Monday, 27 July 2009

Smash Doors - Days 3-4



I'm glad to say that all the power cables have been inked up now, which was the slightly monotonous part.



Looks like day 5 will be the final session.



Who doesn't love little Sparrows?

Thursday, 23 July 2009

Ithaca



Last weeks London Epoch Times poetry piece.

Ithaca

By Constantine P. Cavafy, as translated from Greek by Stratis Haviaras

Excerpt;
"Ithaca gave to you the beautiful journey;
without her you’d not have set upon the road.
But she has nothing left to give you any more"


Reference shot.


I wish I remebered all the information and wisdom that comes with these classic poems, but I never do.

Smash Doors - Day 1-2



Coming along well so far. Had to do a bit of extra telegraph pole research, they are pretty tangled and messy at the top where all the cables meet.



Spending a day at Smash Skates is awesome, surrounded by fresh Skate sneaks and latest industry gossip. The Tea service is also very satisfactory.

Monday, 20 July 2009

Pssst!



(Whispers) A sneak peek at some work in progress.

Thursday, 16 July 2009

Ohitashi



Epoch Times London Living page.

Sweet and Sour Tofu with Ohitashi spinach.

Num Nums.

Monday, 13 July 2009

FlapJack



In a break from the norm I contributed to the Epoch Times Health page, rather than the Art&Culture last week.
For a recipe column containing a short anecdote about a man, who can alegedley be found at Earls Court station, known only as 'Mr FlapJack'.
You heard it here first.

I was pleased to be set the task of depicting this scene as I need some landscapes, buildings and structures in my portfolio. It's a little portrait heavy at present.


The rough sketch.


The reference pose.

Tuesday, 7 July 2009

Fu Dog



To accompany a series of 'Stories from Ancient China' in the Epoch Times, London newspaper.

Friday, 3 July 2009

Lucifer



Latest piece for the Poetry analysis column. Published in the Epoch Times London edition, 01/07/09.

A Reading of “Lucifer In Starlight” by George Meredith

Lucifer in Starlight

'On a starred night Prince Lucifer uprose.
Tired of his dark dominion swung the fiend
Above the rolling ball in cloud part screened,
Where sinners hugged their specter of repose.
Poor prey to his hot fit of pride were those.
And now upon his western wing he leaned,
Now his huge bulk o'er Afric's sands careened,
Now the black planet shadowed Arctic snows.
Soaring through wider zones that pricked his scars
With memory of the old revolt from Awe,
He reached a middle height, and at the stars,
Which are the brain of heaven, he looked, and sank.
Around the ancient track marched, rank on rank,
The army of unalterable law.'


I really admire this poem and would advise you give the analysis a read (click the link above). The poet shows great insight and a deep reflection on perhaps the true situation and feelings of the fallen archangel Lucifer.

A few friends have asked if I felt weird drawing the devil. In this context where he is not glamourized but contemplated in a different light, I felt there was no problem. It's always nice to depict something with a classical feel to it also, there is lots of reference material for this kind of character in renaissance art. Gustave Dore's illustrations for Miltons Paradise Lost are the classic example.



I really liked the look of the shading layer for this piece, a nice image alone.



The rough painted sketch I also found quite effective. On reflection it reminds me of Gollum in the Two Towers movie poster. D'yu reckon?

P.S Camera Obscura :)