Drawn Today

Mercenary - Character Concept

2012-01-26T11:12:00.001-06:00

Another character concept for the same project I posted yesterday.

markmolnar.com / momarkmagic.blogspot.com

Death Dealer - Character Concept

2012-01-25T10:03:00.000-06:00

I am absolutely flooded with work atm, so I don`t have much time to do the usual speedies, but I thought I share a sniper type character concept done for a private client. Not supa-dupa detailed, but I quite like how it turned out.

markmolnar.com / momarkmagic.blogspot.com

Life painting

2012-01-24T07:09:00.000-06:00

Decided to do my life drawing this week in oils -- even the three and five minute poses. The model was INCREDIBLE -- we rigged some ropes from the ceiling and she hung from them in mid air (hence the inverted poses and the flying poses in the top right.

Being the cheapskate I am, I just brought in an old study, turned it sideways, and painted right on top of it (http://cheeseman-meyer.com/sketchbook/img/sk/drsketchysep2009.jpg , if you're curious).

New post, old work

2012-01-22T12:33:00.002-06:00

I did this last summer, but couldn't show it for 6 months. The assignment was to depict the sub-genres of fantasy lit. So I've got, zombies, steam punk, epic, urban, and sci-fi. The assignment came in 2 days before I was supposed to leave for Comic-con, so I postponed going to comic con and got it done in 3 days.

Merman - Speedpainting

2012-01-18T09:46:00.000-06:00

Creature speedie between jobs - experimenting with mixing various techniques and colors...

markmolnar.com / momarkmagic.blogspot.com

The Gardener

2012-01-17T08:35:00.000-06:00

Trying out a different, bit more illustrative style...

markmolnar.com / momarkmagic.blogspot.com

Official Professional Series Launch -

2012-01-13T19:17:00.001-06:00

Despite ongoing tweaks, the website is officially up, and registration is open today. Workshops offered by Justin Gerard, Terese Nielsen, Jon Schindehette and Greg Manchess (which is half-filled already!).

Hey, it's an easy flight to Seattle. Y'all come!

Jungle Retreat - Speedpainting

2012-01-12T10:40:00.001-06:00

Enviro speedie with using some photo base for today...

markmolnar.com / momarkmagic.blogspot.com

Harley Quinn - Watercolor

2012-01-12T07:39:00.000-06:00

This was a bit of an experiment for me. I started a drawing and ran off the bottom of the page. The only paper larger enough to transfer the drawing that I had on hand was watercolor paper. So I did the line drawing and then decided to try my watercolor pencils out on it. I had red and black and that gave me Harley's typical colors, but then I needed to put some thin acrylic washes on in order to get some skintones. The red made me want to put in some blood splatters, so I experimented with a really wet brush and flung it around. I consider it a failure as it wasn't what I saw in my head since I have never used the technique, but I do feel I learned some things, so that is a win.

Workshop Site Launch Imminent!

2012-01-12T03:17:00.001-06:00

Working hard at putting together all of the details for the Soon To Be Announced Professional series of workshops that I'm hosting this year.

(here's a teaser for the first upcoming awesome looking workshop for 2012).

Hope to have it all up and live by the end of the week. Stay tuned.

Senior Artist position open in Chicago

2012-01-11T11:05:00.003-06:00

My current employer, WMS Gaming, is looking for a senior artist to produce illustrations for slot machinces. Having been with the company for a year, I can give it my full recommendation. Good pay, pleasant environment and company, and (for me, at least) very enjoyable work. Here is sample of the type of illustration done for them.

You can get more details about the company from posting here or emailing me at samrkennedy@yahoo.com.

Nuclear Bunker - Speedpainting

2012-01-11T09:33:00.000-06:00

Mood concept speedpainting about a cold war nuclear bunker...

markmolnar.com / momarkmagic.blogspot.com

Zombie Attack - Speedpainting Video

2012-01-10T11:21:00.000-06:00

Another process video recorded a couple of months ago - this time a horror character mood piece.

markmolnar.com / momarkmagic.blogspot.com

Podcast Episode 35 - Wordpress

2012-01-09T11:30:00.005-06:00

Episode 35; we discuss our love for Wordpress. We talk about some great templates that are best for an illustration portfolio that keeps the Art Directors happy. We tell you our favorite host to run that site as well too. Joining in on the conversation was Aaron Miller, Marc Scheff, Madeline Matz, and special guest Tim Piotrowski.

