Carmelo Anthony

Elite NBA player Carmelo Anthony. He has one of the smoothest jumpers in the game right now. A lot of trade talk evolving around him so we will see. More importantly he just lost his sister. The grieving process is a difficult one for us all and I pray that God comforts him as he goes through his. I can't imagine what I'd do if I lost my sister. Deepest thoughts and prayers go out to him and his family.

***UPDATE***

Well I didn't like my first sketch of Melo at all. So I decided to tweak things a bit to give me a stronger likeness. As an artist there are gonna be times where you just don't get it right. This was one of them. Below you'll see a stronger sketch of Melo. Here's a list of improvements I made:

• Headband wasn't big enough (too much of his forehead was showing)
• Are under his chin and to his neck was too thin. Made it look like he was in highschool. I added more "fat" to this area
• I tilted his smile up more towards the right side of his face
• I also enlarged his nose and tilted it upwards to the right

"a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,"-Ecclesiastes 3:4

Don Cheadle

Caricature of a one of my favorite movie actors. Very rarely does he appear in a film that is not worth watching.

Below is my first attempt at a vector style caricature. Something I've always wanted to experiment with. From the looks of it I will be exploring this style a bit more in the near future.



"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. " - Philippians 4:8

Martin (Marty Mar) Lawrence

Caricature of my favorite actor/comedian Martin Lawrence. I'm wondering what took me so long to draw him. I can't count how many times I've watched his movies and DVDs of his shows. It never gets old or dull! Of course my preference is the young, skinny Martin instead of the heavier, older Martin. Only because he was more animated and care free with his comedy back then. Whereas now he's been through some life circumstances that have matured him and his style a bit. It's all good, I understand the process and respect it. One day maybe I'll actually get to meet this brotha! To catch this expression I had to pause the DVD I was watching. I must admit even I laugh every time I look at this picture...LOL.

"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. " -Philippians 2:3-4

Gilbert Arenas to Orlando Magic!

Well it's been all over sports news today. Shooting guard Gilbert Arenas gets traded to the Orlando Magic (as well as some other pieces). Orlando looks like they understand how loaded the Celtics, Heat, Spurs and Lakers are. VERRRRY interesting to see how Arenas fits into Orlando's system. I'm hoping he can bounce back like Michael Vick did. New team, new focus, new attitude, new Agent right? Well lets hope so for all parties involved.

"For the LORD God is a sun and shield;
the LORD bestows favor and honor;
no good thing does he withhold
from those whose walk is blameless. LORD Almighty,
blessed is the one who trusts in you." -Psalms 84: 11-12

Derrick "DRose" Rose

Sketch of NBA Chicago Bulls PG Derrick Rose. I've always been a fan of Derrick Rose all the way back to his Memphis days. However, it isn't until recently that I have become a believer that he is definitely one of the best PG in the game right now. Ever since he added a jumper to his arsenal his game took a quantum leap. I watched him last night make big plays and make the biggest shot of the game against the LA Lakers. The Bulls are definitely gonna be an East Coast problem this year. Not to mention this cat is as humble as they come. How could you not be a fan?!

"A good name is more desirable than great riches;
to be esteemed is better than silver or gold." - Proverbs 22:1

Deron "DWill" Williams

Drawing of arguably the NBA's best PG in the game right now. I have been on the fence for a couple years now between him and Chris "CP3" Paul, but I think this year I have made the decision that this guy is just too good. I enjoy watching the Utah Jazz this year like never before. Hopefully they can give the Lakers more of a Westcoast run for their money than they did last year in the playoffs.

"¹ Do not fret because of those who are evil
or be envious of those who do wrong;
² for like the grass they will soon wither,
like green plants they will soon die away." - Psalms 37:1-2

Turky Day Durant

Happy Thanksgiving to my favorite NBA Player Kevin Durant, and of course all who find their way to this blog. Today just be thankful. Especially if you can access this blog via the internet that means you're doing better than most folk. I pray you all have a blessed day filled with family, fun, laughter, and love. And while we're talking about prayer....I pray my Thunder make it further into the playoffs this year!

