Movement...

sketch147, originally uploaded by ryanjebelt.

This was a relatively quick sketch of a young woman who was moving around quite a bit in high contrast lighting. I started her off one way, but then she turned and settled in another (...hence why the eyes are a little off...). The nice thing about my pen is that once it runs low on ink, you can actually do some soft shading.

Perception

sketch146, originally uploaded by ryanjebelt.

On one hand, I'd say it's the drawing with speed from close up that harangues me about this drawing. Or, is the distortion I always seem to see when I scan/photograph anything...like how a drawing or painting appears when I look at it, versus how it looks when digitized. I can't say exactly...in any event, I was happy with the drawing at the time...and the subject was as well...

All Things Considered: It can be tough avoiding bee puns...

Bee - Painting Detail, originally uploaded by ryanjebelt.

A close-up of one of the items featured in the painting I finished last week, which will be on display next month. I have more sketches on the way, but thought we needed some color to brighten up all that ink.

Live and Interesting

sketch145, originally uploaded by ryanjebelt.

There's not much for me to say here other than I'm glad I managed to do more than just a portrait.

A Sneak Peek at the Past...

sketch144, originally uploaded by ryanjebelt.

I remember when my attention in drawing turned from superheroes to pretty ladies. My grandfather took me aside, and showed me a picture of a Vargas girl in an old magazine. He made a joke about having a pin-up artist in the family, but I looked at it and thought "I could probably do that..."

Sound...well, no...but certainly Vision

sketch143, originally uploaded by ryanjebelt.

I did a drawing of Bowie last night for a friend to use as a prop in a short film he's making. I think he turned out pretty well.

June 2009 Group Show at the Hive Gallery...

For those who were unable to attend, this was the piece I'm showing as part of the group show currently on at the Hive (www.hivegallery.com). This is my second month at the Hive, and it's been quite fun to get to show there. If you haven't been, I recommend coming out for the openings...there's a whole lot of art, some live music, drinks, and general socializing.

Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.

sketch142, originally uploaded by ryanjebelt.

Since I had so much fun with Thor, I did a quick (and graceless...haha) recreation of a Nick Fury by legend Jim Steranko. Before you judge me too harshly, keep in mind I'm a) doing it for speed/fun, b) as a style study, c) much smaller than Jim did, and d) on sketch paper that bleeds (instead of illustration board). Though Steranko's Fury issues are still popular, I'm still surprised that his surrealistic pop approach and intense action sequences never made Fury a sustainable A-list character.

A Super Hero Literalizes My Blog Title...

sketch141, originally uploaded by ryanjebelt.

In honor of the rare Thunderstorm in Los Angeles yesterday, I did a quick line by line recreation of a drawing of the Mighty Thor by comics legend Jack Kirby. As a kid, I didn't appreciate Kirby's bulky, blocky style, but as I got older, I really saw what the man could do and it's damned impressive. More importantly, Kirby's style seems simplistic, but it's not as easy to reproduce well as you might think. That coupled with the fact that in doing a recreation...I tried to stay faithful to the original, but couldn't be hesitant with my brush strokes on the ink. (Yes...it's all brush, I would've done some in quill...but the important word here is "quick"...)

...a Horse for Me?

sketch140, originally uploaded by ryanjebelt.

Then some days you say to yourself "Inanimate objects? Pshaw, I'm drawin' the memorable mug of Jack Elam!"

A Reminder...

sketch139, originally uploaded by ryanjebelt.

The other day as I was helping out on a friend's short film shoot I remembered: Part of the reason for this was to make me draw stuff I wouldn't ordinarily draw...like inanimate objects...and plants. So, voila!

Not Exactly a Return to Form...

sketch138, originally uploaded by ryanjebelt.

Well, as promised, I have returned with some more sketches. It's been a busy last couple of weeks, so if I have been negligent, it's been forced negligence. She may not be my prettiest work, but who am I to deny her a chance at being seen? (Incidentally, I'll have a painting featured in a show next weekend...if that's any excuse for not being around.)