Sketchsofrantic

The cat is still in the bag.

2011-11-15T22:10:00.001-05:00

Still finding the energy to knock out the rest of this series. I wanted to take something serious and make it fun so why not a bank robbery.

Return to UNB

2011-04-25T08:40:00.009-04:00

This new horse is badass!! Were riding back to UNB headquarters to rally the brigade!
Feels good making babies again, art babies that is. More 3d, 2d, UV's, and UNB on the way :)
Enjoy. Crits and comments welcome as always. Oh and ABC!

Finally back on the saddle!!

2011-04-11T23:02:00.000-04:00

I've finally got traces of my mojo coming back after a long 7 months of stagnation. All it took was one spark and now the fire is starting again.

This is a piece I started to help get me out of the creative rut I was in. It's based on a Starcraft turret unit modified a bit for high res specs.

Meanwhile...Goldeneye 007 is coming

2010-08-23T13:46:00.000-04:00

The guys over at IGN have posted some screenshots of the Goldeneye 007 DS game I finished work on. You can check it out here: http://media.ds.ign.com/media/080/080829/imgs_1.htm

If You Build It, They Will Come Pt. 1

2010-08-19T12:41:00.010-04:00

I'm building a machine that will bring the people. One that the people can stand behind.

Artistic Masturbation: W.I.P

2010-08-17T16:48:00.002-04:00

Bring yo gangsta!

Sometimes its the simple things that will bring you peace, which brings me back to the drawing board. I started this back in April and it has changed considerably. It's still a work in progress but I don't see it changing too much except for the rendering detail, contrast, and maybe a few silhouettes in the background.
Have at it hoss, crits welcome.

W.I.P. It good.

2010-04-23T08:08:00.000-04:00

I've been really busy for months with projects I can't post as of yet. I finally stole some free time to work on an illustrated short story I've been writing off and on.
This is the initial sketch of a scene where these ghost attack a squad of gunmen.

Started fleshing out the first warriors costume, etc..

Still playing with the costume and weapons for now. I may add the bone armor back to her costume.

doing it for the kids

2009-12-18T12:47:00.002-05:00

These are some of the images I have done for an independent publisher, "Universal Write" a while back.
I was finally given approval to show them off, so here are three images from a children's book called "BumbleBee Longhorn Needle". The story is essentially a coming of age story about a butterfly who is a bully because he is jealous and unhappy.

This book is part of a project where Universal Write publishes students short stories so that they may become published authors early on in heir lives. There are two more books in the series I have done illustration for and once I am given permission I will post some shot from those as well.

Till the next time,

-Leon

Preparing Lasagna

2009-12-02T13:12:00.000-05:00

So yesterday I got home and made lasagna, which I have been craving for for months. Now that its cold, I feel I can properly enjoy it.

So after feeling accomplished with how my dinner came out I figured it's time to patch up some old projects I've been anxious to finish.

I started this one back in February and finally laid down the final colors on a full stomach and The Colbert Report. Looking at it now, I want to do another with a brighter finish to it.

Till the next post,
-Leon

Making Sweet Tea

2009-12-01T00:51:00.004-05:00

After a long break I'm back to breathe life into this blog. Here's a sketch of a portrait I'm going to paint of my little sister. This will be a good warm up before start my "Totally Badass Art Competition" entry.

Unapologetic Creativity

2009-10-13T20:27:00.004-04:00

A friend sent me a link to a video without saying what it was or why I should watch it. I wandered off for a while then came back to see what he had sent me. I was instantly enamored with what I saw, not because of the music, context or the people in the video.

It was the idea that caught me and the fact that I never thought of anything like this before. This video is a fresh take on the typical music video so take a look and be amazed or confused. "Click Here"

It all starts from paper.

2009-10-06T01:55:00.007-04:00

I was having a conversation with someone who asked me why I did most of my work on the computer instead of doing "real" artwork. I explained that I choose the computer because its efficient and forgiving all while maintaining the level of quality I want in my works. So I decided to show more of the process than just the final outcome because essentially whether its on canvas, glass or a monitor, it all starts from paper.

Chokin The Wii

2009-09-30T01:38:00.008-04:00

So even though I'm in the gaming industry I do not own the current gen systems. I moved a while back and left them behind and now I'm at odds of what to buy first the 360 or PS3.

I will eventually have both but I feel the sudden pressure of choosing one. In times of pressure I end up making terrible purchases, in this case the Wii. The Wii itself is a good console but not for me. Luckily I didn't buy it but I almost did, just to have something to tide me over while I decipher the pros and cons of the PS3 to the 360.

So here's a sketch of my near ordeal of becoming a Wii clown waggin the Wii.

Brain Food

2009-09-29T23:38:00.014-04:00

I have been really neglecting my blog but that will be changing pretty soom. I am working with some fellow artist for an art book and art show. I am tapping back into my roots of more traditional ways of creating my art.

