Autumn Fair, Templar Jewellery and Zombie Guzzlers.

It was that time of year again for getting the trains up to Birmingham for the Autum Fair at the NEC. Had two particular reasons to go this time: to see the good folks at Eastgate Resources, and the prototypes of my Templar jewellery range which were on display. And very impressive they looked too, if I do say so myself. They have been made in platinum, gilded in places, and inlaid with enamel. Here is a scan of the promotional sheet:

Here is a little promotional video I have made for the range...

Also visited the Nemesis Now stand, where I had a chat with the new buyer, and saw the finished product of a zombie wine guzzler (bottle holder) that I had designed. Unfortunately they are still waiting for the finalized model of the dragon lamp that I've also designed for them. Here is what it should look like:

Possibly generated some interest with other companies besides, which was nice. 

Also met artist Anne Stokes, whose work I've long admired. 

Tattoos based on my artwork.

Always interesting to see when someone gets a tattoo based on one's artwork. Here is one I've just been shown...

Based on this drawing of mine...

I have had several tell me about getting my Cernussnos design as a tattoo. 

(And found a few online who didn't tell me about it...)

And ages ago someone got this Templar one done based on a drawing of mine.

Tattoos...

If you're into that...

Bonie and Bunnies.

Eastgate Resource are producing cards featuring my images 'Three Hares' and 'Meeting of the Dark Angels' (their title for it is 'Illusion'). I've just received these samples, and they've come out very nicely. They should also be producing some Knights Templar themed jewelry of my designing in the foreseeable future. Which is nice.

Not dead at time of writing

I am not dead at the time of writing, but have been very busy with a number of ongoing projects. I also took on a painting commission recently, a portrait of a certain client as a knight. It was worth squeezing into my schedule as the subject matter is in keeping with the direction I wish to take my art, and I also welcome a change from digital, and a chance to keep my hand in with oil paint. To help keep myself inspired, I also made two youtube videos lately paying tribute to the artistic tradition in Britain (the apotheosis of which occurred during the 19th century). Also one especially on Waterhouse, who is my biggest painterly idol. Speaking of Waterhouse, I recently had someone contact me over facebook, about my Marian painting, which they had mistaken for a Waterhouse, and which they wanted to make a copy of. This was doubly flattering. The results of their labour can be seen here.

Rise of the Zombies

Here is Dan Verssen's promotional video for the card came 'Rise of the Zombies', which features my artwork. Looks like a jolly good game. Hope it does well...

Damascus Steel Tutorial

I came up a technique for reproducing the look of Damascus Steel, useful for up-market swords. (Damascus steel is forged in such a way as to result in liquid-like, rippling patterns or shapes within the metal itself. It was a technique known to the Vikings but subsequently abandoned in the West, but it was continued by the Arabs during the era of the crusades, hence the name.) (Valyrian steel in the Game of Thrones world is supposed to have a similar look). I thought I would share it in my first tutorial, having benefited in the past from other tutorials that people have made and posted online.

1. Draw a plain blade, making the outline with the lasso tool and filling it with grey. Suggest the fuller (groove) down the centre, and make one side slightly lighter, to suggest the profile of the blade, with one edge catching the light more than the other. 2. Create a new layer above the blade and draw some squiggly lines across it in two shades of grey, one lighter and one darker than the original blade below. 3. Go to 'Filter' and then 'Liquify', and then smudge and push the light and dark grey lines around each other until swirls and patterns are generated. 4. Crop off the edges so that the pattern is only within the blade, and reduce the opacity of the layer to about 30%, or whatever looks best. (I'm told that a clipping mask could be used here, alternatively) 5. Create a new layer with the mode set to 'vivid light' and add highlights with the colour set to a very pale blue.

Keeping busy

I've been busy of late with two main projects. One is a facebook game based on a well-known fantasy title, about which I will probably have more to say later, all being well. The other is a series of illustrations for a biography of a certain lady who lived during the renaissance and who had an interesting life in interesting times. Recently I also did some alchemical illustrations as props for an indie film. Alas I am unable to show this stuff as yet. Also sold four more existing paintings. They are presently on their way to Florida, which is nice for them! The sold paintings are the following: Tamlina, Pensive, Top Hat, and Brown-Eyed Girl and Candle.