Young Justice

I LOVED the Young Justice cartoon that used to come on Cartoon Network.  It was like a grown up, more serious take on the Justice League and the Young Justice team.  It was sad to see it go before its time and to have less than stellar replacements...but then season 1 found its way onto Netflix, and I fell in love all over again.  So...this happened:

Wonder Girl, Bumblebee, Miss Martian, Supergirl & Batgirl

I usually just draw one or two characters in a semi static pose, so it definitely was a change of pace to do something action-y and with more characters, even though I definitely wanted to fit more in there.  I think the next piece that I do with more characters, I want to do it big, and to have it be like a 2 piece poster type thing...but I'll have to look into the logistics of that working out print wise.

After the inks and the colors, here is the final image:

As always, this 11" x 17" print is available at my Storenvy site.  I'm hoping that Young Justice pulls a Family Guy and comes back due to the demand of fans...but given the direction Cartoon Network is heading, I won't hold my breath.  Be blessed.

Without Wax,

-Charles

A Storm's Coming

I've been kinda busy as of late getting pulled in different directions, and its just been draining and exhausting.  So its always good to take time out to put down some personal drawings to sort of take my mind away from the every day day to day stuff.  And who better to do that with than one of my favorite X-men, Storm?

I had some preliminary sketches that while I liked, there were some things about them that I ultimately didn't.  Take for instance the first sketch I did almost a week ago with the general idea in mind:

I liked the idea of the sketch, but there were definitely some proportion and depth issues there that I could have worked on to resolve, but I just scrapped it in order to use the same idea, but a more dynamic pose.  So I went back to the drawing board and came up with this:

I liked this layout a million times more, but there were still some adjustments that I needed to make which I could do in the inking process instead of redoing the entire sketch which is what I went with.  I also liked the general idea for a background I had in the first sketch, so I went with that as well for the final version.  And after some toying around with it and some details changed here and there, here is the final version:

And as always, you can click on the image to see it in higher resolution.  Overall, I like how it came out, but I'm sort of bummed that I worked hard on that foreshortened hand only for it to be covered up in the final.  But hey, I learned as I went along, so thats the main takeaway there.

If you would like to purchase this as an 11" x 17" print on high quality gloss cardstock, you can always do so on my Storenvy page where I have more of my prints available for sale as well.

Oh, and make sure to follow me all over so you can see my in progress stuff as well as other non art related things! (Facebook | Tumblr | Google+ | Instagram)

Without Wax,

-Charles

Snow White

Even though I haven't been posting on a regular schedule, that doesn't mean that I haven't been drawing.  I've been working on commissions and doing sketches here and there trying to keep my mind loose.  One of the sketches that I did in between commissions was that of Snow White.  I drew a version of her a while ago...but I really didn't like that one.  I didn't like it when I posted it originally...I just posted it to keep posting art, so I knew that eventually I would have to go back to the idea and do it all over.

So below is the initial sketch that I had in mind for the Snow White illustration:

Lately, I've been doing very loose sketches, but this one was pretty well defined...and I'd blame that on commissions, which definitely isn't a bad thing.  At least this way, I knew exactly where I wanted to go with the final drawing.  I had an idea of having everything around Snow White decaying because of the poisoned apple, and it still doesn't sound like a bad idea.  Actually, I may do that one as well...but anyways...

Below is the final illustration:

I'm very pleased how the final version came out, and even did some experimenting along the way.  I think with each drawing that I do, I learn something new, which is definitely a great thing.  And as always, if you would like to purchase this as an  11" x 17" on high quality gloss cardstock paper, you can always do so at my Storenvy site.

Oh, and follow me on Tumblr, Instagram, Facebook, Google+ and all that jazz...I post some work in progress stuff there and other random stuff too.

Without Wax,

-Charles

The Worst

I've been a fan of Jhene Aiko for quite some time.  After I heard her song with Miguel about 2 or so years ago, I've been hooked on her music ever since.  Then her newest EP came out, Sail Out.  And there are some great songs on there (notably the one she has with Kendrick Lamar), but it's her The Worst song that stays on repeat.  And then the video...the video is great and makes me love the song even more.

So, with a suggestion from a special someone (thank you!) I decided to do some fan art of her based on the video.  So first, obviously was the initial and hen tightened up sketch of her.  I wanted to base it off of the video, but not from a shot from the video, if that makes sense.  Anyways, the sketch is below.

My perspective is all wrong (the blinds) in the sketch, but that usually happens when I sketch stuff out and then I go back when I ink it and fix it (most of the time).  And below is the final image:

If you haven't checked out her music, I seriously suggest you do so.  And as always, if you would like to purchase this as an 11" x 17" print, you can do so on my Storenvy page.

