Lost Art Illustration

Blog Moving!

2011-08-12T13:19:00.000-07:00

Hello all! During the recent revamp of my website, I decided to move my blog to my own webspace.

http://www.inkgizmo.com/blog/

I apologize for throwing a couple of different RSS feeds at you recently (not that the Tumblr has been so active), but this one is something that I've been looking forward to doing for a while. Still working on a doodle for the header, but it's up and running.

See you there!

Sketch Collection 2

2011-07-22T11:00:00.000-07:00

More stuff from my Tumblr. Going to decide the fate of that once I evaluate how I'm using Google+ a little more.

The one in the lower-left was for an Alton Brown Twitter contest. Great fun!

San Juan Islands - Café Demeter

2011-07-21T11:00:00.000-07:00

While in the islands, the husband needed to do a little bit of real-world work, so he and I set out trying to find some internet at local cafés.

Café Demeter in Friday Harbor was our choice for a spot to hang out that day. I had one of their super-delicious spinach and feta croissants, which I ended up eating before I could even think about sketching it. Priorities!

After a while, we headed up to the Lime Kiln Café in Roche Harbor, which has the most delicious veggie burger that I've eaten to date (not a vegetarian, but I thoroughly enjoy veggie burgers in their own right), which might be helped by the fact that it's crusted in macademia nuts. So good. Also forgot to draw it. *sighs*

San Juan Islands - Board Game Watercolor

2011-07-20T11:00:00.000-07:00

While I was on my vacation, my husband and I brought along a Beta copy of Lyssan, a fantastic strategy board game designed by a friend of ours. I chose to observe and make notes while the other half taught his family the game.

And by "make notes," I mean, "tried to learn how to use these watercolor things."

San Juan Islands - Boat Sketches

2011-07-19T11:45:00.000-07:00

Last week I vacationed with my husband's family in the San Juan Islands (near Seattle, WA, USA). Waking up to boats in a tree-ringed harbor was a welcome and inspiring change from the box of the office.

Shooting Star

2011-06-08T11:51:00.000-07:00

Shooting star dream.

Illustration Friday: Shadows

2011-06-07T18:40:00.000-07:00

I figure, no time like the present to try to get back into the swing of Illustration Friday, and no better way to do it than with thinking about characters for a project that's been nagging at me for far longer than I'd like to admit.

Sketch Collection

2011-05-23T14:38:00.000-07:00

Lately I've been experimenting with Tumblr as an outlet for sketches and warmups. Call it my safe space for "quantity over quality", if you will. It's an exercise in encouragement to just draw as often as I can. Sometimes a gem emerges, and always it helps me get my head and hands limbered up for the day's work.

Sketches from over there.

This blog is going to remain as a more "finished" area, so if you're not interested in my random doodly flights of fancy, you won't have to deal with them any more than you already are. :) But if you like this stuff, check out my Tumblr.

Free Comic Book Day 2011

2011-05-06T08:00:00.000-07:00

Free Comic Book Day is tomorrow -- Saturday, May 7th -- all across North America. So check out your local comics shop and see what's up! :D

Wasted West

2011-05-05T14:32:00.000-07:00

So after a long night, a friend heard about this book cover:

That's the old Deadlands: Hell on Earth: The Wasted West Roleplaying Game corebook.

and assigned me to draw it my way. The original color palette was pretty far off of my usual zone and the bike rider in question was too bulgy for my tastes, so I took a couple of artistic liberties:

Does this even count as fan art? I suppose it would.

This is one of my favorite roleplaying systems of all time, and my various game masters have adapted it to settings outside of a post-apocalyptic wild west to great success. I haven't tried the new Reloaded version -- no interest really, when this one serves as well as it does.

Scones!

2011-05-04T10:14:00.000-07:00

I found this in my sketchbook and it was too ridiculous not to share.

Sammich Header

2011-04-19T12:00:00.000-07:00

I felt that it was time for a new blog header, so I made a picture that involved one of my favorite things: eating a sandwich.

More pictures to come soon, since I get weirded out seeing the same image twice in a row when I visit a blog.

