Merida, the Pixar Heroine

(C) Beth 2011

Back into the drawing scene. A picture of the Pixar heroine Merida. Sketch, really.

Don’t have too much to say, apart from I cannot wait for the film.

The Good Doctor Pryce

(C) Beth 2011

So, this is Dr Adam Pryce, one of my characters. I’ve written a few short stories about him (he features in my steampunk tales). He talks to ghosts and has adventures. He hangs out with the Invisible Man (they went to University together).

I greatly enjoy writing his character–he needs more stories from me.

Please critique! I know his nose and chin have issues, and I’m worried his eye sockets aren’t deep enough.

Based a bit off of Peter Wingfield.

Building my first print portfolio. Yay!

Yes. It’s come time for me to build my first print portfolio (also, building my first web portfolio too, which is pretty sweet).

The two portfolios are going to compliment each other. I’m using the same typographic details for them, as well as the same colors, etc. I’m pleased with how my header has turned out, and am working on a plan for the page design for the print, and debating between using a one page layout versus a three pager for my website.

Organization. How to organize? I’ve heard to have your two strongest pieces open and close (personally, I think my strongest works at this point are print, which would mess with my organization of print and then web).

And what to do for logos? Does each get its own page? Or can I combine them? I have two that I’ll be including…

The Archivist (AKA, the wonders of using light references)

(C) Beth 2011

Haven’t posted here in a while! Graphic Design and Interactive have been taking over my life for a bit.

Anyways, here’s my latest. I used a reference for the lighting, and it makes a big difference. This is probably one of my best digital pieces, and I’m super proud of it. His ear has a few problems, but by and large, I’m pleased.

The Man that Time Forgot

(c) Beth 2011

I did this sketch last night. It’s of one of my longest running characters, a fellow named Geoffrey who has gone through numerous stories as a side character. But I like him as a main…he’s a fellow in need of a story. Anyways, lots of fun drawing him.

50 Years of Scaring Us Silly

Well, this is something I whipped up while working on my latest GD project. It’s a movie poster (ish) for Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho featuring our two protagonists, Norman and Marion.

I created it using CS5 and my Wacom tablet.

The project is to create a page layout for a magazine. My article is about how Psycho changed horror movies forever–my project includes illustrations I did. I just had to try out a poster with these!

Original Art Monday: For the Republic

(C) Beth 2011

A companion piece to my picture of Javert. I’m on a bit of a Les Miserables kick after finishing the book nearly a month ago.

Anyways, this is Enjolras, the charismatic, obsessive leader of the student revolution. I pictured him as looking like an Old Testament angel, fierce, dangerous and beautiful.

As always, color experimentation. Eventually I’ll drawing Jean Valjean.

Original Art Wednesday: Do Not Forget My Name

(C) Beth

Well, my tablet Rover is working once again! I just needed to install the new driver…

So I celebrated Rover’s return with a new piece of art. This is Monsieur l’Inspecteur Javert from Les Miserables, my new literary/musical obsession. I read the book over Christmas, and haven’t been able to stop listening to the Complete Symphonic Recording since. Now that I know the story…anyways.

I didn’t use a reference, so the piece may have suffered a bit for it. I’m still pleased, though. I like how the background turned out, and I think his hair looks good. His expression could be a bit grumpier, but I think Javert’s just discovered Jean Valjean somewhere. Hence why he’s pleased, “I’ll finally catch this blasted thief! No one steals bread and gets away with it!”

Book Covers!

Well, its the start of my final semester. I’m quite happy–this semester I’m taking two art classes, Graphic Design 2 and Interactive (aka, website building).

My first project for Graphic Design?
Book covers!

I have to redesign a book cover. My initial thought was to do Les Miserables, but after learning that I also need to bind a book to scale, I decided that that would not be the wisest idea. So, I think I’m going to redesign Over To You, Roald Dahl’s first collection of stories. All of the stories are about flying and pilots.

I’ve made a few rough sketches and have a good idea. I’m glad I brought my copy of Aircraft Recognition to school, now I have plenty of examples of what Spitfires look like.

What to do when your Wacom tablet stops working?

I should have seen the signs. A couple of weeks ago, the wheel on my tablet stopped working. Today, after my computer was sent in for repairs, I tried to draw with it.

Nothing. The computer recognizes that the tablet is plugged in, but I can’t draw. I can’t do anything with it.

It’s really frustrating. I bought it about a year ago (I can’t remember if I filled out the warranty paper work, which is the worst of it) and it starts to crap out on me. I don’t even use it all that frequently, which saddens me greatly.

But, of course, as I’m starting my last two GD courses for my minor, Rover (my tablet) goes and dies on me.

I’m hoping that its just an issue with the computer and device communicating, so if I go to use Rover at school there will be no issue.

Does anyone have any suggestions of what I should do? It’s an Intuos4 and I use an IBM/Lenovo ThinkPad T61.