No, it is wonderful to hear from you... Lord High Munchkin (?) I apologize Im still the new guy and don't know who everyone is based on screen name
and I do appreciate your taking the time to message.
You are absolutely right on every single account actually. Those points are precisely what I am attempting to fix. My diligence had waned over the holidays, but Im back at it now
Working on Conan and giving it everything Ive got. I've a personal love for that project.
I do a lot of victorian-era etching for scholarly work throughout the summer. I teach kids about what newspaper artists were like in the Civil War. Wood Block printing, all that. I do tend to have a hard time switching between styles anymore
Only VERY recently have I began to expand upon what I hope is marking me as my own recognizable style. Its been rough, being pulled in several directions over the years by different clients. Too much time trying to emulate, not enough time developing a single track.
Thats is why over the last couple of years I have remained mainly to the Gaming Industry. Some folks like line art, others like a wash, but in essence Im at least saying in a general area.
You're avatar is absolutely fantastic!! Is that your art? That is something else I need to develop more, shadows. My art is still pretty flat. But Im trying to give it robustness.
Color... the bane of my existence until recently. LOL I know I am horribly... Technocolor. LOL Its true. Everyone I talk to says so. Too many of my very early years were spent in the comic book field
Back when 4-color printing was still used and "bright colors attract kids". LOL
I really am trying desperately to calm down the vividness of my color pallet. So I GREATLY appreciate the references you named!
Ive been an "interiors" guy for years. I got my first cover (and thus, color) commission early last year (2008). I spent weeks on it and still to my eye it is horridly flawed. But it appeared in Dragon Magazine and was indeed kept on as the cover for that specific work; so it was not a completely failed attempt. Its the one with the Dragon bearing down upon the archer in a fetid, gas-clouded swamp.
Since then Ive tried every medium available to me. Of coarse back in college they pushed us to do everything via computer. That was the growing trend. And there are *amazing* digital artists out there. No doubt about it!
I, however, will forever be a traditional artist. I must use my hands. I got well enough to have a few private commissions done on computer. But I needed to try and overcome that hurdle of picking up a paintbrush and creating art. Sounds like a funny thing for an artist to say, huh? But it is true. I was a rapidograph artist for years. All Black and White, all interiors. All technical. I actually worked on blueprints, CAD and tech-specs for a few years.
Over the last year, I say I have grown leaps and bounds in the advent of color. Though I am no van Gough obviously. I have probably 7 or 8 unfinished pieces sitting here. Practice pieces as it were. Many end up getting thrown out because my abilities and style changes so drastically. I start one piece, then half way through get the inspiration to start something else. 4-5 pieces later I go back to the very first one, but realize Ive changed so much there is no way I could finish it! LOL It would look like two different artists worked on it.
Not to mention Im still getting comfortable with the various mediums at hand. Sad to say I have only been successful with one piece done in acrylic. Ive always failed at oils. Ive tried straight pigment, mixing it myself, or using it as inks or pencil-like sticks. It is there I have had the most success. Which is funny because its the most difficult to use.
When using straight pigment (mixed with water) its like working with ink. It dries FAST. Youve got less than a half a minute to cover the area and smooth it out before your window of opportunity is slammed shut. Too much water curls the paper; any variation in the pigment will show in an overlapping streak (like markers). Plus you have to mix subtle spans of pigment with bold separation lines in some areas. Try to get a new color next to an area not 100% dry and you get tie-dye bleeds. Its a NIGHTMARE. LOL
But I guess Im one of those types. Either fly by the seat of your pants, or dont bother doing it. Who says art can't be exciting?
Anyway, I hope I don't sound droll. I love what I do and I couldnt see myself doing anything else. It really is something I appreciate GREATLY to have folks talk with me about how I can improve. Sometimes its an itch I just cant scratch by myself. I want to do better, but I get "Artist's block", you know?
lol
Please know that I have great appreciation for you taking the time to speak with me. Thank you ever so kindly! I hope to have kinship with other artists, we're a fun lot!
Kindest regards,
-Banditt/Jason/hey you
