:
Allow me to introduce this book it's called/ Philemon it's oh so personal (1:1)/ The book bares the name of the person whom the words are to (1:1)/ Paul's urging dude praying for this servant who (1:4)/ Refreshed the saints day by day in the church its true (1:5)/ He was encouraged too/ By this dudes passion/ Fellowship growing in faith it was fantastic (1:6)/ But he had this slave Onesimus this man happened/ To steal some things ran away yeah he fled faster (1:15/1:18)/ Philemon didn't know/ He ended up in Rome/ Where God redeemed his soul/ Through Paul's teaching yo' (1:10)/ The gospel of Christ made some things change/ Cause now he and Philemon became the same slaves/ Slaves to Christ/ Onesimus stayed beside/ Paul in Prison He had changed his life (1:11/1:13)/ So he served Paul it hurt Paul to have to let him leave (1:11)/ With this letter in his hand hoping he'd be received (1:12)

Chorus:
Take em' back/ It don't matter what he did/ Christ Forgives, homie that's what it is/ I know you've been wronged / He been gone for a minute/ But now God got up in em'/ So I call for forgiveness

Verse 2:
So Paul the Apostle/ Saw that he ought to/ Resolve what was harming the body he got to/ So he comes on strong but then also/ As a fellow servant of God as he talks to (1:8-9)/ Philemon Pleading for Onesimus/ Please don't grieve him I need him but he is still yours so just listen his (1:13-14)/ Presence is dear to me but he's dearer to you (1:16)/ And it's so clear to see, since hearing the truth/ He's been adopted and cleaned (1:10) and often it seems/ That God in his sovereignty saw that these things/ Like him thieving and leaving you for a season/ Through that God redeemed him and cleaned him so he can (1:15)/ Be yours forever as a brother in Christ (1:16)/ So receive this letter, don't cut him off twice (1:17)/ And whatever he owes you charge it to me/ Even though you owe me I want you to please (1:18-19)

Chorus:

Verse 3:
Paul wrote he was sure and secure in the fact/ That Philemon would surely enjoy taking back (1:21)/ This man who had wronged him before in his past/ But now they were one in the Lord it's a wrap (1:16)/ Just like Onesimus/ We need forgiveness when/ We grieve our Lord who saved us and filled us with/ His spirit to seal us in/ Heal us from the illest sin/ Even though we sinning men/ Look at what we did to him/ But he takes us back, and what we owed/ Was paid on the cross with the blood that flowed/ From the side of his body, now I'm in the body/ Of Christ in the light still I say I'm sorry/ To God for the charge that was held against me/ I'm forgiven because he was nailed to a tree/ So I yell and I scream as I'm telling these people/ That we need to be like Jesus and seek to

Chorus:

Provision Proclaimed by the Cosmos

2011-02-19T22:18:00.000-08:00

What beautiful stars…

Do you ever look up when there is a clear night sky and recall the vast promise of our eternal God?

What comfort the sand…

Do you ever consider that such rough grains are endless measures of a wonderful promise great as the rainbow set before Noah after the flood?

As I was working on one of the panels of an upcoming mural for Christ Church at Park Presidio in San Francisco a thought of reflection came upon me. The panel I am working on depicts Abraham holding his son, Isaac, looking up at the stars after Isaac was spared. What comfort most have warmed Abraham’s heart as he held his boy in his arms and gazed up into the heavenly vastness of the cosmos. What joy it must have been to explain to Isaac why everything just happened and the greatness of their Provider.

It is of no mistake that the passage reads as it does when Abraham replies to the men traveling with them: “Stay here with the donkey. The boy and I will go over there to worship; then we’ll come back to you” (Genesis 22:5 Emphasis mine). Abraham was commended for such faith. He trusted that God (the Eternal and Almighty) would perform a miracle previously unseen… the resurrection of the dead. Why was Abraham so certain of this? God had promised him earlier in chapter 15 of an offspring. God keeps His word so the logical thing and right thing to do would be to sacrifice Isaac believing God would do something miraculous to bring Isaac back. God’s test of Abraham succeeded and Isaac did not need to be sacrificed, but a provision of a ram caught in the thicket was. This all projects to the coming Messiah Who has come and was sacrificed instead of us, the analogous Isaacs.

So why bother writing this? I’m certain, at least those of you who are saved know the historical events of Abraham and Isaac. I’ve been having a difficult time lately securing a job among other doors that God has kept closed to me even after prayer that I’d hope emulate such desperation as Jacob during the wrestling and the cries of King David. Many have tried to comfort with words that God will provide… me with a job. The only reason I am ever timid on an absolute certainty that He will provide me with a job is that I have yet to see a “yes, I will provide you a job” written out in Scripture. What I do see is that God will provide food for those who fear Him so that they never go hungry (Psalm 111:5) and that He cares for those that love Him and are called His children. He listens to our prayers and will not give us bad things if we cry out for what are truly good things. There are two major things that dominate my prayers for what I hope and desire for, one of those being a job to pay off my debts and provide for my future and second desire- which generally drives the desire for the job (although decreasing finances is another reason I tend to want to ask so often).

Christ is our ultimate provision, however. Nothing we could ever need or ask for can compare with this. His sacrifice covers over all my sins and failure to provide financially for the future or pay off debts. He lived a perfect life because I can’t. And beyond this, He provides us with His Spirit Who leads and guides our steps. I found myself sometimes discouraged by Proverbs 19:21 “Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.” ignoring that His purposes are very good. But when I read Proverbs 16:9 I was comforted and reminded that His will is good and He is the director of my steps. “In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.”

In short avoiding writing another dozen or so paragraphs I just wanted to say that though things are very uncertain in my life right now and although many doors seem shut to me I will wait on my Lord, the determiner and director of my steps. Long ago He promised my hope and assurance in those stars, a star that would one day rise above the land of Bethlehem and conquer the dead and defeat the power of sin once and for all. God is not calling me… or anyone for that matter to live life poor or rich or in between, but rather that we trust our lives in His stead and follow Him.

The stars proclaimed His trustworthiness and provision,… will we?

"Stained Glass" Mural Preview

2011-02-16T20:33:00.001-08:00

Currently I've been working on a mural for my church in Adobe Illustrator. This project thankfully has given me time to not only work on it, but also have the time to search for a full time employment position. Unfortunately another illustration project offered by another person would have limited this (I find it to be the hardest thing as an artist to ever turn down a project- especially when I am in need of work). Anyway, this project should be complete by the end of March, but until then here is a preview of one of the panels. I have to take a photo off of my Cintiq as the file size in Illustrator is too large to convert easily to Photoshop or a jpeg. This panel (of 9) alone is near 700mb. To give you an idea, my P-51 cutaway was only 60mb! Reason being is I am using high quality images of stained glass in several clipping masks to emulate an actual stained glass panel or feel. Here is Moses splitting the Red Sea. Look for the completion sometime in April or stop by Christ Church, SF after these panels get printed out.

Raijin Cutaway In-progress 2

2011-01-26T20:46:00.001-08:00

The exo suit/mech has been slowly progressing. I get about an hour or two ever one or two days to work on this thing. Thought I'd post up the progress though. That pilot sure is cramped in that cockpit! I'll admit some elipses on this thing are atrocious, but for something I'll return to and refine I'm letting them be til later. Anyway, more to come in the future!

