Here's another painting from my "Creature Design" online class coming soon on Schoolism.com
This one is called "Sea Life"
How many creatures can you count?
Bobby
Print available HERE
Look for us at San Diego Comicon in July!
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Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Sea Life
Here's another painting from my "Creature Design" online class coming soon on Schoolism.com
This one is called "Sea Life"
How many creatures can you count?
Bobby
Print available HERE
Look for us at San Diego Comicon in July!
Way Past Random
While I was sketching over the weekend, I had the Sonic Underground DVDs playing in he background (yes, my life is ridiculous). An episode came up with a cool-looking robotic hair-dresser named Do-Bot, so I decided to make a quick sketch of her. The sketch turned out okay, so I quickly colored her with some color pencils. And here she is:
I adjusted the scan so that the colors match the physical piece and added type--other than those small changes, I'm giving this one to you warts and all. Typically I'm overly-focused on over-producing slick artwork, but every now and then I get some artsy notion that it's cool and "raw" to show off the gritty details of reality, like the gibberish on the scratch paper that I drew on.
Lately I've been feeling the need for a more tactile sensation while producing my sketches, so maybe we'll see some more quick and dirty traditional media in the near future? There's no way to know for sure... I'm a wild card these days.
I adjusted the scan so that the colors match the physical piece and added type--other than those small changes, I'm giving this one to you warts and all. Typically I'm overly-focused on over-producing slick artwork, but every now and then I get some artsy notion that it's cool and "raw" to show off the gritty details of reality, like the gibberish on the scratch paper that I drew on.
Lately I've been feeling the need for a more tactile sensation while producing my sketches, so maybe we'll see some more quick and dirty traditional media in the near future? There's no way to know for sure... I'm a wild card these days.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Free book giveaway winners announced on my blog
Stephen Silver book giveaway video from stephen silver on Vimeo.
Here is my video announcing the 2 winners of my book givaway,
Thank you all so much for sharing your dreams and aspirations. Now it is time to make it all come true!
To order my book visit the store
the encounter
Yesterday, whilst waiting for the tube, I noticed a posh-looking woman eyeing me up and down.
She was properly dressed, in a French/Navy kind of way. I couldn't help but smile at her when I caught her looking at me for about the third time. She took her headphones off and walked towards me.
My head was racing - did I know this woman? Did she know me? Why had she been looking at me so much?
"I don't mean to offend you" her opening line was, whereas I instantly thought she was going to insult me, or telling me off for something or another.
"I just love your dress!" she continued. "I do apologize for being so forward, but I just have to ask you where you've bought it".
I laughed and told her where the dress was from, then also told her I don't usually get offended for getting a compliment from a stranger - quite the contrary! I thanked her, she thanked me and off she went again.
Now I've googled around to show you guys a picture of the damn dress without any luck. But I can assure you it is not a smartlooking dress! It's a navy blue tunic-like dress with big, bulky embroidery on in bright colours.
Strange, but nice little encounter.
She was properly dressed, in a French/Navy kind of way. I couldn't help but smile at her when I caught her looking at me for about the third time. She took her headphones off and walked towards me.
My head was racing - did I know this woman? Did she know me? Why had she been looking at me so much?
"I don't mean to offend you" her opening line was, whereas I instantly thought she was going to insult me, or telling me off for something or another.
"I just love your dress!" she continued. "I do apologize for being so forward, but I just have to ask you where you've bought it".
I laughed and told her where the dress was from, then also told her I don't usually get offended for getting a compliment from a stranger - quite the contrary! I thanked her, she thanked me and off she went again.
Now I've googled around to show you guys a picture of the damn dress without any luck. But I can assure you it is not a smartlooking dress! It's a navy blue tunic-like dress with big, bulky embroidery on in bright colours.
Strange, but nice little encounter.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
it't that time of month again
About once a month I start thinking about being back in Sweden. To some of you this might sound very often. But for those of you who knew me back when I first arrived back here knows that once a month is a reduction of about 99%.But today I'm longing. Aching for my backpack, my tent and sleepingbag. No phone, no computer, noone who knows me or reach me. Just me and wherever my heart has taken me.
On the other hand, I love my flat and the fact that I've been able to unpack stuff that's been in boxes for ten years. I love the fact that I have walls where I can display my treasures from previous adventures.
I love the fact that I bought my beloved cats. I haven't regretted it one day.
But I don't like the way I've conformed. The way I've become. I sometimes resent that I've spent so much money on the flat and on furiture. That money could've kept me travelling for a year solid.
I wish I could have it all. But it just isn't possible. But how I miss those days where new experiences and people came in and out of my life on a daily basis. The days where it took a whole day to make a meal after collecting the wood to cook it on. And the fact that it was ok that it took the whole day, because I had nothing better to do. Today I miss it alot.
Friday, June 26, 2009
What's Schoolism.com?
Imagine if you had a professional to help you and look over your work! Schoolism classes not only teach you the secrets from known professionals, but you will see them draw over top of your drawings and hear them talk about how to take your art to a whole another level!
Schoolism.com Online Art Classes open for registration:
The Art of Caricature with Jason Seiler - starts July 24, 2009
By the end of this course, master caricaturist, Jason Seiler, will have you looking at people in a whole new way! For illustrators seeking to add high-end caricaturing to their repertoire, this course is a must!
Building a Powerful Comic Book Portfolio with Alvin Lee - starts July 31, 2009
Go through an intensive workshop with professional comic book artist Alvin Lee to create a powerful comic book portfolio. Watch and listen as Alvin draws on top of your work, explaining to you the 'DOs' and 'DON'Ts' of what makes a great comic book portfolio!
