The Math Teacher - Conventionless Convention Sketch #10

Artwork © 2011 Gene Gonzales

Royce asked for a sexy math teacher for last of his Conventionless Convention Sketches. I drew my inspiration from the great pin-up artist Gil Elvgren to create this piece. Elvgren painted a lot of pretty girls who managed to get their skirts or dresses caught on something, producing a sexy and comical image. If you are going to be inspired, be inspired by the best. Thanks for the commission Royce.

Tomorrow will be the last of the Conventionless Convention Sketches. There is an Amazon waiting in the wings. :)

This is Post #1240

Deena's Ink Part 2

Artwork © 2011 Gene Gonzales

I have to interrupt the Conventionless Convention Sketch posts today because I didn't manage to finish the inks on the one I was working on. I worked early in the morning but then headed out into the day for family fun and errands. Mostly errands. Just got back and I'm exhausted. Inking while this wiped out is not a good idea. So instead I will show you the rough I did for Deena. This is the second of three I am doing as a jumping off point to design her new tattoo. Here is the first design from several days ago.

I will be back with the sketches tomorrow. But now I'm going to eat some dinner and then collapse. Zzzzzzz.

This is Post #1239

Modesty Blaise - Conventionless Convention Sketch #9

Modesty Blaise © Associated Newspaper/Atlantic Syndication

Steven's Conventionless Convention Sketch request is Modesty Blaise. I have only drawn her once before and at the time I had not read any of the strips. This time around, I have. I recently started reading the collected strips that were published in book form by Titan Books. If you have not read Modesty, I recommend you check it out. These are some great action/adventure/spy/crime/etc. stories. Created and written by Peter O'Donnell and art by Jim Holdaway, this is some great stuff. When I started working on this piece I knew I had to have Willie Garvin, Modesty's trusted right-hand man, in the shot. So that is Willie's profile behind her. Always watching her back.

Thanks Steven for the commission.

This is Post #1238

Arwyn! - Conventionless Convention Sketch #8

Arwyn © Disney

Today we have Arwyn from the Crossgen comic Sojourn. This one is for Eric. He gave me a short list of characters to choose from and Arwyn was the only one I had never drawn. That I can remember. So I thought this one would be fun. And it was! Thanks Eric!

Check back here over the weekend as I finish and post the last three sketches. (Yeah, I know that is only 11, but the Batgirl/Robin were two characters on one board). :)

Have a good weekend everyone. 

This is Post #1237

Jeannie! - Conventionless Convention Sketch #7

I Dream of Jeannie © it's respective owner

Another one for Royce today. He asked for a "Barbara Eden-ish Jeannie type in harem outfit". Well here is my take on that, complete with the bottle she spent 2000 years in. Thanks Royce!

Have a good weekend everyone!

This is Post #1236

Josie! - Conventionless Convention Sketch #6

Josie © Archie Comics Publications, Inc

Gary's request for his Conventionless Convention Sketch is Josie, lead guitar and singer for the Pussycats. Maybe you have heard of them? They have been around awhile. This all girl rock band predates The Bangles, The Go-Gos, and even The Runaways. Quite a while back I posted some sketches for a Catwoman commission piece. Gary asked if I would hang on to one of the poses that wasn't selected for Catwoman for him. He thought it would make a good pose for Josie. I have to agree with him on that. Thanks Gary!

This is Post #1235

Supergirl! - Conventionless Convention Sketch #5

Supergirl © DC Comics

Today I finished Royce's request for Supergirl in one of her costume variations of the early 1970s. This is a tricky costume. It can come off as a leotard under a pair of shorts if your not careful. Or maybe its just me. :)

Thanks Royce! We have a couple more coming your way.

This is Post #1234

The Dynamite Duo - Conventionless Convention Sketch #4

Batgirl & Robin © DC Comics

Today I present Brian Batmite Jones'  Conventionless Convention Sketch. Brian opted to put two characters on one board. And so we have a chance meeting on a rooftop where Robin tries desperately to impress Batgirl with his acrobatic ability. Can you blame the boy? He is pulling out all the stops folks. 