Raijin Cutaway In-progress 1

2011-01-17T19:28:00.000-08:00

Figure I'd show a bit of the work that I've started on a cutaway of my friend's exoskeleton suit design. Awhile back I had approached Emerson Tung (http://emersonart.blogspot.com/) about using his Raijin concept design for a future cutaway. I haven't really had the opportunity until now to start working on it. When I'm not searching for work I take the time to work on this. It involves lots of hours of research for reference and trial and error on what will work in the final drawing.

This is all drawn out in Adobe Photoshop on my Cintiq. I started with a very rough sketch and am now slowly working my way through depicting the outer architecture and the cool nifty bits of the inside. Practically the entire thing should be rendered this way which means it will take quite some time. After sketching out all of this in Photoshop I will move to Illustrator and redo all of the linework in vectors... and then add color. To add to this, the main Raijin suit is not the only thing that will be on the final page, but also cutaways of the armament, statistics, a close up cutaway of the optical unit, and an pilot's view of the controls. Once finished this should be a nice technical illustration and strong portfolio piece. So over the next few months keep an eye out for the occasional update for this project and check out Emerson's blog. He is quite the amazing and talented artist and definitely an inspiration for my illustrations.

Update for future works

2011-01-14T23:15:00.000-08:00

I know it's been awhile since my last post. Honestly it may be a bit longer before the next artwork in progress gets posted up here. I've been busy job hunting. The few hours that I'm not hunting for work I've been working on a new cross-section based on a friend's design. Once I get the sketch done on the piece I'll post that up on here, but until then it might be awhile as cross-sections take some time and it usually the preliminary steps that take the longest. Anyway, there's the heads up for all of you following.

Also, Happy belated New Year bloggers and followers! Hope 2011 is a productive and blessed year for us all!

It's Official-I'm done!

2010-12-19T22:01:00.000-08:00

Yep, it's true! I am finally done with school! I have officially graduated from the Academy of Art University of San Francisco this Saturday the 18th 0f December 2010! And it's only after four years of fall, spring and summer semesters since August of 2006. A lot of people have asked what it feels like... well... odd. The Academy doesn't do graduate ceremonies during the Fall graduates (lame). I think the reality will sink in once I: 1. get a job, 2. receive the most expensive piece of paper I've invested in- a.k.a. my diploma, and 3. realize that I don't ever have to go back but instead prove myself to people like the IRS that I am an artist professional and no longer just a student or some hobby artist. Woot! Professional world here I come! Praise God for getting me through these past four years.

Metreon

2010-12-16T12:02:00.000-08:00

Although I have not yet submitted this for my class, this is my final assignment for Bay Area Architecture, the Metreon, and is my last illustration for the Academy of Art University. This was done using Photoshop and Illustrator CS4.

MUNI Flash Interactive Animation

2010-12-13T11:02:00.000-08:00

Follow this link: http://megaswf.com/serve/85372/ to view my flash animation of my MUNI poster. It's interactive! Hope it works and enjoy!

New Self-Portrait (in progress #2)

2010-12-06T23:16:00.000-08:00

Don't know when this thing is going to get finished with all of the projects I've got going on and preparations for graduation this December 18th (so soon! CRAZY!) and getting ready for long awaited returns and the upcoming holiday events. Needless to say it may be awhile before this is finished. Anyway, here is a snippet that worked out to be a nice profile pic in the meantime. Everything is done in Adobe Illustrator CS4. I really want and will eventually need the Adobe CS5 suite. Christmas present idea anyone... :)

Bay Area Architecture Sketch 7

2010-12-06T22:55:00.001-08:00

Here is another Bay Area Architecture quick sketch of a home in the California Ranch House style.

Bay Area Architecture Sketch 6

2010-11-29T21:12:00.001-08:00

Here is another sketch as the semester is coming soon to a close... along with my time here at AAU. Come December 18th this year I will be graduated from AAU! Anyway, here is a quick sketch of a very pretty storybook style home from 1921.

New Self-Portrait (in progress)

2010-11-18T23:45:00.001-08:00

Here is an in-progress from a few weeks ago of a portrait I decided to start up in Adobe Illustrator. I tend to use a self portrait to explore what I can do in a certain medium or style. Also, it's always fun to do another one when appearances change. Anyway, here is the photoshop sketch I quickly did one night. Hopefully someday this will get finished in Illustrator. I've started it, but with job hunts, finals, and a collaboration I'm doing with another student it doesn't look like it will be finished anytime soon. Just thought I'd post something up tonight. Enjoy!

Bay Area Architecture Sketches 5

2010-11-15T00:03:00.001-08:00

n my Bay Area Architecture online class we haven't done as much sketching lately, but here are the last two that I did. Hopefully next week there'll be some more sketching. I miss it.

Helldiver Fixed

2010-11-08T14:32:00.000-08:00

Fixed this in class today. Changed up a few things based on other illustrators' suggestions. Critique is very helpful as this is sooooo much better now than it was previously.

Smart Phone MUNI Poster

2010-11-07T00:52:00.000-07:00

Finally got this thing done! Simple idea- complex illustration to show it. I recently had to replace my old Samson Juke phone and had to switch to a smart phone- the Samson Fascinate. Although I do not yet use the phone to figure out the next MUNI or BART time, if ever I needed to, what I illustrated is completely possible. With SF's (although outdated) easily accessible transportation lines and today's 3G tech anyone can quickly find the next available line and its times. So if you're in the Bay Area and thinking of getting a smart phone, here is an illustrated incentive for you to get one. All of this project was completed in Adobe Illustrator CS4 and CS5.

Cable Car Illustration

2010-11-06T03:08:00.000-07:00

I've noticed that having to switch my CMYK images from illustrator to RGB to make as a jpeg to post up here a lot of the color vibrancy and contrast is lost.

Anyway, here is the fifth icon for my upcoming illustration. This probably took the longest out of the five just because there are so many components to the car to make. This is probably the most famous piece of SF besides Alcatraz. About 20,000 or so tourists and locals take the cable cars everyday! I used to use this at night when there were less tourists when I lived downtown. No matter how many times you ride these things, it never gets old in my opinion. Anyway, next should be my completed illustration. So keep on the lookout as it should be up soon. Hope you enjoy it!

BART Illustration

2010-11-04T01:06:00.001-07:00

Here is number 4 of the 5 transportation vehicles I am doing for the upcoming illustration. The BART (or Bay Area Rapid Transit) is another subway and above ground transport like the MUNI train. These things are noisy, handy for getting to the airport or across the bay, and EXCELLENT sketching zones! Almost every illustrator who has ever taken this has drawn people on these things. If you haven't... do it! The trains themselves can be up to 10 cars long and for unity sake with the other illustrations the majority of the back half had to be cut. I bet most of you can guess which public transportation from SF I'll do next. The next vehicle is one of the main reasons people visit the city. Anyway, back to more work. Look forward to more!

