Steven's Sketch Blog

May the force be with you

2011-12-10T15:53:00.002-05:00

I'm eventually going to start painting Star Wars characters. This will be the first one after I make some changes and get around to painting it.

2011-12-10T15:51:00.001-05:00

Sketches for a Christmas card I may or may not make + random doodles

The one that got away

2011-12-10T15:50:00.002-05:00

Haven't seen you in quite a while

2011-11-11T16:56:00.003-05:00

I haven't really painted anything since the summer time so I should change that. I've been sketching alot, but that stuff is staying in my sketchbook for now..

I did this back in August for a friend..

The first attempt looked awful. I was happier with this version.

Doodlebug

2011-06-24T03:13:00.000-04:00

I found this guy in my garden the other day getting ready to give a gift to his sweetie. so I decided to paint him before he crawled away!

Pinup

2011-06-23T14:13:00.001-04:00

Final version of my earlier WIP

WIP

2011-06-21T23:23:00.001-04:00

Just a little Work in Progress

Wow

2011-06-12T15:56:00.001-04:00

It's been a long time since I've done something. In the past 6 months I have moved and have been working two teaching jobs. Here is alittle something I did for a contest

Calvin and Hobbes vs. The World

2011-01-26T18:15:00.001-05:00

Done in Photoshop.

I know I messed up the shadows with the lighting.. Still need to work on lighting stuff properly..

Underwater

2011-01-19T15:51:00.002-05:00

A sweet little underwater scene.

Created in Photoshop

Rainy Day

2011-01-17T14:22:00.001-05:00

His day is off to a great start!
Done for a http://sketchoholic.com contest

It's So Fluffy!

2010-12-22T16:28:00.000-05:00

My girlfriend loves Despicable Me and one of her favorite lines is when Agnes yells out "It's so fluffy!"

I decided to paint this for her as a Christmas gift.

Jeboa

2010-12-15T20:57:00.002-05:00

For a one hour contest.. Followed a reference and did it in Photoshop

I have to start on some Christmas themed stuff!

Panda

2010-12-12T21:00:00.003-05:00

Done in Photoshop. Needs some more work, but limited timewise due to contest rules.

Misc

2010-11-24T20:44:00.002-05:00

Topic was Horn
Inbred Unicorn

Here are some misc illustrations I did in marker and colored pencils. I really like working with markers lately.

Opt Out Day

2010-11-24T20:43:00.003-05:00

This is a quick illustration I did for National Opt- Out Day.

http://www.optoutday.com/

Alien Bug

2010-11-18T13:55:00.000-05:00

Done in markers and colored pencils

Buddies

2010-11-10T16:00:00.001-05:00

Afterward

2010-11-07T22:11:00.002-05:00

After the little girl succumbed to the illness she was went to a place where all her wishes came through...

Up High

2010-11-05T19:33:00.002-04:00

This was for a contest on another website. The topic was zombie giraffe. The lion thought he'd be safe up in the tree away from the other zombie animals... He thought wrong.

Baby Dragon

2010-11-05T12:27:00.003-04:00

I originally did it for an hour long contest, but I didn't like the way it turned out so I repainted it in grey and white this morning. I like this version much better...

Here is the contest version. Done in just under an hour.
And the original sketch.

Speeeeeeeeeeeed Paint

2010-11-03T21:16:00.000-04:00

45 minute speed paints for a contest

Owl

2010-11-01T20:54:00.000-04:00

Speed paint for a contest. Took about 45 minutes

Zombie Ghostbuster

2010-10-28T12:22:00.001-04:00

Zombie Ghostbuster... Who ya gonna call? It better be somebody else...

For the sketchoholic contest. The topic was a zombie in a Halloween Costume.... Maybe I'll do the rest of the cast or another movie...

Almost Halloween

2010-10-27T16:47:00.003-04:00

Sketched in color pencil finished up in Photoshop

Original

After some light photoshop work

Lunch Break

2010-10-27T11:39:00.001-04:00

I've been working on this for a few weeks on and off.. I think I'm finally done with it..

