Relearning ZBrush. I took time away from it originally to work on my traditional drawing skills. I’ll be blasting more artwork out over the next few months. Book cover for my cousin’s poetry, JHP stuff, and starting the game art portfolio.

Well now… I have 1.5 years left in the US Army! August 2011 cannot come soon enough… though it is ideal that its that far away, as my portfolio is still being constructed. The plan is to have it together in a year, completed and ready to be sent out, seeking the opportunity I’ve been working toward for so long. Concept-to-creation is the idea. Going from a simple scribble/doodle to a full, living, breathing illustration or 3d model. I’ve developed a workflow that will be employed, and I’ll be posting results, probably one every two to three weeks. I haven’t developed much in 3dsMax since Dominance War 4, should be interesting.

Process:
Doodle/Scribble/Horribly-drafted-initial-idea-that-nobody-should-see → Rough Concept → Finished Concept → 3D (Zbrush/Max)

Reference gathering and whatnot goes in there somewhere too, but its based on need.

Still doing plenty of studying too. I have a rather large list of books and study-projects to do too. Who needs sleep?

Looks like The JHralaProject, will have a chance to be in a gallery show in May. The atelier that I do figure drawing practice at is having an open gallery and I’ll be entering pieces to nab a position at the show. As the JHP is my most recent collection of my endeavor, its going to be shown. I have to figure out how to present words with picture (sounds simple, it isn’t) and finish out three more illustrations, and refine the existing (or redo, whichever produces a better result). This would be my first gallery show, and much sooner than December (which, is on that list on the previous post). There’s going to be a possible CG short coming from me based around the JHP or around my graphic novel project; if the latter is the case, it’ll be more of a ‘trailer’.

Also, here’s the newest image for the JHP:

A new year is typically a catalyst for change, and for me it is no different. It may not be so much drastic change, more a modification of current action brought on by objective observation of my activities, lack thereof, and the dreams that I hold in my mind. Below are two lists, one for creative endeavors, and another for personal endeavors (which I typically do not speak of.) I can envision grand achievement on both fronts, and without getting too metaphorical, think of coal under pressure.

In late 2009 (three weeks ago), I laid out my 2010 artistic goals, broke it down into something resembling a monthly project list. My first impression upon looking at my list after a night of sleep, is that I’ve once again bit off a bit much. The difference this time around is that I’ve had another year of life to help me distinguish what feasible. I’m typically highly organized, yet chaos is my fuel. One thing I have listed in my life goals is to harness the power of the calm, as it seems when things start working out, I look for the chaos instead of utilizing the calm. There’s a yin/yang metaphor there somewhere.

Creativity: These are mostly related to learning, as one of my 2011 goals is to start my career as a CG Artist. In March of 2009, I had the opportunity to attend Massive Black’s Reverie workshop in Dallas. It was a huge wake-up call, and enough creative energy to last a lifetime. I met some awesome people, and during those few days, I realized something important: hard work is all it takes… So that is what 2009 held: hard work, research, filtering out life’s bullshit, and holding true to my goals, which for some time (since my college graduation in 2006), had been lost to the haze of uncertainty and fear. My confidence (arrogance to some, pssh) since then has skyrocketed, as I can see myself achieving anything I set out to do. Its a great feeling.

2010 Creative Endeavors
☐ Learn: Form and Value
☐ Learn: Human Anatomy
☐ Learn: Creature Anatomy
☐ Learn: Color (I’m color-deficient, should be fun)
☐ Learn: zBrush
☐ Read: (insert huge list of art books here)
☐ Sketchbookery (ie: draw; make it awesome)
☐ Study: Mythology, philosophy, science, psychology, sociology
☐ Freelance (its part of feeling ‘like an artist’ to me, a value ideal)
☐ Write: Graphic Novel
☐ Complete: 2D Portfolio (Dec 2010)
☐ Publish: JHralaProject (June 2010)
☐ Begin: 3D Portfolio (Game Art)
☐ Gallery Show: Local

Life: It seems when I take a look around at the world, most people are seriously unhappy, except for those who have achieved whatever they sought out to do. I’ve seen it in my family, in those I work with, and with total strangers. I will not be like this. I would rather die happily with nothing knowing I pursued what I valued, instead of live a life of frustration, full of drugs or booze or sex or hate or Prozac. I thoroughly enjoy being around those who are pursuing that which matters most. More importantly, those who are honest with themselves and others hold a high value in my book. I don’t have time for unhappy people, I cannot solve their problems (yet these types gravitate toward me). A resolve to hold onto the good and leave the evil is paramount, for my own well-being as well as others. A catalyst is only effective in its purest form; once a person has achieved peace with their self, then they can achieve peace with all.

