Wandering

Untitled and Unfinished

Sketch A Day Dec.23

Merry Creatures 009

Ta-dah!

These happy group of monsters will be up for coloring. Either that or I could purchase a tablet to add the colors in a more organized fashion or just with the mouse and Photoshop.

Looks like it is going to have some colors, after all!

Sketch A Day Dec.22

Merry Creatures 008

Hah! Recalled a creature I thought up when I was in grade school - an owl-like bird, but not really a bird, with spread wings, and a thick mop of hair and beard.

Sketch A Day Dec.21

Merry Creatures 007

Sketch A Day Dec.20

Merry Creatures 006

Getting there. But not just yet. That empty space near long-neck is driving me nuts.

Anyway, illustration is my way of easing down. Something that relaxes me. Doing simulation drawings (the kind that depicts certain incidents not caught on camera that I do for my team at TV5, where reporters rush in and write the news while me and some of my team mates rush to create something, which is often frustrating because there's always not enough time to produce good quality drawings, but it gets done) is very different. The times I do these sketches doesn't limit the canvas, pardon the pun.

And of course, even whimsical in nature, I get to draw stuff not necessarily violent in nature. Being with my badass graphics team, we get to see news reports that are often heart rending.

So I guess that is why I blog my sketches.

Sketch A Day Dec.19

Merry Creatures 005

A bit more depth with the shading and texture. Not quite sure what to do with the big guy at the back, though.

Sketch A Day Dec.18

Merry Creatures 004

This time, the sketch is cleaned up a bit, and some details that fit the eyes for each creature. There's a large space on the right that I am not really sure to leave the way it is or add something that has feathers.

Anyway, the internal debate of finishing this with just shading and thicker lines is tempting. Should I add color at the end? Or add more detail? If this was a larger sheet of paper, say, 11x17 inches or the tabloid size, it would have been more detailed, but this is actually a letter sized document, so better save that for later.

I post the drawings with a layer of old paper texture. A cop out should I decide to leave it as it is. 

Sketch A Day Dec.17

Merry Creatures 003

Because I don't know what to call them. These creatures have been in my mind since my childhood. And it's only now that I want to draw them and see if I can capture the wonder and the delight, the fright and mystery that surrounds these imaginary cryptids of my youth.

Still a work in progress.

Sketch A Day Dec. 15

Merry Creatures 002

Sketch A day - October 6

Grumpy Dwarf Sketch

I think I'll stop with this and do some more sketching.

One thing about being able to do something with my hands is, it's never too bothersome to get some used typewriting paper, whip a pencil out and just doodle till an idea hits me.

I think a Dragon is a good follow up from this Dwarf-Elf-Wizard thing, don't you think?

Sketch A Day - October 5

October 5

[while still feverish and throat is hurting like hell]

Managed to do some sketches while at my workstation. These days, if there are no illustrations needed for simulations, it's FCP for a running news and information channel. No particular reason, I just wanted to practice my hands, and since my graphics tablet is on the blink, might as well do some good old fashioned drawings.

This is an unfinished Grumpy Dwarf sketch, done on a used bond paper (you could still see some typed words from the backside)  11ins by 8.5ins, scanned at 150dpi, adjusted through Photoshop up to 300dpi, and the old paper texture added for effect.

Amazing how still, with some grudge I hold towards some inept people doing creative jobs, this sketch still has potential.

It's really sad, that some people don't understand the craft of creating visually pleasing images. All they know is " it's gotta beat the deadline".

Will post the finished one afterwards.

Daluiong Character Design - Ragu & Battis

Phantomanok. 

The Tikbalang.

All those Dragons and creatures.

They all will appear on a story with these two main characters - Ragu, a boy of 15 in all appearances, with a very strange lineage, and Battis, a girl of 13, a direct descendant of the Diwatas who has managed to live among humans.

The story is Daluiong.

And it's all about rediscovering. Our ancestors, our heritage, our mythologies.

Rediscover: Phantomanok [Cont]

Phantomanok Concept Art

Continuing with my illustrations the "old-school" way, I had another idea how Phantomanok will look given the GF style creature more popular with the Final Fantasy series.