R.I.P. Dylan

2010-10-17T14:34:00.001-04:00

Dylan
July 2, 1998 - October 17, 2010

Lunch Break Rough Color Study

2010-10-11T22:47:00.001-04:00

This is a rough study for a project I'm going to begin working on titled, "Lunch Break"

Any critiques are welcome

Crying Creature

2010-10-11T11:36:00.002-04:00

Latest entry for the daily sketch contest on Sketchoholic. Topic was Crying Creature

A little update

2010-10-09T13:51:00.005-04:00

Went to NY Comic Con yesterday and met and spoke to alot of great people! I have a whole bunch of new art sites to visit regularly. I spent some time talking to Bobby Chiu and he gave me some great advice. Thanks Bobby! Money has been tight so I only bought the newest Imaginism book and Steven Silver's new sketchbook, plus a gift for my girlfriend as today is her birthday. There were so many prints I wanted to purchase..maybe sometime in the future!

Speaking of which, I made this for her.. She has these two stuffed animals, a giant Gorilla with big green leprechaun hat named Jiggles, and a little beanie baby monkey named Coconut. I thought it would be fun to paint them in a portrait for her.. I spent a lot of time on this and am pretty happy with the way it came out!

Ut oh

2010-10-06T17:55:00.002-04:00

45 minute speedpaint for a sketchoholic.com contest

Time to do some Halloween stuff!

Whiskers

2010-10-04T19:36:00.001-04:00

For a contest... Not too thrilled with it..

Fat Belly

2010-10-04T10:07:00.001-04:00

An eagle with a fat belly

Spaceship

2010-08-25T15:07:00.001-04:00

Quick 30 minute speedpainting

Bad Dreams

2010-08-19T18:58:00.005-04:00

This was inspired by many nights laying awake in bed because I was afraid of the dark when I was a little boy!

Illustration Friday - Star Gazing

2010-08-13T12:21:00.002-04:00

This is my entry for the latest Illustration Friday topic, star gazing

Evil Teddy Ruxpin

2010-08-02T20:07:00.003-04:00

"Hello I'm Teddy Ruxpin, can you and I be friends....for ever?"

2010-07-23T14:49:00.003-04:00

This is my first submission since school ended. I think I'm ready to start drawing and painting again!

Big Update

2010-05-23T10:39:00.002-04:00

The first of a series of illustrations of the 'Up' squirrel joke. It was my own take on the character.

Map of the Mediterranean Sea
Mock Hershey's Valentine's Ad

Happy Easter!

2010-04-04T23:32:00.001-04:00

This is my Easter card

Easter Bunny

2010-03-30T13:19:00.001-04:00

One of my work sketches. Happy Easter!

New stuff

2010-03-12T18:05:00.002-05:00

I work in a school for kids with aspergers/autism/special needs. During my class's art period, while they're working away, I sit in the back drawing. I'll try to post my daily sketches (that I don't give away to the students.)

Both are for the Chiu Stream Cute and Creepy contest.

Polar Bear....in France?

2010-03-09T22:42:00.003-05:00

For an illustration project.. I'm happy with the way it came out as it took me a long time to do.. Banner head was added for the class project.

Hookah Smokin' Caterpillar

2010-02-22T21:00:00.002-05:00

Big Mouth Bunny Eating Sluggo

2010-02-19T18:36:00.002-05:00

Pen Sketch

2010-02-16T17:02:00.000-05:00

A quick pen sketch on this snowy afternoon!

Second Cheshire Cat

2010-02-16T00:30:00.004-05:00

My second Cheshire cat entry for the Chiustream.. I really tried to pull the shape. I did a lot of post production work in Photoshop.

My pencil work was inspired by a french artist, Benjamin Lacombe. I really like how he renders his characters and wish I had 1/100th the talent he has!

This is the drawing before any of the Photoshop changes.

Cheshire Cat

2010-02-14T16:54:00.002-05:00

For the Chiustream contest. Redesign the Cheshire Cat

Chiustream Dodo

2010-02-12T18:01:00.002-05:00

Dodo submission for the Chiustream.. Took me about 50 minutes to do..