2010 Life Endeavors
☐ Social: Balance the lone wolf with the need for personal interaction. I have plenty of awesome to share, apparently other people are required.
☐ Physical: Getting in shape; pics on bodybuilding.com in three months.
☐ Mental: Fear and anxiety are fuel.
☐ Spiritual: Still an Atheist, and steadily promoting, through art/deed.
☐ Networking: Started in 2009, will continue.
☐ Philosophy: I’m a blend of Objectivist and Buddhist. I’m going to embrace this fully.
☐ Discipline: I have a good handle on this, time to teach others.
☐ Sharing: Its quite enjoyable to share achievements, pursuits and ideals. Reciprocation makes all the better.
☐ Read: (too many to list…)
☐ Filter: Wheat and chaff.

As an INTJ-Mastermind (Myers-Briggs Typology), I have the ability to create plans, and the one I made for myself to achieve my dreams is working so far. My silver bullet is a lack of commitment though. I do not like my current job, nor the military in general anymore, but it is my means to an end, and I knew this before stepping off. For the longest time I could not commit to my artistic dreams, and fight for them, nor my personal needs. Sometime this past year that all changed, and what was lying dormant in the back of my mind has made its way to the forefront. The most important ideal for me to remember is balance, but with a healthy, committed determination to succeed.

And finally, my favorites quotes:
“Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experiences of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, vision cleared, ambition inspired and success achieved.” — Helen Keller

“To hell with circumstances; I create opportunities.” — Bruce Lee

“Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go.” –TS Eliot

“I have been impressed with the urgency of doing. Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Being willing is not enough; we must do.” –Leonardo da Vinci

“Do, or do not. There is no try.” –Master Yoda

“I swear, by my life and my love of it, that I will never live for the sake of another man, nor ask another man to live for mine.” — Ayn Rand

2010, I will pwn you.

Well, well.. I clarified my goals throughout 2009, and a really sharp focus has been achieved. Stoked about 2010. Publishing a project with JH, the younger; writing my graphic novel; powerleveling art skills; and that fitness thing too I suppose. An INTJ can master anything, as long as they stay focused. Its like burning ants, somehow.

My SB over at conceptart.org has been updated, check it out here.

I found some awesome texture reference today, one on 3dtotal.com and another one, cgtextures.com, linked to me by one of my fellow artists. I also received the MFA booklet from Boston University in the mail, but more on that later.

I’ve been at Fort Jackson for the past  six weeks for a leadership course, but as I’m getting out of the Army in 664 days, my priority stays art first. So I’ve been sketching, during breaks, after class, studying Bridgman, Loomis, and the Masters.

Speaking of Loomis, I recently received a genuine ‘Figure Drawing For All Its Worth’ softcover. I found it for around $30 on Amazon and couldn’t pass it up. Also, there’s this app for the iPhone called ‘GoodReader’ for reading PDF files. I highly recommend it. Finished my first reading of FDFAIW on the iPhone (read whenever I had a free moment). The rest of the Loomis books are loaded too, and I’ve been reading them as time allows. Also, an app called MyBody is available and allows one to strip down a cadaver to muscle, bone and internals. Very cool.

Recently I had the opportunity to have my current work looked at by Jason Manley, of Massive Black (took an online class, included with the class). It was a huge eye opener, and I was given a list of things to work on, and some insight into how to utilize my color-blindess to my benefit. That all being said, I am going to chronicle my studies on my conceptart.org sketchbook. When my portfolio is ready, I’ll put it back up. I will be studying A LOT over the next two years (I am finished with the Army in 22 months) to realize my dream, so, enough typing.

Notable studies/drawings/paintings will be posted here as I see fit. Books, gadgets, insight and whatever else that can be used to  be a better artist will be linked. Enjoy your stay.