Self Caricature WIP

I've been consumed with a graphics design project at my church and have not had much time to post anything new. Before I took on this task I started this caricature of myself and think I might push it a little further and add some color to it.

" Do not be anxious about anything"
~Phillipians 4:6 (NIV)

Gift Caricature #2

This was a caricature for one of my wife's good friend's son Cameron. He is one of the happiest babies I've never met. Always smiling and full of life. Truly a blessing.

I'm almost ashamed to admit that I initially drew a sketch of Cameron almost a year ago. Either I work that slow or time flies that fast. Nevertheless, I finished the caricature and kinda like the outcome. I'm still playing with different styles of caricature but I think this style is worth exploring some more.

"An anxious heart weighs a man down,
but a kind word cheers him up."
~Proverbs 12:25

Co-worker #1

I should be ashamed but I had to do it. I work with this guy everyday and got tired of staring at his face imagining how I would draw it so I inconspicuously took a snapshot while he was looking at his iPhone. I know I'm not right...lol. Hey the sketch actually came out pretty good. One day I may show it to him and ask his permission to post the original picture I took. The reason I marked this "#1" is because I plan on sneaking more shots of people I work with ;D.

"⁴ Don't respond to the stupidity of a fool;
you'll only look foolish yourself."
~Proverbs 26:4 (MSG)

Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao

Just saw a great boxing match over the weekend and felt inspired to draw the victor. Never really paid him much attention but he definitely gained my respect this weekend. I present you Manny Pacquiao. Would LOVE to see him and Mayweather get in the ring for a good dance of the gloves!

" Answering before listening
is both stupid and rude."
~Proverbs 18:13(MSG)

Dwight Howard

Here's a sketch of "Superman" himself and NBA All Star...Dwight Howard. I'm slowly starting to define my approach and technique the more and more I sketch. This one is just printer paper and mechanical pencil.

"An inheritance quickly gained at the beginning
will not be blessed at the end."
- Proverbs 20:21

Jackson to Cleveland?!

Just read on ESPN that Stephen Jackson of the Golden State Warriors is trying to get traded to Cleveland. I have to admit that if this trade takes place that puts Cleveland up there with the Lakers for this next season. I got kinda excited when I heard this so I decided to find a picture that would resemble the results of this probable trade. Hope you like.

" A simple man believes anything,
but a prudent man gives thought to his steps. "

-Proverbs 14:15

The Second Greatest?

Here's a sketch of 2009 NBA Playoffs Champion and MVP. I have to admit that I've never been a fan but as of lately you can't help but respect the man's game. I'll still take Jordan over Kobe anyday but Kobe is working hard to change that decision.

Been practicing more on my draftmanship and pencil technique. Trying to put the mouse and tablet down for a while until I feel more polished in my traditional work. Hope you like!

"What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? ¹³God will judge those outside. "Expel the wicked man from among you." - 1 Corinthians 5:12-13

James Harden Sketch

Haven't posted in quite a while, but here's a sketch of NBA rookie James Harden. The picture I used wasn't his best but it had a lot of color and contrast going on so I wanted to push myself and see what I could make of it. Didn't go too much for a great likeness but it actually ended looking pretty similar to his real picture. Really trying to push myself for more depth and volume on my paintings. I feel that most of my previous works look to flat and uninteresting. I will definitely pursue finishing this one and add a bit more color and contrast as I go.

"Though he slay me, yet will I trust in God" - Job 13:15

Wade Sketch

Haven't posted in a while (life gets busy) so I decided to do a quick sketch of one of my favorite NBA players Dwayne Wade. I actually had a body on him but I didn't like the proportion of it so I decided to just post a headshot.

"The prayers of a righteous man are powerful and effective" - James 5:16

Here are a couple random sketches I did today at work. It was a slow day so I decided to help pass some time with some memory sketches. No one in general just a combination of all the different faces I see everyday. Trying to push myself for more extreme exaggeration. Post-It pad and ball point pen for these.

"My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord" - Isaiah 55:8

Scarlett Sketch

With Christ I can do it all....without Him I can do nothing and am nothing. Give Him a try today! You won't be disappointed. Phillipians 4:13

Here's a quickie done Scarlet Johansson. Did this at work with a little down time at work. Was visiting a site that had all kind of pictures of her posted so I couldn't help but give her face a try. The usual Post-It pad with a mechanical pencil.