Self

2010-02-12T16:59:00.004-05:00

I did a highly stylized (dream) self portrait of myself to practice toning techniques.. The scan makes everything look too dark...

Obamavelt

2010-02-09T16:29:00.002-05:00

For my illustration class.. Wish I could caricature better..

Shooting star redo!

2010-01-11T16:32:00.004-05:00

Made some changes after a few suggestions from a good artist friend of mine! Most notably, I made the kid larger and tried to highlight the shooting star more..

First post of the year!

2010-01-04T18:27:00.004-05:00

Happy New Year! Hope it is going well for everyone so far..

This is my first illustration of the new year and decade. It's for the Children's Illustration topic on Deviant Art. The theme was "Shooting Star". I couldn't wait to get this one done once I came up with the idea. He's seeing his first shooting star and he shares the moment with his best friend!

Also my Illustration Friday entry.. The topic was Renewal.. It's a new year, time to renew those old wishes and wish upon a shooting star!

Enjoy!

Happy New Year!

2009-12-31T11:20:00.001-05:00

Happy New Year!

Hope this coming year and decade treat you well!

Redhead

2009-12-26T18:27:00.001-05:00

I was recently accepted into the children's illustrator group on deviant art.. This was my submission for their December topic "Redhead".

Hope everyone had a happy holiday!

Happy Holidays!

2009-12-25T01:04:00.002-05:00

Merry Christmas!

-Steve

Art Show

2009-12-17T12:20:00.001-05:00

I'll have my work in an art show on Friday night at a small place where I've been taking classes. This is the piece I did for it!

Christmas Pinup

2009-12-15T16:03:00.002-05:00

My Pinup entry for the latest Chiu Stream contest... I don't think it's that great, but I'm better then I was last year at this time..

Final Project

2009-12-15T12:52:00.004-05:00

This was my final project for my digital painting class. We had to choose an existing book and do a spread for it and a cover .. I decided to do my own book.

Hope you enjoy!

Now on to some Christmas illustrations!

Snow Dog

2009-12-10T23:55:00.001-05:00

Poor guy is stuck in the snow with no where to go

Heroic Animal

2009-12-08T23:54:00.003-05:00

For a contest...wish me luck!

Also submitted to Illustration Friday 12/2/2010

Illustration Friday: Crunchy

2009-12-06T19:55:00.000-05:00

The leaves are crunchy this time of year!

I'm reposting this for my latest Illustration Friday entry.. Although the theme has to do with loneliness, I thought it was a good entry for this week's contest.

Dreams

2009-12-04T13:11:00.001-05:00

This is for the Wacom Dreams contest

Instead of using my own dream, I went simpler and wanted to express what our four legged best friend's dreams are...

His dream is for his best friend to come home and play with him instead of always being away and ignoring him..

New stuff!

2009-12-04T12:13:00.002-05:00

Something inspired by a lone tree I saw a few weeks ago.. I feel like I should do more with it, but I don't know what....
For the Jason Seiler caricature contest on Schoolism.com from 12/3
This is a project for my 2D paint class

R.I.P. Ditto

2009-11-16T11:46:00.001-05:00

R.I.P. Ditto October 30, 1994 - Novemeber 16th 2009

Happy Halloween!

2009-10-31T11:57:00.000-04:00

Have a great day!

Morning sketch

2009-10-27T11:39:00.001-04:00

I did a quick sketch this morning of Frankenstein.. Enjoy and have a great day!

Space battle!

2009-10-25T16:51:00.004-04:00

Some Star Wars inspired ships duking it out in the upper atmosphere! I love Maya

Penguin!

2009-10-24T12:57:00.000-04:00

The first 3D character I modeled.. Based on the Madagascar Penguins.. Done in Maya

Latest Work

2009-10-23T13:11:00.001-04:00

Finished up my Dragon project.. Also my attempt at an illuminated letter "S"

V-Wing Fighter

2009-10-23T13:10:00.003-04:00

My second project for my 3D modeling class.. I call it the V-Wing fighter!

Trick or Treat!

