Locutus

Locutus - iPad with Procreate

 Why do you resist? 

We only wish to raise quality of life, for all species. 

- Star Trek: The Next Generation - The Best of Both Worlds, 1990

Proud to say I am a Star Trek fan, specifically a TNG girl. So, here's Captain Jean-Luc Picard during one of his off-days as an tricked out Borg. This two-part episode will be released in select theaters soon for a day or so, and even though I've seen it a million times, it's tempting to check it out on the big screen.

Below are process pics of the sketch. I've seen the process of other artists, usually a graceful ballet of brush or pencil strokes which evolves into a beautiful piece.

I am the first to admit, my process is a train wreck. Nonetheless, with patience and persistence, it still yields postable results.

This is the source image I began with. I also referenced others with a brighter red light.

I first lay down preliminary lines. Then, I start to fill in the eyes, nose and mouth area.

Fill in more features. This is the point where I'm wondering where it's going. I start to tackle the Borg hardware, then notice poor Locutus has cranial swelling. Time to remeasure.

Fixing up my proportions, Locutus is back on track. Adding details and further tweaking. Once I'm satisfied with a black and white sketch, it's on to coloring. 

It's easy to get spoiled on the iPad or any digital device, where you can do infinite corrections and changes. Tactile media forces you to make more of a commitment. I'll be returning to traditional painting and drawing soon, to see if these exercises have strengthened the "perceptual" muscle. At least, I've saved some trees in the meantime.

Timey Wimey

The Tenth • iPad with Procreate

I'm old enough to know that a longer life isn't always a better one. In the end you just get tired. Tired of the struggle. Tired of losing everyone that matters to you. Tired of watching everything turn to dust. If you live long enough, the only certainty left is that you'll end up alone.

- The Tenth Doctor

In celebration of David Tennant's return to BBC with "Spies of Warsaw", this iPad portrait exercise features the Tenth Doctor and his magical time box.

I've been watching Dr. Who since I was a kid. Yes, I remember the old black and white episodes on PBS. So, here is where I stand as a DW fan:

Favorite doctor:
Classic: Tie - Patrick Troughton and Tom Baker
Modern: David Tennant

Favorite companion:
Classic: Tie - Jamie McCrimmon, Sarah Jane Smith
Modern: Martha Jones

Favorite episode:
Classic: The Ark in Space (first one I ever watched)
Modern: Blink

Favorite alien menace:
Classic: I remember some silvery humanoid thing that was so fast, it could jump and disappear, but can't remember the name. That, and Davros, though I didn't like his Modern version
Modern: Weeping Angels (especially the Statue of Liberty one)           

The Midnight Star

Stella - iPad with Procreate

The world is what you make of it, friend. 

If it doesn't fit, you make alterations. 

- Stella, Silverado, 1985

This week's portrait features another strong lady, a fictional one from the 1985 film Silverado.

I saw it when it first came out in theaters. It was a fun homage to the popcorn Westerns of the past, with all the traditional elements - corrupt lawmen, outsider heroes and the final showdown shootout. It wasn't a movie that was out to blaze any new trails, proudly serving up every cliché in the genre. But I loved it anyway and thought Kevin Costner was the cutest thing in a fancy two-gun rig I'd ever seen.

The most impressive supporting character was a diminutive barkeep named Stella, played by the always impressive Linda Hunt, currently of NCIS: Los Angeles fame.

Stella sits in the eye of a storm of evil swirling around Silverado. She runs the Midnight Star Saloon with a calm demeanor and has the townspeople's respect. My favorite scene is when she first meets Paden, a luckless wanderer. He stays mostly on the sidelines as events unfold until Stella says the words he needs to hear to help him choose a direction:

Some people think because they're stronger, 

or meaner, that they can push you around. 

I've seen a lot of that. 

But it's only true if you let it be.

That's a statement worth raising a glass to.