Another Preview of the Muni Illustration

2010-11-02T00:09:00.001-07:00

Here is another piece of my upcoming Smartphone/Muni poster infographic. In class today I was able to get the man done with a very befitting SF Giants coat. GO GIANTS! Never been that much into baseball, but the city's enthusiasm is contagious... and we won the World Series! Anyway, this project should be finished by next Monday or so. As long as this cold doesn't slow me down. Halloween probably aided to getting the cold. But, that's life, and now back to work, work, work....

Muni N Judah Illustration

2010-10-30T02:48:00.001-07:00

Here is another adobe illustrator vehicle I made for my upcoming illustration. The N Judah is perhaps, in my opinion, one of the most unreliable lines that SF has. If it's not unreliable... it's too slow. I used to take this to my old church every Sunday and going out to the Sunset from downtown was fine. Coming back later in the day to downtown was awful. Thankfully I have rarely any reason to go to the Sunset to use this line. However, I do like the caterpillar appearance of these machines. The N Judah is a subway/street train. Hope you like the illustration, there should be more to come and hopefully in a week or two... the complete illustration!

38 Geary Bus Muni

2010-10-28T02:57:00.000-07:00

Here is the second vehicle of many of SF transportation I am including in an upcoming infographic. I take this bus almost on a daily basis to get to class. The 38 is probably the most frequent and reliable bus line in the city that I know of and am very thankful for that. Even though some rides can range from 15-45minutes and I'm about sick of the same route everyday, I'm glad I have an easy way to get downtown or home. This, like the other, is done in Adobe Illustrator. Took about 7-9 hours. Added some of my art as 'advertisements' for the side of the bus. Hope you enjoy and look forward to more!

F Castro Street Car Illustration

2010-10-25T17:02:00.000-07:00

Started and finished this in class today. It is part of an upcoming info graphic I'm doing for my portfolio and thought that using SF transportation would be great! I'm quite familiar with the F line street cars (various ones in colors and shapes and makes) from having to take this as part of my trips to an Industrial Design Drawing class I took during the summer. The line runs partly along Market Street and connects the Castro to Fisherman's Warf. The illustration itself took only about 5 hours and hopefully the others will be that short as well. Stay tuned for more!

Post 100... sort of... (P-51 Mustang Complete)

2010-10-19T00:04:00.001-07:00

Well, here it is! Post #100.... or so my dashboard says, while my actual blog says in the archive 93 or so. Needless to say technology confuses me sometimes.

Here is the completed P-51 Mustang all in Adobe Illustrator. From start to finish I think I've worked roughly at least 170-190 hours on this and still not entirely happy. Next time I want my own reference or at least not off angle reference and that of one variant. There are just too many variants of the Mustang... and variants of variants! So to all of you die hard P-51 guys, sorry it's not perfect- you want it perfect, then let me see one in person... and possibly get a ride in the two seater! XD Then we'd both definitely be giddy little kids having way too much fun.

Anyway, this file crashed illustrator for me 3 times, was cause for much prayer and humbling

(as I said some pretty unkind things to my computer), and a great practice and learning of Illustrator.

Below is the wire version. For those of you who know Illustrator I'm sure you'll understand the craziness.

On a side note for bloggers out there- beware accidentally using meta tags in the html. I posted this maybe six or seven times before getting it to work.

Anyway, back to more illustrating!

Bay Area Architecture Sketch 4

2010-10-12T22:18:00.000-07:00

Bay Area Architecture Sketch 3

2010-10-12T22:17:00.001-07:00

Bay Area Architecture Sketch 2

2010-10-12T22:16:00.001-07:00

Bay Area Architecture Sketch 1

2010-10-12T22:08:00.000-07:00

As I've needed some liberal arts units to finish up at AAU, I decided to take A Survey of Bay Area Architecture. I find it hilarious that I'm required to draw in a liberal arts class. Each of these sketches are really loose and quickly done. I decided I'd put up what I've done so far as I am eager to fill up posts to get to the 100th post for this blog! :D I have a week to finish the P-51 Mustang (if I can manage it) and that should lay claim to number 100. So in the meantime... hear are some sketchy space fillers. Enjoy.

I'm Still Yours

2010-10-02T23:27:00.000-07:00

If You washed away my vanity
If You took away my words
If all my world was swept away
Would You be enough for me?
Would my beating heart still sing?

If I lost it all
Would my hands stay lifted
To the God who gives and takes away

If You take it all
This life You've given
Still my heart will sing to You

When my life is not what I expected
The plans I made have failed
When there's nothing left to steal me away
Will You be enough for me?
Will my broken heart still sing?

If I lost it all
Would my hands stay lifted
To the God who gives
And takes away

If You take it all
This life You've given
Still my heart
Will sing to You

Even if You take it all away
You’ll never let me go
Take it all away
But I still know

That I'm Yours
I'm still Yours

Oh, I'm Yours
I'm still Yours
I'm still Yours

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BjSvml7iWeQ

P-51 Mustang Cutaway Color Rough

2010-09-28T11:08:00.001-07:00

Here is the in-progress of the Mustang. I didn't have time to start it up in Illustrator yet because of the Helldiver infographic (which will have some redo- namely the ships at the bottom), but will start this week. Here is the color rough for the poster.

Helldiver Infographic Complete

2010-09-27T18:43:00.000-07:00

This was entirely done in Adobe Illustrator and took quite a long time! The most troublesome thing was the explosion and I've still yet to figure that out, but otherwise here is my intense work on the Curtiss SB2C Helldiver 'Dive Boming' infographic. It's my first official addition to the reboot of my portfolio.

P-51 Mustang Cutaway Preliminary Sketches (part 2)

2010-09-20T21:46:00.001-07:00

Here are the other two sketches for the P-51 Mustang cut-away. In progress images should be up in a week or two.

P-51 Mustang Cutaway Preliminary Sketches (part 1)

2010-09-18T19:23:00.001-07:00

Here are 2 of 4 sketches I am doing for a proposed future cutaway poster illustration of the WWII North American P-51 Mustang. I decided to go with the Mustang over civilian modern aircraft as I have limited access to reference to produce a cutaway of a modern aircraft.

When sketching things like these I now work digitally using photo reference (whether mine- or in this case the internet) and after drawing perspective lines, some of those lines can easily be erased and when finished with the sketch I will project the image I based it on for the angle and see if all the proportions match. If some don't (which at times does happen), I will erase the wrong lines and match them up. I don't trace (I believe it to be cheap and a cheat), but I do use images in post as corrective tools as such things as a plane need accuracy even in the sketch phase. Hence why I now find digital sketching extremely efficient in concerning technical illustration. The trickiest part besides setting up the accurate perspective is also the fact that the inner workings are rarely in a similar angle to what I'm working with. For instance, the top view I based the inner workings on a cutaway scale model picture that was closer to the bottom sketch. In a day or so I should have the other two sketches up and on Tuesday decide which one to go with.