If you have any questions after listening email us!

Listen to the podcast here!

Subscribe to Drawn Today in iTunes

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More Links!!

Panel:
Aaron Miller
Marc Scheff
Madeline Matz
Tim Piotrowski

Wordpress:
Worpress

Hosts:
Dream Host

Templates:
Viewport
Free Photo Gallery
Photoblog
Blocco
Autofocus
Filtered

Sunday Sketching -

2012-01-08T19:32:00.001-06:00

Drawn from a magazine in my lap instead of from life (as I'm tiring of those, and I don't seem to be making much progress there at any rate) - in the tiny purse Moleskine balanced upon my knee....

Sunday Figure Study in Oil

2012-01-08T19:25:00.003-06:00

Sunday co-op figure study. Same model but from a different angle. Limited palette again: Titanium White; Cadmium Red Light; Yellow Ochre; Cobalt Blue; Ivory Black. 9"x12"

Plein air on Christmas Day

2012-01-08T09:19:00.000-06:00

Winter Tree | Merriville, IN | oil on panel | 8x10 | Aaron Miller

While the family was preparing Christmas dinner I went out in the back yard and painted for a bit. I had just gotten an umbrella that attaches to my easel set up to help block the sun so I could paint from any angle.

set up with new umbrella

Life Drawing

2012-01-07T03:14:00.001-06:00

Short pose day. Quickie poses....

Lovely model....

Young Woman Study

2012-01-06T17:03:00.000-06:00

Hello. Here is my latest study on my rode to trying to be looser and more painterly. After study paintings by Greg Manchess and trying to figure out how he approaches skintones for soft, feminine figures, I worked up this study of a young life model friend of mine. Things I like...face, hair and shoulder/chest area. Areas I need more work, hands, feet and knees. I keep working.

Sketch Night

2012-01-06T09:24:00.003-06:00

I made it to a sketch night at the Bell Museum of Natural History. It was a fun evening. Last night's theme was oddities. There was drawing time and a little presentation on the theme (which we weren't obligated to attend). Check the site for a complete description. The cow hairball was quite impressive!
http://bellmuseum.umn.edu/ForAdults/ThursdayNights/Sketching/index.htm

2012-01-05T09:37:00.002-06:00

Had an awkward amount of time this morning between getting to the studio and a scheduled phone call, so I worked up this little warmup/study/whatever rather than dive into anything big and get frustrated that I had to drop everything at 10:00.

Booooks!

2012-01-05T07:27:00.000-06:00

During my holiday I finally received the comp copies of some of the books I illustrated. Its great to see the artworks in print after such a long time (jeeez, I have done some of them more than a 1.5 years ago!).
Done the cover art for Locus Origin and various interior illustrations for the three other books by Catalyst.

Locus Origin: The Never Born

Shadowrun: Street Legends and War!, BattleTech: House Liao

markmolnar.com / momarkmagic.blogspot.com

Ambassador - Speedpainting

2012-01-04T09:29:00.002-06:00

Alien creature speedie with some added graphic design elements...

markmolnar.com / momarkmagic.blogspot.com

Scifi Cityscape - Speedpainting Video

2012-01-03T09:42:00.001-06:00

Another process video recorded a couple of months ago...

markmolnar.com / momarkmagic.blogspot.com

Figure Drawing for the New Year

2012-01-03T09:01:00.000-06:00

Jan 1 was the first digital painting of 2012, Jan 2nd was the first figure drawing of 2012. I gotta do something to make Jan 3rd not a letdown.

Dragon a Day!

2012-01-02T22:05:00.000-06:00

Hi everyone!

