Creature Spot

Quick update! I just needed to tell you all about my absolute new favorite blog: Creature Spot. It’s basically a blog for a bunch of different concept artists to come together and share their sketches and creations and I am in LOVE with it. Amazing work and extremely inspiring to someone who once dreamed of joining Weta Workshop as a concept artist (I have no given up on that dream – someday it will happen!).

Anyway… a few favorites:

• The Explorer’s Guide to Drawing Fantasy Creatures by Emily Fiegenschuh
• WoW: TCG Cards by LD Austin
• Talisman: The Dragons by Christopher Burdett
• Dog Women, Fish Men, Cat Monkeys and Ox Horses by Ryan Firchau

Go check them out and much more over at Creature Spot!

I have been making occasional blog posts over at Fuel your Illustration. One of my new year’s resolutions (that’s another blog post entirely) was to be a better editor, and I’m certainly trying, though life likes to throw curve balls that limit my blogging time. BUT. I’ve got a few good posts I’d like to share with you.

Fuel Your Illustration Articles!

Webcomic Wednesday: Animals in Webcomics
December 15th, 2010
“I love animals. Much of my life is dedicated to them in fact, so it makes sense that some of my favorite webcomics happen to have animals in them…”

Interview with Patrick O’Leary
December 23rd, 2010
“A few weeks ago, while I was putting together one of our fabulous Five Flickr Fridays, I realized that I kept picking artwork from the same individual…”

Gregory Thielker’s Oil Paintings
January 10th, 2011
“Sometimes you come across an artist whose work just takes your breath away. That’s what happened when I was introduced to the paintings of…”

Interview with Bard Hole Standal
January 17th, 2011
“For as long as I can remember, I have wanted to be a writer and illustrator. In fact, I wanted to create children’s books and I wanted them to be fun…”

And today’s article:

Webcomic Wednesday: Art of the Epic Graphic Novel
February 9th, 2011
“Comics. Graphic novels. Is a comic a graphic novel or is a graphic novel a comic? I tend to think of a graphic novel as an epic comic, but comics don’t necessarily…”

Write For Us!

These are just my articles, there are a ton more of them over at Fuel Your Illustration by my awesome co-editor and some great guest writers. Interested in writing for us? Head on over and contact us! We’d love to hear from you.

There’s a new article up from me over at Fuel Your Illustration. This time it’s on one of my favorite art subjects: animals! I showcase three of my favorite pet artist and introduce you to some of their best work. Take a moment to look through them and possibly connect with them. They are a great group of women with very different styles. The article is For the Love of Dog: Pet Portrait Artists! Check it out!

I stumbled upon illustrator Rory Doona on accident. I was looking up fanart of Where the Wild Things Are and ran across a speed painting he did of Max. I ended back up at his blog and was blown away by the amazing artwork he has showcased. I cannot even begin to tell you what a treasure I’ve found.

Rory is a manga-style illustrator and animator based in Bristol, UK. He says, “My illustration work is often motivated by a need to create a sense of space and beauty, I also enjoy creating stories and one day hope to be in a position where I can publish these ideas.” His work has been published on local flyers, advertisements in magazines, and used in the well-known publisher TOKYOPOP.

At first glance, it’s easy to mistake Rory’s illustrations for those of animation genius (and personal icon) Hayao Miyazaki. The bright, bold, colors, the seamless linework, the fascinating and whimsical characters: the work demands your attention and your eyes are drawn to every use of light and shadow. I am in love with this other-worldly style he has captured. I want to be in these paintings and experience the worlds he has created. It is easy to see that every piece has a story behind it. Rory says on his facebook page, “My art is for everyone, I draw and design things that inspire me in someway and I hope by sharing them with others I can inspire them too.” I think it’s safe to say that he has certainly inspired me.

Find out more about Rory here:
RoryDoona.com
Rory Doona Blog & Gallery
DeviantArt page
Facebook page
OSnap Prints

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