"Jesu, Shall I Never Be"-Charles Wesley Hymn

2010-09-18T08:59:00.000-07:00

I've been reading a small book I found hidden away in one of SF's small random book stores. The book is a collection of sermons and writings and poems and songs by John and Charles Wesley. Just thought I'd share one of those songs/hymns called "Jesu, Shall I Never Be"

Jesu, shall I never be/ Firmly grounded upon thee?/ Never by thy work abide,/ Never in thy wounds reside?/// Oh, how wavering is my mind,/ Tossed about with every wind!/ Oh, how quickly doth my heart/ From the living God depart!/// Jesu, let my nature feel/ Thou art God unchangeable;/ Jah, Jehovah, great I AM,/ Speak into my soul thy name/// Grant that every moment I/ May believe, and feel thee nigh,/ Steadfastly behold thy face,/ 'Stablished with abiding grace./// Plant and root, and fix in me/ All the mind that was in thee;/ Settled peace I then shall find-/ Jesu's is a quiet mind./// Anger I no more shall feel,/ Always even, always still;/ Meekly on my God reclined-/ Jesu's is a gentle mind./// I shall suffer, and fulfill/ All my Father's gracious will,/ Be in all alike resigned-/ Jesu's is a patient mind./// When 'tis deeply rooted here/ Perfect love shall cast out fear;/ Fear doth servile spirits bind-/ Jesu's is a noble mind./// When I feel it fixed within/ I shall have no power to sin;/ How shall sin an entrance find?/ Jesu's is a spotless mind./// I shall nothing know beside/ Jesus, and Him crucified;/ I shall all to Him be joined-/ Jesu's is a loving mind./// I shall triumph evermore,/ Gratefully my God adore,/ God so good, so true, so kind-/ Jesu's is a thankful mind./// Lowly, loving, meek, and pure,/ I shall to the end endure;/ Be no more to sin inclined-/ Jesu's is a constant mind./// I shall fully be restored/ To the image of my Lord,/ Witnessing to all mankind/ Jesu's is a perfect mind.

1742 Charles Wesley

Helldiver Infographic (In-Progress)

2010-09-16T01:52:00.000-07:00

My last and final semester has finally kicked off and I am doing a nice overhaul to the ol' portfolio. Though I am not technically in the class yet, here is an in progress of an infographic I am working on of the Helldiver dive bomber from WWII done in Adobe Illustrator in Tom Elsworth's class. This is the small far right corner showing the bomber before it does its dive bomb run on a Japanese battleship. Should have the rest of the surrounding illustration finished in a week... hopefully.

Trying out new techniques

2010-09-04T03:12:00.000-07:00

After looking at some different tutorials, I'd thought I'd try out some of the techniques and experiment a bit as well. I'm not used to using Photoshop this way, but it will be handy for future technical illustrations (even though this isn't one). And if some think this is an awful design for a cell phone... I agree! It was more about the study so the design kind of suffered.

3:30 am

2010-08-27T02:56:00.000-07:00

Below are some sketches from a newer sketchbook- which is now home to my 'Resolved' list, a list of resolutions that are a reminder and helpful tool to keep my life focused on Christ. So here are the pages surrounding those resolutions. Nothing much in particular, but just felt like posting something before the Fall semester starts.

Just decided since I found myself up at 3:30am as of now, that I'd post some of the starts to my sketchbook, all of which were done during unfortunate conditions of either strong icy winds of the Warf or in a car, or in an airplane with the passenger reclining into me enough that even my overhead light can't light what I'm drawing. The speedform-esc drawings are always a lot of fun to do and genrally don't take much thought to draw. The last one was on that flight (of which many prayers were made to keep my temper in check with the passenger in front of me) and was an inspired design of the cabin- hence why it looks weird. Why do I try drawing in odd circumstances? I ask a similar question as to why I'm up so late right now... time to sleep.

Industrial Design Drawing 3 Finals

2010-08-10T00:10:00.000-07:00

Here is the final for the class (terrible photo). Not entirely satisfied with this product, however, pretty pleased with the fact that it is near impossible to tell what I cut and pasted from my pre-final sketches. This is supposed to be a 'hemispherical touch screen mouse,' use by 3D modelers to have an interactive touchscreen surface to move virtual objects around with a real 3D interface.

Above and below are some robotic animals. If I had more time I would have made at least 25 or more! These things are just way too much fun to do. They are generally done over an overlay of a hardshelled creature and then it is turned into some stellar vehicle whether it be an Giant Isopod hovercraft jet thing or a 'leaping' coconut crab personal transport... you know, because it would be awesome to own one! :P

This last page just shows my pre-final page layout as well as more robotic creatures.

Overall, it was a pretty amazing class. A whole lot of work in a short amount of time, but definitely worth taking. I'd recommend this to any concept artist who is into designing techs of any sort. Well, now time to catch up on some sleep and back to working hard on some more design and illustrating. Zzzzzzz........

ID3 Final Progress Sneak Peak

2010-08-04T14:20:00.000-07:00

Here is a sneak peak from my final. I took a photo of this so that I could print it out to draw over a copy to get an idea of parts to be shown in the exploded view. This was done using Prismacolor Markers, Verathin, and Color Pencil plus a mesh texture to draw over. I'll see what my instructor has to say and if anything needs to be changed for the Final. There are several parts to this assignment so more to come soon!

Updated ID3 Work

2010-07-31T10:13:00.000-07:00

Finally able to take some time to post these up. This a compilation of the past few classes. Above are the 4 exploded views of a Kensington mouse that I had to do in two days. Being sick on one day I ended up jamming 3 of these in a day. If given more time with better health I could have gotten a better result.

These above were an assignment for trying out some Canson toned paper. The fourth page on black and on gray was whatever we wanted to do so I did a jockey riding a robo racing greyhound! I particularly like this sketch.

Above was an experiment with reflective surfaces hence our class having to go back to cubic forms. The helicopter was a Scott Robertson mastercopy to learn how he draws and the two jets to the side are speed forms based off of an F22. So much fun drawing things like the speed forms!

Above was an assigment of speed forms (things that look fast while standing still). Granted, not all of mine look super speedy, but like my instructor said, they do have character. And as an illustrator I believe that to be just as equally important. These were a lot of fun to make.

Lastly are some experiments with pastel and webril pads to create chrome. We had to make flashlights and thermoses. Number 6 of the flashlights kind of looks torch-like to me. Gotta watch where you point your 'torch.' Oh British jokes... Anyway, hope you like it. More to come (working on my final right now- three parts)...

Birthday!

2010-07-24T21:21:00.000-07:00

Today I turn 23! And I stop to reflect a bit on how life has been and there is only one things that keeps standing out more and more... that is the saving power of Christ in my life. He has been incredibly gracious and merciful and patient with me. I find myself these days often moved to tears reflecting on what I once was and where I now stand and that is only possible because of Christ Jesus who died for my sins, for the times I was a pervert, a jerk to friends, arrogant, and countless other dark things. All things considered, some of the things I did it seriously is suprising I haven't been jailed. I keep a lot of my past hidden from most, but there is one thing that I can assure you, all the while I was committing these atrocious acts that often hurt others usually emotionally, the One whom I offended most deeply, hurt most deeply, loved me so much that He took my punishment and died in my place. He is now risen to prove He is God and that all is not hopeless. I have a wonderful and beautiful Savior who I sing and praise as often as I can. Some of you who do not believe in Christ probably think I'm crazy about what I talk about and how I find myself daydreaming of the glories of His majesty. And it would be right in some aspect to call me crazy as this goes against so many ways this world thinks and operates, but I truly don't care if you think I'm crazy or just blabbing on again, but I can't help but do so because His love has saved me! To me nothing else matters as once I was enslaved to what could never satisfy and the One from whom I deserved punishment took my place and saved this infinitely small and insignificant human named Steven W. Howard. Oh, how great a Savior. Oh the deep, deep love of Jesus Christ! I am greatful to be 23 found in Christ and Christ alone.