This is a piece I call "Brain Food" that will not be in the art book but I will have it at the show. I can't show anything else besides this one for now until the book is ready from print.

This is it for this week, I'll be posting some sketches pretty soon to keep my web presence potent.

Hollerations!!!!!!!

Head Games

2009-03-13T18:34:00.007-04:00

Still on my mission I started a creature test. This is based off a concept I saw over on CG Hub by artist, Devin Platts. This is pretty much my base before I take this into a sculpting program for detailing.
I start this way so that my surface will retain much of the high res shape from the normals without any risk of jagged edges.

UNB: Search and Destroy

2009-03-13T17:22:00.004-04:00

Hey all, I've recently put my 3d hat back on to complete my transformation as a CG artist. My ultimate goal is to fuse the style of my 2d works and 3d works together to the point that no one can tell the difference.

This is the background set for my next illustration in which numerous characters will be running for their lives. I figure panic and destruction go hand in hand.

Journey West

2009-02-25T22:41:00.016-05:00

This is the image I wanted to submit for the drawing jam over at CG Hub. I see this one as having more character and energy coming from it than the first image I did. Overall I am satified with how fun this image came out.

Monkey King

2009-02-17T14:28:00.007-05:00

This interpretation of the Monkey King was for a bi-weekly drawing jam over at CG Hub. The theme was the actual story "Journey to the West" where the Monkey King is a character in it.
I wanted to do a remix on what he looked like. I changed his staff to a staff-rifle and his headband to headphones. I also interpreted "west" as the western United States, this Monkey King is heading to Las Vegas for enlightenment.

What is funny about this drawing jam is that I finished this a week ago but I had an even better idea last night, one that would show all the other characters from the story. I wont have time to complete my new idea in time but here is the sketch.
This one has waaay more energy and personality than the first one! I will finish it and post it later in the forums.

X-Men Week

2009-02-12T14:56:00.006-05:00

So I joined this blog called Art Jumble. They have themes every week for artist to participate in. I recommend joining in on the fun, there are pretty good artist participating as well.
I decided to do Gambit for this theme as hes pretty much the coolest and suavest X-Man. I think I always liked Gambit becasue I could relate to him more so than Wolverine or Cyclops.

Marvel vs. GI Joe vs. DC vs. Thundercats -pencils-

2009-02-04T15:35:00.004-05:00

This piece is a much desired mash-up illustration I've been itching to create. So the initial concept was to have a bunch of past time favorites dueling it out bar brawl style. I figured Marvel vs. GI Joe vs. DC vs. Thundercats would be a great battle, plenty of explosions and property damage.

I was going to add some He-Man, Bravestar, Voltron, and Silver Hawks in there but I don't really remember enough of them to do them justice. Also I figure not enough people would know who they are though I could be wrong. So have at it and the inks are on the way.

BirdGirl

2009-01-19T02:37:00.003-05:00

This is a piece I did for a friend who is quite fond of birds, hence the name BirdGirl. The bird is supposed to be a magical creature in the eyes of the girl on the bed. She only sees the bird in her dreams so that's why I made the landscape almost ethereal.

Magnus: The Wonder Years

2008-12-11T20:36:00.006-05:00

So lately I have been getting an itch to do some X-Men related artwork. This is mainly because of the Marvel game I am working on at my day job. Seeing all these characters bouncing all over my screen just made me want to join that world for a moment.

So these two images are a younger version of Magnus before he donned the name Magneto. They were supposed to be the start of my blog banner I am much in need of but well see what I can muster up. I always wondered what his journey was like before he became the old powerhouse we all know him as. So cheers to Magnus The Revolutionary!

Dont Turn Your Back

2008-11-25T12:08:00.006-05:00

I took a break from my invisible comic panels and decided to capture a moment in the life of my local Floridians.

This image was inspired when a friend and myself were at a restaurant when this family is seated across from us. The mother was nearly passed out and the father looked as if he was ready to bolt as their three kids drained the life force out of them both.

So this picture is both literally and figuratively saying, "Don't turn your back on your kids, because they can kick you in the nuts."

Crits are always welcome, more on the way after or during turkey day 2008.

Retro with A Razor

2008-10-08T03:18:00.007-04:00

Taking a break from the mysterious panels that have been putting me in a compositional arm bar for the moment to get down on some retro remixes. I always wanted to do a redesign of Liono every since I saw the cartoon again years ago. It really felt good to finally get it out of my head so other people can see it. I think I am going to add some hanging vines and insects to add more atmosphere to the scene, maybe rain.