Since 2012 is the Year of the Dragon, I decided it was the perfect excuse to do something I've been thinking about: a drawing a day blog! And if you know me, you know I can never draw too many dragons, so I've decided it would be a dragon a day. The plan is to post a dragon drawing every day of 2012. No holidays, weekends, sick days, NADA.

Check it out here: http://piyadragonaday.blogspot.com/

Can I do it? We'll see!

A Girl and Her Dragon

2012-01-02T15:00:00.006-06:00

I finally found time to finish this painting-apt really, as 2012 is the year of the dragon, and I happen to be a dragon myself. Snort.

Figure Study January 1

2012-01-02T11:07:00.003-06:00

First figure study of the new year.
Limited palette: Titanium White; Ivory Black; Yellow Ochre; Cobalt Blue; Cadmium Red Scarlet.

Troll Hunter - Speedpainting

2012-01-02T10:30:00.000-06:00

After a long holiday I am back on track again, so here comes the first speedie of 2012. Happy and Creative New Year everyone! :)

markmolnar.com / momarkmagic.blogspot.com

Sunday Sketching -

2012-01-02T04:03:00.001-06:00

Finished up the last spread in the purse Moleskine....

Thought I had a back-up one, but sadly no...

Had to resort to the a Strathmore until I get a new one.

In the teensy purse Strathmore pad balanced upon my knee....

God Jul!

2011-12-23T11:37:00.000-06:00

Yule Ram | oil on panel | 5" x 5" | ©Aaron Miller

Every Christmas as a kid we had one of these funny looking straw goats around the tree. It was something I always loved but never actually knew what it meant. While on a shopping trip to Ikea i spotted the Yule Ram and had that feeling of reminiscence flood over me. I just had to have one for our tree this year. Since it reminded me so much of Mom, I painted it as a little gift for her since she's in Denver and I'm not able to make it out there.

The interesting thing about painting or drawing something is the amount of time you spend with the subject. Part of that study can sometimes be it's history and other things that effect it or have been affected by it. For my illustration work I really enjoy this process. I try to understand the subject from as many angles available figuratively as well as literally.

Yule is the much older holiday celebrating the winter solstice. During this time it is thought that the last cuts of the harvest contain the corn-spirit, in the form of the goat or ram and sometimes boar. This Yule straw is made up into a goat or ram. And in the spring this animal effigy is mixed with the seed before planting for a good harvest. During the dancing at Christmas (or in the past during Yule) the straw animal is thrown around to one another, simulating a prancing goat.*

*Source "The Golden Bough: A Study in Magic and Religion, Volume 8"By Sir James George Frazer Merry Christmas Everyone! God Jul!

aaronbmiller.com

Happy Holidays!

2011-12-22T09:15:00.003-06:00

I wish Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and an Awesome Creative New Year to all you out there! Thanks for all your support in 2011!

markmolnar.com / momarkmagic.blogspot.com

Merry Christmas

2011-12-22T09:07:00.000-06:00

My Nativity Christmas card design for this year. Hope you like it. Merry Christmas everyone!

Humanoid Race Concepts

2011-12-22T06:01:00.002-06:00

Humanoid racial concepts done for a fantasy rpg project of a private client. I think I posted some previous versions of one or two of these...

markmolnar.com / momarkmagic.blogspot.com

Happy Holidays

2011-12-21T18:08:00.000-06:00

Early Gifts, 21x30, oil on canvas.

This year's Christmas card for the High School. We'll see how long I can keep using this as an opportunity to do family portraits...

Happy Holidays everyone! Enjoy the time with friends and family, the good food, and maybe even a little time for yourself in the studio to work on something new.

The Ballad of Santa Claus

2011-12-21T10:33:00.001-06:00

Savage Claws from the Ballad of Santa Claus | Oil on panel | 24" x 24" | ©Aaron Miller

A project that I've been working on finally has been released. A fun spin on Santa Claus and filled with little illustrations along the way. And it's only 99¢! So..get one!

Life Drawing

2011-12-20T15:32:00.002-06:00

Monday night life drawing with my favorite model. 4B Woodless pencil on paper.

