Hot Springs

I actually finished this a while ago but didn't post it here.  Life just gets in the way I suppose.  I wanted to do a more fantasy type of drawing, so I came up with this.  There is another that I want to redo from like years ago, and hopefully I'll be able to get to that (and make prints of it) thats sort of similar to this image.

Below is the initial sketch that I came up with:

At first, the background was going to be like a cave wall with water pools cascading down, but the whole thing just felt really claustrophobic, so I decided to open it up a little bit.  And I wanted her robe to be sheer to the point where it was going to be a little more than slightly see-through, but since I was going to get this printed out in a public place, I erred on the side of caution and to make her robe more opaque.  (I don't understand why my sketches on white backgrounds post on here as slightly gray, but whatever...)

And below is the final image that I decided to go with:

The spheres weren't in the sketch at all, and I just threw them in on a whim, but I definitely like how they came out.  And as you can see, I made her robe semi transparent, and you can see a slight silhouette of her figure, and I think thats probably just enough to get by and get this printed in a family friendly place.

I posted several work in progress images of this on my Instagram feed, so you should definitely check it out and follow me for more work in progress shots of different illustrations and other randomness.

And as always, if you would like to purchase this illustration as an 11" x 17" print on high quality gloss cardstock, you can do so at my Storenvy site and see my other prints for sale there as well.

Without Wax,

-Charles

Long Distance Relationships

Long distance relationships can be hard to maintain, but in the end, they're totally worth it.  No matter how many times you travel to see your significant other, you still get butterflies when you're on your way and almost there.  So, I guess I wanted to try and capture that.  I don't really do much storytelling with my drawings, they're usually just 'snapshots' I guess, so this was something a little different.  Below is the sketch:

This also turned out to be a coloring exercise with transparencies and glass...as well as reflections and related things.  Below is the final image:

Its great when you can draw something thats based on reality and something that you know and are familiar with.  It gives images I guess a sense of realism that just seems grounded.  As always, if you would like to purchase this image as an 11" x 17" print on high quality gloss paper, I can direct you to my storenvy store where currently I'm offering 15% off for Valentine's Day.  Just use the discount code VDAY14 to get 15% off.  

Back to the drawing board!

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

Untamable

Since I've been getting very loose with sketches recently, I decided to keep my sketches a little tighter this time, and this is what came out.  I say that you shouldn't let other people dictate what you do with your hair or how you wear it.  Do what's best for you, and only you really know exactly what's best for yourself.  So below is the sketch after I went over it again and tightened the pencils up a little bit.

And below is the final illustration.  I decided to make her shirt a Minnie Mouse shirt and gave her a tattoo to her side as well.  It was hard trying to decide how to put glasses on Minnie Mouse and make it look aesthetically correct, mainly because her eyes are too close together and her ears are too high upon her head, so I made some compromises that seemed to work out well.  

Per usual, this illustration is up for sale in 11" x 17" size on gloss cover paper on my online Storenvy storefront.  Feel free to browse and even buy a print or two!

Without Wax,

-Charles

Selina Kyle

It's been a long while since I've drawn Catwoman...like a really long while.  If I were to guess, I would say somewhere around 4 years or so.  That means this was long overdue.  The drawing that I did 4 years ago was very similar, but it appears that I may have deleted it, so I can't really use it for comparison purposes.

But I know for certain that this one is better, just take my word for it.

I've noticed that recently my sketches has been looser and less refined than I used to do them.  I guess that means that I just fudge areas in sketching and will define them more when I'm inking and coloring them.  Good thing that I'm the only one completing my work from sketches to finishes, cause an inker and colorer would probably hate me.

I guess the sketch does serve its purpose though, I get the main figure down pretty much (even though some adjustments have to be made) and it gets the general idea across.  And below is the final image:

I think it came out pretty well.  I may go back in later and make the light source coming from outside the window more pronounced, but who knows.

If you would like to purchase this illustration as a high quality 11" x 17" print, you can do so (as well as view my other prints) on my Storenvy site.

Have an awesome weekend!

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

Fall

I love the changing of the seasons.  I love the Spring because the weather is just perfect...plus I'm a lil biased since my birthday happens to be in April.  I love Summer because there's so much to do and so much happening in the Summer.  I love the Winter, basically because of the holidays, but not the cold weather...not at all.  And Fall...well, because of the fashion.