Character Design by Silver - starts September 7, 2009
Over nine lessons, Stephen will introduce you to the art of drawing, character design and the business of art. Your role will be to create major and incidental characters for animated T.V., feature films, or video game concepts!
Portfolio workshop with Cheeks - starts November 15, 2009
Sean Galloway aka Cheeks will be taking you through 9 lessons of intensive workshop to teach you the do's and dont's of what makes a great design portfolio for film, television, animation, or illustration.
Digital Painting Techniques with Bobby Chiu - starts November 1, 2009
Learn Bobby's personal techniques of how to digital paint. Watch the lessons, do the assignments and see Bobby paint on top of your paintings showing you how to improve your art!
Register at WWW.SCHOOLISM.COM
Anti-Hero in a Half-Shell (Plus a review of "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen"!)
Last weekend, I was hanging out with Dave, filling his wallet full of my hard-earned cash, in exchange for some action figures that he had picked up for me, and buying some of his unwanted toys as well. He gave me a pretty good deal on a bunch of Transformers and Gobots, but feeling that I needed to evacuate more money from my pocket, I also bought a TMNT figure from him--Slash, the evil Ninja Turtle (not to be confused with Tokka). FYI, Slash started off as a villain, but later became something of an anti-hero, hence the title of today's post:
This is 100% digital, painted in Photoshop. I kept Slash's details pretty close to his toy incarnation, with a few exceptions... I gave his crude claws a bit more gritty detail (added twine and a wood spacer, in addition to the claws/wrappings), and I interpreted his octagonal belt buckle as a representation of the eight trigrams diagram, with the Taijitu in the center. In retrospect, I don't know why I didn't detail the belt buckle with the actual trigrams. I guess I got caught up in Taijitu madness. Lastly, I did not give Slash magenta weapons, but instead threw in a magenta light source as a nod to his garishly colored acsessories. I considered putting some magenta in his wardrobe, but decided that might create confusion with Donatello's signature purple.
Overall, I'm not sure how I feel about this one... I'm happy with certain parts, like his bandanna, and the rendering on his iron belt and wooden shoulder pads. On the other hand, I just don't know if the piece works as a whole. Thoughts?
While you're mulling it over, here's a review:
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (In theaters now!)
I know that I have done my job informing the public that I'm a **huge Transformers geek when I am asked to weigh in on the movie by almost everyone I know. But enough of my self-congratulatory dorkiness, on with the review...
My experience with enjoying entertainment is that you have to have your expectations calibrated properly... I went into this movie expecting more robots and better robot fights, but also expecting more unnecessary toilet humor. I was right on both counts. Let's break this down a bit--
Action... The fights from the first movie were widely criticized as being too chaotic and unintelligible. I said that myself, in my review. However, in subsequent viewings on DVD, I found that the fights were very easy to read--on a smaller screen. The battles in Revenge of the Fallen were better on the big screen (but still unintelligible at times), so I expect they will be even better on DVD. The tone of the fights brought the brutality of the first movie to a new level--the stakes are higher, the casualties are worse, and nobody is holding back--not the good guys, not the bad guys, and certainly not the folks who handled the movie's record-breaking computer generated effects. The Autobots and Decepticons pull off many flashy, devastating combat maneuvers, and the results are spectacular.
Robots... there were sooo many new Transformers in this movie, and with a variety of sizes and body types/alternate modes. They got tons of screentime, but surprisingly few lines of dialogue--hopefully in the presumed sequel, the Transformers will get some more character development. But even so, more, diverse robots is a step in the right direction.
The toilet humor... or "edgy, adult" humor, if you prefer to be delusional, was unnecessary in the first movie, and even worse, totally unfunny. The bad news is that Revenge of the Fallen, unfortunately, has about ten times more toilet humor. The good news is that the crude jokes are occasionally funny, unlike the first go-round. The other bad news is that whether or not it's funny, the jokes are still totally out of place, and add nothing. The really disappointing thing is that the non-toilet humor in the film is actually very charming and endearing, and more of that would have served the film better.
Story... there's no two ways about it, there's a lot of sloppy storytelling and bad editing in this movie. It doesn't have any egregious plotholes--but there are several instances of questionable storytelling decisions that create unecessary ambiguity. However, the movie has good pacing--it marched forward at a good clip, and there weren't any real lulls.
Verdict: For me, it was Awesome. But I'm not gonna lie--your mileage will vary. Since that fateful day in 1984 when I first discovered Transformers, I've been quietly rearranging my brain-space to more efficiently harvest Transformers information. In all honesty--I do not, blindly love everything with a Transformers label on it, but I am able to enjoy whatever good that does exist in the franchise, moreso than many fans that I have encountered. I'd like to think that I'm also capable of honest criticism, in spite of my affection for the franchise, but that shall ultimately be up to you to judge, dear reader. If you're capable of enjoying mindless fun and eye candy, with some flawed storytelling, this is for you. For anyone else--save it for a rental, or a cable viewing. And specifically for the haters--please, don't go just so you can smugly tell your friends, "I told you it would be terrible." Save your money!
For More Transformers Goodness, But With A Totally Different Approach: Watch Transformers Animated! It's charming, light-hearted, filled with references for long-time fans, but at the same time, totally accessible to n00bs.
**Actually, I'm not huge--just 5'8, 155 pounds. Yes, these are the jokes, folks. My sincerest apologies.
This is 100% digital, painted in Photoshop. I kept Slash's details pretty close to his toy incarnation, with a few exceptions... I gave his crude claws a bit more gritty detail (added twine and a wood spacer, in addition to the claws/wrappings), and I interpreted his octagonal belt buckle as a representation of the eight trigrams diagram, with the Taijitu in the center. In retrospect, I don't know why I didn't detail the belt buckle with the actual trigrams. I guess I got caught up in Taijitu madness. Lastly, I did not give Slash magenta weapons, but instead threw in a magenta light source as a nod to his garishly colored acsessories. I considered putting some magenta in his wardrobe, but decided that might create confusion with Donatello's signature purple.