More IDS3 work

2010-07-09T10:07:00.000-07:00

Not the best photos (I need a better camera), but here are some more freehand perspective drawings from my Industrial Design Drawing 3 class. Top are computer mice and bottom are some pencil sharpeners.

Beginning to burn through the pages

2010-07-02T21:56:00.000-07:00

Here is a sample of some of the homework that I'm doing this semester. I was gone in Palm Springs last weekend and had to quickly make-up homework so I essentially had to do 40 pages plus one reworked design of a pro in 2 days! These are all free hand perspective sketches in ink of CPUs for my Industrial Design Drawing 3 class. I've been drawing so much straight lines and more that I've literally lost sensation in the tip of one of my fingers. I killed the nerve endings just from drawing too much. :/ Anyway, hopefully there will be more to come. Back to work...

Lego Thunderbird (in Progress #2)

2010-06-21T23:23:00.000-07:00

Finally decided to upload these pictures. Summer semester has started and I'm watching as all my time just evaporates from the intense work load.
The Thunderbird Lego jet is still in progress. I thought I could finish it, but there is still much to be done on the hull and undercarriage, the multitude of nukes, torpedoes, bullets, and missiles and finishing the turbine portions of the engines. But so far, it is somewhere over 25 lbs, over 4 ft long, over 3 wide and over 2 high. It is now larger than most kids who build with Legos- (one of my goals achieved! :P ). In the first photo, again, another size comparison as well as you can see a white Lego frame built. It is there temporarily so that I don't knock it over when adding pieces.
So, until I return back to Iowa for another break, the Thunderbird will just have to wait for another time to be completed!

Spring Show

2010-05-20T23:11:00.000-07:00

Got into the Spring Show!
5 pieces made it in and I'm hoping that they'll make it up onto the wall
this year! The show will be at 180 New Montgomery, SF, CA.
Follow this link for more details:
http://www.academyart.edu/springshow2010_info.html
Hope you can make it for what looks like another awesome show!

Dashboard for Saratoga Space Fighter

2010-05-10T15:12:00.001-07:00

Suprisingly, I finished this quite quickly. Started it last night with the line in about 2 1/2 hours and then did the painting in the 3 hours of class today. Good thing, though, as now it makes just 1 illustration left for one of my classes.

Saratoga Cocpit Final + More Clothed Figure Color stuff

2010-05-09T16:01:00.000-07:00

Here is the finished painting of the cockpit illustration of the Saratoga.
Below are some more of my Clothed Figure Drawing 4 Color and Value assignments.

Saratoga Cockpit In-Progress

2010-04-28T23:53:00.000-07:00

Thought I'd take a shot at doing a different type of technical illustration by drawing the cockpit interior of my previous cross-section in finer and more precise detail than the previous cross-section. I have to paint this soon as well as do another illustration plus an illustration of the engine assembly for the Saratoga. End of the semester can always be intense! The drawing above is graphite on paper and probably took about 5 hours. (Don't really have time for much more! :P)

Saratoga Cross-section Final

2010-04-24T18:16:00.000-07:00

It's finished! After delaying all the rest of my homework :/ I have finished painting and labeling this thing. 80% of the time went in to painting this. I'm guessing over time I'll learn how to be faster at painting. It's watercolor and acrylic in Corel Painter X/11.
*on a side note: people in space need to figure out how to get better, longer lasting paint. It's rare to find non-scuffed spaceships anymore! :)

Saratoga Space Fighter Cross-section Progress and Process

2010-04-11T09:56:00.000-07:00

I first start out with a rough sketch. It sometimes helps just doing it on tracing paper so I can quickly test my proportions to a photo image just in case. As well, I can do rough perspective lines underneath.

Next I start on top of a copy of the sketch deciding what and where I might cut away or cut into.Next I draw a 3point perspective 'grid' over my sketch to prepare for the overlay.Then I begin to pencil in detail over the grid and sketch base.Here is the completed pencil work. The design bottom right will be adjusted and most likely shrunk. Their will also be labeling of what most things are. After I ink it today/tomorrow morning I will begin digital painting of the Saratoga class Space Fighter based off of the Lego Fighter earlier posted in my blog. I believe the post is the last of 2008.

Bugatti Veyron Cross-section (Work in Progress)

2010-03-28T22:20:00.001-07:00

This is just a preview of what my next project is. I still have a lot to do and this is just in the penciling stage (like finishing the engine and interior)- next inking and then painting. Last week I was busy searching for an apartment as well as finishing other homework so this project is slightly behind, but hopefully I'll be able to catch up. And yes- my drawings tend to be large. This is 18x24. *side note- constructing a pre-existing car in perspective is hard and takes some time to make accurate!

Cross-section Portait

2010-03-25T15:14:00.000-07:00

Not sure if I'm finished with this yet. But here it is anyway.

Cowboy CFD4

2010-03-24T22:59:00.000-07:00

Here are some examples of the 'big headed' figures we did last time in Clothed Figure Drawing 4 Color and Value.

New Additional Blogsite

2010-03-21T15:03:00.000-07:00

I have recently added a new blog site in addition to this one which will be for the soul basis of a portfolio development. Currently there are a few of my old artworks that will hopefully soon be switched out for better work.

http://www.swhowardillustration.blogspot.com

For all da Hip Hop cats

2010-03-09T22:10:00.000-08:00

Hip hop drawings from CFdrawing Color. We put down the color first when the models aren't there and then draw and add color where needed when the models pose.

Krazy like Klimpt

2010-03-03T01:21:00.000-08:00

Here are two pieces from Clothed Figure Drawing Color and Value done in a Gustav Klimpt style. Both are 4o minute drawings.

I'm actually a robot... who knew? -In Progress

2010-03-01T01:29:00.000-08:00

Here is an in progress version of my latest cross-section. I am doing a cross-section of myself for self promotion and my Digital Painting and Portfolio Development class. I might make some alterations based on how my class and instructor critique, but hopefully I can quickly move on to painting this in Corel Painter X (and someday 11 if I can get my hands on it!). The drawing was spread across an 18x24 piece of vellum and an 11x17 piece as it was quite large. This makes it a pain to photograph (with an over sensitive camera) and involves a lot of fixing after the shot. Every time I learn just a little bit more how to better and more quickly solve this issue. Look forward to wherever this piece goes in the near future!

Sistahs Represent!

2010-02-27T00:21:00.001-08:00

Praise to God for awesome sisters in the faith! Amen? AMEN! You sisters in faith, keep representing the King. I know no one as devoted as you, gentle, loving, and passionate as you! You are beautiful, amazing and awesome... and did I forget to say awesome? God loves you deeply, never forget that and keeping representing His name! Love you all!

