Painted Marsh Ungulate

This was something I did for a Creature Activity that Mike Corriero initiated on his Facebook page.  I like the idea of rogue creature competitions springing up in random corners of the internet, so I joined in. What was interesting about this one was that you couldn't see what the other artists might be doing, so you don't realize just how lackluster your drawing might look in comparison until they're all posted.  I still think I have a long way to go before my creature skills are where I want them to be, but I always enjoy making up new beasts.

You can see the two design variations I was picking between. The alligator looking one was my first thought, then I emailed it to Mike and his feedback shaped the bottom version.  

Floating Yogini

This is Yogini Wenona in a modified supine happy baby pose, which is usually done laying on the floor, but without a background it looked odd, so I have rotated it counter clockwise and now she floats. My wife is a Yoga teacher, so it's almost inevitable that my figure studies include a few Yoga poses.

I was watching a figure painting tutorial by Scott Waddell as I worked on this, and trying to incorporate some of his methods.

Wenona Supine Happy Baby, Oil on bristol 17" x 11"
click on image to view larger

One area I've been trying to improve on in my figures are the feet, and these aren't too bad.

click on image to view larger

A World Ruled by Frogs, Crying Men and Strong Women

First this week, I'd like to introduce you to a new species that most likely ruled our planet in some forgotten age.

Ascaphus Maximus, digital 10" x 7" 300 dpi

Ascaphus Maximus - At a peak height of 23 feet, this towering Amphibian is the only bipedal terrrestrial frog that breeds by internal fertilization. The specialized tail is an extension of the cloaca, and is used both to insert sperm into the females cloaca, and prevent her escape. During breeding season, spring and summer, males produce a bellowing, sonorous croak which can be heard for miles, and is often mistaken for landslides, flooding or earthquakes by the untrained ear. The Ascaphus is highly intelligent and has proved to be a valuable ally to equatorial hunting tribes. However they can be temperemental during the breeding time, and have been known to eat the occasional human, particularly those who find it amusing to mock an unsuccessfully breeding male.

Next is a portrait. This model is another unsuspecting participant from “The Artist is present” by Marina Abramović.  The faces in that set never fail to inspire when I need some portrait. practice.

Fred Murphy, oil on Paper, 14" x 11"

...and finally, yet ANOTHER figure study.  This is from a new set of motion studies on Posespace. Of course I picked probably the least active pose, but I really liked the stance.  I keep doing these partly for enjoyment, but also because I feel it is the area where I need practice.

Ana Standing, oil on paper 14" x 11"

39 and feeling fine

A few more lovely ladies this week, first we have Art Model Michaela from the Czech Republic.

"Michaela", Oil on stretched Canvas 12" x 12"

Next up is  Lexi with some Wonderland accesories. Her smile reminded me of the chesshire cat.



"Wonderland Lexi" - Oil on Canvas, 14" x 11"


and here she is, the headless pinup.



"Headless Pinup" - Oil on Paper, 14" x 11"

 ...and while watching Jurassic Park on VHS this past weekend I wondered about the part where they used Frog DNA to compensate for the missing DNA info in the Dinosaurs. What if it went the other way and Frogs grew big as Dinosaurs?