Woke up this morning to an AWESOME email from Lily over at SketchTheatre.com saying that they were showing my SkullyDance drawing I did for them for Halloween! What an awesome way to start my day!

Here are the links:

http://www.sketchtheatre.com/ (goes to the main site)

http://www.sketchtheatre.com/?p=3181 (direct link to video w/ awesome music)

Freaking awesome! I’m gonna write an awesome thank you letter to them now!

And if you’ve come from that link, Thanks for stopping by! Enjoy the art I have to show and feel free to check back often.

It’s been far too long since I last sat down and painted. Or even seriously thought about painting and everything that goes into it. Or well, my process. I’ve been trying to think about layout and presentation in relation to the final product of my artwork. As well as ‘oh man that looks silly, I need to paint that’. I want to do more print based stuff – or well .. turn more of my art into prints for you to buy. I have a hard time letting my originals go .. I feel like they’re my babies.

So I was doodling and I came up with a great idea, three to be exact. I’m a huge fan of I-am-8bit, even more a fan of the old Nintendo properties.  I remember afternoons spent down in my parents basement with my brother crouched around a 12 inch tv playing Mario or Adventure Island. They remind me alot about my brother. So much that I decided to do a themed piece with my main character ReD. Here’s the mock so far.

NES - ReD Mario. 8x10 Canvas Panel

I need to find out why my wacom and photoshop aren’t behaving so I can do a clean color pass. I don’t want to ruin the surprise what the other two are – but I’ll just say that my Happy Astro makes an appearance in it. I actually am looking forward to getting the time to do this.

Also I might start doing something I saw on a kick ass artist’s page. Giving away art. Nothing huge, small 5×7 stuff I’ve been doing to get the cob-webs out. I’ll try to make it known when that time comes. We’ll see.

- Brandon is outa here.

This is not an April Fool’s joke.

I am back. After a whirlwind last two months, I have mustered up the resolve to keep my blog current, and to start creating art again. Creating ‘art again’!? It’s been over 2 months since I picked up a pencil and drew something besides a doodle or used photoshop to create something that was just for me. Almost over 3 months since I painted. Those are facts that I do not like. But ones that do like are as follows!

I am no longer unemployed. I moved in the beginning of March to San Jose, California to begin working at Cryptic Studios as their newest User Interface Artist on some big fancy MMO game. You may have heard of it .. it’s Star Trek Online.

Also during the move I discovered that my printer – that worked, then broke, then was fixed, then broke then I fixed again and then really broke has finally been replaced. I’m quite happy to declare that I bought a big-boy printer. An Epson 1400. It’s a pretty swank investment, because now – I can make prints of my larger paintings – Up to 13×19! I’m really happy about that. Because that keeps me from having to involve more people into my D.I.Y production model.

I’m so happy about said printer that I’ve included a shot of it on my desk. Or well .. my desk and it – becuase, as you’ll see – It’s FREAKING HUGE!

My new printer, on my desk in my studio.

And on that note, I need to hit the hay. Got a busy day.. What do you say? Sculpt with some clay? Drive to the Bay? Go stab The Fray!? I just may.

- Brandon (my goatee is now just a chin tuff)

I am back, or to at the least, to a functioning capacity. I would first like to extend an apology for getting lost at sea with personal things and therefor unable to give this it’s proper attention. With that out of the way lets get down to brass tacks – what’s new for this new year?

Well for starters I’m working towards getting a job.  I’ve been feverishly busy helping the good people over at 24 ^ (caret) Games with their project ‘Retro/Grade’ as it’s a finalist in the Independant Game Festival being held during the Game Developer Confrence in San Fran in the end of March. So you all (whomever is left) should go check it out the game at http://retrogradegame.com and their company site at http://24caretgames.com – It’s a hoot to play (did I just write hoot!?) and I hope it does awesome – because I worked on it. Well, I worked on the new User Interface and Heads Up Displays that are being implemented in the game now, I did make the opening splash image in the Epilogue – which can be sneakily seen over here >> http://brandondicks.com Just go find the space ship image, you can’t miss it.

I’ve also been doing an art test here and there which I’ve also posted up on my portfolio page. Le’sigh.

So for Christmas because I am on a limited budget I did what any clever son would for presents .. I made them. I’m currently trying to get my camera to stop being dumb so I can upload the pictures of the two paintings I made. Which turned out super rad – in my humble opinion. I did get my old work computer as an awesome gesture of charity from my old boss. I’m still getting the audible clunks out of it.

I’ve been seriously thinking about what to do with my store. I need more work up there so I can get mor exposure. If anyone has any ideas – let me know.

