Art-Actuate - Monthly Sketch Group

Banking ....still going lol.

2009-12-13T08:52:00.000-08:00

Well I haven't refined/coloured this I really wanted to get my computer back up and running so I could do this digitally and practice that side of things more but if I'm still without it by the end of next week I'll bite the bullet and go trad.

I'm afraid I also thought as banking post-apocalypse becoming a matter of safegaurding that which was precious to people . Investment (for the future) banking. My Post Ap people aren't sophisticated enough to have bots though, its back to good old thugs with clubs, Our clever fatcat banker has managed to recruit a couple to his cause but somehow I don't think he likes these investments as much as he liked shillings and pence..

Anyway.......What do you want for Christmas? ;)

~^-^~

Banker bot

2009-12-06T15:52:00.001-08:00

*Buuuuvvvttt*

My idea is that there banking has resolved to large robots being paid to look after people's belongings. Security for a fee basically.

So here is my banker bot infront of a vault with anachronistic lamp and desk the 'face' of banking and the looming robot.

Not happy with the composition, but did it pretty quick and learnt a bit from it.

Dec/Jan Topic:

2009-12-06T15:03:00.000-08:00

Ok Happy December Everyone :) Hope you are all as excited about the festive period as I am ;)

I said before we could do a long Art-ac to cover the christmas period but because I like two of Badgers previous suggestions, and in case anyone wants to stick to one topic a month I will suggest this:

Either choose one and make it a long one or do both with one for each month over Dec/Jan. Post whenever you like!

What do you want for Christmas?

and/or

Truth Seeker

I must get my post apocalyptic Banking one finished. Hasn't somebody invented that time-infusion machine yet???

Enjoy!

~^-^~

Extension?

2009-11-30T12:57:00.000-08:00

Right well work and computer death mean I haven't finished in time but I think I can get mine done by the end of the week if I can make my scanner talk to my laptop nicely. I know Badger is working on a really nice piece, not sure if everyone else has dropped out or are just lurking stealthily. so Extended deadline for this one? and I'll set the December Subject to Span December and January as christmas stuff will most likely get in the way for everyone...

November!

2009-11-03T11:05:00.000-08:00

Welcome everyone, to the month of cold nights, foggy breath, rainbow leaves, sparkling skies and bonfires burning :)

I have taken the suggestions of the Nefarious Badger on board, and think all of them have great potential (Especially cute bunny lol and P-A Fairground mmmmmnom). However, I like to make sure that the subject is not too narrow and in some way resonates with the month for me so I have made a bit of an amalgamated leap.....

POST APOCALYPTIC BANKING

All I've heard on the radio so far this month is banks banks banks. And I have too many jobs right now, and still no money for the things I want to do, so money is high on my agenda this month! plus I like post apocalypse as much as the next woman and if we are in economic meltdown it seems an interesting ponder.

I think this theme leaves things pretty wide open for whatever you prefer, Characters ( Bankers) Environments (Banks) Vehicles ( Currency transportation) Illustration, Political Comment, Humour, Industrial fixtures & fittings - you get the gist, right? ;)

I will be making time to do this this month and jumping back on the blogging wagon after last months horrifying derailment!

See you all in the Wips.... :D

~^-^~

Oh dear....

2009-11-02T06:55:00.000-08:00

Well October was every bit as hectic as predicted for me and by the participation this month I'd say I'm not the only one who suffered lack of time for arting. Good work from Ben though, well done : )

Hope you're all doing well and enjoying the beautiful autumnal colours everywhere - If anyone has a particular theme/topic they would like to suggest for November please suggest it in the comments for this post, if not I shall be forced to concoct my own dastardly scheme and who knows what might happen O_o ;)

~^-^~

2009-10-15T08:32:00.000-07:00

Forgot to attach a lil paint-over I did, probably less help to you than others but may as well illustrate the point. Mazz...is there any way to edit posts, would have just added this to last one if so.

2009-10-15T08:28:00.000-07:00

Nice Ben, looking very cool....though it's bothering me a little that the cicular warp area isn't obaying the laws of perspective....I know your probably going with a looser style with this but there are some things your not allowed to speed over;). Might be nice to add some framing silhouettes around the edge too-just for some added depth. Keeping the standard high for the rest of us!

Lets do the time warp!

2009-10-14T11:38:00.000-07:00

There you go! A bit dark though heh

Octobers here!

2009-10-01T12:20:00.000-07:00

And that means, Oh yes, the NEXT topic....

Great entries from everyone, once again nice to see how different people approach the theme from a myriad of angles and styles :)

As I can't believe we are nearing the final quarter of 2009 and I'm sure I shall spend October willing there to be more hours in the day I think a good theme for this month would be:

TIMEWARP

Although, as always, open to alternative suggestions....

See you for the next Artac! post more Wips as you go if you can please, and I shall endeavor to do the same...

Hope you're ok and can join us sometime Molly *hugs*

~^-^~

Carnivale - Badger

2009-09-30T16:30:00.000-07:00

Seems to have caught up on me too, i've been so busy painting enviros so this had to be a traditional character just for a break. Anyway here is my carnivale swan.

Really nice work everyone!

Whoops!

2009-09-30T15:59:00.000-07:00

Ran out of time to finish this - great entries everyone :)

~^-^~

2009-09-30T14:02:00.001-07:00

Didn't really get the time for this one-did a random sketch last night and threw some quick textures/shadows/highlights over it, not all that exciting but it's something I guess. Nice work guys-loving your enviros of late Ben!