Newsies and Bootblacks Core Released!

2011-02-26T13:39:00.000-08:00

And to follow yesterday's primer, today the full 1st edition core rulebook to Newsies and Bootblacks has been released. All that the author asks is, if you can, please donate at least $1 to Love's Bridge (linked in his blog post). Read all about it!

Extry! Extry!

2011-02-25T11:41:00.000-08:00

Read all about it! The Newsies and Bootblacks primer has just been released!

Newsies and Bootblacks is a new, free roleplaying game from MiniM Role-Playing themed around the adventures of -- who else? -- young newsies and bootblacks in the 1905 city of New Paris. A lot of hard work and dedication has gone into this project -- please check it out!

Congratulations to Miguel on the release! :)

Nadie

2011-02-24T12:12:00.000-08:00

"I don't even know what she looks like," I whined.

"Well, you better get on that," he replied.

Pronounced, as she would say, "Naaahh-djee-eh".

I also just noticed that she's standing in the exact same position as the girl in "Inefficient Storage of Maps" and with the same pants, to boot. Gotta get out and do some life drawing.

Sketchbook Pages

2011-02-22T12:17:00.000-08:00

Found myself doodling in my sketchbook! These kind of sum up my thoughts right now.

Your nearest apple retailer.

Sweet fabric doll.

Yarrrrrrn.

Spinning Day

2011-02-03T13:58:00.000-08:00

For the fantastic yarnivore that sold me my first wheel. :)

Inefficient Storage of Maps

2011-01-07T11:41:00.000-08:00

Very long time, no post! The old work project is still going, but seems to be in its final phase for real this time. Hopefully I can put up some of that work soon; resolving to draw all year is one thing, but posting is another when NDAs are involved!

Kicking off the new year with a sketch that I made last night during fencing class, because a certain artist may have stressed too hard at the gym two days ago making walking, let alone lunging, pretty sad. The character on the left is still unnamed, which is a new thing for me. I got some great feedback and will be refining her design in the near future.

P.S. You and I know it's the new year. Warm up and stretch well before you work out!

Mary Brougges

2010-02-24T14:17:00.000-08:00

Long time no post! Been busy at work; hopefully I'll be able to reveal the project soon. :) But for now...

Meet Mary Brougges, a newsgirl and part time singer and fortune teller, part of the world of Newsies and Pickpockets. The New Paris Banner has been posting with photos, inspiration, news, and adventure -- check it out if you want to know more!

Illustration Friday: "Muddy"

2010-02-06T19:57:00.000-08:00

How could anyone stand to be so filthy?

Just being silly. ;)

Pose Stretch

2010-02-05T09:13:00.000-08:00

Using the Posemaniacs 30-second model viewer for some morning warm-up.

Website for the curious: (contains nudity) http://www.posemaniacs.com/
Note: Muscles make up the top layer instead of skin in these 3D models. Sometimes you'll get poses that are a touch awkward (which you should be able to pick out), so adjust accordingly. Also, since he's using 3D models instead of live, sometimes you'll get unusual high or low angles, which can be a plus or minus, depending on what you're looking to practice.

Eilonwy

2010-02-04T10:30:00.000-08:00

I was ruminating on some of the things that inspired me in both writing and roleplay, and Lloyd Alexander's Chronicles of Prydain came immediately to mind.

So, a quick first drawing of the princess Eilonwy. I'm certain that I'll be revisiting her at some point.

On a related train of thought, it's really tough to get the animated movie version of her out of my head, even though it doesn't match up with her novel description.

Illustration Friday: "Focused"

2010-02-02T08:35:00.000-08:00

All of the ladies had their attention focused on the new young Madame, who was sporting the newest fashions. ;)

Scholar

2010-01-28T11:00:00.000-08:00

A little doodle got kind of out of hand.

Play the Game

2010-01-27T11:00:00.000-08:00

Revisiting the idea of a very, very old drawing. I attempted to find it, but apparently my image archives only date back to 2003, and the old version of this was definitely before that (if I can correctly judge by the quality of the art).