Without Wax,

-Charles

The Electric Lady

Lets just put this out there, I love Janelle Monae's Electric Lady album.  There, I said it.  Its like a different sound of R&B and just music in general that's just refreshing.  So, if I like something, chances are that fan art is definitely on its way.

Yep.

I decided to draw Janelle as a semi robotic cyborg after her other persona Cindi Mayweather.  I had this idea during the sketch that she would be sitting in this chair plugged into a stereo system, which probably didn't come off all that well, but the speakers are definitely visible in the final image.  I tried my best to put this image online and tag Janelle all over the place on Tumblr, Twitter, Instagram and Facebook, and if she reposts it or shouts it out...I would seriously lose it.  Anyways, below is the initial sketch concept.

And here's the final image below.

And if you haven't done so already, check out her album Electric Lady.  You would not be disappointed.

If you would like to purchase this image as an 11" x 17" high quality gloss print, you can do so here on my Storenvy page.

Without Wax,

-Charles

2013 Remnants

I can't believe I haven't made a post here for the new year yet, which is a shame.  I somehow got this blog out of sync with my Tumblr one and my Facebook page (Google+ is all out of sync, I probably have to do a massive art post dump there as well to catch up).  This year I'm dedicating myself to keep this blog with at least parity to my other online spaces as well as adding some exclusive stuff to here that I don't post elsewhere.  Actually, for all of my online portals, I'm posting stuff to each one that I won't post elsewhere to keep me motivated to updating all of them with different content.  I guess that is a new year resolution, even though I'm not really big on resolutions.

Let's not bog this post down with a lot of talking though as there is quite a bit of new art I need to share.

A while ago I posted a sketch of Black Canary that I was hoping to compile into one mega image that really never materialized (maybe in 2014?), but I decided to finish it anyways.  So here's that:

Black Canary 2013

And even further back in the year, I posted a sketch of Alice in Wonderland that I just never really got back around to.  I guess in December I felt that I had a whole bunch of unresolved sketches that needed to be seen through, even though I didn't finish all of them.  And here is that one:

Wonderland

And of course with it being December, I had to do the requisite holidays inspired drawing, so here's that as well:

I also did several sketches and redraws of what eventually turned out to be a Dark Phoenix and Scott Summers illustration.  I made a preliminary sketch a long while ago and just sat on the idea until I decided to revisit it with a sketch that went in a slightly different direction:

I just took the best elements of both sketches and combined them into one.  And then after I did that, I couldn't decide on a single background....so I did two.  How's that for not being lazy when it comes to backgrounds?

And then I had an opportunity to do a Jem and the Holograms commission...and why would I not jump on that idea.  I used to watch the show (and maybe still caught a few episodes on Netflix), so this was right up my alley.  Plus it was a chance to exhaust all of the shades of pink and purple that I know...a stark change from the usual color palette that I tend to go with.  It turned out to be...wait for it....truly outrageous.

Jem and the Holograms: click for higher resolution

That turned out to be my last illustration of 2013...which looking back went pretty well art wise.  Looking back at how I started 2013 and how my art has progressed throughout the year, I'm more than excited as to what 2014 has to offer.  I'm definitely looking to new avenues to share my art and get myself out there, and 2014 will definitely be the year for that.  

All of the above illustrations are available for purchase on high quality semi gloss paper at my Storenvy store: Illumistrations.Storenvy.com.

And I guess as always, follow me everywhere: tumblr, twitter, instagram and yadda yadda....the user name is Illumistrations.

Without Wax,

-Charles.

Neo Sailor Moon

Fighting evil by a futuristic techno Neo-Tokyo moonlight.  Winning love by daylight.

She's the one called Sailor Moon.

Not too long ago I drew a Neo Sailor Venus, and I thought that it would only be right if I drew an accompanying Neo Sailor Venus.  I probably should just stop being lazy and draw a full image with all of the Neo Sailor Scouts...which I will...eventually.

Below is the initial sketch that I came up with.  I was going to draw in Luna as well, seeing as how I drew in Artemis for the Sailor Venus one, but she didn't make it in.

And below is the final illustration:

And as always, if you would like to purchase this as an awesome 11" x 17" print, I shall direct you to my print purchase page!

Without Wax,
-Charles

Jubilation Lee

Besides the X-Men issue #1 drawn by Jim Lee, the cartoon from the 90s was my introduction to the Xmen.  I loved that cartoon...even though the animation definitely doesn't hold up today.  Ah, I lied.  I used to be an avid Marvel and X-Men trading card collector.  That was my introduction to the Xmen...but that's neither here nor there.  

Jubilee was one of my favorites...well besides the mainstays of Wolverine, Gambit, Rogue and Storm...and whenever she appeared, Psylocke.  Her "uniform" on the show was soooo 90s, so I thought that it needed revamping.  And well, thats what I did.