2009-10-21T17:49:00.004-04:00

Some Halloween themed stuff I've been working on!

Illustration Friday: Skinny submission 10/31/09... They're not going to remain skinny eating all that candy!

3D Modeling progress

2009-10-18T13:29:00.002-04:00

Here is my final room project!

Trying to work on some halloween themed stuff for the blog...Keep checking back!

Dragon

2009-10-09T14:39:00.002-04:00

For a project I'm working on...

30

2009-09-22T17:03:00.001-04:00

Happy Birthday to me!

Pirate Creature

2009-09-19T12:53:00.001-04:00

Doomed drooling thing

2009-09-18T22:15:00.003-04:00

Rut Row

Evil Pikachu

2009-09-18T22:14:00.001-04:00

For Chu stream art contest.

Jumped in toward the end and did it fast!

Mush drooling creature

2009-09-14T22:58:00.000-04:00

Meat Eating Glo-Smiley Fish

2009-09-13T00:41:00.001-04:00

After watching Bobby Chiu's live broadcast tonight, I was all fired up to draw. I liked using the toned background, because you can really bring out the highlights.

This is the Meat Eating Glo-Smiley Fish

This is the Lethargic Big-Toenailed Frog

Some new stuff

2009-09-11T20:32:00.003-04:00

Here are some things I have been working on!

The first two pictures are eyes I made..one in color and one in black in white..Just to try to get a feel for painting on the canvas without any outline.

This is a picture of George Clooney for a project I'm working on. Although, I didn't capture the likeness too well. I like how it is coming along...Any suggestions?

Here is another picture I worked on this evening for myself.. I call it "Look!"

First day of school

2009-09-03T12:33:00.001-04:00

My first day back at school. This time for art! Taking a life drawing class, a dynamic figure drawing class, introduction to computer painting and 2D art, and an introduction course to 3D animation.

New friend!

2009-09-01T16:37:00.004-04:00

Happy September! Nothing better then drawing outside on a beautiful day!

Abby made a new friend..

Also for Illustration Friday's topic...Magnify

Lazy Days of School

2009-08-31T17:53:00.004-04:00

School is starting up this week for kids in my area.. This is for them!

I'll also be starting my 2nd B.A. degree in Digital Illustration and 3D Animation.. I guess it is for me as well!

Sad News

2009-08-31T17:52:00.004-04:00

I wonder what she could be reading?

I also tried to work some tone into this one. .. Gotta get better at that!

Outside

2009-08-31T17:50:00.001-04:00

Did this one of a tree and some bushes in my backyard. Maybe I'll add more to it.
I was really just trying to work on tone and color with this drawing.

Redraw..

2009-08-31T17:46:00.003-04:00

This is a 'redrawing' of a sketch I did about a year ago..

I like this version much better! What do you think?

New stuff

2009-08-31T17:46:00.002-04:00

I did this before I went to bed the other night! Just some quick head sketches

More profile head views. Really trying to work on this and get better!

These rabbits were inspired by a Bobby Chiu drawing that is currently on his Deviant Art page! I also did some sketches of a couple of frogs and my dog's head.

500 Days of Summer

2009-08-25T18:19:00.004-04:00

I tried to do a quick character study of Zooey Deschanel's character from 500 Days of Summer.
Still haven't figured out how to make a painting look decent without turning off the undersketch.. I didn't get the pose right either and her neck is longish.. I think that's mainly because I haven't mastered drawing directly with my Wacom yet.. I seem to be hit and miss with it.. Oh well!

If you haven't seen this movie go see it!

Update:
Did some adjustments.. Don't think it looks much better. Might take this one to my sketchbook and try to hand draw the pose so I can get the head angled right..

Glad she brought her umbrella

2009-08-21T22:52:00.002-04:00

This is my latest Illustration Friday entry. She was cautious and brought her umbrella!

Sad girl..

2009-08-21T18:44:00.001-04:00

I did this on my tablet and colored it in Photoshop. What do you think?

I like how the texture came out..

Illustration Friday - Impatience

2009-08-08T13:32:00.002-04:00

This is my latest Illustration Friday entry.. The girl is impatiently waiting for the phone call that will never come... I'm sure we've all been there!