Carnival: "Pagan Crone"

2009-09-30T02:26:00.000-07:00

Click to enlarge

My entry for this month's theme of Carnival. I was initially inspired by the Carny-Ville perfomaning arts event that Sorrel and I are going to. Jugglers, acrobats, stilt walkers and paedophiles stalk around dressed up like Papa Lazarou and creating a terrifying and twisted funfair. Unfortunatly, our tickets arent until the weekend, so I couldnt do any direct sketching for this entry. So my idea gradually turned into a Pagan thing, and Pagans favourite pastime; burning policemen alive.

And here's the line art:

Click to enlarge

Coloured

2009-09-28T15:16:00.000-07:00

So me and Ben went for the same thing, but they both turned out totally different!

March of the Dragon

2009-09-27T16:30:00.000-07:00

Gave in and went back to my original idea :P Done in grayscale first and coloured with the overlay layer. I'll make a tutorial for this and put the link here when its done.

EDIT: OK here is a lil attempt at a tutorial :P....
Tutorial Here!!!!

How's everyone doing?

2009-09-25T13:12:00.000-07:00

Lovely to see your piece coming along Fran its looking great - is Everyone else still alive and arting? lol

I should have been posting my ideas on here as I went instead of just on my blog, sorry..
"O' The Jester is a sad man,he is not the merry clown
for the people mock and jeer him as he wanders through the town.
His hat is tipped with tinkling bells, they chime so happily.
but The Jester is a sad man longing only to be free..."

Comedians often seem a bit forced in their humour to me, I'm sure I've read that they have massive suicide rates as well, isn't it odd that the people we turn to for our entertainment are often just plastering a thin veneer of jollity over their nurosis and depression and that we take enjoyment from observing it?

Wonder gecko float thumbnails and watercolour noodlings.

I like the idea of looking at the post carnival comedown. Its such a high octane exciting affair you cant help but feel that there must be a grand sense of anti-climax once it is done, especially for the children.. for the love of god, won't somebody think of the children??? lol. that must be a Horton hears a Whoism I think.

~^-^~

2009-09-21T14:40:00.000-07:00

roughs in PS, i think the environment looks better now, makes a bit more sense, need to add all the other stuff then refine, then colour :)

Carnival sketch

2009-09-21T12:00:00.000-07:00

Heres a thumb that i like, need to work out the bottom a bit more though- including the people :)

Sept - New Topic!

2009-09-01T02:02:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone :)

Well September is upon us (I know- already!) so its time to set a new subject for the month...

but first I'd like to say thank you to everyone for last months contributions. It really is exciting seeing the diverse approach and range of techniques that each of you has used to interpret the subject and great motivation to try new things and push myself to tackle my weaknesses and progress further into the realm of doodle! I hope you have found it fun and motivational too and will continue to join in.

Speaking of joining can I welcome the lovely Fran who will be participating in future. If you know anyone who would like to join in please don't hesitate to ask them - the more the merrier!

Once again - Good Work Everyone!

Unless anyone objects, I propose that Septembers topic be:

CARNIVAL!

I think this is a great topic with lots of scope for personal interpretation - if you need inspiration then there should also be plenty of photo-ref available of the Notting Hill Carnival which has just happened.

Also the Thames Festival with its fantastic night carnival is coming up in London on the 12 & 13th, I'll be there for both days of the festival and would love to meet up for sketching and general inspiration :)

Might I also suggest that we save posting our final contributions until as near to the end of the month as possible so that we can have one grand unveiling of everyone's work? It would still be lovely to see everyone's sketches, ideas and wip's throughout the month of course....

See you for Carnival creativity soon!

~^-^~

Whoops!

2009-08-31T17:23:00.000-07:00

I never want to draw another scrunched up tissue again! lol. Here is my final image on the theme Swine Flu (Sorry its technically a little late as its now past midnight...)

I'm thinking You'll need to click on it to see it at a more understandable size...

Great ideas from everyone - its nice to see how different people approach the same subject in such diverse ways!

See you all again for September's challenge I hope :)

~^-^~

Swine flu was a disappointment

2009-08-31T13:41:00.001-07:00

Me and Wil were all ready for the zombie apocalypse, but with that genetic pattern it's not even going to mutate. Ah well the idiots panicing was funny. Maybe next time i'l have my dystopia.

Sorry this is quickly thrown together, still trying to get some gouche off the ground for illos rather than go straight PS.
B.

Swine Flew!!!!

2009-08-07T10:26:00.000-07:00

Here u go! The dreaded Swine flew! Now u know that pigs can fly :D

2009-08-05T08:46:00.001-07:00

Lets see if I can get the hang of this.....

Piggy of mine has the flu, but it doesn't really care,

oink

-D

My character so far...

2009-08-04T14:45:00.000-07:00

I have plans for her.... watch this space ;)

~^-^~

Swine Flew! WIP #1

2009-08-02T16:16:00.000-07:00

Aha! Ben here (or Bendragon if u'd like). Here is my first step. Drawn loosely in good ole Photoshop then blocked in some paints for base. Now going into a first coat of paint working from dark to light. So the next coat will be even lighter colours, leaving gaps between the paint to keep the dark partches exposed as shadow. Stole the technique of a Bobby Chiu :D Lets see how it turns out.

August Topic:

2009-08-01T11:31:00.000-07:00

So just to start us off and because I still have the Lurgy our first topic is:

Swine Flu

Your experience of the flu so far or a post pandemic wasteland maybe - comedy, tragedy, whatever takes your fancy :) Post your work in progress during the month for feedback or just pop your final image up before the 1st of September.

~^-^~

It begins...

2009-08-01T11:26:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone,

The idea of this blog is just to create a fun monthly activity where we all do something to illustrate the chosen monthly theme, no competition or prizes, just a good opportunity to share your work and give and gain feedback from fellow artists.

Hope you will join in and enjoy it too :)