This is a part of the original sketch that I did, but something about her face just seemed skewed to me, and instead of trying to fix it over and over, I just drew the whole thing over again.

This is the revised sketch that I came up with.  There are parts of the original that I liked and tried to incorporate into this one, but overall, the redraw is better.

And here's the final version.  I'm still trying to mesh together this cel shading technique with the original way that I color.  I tried to use some Kirby Krackle, but changed it to how I would do it.  Happy accidents I suppose.  

If you would like to purchase this as an 11" x 17" print, feel free to browse the other images I have for sale as prints here.  

Without Wax,

-Charles

#NoFilter: Sugar, Spice & Everything Nice Edition.

If you've seen my Poison Ivy and Harley Quinn illustration from not too long ago, you should know that I'm pretty much a fan of the photo sharing community Instagram.  It has definitely helped me in meeting and learning about new artists as well as get my art out there.  So, here's another Instagram inspired sketch, featuring Cartoon Network's most famous set of triplets, the Power Puff Girls.

I mean seriously, how can you not like the Power Puff Girls?  

If you would like to purchase this illustration as a 17" x 11" print, you can do so either on here on my blog, or on my print purchase page!

Without Wax,

-Charles

Morrigan of Darkstalkers

I seriously think that Capcom's Darkstalkers is a severely underrated game.  Granted, there are some other games Capcom has made that I have given little to no chance in playing for whatever reason (JoJo's Bizarre Adventure comes to mind...), but the Darkstalker's franchise shouldn't be overlooked.  Just from its art direction alone, it ranks as one of my favorites.  So it would be no surprise that I would choose to draw one of its main characters for a Halloween themed print

Morrigan Aensland of Capcom's Darkstalkers

I'm actually amazed that I finished a Halloween themed print before Halloween.

And if you would like to purchase this Morrigan Aensland illustration as an 11" x 17" print, you can do so either on here on my blog, or on my print purchase page!

Without Wax,

-Charles

Harley Quinn: The Joke's On You

I have a seriously bad habit of neglecting this blog...and I don't really know why.  I seem to post stuff on every other social network BUT the one that I started posting my art on.  I need to cut that out.  Anyways, a while ago I finally finished that Harley Quinn picture that I posted on here not too long ago.  I also made it available as a print, if you would like Harley to grace your walls or frame in all of her 11" x 17" splendor.

I have other newer art that I need to post, and I definitely will soon, but once I get on a creative roll, I have to keep that pencil busy.  And you should always do the same too!!  But I do have at least a little time to tell you to follow me on Tumblr if you haven't already, check out my Facebook page, or follow me on Instagram!

Without Wax,

-Charles

Harley Quinn Sketch(es)

So, I decided to do another Harley Quinn illustration, so I made a pretty decent sketch of her yesterday, or so I thought.  I liked it a lot yesterday, but I didn't really love it.  So I slept on it, and decided to do another one.  I took some elements from the first and put them in the second, while changing some, and came up with a new sketch.  Who knows, I may just finish them both, but cel shade the first and do what I normally do on the second.  Or maybe, the first one will forever live in sketch purgatory and never get finished.  Dah, oh well...at least I'm drawing right?  I mean, that is the important thing.

The first Harley sketch

Second Harley sketch

Without Wax,

-Charles

Summer Heat & Sailor Moon

I always seem to update every other online space that I have first before updating my original Blogger blog...which is something that I definitely need to change.  I still find that this blog has a lot more information in it than my other spots like Tumblr, Facebook or even Google+, so this one definitely needs to remain a priority.  But since I've been gone, I've been doing a lot of sketching (and finalizing some illustrations).

The first one I did was definitely summer themed.  I think the whole idea for this one came from July 11, or 7/11...the day that 7 Eleven gives away free Slurpees.  Yeah...and with that said, this happened.

And for no apparent reason, I wanted to draw Sailor Moon (yes, I know...again...).  But this time without her fellow Sailor Scouts.  And I wanted her to look more imposing, than the bumbling way she was depicted in the cartoon.  Initially when I first sketched her out, I wanted to do my own take of her costume and give her like a sailor themed coat and all this jazz, but it looked very cumbersome and too busy, so I nixed it all and started all over.  And this is what finally turned out, from sketch to colors.

Both of these illustrations are available as 11" x 17" prints.  The Summer Heat one, I'm thinking of doing a limited print, mainly because I need to fill out my portfolio, but if people actually like it, I will offer it more.  And don't forget to check out either my new Square hosted online store, or my other "store" hosted on this very blog!

Gotta keep that pencil busy.

Without Wax,

-Charles

Nicki Minaj

It's been a long time...I shouldn't have left you...