Overall, I'm not sure how I feel about this one... I'm happy with certain parts, like his bandanna, and the rendering on his iron belt and wooden shoulder pads. On the other hand, I just don't know if the piece works as a whole. Thoughts?
While you're mulling it over, here's a review:
* * *
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (In theaters now!)I know that I have done my job informing the public that I'm a **huge Transformers geek when I am asked to weigh in on the movie by almost everyone I know. But enough of my self-congratulatory dorkiness, on with the review...
My experience with enjoying entertainment is that you have to have your expectations calibrated properly... I went into this movie expecting more robots and better robot fights, but also expecting more unnecessary toilet humor. I was right on both counts. Let's break this down a bit--
Action... The fights from the first movie were widely criticized as being too chaotic and unintelligible. I said that myself, in my review. However, in subsequent viewings on DVD, I found that the fights were very easy to read--on a smaller screen. The battles in Revenge of the Fallen were better on the big screen (but still unintelligible at times), so I expect they will be even better on DVD. The tone of the fights brought the brutality of the first movie to a new level--the stakes are higher, the casualties are worse, and nobody is holding back--not the good guys, not the bad guys, and certainly not the folks who handled the movie's record-breaking computer generated effects. The Autobots and Decepticons pull off many flashy, devastating combat maneuvers, and the results are spectacular.
Robots... there were sooo many new Transformers in this movie, and with a variety of sizes and body types/alternate modes. They got tons of screentime, but surprisingly few lines of dialogue--hopefully in the presumed sequel, the Transformers will get some more character development. But even so, more, diverse robots is a step in the right direction.
The toilet humor... or "edgy, adult" humor, if you prefer to be delusional, was unnecessary in the first movie, and even worse, totally unfunny. The bad news is that Revenge of the Fallen, unfortunately, has about ten times more toilet humor. The good news is that the crude jokes are occasionally funny, unlike the first go-round. The other bad news is that whether or not it's funny, the jokes are still totally out of place, and add nothing. The really disappointing thing is that the non-toilet humor in the film is actually very charming and endearing, and more of that would have served the film better.
Story... there's no two ways about it, there's a lot of sloppy storytelling and bad editing in this movie. It doesn't have any egregious plotholes--but there are several instances of questionable storytelling decisions that create unecessary ambiguity. However, the movie has good pacing--it marched forward at a good clip, and there weren't any real lulls.
Verdict: For me, it was Awesome. But I'm not gonna lie--your mileage will vary. Since that fateful day in 1984 when I first discovered Transformers, I've been quietly rearranging my brain-space to more efficiently harvest Transformers information. In all honesty--I do not, blindly love everything with a Transformers label on it, but I am able to enjoy whatever good that does exist in the franchise, moreso than many fans that I have encountered. I'd like to think that I'm also capable of honest criticism, in spite of my affection for the franchise, but that shall ultimately be up to you to judge, dear reader. If you're capable of enjoying mindless fun and eye candy, with some flawed storytelling, this is for you. For anyone else--save it for a rental, or a cable viewing. And specifically for the haters--please, don't go just so you can smugly tell your friends, "I told you it would be terrible." Save your money!
For More Transformers Goodness, But With A Totally Different Approach: Watch Transformers Animated! It's charming, light-hearted, filled with references for long-time fans, but at the same time, totally accessible to n00bs.
**Actually, I'm not huge--just 5'8, 155 pounds. Yes, these are the jokes, folks. My sincerest apologies.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Pre-Orders are ready for my New Book & DVD!
I have created a store where you can buy my first book as well as my new book and DVD. Click on Seiler Depot to visit the store, or click on the Seiler Depot strip featured on the right side of my blog. Click on any book cover and it will direct you to the Seiler Depot store.
I will be out of my studio and away from any internet connection for a week. I'm leaving this Sunday the 28th and will be coming back on the 6th or 7th of July. My DVD and New Book will be available in July 2009, but at this time I do not have an "official" date of when I will "actually" have them. When I get them, I will immediately announce their arrival here on my blog.
So for those of you who just can't wait, click here to PRE-ORDER my New Book and DVD.
Book, SEILER 2008-2009 $25.00 + Shipping.
DVD, Sketching with Jason Seiler $35.00 + Shipping.
books, balcony and bechamel sauce
The day was spent working (on my day off), sunbathing a bit, reading my book, talking on the phone and doing loads of errands around town.
I have long known that I love the sun and the heat more than most people - I even loved it in the Attacama desert where the locals thought I was "loco" for being out walking in the 45-degree heat. But I love it, love it , love it.
Today has been warm and really rather hot on my balcony. So much so that the cats have chosen to lie indoors!!! My cats are light weights!?! I thought cats were known for sunbathing like noone elses buissness? I might have to rethink about coming back as a cat in my next life if that isn't the case...
However, dinner was made today again (i'm getting good at actualy cooking again rather than buying ready made food. Well done, me!) Today I made an even stranger concoction for dinner than the last thingie I shared with you here on my blog, but it was looovely so I thought I'd share this recipe too with you:
I made a normal Bechamel sauce (i.e. flour, butter, milk) and added lots of lemon juice, coarse lemonflavoured black pepper, salt and Tabasco sauce. To that I added crayfish tails (yes I do love it and eat lots of it), corn and peas and left to boil a few minutes.
That lovely concoction was then poured over spaghetti, and it was YUMMY! Give it a try, why don't you?