Hidden Temple - Speedpainting

2011-12-19T10:46:00.000-06:00

Brush testing between jobs - trying to achieve a more painterly look...

markmolnar.com / momarkmagic.blogspot.com

Sunday Sketching...

2011-12-18T20:16:00.001-06:00

Only one spread left in this Moleskine. Looks like I will fill it up this year after all.

In the teensy purse Moleskine balanced upon my knee...

Life Painting

2011-12-18T08:21:00.003-06:00

Yesterday's figure painting session at Boston Figurative Art Center.

Podcast Episode 34 - The Illuxcon 2011 Wrap-Up

2011-12-17T07:19:00.000-06:00

Just in time for the holidays, the DrawnToday team has this Illuxcon wrap-up (Get it? Holiday? Wrap-up? Come on!) Join Mike Sass, Grant Cooley and Mark Harchar as they discuss all things post Illuxcon from what to expect for next year and beyond to how to bolster your career by wearing a onesy. Be thankful we haven't posted pictures of this one, but audio? We can do audio.
If you have any questions after listening email us!

Listen to the podcast here!

Subscribe to Drawn Today in iTunes

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Life Drawing -

2011-12-17T02:18:00.002-06:00

Last life drawing session of the year -

Looking forward to 2012!

The Knight - Speedpainting

2011-12-15T10:26:00.002-06:00

Testing some new custom brushes...

markmolnar.com / momarkmagic.blogspot.com

Before Battle - Process Video

2011-12-14T08:29:00.001-06:00

Another speedpainting process video, this time a fantasy mood concept. :)

markmolnar.com / momarkmagic.blogspot.com

Ivy, the red nosed reindeer?

2011-12-13T20:47:00.001-06:00

So here is another study that I have done digitally to try to get my style looser and more painterly. I feel really good about this one, because I feel like I did alot of things right. I went to a costumed drawing session the other day and got a pretty decent gesture sketch from one of the model's poses. Since they allowed photography, I snapped a shot right before the pose was over. So I went home, cleaned up the gesture and then used the photo for queues on how to paint it. Above is the final study and two process shots for you to get an idea how I got there. I have been working in Painter 11 on one layer. I am getting abetter handle on how to use the tools. Enjoy my little sexy festive pinup.

Hey, thanks for not deactivating me...

2011-12-13T19:21:00.001-06:00

Oil on canvas, 30x18.

Yikes, it's been a while. School has long since started, offspring are demanding lots of time, and this is a bit more "fine-arty" than illustrative, but I managed to get it finished up just before Thanksgiving.

Currently at the framer's, this is a gift for my wife's uncle and his wife. They live in Philadelphia and frequent Reading Terminal Market quite a bit. An absolutely wonderful place for food, and the sign above their heads belongs to Dinic's Pork and Beef. If your in town, stop by the place, hunt them down and buy yourself a sandwich. Trust me.

Thanks for not kicking me off the ship and keep on making the good stuff.

Snow Planet Landing - Speedpainting

2011-12-13T07:47:00.002-06:00

Experimenting with more abstract and minimal compositions and limited palette and values.

markmolnar.com / momarkmagic.blogspot.com

Space Dock Environment Concept

2011-12-12T06:27:00.001-06:00

I finally got the green light to show this enviro concept I have done for the Locus Origin ip. Hope you like... :)

markmolnar.com / momarkmagic.blogspot.com

Sunday Sketching...

2011-12-12T02:26:00.002-06:00

Only a few more pages left in this Moleskine...

Only 2 more Sundays in 2011 however, so I probably won't quite finish before the end of the year (good goal though!).

In the teensy purse Moleskine balanced upon my knee...

Locus Origin - Merillian

2011-12-10T08:38:00.001-06:00

The new trailer for the second chapter of Locus Origin featuring my artworks is finally out! Check it out, if you have minute. :)

markmolnar.com / momarkmagic.blogspot.com

Life Drawing -

2011-12-10T04:23:00.000-06:00

Had a really fun costumed model today for life drawing.

Five minute poses.

15 minutes (conte crayon).

20 minutes (conte crayon).

