Behind on Things

Man, I am totally behind on things. For that, I am sorry.

Freelance and...well, everything else are somewhat of a clash these days. But, I am trying to make things up and get stuff back on track.

I meant to put some tones on that Dr. Divinity page since I posted the layout pencils and then the flat blacks but, I haven't gotten around to it. (Also, I sort of hate how it looks and wanna re-draw most of it.)

Anyways, to get myself back on track, I've started doing most of the stuff on my docket in non-photo blue pencil and going straight to inks and tones. It makes the process go swiftly and I finish things pretty quick.

So, here are some and I'll post some more when I scan them.

again, sorry for falling off on blogging and sharing art.


- Conduct Lionhardt

Dr Divinity and the Tentacles...in Ink

Here's the ink. Next up some gray tones...

Oh, sorry for no notable thoughts. I'm just catching up on some work and have little time. Soon enough, some thoughtful posts, some more NON-comic based art, and two interviews!

- Conduct Lionhardt

"Creator Owned Day"

I am by NO MEASURE an actual comicbook professional.

Just wanted to put that disclaimer out there. I am not one. I have a few friends who are, I've done some inquiry here and there but, that is not something that I am doing with myself...well, at this juncture anyways.

Still, having always been a part of, in one way or another, the world of sequential artforms, I do keep abreast of notable news items and dates that are relevant to the field. That brings us to today: Creator-Owned Day.

The basis of this day is that its the day of the year in-which comic professionals (and those trying to BE professionals) celebrate the joy of intellectual properties that they themselves own, as opposed to characters that are the property of the companies one can work for. In the last 20 years there has been a huge surge in the amount of industry folks who've broken away from the security (or restrictions, some would say) of the major comicbook companies, and forged independant books, created, and owned COMPLETELY by the writers and artists.

This day is one in which any creator that owns characters or books is given carte blanche to talk up their books, showcase artwork featuring their characters, or tease fans with art of something they have in the works. It's a celebration of independance and creativity.

In honor of the day, you'll find my contributions below.

I've been slowing building up artwork for a book by Bryce Swan based somewhat on his life called "Dr. Divinity...Bookseller!" It's Bryce's creator-owned book, I'm just the artist he came to, to draw it. I had every intention of showing one panel from a sequence, from pencil stage to ink. Unfortunately, my inks died on me a few brushes into it so, all I have is the pencils, for today.

The second drawing is from a project I am still awaiting copyright to go through on before I can say anything about it. I know I said I wasn't a professional. I'm not. But, it doesn't mean that I don't have ideas in the works for a moment where I'll have time to pursue making my own book. I've two copyrights pending, THIS is an early character sketch of what one may somewhat look like.

Man...these are rough. Ha, ha. They were the only things I had for the day which were even remotely close to "creator-owned" though. Hopefully (if anyone looks at the NON interview posts) these were somewhat of a cool distraction. Celebrate independant ownership and creativity, y'all!

- Conduct Lionhardt

I got you covered

And, as promised, the cover to "finite." It fits the overall theme and actually has two very distinct things about it which hold large importance to me.

Illustrated with two worn-out brush pens.

- Conduct Lionhardt

The Beauty of NOT getting it...

Below are a few "tries" at a cover for my own personal album, "finite." Thought you'd enjoy a look at some images that just didn't work for what I was trying to "get" as a cover.

So, maybe you are asking why someone would wanna post up some artwork on their blog that "didn't get" what they were going for?

Well, for me I think we (and I WHOLEHEARTEDLY consider myself a part of that "we") have this tendency to become overly consumed with only showcasing the BEST of ourselves that we sort of miss out on the gem that is FAILURE. I've found that the most interesting and well remembered points of growth for me have come completely out of the times in which I have personally messed up what I was seeking to do best. Whether a first (or second, or third) take on an illustration, or performing infront of some people and botching up a few lyrics here and there, its these moments that showed me things about myself, things which I wouldn't have been made to see if it weren't for the lack of perfection in the moment.

I think we need to, at times, be seen and show to others that we're basically all human and flawed, that even those of us with some form of a skill or talent can be faulty or imperfect in those things, despite having had times where we "nail it" or "stick the landing."

I suppose its called transperancy to allow for this open viewing but, as a person who's gained (I suppose) a "following" of any sort, it just strikes me as incredibly vain to only place my greatest outcomes infront of you to see. All this, anything I write, say, or draw, comes from dedication and hard work. Part of that PROCESS is, inevitably, messing up and fixing or reworking things till they land on what we call "success."

These images are things I drew well enough but DIDN'T meet what was needed to the convey well idea of the album, well enough.

There's this unique beauty of "NOT getting it." It causes you to get further than you would have if things had just "gone smoothly." I think people don't appreciate those moments as they should. My "misses" are the things that informed the best things I've ever done. I try my best to not take them for granted. 

What did all this failure produce? Well, tomorrow all will be revealed. Until then, just try and see the beauty in failure...as weird a statement as that is.

- Conduct Lionhardt

Belly Drum

I often do some quick warm-up drawings first thing before I launch into work. This one was the last one I did in ink here, featuring Santa and one of the characters from a graphic novel I'll be drawing for Bryce Swan, meeting up and comparing their belly sizes. It made me chuckle and Bryce seemed to appreciate the joke there.

Unless I make the statement otherwise, all my art is for sale, especially these sorts of warm-ups, just in case anyone was wondering (Which I highly doubt they would, I'm just covering bases anyway. Feel free to inquire).

brush pen and pencil, on thick stock watercolor paper. (No idea why I drew on that paper stock)

- Conduct Lionhardt

Blog is back and, oh, I have an album out

Sorry. It has taken forever to get to a point where I can blog.

I feel like I've been neglecting this place... even though most of what I've been away doing was FOR here. I wanted to make sure that I was in the right frame of mind to blog consistently AND that I had some visual stuff for you guys to see. The format of the blog will remain the same (for the most part) as I seek to make mention of some stuff worth thinking about but on top of the usual banter and occasional interview with people I find interesting, I really just want to share some artwork, if that would be fine. So, expect a few images on here later today.

My time has also been occupied with preparations and work on some music I'm involved with. The process of creation with music is slower than that of art. Art, I just wake up and draw on some boards and a few hours later I can present it. Music...there's mixing and mastering, marketing it to people, finding production to rap on...its all this stuff. Even fast tracked, it can take months or a year to release stuff...unless you do a track at a time and, HONESTLY who wants THAT?

So, that brings me to this final point, I do have a project me and my friend (Jordan Santana) did last summer. He and I go by "The Royal Applebaums" (as much a tribute to the great Wes Anderson film "The Royal Tannenbaums" as well as a tip of the hat to Tribe Called Quest's classic, "Bonita Applebum"). Just an EP of 8 tracks, on production from Swedish producer Error96. We rap about a few things people experience and/or struggle with in this life. It is called simply, "Earth."
I hope you guys enjoy it. (If so, tell a friend to check it out as well)

 I really am looking forward to sharing my thoughts and bringing art and interviews to you all, once again.

- Conduct Lionhardt

The Royal Applebaums "Earth" EP