WHERE DID I GO?

SO...after that first Star Wars gig, Star Wars Galactic Files Series 2, for Topps I continued on taking baby steps into the world of sketch cards, following up with my next assignment on Mars Attacks: Invasion. I was pretty stoked because I loved the idea of being able to contribute to a new concept adding to the amazing original series released back in the '60s. New bugs, mutants and Martians!

Mars Attacks: Invasion

After that I was fortunate to be asked back for a new set of Star Wars trading cards called Star Wars Illustrated: A New Hope! The set was based on the radio drama from the early '80s. As a kid I would tune in every week and listened religiously to an expanded universe I was crazy to know more about. Yeah, no tablets, phones or fancy gadgets to watch Star Wars back then cept a VCR. With the radio drama you had to imagine what it all looked like in your head! Crazy, right? While working on these I took a trip to the New York Comic Con for the second year in a row to check it out and see what it's like. One day I'll maybe make it in their artist alley so I wanted to see what I might be getting into. My hotel was coincidentally next to the Topps building and it seemed like maybe something was coming full circle with my artwork. Something...in the Force. For once I was working on a professional gig and was travelling to NYC and working on these cards in the big city! A tiny slice of my ultimate dream to live there and pursue my artwork!

Star Wars Illustrated: A New Hope

So at this point I'm rolling along and after coming back from a trip to NYCC, I decide it's time to move on from my pretty all-consuming job at the time and find something to balance out the time I was going to need to dedicate to my artwork. I took two months off at the holidays and found something a lot less involved. During my time off I reached out to other trading card companies, sending emails with samples of my cards and landed a gig with one of my favorite companies called Monsterwax. My first set was Legendary Lovecraft. While I was vaguely familiar with the works of Lovecraft I had no idea how amazing and influential his writing was until I jumped into reading it all. A great deal of modern horror sci-fi has roots in his ideas from Alien, Predator, The Thing and so much more. To see how much of the movies I have loved my whole life were influenced by Lovecraft blew me away. This dude was the real deal! Some of his descriptions are pretty crazy detailed but it was an awesome challenge trying to capture his vision in that set of sketch cards. The really cool part was that there was little visual reference or illustrations for Lovecraft stories so I had to interpret these creatures as faithfully as I could from my head. These cards have a lot of personal value to me because I did them at time when things were changing in a big way for my artwork.

Legendary Lovecraft

From Antarctica it was back to a galaxy far, far away! Star Wars Chrome Perspectives was really nifty! The cards were smaller and they were inserted into a framed card which created a really beautiful collectible! I'm a nut for monsters and aliens so I had to draw Hoover, a Swamp Snake and other obscure creatures for the set!

Star Wars Chrome Perspectives

SWCP Final Product with the frame (AP Vader in Flames)

From this point on I had some down time between card sets and decided to submit samples of my work to be considered for the Star Wars Celebration Art Show in Anaheim. But that is for another post! For this entry, I'll just say that I made it to the concept round which was really cool but I didn't make the final cut. That was an experience in itself and I learned a lot from it. Working on official Star Wars sketch cards for Topps qualified me for eligibility as you can only submit if you have done work for Lucasfilm or one of their licensees. It was a tremendous opportunity to have some really cool people see my work that just doesn't happen every day. I learned so much that I want to write about all of that separately. I've never found any real documentation of artists experiences who have the opportunity to be considered for a Celebration Art Show. So for anyone thinking about going for it one day maybe my experience will help in some way. But again, that's for another post some other day.

Back in the saddle for more sketch cards, I had two sets for Monsterwax back to back with Monsters & Maniacs followed by Dinosaur Galaxy! Monsters & Maniacs I felt really was some of my best work. I hit a stride in the middle of those cards and they might be my favorite sketch cards to date. I think my line work really pops in those! Dinosaur Galaxy was another big leap with composition as I added more backgrounds and multiple creatures. Both sets had some fun colors too!

So here we are now!

I just wrapped three new sets! One is Star Wars Illustrated: The Empire Strikes Back and the other two I have not been given the green light to show my work yet. Both are my first sets for new companies I hope will lead to many more exciting projects down the road.

Oh! I am also working on two other sets I can't say anything about yet either. One I could say is a follow up to a set I've done before and the other is such an honor to be involved with because of the history of the set. I promise it will be really cool stuff!

Then there's an awesome secret project for an online comic I have the great fortune to be involved with as well. It's a humbling experience as it's with some amazing writers and artists headed by my own personal Obi-Wan Kenobi. Yeah, can't say anything about that one either.

For more current news on what I am up to, check me out on Facebook here https://www.facebook.com/tyrantdrawnwest or for ALL of my artwork you can always see my work on Deviant Art here http://tyrant-1.deviantart.com/.

Stay tuned as I delve into the world of commissions and conventions. Woohoo!!!

Thanks for the support!

 

 

 

 

Rollercoasters Move Forward!

Yeah, I know there are some that can go backward...but whatever!

 

I have been away from the Blog forever so I thought I should add a post to catch things up!

