tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59559312067070777782024-03-05T10:08:59.471-07:00Iron Image Industries///Art/Illustration/Design/OpenSource/Gaming/Worlds///DL Johnson///David Lewis Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03426202390328885389noreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5955931206707077778.post-38076633506807648252016-01-17T12:47:00.000-07:002016-01-17T12:47:39.586-07:00The First Gathox Play Report, with some extra detailsSo today over at the Gathox blog I posted a brief recap of the first two play reports, from sessions back in late summer/early fall.<br />
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<a href="http://mutantsofgathox.blogspot.com/2016/01/gathox-sessions-1-2-play-report.html">You can find that here. </a><br />
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The group I began the campaign with was of typical size, starting with 5 players, and was comprised almost entirely of players new to RPGs. Only one had previous experience with roleplaying, and the rest weren't exactly the most likely candidates for gaming. This led to a slower character generation process, but provided continual surprise for me, as they chose ways of interacting with each other and the game world that were very different from the modes of play you'd expect from seasoned gamers.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhelYnpqZp1otXmWFXXzu83k2WInL44-gJnJRTy1Bh5MbfnZh_Nqv26y7i0LbJyLN-Aza5PQZzeeq5L_RbM0qBA4DsOlJ7MRHH8qvMQCB7UY_4-TJ91fSIJdCeXYcQVc8rccTSz0pMX-w/s1600/s-l300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhelYnpqZp1otXmWFXXzu83k2WInL44-gJnJRTy1Bh5MbfnZh_Nqv26y7i0LbJyLN-Aza5PQZzeeq5L_RbM0qBA4DsOlJ7MRHH8qvMQCB7UY_4-TJ91fSIJdCeXYcQVc8rccTSz0pMX-w/s1600/s-l300.jpg" /></a></div>
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<i>This cost $10 at Target and makes the whole group of first-time players happy.</i></div>
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For example, instead of immediately sussing out clues to the mission at hand, they chose instead to spend their first hours exploring the environment of Gathox, trying their hand at interacting with NPCs and testing out the limits of their characters. Occasional reminders were given that they could attempt whatever they wanted, which really gave them the chance to establish their group dynamic without excessive risk.<br />
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Another surprise for me was their hesitation at entering the first dungeon. I chalk it up to first game jitters, as well as a fear of consequences for their first characters. Once they began to investigate in earnest, they managed to assemble a solid array of clues and intel fairly quickly. Despite this, the players hemmed and hawed at the most obvious entrance to the dungeon before finally throwing caution to the wind.<br />
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The beauty of that first mission was the blossoming of the players' strategic mind - upon finding an oil fountain in the first room, they immediately began to devise uses for it. They treated every square inch of the first room as a potential resource, scouring moss from the walls, sampling the crusted mud, stealing hinges off doors. For folks that had never played before, I was really excited at how quickly this habit developed, and diminished not at all across later sessions.<br />
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The session ended with the team learning about floor traps - we finished with a cliffhanger where one of the Mentalists in the group fell through one, coming close to death, and the rest of the team trying to decide whether to save him or cut losses.<br />
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Too much fun!David Lewis Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03426202390328885389noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5955931206707077778.post-26277663387105098892016-01-15T17:30:00.000-07:002016-01-15T17:30:15.818-07:00My new gaming blog, Gathox Vertical Slum, launches!Hi folks! I know it's been quiet on this blog for a while, but I've been very busy writing, playtesting, illustrating, and running my new game setting, Gathox Vertical Slum, over the last 8 months. I'd love it if you'd check it out, it will feature everything from play reports to art to fiction and material for use in virtually any old school game. Please check it it out here:<br />
