I’ve been feeling a bit blah and aimless in the artistic department as of late. Inspiration doesn’t come very easily and I’ve been wanting to add a new character design portfolio piece, so yesterday I sat down and forced myself to be spontaneous. I think I’ll call him Mr. Ramdu, and I’ll make him some friends so that he won’t be lonely. Nobody should have to dance alone, after all . . .
In Italy, I was with a friend to a local restaurant where pair of guitarists were having a jam session. The resulting picture came out so well that I decided it needed a post of its own.
I’ve been abroad in Europe for a month, which means I have a bit of a backlog of sketches to share. Enjoy!
Another foray into landscapes. This one I decided to post in its rough, unedited version.
Rumors of Style’s demise have been Greatly Exaggerated. Continue reading
As far as landscapes go, I’ve always liked cliffs. They have nice, solid, decisive lines, and add a dramatic touch to otherwise mundane scenes. With the weather at the moment, I rather wish this scene were reality.
In many classic villains, there’s a sense of torment or inner conflict– a humanizing element that makes them more compelling to the audience.
Not so in Villainous Villiam . . . 
This dastardly character takes an almost childlike delight in cruel and malevolent deeds. Not as shred of doubt exists in his mind that diabolical wickedness is not only fun and profitable, but that everyone should try it!
Be it kidnapping busty maidens, laughing at fat children, or gleefully stomping on flowers that have been watered by the tears of suffering widows, our Villy is living proof of what happens when you don’t go to church. Don’t be like him, folks!
A Grand and Sublime Ottoman Sultan, majestically relaxing with his hookah on a nice mound of silk cushions. There’s probably an empty plate of Turkish delight just out sight, as this particular potentate is clearly very fond of The Good Things.
Perhaps he’s planning his next glorious conquest? The Venetians have been getting uppity as of late. Also, there’re some new concubines to be seen to, and some selections of sufi mysticism to be read and contemplated, and who knows what other aspects of very important business to address. But for now, its time to relax . . .
Ask any wedding photographer; There will always, always be an appeal to pensive ladies swimming in yards of tule and satin. I originally gave this a very delicate watercolor treatment –see where the blue is– but the scanner lost most of it. I’ve been slowly weaning myself onto photoshop, despite my dinosaur tendencies, and although I’ll never fully embrace the medium, I’m pleased with how realistic the chalk/pastel effect turned out to be.
Peter Litster 