But anyway. Games.

A Letter to the Past

2010-01-13T23:04:00.000-08:00

Here's a bit of a personal entry today. I was looking for some half-full sketchbooks to take on a long trip this upcoming week, and I found this in the pouch of a sketchbook that I last picked up halfway through college:

Inside was a letter that I had written to myself on February 29, 2004. I'd done something like this before; on February 29, 2000, my 8th grade English teacher had the class write letters to their future selves. She took the letters and mailed them all out four years later, presumably what prompted me to write this letter for an even older me.

Me being me, I tucked the sealed letter into the pocket of a brand-new Moleskine and completely forgot about it, even while using the sketchbook semi-regularly.

Just a doodle. Do forgive me -- I opened the letter and read all of its three pages, and I wished desperately to be able to write back.

To the esteemed Joyce of 2004,

As there is an audience looking over your shoulder as you read this, I'm keeping it brief. Or as brief as I can.

I am indeed doing well. I fear that your letter did not make it to the Joyce Ann Santos of February 29, 2008, as you had originally hoped and planned; she was silly and forgetful, and left it to a certain Joyce Ann Martin of almost two years past that to open. Do forgive her -- she was busy planning a thesis and a wedding and having an art crisis, all things that I'm certain you probably are surprised to hear. Especially of the wedding, I'd think.

And now, things you won't be surprised to hear: I kept drawing. I still know of the online friendships that you made. I'm still working on that blasted comic project, but I think that I have it worked out now...for real this time. Perhaps?

I have friends that I love, and a husband that treats me well. (I'm writing you at his prompting, actually.) I have a job doing something fantastic, but I'm afraid that I can't tell you about it quite yet. You'd find it a funny full-circle, I think!

But enough for now. Keep watching; only more exciting things are to come.

<3, Joyce

2003-2009 Improvement Meme

2010-01-06T13:41:00.000-08:00

I'm a part of DeviantArt, and while I don't often post, I could not resist this meme that has been going around.

My artist's comments from my page there:

While a survey from 2000-2009 would have led to even more crazy drawings and changes, this was a good way to think about what I've learned and where I've been. These years overlapped perfectly with my college and growing-up experience.

What I've really learned is that I need to draw more often.

Here's to a great 2010. Time to get drawing!

That's Swell!

2009-12-22T20:11:00.000-08:00

This is a section from an image that I made for Newsies and Pickpockets (formerly called Newsies) that I thought was appropriate for the season. :)

The author has just released "That's Swell", a text role-playing adventure that takes place in the New Paris setting from the Newsies and Pickpockets project. You can take part in the adventure by heading to the blog and following along -- all of the rules and options are explained to you as you go. So have a look, and play!

Roleplaying Thoughts

2009-12-15T10:48:00.000-08:00

I found this image that I had made a while back when posed the question: "what elements of roleplay are you for and against?" It mostly illustrates previous campaign happenings, but I thought that it was adorable enough anyway.

While I'm willing to explain myself, some things are funnier a mystery. ;)

University Eloise

2009-12-08T17:29:00.000-08:00

Even as she got older, she didn't care that her red hair clashed terribly with her favorite scarf. Rock on, girl, rock on.

Expecto Patronum!

2009-12-07T16:22:00.000-08:00

Popping in to put up a quick doodle that I did today.

For Lola Isidra

2009-11-11T17:48:00.000-08:00

"Hindi kita malilimutan

Hindi kita pababayaan

Nakaukit magpakailanman

Sa 'king palad ang ‘yong pangalan"

The Great Outdoors

2009-10-15T13:46:00.000-07:00

I've been in a bit of a funk these last couple of weeks, so my husband recommended that I get outside for a little change of pace.

Here's a (slightly vertically distorted) view from our front stoop.

Late-Night Study Sketch

2009-10-13T18:47:00.000-07:00

So the car problem last Saturday turned out to be with the starter; kind of a pricey repair. Combine working more hours to help with that along with a work schedule now in a bit of a crunch, I foresee blog neglection in the near future. We'll see if I'm wrong!