Without Wax,

-Charles

Chillin' on the Stoop

Like I said earlier, just because I haven't been posting doesn't mean that I haven't been sketching.  From doing commissions, and struggling to fit in personal stuff in there, to trying to finish illustrations, please believe that the pencil has been busy.  I soooo want to finish this, and there's some modification that I need to make before I do (eyeing perspective is never a great idea...always use rulers), but this will definitely get done.  

I mean, you can't complain when there's an influx of creativity...you just have to roll with it and get as much of it down on paper (or the screen) as quick as you can before its gone.

Hopefully I can show some progress on this soon!

Without wax,

-Charles

Sketchy

I've been doing a lot of sketching lately...I guess the creativity bug bit me....and I'm not complaining at all.  My mentality right now is to get as much of these random ideas down now, so when that inevitable art block hits I can ink them all and color them.  We'll see how well that plan pans out.  But until then...

Without Wax,

-Charles

Girl on a Vespa

Well looky looky here...I finally finished something!  As cool as it is to draw fanart of other comics, cartoons, movies and games...its nice once in a while to just draw something else.  It cleanses the palette I guess.

I always dread having to draw trees because I always tend to make them just look like broccoli really.  I've been trying and experimenting with different ways and techniques, but really, I just want to get to the point where I can render leaves and not have it just look like a glob.  I think that I'm slowly getting there.  I think that this was one of my favorite pieces to do in a while.  

If you're interested in purchasing this 11" x 17" print or any others that I've done in the past, you should hit up the Commissions and Prints link at the top (or just click the link I just posted).

I'm supposed to be doing a coloring tutorial to show my coloring process, but I'm totally slacking on that.  Don't worry, its going to get done, I just have so many other things on my plate right now.  But to make up for that deficiency, I made an animated gif of my process.  It's extremely dumbed down, but you get the gist of it.

On to the next one!

Without Wax,

-Charles

Artistic Nude Sketchiness

No naked bits shown, so this is probably SFW.

Decided to sketch something up real quick while taking a break from web development and branding and what not.  Its cool that everything is beginning to come together as far as "Illumistrations" goes, but certain things seem to pop up and get in the way.  And as much as I love seeing everything flourish, sometimes I wish that things just went back to me just drawing for fun without thinking of the consequences of everything...ughhh....this post probably isn't the best place to talk about it (maybe in a later post).  But I'm getting sidetracked...

Anyways, just sketched this up...colors coming soon:

Without Wax, 

-Charles

Calvin & Hobbes sketch

When I was younger, the highlight of my Sunday morning was picking up the newspaper and reading the comics.  That's all I cared about then.  Peanuts, Family Circus, and a little later on, Dilbert.  Those were the days.  But the comic that I loved most was Calvin & Hobbes.  So I thought, hey, why not....let's envision him how I would if I could do it today...and this is what came out.

And as per the course, I'll be updating here as this comes along.  

Without Wax, 

-Charles

Sketchiness

I haven't really been posting as much as I should, but please believe that I have still been drawing!! In all honesty, I've been doing more sketching than doing finished illustrations however. I guess in the grand scheme of things, thats good, because it requires me not too think so much on details and just have fun drawing. But these do have to get finished though...I still have sketches from 2012 that I need to make into finished illustrations!! But sometimes, I get stuck when I think about where I should take sketches, and they somehow forever remain sketches. Maybe they'll end up in a compilation of some sorts....

Anyways, onto the art!!

And as always, right clicking and opening into a new window will allow you to see the images larger.

Princess Jasmine and Raja

She-Ra, Princess of Power

I'll be posting more progress of these as they come along.

Without Wax,

-Charles

A Hard Night's Work

My very rough sketch of my African American Batgirl winding down after a tough night fighting crime in Gotham.  I definitely want to ink and color this....but I have so many sketches piling up that need to be inked and colored as well.  I guess I should keep the art juices flowing and sketch out more, and when I run into an art block, do the colors.  Who knows....

Thanks for stopping by!!

-Charles

African American Wolverine Sketch

African American Wolverine

Logan!!!

I think I'm doing pretty good updating this blog so far.  Lets see if I can keep it up!

-Charles

Ballpoint Sketches and Weblog Awards

First and foremost...this blog has been nominated for 2011's Black Weblog Awards! Whoever nominated me, thank you sooooo much and please leave a comment so I can know who nominated me. I'm nominated for Best Gaming and/or Comic Blog of 2011. Please, take like 2 minutes out of your day to vote for the Illuminate Darkness Experiment (its like on the 2nd page) right here. This is my first nomination, and I want to make sure that I do it right and hopefully come out on top!!

