Crit-Submit #1

-Dan dos SantosThanks to everyone who decided to take part in our first 'Crit-Submit'. We received close to a hundred submissions. I looked through all of them, and they varied greatly. Some of you are just starting out, whereas others of you are obviously at a professional level. I really enjoyed all of them regardless, and appreciate everyone's interest.A few of the Muddy Colors guys were a little apprehensive about publicly criticizing someone's...

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Shaun Tan wins Oscar !

By John Jude Palencar A big congrats to fellow illustrator (now also director) Shaun Tan.Shaun won for the "Best Animated Short" based on his bestselling children's book "The Lost Thing". Donato Giancola, Greg Manchess, Irene Gallo and myself had the pleasure to have dinner a few years ago with Shaun. Those who know Shaun, know how unassuming and humble he is. I can't think of a better artist/ illustrator more deserving than Shaun. Links Here and...

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LTD

by Arnie FennerSince Mr. Giancola hasn't mentioned it yet, I'll take the opportunity to. Last year Underwood Books released Middle-Earth: Visions of a Modern Myth, a collection of the gorgeous paintings and drawings that Donato has been creating (some as commissions, but many on his on time and dime) for a number of years. Not only has he been scrupulously faithful to Tolkien's descriptions in his works, not only does Donato share his reasons and...

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Happy 25th Birthday, Link!

This week marked the 25th anniversary of the release of The Legend of Zelda. I'm guessing a ton of you have already seen this image, but if not, here is a pretty spectacular piece that a young artist know simply as 'Ag+' created in commemoration of the event.Two lessons should be taken from this piece:1. Never underestimate the power of the internet to make you famous overnight.2. If you're going to spend a year making a piece this ambitious,...

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Update: Terryl Whitlatch

***I just discovered that Terryl has several FREE VIDEO TUTORIALS on the Academy of Art University's website!***http://online.academyart.edu/resources/creature-design-demonstrations/Also, here is some additional info on the signings/demos I mentioned in Thursday's po...

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Inspiration: ODANI MOTOHIKO

Born in Kyoto in 1972, Odani Motohiko studied sculpture at Tokyo University of the Arts and Music.  Since graduating, he's had at least 7 major exhibitions to his name, most recently 'Phantom Limb', which is currently on display at the Mori Art Museum in Japan. The exhibition, which has been up since late November will be coming down this weekend. The exhibition is already scheduled to travel to two more museums, though as far as I know there...

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Interview: Terryl Whitlatch

-By Dan dos SantosTerryl Whitlatch was born in Oakland, California, and started drawing at less than three years of age. Blessed with a mother who was, and still is, a talented artist-illustrator, and a father who taught biology, her fascination with animals started early. Countless weekends were spent visiting zoos, aquariums, and museums, and her father was constantly bringing home mounted skeletons, creatures preserved in jars, and living animals...

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Working As An Art Judge

Gregory ManchessIt’s almost time to fly to Kansas to help judge the next Spectrum Annual. None of it would happen without the vision and grand efforts of Cathy and Arnie Fenner. Great effort is expected from all of us: time, money, energy. It’s exciting because as a group, we get to help highlight other lovers of fantastic art out there. Yet there’s another reason. For me, it’s an honor. I take great pride in being a part of the process. As...

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New Painting Demo

What is the word of the day? Progress(be it slow and arduous) Here's a close up of what I've been working on. I'm also showing you the ref of the hand I'm using. Thank you all my friend/models. Again, I'm a big photo ref/ref in general advocate. At least until you've gained a better understanding of anatomy, light, form color etc where you can start to manipulate it more successfully. Something I constantly try to improve on.And I also have...

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Illustration Process: Traditional Work

-By Justin GerardFor this post and the next I will take a break from shameless self-promotions to share some process work. Over the years, my process has mutated from the clear and straightforward approach of my early childhood: Step 1: Tear page from coloring book. Step 2: Turn page over and apply crayon directly to back of paper...And turned into an overly-complex and technically absurd mess that it involves hundreds of extra steps and expensive,...

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Endurance

-By Dan dos SantosIrene Gallo just posted my cover for the upcoming novel 'Endurance' over at Tor.com. 'Endurance' is the sequel to Jay Lake's 'Green'. If you are a member of Tor's site, you can get a nice hi-rez wallpaper of the image that shows a lot of detail. Otherwise, stay tuned here, as I'll post some details and progress pics of the piece in the next few da...

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Suggestion Box

By John Jude PalencarOver the past few months the members of Muddy Colors have posted a variety of topics and subjects.Dan Dos Santos has instituted an online critique. I'd like to take additional suggestions to further creative dialogue and knowledge building for Muddy Colors. Perhaps there is a subject, question or topic that we have not covered. Something that you would like to see or something we have not touched upon ... a subject that could...

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This Weekend

by Arnie FennerIf you live in the Boston area, why not go see Greg Manchess and Irene Gallo at Boskone this weekend? They'll be sitting on panels, Greg will do a painting demo, and I think there's even supposed to be a display of 30 or so Manchess originals; combine that with all the other convention activities and a good time is almost certainly guarante...

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Work in Progress

By Eric FortuneI have a fast approaching deadline so today's post will by fairly short. Here's a work in progress of what I'm currently painting on. This painting is for the upcoming Hi Fructose Show opening Mar 11th at Roq La Rue Gallery in Seattle. For some other wip pix check out my personal blog here. I'm back to working in acrylic on watercolor paper and I must say it feels pretty good. I'll continue to post work in progress shots on my...

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Live from the Met!

by DonatoOne of the reasons I moved to New York City at the beginning of my career was to be around its great museums, from the Metropolitan Museum of art, to the Frick, to the Pierpont Morgan Library, to the Museum of Natural History, and many others. I make regular trips to all of these in order to spend a few hours in bliss, inquiry, or research.I was up at the Met this weekend for the later cause, taking in the sublime landscapes of Albert...

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