Poor Car

2009-10-10T10:41:00.000-07:00

We left the house this morning hoping to get to Hollister for the Renaissance Faire at a reasonable hour so that we could be out early for dinner plans later, but life threw a bit of a wrench in our plans.

We're not really sure what the problem is, since everything seemed to be just fine on Thursday when we last drove. Currently, we are waiting for the tow guys to come so that we can take it to the dealer for a look. Fingers crossed~!

Party Like It's 1699

2009-10-09T12:00:00.000-07:00

Er, perhaps more like 1400-ish, but you get the general idea

Farewell, dear readers, for once my husband finds out that my morning exercise was to dress him up, I may not be long for this world~! ;)

Dancer Sketch

2009-10-08T12:00:00.000-07:00

I have been listening to far too much Cabaret.

Sketch - 100 Themes: 02 Love

2009-10-07T12:00:00.000-07:00

Love. :)

Smooshcat T-Shirt Preview

2009-10-06T12:00:00.000-07:00

Will be finished once I have made peace with Illustrator again.

Dress Shopping

2009-10-05T12:00:00.000-07:00

Dress shopping in the real world this time -- I'm gradually collecting all of the pieces that I need for my faire garb. Next up are sewing an underskirt and creating a headpiece and belt pouch. Perhaps making a cloak as well.

As much as I'd like to do something about my glasses, it's likely a lost cause.

EDIT: A photo, for the curious. http://twitpic.com/kjbtb

Key Machine Instructions: Page 5

2009-10-04T13:39:00.000-07:00

And that's the last of them!

Key Machine Instructions: Page 4

2009-10-03T08:51:00.000-07:00

Unfortunately, citizen, you made a mess!

Key Machine Instructions: Page 3

2009-10-02T08:45:00.000-07:00

Page 3. Drawing paint falling from "an unspecified source above the robot" turned out to be pretty difficult, and it's still impossible to tell what's happening. Pouring paint is serious business.

Key Machine Instructions: Page 2

2009-10-01T11:39:00.000-07:00

Page 2 of the "instruction manual." Poor robot!

Key Machine Instructions: Page 1

2009-09-30T17:19:00.000-07:00

The first in a set of five pages. They were used in an "instruction manual" for a puzzle during a Paranoia roleplay session, but they didn't provide much relevant information.

Of Questionable Intent

2009-09-29T12:09:00.001-07:00

It's been a while! Here's something I did in between projects:

It's turning out much more difficult to interpret this character visually than it would seem at first glance at the description.

Traffic

2009-09-06T19:04:00.000-07:00

There was an extra hour's worth of traffic on the way down to Santa Cruz, all centered around two merges. How frustrating...!

Train Station

2009-09-02T18:10:00.001-07:00

Some sketches done while waiting for my husband's train to come in.

Dining Table

2009-09-01T21:55:00.001-07:00

It's amazing how one little piece of furniture can make a place really feel like a home.

Fixing Bro-bot

2009-08-31T18:15:00.001-07:00

This robot is way, way above my security clearance.

Chambord

2009-08-29T12:48:00.000-07:00

I picked up some Chambord to assist in making lemon cookies with raspberry jam filling (via Food Network: http://bit.ly/4oOCTE), and it's one of the most fun-looking bottles that I've ever owned. The raspberry liqueur inside is just a bonus, really.

Jeane

2009-08-27T19:43:00.001-07:00

Being a tad self-indulgent this week with my off-time doodles...can't you tell? :)

Sipping Tea

2009-08-25T16:53:00.000-07:00

Tea time!

The Lady

2009-08-24T17:40:00.000-07:00

Please forgive me; our RP campaign finally started up again yesterday and I wanted to indulge myself. :)

Illustration Friday: "Caution" / Draw365: 022 Caution

2009-08-21T19:33:00.000-07:00

Use caution, or you might fall head over heels...!

Inspire Me Thursday: "Cupcakes" / Draw365: 021 Cupcakes

2009-08-20T17:23:00.001-07:00

If I owned a cupcake shop, this is how they would be delivered!