CF4-more drawings

2010-02-21T23:43:00.000-08:00

Some drawings, experimentation with color and lost and found in Clothed Figure 4 Color and Value.

Thoughts and Revelations

2010-02-07T21:43:00.000-08:00

Over the past few weeks/ years, even as a believer I have been trying to hide certain sins from God as well as held on to certain dreams. Lately He has been pressing on my heart my lack of love towards Him and others as well as asking me to let go of certain things. Tonight I was asked to let go of a lot of things and to be honest, some of those things were hard to give up, but one in particular, a dream that I thought would be God honoring, I did not give up, but was taken from me. Though I thought it was God honoring, God showed me that His will was completely different. I know, too, why it was taken away, just as I was to give all these other things up as well- It was to put God as my treasure and joy, that He would be my first love above all other things. I discovered I had fallen in love with all the other things and the one dream more than Him. Tonight was truly a rough night- probably one of the hardest I have had in the last several months, but I pray that it will be one that I will look back on and be grateful for what God has done so that I would not be hurt by things of this world that cannot last and were never mine to begin with. Some of this is pretty vague and I'm not all to sure if I want to share into detail what I was giving up, but I pray for all of you that you to, Christian or not, see how much Christ loves you and what in your life, seemingly innocent or not, has come between you and a deep and awesome relationship with Him.

Matthew 10:37-39 ESV "Whoever loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And whoever does not take his cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for My sake will find it."

Creature Design- Chimpanzee

2010-02-07T21:00:00.000-08:00

This semester I am taking Creature Design for Film and Game with Terryl Whitlatch! Although it is an intense amount of work, it is very much worth it and a lot of fun! Here is the first assignment.

2010 Spring Semester Begins!

2010-02-03T22:42:00.000-08:00

I realize I'm kind of rusty not having drawn from life in a while. But, here are some pieces from Clothed Figure 4 Color and Value-- it's quite the fun class!

World of Warcraft figurine and the Lego Thunderbird progress

2010-01-21T21:27:00.000-08:00

Here are some in progress photos of the Thunderbird before I have to leave it be until my next break from school. I usually show myself in these photos so you can get an idea of its scale (and why it is taking some time). The tail is yet to be truly connected (white Lego blocks are holding it in its likely place for the moment) as well as the side guns (being held up by the containers). Thankfully, though, this break I was able to prop the model onto a stand and connect the heavy wings. To be finished as well is the remaining fuselage and engines plus the hundreds of bullets, nukes, torpedoes, and missiles.

During this break I finally got my Alathena Moonbreeze W.O.W. action figurine, but in a series of frustrating circumstances ended up with two. So what to do with the other? Paint it of course! The purple skinned one is the original version. The black, white, gold and pheonix colored version is mine. It was a lot of fun and worth it as I now have an entirely unique figurine that can be found no where else. As always, enjoy and look forward to work from this coming semester!

Merry Christmas!

2009-12-24T20:26:00.001-08:00

Merry Christmas! May Christ be blessed and praised this season (and year round)!
These three images are all in-progress work. The two bottom pieces are images I am working on for friends. They are a LONG Way from being finished, but thought I'd post the rough starts to give you an idea of what I am working on this break in Iowa.
Speaking of which, the top photo is some more in-progress of my largest Lego model yet! It should be 4 feet long, 3 foot wingspan, maybe 2 feet tall and possibly 35+ lbs! Don't expect a finish on it this break (as I will need to order certain pieces for it), but the majority should be complete by near end of January!
Enjoy this Christmas not for santa or giving or getting, but remembering what we GOT! It means Christ-day- the day our Lord came so that He could save us from our sins!

Fall 2009 Semester End! Digital Clothed Figure Drawing (part2)

2009-12-17T19:26:00.000-08:00

These are some of my best drawings from Digital Clothed Figure Drawing this semester plus the top three which I did today in class. It was a very fun experimental class that I recommend to any illustrators at AAU. So, thus, my semester ends. Look forward to my Lego work this winter break. Merry Christmas and praise the awesome, Lord Jesus Christ.

Digital Clothed Figure Drawing Final (part 1)

2009-12-14T21:19:00.000-08:00

Part of my Digital Clothed Figure Drawing final (12 good drawings). On the left is what I did in the 10 minute pose during class. On the right is me experimenting with color and line and trying to make a cleaner and more impactful drawing. More to come!

London Bridge is Burning down, burning down! Our Fair Lady!

2009-12-14T16:04:00.000-08:00

This is my final for Sci-fi Illustration with Stephen Player. Awesome class, great critiques! This is a cover for War of the Worlds. Been learning by trial and error how to digitally paint stuff! The final of this piece is soooo much better than how it started, but that is usually how most art work progresses- and it's fun to see. Anyway, about to finish my work this semester. Expect shortly some more work before my winter break.

Destroying London with Martian Tech! Good Times!

2009-11-23T22:59:00.000-08:00

Last in the series of War of the Worlds Cross-sections (still need to do a cover illustration though), I did the fourth listed menacing technology of the Martians from H.G. Wells novel War of the Worlds, the cylinder (the ships in which the Martians come to Earth). Since H.G. graciously failed to specify the cylinder's size, I took great liberty by making it massive. Bigger is better... except when it involves the near extinction of the human race during the Victorian era. Thankfully bacteria can kill the giant. If you can read any of the text: do! Anyway, as usual, enjoy!
Detail shot.

Digital Clothed Figure in perspective assignment

2009-11-12T13:47:00.001-08:00

Had an assignment due today for my Digital Clothed Figure Drawing class where we had to do two figures in perspective from picture reference. Here they are.

Thunderbird in-progress

2009-11-10T21:00:00.001-08:00

During my last break in Iowa I started work on the Lego version of my cross-section of the MTseven13-14 (aka the Thunderbird). I have built a ship like this. If you search through my older posts not only will you find the cross-section this is based on, but the Lego space jet similar in design. This ship, however, will be much more massive in size. It is to scale to the other Lego space jet. Therefore, when finished the Thunderbird should be a little over 4 feet in length with a 3 foot wingspan and definitely weighing over 25lbs! This should be the largest model I have constructed yet and should be finished before I graduate. I have to work on it when I go home on breaks so it takes some time. The design is purposed a little different than the cross-section drawing. The wings and tail section are shown in one of the pictures as to where they will be placed. They, however are not yet attached as the main fuselage is yet to be built. Be looking forward to this for future in progress photos and its eventual finish!

November Super Post

2009-11-09T02:16:00.001-08:00

Here is what I could finish in my allotted time for my cross-section (as I have to present a new design this Tuesday as well for the same class). I am not all that satisfied, but I have to move on and do what time permits.
The rest of this stuff is from my other 2 studio classes. The two images are for Illustration 3. The Hip-Hop is a poster design and the animals are icon designs. Both were done using Adobe Illustrator. The rest is what I have been doing in AAU's experimental class: Digital Clothed Figure Drawing where we use the 21inch Cintiq screens and Photoshop to draw the clothed figure from life. So here are some samples of my work. As usual, hope you enjoy!