I have long known that I love the sun and the heat more than most people - I even loved it in the Attacama desert where the locals thought I was "loco" for being out walking in the 45-degree heat. But I love it, love it , love it.
Today has been warm and really rather hot on my balcony. So much so that the cats have chosen to lie indoors!!! My cats are light weights!?! I thought cats were known for sunbathing like noone elses buissness? I might have to rethink about coming back as a cat in my next life if that isn't the case...
However, dinner was made today again (i'm getting good at actualy cooking again rather than buying ready made food. Well done, me!) Today I made an even stranger concoction for dinner than the last thingie I shared with you here on my blog, but it was looovely so I thought I'd share this recipe too with you:
I made a normal Bechamel sauce (i.e. flour, butter, milk) and added lots of lemon juice, coarse lemonflavoured black pepper, salt and Tabasco sauce. To that I added crayfish tails (yes I do love it and eat lots of it), corn and peas and left to boil a few minutes.
That lovely concoction was then poured over spaghetti, and it was YUMMY! Give it a try, why don't you?
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
blisters, biscuits and balcony
The last few days I've been using a pedometer to see if I walk as much as recommended. I don't, of course.
But today I walked to IKEA - a walk which according to the roadsigns were 7 kilometres. On my arrival at IKEA I looked at my pedometer. According to it I had been walking 2,7 km, something I knew wasn't right. However it said I walked around 11000 steps, which sounds about right I think? (I should walk between 10-12000 steps per day).
The weather was amazing - really warm but slightly breezy which was lovely. During the walk I passed horses and sheep, gorgeous little summer huts in the middle of this strip of forrest I walked through.
Just before IKEA I walked pass this pet shop that I've read about, called SEA. I popped in to see what they had in store. And came out 10 minutes later with my whole backpack full of lovelies for the boys: catgrass, dried fish treats, super fatty biscuits for skinny Tylor, vitamin drops and catnip drops. I'm such a sucker! :-)
My walk resulted in three blisters on my right foot, and so I decided to take the bus back home. And since I was taking the bus back home I might as well see if I found something in IKEA...
... Which I did, of course.
Back home I showed the boys all my shopping, and the dried fish treats went down a treat! We spent the afternoon on the balcony sunbathing and sleeping in a bundle of lazyness. Heaven.
(and if this text sounds weird it's because I'm watching the new episode of "so you think you can dance" on telly whilst writing. I looooove this show!)
But today I walked to IKEA - a walk which according to the roadsigns were 7 kilometres. On my arrival at IKEA I looked at my pedometer. According to it I had been walking 2,7 km, something I knew wasn't right. However it said I walked around 11000 steps, which sounds about right I think? (I should walk between 10-12000 steps per day).
The weather was amazing - really warm but slightly breezy which was lovely. During the walk I passed horses and sheep, gorgeous little summer huts in the middle of this strip of forrest I walked through.
Just before IKEA I walked pass this pet shop that I've read about, called SEA. I popped in to see what they had in store. And came out 10 minutes later with my whole backpack full of lovelies for the boys: catgrass, dried fish treats, super fatty biscuits for skinny Tylor, vitamin drops and catnip drops. I'm such a sucker! :-)
My walk resulted in three blisters on my right foot, and so I decided to take the bus back home. And since I was taking the bus back home I might as well see if I found something in IKEA...
... Which I did, of course.
Back home I showed the boys all my shopping, and the dried fish treats went down a treat! We spent the afternoon on the balcony sunbathing and sleeping in a bundle of lazyness. Heaven.
(and if this text sounds weird it's because I'm watching the new episode of "so you think you can dance" on telly whilst writing. I looooove this show!)
Richard Butler + Schoolism
Here's my final painting for Richard Butler, a past student of mine from Schoolism. I was inspired by Rembrandt while painting this, not sure why, but that was the direction I decided to take it.
I want to let everyone know that my next class on Caricature illustration is filling up and will close soon. The course starts on July 24, I only accept 15 students a semester. Visit Schoolism.com for more info. Also, I am currently working on a NEW course that I will begin teaching in the Fall. Painting with Jason Seiler, also through Schoolism.com registration for that course will start sometime in August.
Detail.
Beam me up Scotty!
Thanks to all the awesome people that came to visit us in Charlotte!
Here's a painting I did recently for my upcoming Creature Design class on Schoolism.com
Titled: Beam me up Scotty
Partially nspired by my new found love of Star Trek :)
Bobby
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Tweedledee and Tweedledum
Here's a pic of Tweedledee and Tweedledum!
It's so amazing to see how they translate the concept art. We wish we could show everyone but you'll have to wait until the movie opens :)
Then we'll have tons of art to show!
Bobby
Nerdy Anticipation
Perhaps you will recall that I am a huge Transformers fan? And perhaps you will recall that I enjoyed Michael Bay's first outing in the world of Transformers? And perhaps you will understand that I am bitterly jealous that the sequel, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, premiered two weeks ago in Japan, and was released last week in the United Kingdom, while Canadians living in America (like myself) are forced to wait until this week?
And perhaps you will not be surprised that 24 hours from the posting of this blog, I will be sitting in an IMAX theater watching said movie, at long last?
For the haters, let's get some things straight here... I'm not expecting Citizen Kane. I'm not expecting Shakespeare. I'm not even expecting Shakespeare in Love. I am expecting pretty much the best special effects around, lots of robots getting blowed up good, and Megan Fox looking Megan Foxxy.
The surge of nerdy anticipation within me is overwhelming, threating to manifest itself as a wave of destructive energy that will burn the surface of the planet to a crisp whilst arguing whether or not the new Revenge of the Fallen Human Alliance toyline portrays human characters in proper scale to their Autobot counterparts. Also, I drew this:
What started out as kind of a quick sketch to commemorate the release of Revenge of the Fallen actually became a decent exercise in color and lighting, I think.