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<a href="http://mutantsofgathox.blogspot.com/2015/06/in-distance-city-lumbers-and-lurches.html">http://mutantsofgathox.blogspot.com/2015/06/in-distance-city-lumbers-and-lurches.html</a><br />
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Thanks!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJa5cbL6hK4QvmKIvNeC6uWAxzz6OUoTOSTLESL4-kzOnBrkxVFem6jAMW25mGVgrOzurmhXyI5bp1i_bOAKrJvc7kO-tjXjjY3g51DsB7ujPvf16c-8Hs4jc-EwiSFNOfupaxq9xqAfU/s1600/screaming+boghaz.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJa5cbL6hK4QvmKIvNeC6uWAxzz6OUoTOSTLESL4-kzOnBrkxVFem6jAMW25mGVgrOzurmhXyI5bp1i_bOAKrJvc7kO-tjXjjY3g51DsB7ujPvf16c-8Hs4jc-EwiSFNOfupaxq9xqAfU/s320/screaming+boghaz.png" width="251" /></a></div>
(A Screaming Boghaz, one of the delightful critters one might encounter in the Vertical Slum while out for a morning kill.)<br /><br />David Lewis Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03426202390328885389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5955931206707077778.post-85290013658555669112015-10-26T15:26:00.000-06:002015-10-26T15:26:55.937-06:00Joesky Tax: Gutter GillsI promised that I would pay my Joesky tax for hyping up the book that I'm illustrating, Mike Evans' <i>Hubris</i> setting for DCC. Without further ado, I present to you a thing with which to play, Gutter Gills, in the vein of <i>Hubris</i> as I see it:<br />
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Although their origin is lost to antiquity, gutter gills were recently discovered by weak and squishy humans who couldn't handle the mutagenic choking clouds roiling beneath the equally weak cities they continually build. Instead of becoming monsters from exposure, humans could now venture deep below their settlements, seeking out whatever awful things humans tend to seek out underground and providing a rare treat for the hungrier denizens of the mythic underworld.<br />
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A set of gills will turn up unexpectedly in a dusty pawn shop at discount prices; or, just as likely, on the head of a deceased explorer. Kings have found them in the boudoirs of their least trustworthy romantic interests, and beggars have been gifted them by classist aristocrats in passing. Only the need for their function can temper the difficulty of their possession. <br />
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A few gutter gills refuse to be removed from their wearers, and will choke the poor humans who attempt to remove them. These ornery gutter gills slowly starve and dehydrate their owners, and will attempt to properly strangle their dying owner near to a place they are likely to be found by another human.<br />
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Some gutter gills work out a deal with their wearers - daily sacrifices, that is, which can take a variety of forms: bloodletting, bootblacking, smeared tropical fruit, trips to the brothel, fresh heads to choke, and so on. A gutter gill may behave nicely for a few hours or a few weeks depending on the merits of the sacrifice.<br />
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Gutter gills absolutely despise cleaning chemicals, and a good bleaching is one of the only known ways to remove a particularly churlish or lethal specimen. While effective, this requires a good dousing which can often drown the wearer or leave them with nasty chemical scarring.David Lewis Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03426202390328885389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5955931206707077778.post-90394663646404193332015-10-08T09:45:00.000-06:002015-10-08T09:45:12.976-06:00Gnarly Gang Generator<span style="font-family: inherit;">All right, I've been writing and playtesting a new setting, <i>Gathox Vertical Slum</i>, which is a science fantasy faction game with brutal and absurdist undercurrents. A significant part of play revolves around gangs - at first with players interacting with them, later forming their own gangs, and finally engaging in turf war between districts.