Mapping

After I come up with an idea for a painting, I set out on the task of finding reference material. For "Best Friends," I walked around town and took pictures of simple-looking houses and buildings. I was also interested in spaces between and beyond these buildings. Usually by this time, I have an idea of the scale I want to work with.

For this painting, I imagined two figures that I wanted modeled after me and an old friend of mine. I described to him the pose I wanted him to take and he had someone snap a picture of him. I acted out the pose I imagined for the painting and Eden took a set of images. 

Next, I process these elements to make a mock-up I call a map. I simplify the objects that populate the painting and then arrange them, keeping in mind the dimensions of my canvas. I rearrange until I like it

Next, I do color blocking. 

Perfect weekend

I drew Peter Falk as Columbo in my new Moleskine watercolor notebook from Eden. The 5-inch by 8 1/4-inch pages are perfect for these little portraits I like to do. I get screenshots off DVDs I play in my laptop or use Instant Netflix, again on the computer. Sometimes I just hit pause on the tv, but while I was drawing, I let a long cut scene play in Metal Gear 4. I've played the game a few times, so I wasn't missing anything. I just wanted to get to the Shadow Moses act.

I used my Copic multiliner SP pen. It's waterproof, doesn't bleed and is really smooth. I can become attached to it too because the ink is refillable and the nibs are replaceable. It feels really good in the hand.

I've also been playing with my NES portable system (FC Mobile II) I got as a gift from Eden for Christmas. I'm loving revisiting all my old games and realize how much harder the old games are, but how good the music is.