._.
And perhaps you will not be surprised that 24 hours from the posting of this blog, I will be sitting in an IMAX theater watching said movie, at long last?
For the haters, let's get some things straight here... I'm not expecting Citizen Kane. I'm not expecting Shakespeare. I'm not even expecting Shakespeare in Love. I am expecting pretty much the best special effects around, lots of robots getting blowed up good, and Megan Fox looking Megan Foxxy.
The surge of nerdy anticipation within me is overwhelming, threating to manifest itself as a wave of destructive energy that will burn the surface of the planet to a crisp whilst arguing whether or not the new Revenge of the Fallen Human Alliance toyline portrays human characters in proper scale to their Autobot counterparts. Also, I drew this:
click above for larger view
What started out as kind of a quick sketch to commemorate the release of Revenge of the Fallen actually became a decent exercise in color and lighting, I think.
._.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Max Payne 3 Fan Wallpaper
Very interesting and largely original fan made wallpaper for the soon to be released big hit from (in)famous game developer Rockstar Games, Max Payne 3. The wallpaper is made by a deviantART’s newcomer, jackoozy. The size of this wallpaper is 1280x1024 pixels.
To get the full size wallpaper, simply click on the small preview image below.
Source: jackoozy.deviantart.com
To get the full size wallpaper, simply click on the small preview image below.
Source: jackoozy.deviantart.com
a recipe for you
Today's lunch was a different one:
I grilled slices of peppers, sugar peas and carrots in olive oil and loads of herbs.
Meanwhile I boiled bulgur, then mixed it all up together and added feta cheese and crayfish tails.
Give it a try - it was really lovely!
I grilled slices of peppers, sugar peas and carrots in olive oil and loads of herbs.
Meanwhile I boiled bulgur, then mixed it all up together and added feta cheese and crayfish tails.
Give it a try - it was really lovely!
Alice in Wonderland
Here's an illustration that has been released about Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland. Imaginism Studios had the privilege of designing many of the characters for the movie.
The above illustration was not painted by us but you can see the white rabbit that Kei designed.
Here's some more pics
The bottom image you can see the Tweedledee and Tweedledum that I designed. Imaginist Jason Seiler also contributed to the development of the Tweedles. Again the above painting was not painted by us (we didn't do environments... just the characters).
-Bobby
Friday, June 19, 2009
midsummer's eve
Today is Midsummer's eve! Midsummer is a big bank holiday in Sweden. Tradition has it we're supposed to dance around the pole, sing songs and eat loads of pickled herring, chives in sour cream and new potatoes. Preferably with boiled eggs.
However, the weather is usually crap, and this year was no exeption.
I was working all day, and we managed to do some garlands of flowers (very traditional!) and eat some herring, eggs and all that jazz. Well, I didn't, because I don't like it, but staff and patients did.
The rest of the day was spent in the office, writing stuff, drinking coffee and making sure all is up to date.
Once back home I hoovered the flat, gave my flowers a good rinse down in the bath and finished my essay that was due in today.
Not a very exciting day, but there you go.
T.G.I.G.F.
I was planning on painting at least one more noir archetype (or noirchetype, as I like to call it), with a Girl Friday as the subject. And as a matter of coincidence, my long-time crony Gavin commented, "I think you should finish off the series with a "good girl" in yellow"--so who am I to disappoint?
In my opinion, this piece is back on track after the previous one. Better contrast, bolder strokes, not so fussy. I actually tried out some backgrounds for this one, but everything I came up with seemed to distract from the Girl Friday herself, so I decided to leave it as is. As with the other noirchetypes, this one took about two hours from start to finish. Again, I'm unsure whether I'll do more of these, but this certainly has been a welcome break from the nerdy grind. But don't fret, fellow nerds, I'll get back to the mega-dorky stuff soon enough (some of it is in-progress as we speak).
In my opinion, this piece is back on track after the previous one. Better contrast, bolder strokes, not so fussy. I actually tried out some backgrounds for this one, but everything I came up with seemed to distract from the Girl Friday herself, so I decided to leave it as is. As with the other noirchetypes, this one took about two hours from start to finish. Again, I'm unsure whether I'll do more of these, but this certainly has been a welcome break from the nerdy grind. But don't fret, fellow nerds, I'll get back to the mega-dorky stuff soon enough (some of it is in-progress as we speak).
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
someone give me a break
Today was an eventful day to say the least.
Got up at 6 am. Went into the city for a seminar day for the leadership course I'm attending. This finished at 4 pm.
Between 4-5.30 pm I sat making phonecalls for work, then started walking towards other end of the city.
6 pm I met my colleagues for a combined meeting/meal in a lovely restaurant. (I had a huuuuge steak witch didn't agree with my stomach but was well worth it!). It was a productive meeting but I was so tired my eyes were aching.
9 pm I returned home. Cuddled the cats for a few minutes whilst trying to pack up my bed settees cushions etc.
9.30 pm a buyer came and collected the bed settee. (yippie! Got rid of my old settee after just two days out on e-Bay!)
10 pm I finally got to come home properly, cuddle the cats and then Tylor decided to throw up. Not once but twice. So I gave him water in his special, favourite bowl. He drank it all and threw up the water too. I paniced. Phoned their previous owner Anna at 11 pm (after checking on FB that she was still up).
She really calmed me down. Told me to monitor and wait for a while. And even though I knew it was the right thing to do (and I know why he was throwing up too, but still! Poor baby!) it was soooo nice to hear her say it.
Now it is 1 am. I've been up for 19 hours and am knackeed. But Tylor has been running around playing for a while, and then lying in my lap purring and dribbling for half an hour so I feel calm.
