Norman Shureman R.I.P.

Norm was an amazing designer whom I met as my instructor at Art Center College of Design. I took 3 of his classes. Plus on my term off...I even did one of his class assignments and brought the finished pieces in for the class final and presented them to the class. I learned so much from him, he was helpful to all the students that asked. He was very supportive in the ideas that myself and my fellow classmates came up with. I do have to say that he would get stern if anyone starts lagging on their assignments. I do have to say that some of my best memories and moments during Art Center were with him.
I even model the way I teach my class after his approaches...granted I do some thing different. But he's a great base to work from. It have served me well so far for the past 4 years over at Gnomon. I am no Norm Shureman but I would like to at the very least I aim to inspire the students that take my class the way he inspired myself and my fellow classmates.
It's because of him that I carry a sketchbook with me or at least have it in my truck. You just never know when you'll have that itch to draw down those ideas.

I will greatly miss my friend and mentor, Norm.

-Axel

It's a bit smelly, right?

A masked babe that has one heck of a sense of smell.
This piece done in straight pencils.

Later,
Axel

Getting down with my dagger

A masked babe who loves to dance with a dagger at hand...heh.

Had the last day of the term for my Character Design class over at Gnomon. I was pretty happy with what the students did for their finals....but for the ones that didn't show up...I gotta fail them...I can't be a nice guy. I will not allow lazy students to get away with doing...nothing. There are companies out there that except great things from these kids once they get out.

Well, I'll catch you all later.

Cheers,
Axel

Does this make me look fat?

Here's a pencil sketch on one of my masked babes. She's wondering if her outfit makes her look fat? Hmmm....I don't think so.

I'll like to ink and color this piece in the future.

Later
Axel

Hey, wanna play Uno?

Here's my buddy Alberto Lee. He would like to play a game of Uno. I don't know I'm not to big on Uno.

This is a concept I did as a demo for my students for class. This piece was inked with a brush and colored using Photoshop. Let me know what you all think?

Cheers,
Axel

Headgear Concepts

Here's a page from my Merida sketchbook. Let me know what you you all think?

Just hanging out this weekend and started working again on some personal projects. Hopefully, I'll be able to show some of it in a later date this year. Well, I'll catch you all later.

Cheers,
Axel

Mr Freeze and buddies

Here's a page of Mr Freeze and his buddies from my Merida Sketchbook. Done straight pencils. Let me know what you think?

Cheers,
Axel

"Don't quit your day job."

Here's sketch I did out of my Merida Sketchbook (which is done and the pages being scanned as I write this).
I happened to be doing this sketch while I was seated at a restaurant in Disney's California Adventure. While doodling...I noticed someone standing behind me, then they said, "I won't quit my day job."
"WTF" I said to myself. I responded while turning the pages of the sketchbook showing finished art. "This is my day job".
I didn't look directly at the person who happened to be an old white dude. I could tell he got a bit nervous..."oh who do you work for..." And other crap. I told him I do gigs in all aspects in the entertainment industry. I informed him I have friends that work in Disney.
So, the lesson here....shut the Fuck up if you don't have anything nice to say or you don't quite understand something when it comes to art and illustrations. It seemed in the eyes of this old dude that since I didn't draw in the Disney style some how I need to keep a regular day job? Pleeeease mother fucker.

This sketch was done by laying in the roughs in blue pencil then inked it with a pigment liner pen. Then using gray markers to color it with the highlights done using a white Prismacolor pencil. Let me know what you all think?

Catch you all later,
Axel