So what have I been working on? Aside from the aformentioned? Well, I’ve been working in Flash, trying to wrap my head around action script and I seems alien to me. I’ve built some little projects that on my HUD/UI portfolio (the brandondicks.com one) you can check em out’. I’m currently working on a ‘Wrath of the Lich King’ fan site for a blizzard position. It’s hard to do something better, or atleast as good as ‘Blizzard’s because their web team is pretty bad ass. It’s almost frustrating. They hide their code so well.. and XML!? It makes my head bleed. I’m not a scripter, so it’s rough. But I should have it done sometime soon, maybe before my birthday.

Also as on a related note, I’m inching closer to being old. I should have pictures of more to show you as the week unfolds. Or well, next week. Welcome to 2009, lets get this party started.

- bd out to play some XBox360 and to work in photoshop. (my gamertag is maddoc360)

My beard has been downsized to just a ’soul patch’.

Hey there, and welcome to another one of my updates. Well actually this is the first of it’s kind because I don’t have any real art to update with. Things have been .. odd for the past last few weeks and I haven’t had much time to sit down to a canvas or break out a new custom vynel toy, to which I am making great strides to change. But with that ..Wwhat kind of an update is this? all Pre-Thanksgiving and all… Well it’s a good kind. The kind that should pre-face some nice changes, for starters..

1. I just finished setting up my Etsy store. Content is up for sale!!! I will be posting at least 4 more pieces (2 prints, 2 originals). *** Brandon Dicks’ Etsy Store: Playful Painted Pieces***

WOO HOO! It’s UP! (edit)

2. My latest endeavor – www.brandondicks.com – my HUD/User Interface site << What’s relevant about it? Well it’s a streamlined portfolio that accents just my HUD/UI work. You know, for helping me get a job. I’ve also been meddling around in flash a great deal and should have some new content on that sucker as early as this coming Monday.

3. I am currently working on two (unpaid) projects that I get to announce soon. One is an XNA game that will hopefully be launched on Xbox Live community games when I finish the art (yeah .. they’re waiting on me).. The other is a game that’s been submitted to the IGF (Independent Gaming Festival) – I helped out with some art and have been helping them with their HUD and menus. That one has been announced, and it’s called ‘retro/grade’ It’s pretty neat.

I’m greatful for the ability to have an outlet for my creative musings as well as an audience that likes said musings. This year has been a rough one, I’d be lieing otherwise, but there is much to come.

So grab some turkey (or Tofurky or Turduken or Fried twinkies), some friends and have a good Turkey Day.

- bd

my goatee wants a friggin job…

The beginning of my store..
CAN BE FOUND TO THE RIGHT ———–>

Right now Broken String is available for $20.00 + shipping
It’s an 8.5×11 printed on heavy card stock signed by some hobo living under a bridge. Wait, no – me!

I will be adding ‘Pick-A-Nick Baskets!’, ‘The Octo King’, ‘Silly Cephelapod’, ‘Grape Ape’, and possibly ‘The Sucker Punch’ later today, as it’s 4 am.

I will also be setting up and ACTUALLY USING my ETSY account as well with the same merchandise. As I will be able to better present my wares to you, my visitors.

Right now it’s strictly D.I.Y prints.

I will be selling paintings too.
I am planning to do a series of 5×5 paints all themed around something cool and secret.
I am also currently available for commissioned artwork or will be until further notice.

Contact me for info!
brandon dicks

So, it’s now the 11th of November. A lot has happened and I don’t feel like ploping that stuff here but I will say that I no longer have a job. And this sudden and dramatic event is the main reason for Richard taking a week longer than it should have taken. BUT! Enough about the sad gloomy pity part! Because there is no cake! And a party without cake isn’t a party! It’s just a bunch of people standing around dead on the inside from their lack of cake! Enough ranting on to the pictures!

So I’ve only got three pictures to put up. What!? Three!?!? ONLY!?! Calm down. I’m waiting till tomorrow when my apartment is fully illuminated to take awesome pictures. Not that the pictures I have below aren’t awesome – I just think they’d be more awesome. I’ve also been busy trying to get some freelance together. So .. if anyone reading this likes my work, has some jobs they need done and think they can pay me.. please .. PLEASE contact me.

RICHARD DEMANDS PICTURES!

LFG - Richard Statue - FINISHED!

LFG - Richard Statue - FINISHED!

LFG - Richard Statue - FINISHED!

In other news, I’ve updated my website.. I’ve updated my resume and there are some other things in the works.

This is just a blitz update and a proper full update will be posted soon. I will also be compiling this into a build process page (under pages) to the right when it’s all over so that you can view the entire adventure in one distraction free environment. And until then.