War of the Worlds Handling Machine (in Progress)

2009-10-29T14:11:00.000-07:00

Here is the Handling Machine Cross-section in progress work I am doing for Sci-fi Illustration. It is all hand drawn (except for the legs which were made in Google SketchUp) with a Cintiq using Photoshop. I have to put in color by next Tuesday. Hopefully I'll be able to pull it off.

War of the Worlds Tripod (Color)

2009-10-11T20:42:00.001-07:00

Here is my hopeful final for my War of the Worlds tripod. I had to finish it tonight as tomorrow I need to go print an oversized print. Ugh! I'm still learning how to digitally paint and have been learning as I've been experimenting on stuff like this. Hope you like the result. (take note that this may change due to how the critique goes and time permits).

War of the Worlds Tripod (in Progress)

2009-10-04T23:08:00.000-07:00

After an intense, almost non-stop 18 hours on my Cintiq, I have finished the line work for my War of the Worlds cross-section illustration for the Sci-fi Illustration class. It doesn't have the aliens yet (I need to get my designs approved). I hope you enjoy my insanity! :P (by the way, I discovered that after 15 hours of constant work my Cintiq starts to bug out- best to keep technology cool and rested-- as well as the artist!)

Spring 2009 Begins!!!

2009-09-28T23:50:00.000-07:00

I'm back for another semester! Just 3 semesters more to go and I will be done with school! Anyway, one of the classes I am taking this semester is Sci-Fi Illustration (science fiction, fantasy, horror). My first assignment I had to choose an illustration idea from a specific author's work. I decided to do this bronze, flying fish and do a cross-section of it while practicing with my Cintiq and digital painting skills (still need to work on these skills). This semester I will be able to experiment with more ways of cross-section illustration as I will be doing cross-sections and exploded view of machinery from H.G. Wells "The War of the Worlds" So look forward to more work this semester!

Advanced Perspective Final- 540 Powell

2009-08-03T23:05:00.000-07:00

Here is my Adv. Perspective final board-30inx40in with six turnable 16inx20in illustrations. Since I took a short cut to painting all of the cross-sections of Powell to save time I turned my drawings into blue prints and created a mock-drafting table for my final presentation.

Isometric layout of 3rd floor

Isometric elements of 540 Powell

Illustration Staff in Isometric plus the skeleton guy and some crazy illustrator in the bottom right hand corner.

90 Thumbnails and various sketch studies.

Student drawing the model while Bill Sanchez helps out a student.

540 Powell Exterior

4th floor

3rd floor

2nd floor

1st floor

Basement

540 Powell Cutaway Overview

This is most of the work minus the stressful and complex behind the scenes work in the short amount of time while handling other finals.

"Deliver Us To the Promised Land!"- Advanced Perspective Egypt

2009-07-09T15:45:00.000-07:00

Moses, by the power of God, splitting the Red Sea.

Baby Moses is discovered by an Egyptian woman.

Pharaoh is a bit stubborn hearted and decides to pursue the Hebrews through the Red Sea.

Advanced Perspective Midterms

2009-07-06T19:42:00.000-07:00

Here is the fixed and monochromaticly colored version of the samurai.

Even though I have not posted this piece's tonal drawing, this is what I call the "reverse Noah's ark." Same wrath, but instead a world destroyed by desertion and the dove is delivering water to the land ark.

Here is the geisha piece colored. Our midterm in Advanced Perspective was to finish three illustrations. I decided to take a wing at Photoshop which I haven't touched in awhile as far as digital painting because I am unfamiliar and haven't always been the biggest fan, but anyway, here are the three I chose to do.

Noah's Ark Advanced Perspective

2009-06-26T11:20:00.001-07:00

Pardon the poor quality photos, but I had forgotten to charge my camera battery all the way and the camera was dying as I took these. This assignment we had to do Noah's Ark. One of my illustrations wasn't working, so I rushed to do the second one and finished it in about two hours. The other is another cross-section.

New Workspace and drafting table

2009-06-23T16:16:00.001-07:00

Although I am still in Academy of Art University housing, I was able to pick up some new helpful tools. I needed a way to trace my larger drawings for cross-sections and Advanced Perspective that would be larger than my giant light box. The only solution would be a glass drafting table. This was the last one at Blick so I bought it. I put a lamp underneath to make it a massive light box. And do to its height I needed to find a chair (plus one that is comfortable due to the long hours I would be working) and was able to get it from Staples. Hopefully in a few semesters I can get an apartment away from AAU housing, but until then, this is how my work station will look like.

Geisha Perspectives/ Cross-section

2009-06-23T10:54:00.001-07:00

Here is my 2nd Advanced Perspective homework. We had to incorporate the use of a geisha in the illustrations. I chose to do a simple composition and a more complex contrast to balance out my time. I don't think these are too bad considering they were both done in under 10 hours!

Summer 2009 begins! Advanced Perspective

2009-06-19T10:26:00.001-07:00

The summer semester has started! I missed my first class of Advanced Perspective because I was in Palm Springs, CA learning and worshiping my sovereign Savior at the Resolved conference. It was well worth the stress of rushing to finish these three samurai illustrations. God knew that this would happen as these three were started about a year ago when I tried taking Adv. Perspective during a more difficult semester. I dropped it and am now taking it this semester. Hopefully Joko will like what I did and hope my memory serves me right on whether these fit the assignment guidelines. This will be a busy semester as I will be doing 6 illustrations a week! So don't be suprised if my posts are random and often late. Enjoy your summer and God bless!

Spring/Summer intercession break art

2009-06-01T21:52:00.000-07:00

Here is a commissioned portrait I did for my best friends, Dan and Drew. Yes, they are identical twins which didn't seem to be much of a challenge after getting to know them quite well to illustrate distinguishing features in their faces between the two. It had to be edited slightly from the camera photo, but I got it as close to the original as I could. It is done in watercolor and acrylagouache and is 11x16in.

Here is a portrait I did in memory of Dan and Drew's older brother Jacob Christensen who sadly, is no longer with us. We all loved you very much J.C. and will miss you!

From the Omaha Henry Doorly Zoo, these drawings are the first time I ever drew animals (besides pets) from life. Animals like to move a lot! Every drawing you see here, the animals moved while I was drawing them! Above are some lions.

Here are some sea lions.

A bird, curious monkey, sunbear, gorillas, and some sea lions.

An orangutan who moved to much to get an accurate drawing, some cattle thing, monkey, and gorillas.

Here is Linus, Dan and Drew's cat who had some tempur tantrums while I was staying with the twins. This was one of the moments when Linus was relaxing that I could draw him without hisses or growls or clawing.

Here are some drawings of one of the Haldeman's cats at their farm who was a very generous model. It came over to me often and sat still long enough to draw! Go cat! The Haldeman's are friends of the twins and I am proud to be welcomed in to their family as well. May God bless the Haldemans for the love and care that they so willingly show!