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">A lot of folks have been posting some fun bits and pieces about gangs recently, and I wanted to share a gang generator that I've developed. It happens to be stripped of the setting-specific information which<b> </b>I will be publishing<b> </b>with <i>Gathox Vertical Slum</i>, so you can adapt it to a wide variety of games. It comes with the added benefit of being built off of the structures and motivations of actual criminal organizations from the real world. Research for the win! Here we go:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Criminal Organizations </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The following is a multi-die procedure for quickly structuring criminal organizations, which are often key players in larger conspiracies. To generate a CrimOrg, roll a d4, d6,d8, 10, d12, and d20 all at once. The results build off of one another and combine to paint a solid picture of the size, nature, purpose, and flavor of the organization. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">1d4 - Type of CrimOrg</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">1 - Neighborhood Gang - While criminal, their origins are based in social play and mischief. Identities rely on ostentatious bluster or threat. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">2 - Mafia/ Tong - Larger families, clans, ethnic or business interests. Initiatory membership, typically featuring discipline and a code of conduct.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">3* - Symbolic Alliance - Loose horizontal alliances of gangs or chapters who adopt the same or similar symbols. Umbrella divisions as opposed to hierarchy.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">4* - Ideological Alliance - Large alliance of smaller ideologically-aligned groups. Often religious or ethnically homogenous. Most likely to make spectacular displays of public violence.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">*Note: The following tables will produce a single sub-goup or cell of the larger alliance in question; simply re-roll the d6 through d20 tables to create multiple cells and sub-groups if you wish to flesh out the entire alliance.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">1d6 - CrimOrg Structure</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">1 - Egalitarian, with an elected boss and/or lieutenants.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">2 - Cult of Personality, with a strong, charismatic leader.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">3 - Might Makes Right, where leadership is challenged and established based on violence.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">4 - Hired Guns, with membership bearing employee status.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">5 - Inner Circle, where a central committee of leadership steers the group.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">6 - Sleeper Cell, with discrete power distribution and the scope of action is limited.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">1d8 - Size and Distribution of CrimOrg</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">1 - 1 boss, 1 lieutenant, 2d3 mooks</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">2 - 2-boss partnership with 2d4 mooks</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">3 - 1 boss, 2 lieutenants, 2d6 mooks</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">4 - 3-boss triumvirate, each with a lieutenant and 1d6 mooks</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">5 - 1 boss, 3 lieutenants, 3d4 mooks</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">6 - Frontman and silent senior partner, 3 lieutenants and 2d8 mooks</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">7 - Headless: 4 lieutenants, each with 1d6 mooks</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">8 - 1 boss, 2d3 lieutenants, each with 1d8 mooks</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">1d10 - CrimOrg Naming Scheme</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">1 - Honorific, two words. Ex.: Shining Force, Rising Tide, Radiant Fist.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">2 - Two word opposites. Ex.: Goodly Scoundrels, Holy Bastards, Burning Sharks.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">3 - Outlaw name. Ex.: Pistoleros, Hole-in-the-Wall Gang, The Executioners.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">4 - ________ Brotherhood/ Sisterhood.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">5-6 - Family name of leader. Ex.: The Muenchen Family, The Jodorowsky’s.