Traditional or Digital?

To all who follow or visit. I have been in quite a slump lately sketching. I know what I want to do as far as shapes, values, and exaggeration; but find it hard to translate when I fire up my Wacom Tablet. I've been struggling for quite some time now and just figured maybe it takes a little while longer to catch on to this whole digital sketching. Well I was praying about it and God told me to just be true to me. Don't try to do what everyone else is doing, although you do admire their work. Do what is comfortable to you. I took Him at his word and have gone back to good 'ol pencil and paper. Now it seems like there is no block between my mind and hand. I realized that drawing digitally wasn't showing my full growth and potential. Not bashing digital sketching but I just can't seem to get the hang of it. So I figured from here out I'll more than likely do my sketches with pencil, then scan them in and color them in photoshop. Seems like the easiest workflow for me right now. Maybe it will change in the future. How about you other artists out there? Have you gone through a similar learning/frustrating curve with sketching with a tablet? Just curious.

Let your light shine! -Matthew 5:16

Birthday Gift

Here is a caricature of my cubemate's niece. I don't know her name but I promised her I would draw her niece for her birthday. Didn't exaggerate as much as I would've liked but am still pleased with the outcome.

Remember keep your mind on Christ and not things of this world - Colossians 3:2!

Transitions!

Well I haven't posted something new in quite sometime. However, I've been going through one of the most difficult transitions I've ever faced in my life. God has transitioned my family from one church to another. Simple right? Wrong! Long story short, it is hard to leave a relationship before something wrong manifests itself physically. Kind of like leaving your mate because you believe they will cheat before they actually do. More accurately, maybe you have come to a point in your relationship that you see that your growth has surpassed the others involved or God is truly pulling you in a different direction. Whatever the case may be you have to move and obey God. But in leaving you better believe that there will be hard feelings. There will be hurt, and even a little hate. The church is not immune to people with these feelings and neither are pastors. It's what you do with those feelings that matters. I would classify my transition as a spiritual promotion. God has so much in store for me and my family that He refuses to allow anything or anyone to slow down the process. So on my part there is nothing but love for my prior church and all the members there. I pray the feelings will be mutual. One barometer to know if you are truly operating correctly in transitions in your life read Galations 5:22-23. These are fruits or proofs of the spirit. They should be evident on both sides. If you don't see them on your end you need to do a self check and go back to your prayer closet to ensure you're hearing from the Holy Spirit correctly.

My new pastor R.A. Vernon is truly a blessing to my entire family. We joined the church just in time to catch his series on dealing with relationships. It has ministered to me on a higher level and has truly transformed how I deal with everyone I have relationships with; prior and current. You can check out the church here. Anybody in the Akron, Canton, or Cleveland area I would highly recommend you attend. Or you can catch him on streamingfaith for live sermons. I pray he be a blessing to you as he has been for me!

Steve Harvey Finished!!!

Well I finally have an new post. I've been drowned in just living life. Kids, wife, and a full-time non-art related job is enough to keep anybody super busy. Nonetheless, I have finally took some time out of my day to sit down and spend some time with one of my WIPs. This caricature has gone through major adjustments and tweaks but I must say I'm satisfied with the outcome. Comments and critques welcome!

Self Caricature Sketch

Here's another sketch done on a Post-It pad at my job. This time it's of me. Haven't done a self caricature since I learned how to paint digitally so I'm interested to see how it turns out. Still needs some tweaks and corrections, the overall likeness is there.

Steve Harvey sketch (*UPDATED*)

I was watching one of his stand up comedies and felt like giving his face a try.


***Update***
I wasn't satisfied with the likeness of the sketch after staring at it so I decided to make some changes. Steve's head really isn't that wide so by shrinking it a bit I accomplished two things: 1) Reduced the mass on the top of his head which gave a better likeness 2) Made is mouth look bigger which is exactly what I was trying to exaggerate. When I look at Steve Harvey I always remember his smile, dimples and big lips.

I guess this is a good time to stress thumbnail sketching. I learned about thumbnails while taking Jason Seiler's caricature class. It's kinda like exercising their face with quick small sketches to see what will and won't work. I just dove in with this sketch and kept with the first sketch. I do, however, like the second sketch I did of him. So much so I might just finish this monochromatic painting. I guess we'll see.