In this very moment he's gone to eat. I will stay up for another hour to see that he doesn't throw up again.
Thank god I'm off tomorrow. I might just sleep all day and only venture outdoors for a massage in the afternoon.
Got up at 6 am. Went into the city for a seminar day for the leadership course I'm attending. This finished at 4 pm.
Between 4-5.30 pm I sat making phonecalls for work, then started walking towards other end of the city.
6 pm I met my colleagues for a combined meeting/meal in a lovely restaurant. (I had a huuuuge steak witch didn't agree with my stomach but was well worth it!). It was a productive meeting but I was so tired my eyes were aching.
9 pm I returned home. Cuddled the cats for a few minutes whilst trying to pack up my bed settees cushions etc.
9.30 pm a buyer came and collected the bed settee. (yippie! Got rid of my old settee after just two days out on e-Bay!)
10 pm I finally got to come home properly, cuddle the cats and then Tylor decided to throw up. Not once but twice. So I gave him water in his special, favourite bowl. He drank it all and threw up the water too. I paniced. Phoned their previous owner Anna at 11 pm (after checking on FB that she was still up).
She really calmed me down. Told me to monitor and wait for a while. And even though I knew it was the right thing to do (and I know why he was throwing up too, but still! Poor baby!) it was soooo nice to hear her say it.
Now it is 1 am. I've been up for 19 hours and am knackeed. But Tylor has been running around playing for a while, and then lying in my lap purring and dribbling for half an hour so I feel calm.
In this very moment he's gone to eat. I will stay up for another hour to see that he doesn't throw up again.
Thank god I'm off tomorrow. I might just sleep all day and only venture outdoors for a massage in the afternoon.
Plug Time!
Well, it seems the prolific young Joshua has become very difficult to keep up with recently--last week the third and final issue of his series Overlook hit stores.
Overlook is a gritty noir tale for mature readers written by Joshua Williamson, with art by Ale Aragon. The cover for #3 (below, left) is drawn by Ale with colors by Jacob Glaser. All three issues are available now (covers for #1 and #2 are shown below, right).
And what's this? DC comics is soliciting a Justice League of America 80-Page Giant which includes a story written by the same Joshua Williamson? And it also features a story written by yet another pal, Derek Fridolfs? And it's on sale September 30th, for $5.99?
Excellent work gentlemen--can't wait to read it!
Overlook is a gritty noir tale for mature readers written by Joshua Williamson, with art by Ale Aragon. The cover for #3 (below, left) is drawn by Ale with colors by Jacob Glaser. All three issues are available now (covers for #1 and #2 are shown below, right).
click above for larger view
And what's this? DC comics is soliciting a Justice League of America 80-Page Giant which includes a story written by the same Joshua Williamson? And it also features a story written by yet another pal, Derek Fridolfs? And it's on sale September 30th, for $5.99?Excellent work gentlemen--can't wait to read it!
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Flying High
Here's a painting I originally posted a week or so ago on my FACEBOOK
Title: "Flying High"
I did it for my "Creature Design" class coming soon on Schoolism.com!
Just like Kei, I hope to make the group on FACEBOOK a little more special by posting some images there first. :)
The image below is 1600x1200. I made it into a new wallpaper available on our site, so feel free to download it and use it or email it to friends!
Bobby
On another note, Kei, T, Peter and I will be hanging out in Charlotte with some very cool artists at the Heroes Con! Where's Clint? You coming? Hope to see you again as well ;) Good times!
Title: "Flying High"
I did it for my "Creature Design" class coming soon on Schoolism.com!
Just like Kei, I hope to make the group on FACEBOOK a little more special by posting some images there first. :)
The image below is 1600x1200. I made it into a new wallpaper available on our site, so feel free to download it and use it or email it to friends!
Bobby
On another note, Kei, T, Peter and I will be hanging out in Charlotte with some very cool artists at the Heroes Con! Where's Clint? You coming? Hope to see you again as well ;) Good times!
I ate 23 tacos in the past week...
Not all at once, but over the course of 6 meals. Here's the breakdown:
Even while I was painting this piece in Photoshop, I was still desperately craving tacos. I decided that 23 was probably a good place to stop for the moment, and instead just dreamed of tacos while eating yogurt and granola. This piece took me about an hour.
ME WANT FOOD!
Tuesday (lunch@ Tacos Por favor):In case you haven't picked up on it yet, I highly recommend both Tacos Por Favor, Tito's Tacos, and Coppelia's to anyone living in the Los Angeles area.1 carne asada taco 2 chorizo and cheese tacos 1 chicken taquito
Tuesday (dinner@ Tito's Tacos):5 beef tacos
Wednesday (lunch@ Tacos Por favor):1 carne asada taco 2 chorizo and cheese tacos 1 beef taquito
Thursday (dinner@ Tito's Tacos):4 beef tacos 1 bean/beef/cheese burrito
Saturday (lunch@ Coppelia's Bakery & Cafe):2 beef tacos (soft) 2 chicken tacos (soft) 2 chicken empanadas 1 slice of tres leches cake
Sunday (lunch@ Coppelia's Bakery & Cafe):4 beef tacos (soft) 1 beef empanada 2 beef flautas 1 slice of tres leches cake
Even while I was painting this piece in Photoshop, I was still desperately craving tacos. I decided that 23 was probably a good place to stop for the moment, and instead just dreamed of tacos while eating yogurt and granola. This piece took me about an hour.
ME WANT FOOD!
Monday, June 15, 2009
I entered an animation contest, and I would be honored if you would vote for my show concept. 11th row down far right. Jolly and Roger's misguided adventures. please go to this link. http://bit.ly/x7P75 or CLICK ON THE TITLE ABOVE.
voting ends on the 26th
Thanks
Hedge Monster
Here's a sketch I originally posted on my FACEBOOK
It's a special sketch of a painting that's on my to do list...I hope to make the group on FACEBOOK a little more special by posting some images there first.
