Tom’s Art Adventures

I know it isn’t summer just yet, but I wanted to share an observation as we approach the season that typically has us looking forward to more social, outdoor activities.

Between iphones and blackberries, the wireless phenomenon has become pervasive. You might think at first that it all adds to everyone being isolated and in their own bubble. Instead of being at your computer all the time at the office or at home - ignoring more social activities, you can now have your “computer” in the palm of your hand everywhere you go. You’re always looking at your phone and not paying much attention to your surroundings. As a result, no real social interaction, right?

Well, it seems there’s a new trend emerging from this, and it’s sort of getting back to a more social experience. People are sharing things with each other not just through texting and emailing on these devices, but they’re actually holding their phones out to let their friends have a look at whatever is on their screen. So, they’re interacting with each other again. Every now and then I’ll see groups of people huddled around one guy or girl trying to get a glimpse of the latest “app” or “youtube video”. So maybe it’s a good thing.

Here’s a piece inspired by that latest observation. Based on a couple of photos I took at the 2008 San Diego Con. I used Sketchbook Pro and Photoshop CS.

This is the original Sketchbook Pro line art:

I hope this summer you’ll all enjoy more social activities too - even if it involves looking at your friend’s hand held device!

-Tom

As much as I really like the feel of the Wacom Cintiq and the sensitivity of the stylus, nothing beats the good ole pencil. I’m bouncing back and forth all the time between the two. It’s about sketching with the side of the pencil or going in with a freshly sharpened lead for fine line work, and on the other hand there’s multiple undos, the choice of tools and brushes that you get working digitally. Did I mention paper texture and line smoothness? Definitley two side of the coin.

Well it’s safe to say that I like certain things about both, so I’ll always have my sketch pad, HB pencil and pencil sharpener near my Cintiq work station. That’s the way it’s gonna stay.

Since, oh around 2003 when I joined Maverix Studios I was inspired to draw mostly the female figure - and while it’s been fun - believe me, I feel it’s time I change it up a little. Here’s a series of creatures I’ve done in the past month:

Here’s a some other creature sketches that I did using Alias Sketchbook Pro:

I’m going to do some more of these critters, but I’m also trying my hand at environments which I’ll be posting here soon. Thanks for peeking in!

Not only was it a busy holiday for me, but it took some time for a true winter girl to manifest for the season. My criterion for her is that she is observed during the winter months, is wearing cold weather (cold by Bay Area standards - our winters aren’t so harsh by comparison) clothing and is naturally beautiful.

I noticed her coming into a grocery store while I was in the check out line. The store was crowded and the line long enough to spend a little time people watching. She walked her shopping cart in a few yards from the entrance and stopped to scan the store. She tapped her thigh to the beat of the piped in pop music and then went on her way. That’s the story of Winter Girl for 2009 and this is the image that was impressed on me and what I can remember of her visage when I finally got to the drawing board a couple of days later. I used Sketchbook Pro on a 20″ Cintiq to sketch this one.

Happy New Year!

With the fall season now behind us and winter setting in (in some places harsher than others unfortunately), I had an itch to get this painting done before the end of the year. Before you know it it’ll be time for another Winter Girl piece. This was a 3 to 4 day project off and on. It was based on a blue sketch I did years ago at Colossal Pictures during some down time. I have a couple of progression images to show how I arrived at the final Photoshop CS painting.

Here’s what I ended up with:

Well that’s it for now. I wish you all a peaceful holiday season.

As many of you know, there have been a number of art exhibit/auctions at Maverix Studios. Not all of the art was sold, although there have been sell outs on occasion at these events. The entries by all the contributors have been great works of art and the buyers were bound to get good deals on the purchases. Well, now it’s time for me to put on a “clearing house” - if you will - of my own. I have sold some art at these exhibits myself, but I have plenty left in my flat file with pieces like this one:

There are 30 some odd pieces, both black & white and color if you’re at all interested. So look through the gallery and see if anything calls out to you, send me an email and we’ll work out the details. Click below or go to my website to see what’s for sale.

Thanks so much for dropping by and thanks in advance for considering a purchase or two.

Lately this foray back into the “Planet of the Apes” has taken me on an art adventure I’ll never forget. The most recent adventure was the honor of creating the cover art for the fall issue of Simian Scrolls #15. This being the 40th Anniversary of the original film, I recreated elements from the famous ending and composed a digital painting.

Here’s what it looks like without the text:

I cropped in a bit here. Turns out many of my colleagues like how Dr. Zaius was rendered the most.

Another exciting aspect of connecting with the Simian Scrolls folks is that Dan Morgan and I have been asked if we would contribute to the winter issue in some interior pages and talk about our Cornelius make up.

Other “Scrolls” covers can be seen and you can download past issues of the fanzine here.

First estimates are in at $201,236.00! That number is a sure fire sign that the night was a complete success. Fantastic job for the organizers of this event. I had a wonderful time at the auction held at Pixar this weekend. I met so many talented artists. It was a joy to find out that every piece sold too. The live auction was a blast with fast and furious bidding, making it an exciting experience.

Stay tuned for more on the outcome of the auction!

Well, if you’ve been to the site and have seen all the remarkable and beautiful art that’s up for the September 6th auction, then nows the time to get your tickets. They went on sale at 10AM today. Here’s the link:

https://totoro.spotlightboxoffice.com/purchase/step4?ticketID=1

Hope to see you all there!