Plein Air - Nicasio, Ca (Progress Shot)

After a little rain from the previous night... the skies cleared right up and I headed to Nicasio, Ca. Such a pretty drive through Lucas Valley and Nicasio Valley... but due to a local Pumpkin Patch Event, I opted to take another route. 

Parking can be limited at times but don't worry... Folks are mostly stopping by to grab a bite to eat or just to snap some photos. I'd say cars are in and out within half an hour. It was quite busy during my visit... Lots of passerby's all day! Not just cars... but bicyclists and motorcycles as well.

One of the popular landmarks you immediately see is an old church (which is still in use). Although I've painted in Nicasio before... I did not paint this church. Instead I painted a wonderful view of huge ROCKS along a grassy green hillside. See previous post: [HERE]

So this time around I anticipated painting this church. I took a walk up and down the street to select a spot to set up... and just as I walk through the baseball field and back to my car... I see a great view just from across the street! It was a view that practically cropped itself... Now, the main challenge... can I successfully capture that same view and transfer it into my painting? (crossing fingers)

Here's a couple progress shots throughout the afternoon. Laid down a light pencil drawing... followed with a couple of watercolor washes.

Be sure to check back for the final painting!

ROBOCOP sketch

Warm-up sketch of the 80's superhuman, cyborg,

ROBOCOP

(3" x 3" markers on post-it notepad)

Darth Maul's Birthday

Happy Birthday to Ray Park!

He's played quite a few movie characters such as Snake Eyes (G.I. Joe) and Toad (X-Men), but his ultimate role was playing the secret Sith Aprentice in Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace..... better known as,

DARTH MAUL!

(Markers on 3" x 3" post-it notepad)

Deadpool TGIF

It's Friday... we made it!!!

Morning warm-up sketch of everyone's 

favorite mercenary anti-hero... DEADPOOL!

(markers on 3" x 3" post-it note pad)

Shark Week!

Shark Week is going strong!

So it's only right I sketch up a SHARKTICON! 

Razor sharp teeth that can tear through solid steel...Yikes!

(3" x 3" markers on post-it note pad)

©2014 Gerald de Dios. Posted image may not be used or duplicated without artist permission.

COWABUNGA!

Warm up sketch from this morning..... 

Cowabunga Dudes and Dudettes!!!

(Pen and Marker on 3" x 3" post-it note pad)

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Weekend!

Creatures of the DEEP!

More Creatures of the Sea!!! Here's the final scans of my sketchcards for "The Deep" series.

(Left column) Moray eel, Sand Shark, Giant Squid, Sailfin Tang 

(Right column)  Fire Fish, Oar Fish, Saw Fish, Horseshoe Crab

See previous post for more of my sketchcards completed for this set!
[Link HERE]

Creatures of "The Deep" - Sketchcard Set

Here's the first handful of sketchcards I completed for "The Deep" series. 

Top row: Sea Anemone, Spotted Jellyfish, Octopus

Bottom row: Nautilus, Pink Jellyfish, Yellow Seahorse

Be sure to check back for more!!!
[Link HERE]

Seahorses of The Deep

Here's a few Seahorse sketchcards I recently completed for a new series expected to release early 2014.

As mentioned a couple months back...I worked on 2 series simultaneously. The first set was the "INSECTAE" series and the next set if for "THE DEEP" series. 

I'm just as excited for this new one because it deals with all types of creatures from the deep blue sea!!!

BATKID Saves Gotham City!

Here’s the sketch I mailed for the super awesome Batkid ! Thanks to Make-A-Wish for making this event happen for lil’ Miles and his family. BATKID – Enjoy the sketchcard :) Just a little token for your bravery and saving the Day!!!

More of Miles' story can be found at Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Insectae Sketchcard Set

Recently completed illustrations for a new sketch card series called "Insectae". 

I had such a blast working on this set.... I have to admit, it's the best quality sketch card stock I've worked on! This card stock took my watercolors very well... along with other mediums used (gouache, markers, ink and pencils). 

Thank you for checking out my updates and stay tuned for more soon!

501st CVI - DVD Available for Order

My Star Wars 501st sketchcards will all be featured in a new DVD! 