40 minutes (charcoal).

I think I'd rather draw big, froofy dresses than almost anything!

Lizardman Portrait - Speedpainting

2011-12-09T09:08:00.001-06:00

Quick creature design exercise between jobs. Basic technique starting with black background and using only one layer and default soft round brush in Ps.

markmolnar.com / momarkmagic.blogspot.com

Steampunk Bug - Speedpainting Process Video

2011-12-08T02:57:00.001-06:00

I have recorded a bunch of process vids about 1-1.5 months ago and now I finally had the time to start editing them. Heres the first one... :)

markmolnar.com / momarkmagic.blogspot.com

Floating Islands - Speedpainting

2011-12-07T07:25:00.001-06:00

Yeah, I am still alive hahah... I was flooded with work in the past couple of weeks, so I couldn`t even do my daily sketches. I am slowly getting back on track and inally had some time do a quick environment speedie between stuff.

markmolnar.com / momarkmagic.blogspot.com

Mike Nash - Smaug The Magnificent

2011-12-04T14:56:00.004-06:00

Hello, all. I haven't posted anything here since May! Too much stuff wrapped up in NDA's. Nevertheless, I've been lurking in the background, watching what everyone else has been up to.

Yesterday evening, I forced myself away from commissions before my brain exploded. Decided to paint something for fun and refresh my mind.

Anyway, it's my take on Smaug from the Hobbit. I'll be developing it into a final image during my free time. I've been itching to do some LOTR inspired art for too long.

Please let me know if anyone knows of any good Smaug info etc.

Video process is here.

Podcast Episode 33 - Petar Meseldzija's Illuxcon Lecture with Commentary

2011-12-02T14:39:00.000-06:00

So Illuxcon has come and gone, but the audio lives! Join us for a fascinating lecture event from Petar Meseldzija where Petar discusses infusing emotion into your work. Also join Mark Harchar, Aaron Miller and Jason Cheeseman-Meyer in discussions preceding and following the lecture where we discuss Petar ideas and how Aaron Miller loves to draw disembowelments.
If you have any questions after listening email us!

Listen to the podcast here!

Subscribe to Drawn Today in iTunes

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Harley Quinn Study

2011-12-01T19:20:00.000-06:00

So here is my next attempt to push my art into a more painterly style. Again I have used Painter 11, but I feel that I don't understand how to use the digital tools properly and think that if I continue to use Painter, I will need to learn more about it. This is one layer, just as I would paint traditionally.

Swan Song

2011-12-01T09:40:00.001-06:00

Swan Song | 8x10in. | oil on illustration board | Aaron Miller

Painted for a charity event; Pottery Barn presents Picture a Cure for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.If you live in the area the event takes place Dec. 8 @ 7pm at the Lincoln Park Pottery Barn. It will be available for sale that night only!

here's a link to the flyer:

This gave me an opportunity to push my painting to marry the plein air feel with a reference photo. And I wanted to experiment with a new limited palette.

Here's a link to the palette:

limited palette

A few of these colors you might not need as they can easily be made some of the other colors. I had the tubes on hand and thought I'd see if they made any real difference. I'm not crazy about the naples yellow I had. I know I instantly swiped at the light yellow and added some white.

Japanese Camellia

2011-11-30T00:49:00.001-06:00

Japanese Camellia | 6x8 | oil on panel | Aaron Miller

The Plein Air Painters of Chicago met at the Garfield park Conservatory one Saturday morning and I was glad to have made it out. Painting in the conservatory made it a little easier to spend more time on the subject with the light staying a little more constant since it was filtered through the glass.Painting flowers from life is not easy. Well, not when you only have 2 hours. It seems so easy but taking all of the busy details and breaking them down into simple shapes always helps.

aaronbmiller.com

Couple pieces from the slot machine industry

2011-11-29T11:25:00.004-06:00

I thought I'd show a few images I did at the beginning of the year. I took a job working in the slot machine industry. After working in video games, it's been a nice change. I'd never thought about working in slots before, but it's given me more time to illustrate than video games did, and I still get that regular check.