Draw365: 020 Rough

2009-08-19T22:51:00.000-07:00

Draw365: Because plenty of sketches are made before the final product.

Draw365: 019 Past

2009-08-18T18:34:00.000-07:00

Draw365: I wonder how developing one's own visual awareness affects memories.

Draw365: 018 Identity

2009-08-17T18:55:00.000-07:00

Draw365: How do you identify yourself?

Draw365: 017 Koi

2009-08-16T14:09:00.001-07:00

Draw365: Swishy fishy!

Draw365: 016 Foil

2009-08-15T20:27:00.000-07:00

Draw365: Fencing is fun!

Draw365: 015 Aviator Cap

2009-08-14T16:46:00.000-07:00

Draw365: Goggles are hard to resist.

Draw365: 014 Oranges

2009-08-13T07:18:00.000-07:00

A small piece of a just-finished commission for Newsies. :)

Draw365: Sometimes little moments are enough to light up your day.

Draw365: 013 Coffee

2009-08-12T09:43:00.000-07:00

Draw365: Every artist has a fuel of choice!

Draw365: 012 Grocery List

2009-08-11T15:59:00.001-07:00

Draw365: Kind of an inefficient way to keep a list.

Draw365: 011 Ink Gizmo

2009-08-10T11:54:00.001-07:00

Draw365: How do you work this crazy ink gizmo?

Draw365: 010 Warehouse Stores

2009-08-09T21:09:00.001-07:00

Draw365: There are just some things that are silly to buy in bulk.

Draw365: 009 Leading Lady

2009-08-08T18:57:00.001-07:00

Draw365: A view into the rewrite of a story I've been tossing about for about 10 years.

Draw365: 008 Loathing

2009-08-07T15:00:00.001-07:00

Draw365: Listening to a single soundtrack looped all day is probably not good for you.

Draw365: 007 Sketchbook

2009-08-06T15:37:00.000-07:00

Draw365: Because sometimes Photoshop happens in your sketchbook.

Draw365: 006 First Flight

2009-08-05T09:52:00.000-07:00

Draw365: Because lunchtime is for working on personal projects.

Draw365: 005 Magician Revisited

2009-08-04T12:36:00.001-07:00

Draw365: Because work breaks are more fun when they're creative.

Draw365: 004 Need to Unpack

2009-08-03T16:03:00.000-07:00

Draw365: Because it feels like I'm falling asleep in a cardboard forest.

Draw365: 003 Moving

2009-08-02T22:08:00.000-07:00

Draw365: Because the days do not stop for moving house.

Draw365: 002 Vista

2009-08-01T15:01:00.001-07:00

Draw365: An attempt to reclaim my days from time-waster websites.

Draw365: 001 Self Portrait

2009-07-31T16:00:00.000-07:00

Draw365: Because drawing outside of my 9-5 satisfies in such a different way.

Newsies - New Paris Map Preview

2009-07-28T15:43:00.000-07:00

I'm currently working on some more drawings for Miguel de Luis's upcoming RPG, Newsies. He's posted a map that I drew of the town of New Paris, the area where the game takes place, so if this little preview intrigues you, head on over there and take a look. :)

And for more fun, check out the full Newsies blog!

Brush Testing

2009-07-22T22:34:00.001-07:00

Just a quick sketch to test out a new vine charcoal brush that I created for myself.

Inspire Me Thursday: "Glasses"

2009-07-17T21:29:00.000-07:00

Sometimes a prompt allows you to draw things that you didn't know you could draw.

Inspire Me Thursday: "Glasses" - Rough Sketch

2009-07-16T15:59:00.001-07:00

Will be finished within the week.

Journey

2009-07-15T20:20:00.001-07:00

Learning a little more every day about my artistic point of view. Here's to bright days ahead!

Watercolor Experiments

2009-07-09T18:06:00.000-07:00

I actually set up two jars, a palette, a paper towel, and an old set of watercolor cakes today and decided that I wanted to play. It's exceptionally difficult to think like a watercolor artist when you're used to being able to add lighter colors on top of darker ones at will.