Dead Sexy Line-up

2008-09-23T02:10:00.005-04:00

Hello fellow bloggers, I felt I had to stop neglecting my blog before it dumps me. This is a line-up of the secondary characters for the beloved "Dead Sexy" short stories I am working on. From left to right we have "General Issac", "Colonel Macabre", "Grunt Soldier", "Pierce", and "The News". Have at it everyone, more on the way as soon as I knock out some final compositions on these panels.

UNB: "Based On a True Story"

2008-08-14T18:37:00.005-04:00

This is an image I hit the pause button on to finish others "Dead Sexy panles" I am working on. This is a joint project with a friend and myself that will illustrate our experiences and inspirations in our lives. Oh and yes, I have fought off zombies shirtless, with a hunting knife, and striped slacks.

Return of Sexy: pt.2

2008-07-15T14:04:00.003-04:00

Hello all, I am still messing around with the Dead Sexy promo pieces the next post will be some panels from the short story. I just have to get them all inked and painted now.

Return of Sexy

2008-06-04T13:34:00.008-04:00

Hi all its been a long while since I have posted something due to various events. However I am finishing up the last UNB post and this one as well. The reason for so many ongoing projects is that I am ramping up to take a dive into more publishing ventures. As I am updated I will update you all but here is a sample of what I am working on right now. The pencil scans came in a bit washed but I will edit it and re-post.

UNB:Flats (update)

2008-04-14T13:34:00.004-04:00

I changed the color of the top for the woman on the left but this is the final color scheme I will be working with. Right now I am adding the volume then after that i will add a unifying lighting pass.

UNB:Flats

2008-04-14T13:31:00.003-04:00

I have the flats laid out I may change them but this is solid enough for me to begin with the nitty gritty.

UNB:Working Title

2008-04-11T18:52:00.006-04:00

Hi all, it's been waaaaayyyy too long since I posted. I have had computer, financial, and relocation problems, but all that is behind me now. This image is for an independent panel project my friend, "Juicy J" and myself are working on. The book is gonna be really fun and people will hopefully see themselves in some of the characters in the book.

Revival 2008

2008-02-11T15:36:00.000-05:00

Its been waaayy too long since I posted on my blog and this rant will be the first of this year followed by some illustrations I have been working on. I have been really busy with work but soon I will adding some much needed artwork on this blog. Stay tuned for I will definitely make up for the time I was away.

Things To Come: part2

2007-08-24T14:24:00.001-04:00

So I have been working on and off on this series that is supposed to put me more in tune with fantasy genres. This is the second installment of that series. She is my interpretation of a forest witch or earth goddess/ tree goddess depending on which fantasies your imaginations pull from. More on the way I promise.

Leon's Army

2007-08-24T14:15:00.000-04:00

I had time to think while on my vacation about what i really want. This thought had me thinking about my future both far an near especially since I almost lost my brother last week to the law. Its amazing how when something you love is at risk of being taking away from you how far you are willing to go to get it back even if it means breaking every rule known to man. This event made me think about having kids which really isn't what I want, what I really want is clones of myself which lead to what i really want is my own clone army of myself just as eager to accomplish my goals as I am! So here is the 2nd prototype of Leon's Army. The first prototype I dare not show.

U.N.B:Leon

2007-08-16T12:22:00.001-04:00

Hello again this is another portrait of myself for a group of artist i linked up with. We were all required to illustrate ourselves using the group "UNB icon" in the cartoon or comic form. I thank Marco Bucci, for his work was inspiration for the shadingIm still not there yet but I'll keep working on it.

There Is War

2007-07-26T17:12:00.000-04:00

This is the latest image i have been working on. Its basically two mystics battling for...something. Its for a game a friend of my is working on. Thanks Mr. ferret and Big Red Bear for the hook-up.

blind swordswoman

2007-07-20T16:42:00.000-04:00

This an image based on one of Roc's concepts while we were working at a video game developer company. I am in a phase of finishing up all sketches i have on my hard drive and getting them online.

Friend O' Mine

2007-07-20T15:38:00.000-04:00

This is a illustration of a old friend of mine, way back from junior high. Shes is a fashion designer now so I told her I would try to do her justice, I tried. The second version is a different color scheme since all her design are very vibrant in color. This is a tiny update to what im really working on, ill have more up soon.

Inner Demons

2007-05-24T14:21:00.000-04:00

So i've dove back into the 3d realm and i swear on my first born that ZBrush is the best thing since Oreo Cookie Ice-Cream!!! I mean this is what a 3d program should be, but there is another called Mudbox which i have yet to try out but these two are what 3d modeling programs should be. This character here is my guinea pig for ZBrush for now still getting the kinks out. Shes supposed to be an infantry assault demon or whatever that is. Basically shes a savage killer. She will also have the trimmings of various spikes, scales, and protruding bones that we've all come to know and love, right? I'm thinking like a lioness on two legs with bat ears and third degree burns. So this is one of the things that took me off the series from he last post but ill be back on it i promise.