Mech Soldier Demo

2011-11-28T07:33:00.001-06:00

Quick character demo from yesterday...

markmolnar.com / momarkmagic.blogspot.com

Sunday Sketching -

2011-11-27T22:25:00.001-06:00

In the teensy purse Moleskine, balanced upon my knee....

Demon Portrait - Speedpainting

2011-11-27T06:04:00.001-06:00

Had the chance to try out a new Cintiq 24hd yesterday and I made this quick critter speedie...

markmolnar.com / momarkmagic.blogspot.com

New Painting: Shroud

2011-11-26T23:09:00.002-06:00

I leave Cakes alone with a brush for 2 minutes! Sheesh, that bird... Anyway, finished a small painting just a few days ago, "Shroud", a small 4" x 6" oil painting on canvas panel, and it reminded me how much I hate working on canvas... Oh well, at least it was cheap to buy! Enjoy!

Here are the references I used.

I took photos of a bush that had yet to lose its leaves (one of the last few) and lucked out with its beautiful coloring. The depth of the leaves in the photos aren't that great, but if anyone would like to use them as reference, by all means please do!

Thanksgiving = Magic!

2011-11-25T16:36:00.002-06:00

Some sketches during a MtG draft after dinner last night. What else would happen on Thanksgiving? ;)

Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-11-24T11:27:00.001-06:00

markmolnar.com / momarkmagic.blogspot.com

FIW 6 - Spearwoman

2011-11-24T08:31:00.000-06:00

At the last Figurative Illustration Workshop we drew and painted the Spearwoman. I was totally inspired by my friend, Felipe Echevarria. He has a book of Spearwomen paintings that I just love. Thankfully our model was just as excited about the project as I was. It wasn't nearly as involved as the zombie makeup but fun just as well. Below is the long pose, 2 thirty minute studies, and 2 five minute sketches.Something about that red makeup on the hands and arms was just so alluring to paint. I can't wait to approach this subject again from my own perspective.Once you're checked out my work, head over to Felipe's site and grab a copy of his book!

Spearwoman 3 | 9x12 | oil on panel | Aaron Miller

Spearwoman 2 | 9x12 | oil on panel | Aaron Miller

Spearwoman 1 | 6x8 | oil on panel | Aaron Miller

Spearwoman sketch 1 | water pencil on paper | Aaron Miller

Spearwoman sketch 2 | water pencil on paper | Aaron Miller

Links:

Supergirl Study

2011-11-23T07:15:00.000-06:00

For a long time I have wanted to be a more painterly painter. Yet I found that when I wasn’t able to achieve that, I would start rendering things to a greater extent because it looked better to me than my failed painterly attempt. After Illuxcon, I made the decision that I am not going to fall into that trap anymore. I am going to PUSH myself to be that painterly painter that I want to be and if I fall on my face and produce garbage along the way, fine. I plan to do this my pumping out lots of studies over the next 3 to 4 months, throw away paintings, if you will. I will work both digitally and traditionally (based on what fits my schedule). That being said, here is a Supergirl study that I did in Painter 11.

Sky Castle - Speedpainting

2011-11-22T09:47:00.001-06:00

Quick environment exercise between jobs...

markmolnar.com / momarkmagic.blogspot.com

Figure Drawing

2011-11-22T06:29:00.003-06:00

Another lovely night drawing at the Boston Figurative Arts Center. I love the energy of that place (and the kick-ass models they attract and inspire).

Diner Drawing

2011-11-22T01:15:00.004-06:00

Some quick drawings from tonight between some MtG sessions at the diner with the usual crew.

Figure Study No. 214

2011-11-21T09:15:00.001-06:00

Figure Study No. 214 | Aaron Miller

Oil on panel.12x9 inches.So, I finally made it back to the Palette & Chisel to one of their 3 hours open sessions. It was great. I haven't had the opportunity to paint a model from life for 3 hours in a very long time. I'm really looking forward to going back.

Sunday Sketching -

2011-11-20T22:42:00.001-06:00

In the teensy purse Moleskine upon my knee...