Thanks to Brian for this commission. This was a lot of fun.

(Anyone else remember this pair being tagged as the Dynamite Duo? Ah, the 70's)

This is Post #1233

Zatanna - Conventionless Convention Sketch #3

Zatanna © DC Comics

Here is the third and last of the CCSs for Lisa. I had fun with all three, thanks again Lisa!

I will be working on two more today. As you may have noticed I don't necessarily go in order of requests. I find it's better all around to go with inspiration. This way I am not sitting here trying to come up with something for one character when I have a great idea for another. :)

This is Post #1232

Black Cat! - Conventionless Convention Sketch #2

Black Cat © Marvel Entertainment

Here is another CCS for Lisa. This is done in ink on 11" x 17" bristol board. Thanks Lisa!

This is Post #1231

Deena's Ink Part 1

Artwork © 2011 Gene Gonzales 

Just a quick break from Conventionless Convention Sketches tonight. I worked on two of them and managed to not finish either of them. But the pencils are finished so that's progress.

Above is another project I am working on. This is the first of a few designs I am doing for my lovely wife Deena. She has been wanting a new tattoo for some time and wants me to create the art. We worked out what she wants and here is a sketch of the first design. The tattoo will be on her lower back (yes, we all know what they call a tattoo on the lower back. :) ) and the center will be a lotus and fairy. More wispy elements will be added but the important part is the center image. Once that is nailed down the rest will follow pretty easily. She wanted to share and so here is design #1.

Back to the Conventionless Convention Sketches tomorrow.

Have a good weekend everyone!

This is Post #1230

Catwoman - Conventionless Convention Sketch #1

Catwoman © DC Comics

First up from the Conventionless Convention Sketch list is Catwoman for Lisa. It's always fun drawing Selina in any incarnation. Thanks Lisa!

Just an FYI, there are still 4 slots available if anyone is interested in getting a sketch.

This piece was done in ink on an 11" x 17" sheet of bristol board.

This is Post #1229

Conventionless Convention Sketches Are Back!

Characters © their respective owners

CONVENTIONLESS CONVENTION SKETCHES ARE BACK!

It's been seven months since I ran this deal so some of you might wonder what is a CONVENTIONLESS CONVENTION SKETCH (CCS)! It's just like a regular con sketch that I would do for you at a convention, except no crowds, no convention hall food, no hotel bill, and no travel. And the price is the same as a show sketch. You only have to pay extra for shipping. Still cheaper than going to a show.

CCS DEAL:

$50.00 for a single character, inked on 11" x 17" bristol board. Shipping is $12.00, up to three sketches. (Just an FYI, my normal studio price starts at $75.00 plus shipping!). 

I am going to take a total of 12 commissions. Assuming I get 12 requests. Any background elements will be at my discretion. All will be done March 1, 2011. Payment is PayPal only. (No "e-checks, please) If you are interested, send me an email to gene_gonzales(at)mac(dot)com with Conventionless Convention Sketch in the subject line and let me know what you would like. That email is also my PayPal account, but check with me before sending money, please. I do reserve the right to turn down requests that I don't feel comfortable drawing. If you have any questions, please email me. 

MEGACON ADVANCE LIST COMING SOON:

MegaCon is at the end of March. As soon as I am done with these 12 sketches, I will be opening the advance list for MegaCon in Orlando Florida. So if you are attending the show and want to be on that advance list, don't get on the Conventionless Convention Sketch list. I will be keeping these separate. When I open the MegaCon Advance Sketch List, it will include Canson Cutie art and painted art as well as inked pieces. And different details about payment. So hold on until March for the MegaCon list.

I hope that wasn't confusing. :)

Thanks!

And just so no one accuses me of not posting new artwork today, below is the beginning of a Spider-Man piece I started working on today. :)

Spider-Man © Marvel Entertainment

This is Post #1228

Sketchbook Tuesday - Nuts & Bolts

Artwork © 2011 Gene Gonzales

I only had time to work on some bot designs today. I was working towards a specific function/design for the  robot and went through quite a few ideas before settling on one. It's not pictured here because it plays a very important part in the story I am working on.