So much has happened since delving into the world of sketch cards and while I could tell u about all kinds of ups and downs and twists and turns the rollercoaster has made, I'll just share what I have been able to take from the ride so far...hope it doesn't come across as preachy...ALL of these thoughts r based on some event or circumstance I've experienced that were a kick in the head...and my head just about turned to mush! lol

•  sometimes things r taking shape beyond your ability to know or see them...have a little faith it is still happening...because when it does happen u will feel like a knucklehead for thinking it wouldn't
• never give up...never give up...never give up...and make sure you never give up
• follow your instincts...even if something wonky happens u were probably telling yourself to do it because u needed to learn from it to move forward
• there will b ups and downs so don't get stuck on the down part for long because it won't stay there...really
• there r people looking out for u
• get feedback from the people who support u...the key word being "support"...u know who they r...the ones who help u move forward...they see what you can do and what u need help with
• believe it will happen (kinda like the first thought above but this is about believing...listen to the things Yoda says)...even if it doesn't happen when u want it to...there is a timing for everything
• don't psych yourself out or try to defeat yourself...u r absolutely the worst person that can talk u out of doing something (if u think the world is against u why join them?)...especially when u know it's what u need to do...so do it
• trust in the timing of things (as noted above)...things don't always happen when u want them to but when they r meant to happen
• keep moving forward...crash and burn or whatever epic fail u find yourself wrapped up in take inventory and move along...and realize that just might happen again (and again) before u get where u are headed
• reach out to people who know and have been there and listen to them...u don't know everything
• acknowledge those who have provided opportunities for u to move forward and make sure they know u appreciate what they have done for u...but don't be creepy...lol
• pass on what u have learned and help who u can help...pretty sure u didn't get where u r without a hand or two and whoever did was kind enough to do the same for u...and it's just what u gotta do

I don't know that I do all of this all of the time but I try to remind myself...the rollercoaster moves forward. (Yeah, I know the backward ones...WHATEVER!)

A Day Long Remembered

The 12 inch Darth Vader was the only thing in the world I wanted for my 5th birthday. We looked and looked and could never find one. I sat on my bed looking out of the window waiting for my dad to come home that day. I remember seeing my dad pull into the driveway carrying a present wrapped in green shiny paper with a big white bow. 

When I was a little kid I would draw Star Wars pictures. Darth Vader with a glowing lightsaber or TIE Fighters chasing X-wings. Big space battles with a Death Star and explosions everywhere...with the sound effects of course as I drew them. My mom and dad always told me one day maybe I would draw pictures of Star Wars for new movies and books and all kinds of stuff. They planted a seed in my head.

It's always been a dream of mine to draw Star Wars officially in some way shape or form.

Last August my wife and I attended the Star Wars Celebration in Orlando. She is the best and has always supported my art. When I saw Troy Alders from Lucasfilm would be reviewing portfolios, I had to go for a day or two, and she said lets go for the whole event. She is amazing! We were first in line for portfolio reviews!

As events unfolded going to see Troy reminded me of Neo going to see The Oracle in The Matrix. My only expectation was to see what advice he would give and hope he wouldn't tell me to keep my day job.

He was a super nice guy and had encouraging advice. He suggested I stop by several of the companies at the show and have them take a look at my work. He said my work was clean and very stylized and should be able to find work with someone there. That my style was suited for comics, t-shirts and also to maybe work on a larger scale (very cool cause I also paint murals).

Among the companies at the show, Topps was one of the ones he really suggested I go see. I was so stoked he said Topps. You see, I collected Topps Star Wars cards since I was that little kid in the picture above. Lots of Star Wars cards and lots of bubble gum. Two of my favorite things as a kid! I also collected the Galaxy card series religiously and was inspired so much by all of the artists on the set. I was fortunate to meet many of the artists at the Celebration and learn how they got into the industry. Super cool people and very kind to share their experience and advice.

My next stop at the Topps booth started to bring things full circle. It's all really too much to write in this entry but another encouraging portfolio review and some emails later...I have completed my first set of sketch cards for Star Wars Galactic Files Series 2.

When I got the invitation I read it like fifty times before I woke up my wife. I actually thought I clicked on the wrong folder. I thought it was an old email and I wasn't looking at my inbox. I thought it was also just a notification the series was coming out. No, it was an invitation to be a part of the series doing sketch cards. I ran downstairs like a little kid at Christmas. I told my wife. I called mom and dad. This was real. For real, real. I was going to draw Star Wars. I couldn't stop shaking for the next three hours. I also couldn't sleep that night.

I could not have done this with out a lot of people behind me along the way. Mom and dad are the best for encouraging me and believing in me. My wife is the best for being there to support me. My best pal Roger [link] who taught me so much I can't even say, has always been a huge inspiration. I also have to say thanks to Joe Hogan [link]. Dude has inspired and encouraged me along this path the last year. Joe's journey really made me think I could do this. Allen, your time is coming man. Thanks so much to all of you who have followed and supported my artwork and all of the kind words and inspirations you have shared.

It's been quite a journey to this point. I can't thank you enough and can't wait to share more of the journey ahead. 