Dreamer - Warm-up Sketch

2011-11-18T03:57:00.001-06:00

Just playing around in PS a bit...

markmolnar.com / momarkmagic.blogspot.com

House by the Lake - Speedpainting

2011-11-17T09:37:00.001-06:00

Lil` steampunky scifi enviro exercise for today...

markmolnar.com / momarkmagic.blogspot.com

The Crossing - Speedpainting

2011-11-16T10:32:00.001-06:00

Fantasy environment painting exercise between two creature design jobs. Also included some process shots...

markmolnar.com / momarkmagic.blogspot.com

Flamingos

2011-11-15T14:10:00.003-06:00

I have a couple holiday sales coming up. I thought I'd make something silly to print as cards.
Watercolor and colored pencil on bamboo + rag paper. I like the surface.

Stalker - Character Design Sketch

2011-11-15T08:55:00.001-06:00

Quick scifi character design exercise between jobs...

markmolnar.com / momarkmagic.blogspot.com

Doodle/Movie Night

2011-11-15T01:41:00.004-06:00

Hi all! Just thought I'd share some ballpoint pen drawings I did of John (and a cameo appearance by Cassie) tonight while we lazed around and watched Deathly Hallows parts 1 and 2! Hope everyone is doing well, enjoy!

Greg Manchess Workshop -

2011-11-14T23:31:00.001-06:00

Spent a fabulous weekend with the inimitable Greg Manchess. Great workshop, great time. There is an overview of the three days over on my blog if you're interested.

Exoplanet - Speedpainting

2011-11-14T08:37:00.001-06:00

Waiting for feedback from client - lil` enviro speedie beside my afternoon coffee...

markmolnar.com / momarkmagic.blogspot.com

Sunday Figure Study

2011-11-13T16:43:00.006-06:00

Recently I was introduced to a figure study co-op with nice lighting and a fun atmosphere (fun as in everyone was serious but there was room for fun...kind of like the IMC).

Russian Sauce on colored Strathmore charcoal paper. Approx 2.5 hours. Using sauce is a good experiment in limited palette. Hmm. Looks like I need to practice drawing more heads.

Grace Potter in Watercolor

2011-11-13T12:25:00.003-06:00

The Amazingly beautiful and talented Grace Potter, done in watercolors from a series of photos taken this year at Santa Rosa CA's Harmony Festival.
If you ever get the chance to see her live, DO IT! She has amazing stage presence!

Tribal Alien Queen - Speedpainting

2011-11-11T04:58:00.001-06:00

Quick creature design exercise to freshen up between jobs...

markmolnar.com / momarkmagic.blogspot.com

Sacred Ruins - Speedpainting

2011-11-10T07:43:00.000-06:00

Environment speedie with some process shots for today... :)

markmolnar.com / momarkmagic.blogspot.com

New Work

2011-11-09T23:17:00.000-06:00

Hey All! I just wanted to share these pieces with you. This past weekend something strange and awesome happened with the way I paint. I can't quite explain it but it's very exciting. So on Saturday I painted "Tricksters" the fox and raven painting and cleaned up the details on Sunday. Then drew the eagle out Monday night, painted part of the day Tuesday, and most of the day Wednesday. Thanks to some help from you guys it turned out better than I expected. I just want to say thank you to all of you for the encouragement on painting these wildlife pieces. You guys and gals rock!

Digital Studies - Skin Tones

2011-11-09T11:28:00.000-06:00

Doing some digital painting exercise between work stuff. Oldschool way, one layer, basic brush, 30 mins each... Referenced from these photos: Sample 01, Sample 02.

markmolnar.com / momarkmagic.blogspot.com

Life Drawing

2011-11-08T14:05:00.003-06:00

Plain ol' pencil life drawing . . . What more is there to say, really?