I definitely made myself thinner than I really am; such is life.

Snapshots of Darkon 01 - A Disturbance in Rivalis

2009-07-06T22:09:00.001-07:00

Stirring Up Rivalis - Part 1

2009-07-05T23:33:00.000-07:00

Something I'm working on in my spare time.

Fireworks

2009-07-02T17:12:00.000-07:00

I'll be out most of the weekend so I wanted to be sure to wish the US a happy Independence Day. :) If you're shooting off your own fireworks, take care and be safe!

Funnier Without Words

2009-07-01T17:58:00.000-07:00

I'm certain that this says only terrible things about my writing skills, but these two panels that I drew for a pet project are funnier without the intended text.

Beach Sketch

2009-06-29T20:16:00.000-07:00

I believe that this is the first crab that I've ever drawn.

Sewing Machine

2009-06-28T23:59:00.000-07:00

A fellow fencer was looking to get rid of this little darling, so we offered to give it a new home. The manual emphasizes that its purpose is for garment mending and not for garment construction, but I simply cannot resist.

Expect some adventures involving the QuikStitch in the near future. :)

Happy Anniversary

2009-06-21T10:06:00.000-07:00

To my love. :) Here's to many more to come.

[Original photo taken by Christopher Lowry Photography]

Flash Drawing

2009-06-12T09:43:00.000-07:00

Been doing lots of drawing within Flash lately; it seems that with the way that I'm comfortable drawing, Flash has become the most ideal way for me to create vector images. Unfortunately exporting complex EPS files doesn't always go according to plan, causing even more work...ah, well.

Something that I did on lunch break:

Back from Vacation

2009-06-09T22:43:00.001-07:00

Well, mostly; back in Sunnyvale now, but vacation etceteras end tomorrow night.

So, sketches from Sausalito.

New Happenings

2009-05-25T14:16:00.001-07:00

It's been far, far too long since my last update, but fortunately that's because of some good news involving work and projects and the like. So I'm drawing quite a lot, but I can't show you much of what's being made until this particular project gets announced -- so is life! I'm going to refer to this as "Project Continental" until I can reveal the true name and some art from it; stay tuned. :)

I'm also going to be working on some art for a new game called Newsies, so that will definitely be coming up. Should be a pretty exciting project; that link will let you keep up with the author/designer's updates on the system.

Also working on a couple of personal projects and one collaboration in my free time, which is pretty limited, so I expect those to be slow. Ah, well.

Aah, too many words! Must have pictures!

A Matter of Time

2009-05-14T14:41:00.001-07:00

Feeling good about life. :)

I would pretend that this wasn't another self-portrait, but in that case, it would be irrelevant to post it at the moment. :D

More Avatar Art

2009-05-08T17:31:00.000-07:00

For three online buddies that were very patient with me. A very relaxing drawing day, but now I'm piled up with other drawing assignments. ^^; Ah, well!

User avatars from the online community Gaia.

Inspire Me Thursday: "Umbrella"

2009-05-04T14:35:00.000-07:00

Sketchbook: Campfire

2009-05-02T11:14:00.000-07:00

Moments on the road.

Umbrella Rough

2009-05-01T11:50:00.001-07:00

I doodled a sketch inspired by Inspire Me Thursday's topic, "Umbrella."

Six corners, Chicago...cobbled together from internet searches and my childhood memories. It's times like this when I miss Midwest rains and wonder if an eternal summer is really right for me.

Not certain how far this will be able to go, since I cannot just go down there and draw, but we'll see. It's strange that I feel like making up items in this area is just not an option. Perhaps I can "step into" the area with Google Maps street view?

Illustration Friday: "Theater"

2009-04-27T12:53:00.000-07:00

A tribute to backstage.

Character Sketches

2009-04-20T20:09:00.001-07:00

While the characters were created and described by our illustrious game master, I attempted to put faces to them.

From left to right: a knight-captain, an archmage, a set of twins.

Conceptual Self Portrait

2009-04-17T10:38:00.001-07:00

Okay, so perhaps not so conceptual since I'm in it, but still.