Cover: Dogbreath Fanzine #22

Here's a quick one - the cover for the latest Strontium Dogs fanzine, 'Dogbreath':


This was a pure painting job in Photoshop, using a bit of reference to get the pose correct. I was going for a Frazetta/ Starblazer feel - sort of late 70's/ 80's vibe. Ace.

Apologies for the use of the word 'vibe' but I feel it's suited here.

Dogbreath is run by my good friends at Futurequake, Bolt-01 and others, who'll be selling this issue and plenty of other interesting reads at the up-coming Hi-Ex comic convention this March.

Note: I shall be a guest at said 'Con - very much looking forward to it!

Back to business, here's the plain version:


Hope you like, I feel I made some real headway in the direction I want to push myself with this piece.

Busy times...!

Quite busy at the minute with a few projects, so here are some old WIP renders of some bad boys from Privateer Press: Ios (now renamed Scyrah) Warjacks:


These were modelled purely in 3DSMax, mostly using subdivision modelling, hard edged modelling and booleans (shudders) - with character sheets by the amazing artists over at Privateer.

The were rendered with VRay using basic settings and a lighting/ studio rig similar to that found in my 3D World article.


The above were a lighter class of Warjack, I also modelled a heavier class - love those huge shoulder pads!


The great thing about this project was that the 3D models also formed the basis of the box illustration - so what you see on the box cover is exactly what you get in the box. Very nice.


So now I can also class myself as a miniature sculptor as well. Here are a few shots of the final painted miniatures over at Privateer Press:

(Above and Below)
The final paint job - I'll leave that to the professionals, thankyou!

This was a very involved process from start to finish - and also very rewarding to see it all come together at the end. Hopefully in the not too distant future I'll post up a more detailed "How it's made..." for you.

Also, I'll put up the final illustrations. I'm sure you'll like them.

See you soon!

Now entering the... Twitterverse!

Hello all,

I'm now on twitter, you can find me here: @SkinnyElbows

I'll shall still be blog-posting, it's just that Twitter will be where you can find out what I had for breakfast or if I'm watching Glee and all that kind of stuff.

Right - need to get these paintings for Fantasy Flight Games done!

Horus Heresy: First Heretic

So, I can finally reveal the latest cover for the new instalment of the Horus Heresy series, "First Heretic" written by the ever rock-steady, Aaron Dembski-Bowden:

(Above)
Release date:
November 2010

To be honest, I was apprehensive about this piece to start off with - it's the series' first foray into exploring 'Chaos' (Aaron's absolutely the right man to write it) and I wanted to make sure the 'Chaos Space Marines' looked really freaky and the 'Custodes' looked super-cool. Luckily, Aaron had some fantastic ideas and inspirations, so I let his thoughts guide me. Very Zen.

I guess it'll be a while until this one comes out, so we'll have to wait until November 2010 when I can put up a "making of..."

If you're very nice to me I'll show you the full image at the conventions I'll be attending ;)

Horus Heresy Book Trailer

Ooh, almost forgot - I'll be doing some promotion for the forthcoming Horus Heresy "A Thousand Sons" and "Prospero Burns" books over the next few months:



Cool, huh!

"2010: The Year We Made Contact"

Well, Hello Everyone!


It's good to be back and on fighting form for the start of a new year. A year that promises making contact with extra-terrestrial life so I see...

Here's a quick recap of what I've been up to these past few weeks (in no particular order):

• I've taken up studying Magic - something I've always wanted to do.
• I got an iPhone - ftw!
• Been busy securing more interesting, varied and exciting work.
  
• Saw Avatar 3D - Mind-blowing stuff.
• Been sledging with my children - great fun!!!

My wife got me Al Williamsons 'Flash Gordon' book which has some of the most beautiful line art I've ever seen - it's definitely something to aim for this year.


Also, I've been reading Walt Stanchfields 'Drawn to Life' books, which have been incredibly inspiring and have renewed my interest in how I approach drawing and sketching - a must read for anyone who wants to get life into their drawing.

So, that's the first post for 2010 - the first of many, I'll wager!