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">7-8 - Geographical name. Ex.: The Scrape Hill Bandits, The Blood River Reavers.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">9 - Business front. Ex.: Talon and Feather Mercantile, The Tanner’s Guild.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">10 - Leader’s crew. Ex.: Tamara’s Boys, Agathura’s Raiders.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">1d12 - CrimOrg Motivations</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">1 - Social club/ fraternization.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">2 - Defense of territory.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">3 - Religious fanaticism.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">4 - Hated enemy.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">5 - Ethnic/ cultural supremacy.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">6 - Class warfare.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">7 - Control of legitimate businesses.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">8 - Black market entrepreneurship.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">9 - Mercenary muscle/ contract work.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">10 - Protection of a certain class of people.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">11 - General mayhem/ targeted terror.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">12 - Reactionary/ revolutionary (against status quo).</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">1d20 - Points of Interest</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">1 - Boss has a twin as lieutenant; 50% chance their aims are at odds.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">2-3 - Drug addiction runs rampant in the lower ranks.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">4 - Members are indentured, and fallen members are replaced by siblings or parents.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">5-6 - The mooks are planning a mutiny.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">7 - The lieutenants are quietly moving against the boss(es), unbeknownst to their mooks.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">8 - The boss is planning to kill and replace the lieutenant(s) as soon as possible.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">9 - The gang has recently lost a significant amount of territory/business.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">10 - The gang is in it’s heyday, having recently acquired a tremendous resource.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">11-12 - Upper management is blind to the machinations of outside forces.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">13 - The gang has an extensive network of informants, and is unlikely to be taken off-guard.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">14 - Fallen members are martyred and idolized, leading to fanaticism amongst the lower ranks.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">15 - All trust has broken down, leading to factionalism.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">16 - The CrimOrg is currently planning its most risky operation yet.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">17 - The gang is old and semi-defunct, save for one up-and-coming young tough.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">18-19 - The leadership is held together by romantic interests.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">20 - Roll one additional motivation on the d12 table and roll again here.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>David Lewis Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03426202390328885389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5955931206707077778.post-12664618064878585502015-02-18T10:00:00.000-07:002015-02-18T10:00:01.997-07:00Follow-up: Inks for a beastieHere's the inks, scrunched in between the other work I'm doing, as a follow-up to the previous post.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYrDzsLnrbp5FTTUMM3Hn6uOwyYdBlGLzwXex6vpocHvaEOQiO6IaI1Z-EMa9xxa6vSkhQ_u9g3P4WRH_nMa0q4tRotvu7IQeUzs4z-jVEJPo4fuzqnEqjH4E8AmvukTsiX3xs4infpLM/s1600/BESTLIST+final.