This one is called "Hedge Monster Sketch"
<3 Kei
they got married!
My wonderful brother Po and his wonderful girlfriend of 10 years - Janna - got married on Saturday afternoon in an allotment garden here in Stockholm.
It was a special day, a lovely evening and a crazy night, where we ate cake, drank champagne and cocktails, talked and laughed into the early hours of Sunday morning.
Needless to say I dressed accordingly to the occation:
- Very expensive and pretty dress bought for the day in question
- old warm, wooly cardigan bought 14 years ago in a H&M in London
- gorgeous, warm socks borrowed from my friend Katarina
- and my faithful wellies.
Well, it was raining, after all! In the background you can see one of the winesses - Lisa (I was the other witness) - and the judge who wed the happy couple.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Fan Art Contest winners!
Hi all,
After reviewing the 200+ entries we received, we were very overwhelmed by the creativity and effort put into these amazing entries.
This is our very first contest and we are all very impressed. It was definitely a hard decision, we wish we could award everyone a prize. Instead of awarding one winner we have decided to award a total of 13 winners. Each one will receive a 'Guy Sketches' book signed with original sketches inside by Kei and myself
And now its time to announce the winners of the 'Imaginism Fan-Art Contest':
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE WINNERS PAGE
After reviewing the 200+ entries we received, we were very overwhelmed by the creativity and effort put into these amazing entries.
This is our very first contest and we are all very impressed. It was definitely a hard decision, we wish we could award everyone a prize. Instead of awarding one winner we have decided to award a total of 13 winners. Each one will receive a 'Guy Sketches' book signed with original sketches inside by Kei and myself
And now its time to announce the winners of the 'Imaginism Fan-Art Contest':
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE WINNERS PAGE
Friday, June 12, 2009
Let's get soot-faced
I'm continuing to build a generic archetypical noir cast. Here's a soot-faced street urchin:
I feel like my paints got too fussy on this one, not enough bold strokes. And the contrast stinks! Also it was meant to be less dingy and a bit more green. Oh well...
I'm not sure if I'm going to do more of these--we'll see if the weekend washes me back to nerdy shores, or if I continue on this path a bit longer.
I feel like my paints got too fussy on this one, not enough bold strokes. And the contrast stinks! Also it was meant to be less dingy and a bit more green. Oh well...
I'm not sure if I'm going to do more of these--we'll see if the weekend washes me back to nerdy shores, or if I continue on this path a bit longer.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
FREE BOOK GIVEAWAY
Passion for Life is my latest book, giving insight into my philosophies in life drawing and life itself. With over 200 figure drawings in many different styles and techniques, Passion for Life will inspire and give you a look into the art of life drawing with a whole new perspective never seen before. Passion for life, and all it contains is an insightful book, not just for the drawings, but the message it sends. The quotes, and inspirational thoughts, are not just for artists, but for anyone who aspires to be happy, content and productive.
What I would like to do again is giveaway 2 free copies. I have found that many artists are working but not following their real passion, and have the desire to do something different with their art other than what it is they are actually doing. So I ask this question?
If you woke up tomorrow and had the opportunity to be doing that one special thing you really want to be doing, what would it be?
All you have to do is leave a comment on my blog http://www.stephensilver.blogspot.com and put your website or blog URL so people can see what you do. There is no right or wrong,I will place everyone's name in a bowl and pick the two winners on Monday, June 29th.
And if you can't wait, you can order my book directly @ http://silvertoons.com/store.html or click on the title. All books come signed with an original sketch of course.
Good luck!
CG Arena Step by Step
I recently did a step by step for CG Arena's digital art magazine. I received my copy of the magazine the other day and was surprised to see that they used my painting as the cover! My friend Nathan didn't know he'd be a "Cover Guy"?
scary hairy
I went to have my eyebrows tinted and shaped today. Usually I do it myself, but every now and again it is nice to have a professional looking after my unruly eyebrows.
She (the beautician) started plucking. Then asked if she could use a thread to get rid of all the small hairs. I've only read about this technique before, and was keen to try it. It worked wonders.
Then she asked me if I wanted her to get rid of my moustache too. I didn't really know I had one, but said yes as it was obviously there if she wanted to remove it. It hurt like mad, and judging from the hairs that went flying up my nose, I must've had a mega growth on my upper lip.
Then, without asking, she continued to remove hairs from my chin! Surely to god I didn't have hairs there too? But yes, judging from the pain as she removed them there were plenty of them...
When she stopped, asked if she should remove the hairs from my cheeks too I had to put my foot down. I might be hairy, but I'm no bloody santa claus!!! She made me feel as if I shouldn't leave the house in the mornings without shaving my face.
If there are hairs on my cheeks they can stay there, god damn it.
Oh, I forgot to mention my eyebrows are looking absolutely gorgeous though...
She (the beautician) started plucking. Then asked if she could use a thread to get rid of all the small hairs. I've only read about this technique before, and was keen to try it. It worked wonders.
Then she asked me if I wanted her to get rid of my moustache too. I didn't really know I had one, but said yes as it was obviously there if she wanted to remove it. It hurt like mad, and judging from the hairs that went flying up my nose, I must've had a mega growth on my upper lip.
Then, without asking, she continued to remove hairs from my chin! Surely to god I didn't have hairs there too? But yes, judging from the pain as she removed them there were plenty of them...
When she stopped, asked if she should remove the hairs from my cheeks too I had to put my foot down. I might be hairy, but I'm no bloody santa claus!!! She made me feel as if I shouldn't leave the house in the mornings without shaving my face.
