Spectrum 19 & Expose 10

Some shots of my work in the most recent Spectrum 19 & Expose 10 illustration annuals.  I was certainly honored to be included, but when I received my artist copies in the mail I was downright ecstatic!  Destroyermen I was printed full page showing off all the brush work and Swashbuckle Dom (Printed full page as well) received an award of excellence.  My A Princess of Mars, 1027, & Destroyermen II pieces were also included.  Really looking forward to Spectrum Live this May!

Tattoo

While I don't have any, Ive always loved tattoos.  So when the good folks over at Spirit Gallery Tattoo contacted me and said they had a client that wanted to use my 1027 painting as the basis for some ink, I said "Absolutely!"

Since I used myself as the model for the main figure in the painting I love the fact that someone now has my face permanently tattooed on their body.  Poor guy.

Now, if I can only get someone to tattoo Swashbuckle Dom on themselves.  Im thinking very large sprawled across their back would be best.  Any takers?  Anyone...

Recent Sketches

A few sketches from some recent unannounced cover commissions.  Really looking forward to showing off the finals soon!

Spectrum Live!

All the necessities of a 19 hour road trip.

This has been a long time coming but here are a few shots of my booth from Spectrum Live this past spring in Kansas City.  Cant wait for this coming May to do it all over again!

-Dom

Diabolical or Genius?

“Oh Dom, I cant tell if he’s diabolical or a genius.  He really pushes us to the extreme and surprisingly enough, it works!”    

-Anonymous student evaluation 

This past fall I had the pleasure of teaching the Digital Painting class at Moore College of Art & Design again.  Above are just a few examples of some of the stellar work created by a bunch of really talented budding professionals.

The class is made up entirely of juniors and seniors, most of whom have never used a Wacom tablet before, let alone painted with Adobe Photoshop or Corel Painter.  In addition to exploring the concepts and skills needed for digital illustration in the publication and entertainment arts industry I have the students approach each assignment as if they were real world commissions. The importance of each stage of the image making process is stressed from initial thumbnails to final rendered drawings right through on up to the final digital painting.  A constant theme throughout the entire 14 weeks was that applications (such as Photoshop & Painter) are simply just another medium like oil paints or water colors and that preparatory work pays off in dividends.

I’m a big believer that to grow as an artist one has to push themselves.  Often times to the extreme, working outside the comfort zone.  If your good at painting the figure, paint a landscape. Draw or paint something you've never painted before.  Don't sit on your laurels and be content with your last best piece, make the next one even better.  Be better than your best piece.

Thanks for stepping up to the plate, accepting the challenge, and knocking it out of the park.  I’m really proud of you guys.

-Dom

Images above created by (from the top left to right):

Anja Gudic

Stephanie Zuppo

Michelle Segal

Kristina Buylova

Laura Bushinski

Chrysta Stever

Phillustration 2011

For those in the Philly area or those willing to take a road trip there is a really cool Illustration show up now through July 17th at the Philadelphia Sketch Club.  They have some awesome works by Charles Santore, Boris Vallejo, Joe Devito, Julie Bell, and Matt Stewert just to name a few.  Also on display is a really great painting by this year’s juror David Palumbo.  While many of the artists that submit work are local, it is NOT a prerequisite.  Anyone may enter, and are encouraged to do so. Each year I am amazed at the work entered in the show and this time is no different.  I have three pieces on display and am very happy to share that I won first place in the institutional category with my train piece 1027 and second place in the self promotion category for my Lincoln painting.  Head on over and check out the 100+ illustrations now before its to late.

-Dom

Thumbnails

I have a confession to make...  

I hate thumbnails!  Let me rephrase that by saying, I hated thumbnails.  Up until recently I have always felt my thumbnails left a lot to be desired, not only for myself but also the client. While I have never gotten a complaint as to the level they were ever at I just felt they never really showed my final intentions.  I’d always be chomping at the bit to move along and get started throwing value down on the final canvas as quickly as possible.  I just didn't enjoy all the preparatory work involved with creating the final image, even though I knew it all was necessary.

Recently I have forced myself to really push my thumbnails as far as possible, trying to create full blown miniature black and white paintings of the image I have in my mind.  This has helped me immensely!  Even though I spend more time on these sketches it saves time down the road at a later stage of the illustration.  Everything is now figured out and there is no trial & error moving forward.  I know what I am looking for in reference, what I have to do for the final drawing, and even know what’s happening value wise with the final painting.  Best of all, I have really come to enjoy the thumbnail stage of a project now!

Check out the thumbnails above (click to enlarge) from some recent projects and let me know what you think.  Also let me know your thoughts on preparatory work.  Love it or hate it?

-Dom