These were done in my sketchbook using blue Col-Erase pencil, black pens and gray Prismacolor markers.

This is Post #1227

Sketchbook Monday - Not A Valentine Post

Artwork © 2011 Gene Gonzales

The Tiki guys are about to make their debut in the pages I am working on so I have been working on various expressions, poses and attitudes. :)

Today I purchased my plane tickets and booked my hotel room for the Pittsburgh ComicCon. I had been unsure if I was going to be able to make it. Because some work should be coming in the beginning of April that will keep me busy, and then add the high cost and hassle of air travel, I was on the fence about making the journey. Don't get me wrong, I love going to this show. My first time was their second year and I haven't missed more than a few since. Luckily Brian emailed me about the show and it kicked me in the but to look at booking everything. I am trying to get Joe Pekar to fly up for the show as well. I know a lot of people here love his work. Plus Joe and I are the Hope and Crosby of Road Trips these last couple of years. Everyone loves a musical. So if you know Joe, send him a note telling him he should come to Pittsburgh. In any case, Pittsburgh here I come. With a layover in Chicago first. :)

Also, I sent the files to the printer today for the Canson Sketchbook. I should have them around a week before MegaCon. As soon as I get them I will make them available here to everyone who will not be at a show I am attending. Well, actually anyone can get them, but I will have them at the shows too. I will continue working on the second book, but it will not be available at MegaCon. I could have it for the Pittsburgh ComicCon. I will keep everyone posted.

This is Post #1226

Canson Cutie - Purple Bangs

Artwork © 2011 Gene Gonzales

This is a finish of one of the cover rough ideas I showed a couple of days ago. I like how the color came out but the face is way of model for my assassin. I don't know what happened other than I might have rushed it. Still it was interesting working on a headshot that big. Subtle color changes and blends were easier to achieve with this piece because of the size. Maybe I will do more in the future.

Oh, today's title is came to me when trying to use the word "Purple". I went right to Prince's "Purple Rain". Now that song will be stuck in your head. My work here is done. :)

This is Post #1225

Background? Check!

Artwork © Gene Gonzales

I am working on my own comic today for a few hours. I thought I would share a panel from it. Just a jungle setting, you are probably thinking to yourself. But it is much, much, more. :)

I am doing all the pages digitally. Building backgrounds on one layer, characters on another and writing rough dialog on another. If I haven't mentioned it before, the story stars my space girl and her three tiki partners. Fun and adventure for all.

Enjoy your Saturday!

This is Post #1224

Sketchbook Cover Ideas

Artwork © 2011 Gene Gonzales

With the help of some friends I managed to come up with a design for the cover using the art from yesterday's post. But here are a couple of pieces that weren't used. The one on the left is a tightly cropped existing image. It's actually Crystal from the Inhumans. The one on the right is one I came up with this morning. It would have been finished as a Canson piece and used for the cover. I will still be finishing this piece because I like the look. But it won't be the cover. :)

Have a good weekend everyone!

This is Post #1223

Canson Cutie - Sketchbook Cover?

Artwork © 2011 Gene Gonzales

I finished this up today. I didn't expect to do that, but I was having such a good time I just kept working. I'm not sure this will be the front cover for the sketchbook. None of the design ideas I had for the cover worked with the image. But then I was pretty tired and had a headache when I was designing the cover so that might be a factor in why I wasn't really happy with anything. Still, I will start fresh tomorrow and I may just do another piece. This will be either on the front or the back, but it will be part of the book. :)

This was done on an 11" x 17" Canson Mi-Teintes board with ink, acrylics and color pencils. If you would like to see some of the progress pictures I took and put on Twitter today, you can go here.

This is Post #1222

Canson Cutie - Sketchbook Cover Rough

Artwork © 2011 Gene Gonzales

This is the rough for the all new image I am creating for the sketchbook of Canson paper pin-ups. I am planning to title this book "The Art of Gene Gonzales, Volume 2 - Canson Cuties, Heroes & Villains". Kind of long but it will work. :)

This is Post #1221

Supergirl - Finish

Supergirl © DC Comics

I was going to transfer this drawing to a sheet of bristol board and ink it, but I decided to ink it on the drawing paper I drew it on and add some gray tones with my Prismacolor markers. It's not a way that I normally work, but I like to play around and try things out. Below is a close up of Kara's face.

