Batman in the Wind...

Hey All, here's a Batman sketch I did quickly last night in my sketchbook. I scanned the page and colored it using Photoshop. Let me know what you all think?

Earlier today I got a chance to go to Monsterpalozza and walk around the floor and check out some real cool stuff...all of it monster and horror related. :P
I'll throw up some pics when I get a chance. I did run into a few folks I know that are doing working in the practical effect and monster makeup biz.

Well, I'll catch you all later.

Cheers,
Axel

Another Axel....in the world.

Hey all wanted to share something with all of you. Last weekend while doing WonderCon...there was a certain person looking for me at the booth...but I wasn't there and this person did it twice.
On the second time...my buddy Jason handed me this person's card and I read it.
"No way...it's Axel Alonso"
Jason told me to look for him at the Marvel booth...so I did go to look for him...but he wasn't there. So I ended not meeting up with him...oh well.
I've heard of this man for some years now since he worked at DC Comics. A buddy of mine always suggested that I should meet up with this other Axel. But never found the time plus at conventions I just plain forget. It's crazy after all these years we'll get a chance to meet sometime this year.

I did get a chance to email him earlier this week and we have exchanged messages...just to get to know each other. The funny thing about all this is my full name is Axel Alonso Ortiz. Just kick out the Ortiz part and we're twins by name. :P

So I scanned and uploaded Axel's card for all of you to check out. I did cross out some info, though.

I'm wondering have any of you other there met someone with the same exact name or share something that's a bit trippy? Well, I'm done with this post catch you all soon.

Cheers,
Axel

Edward Scissorhands Con Sketch

Hey all, just got back from San Francisco to do WonderCon this past weekend.

Overall it was a very good turn out...it was pretty crazy and packed on Saturday I do have to say. I walked around a bit...but really didn't see anything that I liked....so I saved money there. :P

Here's a sketch of Eddie Scissorhands done as a commission. I laid it in blue pencils first then inked it with a pigment and brush pens. For the whole 3 days...this was the only thing I sold...so it was very slow for me...the good thing my buddies at the booth did very well for themselves which was great.

Hopefully, I'll make some time to upload some more images of WonderCon for all of you to check out. This week is gonna be busy work wise...but that's cool with me. :P So I'll check you all later.

Cheers,
Axel

Bedtime Doodles...

Hey all,

Just wanted to upload an image here from my sketchbook titled, "Bedtime Doodles"
From the title you can guess that these sketches that I'm doing in this sketchbook are done in bed...before I go to sleep. I figure it's a cool thing to do before going to sleepy land.
This sketch is done in straight mechanical pencils....sizes .3 and .7 . Then I scanned into my computer and added a bit of color tone by using Sketchbook Pro. Let me know what you all think? Well, I'm almost packed...so I'll be heading out to San Francisco late Wednesday morning. I catch anyone there that happens to make it.

Cheers,
Axel

WonderCon 2011...will you be there?

Hello all, just wanted to let some of you know..the ones heading to San Francisco this weekend for Wonder Con. I'll be there hanging out at two places....the Minefield Wonderland booth #SP-59 and at the EssentialSequential booth #1338-1340.

My buddies Tony, Josh, Alison and myself will be at the Minefield booth while....Eric, Jason, Jon and myself plus other talented dudes as well at the EssentialSequential booth.
Looking forward in seeing some of you there...whom happen to be going. It should be fun.
I'll simply will be promoting some of my work plus other artists' work as well. I think about doing some simple $20 sketches....between both booths. I would be open in doing commissions...just contact Jason at EssentialSequential for further info or simply stop by the booth. Take care...catch you all later.

Cheers,
Axel

Playing with Sketchbook Pro 2011

I got a upgrade copy of Sketchbook Pro 2011 for my birthday...so I installed it and started playing with it. Granted I have been using Sketchbook Pro for a few years now...but with 2011...the interface changed a bit...so I started playing with it. So far so good....no real big changes to the overall program....but the pencil tool is really darn cool.
With this image below...I did it all using the airbrush tool. Feels good using it. Let me know what you think? I totally recommend to anyone out there to grab a copy of Sketchbook Pro for their digital sketching needs. I'll catch you all later. :)

Cheers,
Axel

My students' final work...

Hey all, how are you all doing? It's been a week and a half since I did the final class of the term for my Character Design class. Below are samples of few of my students' final images. I'm still waiting for more to send me their work....but I'm not gonna hold my breath. :P
Overall, it was a good class...but I have to be honest in stating that this was a downer term...it seemed that some of these students weren't giving their 100% to this both assignments. I can't force them to do their work...it's really how much work they really want to put into this class. If one wants to be lazy...I have no problem in flunking someone....and I have in the past. I'm really easy going in terms in teaching my class but I can not tolerate laziness...it's a totally uncool. I don't stand for it. I'm not going to past you just because you're cool with me. No one flunk the class this past term...but their was laziness. I can go on with other things but I should stop it and move on. Let see how far some of these kids will go after they leave school....IF they graduate?

So now below...please enjoy what the kids cooked up for the finals. Not bad I must say.
I'll catch you all later.

Cheers,
Axel

Good bye...

Barf Bag doodle

Hey all, wanted to upload this image of a Virgin Airline's barf bag that I drew a sketch of my character Delgado from Backspace. You can almost use any type of paper product as a canvas for your doodles and ideas....heh.