I haven't really been doing a lot of 'sketching' really as of late. I used to do it all the time back in school during lectures...or group meetings....or whenever I was just stumped taking tests. Bad student...bad, bad student. I still got my A's and B's though. Anyways, here's the first sketch that I did, with a standard Bic ballpoint pen. I call this one "Music to My Melody":


This next one is of an Egyptian Goddess chilling in the Nile....or somewhere around there. And yes I know that her tattoo isn't Egyptian inspired (more like aztec inspired), but I liked it and decided to roll with it:


I swear, someone at Bic should really give me a lifetime supply of ballpoint pens considering how often I run through those.
Always gotta keep that pencil moving....or pen in this case.


Without Wax,

M.I.A. Art Dump 2

I think getting a new sketch book has really helped me to be more creative and just sketch out stuff...which eventually will be colored. So, I'm getting in sketching and coloring practice all in one!

I wanted to do something that was more illustrative than normal and makes use of negative space, so I drew Jean Gray as the Dark Phoenix. I made the background red so that it would double as the red in her suit.

I think that I'm going to do more similar to this one.

This next one was a sketch that I posted last time but decided to finish it with colors.


This next one was taken from a lyric in Fabolous's song "You Be Killin' Em". Its Harley Quinn giving the Joker that iPhone 4...FaceTime! Videochattin' it up with Mr. J:


And this last one is some fanart of DragonBall Z. I'm not going to lie, I used to be such a stan for this show...that is until I realized that most of the episodes are just long drawn out soliloquies. But anyways, here's Buu of DBZ.


And I still have more sketches to ink and several ideas to get down. Just trying to keep that pencil busy and riding that creativity wave.


Without Wax,

M.I.A. Art Dump

I haven't been updating my art blog as much as I should...which is bad on my part. But just because I haven't been updating here doesn't mean that my pencil has been stationary....actually its just the opposite. So, I decided to gather all of what I've been sketching lately, and dump it all here! Image overload:

Here is Sakura from Street Fighter. I originally colored her in her original color scheme, but I prefer her alternate more:


Here is a sketch of Cleopatra of Egypt. I need to take time out to ink and color this one...but it might take a while.


Here is another sketch that I inked and colored. Whenever I'm at a loss and need something to sketch, women always seem to come out...not that I'm complaining.


Like I said...whenever I'm at a loss...


And I NEVER thought in a million years that I would draw Nicki Minaj...but here you go. This was based off of her "Do The Creep" sketch on Saturday Night Live.


Another random sketch...an octopus in a cup. Yeah, like I said...random.



And last, but definitely not least...a guest strip that I did for Jeff Scheutze of the webcomic JefBot. If you don't understand it, its based off of Super Mario Bros. 2 and the movie Inception. Super Mario 2 was all a dream...and he's dreaming of Mario having a dream...hence...well...nevermind.



Hopefully next time, I won't stay away for so long from my blog.

Without Wax,

Sketchy Situations

So, even though I don't post much no here as I probably should, that doesn't mean that I still don't keep that pencil moving, and that mouse...coloring...or something like that. Anyways, while most of my art focus is on getting this graphic novel together, I still make time for other art related outlets (and sketches that I'm doing for others, right KayC?). And to prove it, I'm just gonna drop some stuff that I've been working on. Huzzah!

This one is from the graphic novel. I've been writing scripts for the upcoming chapters, and the end of the second chapter leading into the third chapter will introduce this story arc:


This is fanart for another webcomic that I'm a huge fan of, JefBot. His webcomic is a 'semi-autobiography' thats about gaming, tech culture, acting, and a whole bunch of other stuff that happens in Jeff's day to day life. Its a great read, and the art is done well too. You should check it out at Jefbot.com.


On twitter, there's something called #TuesdaySketch, where every Tuesday, there's a sketch topic, and you're supposed to do your interpretation of the topic. This past Tuesday's topic was "Super Villains". And while the person that I chose to sketch is in no ways 'super', he's still one of my favorite villains. This is the Ventriloquist with Mr. Scarface of Batman. Let Mr. Scarface tell it, the Ventriloquist is the dummy.


Here's a crappy sketch of Leonardo fighting some mousers. I'll have to come back to this and do a proper drawing.


Here's a sketch of Atom Eve from the comic book Invincible.



And last but certainly not least is Leela of Futurama:


And just as I'm posting all of this, a great idea for another sketch just jumped into my head. Gotta keep that pencil busy!

Without Wax,