Microvisions!!

Hey folks! I actually have some art to share!?

Earlier this year Dan Dos Santos and Irene Gallo asked me if I would like to participate in this year's Microvisions show at the Society of Illustrators to benefit the SOI student scholarship. I was honored to say the least, and scared straight that I would be sharing company with industry heavyweights!!?

So I painted two pieces, in hopes that one would work out. There were no guidelines for subject matter...just that the image had to be 5x7 inches (hence "Micro-"). That's small. Real small. I'm working on a painting 40x60 inches....so I broke out the .000000001 sable and went to work. The top gouache/mixed painting is the one I'm going with. The second image is the initial thumbnail with the third image being the value/tight sketch. Since I went through the whole creative process for that image, I wanted to paint something more spontaneously, so I did the bottom painting of the violin player with no planning in one session. I kinda digg it, but I think the top piece was the better choice......right?

And in case you haven't seen the tremendous work already submitted, follow the links below to see what the artist's turned in:

Greg Manchess
Chris Buzelli
Justin Gerard
Greg Ruth
Paolo Rivera
Volkan Baga
Welsey Allsbrook (tba)
Michael Kaluta (tba)
Michael Whelan (tba)

When the pieces are listed for bidding I will be sure to let everyone know!! This is a great chance to snag originals from top artists, and to raise funds for a great cause!!

keep jammin!
-francis

Upcoming exhibitions!

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Subtext Gallery: Origins
-June 5th-July 19th at Subtext Gallery in San Diego, California
-3 artists with 5-6 pieces of work
-I've been working on the pieces for this show for a while...real excited!!!

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Society of Illustrators LA 47:
-March 28-April 3 at Gallery Nucleus in Los Angeles, California.
-Opening reception March 28th at 7pm (my prints will be available at the show)
-Was informed that I received a Gold, and 2 Bronze medals, thanks guys!!!
-Congrats to all my bros and ladies that got work in the show!!!

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Street Fighter: Jab, Strong, Fierce:
-again at the Gallery Nucleus April 25th-May 11th
-Opening Reception April 25th 7pm.

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Microvisions 4:
-at the Society of Illustrators building in NY at the end of April with my piece up for auction at the same time. Money raised will benefit the student scholarship!! I have received this award myself, so I feel very honored to be contributing!!
-The work turned in so far is tremendous...wow!!

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Ringling College of Art + Design Illustration Thesis Show:
-at Ringling in Sarasota, FL
-May 1st-4th

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Art post coming soon, promise! Thanks to all those that invited me to show my work!

take care,
-francis

purchase SKB pens

Hey folks, I receive a massive amount of emails asking where to find the SKB pens. So in order to lighten the load of responses I send, I asked the person that has the pens if it's cool for me to post contact info... she said yeah.

So if you are interested in the pens....

email: cheesecakepie@gmail.com

.....and ask for the pens.

If I may digress, I've had artists mention that they can't figure out how to draw like James with the pens once they get them. James just draws incredibly well. Just owning the pens will not give you any drawing super powers....it takes a talented draftsmen to get the results James' gets ( I know I don't). I'm just discouraged by the amount of people that feel owning the pens will give them superhuman skills.

But don't get me wrong, they are nice pens, and I know the emails have the best of intentions, but to draw like James, you have to draw as much as him.

cheers,
-francis

color test!

I did this test a while ago but forgot to post it. This was a test to figure out how to color my 12 page comic I'm working on. I was trying to finish it a while ago, but things happened and it's been put on the back burner. After I graduate in May, I'll have a month before I start the Illustration Academy, so I'll finish it then.

Anyways I plan on coloring it through monochromatic monotypes composited together with the inks. It will be similar to this panel, but hopefully will gain some fun textures.

take care,
-francis

etchings!

Hey guys! Quick post. I just moved into a new place, hence the slooow updates. I have a lot to put up. 

For now, here are three etchings/monotypes off of one plate. The color is digital for now, although these will serve as a comp for the final rub with color ink.

take care,

-francis