It Can't Rain All the Time

Sunday, January 13, 2013

from Concept to Finish: Part 2

My friends Jon and Colleen's cake topper was a fun one for sure. They requested a koala bear and panda bear since they kinda look like their chosen animals. They met during a christmas party where there was champagne tasting and Jon wanted his two cats to be a part of the piece. Mortimer, the chubby one, isn't a huge fan of Colleen... or anyone for that matter. Roxanne, the one perched on Jon's head is holding mistletoe as a subtle hint to their beginnings. ^_^

Ideations/Brainstorming:

Sculpting process: I use an epoxy clay called MagicSculpt. It's a two part epoxy, a resin/hardener that you mix together in even parts and you're left with a nice clay that you have about an hour of working time. I quickly learned in the beginning to make the sculpt in small batches, otherwise you're left with a lot of clay that becomes unworkable quickly. =) When it fully cures, the clay becomes a rock hard resin which can be sanded/drilled/carved. Really cool stuff.

Pre-paint:

Finished product! I'm pretty happy with how this piece turned out and I hope Jon and Colleen liked it as much as I had fun making it. ^_^

For my buddy Jon; so happy that you found the love of your life and all my best to you and Colleen in the wonderful journey you've embarked on together. ^_^ Thanks for letting me make this small token of my esteem for you guys. May it be a small reminder of your love for each other and in the words of Jon and echoed by Colleen.... all the "mirth and merriment" that the future has to offer you guys =)

from Concept to Finish: Part 1

One of my closest friends from high school got married this past Saturday and he and his beautiful bride requested that I make a cake topper for them. It had been awhile since I've made my last one but I was especially excited and honored to make this one. ^_^

Before I get to this most recent topper, just a quick look at the ones I've done before so I can get them all consolidated in one place. =)

My very first topper was for my friends Aimee and Kong. Aimee wanted to incorporate their little pug Spike into the piece. Part of the fun of making these is all the little personalized touches you can add. ^_^ I remember doing a couple of sketches.. various ideas on how to suit Spike's playful personality. We had him peeking out from under her dress, perched on their shoulder, but ultimately settled on him tugging on her dress as they were walking down the aisle. =)

My second topper was for Tenh and Derek. They met through volleyball, she loves penguins and gerber daisies. ^_^

Another high school buddy of mine asked for a cake topper for his wedding as well. ^_^

Dan and Linda are a fun loving couple who enjoy traveling.

And two others for some hockey friends of mine. ^_^

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

#11 - First speed painting of 2013

1 hour - Digital

Gonna try and knock out one a night for a year. =) We'll see how THAT goes... but at least setting a goal will get me to try and reach it ^_^

Sunday, December 30, 2012

Virtual Campfire Challenge #1 - Self portrait based on a favorite character

A group of my friends who we refer to ourselves as the Virtual Campfire (since we spend a good amount of time while we're working sitting in a Facebook message chat together shooting the shit or critiquing each other's pieces) have set weekly challenges for each other during this winter break. The first one was a self portrait based on a favorite character of ours.

I chose Calvin and Hobbes as mine. Bill Watterson has always been somewhat of a personal hero of mine and I own all his books. It's actually rather amazing to see the evolution of his artwork through the years he did C&H and in the end, his mastery of colors is truly excellent.