Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Halloween Dreaming- Steampunk Vampire

Greetings, and welcome back.

I hadn't realized it's been quite so long since I've posted, until someone gently suggested I'd been taking my good old time putting something up.  So, as I've got a few different little somethings lying about, I thought I'd post those now and again, to a) put something up and b) give you a chance to see how my scribbling can really differ from what usually gets posted here.

This one is, like the title says, an idea for a 'Steampunk Vampire' for last year's Halloween.  It started out simply enough- I needed an idea for a Halloween costume, but none presented itself.  I struck on the classic idea of the vampire, one near and dear to my heart, as you probably know by now (family legend has it that, on my mother's side, we are direct descendants of the historical Dracula, Vlad Tepes.  Family legends rock.)  I hadn't been a vampire for Halloween since... probably 1984 or 85?  A long time.  However, knowing my inability to leave well enough alone, it was a short trip from 'vampire' to 'steampunk vampire'.  Which isn't as easy as it sounds.  YOU try to find an idea of what a steampunk vampire looks like.  and do it in about 2 weeks' time with no budget. 

So this was the rough idea of what I was looking for.  I went with monochrome colors, with splashes of red.  I was going to color my glasses red, as well.  And then put on the top hat with goggles, for good measure.  I liked it- simple, but effective.  Sadly, reality once again sought to oppose me, and as usual, she had reinforcements.  It turned out pretty well, all told, but not terribly Steampunk. 

Maybe this year.  Or maybe this year it'll be a steampunk Frankenstein's Monster!  Or an Art Deco Mummy!  or...

Thanks for visiting.  You'll most likely see some more sketches up before anything substantial.  Much is in motion right now.

Music: "Transylvania 1887" - Alan Silvestri


Friday, March 12, 2010

Connections, of the Subjective Variety

At the atomic level, the electrons in the outermost shells of the atoms that make up our bodies, when brought near the electrons of another object- say, another person- repel each other.  That repelling of like-charged particles is what gives us the illusion of contact.  However, in a very real sense, we never touch. 
Is that why we spend our lives trying so hard to make an emotional connection to each other?

Monday, March 8, 2010

Progress Report; Or, Slow and Steady Gets You Somewhere, Eventually

Greetings, all.

Just wanted to let you know I actually am still working on a project to post.  I'd like to say it's pretty epic, and in a way I suppose it is, but it's a case of me perhaps biting off more than I can chew (surprising, I know).  I've had the idea for this picture for a long time- probably about 4 years or so, ever since I heard this song... or at least the germ of the idea.  But what I didn't realize is, though I had the idea, I didn't know exactly what the idea looked like.  And that's where I'm getting a bit hung up.  I'm also figuring out some new approaches to drawing/PSing that is taking some time, but is an important addition to the toolboxes of both. 

As to what I'm trying to draw, well- imagine Hell.  As a physical location; 'other people' doesn't count, Joey.  This time, at least.  Okay, have an image?  Now draw it.  That's what I'm working with here.  (Joey, no fair- it was a rhetorical statement.  Just cause you can draw backgrounds really well...)  It's a neat idea, and like I said, based on a song.  Probably not a song you're expecting, either.  We'll see, ultimately, how well this comes out.  I'm hoping I can at least get some of the idea across, if not the full effect I'm looking for.

If you've gotten this far in the post, thanks.  I know these all-text posts go over like a pager in a crowd of zombies, but sometimes (all the time) it's good for me to go on a bit about whatever's in my head.  And this is only part of what's in my head; it's been a pretty crazy week or so, kiddies, in all the ways that make life so much better than the alternative. 

So- since I've got you here for this long, I've been thinking (as I've said)- I've been thinking of taking some weekend trips here and there this year.  Mostly just the weekend, but maybe and extra day off here and there.  Going low-profile, as it were; no Ritz-Carlton for me, thanks.  But I'm looking to put some more miles on the car, maybe get into some adventure- or just go somewhere and see something new.  Hell, just to be somewhere other than right here for a day or so.  So- any suggestions?  (no, Hell does not count, thanks peanut gallery).  Responses greatly appreciated.  Feel free to post here (I do appreciate the attention to the blog) or email me at tinkerd711(at)ay oh ell(dot)com. 
Thanks as always, for stopping by and visiting. 

Peace-

S.

PS- for those so inclined, I'm on twitter:@karloffsghost though i don't post to it nearly so often as I do facebook, as 140 characters is barely enough to begin scratching the surface of my wit.  So until it becomes the focused totality of my wit, it'll be fairly random... you know, just like everything else I write.  Wow.  If you've gotten this far, you are just the best.  Thanks for not knowing when to stop. 

Music: For some current favorites of mine, check out Pandora (the other Pandora, not the box, not the planet) over on the right.  Been loving new Snow Patrol, The Avett Brothers, Muse, some older Sarah McL, Rodrigo y Isabella's just awesome classic acoustic guitar married to a latin metal sensibility. 

Saturday, March 6, 2010

"I do not think that word means what you think it means..."


Okay, a really bad Princess Bride picture, but I was thinking about the movie a lot tonight, so thought I'd just goof around for a couple minutes in PS and do this.  Not at all the PB picture I'm planning on doing, but fun to scribble out.  Just shows I'm not ready to draw directly into PS. 

One of the greatest romantic movies of all time, of course.  And funniest.  And has one of the greatest songs ever written- there were only 5 songs of true love that were the most passionate, the most pure, and this one leaves them all behind. If you tell me you haven't seen it yet, well, that's just...

inconceivable. 

Music: "Storybook Love" - Willy deVille, of course. Check out an amazing acoustic performance of the song Here

man, i'm tired.

Monday, March 1, 2010

a lifetime ago

Like a moth to the flame, so i am to the past.  Particularly when the past comes back.

"and like that, she was gone."

And not to worry.  Just externalizing some headspace.  I'll have some more artsy stuff posted before long.  working on an idea or two, it's just slow-going.

Music: "Love Untold" - Paul Westerberg