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYrDzsLnrbp5FTTUMM3Hn6uOwyYdBlGLzwXex6vpocHvaEOQiO6IaI1Z-EMa9xxa6vSkhQ_u9g3P4WRH_nMa0q4tRotvu7IQeUzs4z-jVEJPo4fuzqnEqjH4E8AmvukTsiX3xs4infpLM/s1600/BESTLIST+final.png" height="258" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />David Lewis Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03426202390328885389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5955931206707077778.post-22818773688812321752015-02-15T11:00:00.000-07:002015-02-15T11:00:04.618-07:00Sketch-A-Day: A new rough for Silent LegionsAs I slowly climb to the top of the work mountain I've piled for myself, I thought I would post this late night sketch that I'm pleased with. Perhaps I'll do a follow-up with the inks later on. This is for <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/115055273425645223134" target="_blank">+Kevin Crawford</a> 's <i>Silent Legions</i> game.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixvGLTn9mKU-1gfQzmgdezdinDlclO2vC8tNihUA4yuwGfw7ZKkuueD3bkxgV3MyIlXNDFeu2iU4vVvM_VjOeYV0nZXZjCXrDAirbwYRAPA3iZwP_LwEqAPjTmqhcsL8yOg_HoAVsin0s/s1600/BESTLIST+rough.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixvGLTn9mKU-1gfQzmgdezdinDlclO2vC8tNihUA4yuwGfw7ZKkuueD3bkxgV3MyIlXNDFeu2iU4vVvM_VjOeYV0nZXZjCXrDAirbwYRAPA3iZwP_LwEqAPjTmqhcsL8yOg_HoAVsin0s/s1600/BESTLIST+rough.png" height="258" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />David Lewis Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03426202390328885389noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5955931206707077778.post-72416958966535729032015-01-14T18:02:00.000-07:002015-01-14T18:02:10.697-07:00Ink Drawings for Backers of the DunesI recently completed 26 ink drawings for the the top tier backers of the <a href="http://www.rpgnow.com/product/140450/Slumbering-Ursine-Dunes?term=Slumbering+Ursi">Slumbering Ursine Dunes</a> and wanted to share a some of them below. I've posted two Cave Dwarves and two Warbears for your eyeballs. Cheers!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjczJuT3r8qdMkUw9yH16s-doNJwfp1FKQh6j4UAoqO4eNcDTFIvhoxWO07BWUMSD0raWJ-CSsbjM7ItmIyNm8xq4o9Fj4c3R56czmYTva4GjecsNS4If7TOvW0SRxwQqm7SQ0ik6aPpgQ/s1600/bear1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjczJuT3r8qdMkUw9yH16s-doNJwfp1FKQh6j4UAoqO4eNcDTFIvhoxWO07BWUMSD0raWJ-CSsbjM7ItmIyNm8xq4o9Fj4c3R56czmYTva4GjecsNS4If7TOvW0SRxwQqm7SQ0ik6aPpgQ/s1600/bear1.png" height="320" width="300" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNi0X5HRgCIL5GeMwypNlDeYS4Ob3_8WE_sifLCrptaCxUdF8r-SjY7w_yYIkfDwJYrLLvwzn_vHcPOVv5D1g7AMpdmAjxs_qsHuZBTu6oO-3ajxwUKlTLCqi3qwZp4moNJ6N8iZGTrlU/s1600/bear2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNi0X5HRgCIL5GeMwypNlDeYS4Ob3_8WE_sifLCrptaCxUdF8r-SjY7w_yYIkfDwJYrLLvwzn_vHcPOVv5D1g7AMpdmAjxs_qsHuZBTu6oO-3ajxwUKlTLCqi3qwZp4moNJ6N8iZGTrlU/s1600/bear2.png" height="320" width="292" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWWCfTEMtiHVIcxx4YZdqIQbruvX0PdbOOWL3RXBGHGTvCurPJ0aXGfSdfOiK55tEz7PS_YEK2XotNl8fu-_x3KXUrmsUgfGCn6DPPnrExCois1_ZXHDoZAf86OBNko0NoCT-mc9U8XKg/s1600/cave1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWWCfTEMtiHVIcxx4YZdqIQbruvX0PdbOOWL3RXBGHGTvCurPJ0aXGfSdfOiK55tEz7PS_YEK2XotNl8fu-_x3KXUrmsUgfGCn6DPPnrExCois1_ZXHDoZAf86OBNko0NoCT-mc9U8XKg/s1600/cave1.png" height="320" width="288" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTMvYAyT-xzFjWeXM7jC6mM6Iipy4zltgBqD93mXZLeZrJUAxArypShX0fL5abVwAn_tbqHpHiBPRp0OPbNvhnxMgyaKqehEUcJe_bxbO5v6pENauJ2dcE8JO43V1_KdxQPZmfDwMHBuY/s1600/cave2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTMvYAyT-xzFjWeXM7jC6mM6Iipy4zltgBqD93mXZLeZrJUAxArypShX0fL5abVwAn_tbqHpHiBPRp0OPbNvhnxMgyaKqehEUcJe_bxbO5v6pENauJ2dcE8JO43V1_KdxQPZmfDwMHBuY/s1600/cave2.png" height="320" width="294" /></a></div>
<br />David Lewis Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03426202390328885389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5955931206707077778.post-55286456074399112132015-01-09T10:00:00.000-07:002015-01-09T10:00:02.202-07:00Sketch-a-day 1/9/14: Small Acrylic PaintingsI took some time last evening when work was done to jump into acrylic painting for the first time. I have a potential show for the First Friday Art Walk in a couple months and I figured I'd start exploring my physical medium options.<br />
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These two landscapes were painted on 5.5" x 8.5" 136 lb. canvas paper with a super-cheap knock-off acrylic set and some beat-up kids' brushes, took about 30-45 minutes apiece, and were a total blast. Hopefully I can crank out some more of these when I get some down time in the next couple of weeks.<br />