Can't wait to take that digital painting class this fall, so I know what I'm doing!

Here is the original sketch

30 Minute Sketches Week 26

2009-08-08T12:48:00.001-04:00

My latest 30 minute sketches entry from ImagineFX

30 Minute Sketches

2009-07-31T20:41:00.002-04:00

Here is my latest entry to the 30 minute sketches on the ImaginFX forums.. Here is the link!

Illustration Friday - Idle

2009-07-24T20:16:00.003-04:00

This is my Illustration Friday entry. The topic was Idle.

Enjoy!

Comments always welcome!

IF Friday: Tango

2009-07-23T20:54:00.000-04:00

My first illustration Friday entry in a long time. The topic was tango. I did this quickly in pencil based on a reference I found online, then slapped some color (sloppily..gotta get better at that) on it. Enjoy!

Here is the original pencil sketch

Some new stuff!

2009-07-23T20:00:00.005-04:00

Finally an update!

I've attempted to restart the 30 minute sketches challenge on the ImaginFX forums. Here is the result. The topics were draw a pinup model, your favorite animal, and something that reminds you of summer!

This is a model sheet for a character we had to come up with at a cartooning class I take once a week. I came up with a cute puppy and tried to explore his/her personality. I based it somewhat on my dog Abby, who died last September.

Also another one of my puppy character. How do you get rid of the black smudges on the scan? Is the quality too high when I scan it that it is picking up everything imprinted on the page?

Here is a boy stuck on monkeybars. Based on something that I witnessed at the afterschool program I used to work at. The dog wasn't there..

Here is a girl I sketched from the web for practice

I hope you enjoy everything. As always, comments, suggestions and criticisms are welcome!

Enjoy your week!

Long time...

2009-04-28T16:40:00.003-04:00

It has been a while since I posted anything, but that doesn't mean I haven't been drawing alot! I just haven't really scanned anything. In fact, the amount of artwork I have been doing has increased over the last few months. I've also been taking a cartooning class at a local art school in my area. It has really helped me learn some basic fundamentals I've been lacking, get feedback on my work, and keep my motivated.

I've also made the decision to go back to school for animation and digital illustration and today I was officially accepted to William Paterson University's BFA program. While I don't really plan on completing the 99 credit program, I was able to make an arrangement with the dean of the college to allow me to take the course I want and have the prereqs waived. This will be great. I'll be able to take classes and learn the fundamentals and all the programs I need without having the take some ridiculous requirements. I will be taking them more as a continuing education students. If i want to go back and finish the requirements that will always be an option as well. Having a BA from the school and an MA helped. I am very excited to be going back to school, especially for something that I'm interested in. I really can't wait to start taking some of the digital art classes.

Some stuff

2009-02-16T18:42:00.005-05:00

Here are some drawings I did of a girl dressed in a Princess Leia costume. I need to figure out how to make the drawing 'jump out'. It was more of a life drawing exercise for me, but she was definitely enjoyable to look at! I wonder where these girls hang out?

Also some random sketches and doodles done last month.

Sorry about the poor quality of the scans. Enjoy!

A long time

2009-02-15T21:40:00.002-05:00

Sorry for the lack of updates. I've been drawing alot, but everything has been in my sketchbooks and I haven't scanned anything yet.

I went to NY Comic Con last week and it was great to meet some of my favorite artists! I chatted with Alberto Ruiz and David Coleman and they both gave me some great advice! I picked up "The Art of Animal Character Design" and "Confessions of a Process Junkie" and my personal favorite, "Eye Candy From Strangers Vol. I". All the books are excellent especially "The Art of Animal..". There are alot of great tips in that one!

I've been thinking of going back to school for 3D Design and Character Animation at William Paterson University. The hold up is the classes are held during the day which would prevent me from working a 'regular' job, and I don't know if I want to saddle myself with another 15k in loans as I am still paying off my graduate loans. I don't know what I want to do at this point, but I really lost my drive to become a teacher, so I'm in a holding pattern right now....