Child and Dragon

Hey all, these pieces were done as demos for my students. It's Olaaf and Jorge the Dragon. Olaaf is into Black Metal and Jorge is....not. Jorge is a water dragon from somewhere in Spain...whom made his way into Scandinavia...because he likes the cold weather.
These pieces were drawen onto thin chipboard with a graphic pencil. I used a dark brown ink for the washes and use gouche and a white Prisma color pencil for the high lights. Let me know what you think? These pieces were fun to do.
There will be a comic book convention in Pasadena this weekend. Don't know if I'll be attending? Gotta see if I'll have time to go. Here's a link to the convention site, Rock N Comic Con

Well, I'll catch you later.

-Axel

I'm open in doing Commissions

Hey all, the piece that I uploaded above is the inks to my Nueva York sketchbook cover. I would like to have this book printed later this year.

Also I just wanted to let you all that I'm open for doing commissions, since I have a bit of time to do some before going full force with my contract work. I'm getting folks asking me about doing stuff...so I figure it's about time for me to do some doodles for you out there.
Just email me at leyendecker13@gmail.com with what you like. At the moment I am doing a pair of sneakers for someone...so if you want a pair of sneakers done...I start at $350 and higher. A regular funky sketch starts at $50...(8.5x11 size paper) anything bigger like or with more details will be charged more. You will need to make payments through Paypal. I'll get these pieces out to you as quickly as possible. I will also need to charge for shipping as well. If things get a little crazy work wise...I'll let you know. I will be at Comic Con this year...so if you would like a piece then please free free to let me know.

Cheers,
Axel

Please, Wake Me for Duty Free the back cover

Hey all, just wanted to show you the back cover to the Japon Sketchbook. Let me kn ow what you think? I should be getting a quote for the printing of this book...hopefully, it shouldn't be that bad...(fingers cross) Don't get me wrong I totally want to do the best print job possible....I just don;t want to break the bank in the process. I shooting for a $20 price point....I really don't want to go more than that...but let see. I'll check you all later.

Cheers,
Axel

Character design demo

Here's my latest demo I did for my students this past evening. I started off inking this piece by using Sketchbook Pro then using Photoshop for the colors. Let me know what you all think?

Cheers,
Axel

Character Paintings

Hello all, here's some acrylic paintings that I did on black boards. As you can see they're images of funky monsters. Under a black light these pieces actually glow in the dark. These were done for a Haunted House for PS3(Public School 3) a school in the West Village (NYC). I got a very good response from the parents and kiddies from the school. These pieces might get auctioned off to help raise funds for the PS3. We gotta help the kiddies! Well, I'll catch you all later.

Cheers,
Axel

Please, Wake Me for Duty Free

Hello all,
Here's the cover to my sketchbook titled, Japon: Please, Wake Me for Duty Free
What a title? Huh? Heh. Hopefully, I can get this book printed in time for Comic Con in July. Let me know what you think of this cover?

Cheers,
Axel

A Sketch in the West Village

A sketch I did on the table cover made of paper, over at The Spotted Pig in the West Village. I think the bus ended up taking once I walked away from the table. This piece was done in straight color pencils, brown and white onto a tone paper. I do have to say that the Spotted Pig makes some great burgers. I'll catch you all later.

Cheers from NYC,
Axel

Monster Design

Wanted to share some designs that I did last year for a iPhone app. These were done first as pencils sketches then as line art done in Sketchbook Pro. I also did more designs plus color variations. Let me know what you all thin of these designs?

Later,
Axel

New York

Hey all, just wanted to share an image that I took of my aunt standing behind an signage at a dessert place in lower Manhattan.
My trip to NYC has been awesome so far. Just need to do so doodles while I am here.

Later,
Axel

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

I like my teeth.

Here's a sketch I did as a demo for my students. Pen drawing done on tone paper with markers for the added details.

Hope everyone is doing well out there. More stuff to come. ;)

-axel

iphone skin with my art on it

Hey all just wanted to let you know that I have a iPhone skin available for purchase in the StickstickBangbang site! I got a sample in it looks pretty darn cool. I used one of my images from my sketchbook series. Let me know what you all think?

Catch you all later,
Axel

"You, look very tasty."

Hey all Just got back from my trip to New York City and San Diego (this past weekend).I'll need to upload a few pics on the NYC trip. I was there for two and ahalf weeks and it was cold. My L.A.ass couldn't take it at first but I got used to it. Went ice skating, which I haven't done for over a decade...and slammed onto the ice...ouch! I have to thank my great friend Maxine in taking me in my stay there. We ran around the city to check out as much stuff possible. Took in a taking of the Letterman show. I even got a tour of the DC Comics offices there as well, thanks to Darren. Lots of great restaurants that I went to dine in.
I hanged with my family in Statin Island. So overall a great trip! :) I need to go back soon.
I encourage students and folks to travel as much as they can it's so refreshing to go to other town and cites and take new things in! For me it helps with my creativity to take such trips. Even taking short local trips are great too. Or explore different parts of your own town/city that you haven't been to is great too!

The image that I posted with this post is from my Merida sketchbook which is done. Now I'm trying to figure if I should put togther a mini artbook of my work for an upcoming show? I'm wondering if anyone would buy copies? Well, let's see.

Well, I'll catch you all later. Keep on doodling!

Cheers,
Axel

My latest doodle in Sketch Theatre

Hey all, hope everyone is doing well out there. Well, I wanted to share my latest doodle in Sketch Theatre The funny thing this video was shot at the San Diego Comic Con floor over at the Gnomon booth this past summer. Got me a little bottle of Malibu from Lily after I was done with this sketch, "Thanks Lily, you're awesome!" I'll catch you all later! Please take care of each other.

Cheers,
Axel