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This first is roughly from memory from<a href="http://ironimageindustries.blogspot.com/2014/12/sketch-day-122314-speedpaints-on-train.html"> the train ride this past holiday</a>:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3RWYyyrXYGjoFBxsP7tp8g2KPGNhphyY3UzpwbDCURgBnnKY1atIISZFLDVbpChOPND4lJeMBgMQbSO5fq7E6iO7HpDdhpZVlHC_rZxsFMlg4cyFrsiBYFeGfXOigPUhTpZjR2Hhw778/s1600/sunriseplns.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3RWYyyrXYGjoFBxsP7tp8g2KPGNhphyY3UzpwbDCURgBnnKY1atIISZFLDVbpChOPND4lJeMBgMQbSO5fq7E6iO7HpDdhpZVlHC_rZxsFMlg4cyFrsiBYFeGfXOigPUhTpZjR2Hhw778/s1600/sunriseplns.png" height="167" width="320" /></a></div>
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This second is an attempt at some land near Augusta: <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtzJf-jidt_6JJzY8q6xSRTdx0msDZVcheZAMGJJnMAln3IEj6vu8_Z7KJRwxcLEtvTtLo8MJEDM5MkQWDLvAADCrRJuGADd0lewNBQ8p7iMq7Gys-ASxN9vh1cSR8GS3D4XJinDIKX9c/s1600/goldenmtns.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtzJf-jidt_6JJzY8q6xSRTdx0msDZVcheZAMGJJnMAln3IEj6vu8_Z7KJRwxcLEtvTtLo8MJEDM5MkQWDLvAADCrRJuGADd0lewNBQ8p7iMq7Gys-ASxN9vh1cSR8GS3D4XJinDIKX9c/s1600/goldenmtns.png" height="195" width="320" /></a></div>
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If you have any solid subject ideas for some natural or not-so-natural mini-paintings in this vein, hit me up. I'd love some input for this experiment!<br />
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<br />David Lewis Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03426202390328885389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5955931206707077778.post-38342171977227834122014-12-31T10:00:00.002-07:002014-12-31T10:00:26.751-07:00Bang! You're dead, 2014!<div style="text-align: center;">
Another WIP for <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/108744562149874158171" target="_blank">+Andreas Walters</a> , fitting for the end of the year:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7j4lMSvfatBw6zvMybpi5y-ytFlg4uUtEQBLIfBkCvlv9qECjZyS18ddnog8i7jOnFglXZY2Cnu4wBEagh3OBiw3EXqjxb7GbareAkhNShxqzL3gcWlZysF6p0nY9Ij0ImX55OuPYInA/s1600/elevator+rough.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7j4lMSvfatBw6zvMybpi5y-ytFlg4uUtEQBLIfBkCvlv9qECjZyS18ddnog8i7jOnFglXZY2Cnu4wBEagh3OBiw3EXqjxb7GbareAkhNShxqzL3gcWlZysF6p0nY9Ij0ImX55OuPYInA/s1600/elevator+rough.png" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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Onward and upward.</div>
David Lewis Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03426202390328885389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5955931206707077778.post-71674042666090561092014-12-30T08:00:00.000-07:002014-12-30T08:00:05.066-07:00Sketch-A-Day: Fantasy Factory TownHere's a ramshackle town sketch I jammed out on the road this holiday season, and I thought I'd clean it up a bit for the blog. I think it would make a solid mini-town or factory compound for a mid- to high-fantasy setting.<br />
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This site is waiting to be labeled like a map and put into play. Feel free to use it for such, and if you do, please post a comment or send an email about it.David Lewis Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03426202390328885389noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5955931206707077778.post-51225502527677163522014-12-27T10:00:00.000-07:002014-12-27T10:00:01.820-07:00Sketch-a-day: Client work for 12/26/14Here's a rough sketch for <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/108744562149874158171" target="_blank">+Andreas Walters</a> ' upcoming gaming book involving the Cold War and time travel. Cheers!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp-h-sabXB1kE9Aggkv_Kx7uduvzpPw6fuwNJSf6yspilmdhTNH1I0Vq6EKBPqoZq2RlEe5N1Lsw65YwxW5moWWHnfxwhwg9J22zJ3H2zbOdzAbIR0-kZpnL8OXJ053iIEErzEfryt9GE/s1600/interrogation+chair.