"I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength. " - Philippians 4:12-13

Tony Parker

Here is a break from drawing "regular" people on my FB page and a drawing of San Antonio Spurs point guard Tony Parker. I'm not a big Parker fan, but I don't have anything against him. I think he's one of the best in the game right now but found his face a little more interesting than his game. Every time I see him on TV his face just begs me to draw it. Especially how his eyebrows angle up like he's always mad (or up to something)...lol. This drawing ended up being less exaggerated and more of a portraiture but that's fine. A lot of times its easier for me to exaggerate a face more after I've achieved a good likeness first. Maybe in the near future I'll do a more exaggerated caricature of him.

"¹²What shall I render unto the LORD for all his benefits toward me?" -Psalms 116:12

More FB Sketches!

As promised here are some female drawings I've done over at my FB Fan Page.

One MAJOR difference with drawing women and men on Facebook is that women tend to have a lot more pictures on their profile. In addition, they smile in most of them. Men, on the other hand, I think are too "tough" to smile in their pics...lol. Plus they very rarely have good quality pics to draw from. At least that has been my observation. Nonetheless, enjoy these beautiful women I had to luxury of drawing!

"A generous person will prosper;
whoever refreshes others will be refreshed"
- Proverbs 11:25

I'm Still Here!

Well kind of. I've been spending all my free time lately on my FB fan page drawing friends, strangers, associates, men, women, children, the whole nine! It's been keeping me VERY busy but very challenging at the same time. Here are a few I felt were some of my stronger ones...

Here's one of one of my good college friends from Kansas State University. This brotha kept us laughing at any given point on any given day. I guess you can tell from the pic that he's kind of a clown huh? Lol...


Yup! Don't get any bigger than my boy from MN. When I saw this pic I couldn't pass it up. The angle, the lighting, the contrast, and the detail were all on point. This is probably one of my favorite thus far.

Yeah this one is hilarious to me. My cat from high school had this pic on his profile and I HAD to draw it. I struggled trying not to do too much on this one. I was tempted to do a full our rendering and painting of it just because I like the picture so much. Who knows maybe in the near future I'll do a painting sketch of it

Well that's all for now. Coming up soon are some females that I drew! Now you know we can't discriminate out here. I'm gonna try to keep this up to date with my FB page as well, but no promises. If anybody knows where to purchase more time for the day let me know ;)

"Like a bad tooth or a lame foot
is reliance on the unfaithful in times of trouble. " - Proverbs 25:19

Shaq (The Big Shamrock)

Here's a WIP I'm doing of Shaq, who just recently got traded to the Boston Celtics. I'm struggling with a pose for him at the moment but at least wanted to color the drawing I did of him in the meantime. Some thoughts so far are dressing him as a leprechaun, putting him on a Lucky Charms box (a la Jordon on Wheaties), or something else along those lines.

I find this style of color more of "my style" but would like to keep pushing it until I can polish it. One thing I've realized about art is that no matter what style you use if you're good at it people will love it. I guess that's the beauty of art. Enjoy nevertheless...

"Instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still;
teach a righteous man and he will add to his learning" -Proverbs 9:9

B-ball Studies

One thing I want to become better at is capturing the action of NBA Players. Their bodies show so much action and momentum. Plus it is my favorite sport to both play and watch. These are some action gesture sketches to help me get the feel of what makes a basketball pose dynamic. A lot of these are influenced by the amazing illustrator Gary Locke. Truly one of my favorite illustrators of all time.

"Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way" - Romans 14:13

Facebook Friends

This is a gift caricature of a middle school friend of mine. I drew her my first year working at Valley Fair in Minnesota and it was TERRIBLE! When we reconnected on FB I promised I would make up for such a bad experience at the hand of my pencil. I think the mission has been accomplished ;D



This is a final drawing of my "Facebook Brother". Between him and I, we probably have some of the most controversial posts on FB. His are definitely waaaaay more controversial than mine. Nonetheless, we try to enlighten and address many issues that most people just ignore or accept. Don't know what my FB experience would be without this brotha! I plan on adding some color to this one but I'm on the fence whether to go traditional or digital. Maybe I'll toss a coin.

"They will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you and will rescue you," declares the LORD." - Jeremiah 1:19

Michael Vick Sketches

Back when he was going through his trial before his sentencing I decided to sketch a couple shots of him since his face was EVERYWHERE. I'm so glad to see him bounce back from all the trials, tribulations, and bad judgment. I pray he can have a successful second NFL career.

"For I will forgive their wickedness
and will remember their sins no more." - Jeremiah 31:34

Colts Sketches and Studies

I believe I sketched these last year during football season. I was just playing around with some exaggeration and trying to nail down some likenesses of some of the players, and ex coach. Some of these might be worth revisiting and polishing up some more...We'll see!

"For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live," - Romans 8:13

More Previews

Found these laying around while cleaning up the other day. Some I like some I could care less for. Amongst them you will see guest appearances of Big Ben Roth, CSI:NY, Roy Jones, and a few others I will let you decide who they are. Enjoy!

"He who listens to a life-giving rebuke
will be at home among the wise. "
- Proverbs 15:31

WIP Previews (and some finished)

Here is a snapshot preview of some of the art I've been working on. A mixture of colored pencil experiments, facebook friends, and digital painting. I'm trying to be more intentional on updating more and expanding my drawing horizons to animals and of course more full bodies. With all that is going on with my professional job and personal life at home that makes it kind of hard at times. Nevertheless, hope you enjoy. I'll actually be posting some finished versions of some of the work in this snapshot VERY soon.

P.S. The faces have been filtered to protect the "innocent"...lol

"However, as it is written:
"No eye has seen,
no ear has heard,
no mind has conceived
what God has prepared for those who love him" - 1 Corinthians 2:9

Thunder Cats

Here is a snapshot of a page in my sketchbook with a couple Oklahoma Thunder NBA players. I wish they could've made it a lil deeper into the playoffs but it looks like they're gonna have a promising future with Durant and Westbrook. Oh yeah, and by the way, Westbrook is quickly forming into one of my favorite point guards in the league. Looking to make a 3 player collage of this one with bodies and all. Lets pray I don't abandon this one!

"If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself." - Galatians 6:3

Bernard (BHop) Hopkins aka The Executioner

Hands down one of my favorite boxers of the era today. This man has withstood the test of time and is still ticking. The judges robbed him of his victory of Calzaghe and Taylor (I'll argue both fights, but some feel he didn't do enough in the first to warrant a victory). But hey like they say "style makes fights" and Taylor was just a bad style matchup for him. He's on his way to fight my former favorite boxer Roy Jones Jr. I have mixed feelings about the fight because Roy has disappointed me soooooo much in the past years losing and getting knocked out by mediocre fighters. I still think it will be a better fight for Bernard than for Roy cuz it closes a chapter in Hopkins book of a fighter if he wins while it really does nothing for Roy if he wins since he's already beat him before. Who will I be rooting for....don't know! I don't like rooting for Roy cuz he had done nothing but let me down lately, but its hard to just throw him away. I like Hopkins too though because he keeps defying the odds. No matter who counts him out he always proves them wrong. He's a proven Hall of Fame fighter that continues to be viewed as the underdog for some reason. How can I not go for him, right?! I guess we'll see....

This is a drawing of Hopkins with graphite on printer paper. Trying to get more into draftsmanship and working out my errors with my drawings at this stage before painting. It was good practice and I actually did get a lot of anatomical issues resolved as well as feature placement with this drawing.

"²⁶ Make level paths for your feet
and take only ways that are firm.
²⁷ Do not swerve to the right or the left;
keep your foot from evil."
Proverbs 3: 26-27