Girl in a G-Suit

I know, I cut off her head. Well, actually, this wasn't meant to be a sketch at all. I happen to have my first few COPICS markers, and it all started with me trying out the different shades of gray on that middle forearm, which was just an accordion-looking blob at the time. Its one of those drawings where you draw something out of the blue, and it looks like something else. And then you start adding to it. Impulsive, you know.
So the mechanical hand followed, then the spherical elbow joint, thinking robot at this point. But then I decided to give it a sort of skirt, and the legs were obviously girl-like, so what the heck. It turned out to be a girl in some sort of gravity suit, or deep diving gear, or something. Its the first time I draw a girl with a well defined characteristic, even if some of the anatomy doesn't match. I have license to create with that suit anyways. I imagine the arms are more for heavy work. They could be mechanical arms for all I know. But of course, you can't deny the female shape here. Who knows, I may end up doing pin-ups some day, but the sci-fi influence remains.
Hope you like this on-the-fly, impulsive sketch. Those COPICS markers are addictive, and of course, I will get other shades to play with. Oh, almost forgot. Also used a Pentel Stylo, and some PITT brush pens for some of the lighter shading, and dark outlines. Thanks for dropping by.

Squirrels

A little bit of practice on squirrels for something due today. Thought I'd check out some famous ones (Rocky and Secret Squirrel) and some not-so-famous ones (based on some google search images). I specially like the middle one of that trio on the top right. He seems a bit miffed. Funny creatures. You can almost say they posed.
All of these were roughed in pencil, and finished with brush pen (I can't help using a brush pen sometimes).

Man Vs Art Pilgrimage

Certainly an impulsive sketch. Here's the story: Last Thursday I had the opportunity to meet up with two of my all-time favorite creators/artistes, Raul Aguirre Jr, and Jim Lujan. While on work assignment, I was near the Los Angeles area, and made it a point to hook up with my buds. It was worth gold! I visited Minion Central: The Man Vs Art studios. Better than Disneyland to me, Raul's corner of the world was like going home. The lovely and vivacious Hortencia, and Raul welcomed me like family. The place is full of art, and I think I know now where Raul gets the greater part of his inspiration. Hortencia is a great artist, and you can't help to be inspired. Raul is a lucky man. This duo rocks. I don't have to say how much Raul inspires me, but being there was a bit like the high point of a pilgrimage.
We also visited the traditional minion stop: King Taco, a tasty taco haven. I broke my semi-vegetarian rule and had sopes and tacos (MEAT!). Worth it!
The great Jim Lujan met us there, and we had the greatest time talking about everything. It was like being in a mixed MVA/Lujan podcast live. Jim drew me an awesome caricature. Check that out! My first visit to LA, and he got me pegged Lujan-style. Love it! Thanks Jim!
I have pics, and more to tell, but this is long enough. The experience of being with these two greats was overwhelming, and my trip back to the hotel was a sad one. I wish I had more time with them. Inspiration and fun just breaks the meter when you're with these two. Not to leave Jim's cousin Ted behind, he gave me some "Horchata" at King Taco, and pitched in while I was "gushing art chonies". Thanks Ted. Of course, I have to thank Raul and Jim for the great hospitality. Both my brothers in art ensured I had a great time. They couldn't help it. Its in their DNA. Oh, and don't forget to visit Jim and Raul online, at their main sites (above) or their other haunts across the web. Thanks again! Well, this is all for now. Thanks for dropping by, and remember to have a great art time. You know I did.

Airport Animal Hat

Thought I'd give this blog a little action. In all truth, this is an impulsive sketch. Sketch Daily is Marshall "Calmplex"'s daily sketch initiative where he invites folks to post their daily work, whatever it may be, just some sketch or practice, or doodle, every day. I've been posting regularly this last week, but I had to travel for work again, and just managed this while at the airport. Pardon the bad lighting, but I always miss my scanner while on work travel.

I sketched this pen-brush/sticky note while charging my cell phone, and checking e-mail in a connection station while at the Philladelphia airport. I had just bough a cute knitted animal hat from a nice lady while walking towards my gate. My daughter loves these things. I sat at a mini stall, next to other travelers. Its kind of weird how they isolate themselves from the world. I don't blame them. I don't like airports much. Some working, others reaching out to their online friends, or talking on their cell phones while charging them. I think next time I'm going to sketch one of those folks that sit on the floor, tethered to their cell phones, which in turn, are tethered to a wall or column power outlet.
Anyway, I'm sure my daughter will like her hat. Hope you liked this. Have a great art time (at any cost LOL).

Belated Silly Walk

I missed out on the Tuesday Sketch week 98 - topic: "Silly Walks" in reference to Monty Python's famous skit "Ministry of Silly Walks" (youtube vid).  I started drawing something, and work got the best of my time, as it tends to happen lately.  So I finish this one to post separately from the TS lineup.
It also served to let me know how much not being able to practice drawing and/or inking can affect you. I find it turned out a bit under the usual "quality" I was putting out before. As for sketching, its always an exploration, but I feel kind of less confident sketching. The one thing that hasn't changed from not drawing so often has been fast sketching... which is what I do by drawing lines fast and letting it happen quickly. The feeling drawing like that hasn't changed. I hope to be able to get back to a good rhythm.
There will be more, and other types of posts... Inking this really got me thirsty for more.
Hope you like it. Thanks for dropping by, and have a great art time!

Sketch Daily

Here's a simple sketch done with Sketchbook Mobile on an iPodTouch. It took less than 2 minutes, no erasing, and some of that time spent messing with the choice of brush. Goes to show how a few finger-strokes on an app can yield something that looks nice and effortless. At least I think it looks nice. One scribble, imagination, and here's a wine drinking person, possibly at an art show, looking into his glass, pensive. This is not a thought out, detail oriented piece, by no means. It was completely impulsive, after listening to my friend's podcast. Marshall (@MarshallPlexx on Twitter) is a dedicated artist, fighting for time to practice and better himself. At the same time, sharing with us his struggles, ideas, and advise. Thanks, and hats off, Marshall! I'm in the middle of a time battle, balancing work and family, as never before, and your words inspire to go on. You can find the podcast in question here, and check out his cool work here.
As well, he started this Sketch Daily page on Facebook. I'm still trying to regain my usual art flow, and I promise I'll keep pushing. I have some bigger things I'd like to create, and with this new challenge in time management, its proving to be interesting, to say the least.
Hope you like this quick and impulsive, if minimal piece. Thanks for visiting, and have a great art time!

Salon Samus

As a submission to the Tuesday Sketch, I give you Samus at the Salon. She's got to keep her good looks going after all the battles, right? The topic was Samus (of Metroid fame). I'm not all that familiar with the game, nor the character, but a little search on the web gave me enough material.
This was done in a hurry. Busy with work, I was able to view a few references during the day, and once done with the daily duties, I sat down to pump this out as soon as possible.
The Tuesday Sketch Tumblr blog has moved, within Tumblr, to a new URL. Noel Curry, @DJBogtrotter in Twitter, has always led the effort, giving us a weekly topic to sketch something on Tuesdays, and he passed on the stewardship to me. This tradition of almost 2 years continues every week, giving everyone the topic on Tuesday, by announcing with a tweet using the #tuesdaysketch hashtag. You can visit the original site here. Its full of goodies, and every piece, from the most humble, to the elaborate, has something to say.
I encourage you to follow me on Twitter (@gonzalexx) and/or search for the #tuesdaysketch hashtag there. We'd love to see your visions of the weekly topic.
Thanks for dropping by, and remember to have a great art time!