Swamp Forest - Speedpainting

2011-11-08T10:21:00.000-06:00

Environment speedie between jobs...

markmolnar.com / momarkmagic.blogspot.com

Undead Knight - Speedpainting

2011-11-07T10:53:00.000-06:00

Dynamic character design exercise between jobs...

markmolnar.com / momarkmagic.blogspot.com

Junk World

2011-11-05T07:45:00.000-05:00

Environment painting for a private client based on a previous speedie.

markmolnar.com / momarkmagic.blogspot.com

Winter Patrol - Speedpainting

2011-11-04T06:12:00.001-05:00

Another quick composition exercise between jobs...

markmolnar.com / momarkmagic.blogspot.com

Speed Jet - Speedpainting

2011-11-03T08:44:00.001-05:00

Composition sketch between jobs...

markmolnar.com / momarkmagic.blogspot.com

Eclipse Phase - Panopticon

2011-11-02T04:09:00.003-05:00

Look what I have on my desk! Yeah, the new Eclipse Phase book and its looking awesome! :)
(Oookay, I have it for a couple of weeks, but didn`t have the time to shoot some pictures...)

Eclipse Phase: Panopticon / Cover Art by Steaphan Martiniere

Eclipse Phase: Panopticon / Interior Art by Mark Molnar

markmolnar.com / momarkmagic.blogspot.com

Handsome

2011-11-01T22:39:00.003-05:00

An unusual pet portrait.
I felt watercolors appropriate for this piece.
Handsome is a bearded dragon.

Apparently this is where my Muse lives...

2011-10-31T14:50:00.007-05:00

4x6" Watercolor, Buckhorn Draw, Utah

The first of a few landscapes I'll be posting this week! This was at a canyon called Buckhorn Draw in the San Rafael Swell, Utah, and I had never been here before. I felt that I needed some "red rock time", so I was thrilled to get a rare weekend off to run out to the desert, grab a campsite, and do some painting. This was my first real attempt at true plein-air painting (I have lately been inspired by James Gurney's blog to think that plein-air painting really is a "MUST", as painting from the scene is able to capture what a camera simply cannot), although I confess some of it I had to do from the inside of the car because it was below freezing. (How did I know it was below freezing? Well, for one thing there was ice on the windshield of the car when I woke up.) So, not great camping weather but gorgeous scenery! There was also a well-known dinosaur track at the mouth of the canyon, and a 2000 year old rock art panel about half a mile away from my campsite. So I was camping alone on Halloween weekend about 200 miles from civilization, next to tracks of ancient creatures and also an archaeological site... and yes, in case you're wondering, I did get the heebie-jeebies when it got dark. :)

Anyway... given the combination of gorgeous scenery and freedom from the ordinary job and ordinary chores, I was kind of surprised to find myself just painting and painting and painting! Lately I've had trouble even finishing very small paintings, but this trip seemed to shake off the cobwebs and wake up the Muse. So I'm guessing my Muse lives somewhere in this canyon, although she has been known to show up just about anywhere!

Locus Origin - The Never Born

2011-10-30T05:25:00.001-05:00

The first book from the Locus Origin universe is finally out (with my cover art yay!), so if you like a good scifi, you can order it on Amazon > CLICK HERE <. I am working on this ip for nearly two years now and its great to see that our initial plans are slowly coming together. A lot more awesomeness are coming soon, so stay tuned! :D For updates check the Locus Origin site or join the Locus Origin Facebook page.

markmolnar.com / momarkmagic.blogspot.com

Life Drawing - Zombies

2011-10-29T22:58:00.000-05:00

I went to a Dr. Sketchy's-like life drawing session near Orlando called Sketch Broads. It was zombie apocalypse night. I thought it might be fun to play to with water color pencils and a water brush. I used red and black watercolor pencils and a regular graphite pencil. It was fun.

Hunter - Character Design (wip)

2011-10-28T10:44:00.001-05:00

I have made the original sketch for this as a live demo for my class. I did like the direction it was heading, so I worked on it here an there between jobs. Its still work in progress, because I would like to try out some variations with a camouflage outfit as well. Update is coming soon...

markmolnar.com / momarkmagic.blogspot.com

Zombie Attack - Speedpainting

2011-10-27T06:58:00.000-05:00

Zombie speedie for a demo video about digital painting...

markmolnar.com / momarkmagic.blogspot.com