501st Celebration VI DVD

The DVD will showcase Celebration VI from Orlando FL, celebrating the 501st - 15th Anniversary! Featuring everything from the costumers to Roxy the Rancor to the Big Bash Party.

Here's a link to the Trailer [HERE]

Here's some of my cards that will be available on the Swag Trade Section > Sketch Card Collection > Gerald de Dios

 ©2013 Gerald de Dios

Pt. Reyes Vineyards - Summer Rain!

(Watercolors on 12" x 16" waterboard)

Took a day trip up to Pt Reyes with my wife. It's normally about a 45 minute drive ... unless there's RAIN..... which makes it that much more dangerous when driving through Lucas Valley's curvy roads. Luckily it rained only the first part of the day... which allowed me to park and set up.

During this type of weather I'll have to find some coverage.... in this case my SUV trunk door! As for views, the options are limited by the fog and misty air. I walked around and scoped the area.... off to the distance I spotted a barn.... and a truck loaded with hay!

Usually around this time I have to work fast because of the summer heat.... but working wet on wet with these low temperatures requires some patience to allow the watercolors to dry. I've always had a hard time approaching misty skies and usually over-work the painting.... but I think I captured the atmosphere and how the day felt from Sunday's paintout :) 

Black Point - Old Dock (Novato, Ca)

(8" x 10" watercolors on 140lb. waterboard)

Black Point Boat Launch - Novato, Ca.

(8" x 10" Watercolors on 140lb. waterboard)

Took a drive down Hwy 37 and set up at the Black Point boat launch. Followed a hidden trail that led to an old dock. While sketching my layout... my tripod cracked and my portable stool broke!!!

Luckily I also packed a beach chair.... and ended up painting on my lap. The winds picked up and my umbrella kept flying away... luckily I always tie down my umbrella just in case this happens :) 

Other than all the mishaps... I  had a great time here!

Black Point Boat Launch - progress shot

Taking a break from the studio and catching some sun.... and by sun I mean painting outdoors!

Happy Mother's Day Mom!

Happy Mother's Day Mom! Remember when I drew on the wall with crayons when I was 2 years old? Thanks for not freaking out... well, not freaking out too much, LOL! We had a wonderful time hanging out in Sausalito on "Your Day!" Enjoy your new painting and new San Francisco Starbucks mug... to add to your collection!

Sneak Peek - Bird's Nest Painting

So last summer my mom sent me weekly photos of her new found neighbors. And looking at the photos closely... there were strands of purple, yellow and beige all over the nest.

But when I visited in person.... and looked closely... I could see a lot of warm colors like reds and oranges! The eggs were bright blue and the nest had such a mixture of straw, branches, hair, etc.

Of all the photos my mom took...this was the one I referenced for the eggs. The photo looks very flat... So I had to really keep pushing the center of the nest downwards to help showcase the eggs. Like most paintings this caused a lot of going back and forth with the layers. But it turns out that the wispy brush stokes really created this movement... this energy... in the painting!

(Below) I also wanted to incorporate those green leaves that are blurred in the photo.... but I didn't  want it to take away from the main focus of the painting... So you'll see splashes of green at the top left and right of the painting.

I really didn't know if this would work? Or if it would ruin a good thing? But in the end... it was a really fun painting to work on!

Crepes Anyone?

Step 1: Once your batter is ready....

 

Just kidding! This is actually a surprise painting I'm prepping for my mom for Mother's Day :)

Story: Last summer my parents found a birds nest in their backyard. Later finding 4 tiny blue eggs inside. My mom was so excited when they hatched... but sad when the last baby bird flew away.

 

 Had some watercolor paint issues but I'll save that for another blog post :) 

In the meantime, Check Back for the final results! Cheers!

Nightcrawler in New X-Men: Day's of Future Past (NOT)

Earlier this week we got the good news that Halle Barry will return as STORM in the new "X-Men: Day's of Future Past".... however, Allan Cumming will not return as NIGHTCRAWLER.

I was a little bummed since James McAvoy mentioned in a recent interview that everyone will make a return for the 2014 film.

So I decided to express my bummed....bum..... and whip up an illustration of little ol' Nightcrawler sitting by his lonesome self. He's too sad to tell anyone he won't be back.... so he just made a sign.... but it's not enough to hold back his tears.... well, one huge TEAR :(