The Aquarium Cafe

Did a little paintover of a recent sketch.. I did this sketch in a local cafe that used to be an aquarium. I used to love visiting the aquarium when I was growing up; there was a huge variety of fish there and they even had a small crocodile (which, in retrospect, was kinda cruel given the size of its tank). When I first moved out of home I decided to get goldfish, and I loved watching them swim around in their bowl. Unfortunately though, I was terrible at keeping them alive. I did everything the aquarium guys told me to do, but for some reason, the little buggers just kept dying on me! I became a familiar face at the aquarium during this period (not something that I am proud of..).

Eventually, I gave up and packed up the fish bowl. Since then, as I mentioned, the aquarium has closed and been turned into a cafe that does killer breakfasts. I'm a bit of a regular there now, and on one recent visit I found myself remembering all the fish that used to be there. I imagined their little ghosts swimming around the heads of the customers; an idea that I found a lot more cute than creepy... Anyway, that was what inspired this sketch.

 

EDIT: I forgot to mention that my ultimate favourite variety of goldfish were the pearlscales, AKA golfball fish. They are goofy little fish that are shaped like golfballs (as if that wasn't self-explanatory), and I LOVED them, so they are the fish you see here.

Some more sketches from the tram..

Below are a few sketches of some characters I've been developing for a comic that I may eventually write... They are nameless and will probably remain so...

 

Ane here are some regular sketches from the tram...

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

Aand I drew this with the intention of giving it to somebody as an apology... but as it turned out, I wasn't really sorry! So here it is. He is 'sheepish', get it?!! OK, not my most brilliant moment.. but I think it's pretty cute...

My other blog..

Spent some time today on my 'little mechanic' character. There are a couple more screenshots at the blog that I have set up specifically to track my progress with this character. Link here.

Something's going on here...

But I'm not sure what...

Like a tiger...

At the risk of sounding like a primary school kid, tigers have ALWAYS been my favourite animals. But for some reason, I've never really drawn them that much. Was googling tigers today and did this sketch..

Hot ZBrush Woman

An oldish sculpt that I just found on my hard drive. Yes, her ear is a mess... was just mucking around. She's a bit of a babe, though, right?!

Another one..

Tram Lady - Painted

Just had a little play with Painter this afternoon. Painted over a tram sketch from a previous post. Was fun!

A Drunk.

I keep hearing stories of moose feeding on fermented apples and ending up in compromising situations; ie. stuck up trees or in backyard swimming pools. It gave me a humourous image of a moose with a penchant for cider...

 

I couldn't think of anything funny that a drunk moose might say.... Suggestions welcome!

Nude Sketch Lightbox

I was recently approached by Zac Ford, a design student from New Zealand, with a request to use this sketch for one of his projects; making a decorative lightbox using fibre optic lights. He has just sent me photos of the result, and I am absolutely delighted! I think it looks gorgeous. Thanks, Zac!

 

  

August tram sketches..

I wish I had time to do more drawing at the moment, but unfortunately the only time I seem to be able to get into it is during my daily commute. Here are some more random sketches from the tram....

More...

The Lil' Mechanic

Just spent a few minutes doing these (obviously) VERY rough sketches of a little steampunk mechanic, just to satisfy my 'creative needs'.... She's a character that I have had in my head for a while now.. I'd love to use her as a little project, eventually create a nice sculpt in ZBrush and even some finished renders! I can dream, can't I? I am TERRIBLE at seeing things like this to fruition though, so I am thinking about setting up a blog devoted solely to this little project.. Maybe having people watching my progress will help me to find the motivation I need to actually see something through for myself. Feedback would be ace! Which one do you guys like the most?

But I can't concentrate....

Young Madonna

Good lord, I feel like I haven't done a drawing in years. Desperately needed to doodle brainlessly for a few minutes tonight, and ended up doodling from a photo of a young Madonna. The photo was from her time as a life model, before she skyrocketed to superstardom. And she was a bit of a babe! I didn't really capture her face properly.. but I kinda liked the face I drew, so I kept it...

Will probably draw some clothed people soon...

Paint Tool SAI nude sketch.

Been playin' with the brushes in Paint Tool SAI tonight.. It's a pretty neat little art app. I like its brushes for inking way better than anything Photoshop can do. Here is another nude.. 'cause let's be honest, who doesn't love nude lady sketches!

 

EDIT: I was having fun, so I did another one...

Space Invader

Quick sketch before bed..

More May Tram Sketches

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Tram Sketches - May 2011

I am working in South Melbourne at the moment and while I am not a fan of the commute, I AM a fan of the time it gives me to do some sketching.. Here are some doodles from today and yesterday.

Another redhead...

Really shouldn't have spent time doing this tonight, but sometimes I just get to the point where I can't focus on anything until I do something for myself..

Sunday Sketchin'

A few more sketches, this time from Sunday sketch group. Nothing earth shattering, just documenting my progess..

 

Feb sketches

Haven't posted here for a little while (been super busy again) so just thought I'd throw up some sketches from my day in the city yesterday, just to keep the ball rolling... 

 

Another simple nude..

Once again, I have found myself with very little time for personal work, but here's a quick geisha..

My love affair with Painter...

It's long overdue, but Painter and I are together at last. I have been putting it off for so long, due to a mixture of fear and laziness, but I believe the time has come for me to get to know this little gem of a package. Blending heaven!!

This was drawn from photo ref, but stylized obviously. I can't remember where the photo came from unfortunately.. I think it was one of those 'National Geographic Best Photos of 20-whenever" lists, but I wouldn't know how to find it again to credit the photographer. It is a gorgeous photo at any rate, there are actually a lot more children in the line in the actual photo, but I ran out of stamina. I really enjoyed attempting to capture the expressions on the faces of the little girls. I feel like that sort of thing comes so naturally to me and I find it so lovely and cathartic. This was lots of fun. And now I REALLY have to go and do some work....

A Blue Vampire.....

Played with Painter a bit tonight. This is the result of going back and forth between Photoshop and Painter. Loved the effect I was able to get in Painter with the hair. It's better on full view...

I should be working......