So here are two sets for Star Wars Galactic Files Series 2:

That kid in the picture above. That's how I feel right now. Today I finally get to tell the world I drew Star Wars. 

It will be a day long remembered.

-Chris

GRIZZLY GHOULS FROM EVERY TOMB

Zombies.

Rotten dead bodies, severed limbs or any kind of gore disturbed me on a level I can't explain as a child. I think because to see stuff like that wasn't right in a certain way. I mean, your intestines go inside you. Not outside of you and certainly not for someone to eat. Same with blood. That goes on the inside, not on the outside.

When I was a kid I remember seeing Michael Jackson's Thriller video and it really freaked me out. Seeing these dead people dance around was a kind of contradiction I couldn't wrap my brain around. These were things that scared me. It was creepy but they were dancing crazy and it was pretty cool. Those two things weren't supposed to go together.

In recent years the whole zombie thing has grown in popularity. While these creatures run around with their shirts off or shredded they aren't the pretty people like werewolves and vampires have turned into. A shirtless zombie probably has torn flesh, a lung hanging out and a broken bloody protruding ribcage.

I know everyone is nuts for Walking Dead and I've tried to watch it. Only problem is every time I turn it on it's just a bunch of sweaty, dirty people making mean faces at each other trying to figure out how to avoid the zombies. From what I have seen it should be called Talking People, not Walking dead. Out of the six times I have tuned in, I saw one five minute segment with actual zombies in it. It was a barn full of zombies that all got shot in one big group. Some chick stuck a scythe in a zombie's head and that was awesome! But then they all started talking and arguing again and I got bored.

So, if you like zombies, whether they are the dancing kind or the kind that eat your brains, or got infected by some virus, or are the ones people just talk about, here are some recent sketch cards I was working on. For me, I just like to draw them. These creeps are drawn in pencil and inked on a 2.5 x 3.5 inch sketch card.

I hope you dig...dig, like you like them...not like dig them up.

Spent the last few days looking over some old posts going back over the last year and I didn't see this pic anywhere. Maybe I've missed it but I don't see it.

MR. FREEZE

My Cat Ate It

So I did this drawing of Jabba and really dig it. I plan on getting around to painting it in watercolors.

I usually throw whatever pic I'm working on in a folder and lug it around before I throw it in my portfolio. I think this pic is shaping up to be a pretty good one. Apparently so does my cat Jack. I left it out after getting distracted by whatever. He started to eat the corner of it and I found out too late. I've since restored it and have kept it away from him.

Boba Fett's Prize

I thought I would scan and post it before he goes into ninja stealth cat mode and finds a way to eat the rest of it.

I have always wanted to draw a scene of Boba Fett arriving at Jabba's court to present him with the frozen Han Solo. So here it is!

Looking through some of my previous artwork I felt I needed to put a little more into the images and create some scenes and environments that interested me....and hopefully you...and not just the cat.

Star Wars Episodes 7, 8 and 9

I know this blog is really always about my art but the news of the Lucas/Disney deal has my brain swirling. Considering a good chunk of work I post here is Star Wars stuff it's all related I guess.

I'm hoping the treatments George has thrown together stay away from the novelizations. I know there are people who like them but I think they are a snooze-fest for the most part. Some interesting ideas and characters here and there but not enough to carry another trilogy.

Things I think are a safe bet on Episodes 7, 8 & 9:

• You have read it here first! I am declaring the next primitive aliens will be some bird-like species most likely in Episode 8. Mammal Ewoks in Jedi. Reptilian Gungans in Menace.
• Luke as a similar role to Obi-Wan from the Original Trilogy
• R2 and 3PO will be back.
• I thought maybe Leia would be the leader of the New Republic but have back pedaled on that. As she also has Force abilities hinted at before, would make sense she is part of the foundation of the re-established Jedi. Maybe Lando is in some big shot role instead since he was Mr. Cloud City and a "respectable leader" as Han called him.
• Boba Fett will be back. No doubt with Temuera Morrison donning the armor this time. I think if Han is in there he will kill Fett. Maybe some super showdown of the Millennium Falcon Vs Slave One. Can hear Han uttering some classic sarcastic remark to Chewie (yeah he will be back too) as he says to "punch it!" and a little Thelma and Louise here we go to help save the battle.
• Palpatine always was talking smack about cheating death so I think he will be back in some way. Clone or something else. Unless Maul was brought back in Clone Wars to serve as the big baddie for the Sequels. But I don't think so. Even crazier would be if Sidious was actually Darth Plagueis. I know you are reading this and thinking I have gone off the deep end. When he speaks to Anakin he speaks as though it was someone else. Clearly that could just be the obvious angle he would tell Anakin the story in such away as to not reveal he was Sidious. But what if there was another twist? After all, people aren't always who they seem in these movies. 
• A new Sith Apprentice
• Another prophecy which follows up Anakin bringing Balance to the Force.

These are initial thoughts and none are confirmed or official by any means. I've just been watching this stuff since I was three years old.

Any thoughts?