Same goatee, same bad haircut.

So has been going at a snails pace. Had a lot of things come up recently that I’m quite happy with and when things start getting finished I can post them here. So here is part 5 of Richard. Base coats and getting ready for the line work pass. I’m actually .. apprehensive to start it because I didn’t plan far enough ahead to bottle of the colors I made.. So I’m just going to have to be super focused .. oh shiny keys! ahem.. So once the detail pass is done .. then RICHARD is complete! Fwooooosh and all!

Listen… do you smell something?

LFG 'Richard' - Color blocked in - odd lighting.

LFG 'Richard' - Color blocked in - odd lighting.

LFG 'Richard' - Close Up!

LFG 'Richard' - Fwoosh! Now with color!

…

*** Edit ***

After serious deliberation I’ve realized that I goofed. The blue on his tunic is way off, and the red for his hood needs to be darker. Wooo. Not that I wasn’t going to tweak them anyway – but just to save some possible ‘OMFG nub’ things – so to speak. I return you to your regular scheduled blog.

*** Edit ***

And on a side note.. I did nothing for Halloween. No awesome costume, no cool painting. Not that I had truely planned on much, it just makes me sad that I didn’t get excited about it. Friends dressed as Monks, Ninjas, 7ft freaking robot .. and I punked out. Tsk Tsk.

I already have my next painting I’m going to finish lined up after this. Also I’ve been busy with a friends website, some freelance shenanigans and some illustration work. I missed Munky Kings freaking awesome Suckadelic Show due to being forgetful due to lack of sleep.

My goatee doesn’t need roads where we’re going.

This is a mini update. Why? Because I felt like it and I like to support insomnia. It does a brain awesome.

I finished the las of the sanding and I went straight for a base coat of navy. I really didn’t want to bother documenting this minuscule update, but I was .. convinced otherwise. I was really surprised at how well the paint bonded with the resin. I’ve never worked with anything like it before and I must say .. I like it. Ehem.

A little less conversation .. a little more action please!

LFG 'Richard' - Base coat (and better lighting)

LFG 'Richard' - Base coat - Nice close up!

LFG 'Richard' - Base coat - Jedi Mind Trick or Esplody hands?

..

This is actually right on schedule .. imagine that, and with that – *poof*.

My goatee is drooling again.

Another ‘LFG’ Richard update. And here we go!

I basically got the over all statue done – sculpted & sanded. It’s got a base coat of primer on it as well as some Tamiya putty in the gaps & cracks and such. I’ve included an animated gif turnaround at the bottom. Now to do another pass w/ the putty and then I start painting. WOO.

Also you may notice the colors are off – or inconsistent. I ran out of light bulbs, and forgot to buy some today. Also the board moves in the gif.

Also I’ve been working on a project w/ a good friend of mine, when I get information back from said friend I’ll post what I made.

Now time for Richard Pictures!

LFG Richard - 6th Build.

LFG Richard - 6th Build.

LFG Richard - 6th Build.

LFG Richard - Spin Around

And on that note, I’m going to In-N-Out, getting a burger and then I’ve got freelance to knock out the box.

I’m very happy with the progress on this statue. Especially since you couldn’t tell that I broke both of the arms off in an accident of sheer awesomeness (read: stupidity).

Stuff happens, you have to deal with it as best as possible.

.

My goatee demands animal fries!

Here’s a quick update on ‘Richard’. It’s late and I have work early.

Simple hood buildup with shoulder pads.

LFG Richard - Fourth resin build up.

.

More detailed shoulder pads with the beginings of hands and building up of arms.

LFG Richard - Fifth resin build up.

.

It’s coming along. A little slower than I thought, but I’ll have it done soon none the less.

My goatee demands sleep.

As a designer toy collector .. or whatever they’re called .. I can say that I do not like getting duplicate blind box figurines. Especially when they are ones that I don’t particularly care for. They just kind of crowd up the back of my case and shelves in little piles. And for a while I actually stopped collecting because I had run out of room. Well that all changed when I got a giant glass shelf, well the only thing that changed was where my pile of unwanted doubles. That’s when a good friend of mine Mike ‘The Wolfman’ Holcomb said “Hey Brandon, we should make our own custom dunny’s!”. To which I replied “Why haven’t I thought of that sooner!?!”.

Quite side note – This is a Dunny – http://www.kidrobot.com/2008/ds5/?p=about – It’s a 3″ toy made by Kidrobot that comes in a ‘blind box’. They have different series of them – currently Series 5 is on the shelves. I get them from either Munky King, the L.A. Kidrobot store, or the site MyPlasticHeart.