It was something to consider.

Phantomanok, as far as I can remember, is a hero who fought monsters and aliens, the body of a man with the prominent rooster features, and even sounds like one. He fought Chinduck, a monster that trampled and killed people, among other creatures.

The character keeps running in my mind since then, but only now did I realize I have to make him live again, maybe in a graphic novel, or as a character in a game with Filipino flavor.

Tikbalang [Updated]

So far, the general form is done, but the hard part is adding the unique embellishment, raiments or armor fit for the mighty Tikbalang. 

I posted a blurry cellphone video and photos of this  on a previous entry  http://screaming-mango.blogspot.com/2012/08/workplace-habitat.html

The Tikbalang has been a staple among horror stories, stuff you hear at campfires and when elders want to keep the rowdy children in line. But looking at what we had on books and films, there's so much to explore about this wonderfully frightening creature.

My purpose is to add a bit more myth and a deviation from the stereotype, gathered from old, childhood memories and what could be found on an otherwise dwindling supply of written lore on the subject.

Cryptids

Been busy. Work. Stuff you do to make a living.

Also, I am trying to scan old character designs and sketches for my story. These dragons are from our own Myth and Mythology. 

Cryptids.

Long lost creatures that should be rediscovered. I have to get back to the National Library to dig up more about these wonderful creatures that time forgot. Or were taken out of the books.

Old Works - Dalaga 000

There are some stuff I need to do for Elemental Babe, so while research is still pending, I still have to find my groove with the brush. So instead of sitting around doing nothing, here's another old illustration. I'm thinking the hair could use a little more work. That goes to the rest of it.

So I just had to use this as another study. Not much to see for now, just brush strokes and a bit more tweaking with the settings.

[ To view the complete post click the title or just click the image for a bigger view ]

For purposes of sharing this with others who might want to know:

PsD is A3 = 27.9cm x 43.2cm [11in x 17in] @ 240dpi

(or you could jack it up to 300dpi for print)

Since uploading for web viewing means you have to shave off some pixels, I usually process by using the Save-For-Web on the tools menu. The image is now @ 72dpi.

From Scratch 001

The armor is not exactly what I had in mind, so I'm still looking at references. There are lots of historical armor and fictional that I have to sort, plus I want it to look "in-character". From the pencil sketches, which I will scan and post, I'm falling in love with the metal workers and craftsman who have made such intricately detailed ceremonial and battle armor that kings and knights have donned through the ages. There are cultural styles that need to be incorporated so it's really a slow process.

[ To view the complete post click the title or just click the image for a bigger view ]

This project was supposed to be a commercial one, but that is going nowhere so, I'm making this my own. Makes staying at home enjoyable.

For purposes of sharing this with others who might want to know:

PsD is A3 = 27.9cm x 43.2cm [11in x 17in] @ 240dpi

(or you could jack it up to 300dpi for print)

Since uploading for web viewing means you have to shave off some pixels, I usually process by using the Save-For-Web on the tools menu. The image is now @ 72dpi.

From Scratch 000

Looks like this one I will have to do and finish for myself now. I tweaked the anatomy a bit, and decided to do a bit more research with the raiment and armor, some more detailing and proper clothing. Those, and the right way to restart this project is underway. I just had to show you what has been changed so far. 

[ To view the complete post click the title or just click the image for a bigger view ]

Now that I look at this, I have concluded this idea was from a real, live person, though not as shapely and daring, but the idea of a tough but fragile looking, and often mysterious woman is really someone I know. maybe she'll see herself after this is over and done with.

For purposes of sharing this with others who might want to know:

PsD is A3 = 27.9cm x 43.2cm [11in x 17in] @ 240dpi

(or you could jack it up to 300dpi for print)

Since uploading for web viewing means you have to shave off some pixels, I usually process by using the Save-For-Web on the tools menu. The image is now @ 72dpi.

Green Devil

I keep asking "Why green?"

It's because I never liked red. This coloring for this old illustration ends here. Maybe I'll return to working on it another day, but this looks fine, for a very old drawing.