new sketch

In the next couple weeks I'll be getting a new illustration table and I should be able to really start cranking then. Until that happens, here's another entry for the 3A boards sketch thread:




Baba Yaga somewhat modernized. A powerful witch doesn't have to run around all wrinkled and saggy.

WET BLENDING

Over on the 3A forums they've started a thread on painting and customizing DIY Vinyl figures since they have several on their way to us fans (all of which will end up in here as soon as I receive and paint mine). Many of the members are new to customizing and were requesting info from the more experienced modelers on the board (and there are some AMAZING customizers on there). I don't do as much chop stuff on my work, but I've done more than my share of painting miniatures and action figures. I posted a Dunny I did (whose original paint job annoyed me to no end... the only blind box from that wave I did not want, of course) as an example of wet blending.

Wet blending is a technique I've known about since my days at "The Shop" but never attempted until a freak accident last summer proved it wasn't as hard as it sounded. Wet blending is exactly what it sounds like, you're mixing your colors right on your figure/miniature/etc. It creates far more subtle tonal shifts. Last summer, while completing Tess' custom Gaz, I rushed the background and ended up painting a new layer before the previous layer had dried. What resulted was a smoother transition of color (I was working on creating a lighting effect) than I ever would have achieved through traditional tonal layering.

I attempted the effect a few more times since then, my most recent, and favorite, was the aforementioned Dunny. I recreated the Dunny as a zombie (a stretch for me, I know). I mixed a few tones of a very rotten green and as it was drying, added in patches of yellow to create the sort of horrible discoloration you get as skin rots, thins and separates. After that dried completely, I added a bit of dry brushing for some thin, semi translucent white patches. After that dried I went in with the original dark green color and painted in small holes in the skin, creating the appearance of exposed regions beneath the surface. I was very happy with the results as it gives a very organic look while still being a bit more artsy than one would achieve when shooting for full on realism. Its useful on anything from simulating distressed, rusty metal to rotting flesh (obviously) or simply to make something more interesting than flat colors permit.



Its much easier to see on the back.

WHAT'S BEEN GOIN' DOWN IN THE VALLEY

So I've been trying to solidify my web presence this last week or two. Can't get the proper exposure these days without belonging to like ten odd websites. I've redone a logo for Mephisto Designs and a general look for all of my presentations around the internets.

The new logo is in the banner at the top of this blog as well as here:


and on its own:


There is also the screaming/burning skull icon that I guess is the logo for Mephisto Designs screaming that he wants your soul? Or at least subscription ;)







I plan to put them on t-shirts for the Mephisto Designs Etsy store that is in development. And by in development, I mean I need to find a good t-shirt supplier and get the needed materials to start cranking on my tentatively titled "Junkbot" art toys. More on those after I get them produced and I'm in the painting process. That will hopefully be in September if all goes well.

Other new graphic design works (though small and easier) are the banners for NYTR's various websites:

NYTR blog:


and NYTR etsy shop:


Still working on illustrations for NYTR Clothing's Tshirts, I'll post them as I get them to a cleaner state. They're mainly non photo blue pencil right now and not much to look at to be honest.

SO feel free to follow this blog! (Link in the upper right hand corner)

and add me at any of these fine, plentiful and apparently unavoidable social networks:

myspace.com/mephistodeisgns1138

facebook fan page for mephisto designs

twitter

and to see galleries as they're updating without being on one of those sites:

photobucket.com/mephisto_designs

and

photobucket.com/mephisto_illustrates