So I researched some templates for Dunnys (a Kidrobot toy) and I found a very nice pdf you can download for yourself at Reactor-88! So after some brainstorming/zombie boardgames Mike & I decided we should make zombies. So armed with that concept, the template pdf & Photoshop I whipped this together:

Dunny Custom - Zombie Bunny color study

.

So we finally met up and started work on the Dunnys. It turns out, I’m a very slow painter when there is a TV on. Actually – I’m just easily distracted. Here’s a shot of the base white coat build up.

Dunny Custom - Zombie Bunny base coat.

.

So yeah here was is a picture of Mike’s finished zombie and my still work in progress one. For his first one I still think it looks awesome – and REALLY creepy. Mine however has a bathing suit on.

Dunny Custom - Zombie Bunny work in progress.

.

Here is it once I sat down and focused. I think it turned out really well. Lots of pictures!

Dunny Custom - Zombie Bunny turn around.

Dunny Custom - Zombie Bunny.

Dunny Custom - Zombie Bunny.

Dunny Custom - Zombie Bunny showing the scale.

Dunny Custom - Zombie Bunny better scale.

..

All that’s really left to do is blast it with a coat of Matte Finish and then I’m either going to put him in my display case or sell him. I’ll probably put a post in the Kidrobot forums under they’re customs section.

I also have the next design already printed out, and the paints already mixed.

If you’re interested in having a custom of your very own – **Contact me** -

My goatee smells like paint.

So I haven’t really updated my blog with anything art-ish since GaDzooky. I’m sorry, but to make it up I’ll show you what I’m working on – Deal? Awesome. Lock the daughters up, hide the old people It’s RICHARD! From the awesome web comic ‘Looking For Group‘ by Ryan Sohmer and Lar Desouza. It’s going to be for a charity auction to benefit a children’s charity in Montreal. The rest of the details are being worked out, but Mr. Sohmer mentioned how cool it would be for me to do a large sculpture, and that’s when the idea hatches. Do a Richard statue. Nothing pounds ‘Looking For Group‘ into your skull like a menacing Richard statue. And that’s all she wrote. I’m going to post my build process, as I get a little more time to work on this.

Also there’s something else that’s special about this. I haven’t really sculpting anything (from scratch) since I broke my hand in 06. It was quite .. daunting to dig through my old tools and get to work. And I must say, I’m surprised that I didn’t pick them up earlier. Not only that – I’m using something that I’ve been trying to get my hands on for a while – 2 part RESIN. And I must say – it’s odd to work with at first, but I love it now. I definitely over-estimated how much resin I would need and will probably start making some of my own toys once I get some time (Can you say Holiday Customs!?!?).. Enough words – PICTURE TIME!

This is the concept drawing that I’m basing the sculpture on. Source material was grabbed from the LFG website and compiled for easy use as well as color reference. I like the pose.

LFG Richard - Concept & Color Study

So after I finished the concept I went on over to Kit Kraft (woo!) and picked me up the supplies needed to make my concept into something I could bludgeon a puma with, or cut myself with..

LFG Richard - Glue, Wire and a pair of pliers..

First build up of Resin, learned very fast that I can’t plow through the sculpting process – Resin sags w/ too much weight.. Also it’s a lot more messy than wax and super sculpty.

LFG Richard - First resin build up.

Gradual build up of the Robe as well as the tunic/tabard thingy. also I do realize that the sharp line on his chest makes it look like he has breasts – something that I will take a Dremel to tomorrow night – or at the very least sand down w/ 300 grit.

LFG Richard - Second resin build up.

Made the flaps that hang down from his tabard as well as started the process of giving Richard a face and shoulder pads. They look saggy, but I assure you they don’t anymore.

LFG Richard - Third resin build up.

That’s it for now, I will have another installment either this weekend or by Wednesday. Just a side note I have 3 other things that I’m working on, of which I can only show this and a painting I put on hold due to a lack of desk space. I’ll most likely post that in between the next Richard installment. I am a busy mr. brandon.

My goatee has resin in it.. ewww.

So my pc decided to forsake me and crap out. But after a shop vac, a can of air and a screwdriver it now seems to be .. somewhat stable. Somewhat being the operative term.

I’m close to getting 1000 page hits and I just wanted to say thank you for stopping by and taking interest in my work. Thank you! And now on to the cool stuff!

So as you may have read, I had two firsts on September 26th. I had my first Los Angeles Art gallery at the Gnomon Gallery! and my first submission to a custom art show with Munky King! Both happening at roughly the same time, and about a mile and a half apart. I can say it was a blast, stressful as hell and awesome at all the same time. I met some amazing artists, and got to confuse people with my paintings.