This is Post #1220

Supergirl - Rough

Supergirl © 2011 DC Comics

Here's a rough sketch that I will be inking soon. I said I would change things up from the character I have been drawing the last few days and going back to Kara is always a good idea. Just to make things extra fun, I thought I would draw Supergirl in a little used costume from her Adventure Comics run. I'm pretty sure this is the first time I have drawn this costume. This will be fun to ink when I get a chance.

This is Post #1219

Sketchbook Sunday

Artwork © 2011 Gene Gonzales

I just realized I have been drawing this character for the last several days. Thanks for sticking with me as I find a feel for this character. I will try to mix it up tomorrow. :)

This was penciled in my sketchbook and tones added in Photoshop CS5.

This is Post #1218

Digital Sketchbook Saturday

Artwork © 2011 Gene Gonzales

I've been extremely busy with the layout of the second sketchbook so it's just another Digital Sketchbook Saturday.

This is Post #1218

Sketchbook Friday

Artwork © 2011 Gene Gonzales

I did this piece in my sketchbook and added all the tones in Photoshop CS5. The vehicle behind her is inspired by an electric vehicle I saw in the Consumer Electronics Expo coverage. I follow quite a few tech podcasts and that two wheeled/two person vehicle really stood out. I believe GM made it as a concept vehicle using the same type of gyroscope/balancing as the single rider Segway. If you are interested in seeing it in action I'm sure you can find footage on the web.

Today I made all the final changes to the art that is included in the Canson sketchbook. I'm considering calling the book "Canson Cuties and Heroes. But that is just a working title right now. I only have to create the title page and the cover now. If I have time over the weekend, I will create a new image for the cover. If I don't have time, the cover will be a collage much like the one on my at www.gonzoartstudio.com. After the weekend I will begin sorting images for the other sketchbook.

Have a good weekend everyone!

This is Post #1217

Sketchbook Thursday

Artwork © 2011 Gene Gonzales

Just another sketchbook Thursday for today. Spent a chunk of the day putting together all the pages for a 64 page full color Canson Cutie/Hottie Sketchbook. I still need to do a cover and back cover, but the big part is done. With any luck I could have the files ready to go to the printer by Monday.

This is Post #1216

Bubble Gum Pop

I created another slide show for the piece I did this morning while chatting on the phone with another artist. Yes, we were on the phone that long. :) This is just some more experimenting with a style. I had some pitfalls along the way but worked my way out of it. I think Bob Ross used to call them "happy accidents". And that's what they are. There have been many times I have been in the middle of a traditional painting and the plan seems to fall apart. But I keep working and something different and better emerges. At least that's what I tell myself. ;)

Below are the individual images for the piece.

Artwork © 2011 Gene Gonzales

This is Post #1215

Now That's A Knife!

I thought I would try a different way of presenting the process steps for today's post. So I made a little slide show and uploaded it to my YouTube Channel. It's a little small here but if you click on it you will be taken to my YouTube Channel where the movie can be viewed a bit larger. I am also posting the individual images below. Let me know how you feel about slides shows and even some more movie step-by-steps.

For this piece, I did the initial sketch in a Strathmore Drawing pad using a Col-Erase Terra Cotta color pencil. I inked it with black Copic Multi-Liner pens and black Prismacolor pencil. After scanning the art into Photoshop CS5. I added shadows on one layer, clothing on another layer and then painted the skin tones on the same layer as the scan. You can see the pencils disappearing as I work the skin tones. I then repainted some of the black lines of the piece. The final part was touch ups and highlights. Overall the approach was a lot like painting with gouache. Gouache is an opaque watercolor paint. Used thick, not watered down, you paint layers. Building from dark to light. some parts of this piece are like that. This was a fun experiment and I will probably be doing more pieces like this.

Artwork © 2011 Gene Gonzales

This is Post #1214