24 - Wednesday

Figure drawing day!

23 - Tuesday

continued...

22 - Sunday

DAY 22
My buddy Doug came over today and agreed to sit for a quick portrait drawing... but somehow along the way it became a painting.

When he asked "What are you using?" I replied "I think it's either gouache or watercolor or a mix." I painted this by re-wetting dried puddles of paint on a palette I dug out of a box. The colors used were ultramarine, yellow ochre, and a bright red that I think might have been cadmium. Oh, and some white gouache.

FLATTING
Also: for some reason I've been getting a lot of emails about how to do flatting. I've mentioned before in past posts that flatting is a coloring technique for comic books and there are already tons of great demos online about how to do it. If you google "comic book flatting," the tutorial that I learned it from is actually the first thing that comes up, here.

Have a great day!



frank

21 - Saturday

Yesterday was hectic; the first day since starting the challenge that I didn't actually draw anything for myself :(

One of the many errands I ran was picking up my Yuki-Onna and Amanda Crow pieces from the framers and dropping them off at the Society of Illustrators for the Book & Editorial show, which opens January 28th. I'm going to be at the awards ceremony on Feb. 6th to celebrate. Hope to see you there!

While I was dropping off my editorial and book pieces, I took a couple of pictures of my piece in the Sequential exhibit, and had the rare opportunity to be the fly-on-the-wall as two older ladies looked at and discussed my ESPN comic. Some of the stuff they said was comical to me, but it was all flattering.



Also, I received my easel in the mail from my parents on Friday. WOO! I'm so excited to have it here with me. So many hundreds of hours have been spent standing or sitting in front of it. It's funny how something I used to take for granted now holds so much sentimental meaning to me. I can't wait to bust out the oils.


Lastly, here are today's sketches, drawn at Starbucks. I was really enjoying myself and could have spent all day there, but decided to head back to the studio and take care of some errands.

Thanks for reading,

frank

19 - thursday

the drawing I did on Wed., day 18 was kind of crappy so I'll spare you guys. Here's the octo-piece in progress. Still a ways to go, but close.


f.

day 17

This is my work from yesterday...

I made some changes to the Tiger's head, I like it much better now. Also, I continued flatting and played around a bit with colors.

Also, here's another drawing I started. Will keep you updated!


f.

16 - Monday

15 - Sunday

14 - Saturday

Missed Friday... but the quest for a panel continues.

I started inking this thing today, here's a detail. Also, I started a sketch for another piece. I'll show that soon.

By the way, the Society show last night was AWESOME. Lots of great work and a fun party to boot. The show is only up for another 10 days or so, then the editorial show goes up, so swing by as soon as you can.


frank

12 - Thursday

A lot of riding around on the subway today trying to get panels for painting... unsuccessful!

11 - Wednesday

Day 11


I took a personal day on Wed. and pretty much stayed away from the studio, trekking through Brooklyn -- Here's a sketchbook drawing I did while chillaxin on the couch.

Brooklyn
If you're ever in Brooklyn, here are some awesome places to check out:

1) Di Fara Pizza - off the Q line at Avenue J. The same guy has made pizza here by himself since 1964. The wait for your pie can easily be between 1 1/2 and 2 hours, but totally worth it. Easily the best pizza in New York.

2) Brooklyn Superhero Supply Co. - In Park Slope. Real superhero supplies, including a de-villainizing chamber (if you have evil friends), and a large variety of superhero capes to try on near a fan so you can practice heroic poses.

3) The Pencil Factory - top secret.

Society of Illustrators Opening


Also! I keep forgetting to mention this, but the Society of Illustrators Sequential opening is tomorrow at the Society of Illustrators. My ESPN A Shot At Glory series made it in. I can't wait to see you there!


frank


f.

10 - Tuesday

The tiger versus octopus goes on... I think I'm going to have to start painting this sucker. Paint on panel, digital print, or silk screen? I can't wait.

I made some changes, such as moving the tiger's right paw (thank jt), making the octopus' head larger, and adding the markings to the creatures. Fun!
f.

09 - Monday

Tighter drawing, still.

I spent a good two and a half or three hours at the light table tightening this up. It was REALLY fun, but I still have a lot more to do on it.

I've never put this much into a pre-drawing before, I've always just jumped right in after the sketch phase, so I hope it works out. Anyway, I feel like I'm learning a lot. At least now I know why octopi are so popular to draw! I could make those tentacles forever...

f.

08 - Sunday

Happy Sunday!

07 - Saturday

I realize I haven't yet explained what I'm trying to do here.

One of my resolutions for this year is to get in the habit of doing personal work. I decided late in December that I would challenge myself to make new art and post every day, 30 days straight.

It's both rewarding and super challenging. When you haven't painted or drawn for yourself in a while, it's like going back to the gym after not working out for a long time.

I wanted to print out Thursday's comp and draw it in pencil tighter today but I'm out of ink and all the supply stores are closed, so I did a little practice painting instead.

Also, here's a page in my sketchbook from Friday.

f.

05 - Thursday

Last night: gourmet drinks and gourmet hot dogs with the other two members of The Plundering, Josh Cochran and Nathan Huang. What's up guys!


f.

04 - Wednesday

I blew up the loose sketch from yesterday, then drew it a bit tighter on the light table. The Tiger and Octopus were drawn on separate pieces of paper and put together in photoshop. It's still not quite there, a lot of details are missing, but I'll get to those tomorrow.

By the way, the BEASTS vol. 2 book is available in stores now. My Yuki-Onna piece is featured within.

I've been told the first printing has already sold out, and the 2nd printing is on the way. I finally got my copy the other day and I have to say it's a really beautiful and fun book. Be sure to check it out.


Thanks!

frank

03 - Tuesday

More tigers, this time with reference, and a very rough sketch. I'm not sure if it's there just yet.

02 - Monday

I was at a coffee shop to do thumbs for a painting idea, and realized I don't know how to draw tigers from my imagination. So I tried my best to remember what they look like. The cartoony ones were the easiest.

Day 01