More digital sketches......

I have recently been inspired by the works of Beksinski to try to more solidly define my level of fantasy surrealism. Beksinski had an amazing ability to give you just enough reality to make you think that maybe his visions could actually be alive on some distant planet, or in some alternate reality.... at least during his "fantastic" period. Not so, in my opinion, with a lot of other surrealists. Even Giger's work can drift too far towards the abstract for my taste. I think a good rule of thumb is: 70% fantasy, 30% surrealism... well, for me anyway. I'm excited about sketching this way, I could see taking any one of these and doing them up in a style like the Globe Chaser. At least, that is what I am going to try.

"The Globe Chaser" - FINISHED! YEE-HAW!

Will he ever catch that pesky will-o-the-wisp? It's just so dern pesky!

I think I am pretty happy with the end result of this guy. I am going to experiment with using this method more often in my personal work. It's more satisfying... for me anyways. I don't see a whole lot of line-oriented work in American concept art and fantasy illustration, but maybe I need to look harder.

I think digital painting has encouraged a lot of looseness and painterliness, which is awesome, and works great for artists who are "painters" and think in those terms.... but that just isn't me. I am a slave to the line. Don't get me wrong, I think the painterly guys really are doing some amazing stuff, but I find the art of mark-making fascinating and relaxing, almost meditative. My better "paintings", I think, are the ones that start with a more well-defined drawing, or line art. Although, I do enjoy doing those quicky, loose black and white digital sketches.... but really as more of a starting point.... so I guess there is merit to both, and maybe learning to combine both methods will have good results too.... so many choices, so little focus....