I can't believe that its been almost two months since I've posted something on here. If you've been following me on twitter, you would know that my Wacom tablet bit the big one, and I had to get it replaced.  I sent my tablet off to Wacom and was without it for about a month, only for it to return to me with a new problem instead.  So I had to send it off for almost another month, and now we're back!  I've been doing some random sketching low-tech wise, but I've been waiting for my tablet to come back...and it finally has!

And to celebrate (and knock off some digital rust), what better way than to sketch up and color Nicki Minaj!

This was the first time I drew her, so hopefully I did her justice.  And who knows, I @'ed her on Instagram with this same drawing, so maybe she'll see it....but I doubt it though.  Anyways, back to the backlog of other sketches and commissions and stuff...

Without Wax,

-Charles

Glob Hammercy! (Fionna & Cake) sketch

Ughh, after countless redraws and throw aways, I finally came up with something that I finally like.  Granted, some things definitely need tweaking here and there, I do like the overall result.  I even flirted with the idea of putting a background in there....but who knows what I'll do to this when I try and finish it.

Without Wax,

-Charles

Atlantis & AwesomeCon DC

I seriously wish I had taken some photos of my trip to AwesomeCon this past weekend.  I mainly went there to get a feel for how conventions are and to see if I myself could possibly attend one as an artist...and I left feeling very positive about it.  I finally got an opportunity to put some real faces to the names I see online all of the time.  I learned a lot from my brief correspondences and talks with Penelope Gaylord (who is equally nice in person) and Chris Flick of the webcomic Capes and Babes.  It was an awesome experience, and I can't wait to attend the convention next year...but this time as an artist in the Artist's Alley.  The whole experience...just gave me a renewed focus as to what I need and should be doing.

Coming back from that, I couldn't wait to finish this Kida from Disney's Atlantis and start on the next thing.

And as always, if you're interested in purchasing this print or others of mine, you can do so right here.

I'm excited for the rest of this year's Con season, and I'm looking forward to some that I can attend this year as an actual artist!

Without Wax,

-Charles

The Forgotten Disney Princess

Atlantis: The Lost Empire never gets mentioned at all when the discussion of Disney animated movies come up.  Maybe it was because it was one of the few, if not only, Disney animated movies that was rated PG instead of G.  Looking at it today, I don't see how it was rated PG (especially since the movie ratings system is so lax today).  Maybe it was because of the term mercenary thrown around quite often towards the end, and maybe the one or two guns in the movie.  Anyways, I love the movie because of its visuals and its depiction of Atlantis...so you know what that means...impending fanart.

That background in there is more of a placeholder than anything.  I'll definitely be reworking that as well as other little things in the picture.  Hopefully I'll be having in progress shots soon as well as the final drawing...that is if I don't muck it up along the way.  

But while you're here, why don't you fancy yourself a print or two or like me on Facebook or follow me on Tumblr.

Without Wax,

-Charles

Storm

This took a little longer than I had anticipated to finish, but I'm happy with the final result.  I intended to do more to it, but I decided to keep it relatively simple and didn't want to overcomplicate the background, which would detract from Storm.  And as previously told to me, yes, I'm aware that the Sentinel in the background bears more than a striking resemblance to Megatron...that definitely wasn't intentional.  But I'm sure everyone familiar with X-Men lore and what not will know what that's actually supposed to be.

Its also been brought to my attention that sometimes purchasing my prints through Serve can be a somewhat convoluted process.  So I'm now offering the option to purchase my prints as well using Paypal.  That should be easier for most, as well as more familiar.  And what better way to test out to see if everything works than to purchase this very here print!  

Have a great weekend!

Without wax,

-Charles

I Feel a Storm Comin' On...

A Storm drawing has been long overdue.  In all actuality though, I've had several Storm sketches, and none of them I liked at all....so they all have been subsequently scratched.  But this one I like, so I may finish this one. I took some liberties with her costume that I may or may not change when I finally ink and color this.  And you can never go wrong with drawing any of the X-Men against Sentinels.

Progress shots coming soon.

Without Wax,

-Charles

Shera: Princess of Power

I finally finished this drawing after the initial sketch was sitting in purgatory for a little while.  Honestly, I never thought that I would go further with the sketch, but I'm glad that I did.  As much as they were considered to be "girl's shows", I was an avid watcher of both Shera and Jem & The Holograms.  Judge me.  Speaking of, I may just do a Jem drawing somewhere down the line.  

But onto this drawing: its obviously Shera with her mighty steed Swift Wind in front of Castle Greyskull.  And like I've mentioned on other sites, technically Swift Wind is a pegasus, but for me to be able to show the most of Shera that I could, I had to omit his wings.  But unicorns are still magical too on their own, so its sort of like a win win.

And as always, if you like this image and would like to purchase a print, feel free to head on over to my prints page, located at the top of this blog.

Without Wax,

-Charles