If there are hairs on my cheeks they can stay there, god damn it.
Oh, I forgot to mention my eyebrows are looking absolutely gorgeous though...
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
the meaning of life
Today an acquaintance asked me if I've felt there is no point?
I said I wasn't sure in what context she meant.
She said "just no point. With anything. There just isn't any point with anything".
I haven't thought in those thoughts, but I think she is right. There isn't much point to anything. But does it matter? Does everything have to have a meaning? Do things have to have a meaning to be nice or interesting or enjoyable?
I guess there's always two ways of looking at something, isn't there?
I said I wasn't sure in what context she meant.
She said "just no point. With anything. There just isn't any point with anything".
I haven't thought in those thoughts, but I think she is right. There isn't much point to anything. But does it matter? Does everything have to have a meaning? Do things have to have a meaning to be nice or interesting or enjoyable?
I guess there's always two ways of looking at something, isn't there?
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
She had a beauty mark, a crucifix, and lips that could kill...
An equally noir-ish femme fatal to go with last week's hardboiled detective.
100% digital, just like the last... probably took me about an hour and a half. Too long for a practice thingy, but as I've said, I'm quite slow at coloring.
100% digital, just like the last... probably took me about an hour and a half. Too long for a practice thingy, but as I've said, I'm quite slow at coloring.
Monday, June 8, 2009
I'm flapping
Just to let you know I haven't died - my absence from this blog is due to my scheduale being mental at the moment!
Today I did laundry, hoovered, ironed, cooked and dusted until 15.30.
16.00 I had a meeting at work (even though it is my day off).
17.00 I had a phone conference (even though it is my day off).
18.00 I'm due at my brother's for some last minute planning for the upcoming wedding.
Tomorrow morning I start work at 7.00.
I have a conference at 11-14.
14.00 I am due a meeting with a patient and her psychiatrist at the hospital (which means I need to leave the conference a tad early).
17.00 I have a meeting with a curator.
19.00 I'm off out for a compulsory dinner with the management group.
And so it goes on and on and on and on. I haven't really figured out when to sleep. To eat. To spend time with the boys.
When on earth will I have time to do the regular tasks at work such as economy, staff rotas and medication checks?
When will I have time to study for my exam which is due in two weeks time?
I'm flapping. Stressing out completely.
Today I did laundry, hoovered, ironed, cooked and dusted until 15.30.
16.00 I had a meeting at work (even though it is my day off).
17.00 I had a phone conference (even though it is my day off).
18.00 I'm due at my brother's for some last minute planning for the upcoming wedding.
Tomorrow morning I start work at 7.00.
I have a conference at 11-14.
14.00 I am due a meeting with a patient and her psychiatrist at the hospital (which means I need to leave the conference a tad early).
17.00 I have a meeting with a curator.
19.00 I'm off out for a compulsory dinner with the management group.
And so it goes on and on and on and on. I haven't really figured out when to sleep. To eat. To spend time with the boys.
When on earth will I have time to do the regular tasks at work such as economy, staff rotas and medication checks?
When will I have time to study for my exam which is due in two weeks time?
I'm flapping. Stressing out completely.
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Exclusives on Facebook!
Hi all,
Exclusive new paintings are on our Facebook pages! Check it out. Only members can see the images so JOIN UP!
CLICK HERE FOR BOBBY CHIU
CLICK HERE FOR KEI ACEDERA
Exclusive new paintings are on our Facebook pages! Check it out. Only members can see the images so JOIN UP!
CLICK HERE FOR BOBBY CHIU
CLICK HERE FOR KEI ACEDERA
Friday, June 5, 2009
arse
I'm attending a wedding next weekend. A rather special one. So I've been looking for a dress to wear. Not just any dress, but a dress that is suitable for the occation as well as for my rather voluptuous figure.
Today I found it. It is just the most perfect, wonderful, funky dress in bright colours. It was just hanging there, lonely on a hanging rail in a shop. the last one. And it was two sizes too small.
Bugger and arse! Any good tips on how to loose about two stone in a week anyone?
Today I found it. It is just the most perfect, wonderful, funky dress in bright colours. It was just hanging there, lonely on a hanging rail in a shop. the last one. And it was two sizes too small.
Bugger and arse! Any good tips on how to loose about two stone in a week anyone?
Not an egg...
... but hardboiled nonetheless. Just a little practice painting (in Photoshop) of a random, nameless, sardonic private detective. Probably a tangential subconscious sideffect of borrowing The Thin Man (both the book and the movie) from Ren:
I feel like I might be a little burnt out on my usual fan-art fare? I still have an unlimited number of pieces that I want to draw and post, but I just can't seem to get it together these days... maybe a few more of these painting exercises will do me good. We'll see--my muse is capricious! I call her Blogonia.
._.
I feel like I might be a little burnt out on my usual fan-art fare? I still have an unlimited number of pieces that I want to draw and post, but I just can't seem to get it together these days... maybe a few more of these painting exercises will do me good. We'll see--my muse is capricious! I call her Blogonia.
._.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
She-nobi
Josh and I were chatting over the internets through the miracle of modern technology, and I drew this kunoichi with a program built into the IM program:
I added the type in Photoshop, naturally. I admit, this post is at least partially motivated by laziness... but on the other hand, I am genuinely happy with how this doodle came out. It's nice to bust out something spontaneous and simple every now and then, without all the planning, nerdy research, and pointless attempts at perfectionism.
I added the type in Photoshop, naturally. I admit, this post is at least partially motivated by laziness... but on the other hand, I am genuinely happy with how this doodle came out. It's nice to bust out something spontaneous and simple every now and then, without all the planning, nerdy research, and pointless attempts at perfectionism.
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