Below are some of the many pictures I took that night, Enjoy! And if you were able to see them in person, let me know what you thought! I’d love as much feedback as possible!

Munky King Entrance – They packed so much awesome work in such a small space. I love going there. I can’t help but feel inspired.. Even if it’s an hour drive!

Entrance to Munkey King - I wanted that huge FUNKEY!

Candid picture of onlookers checking out the various custom FUNKEYS!

Candid picture in the back gallery.

Close in shot of GaDzooky! And yes, that’s my name!

GaDzooky!

Then I went over to The Gnomon Gallery where I would remain for the rest of the night! Big huge gaping awesome thanks to Brian Whitmire for putting up with my crap and letting me be a part of an amazing event. It hopefully will be the the first in amongst many future galleries.

When you made it through the winding maze of the Gnomon back parking lot, you were rewarded with a DJ, various wine or beer and cheeses. Oh yeah.. and highlights of some of the artists’ pieces projected on the side of a building CLEARLY seen from North Cahuenga Boulevard. I almost choked on a wedge of cheese when I saw this.

Silly Cephelapod - You can see that from the road!

A snapshot of me standing next to my name! It’s still weird to read it.

It's a me! Mario! Wait no that's wrong.

And here is me (again!?) standing in front of my hung pieces. I’m glowing because it was hot, I like wine, and I was giddy.

Me & My work! And an awesome flash .. meh.

So yeah! I’ve been exasperatingly busy with stuff aside from my computer dumping on me. I shall have updates again soon. Possibly a post tomorrow or as soon as possible.

Trying to clear my plate to take on some Halloween work. Halloween work? I’ve said too much.

My goatee has paint in it?

Wow, 3 days and GaDzooky is done! I can not wait to see how it looks amongst the other Funkeys at the Funkeys: Custom Art Show and Charity Event. But as promised here is my process. Or well.. what I was able to photograph.

This is going to be a huge post! Rawr!

Final (one of many)

FUNKEYS: GaDzooky - Final with last empty can of joy.

Here is the original FUNKEY w/ the Munky King postcard flyer on my desk.

Blank Funkey from Munky King

Start of Super Sculpty build up of Tail and Blades.

FUNKEYS: GaDzooky clay build up (one side)

Start of Super Sculpty build up of Tail and Blades. (cont)

FUNKEYS: GaDzooky clay build up (cont)

Color study done while waiting for Super Sculpty to bake. (I need epoxy clay)

FUNKEYS: GaDzooky Color study.

After the clay baked I then used Tamyia modeling putty (smells like crap) to build up the gaps between the blades, tail and the actual Funkey. For some reason – I didn’t take a picture of it. I blame it on the fact that I was working w/ semi toxic materials and wasn’t wearing a respirator. Meh, So after I sanded ‘m good and proper and did multiple build ups of putty it was ready to be primed.

FUNKEYS: GaDzooky all primed and ready to go.

Now the fun part – Painting him. I put down a base coat o’ green and then worked from there.

FUNKEYS: GaDzooky - Why so green?

Now I got down to business and starting building up the shapes.

FUNKEYS: GaDzooky - Eyes, mouth, belly .. nails.

A shot of from the back.

FUNKEYS: GaDzooky blocking continued.

More linework, 2 cans of Espresso and half a glass of green tea later and I’ve finished the head.

FUNKEYS: GaDzooky Head done!

Heres’s a shot of his butt.

FUNKEYS: GaDzooky detail pass continued.

DONE! I am so happy with how it turned out, I really am. It’s great. And I hope it gets a warm welcome amongst the other FUNKEYS.

FUNKEYS: GaDzooky Finished!

RAWR!

FUNKEYS: GaDzooky - RAAWR!

Here is a shot of me holding GaDzooky. Woo!

FUNKEYS: GaDzooky in hand!

Last picture for now – Me holding GaDzooky. It’s 6.30 in the morning, I’ve walked to 7.11 twice for coffee and I was pretty sure a raccoon was making a nest on top of my head.

FUNKEYS: GaDzooky and his fuzzy owner.

Thanks for checking out my process build for GaDzooky. If you’re in the Los Angeles area and are free friday night, you should take a trip out to The Gnomon Gallery for Osmosis and while you’re there hop over to Munky King’s Funkey’s Show. They’re about 2 miles apart and well worth the trip!

I’ll have more pictures of GaDzooky as well as my hobbit self from the show and such this weekend!

** Side note **

GaDzooky is the first of many tribute projects (of various forms) in memory of my brother Garrett Dicks who passed away in May.

My goatee must prepare for awesomeness tomorrow.