Things To Come

2007-04-22T23:15:00.001-04:00

Well its been a while since I posted here. I thought I would give a heads up on what I've been working on since I've been busy at work. This particular piece was mainly to get me into doing more fantasy themed images since I rarely do them if any at all. I have four more fantasy themed pieces comming along the pipeline also and of course they will be posted here. Have at it.

MADNESS:color

2007-01-15T09:31:00.000-05:00

So here is the final color of the monstrosity thats is myself. Its supposed to be myself trying to illustarte whats going on before it rips me apart...i think. Well have at it, peace.

MADNESS: beta1.2 (WIP)

2007-01-12T21:28:00.000-05:00

This is what myself and some friends of mine were working on this week. We had to do a illustartion of ourelves. It could be literal or just about anything. So here is mine, let me know what you think? Im gonna color this one as well , probably before eveything else.

Something Different

2007-01-10T13:58:00.000-05:00

This is a rendition of my baby sister. I havent drawn her since she was about six so I decided it was time to take a swing at it again. A dirty sketch but I inked it and vector traced the linework. I like streamline for vector conversion better than the options that are in the new illustrator or flash right now. It just feels like I'm more in control. More to come in the future as I'm working on multiple things at the same time and trying to get them all finished. So colors on baby sis will come sooner than the other stuff since its easier to color in my opinion. I'll probably do it all in vector format. Peace!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

2007-01-02T11:52:00.000-05:00

Well i finished my last image i was working on last year right before the new year and it suprised me how long it took to get it in the right direction. After deviating from my original concept and creating and destroying about twelve more concepts I came back to something more direct. Well here it is take a crack at it. Completion feels good but I'll be tweaking this thing in about a couiple days anyway, Im never done.

!!Back From The Future!!

2006-12-04T15:26:00.000-05:00

This is a creature from one of the short stories Im working on. Im calling it a Man-dragon because it sounds corny and cool at the same time, also because of how its upper body is made. I kinda jumped the gun on this one in that I just started modeling it when i should have concepted it first. So im gonna work backwards and work on some color concepts especially since im want to change the design now.
Just a color idea in photoshop but I really have to stop now. Gotta do some sketches so I know where Im going with this thing. Crits and comment galore!!!!!!! Or is that Gallore?

!LEON's CREW!

2006-12-04T14:52:00.000-05:00

This is an image of some characters from a series of short stories Im working on. More of these guys to come in the future. This will test if I can write or not. Drink Up! Oh and there is a color version on the way as well.

!!GRAVE GOLEM!! W.I.P

2006-12-04T13:56:00.000-05:00

So this is a concept i sketched up a while ago for the Blizzard Art Contest 2006! I did the whole shabang from concepting, modeling, texturing, etc.... This project actually forced me to plan and finish something and actually stick to the original concept. So here is the process enjoy! Crits and comments welcome, seriously i really want crits and such.
Heres the actual 3d model witha flat texture just to get a feel for the volume of the character. A front view and a back view. I like the model alot i just need to get the same impact when the textures are applied.
This is the model with the textures and lighting applied to it. Its still a work in progress. I just want to add age to the skeletons so they arent so white and light rays bursting out of the glowing cracks on the body, then i should be satisfied.

VIVA LA TURKEY!

2006-11-23T22:08:00.000-05:00

I was supposed to be posting and updated and new image right now but i have succumbed to the glutenous tradition of Thanksgiving. I am currently bloated from over-eating more than my body can digest let alone process. I'll probably still be digesting this stuff seven hours from now. If i recover I may be able to be productive for the rest of the holiday but I might just go out tonight on a drunken stupor and celebrate with the rest of the yokels. Till then stuff yourself till it pours out you nostrils and renders you helpless on the commode begging your closest relative for a roll of toilet paper out of the hallway closet. HAPPY TURKEY DAY!!!!

Some Guy I Know...OLD Stuff

2006-11-15T21:49:00.000-05:00

This is a pic of some guy I know a while back, wanted me to do an illustartion of him. Arrogant bastard! I did it anyway so he' leave me alone, the nerve some people.

Just Playing around with some color variations "and such"-see bulletproofbarbie words and phrases book. The arrogant bastard wanted to see how he looked with different hairstyles. Im never doin anything for this prick again.

For The Hommies!!

2006-11-14T20:53:00.000-05:00

This is my rendition to a degree of a friend of mine. Its currently just a work in progress but I really plan on finishing it along side some other projects ive got going. Still need to add more contrast and other amenities. So...yeah have at it.

one for the money

2006-11-03T17:00:00.000-05:00

So im sketchin some ideas for this environment at work when its come to my attention that I would rather be drawing a character or two right now but...gotta make sure my bills are payed. So since i cant really sketch one up right now i figured why not post one that i have already just to fake the pleasure of actually sketchin one right now.