"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

New Year Doodles

Hey All!
Just wanted to share some drawings from my sketchbooks....my New Year Doodles! I want to wish everyone a safe and fun New Years! Hope everyone start off the new year with a blast and....a purpose. Catch you all later!

Cheers,
Axel

Merry Christmas!

I would like to wish everyone a wonderful and kick ass Christmas and a productive New Year!

Will be heading out to the desert for Christmas with my cousin.

Catch you all later.

-Axel

Character Design Class (Fall term)

Hello all just wanted to share some samples of my student's final pieces. I am really proud of them for working their asses off. Hopefully you'll enjoy looking over these pieces.

I'll try to upload more samples of my past student work in the future.

Be safe out there there doing your holiday shopping. There some crazzzzzzy shoppers out hitting the streets. I'll catch you all later.

-Axel

"Do you happen to have some WD 40 for my rusty joints?

This is a piece I did as a demo for my students. The name of the robot is Louie, a real stand up bucket of bolts! He loves to hang with anyone that willing to listen to him gripe.
hmmm....thinking about it maybe I should shorten the title? Tonight will be the last class of the term. Gonna have my students present their finals on the class project.

Everyone be safe out there in that sea of holiday shopping madness. For me I'm giving cash or gift cards...can't stand walking through the mall or anytype of shopping center with a bunch of rabid shoppers. They all must be put down...heh. Well catch you all later.

Take it easy,
Axel

The Lizard

Here's a piece I did for a client sometime ago. I used a classic McFarlane drawing/pose as a base for this drawing.
Hope everyone is doing well out there. Catch you all later.

-Axel

Striking a pose!

Left image inked using a brush and the right then colored in Photoshop as you can see on the right.

I hope everyone had a great Halloween!

-Axel

The latest iPhone app that I worked on

The latest iPhone game app that I worked on is up in the app store, http://www.iTunes.com/apps/magicearthwand give it a try if you happen to have an iPhone or iPod touch. Late

Wanna play patty cake with me?

All I can say that the title says it all...heh.

-Axel

Bird Dancer

Here's a pencil drawing with some quick photoshop coloring I did tonight. Lately, I'm getting these thoughts of twisted female dancer wearing funky (but yet interesting) looking masks. I need to do more of these! Well, time to get back to do some work.

Later,
-Axel

Hellboy doodle

I'm working away this weekend on some stuff for a iPhone game...I took a break and ended up doing a Hellboy sketch last night, so I wanted to post it up for all of you to check out. I laid this piece out on blue Col-erase pencil and inked it using pigment liner pens sizes 0.03, 0.05 and 03. Funny thing I used three different brands of pens...Staedtler, Copic Multiliner SP and Prismacolor premier fine line marker. Well, I'll catch you all later.

-Axel

Star Wars the Concert

Hey all, myself with my buddies Geoff and Gerald...Gerald's friend Travis tagged along as we head over to the Nokia Theatre in downtown L.A. last Thursday night. I do have to say it was a real nice event. Fans got the chance to see the costumes and props of the Star Wars films on all four levels in the lobby of the theatre. Geoff and I snapped a few pics and I even took some videos of the concert, feel free to check them out!

-Axel

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory remixed

Hey all, these batch of sketches were done as a demo for my kids for the latest class project. I'm having them redesign the characters of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. I'm having them keep their sketches nice and loose for the first two weeks. So far the kids are doing a very good job. Hopefully, by the end of this project I'll get some kick ass final pieces! I'll catch you all later.

-Axel

Hey, need a Zombie DJ?

Hey all, here's a sketch I did not too long ago of a Zombie DJ, whose looking for a gig. Would you like to hire him for your next party? You only need to pay him in brains...heh. Well, I did this piece using a brush pen to ink the line work...I also used a pigment liner as well for some of the details. I colored this zombie by using blue grey makers and cool grey markers and used a white pencil for the highlights. Let me know what you think of the piece?

Man, it's already October...in no time Halloween will be coming up. So anyone out there got there costume ready?

Long Beach Comic Con in southern part of Los Angeles will be starting tomorrow, so I might go there for the weekend...maybe just Saturday...who knows. My buddy Eric Canete will have a table there to sell some of his wear. So hopefully, some of you can make it out.

Also my latest video of me doing a doodle has been uploaded in Sketch Theatre, http://www.sketchtheatre.com/?p=2765 Check it out! Let me know what you all think of it? I happen to be filmed at the Gnomon booth during Comic Con this year. It was a cool thing to do. I want to thank Lily in setting all this up.

Well, I'll catch you all later.

-Axel

Pet Shop Boys at the Greek Theatre

Hey all I went to the Pet Shop Boys concert over at the Greek Theatre. It was a awesome show. I attached a few clips for you to check out...I did use my iPhone to capture these videos. It wasn't too bad. Let me know what you think?

Batman and pests

Here's a sketch I did while I was handing with Eric last Thursday night. I did this in my Merida sketchbook. I used a brush pen and pigment pen on this piece. Let me know what you all think?

Tomorrow I'll be starting the new Fall Term over at Gnomon, teaching the Character Design class. I'm looking forward to see what these kids will do on the class project. I just want them to draw draw draw and have fun doing it. No need to really sweat it out. I'll catch you later.

Need a Hand? New sketches

Need a hand?

Here's some sketches I did as demos for my class. Done on a blue/tone paper...pencils with inks washes. The highlights are done in white pencils and gouache. I like how these little guys turned out. Let me know what you think?

I just finished up for the term at Gnomon. Now it's time to grade the kids and look onto the next term. I already have an idea for the next class project...hopefully the students will dig it. Well, time for me to go now. I'll catch you all later.

Late,
Axel