Just found out today that my classes that I'm teaching for next term at Gnomon are SOLD OUT?! I'm thinking, "really?"
That's nuts. Here's a link, http://courses.gnomonschool.com/courses/course/character_design
One can still go on a waiting list. I am double checking to make sure this is true?
I had 18 students sign up for my class last term...but there's no way...
there is a 12 student limit on each class. I would add more...but it would make it really hard to do the one on one with each student each week if it was more than 12. To be honest doing 12 is really tough for me. I want to give each student equal attention, it's only fair. The second class was added this term on Sunday to ease the number of students that want to take the class.
Ok...time for me to go.

I'll catch you all later. Have a great weekend.

Cheers,
Axel

Some more sketches...

Hey all, wanted to quickly upload a sketch I did last night in class. It's a quick sketch for the Child and Bug project.

Let me know what you all think?

Catch you all later.

Cheers,
Axel

Cartoon Art Museum

Hey all,

I was in San Francisco last week for GDC. It was a very cool event...also my first time there. Walked around the floor and did a few panels.

I also got a chance to walk around the city as well...hit up some shops and museums. One of the museums that I visited was the Cartoon Art Museum It wasn't a big place in terms of square footage...but there was plenty to see. I was totally inspired! God, I totally need to push my skills further. Well, here's a pix I took of Mighty Mouse in front of the museum...when anyone of you happen to be strolling in San Francisco...you should make some time and head over to the Cartoon Art Museum.

Also next week will be the last week of the term, so I'm looking forward in seeing the students' finals. Will be ordering some pizza and drinks for them as well....make a party of it. :P

Hopefully, I'll upload some doodles soon...just have a bit on my plate so I need to knock some stuff out. Catch you all later.

Cheers,
Axel

The Child and Bug Project Project

Hello all, wanted to share some sketches I did as a demo for my students last Wednesday night. Just wanted get them going on this in class project. It's my sketches of Pen Pen and her friend Gustavo the bug. Poor little Gustavo thinks he's a real human child...but Pen Pen doesn't have the heart to tell him....it would crush his little bug heart...heh. So they both love to go out in the world (which is their neighborhood) in their adventures.

My students have 3 weeks more till finals! So I expect everything done by then....there should be some pretty interested final projects form them. Catch you all later.

Cheers,
axel

Death Race 2100 Color Demo

Hey all, how's it going? It's been a bit raining here in Southern Cali...But doing some doodles here and there in the past few days. Also got a chance to go to visit Rough Draft Studios the gang that brings you Futurama! It was a sweet place to hang out and chill for a bit.

Well, wanted to show you the color demo I did this past Wednesday night for my class. I scanned in the inks at 600 dpi grey scale and did the colors using straight Photoshop. I had fun working on this piece. Need to do some more demos on layout and the new class project that's coming up as well. So stay tuned.

Everyone have a great weekend and draw draw DRAW!!!

Cheers,
Axel

Star Wars Begins - Part 1

Hey everyone! Just wanted to share a link to a really nice doc titled, 'Star Wars Begins"
check it out when you can...because there's like 14 parts to this doc in YouTube....and if you're a big Star Wars like myself...you'll want to make time to watch the whole thing in one sitting. :)
Have a great weekend all!

Cheers,
Axel

Death Race 2100 Doodle

Hey all,

How's things coming along with all of you? Hopefully well.
I wanted to uploaded a step by step doodle I did as a demo
for my students. I actually did an inking demo last night...
(the figure on the far right)
I used a size '0' watercolor sable brush with India Ink on
300 bristol board. Let me know what you all think? Just
wanted to keep it nice and loose.
Foe next week would like to color the inked images plus do
a final pose plus a nice action scene with the character.
Hopefully get that all done for them but the next two week.
Got some stuff on my plate that I nee to crank out as well.
So doing the balance of doing freelance work to my personal
work to class work and getting new work is really a challenge.

Well, I'll catch you all later then.

Take care,
Axel

Superman Classic

Hey all, wanted to upload a link here of a very cool Superman short done by Robb Pratt. I really dig how this was done and presented.

Enjoy,
Axel

Just thinking about life...

Hey All!

Here's a straight pencil doodle of an alien thinking about life...

How's everyone doing out there?

Catch you later,
Axel

A Panda Sketch

Here's some quick sketches of pandas for a project.

late,
axel

Happy Chinese New Year!

Hey All! Wanna wish all my peeps in China a Happy New Year!

It's the year of the bunny rabbit...lovely. Don't know about the golden rabbit statues?
I took this pix at a mall in Shanghai.

In other news...my class went well last but there was a few hicups in the beginning and the class went over pass 10pm. :P Overall, I like what I'm seeing so far from the students. Want them to keep it up and not fall behind.

Well, I'll catch you later.

Cheers,
Axel

A sketch out of my sketchbook.

Here's a sketch done in straight pencils...let me know what you think?
I was wondering to calling him...or her? A friend of mine wants to call...her....Jane.
Uuuuuh, I don't know about that? heh.

Catch you all later,
Axel

A few pics of Shanghai

Hey All!

Just wanted to share a few photos of my trip to Shanghai. I do have to say that I enjoy myself while walking around the city. Had a wonderful time with my sweet Viv. Her friend Olga was a trip!
Well, let me know of the pics? Any questions? Feel free to ask.

Shoot need to get my demo ready for class tomorrow night...it should be cool.
Catch you all later.

Cheers,
Axel