Penelope Judd illustration

2009-05-27T12:58:00.000-07:00

These two are my last illustrations for my Illustration 2 class where we had to create a cover as well as a 2 page spread of a children's book based on a story. I decided to do a project based on Shai Linne's song Penelope Judd. You can probably hear it on youtube if you search for it. All three pieces are in watercolor and are only excerpts from the song. Shai Linne, you have been a blessing to our lives through the life you lead and the songs that God has blessed you to write. Keep on living a life of light that has taken a hold of lives like ours and inspired us to create for our King! Soli Deo Gloria!!!

End of Spring 09 semester work

2009-05-16T07:36:00.000-07:00

Here is my Heads and Hands 2 final. It had to be a portrait with two hands in acrylic. I literally only had two times to work on it (so maybe seven hours total of work?) It's loose, but I guess that works for the feel of the piece. *shrug*

First acrylic portrait done in values. (it's hard to paint in values when you're painting in the dark)

Here is a pastel portrait I did in class in Heads and Hands 2.

Sorry that these next images are a little bit distorted. (was having a bad lighting day in my room) This is a drawing from my last day of Clothed Figure Drawing 3.

I honestly love working this way in a figure drawing. I am most comfortable when I use patterns, simplistic shapes, and minimal amount of color on a toned surface. Everyone has their own approach and each can work great for them. For instance check out Petur's (PAACart) CF3 drawings on his blog. They're awesome and vastly different from what I did. I had a lot of fun this semester and will hopefully be able to continue and finish my time here at the Academy. If things go well I will have this coming summer, fall, spring, summer, and fall (2010)! Hoped you enjoyed this semester's work!

Spring Show 2009

2009-05-11T18:24:00.000-07:00

Here is what got in for this year's AAU Spring Show! You've probably seen them before, but here they are again anyway. I submitted seven pieces and these are what got in. Not all of these may be seen at the show due to space, but if so then some will be at Powell as well as later online at http://www.academyart.edu The Spring Show will be at 601 Brannan Street
San Francisco, CA 94107
Hope you can go see the show! To everyone who got in: Congrats! and those of you who tried: Great Job anyway! as I have seen many of your works and a majority of them are awesome! There is just a lot of work the school had to chose from. Don't lose heart and try next time. Anyway, hope all of you who are artists continue to do well and succeed!

The MTseven 13-14 Cross-section is Complete!!!

2009-04-28T16:59:00.000-07:00

I finally finished my cross-section!!! Woot! After about 95-105 hours of work I have brought this project to it's completion and can now submit it to Spring Show. It is painted in watercolor with a small amount of gouache. I painted right over the inked line work. Thanks for everone's support and thanks to Richard Chasemore for his comments! Most of all, God deserves praise as He has blessed me with tremendous patience and has allowed me to work so hard on this experiment. This is my third cross-section I have ever attempted and learned a lot in the process. I look forward to whatever the next cross-section project I work on! Hope all of you like it! Take care and to all of you students at AAU: good luck on your finals!

FINALLY!!! The line work is complete on the space jet cross-section!

2009-04-19T23:40:00.000-07:00

Finally! After some intense hours of heavily concentrated, eye burning work I have completed the line work on my cross-section of the MTseven 13-14 space jet. This means I'm almost done!! All I have to do now is paint it! The entire inking process was hand drawn and so was most of the project all the way along as I unfortunately have misplaced my elipse guides due to moving in and out of AAU housing between semester breaks. So although some of the perspectives are off, I say it seems to hold itself up pretty well for being the third cross-section I have ever done. I'll keep you posted as soon as I complete the painted version of it.
Here is a more detailed shot:

Part 3- Where true insanity begins!

2009-03-31T00:33:00.001-07:00

Here is a poor photo of part 3 (done purposefully so you can wait for the final product! :D). I finally cross-sected the MTseven 13-14 space fighter/bomber. Now I will transfer (redraw over graphite layer onto watercolor paper) and then ink with acrylic ink (pretty much redraw again) and then begin layers of watercolor. Most of the fine detail will be done with or touched up with gouache for the final step. So in the next two weeks or so I should have the last two or three steps up. For now, injoy my insanity of cross-secting for hours and hours! :)

Cross-section of space fighter: Part 2 complete!

2009-03-24T23:52:00.000-07:00

Here is another photo of my newest cross-section I will be working on. I had to draw the entire space jet in perspective before I move on to step 3 of actually revealing the inside and making it a true cross-section. For now- it's just a really cool view of the fighter un-cross-sectioned. From my original sketch I felt there weren't enough torpedoes, missiles and nukes- so I added more! I think the whole thing screams "Do you really want to mess with me?!" Anyway, thought I'd show a comparison next to me to show you the scale I'm working on and personally I think for what I'm going to do it is a little bit small. Look forward to in the future for more progress pictures on this project.

In Progress work on the MTSeven13-14 Cross-section

2009-03-20T17:38:00.000-07:00

The image is a little blue, but that's what I get for taking a photo in the late evening in my room. Anyway, here is step one and two in progress for my next cross-section. It is of a space fighter from a story I have called Narrow called the MTSeven13-14. It is based on the same design as the Lego space fighter I had posted earlier. The first step is in the upper left hand corner which is a simple sketch. I put tracing paper over that to do a skeleton sketch to think about what the inside might be like. From here I go on to blowing the image up at 250% and place velum over this. I use the underlying sketch to create a more accurate perspective drawing. And in this case- when it came to the back half and wings it was really off from the perspective of the nose so instead of cross-secting right away I am drawing the entire thing in perspective and then will go over this with another traced layer to cross-sect the inside. After these steps I will trace it again to lose the perspective lines and then after transfer (basically redraw once more) onto watercolor paper. I will then watercolor paint in several layers it's gradating values. After this I will put in the prominent colors and flat areas in gouache. After this I will ink the lines once more and mount the illustration hopefully in time for Spring Show. I have only done 6 hours of work so far, but have around 200-300 more to go. It's time consuming and very methodical, but rewarding in the end. I talk about cross-sections a lot, but the reason you see so little of them from me is the amount of time it takes to make just one.

Long Over Due Post

2009-03-20T17:16:00.000-07:00

Here is my Illustration 2 portrait assignment. I love space and would love to be out in it some day. So why not do an editorial portrait displaying my dreams, imaginations, and inspirations.

I wasn't able to find the matted version of this assignment which had one more drawing in it plus the photo I went from, but these are from my characterization assignment where I took a picture of my face and used it to create at least three other unique characters from it.

The next few above are from characterizing live models into people and characters that they may not necessarily were. It was a lot of fun!

It has been awhile since my last post well,... because I've been equally busy and lazy. Here are some Heads and Hands 2 work I've been meaning to post up. Above is an aging assignment- so you can see what I look like when I'm older!

SPACE!!!

2009-02-27T08:33:00.000-08:00

I'm putting this up before class (something I usually try to avoid), but life has been quite busy recently. I have much more stuff to post up, but that will come when I have the time. So for now, here is this: a paper bag illustration for a children's book store (geared more toward a boy) done in watercolor for Illustration 2 class. I had to go back on my original idea as the majority of the class and instructor turned it down, but that's life for you in the artworld. I had a lot of fun discovering how to make space with the naturalistic qualities of watercolor, salt, and rubbing alcohol. The size of the piece is about 11x20 or so? (I didn't really check- I just illustrated with no bounds this time, rare, but relaxing)