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp-h-sabXB1kE9Aggkv_Kx7uduvzpPw6fuwNJSf6yspilmdhTNH1I0Vq6EKBPqoZq2RlEe5N1Lsw65YwxW5moWWHnfxwhwg9J22zJ3H2zbOdzAbIR0-kZpnL8OXJ053iIEErzEfryt9GE/s1600/interrogation+chair.png" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />David Lewis Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03426202390328885389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5955931206707077778.post-320572487718569892014-12-25T10:00:00.000-07:002014-12-25T10:00:02.810-07:00Set up your fresh Elementary OS install to kick ass for art!I recently fell in love with <a href="http://elementaryos.org/">Elementary OS</a> when I was looking around for a way to spice up my computing and workflow. After several hours of tinkering and having fun, I decided to write a fairly complete script for installing all the stuff that I need as an artist. Perhaps another artist out there will want to use this on a fresh Elementary OS install as well. If that's the case, go to the link above, download the .iso file, use <a href="http://unetbootin.sourceforge.net/">unetbootin</a> to make a live stick for testing Elementary OS and installing, and then use the script provided below. Here goes!<br />
<br />
Copy and paste this script into an empty text file in your home folder, my good Linux user, and then save the file as 'elemosautoinstall.sh'.<br />
<br />
<br />
<pre style="background-image: URL(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP1JMcsbrPG9aXk9HepGCPnYX57Jbjelq6Utv0ZG_CN1MS-O28UShOJNkvgMoi9HSs5ks0XK11xfppVqO3IE456gGi8D9WdH3uDiq7HtIxM1wBE96UgJigZSPE-lHq5S9hpMqM5nkBVVGi/s320/codebg.gif); background: #f0f0f0; border: 1px dashed #CCCCCC; color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: 12px; height: auto; line-height: 20px; overflow: auto; padding: 0px; text-align: left; width: 99%;"><code style="color: black; word-wrap: normal;"> #!/bin/bash
sudo software-properties-gtk &&
sudo apt-add-repository ppa:versable/elementary-update -y &&
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:otto-kesselgulasch/gimp &&
sudo apt-get update &&
sudo apt-get install elementary-tweaks elementary-wallpaper-collection wingpanel-slim super-wingpanel elementary-.*-theme elementary-.*-icons indicator-synapse firefox adobe-flashplugin vlc ubuntu-restricted-extras libavcodec-extra-53 libdvdread4 unace rar unrar p7zip-rar p7zip sharutils uudeview mpack lha arj cabextract lzip lunzip icedtea-plugin scribus inkscape gimp krita mypaint gimp-gmic audacity openshot -y &&
sudo apt-get update &&
sudo apt-get upgrade &&
sudo apt-get dist-upgrade &&
sudo apt-get autoremove &&
sudo reboot
done
</code></pre>
<br />
Now, in terminal, navigate to your home folder, and the type:<br />
<br />
<br />
<pre style="background-image: URL(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP1JMcsbrPG9aXk9HepGCPnYX57Jbjelq6Utv0ZG_CN1MS-O28UShOJNkvgMoi9HSs5ks0XK11xfppVqO3IE456gGi8D9WdH3uDiq7HtIxM1wBE96UgJigZSPE-lHq5S9hpMqM5nkBVVGi/s320/codebg.gif); background: #f0f0f0; border: 1px dashed #CCCCCC; color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: 12px; height: auto; line-height: 20px; overflow: auto; padding: 0px; text-align: left; width: 99%;"><code style="color: black; word-wrap: normal;"> ./elemosautoinstall.sh
</code></pre>
<br />
This is going to do a few things:<br />
<br />
1) Run the software sources configuration app so you can choose your additional software sources.<br />
2) Add PPA's so you can get some custom stuff for Elementary OS as well as GIMP.<br />
3) Install additional Elementary OS components, some archive management components, and pretty things to customize the look of your desktop.<br />
4) Install some key programs: GIMP, G-mic (GIMP add-ons), MyPaint, Krita, Inkscape, Scribus, Audacity (audio editing), and Openshot (because you wanna make videos of your art process for youtube, right?).<br />
5) Update and upgrade your OS.<br />
6) Reboot.<br />
<br />
After all this is done, you can start kicking ass with your Elementary OS install, and start kicking ass with your art!<br />
<br />
Merry Grav-Mass!David Lewis Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03426202390328885389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5955931206707077778.post-24653361248499832082014-12-24T10:00:00.000-07:002014-12-24T10:00:05.653-07:00Sketch-a-day: 12/23/14 - Speedpaints on a Train in the NorthToday I found it difficult to draw accurate lines while riding 14 hours on a bumpy train. However, I was able to crank out some rough speed paintings of the highline as viewed from the Empire Builder.<br />
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Each illo is a single layer painting done in Krita in 20 minutes or less. First, pre-dawn:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji_yDEto5AFGeFyGPY5KdnQQv2pAGRhIq7kClTU82c2II_0fN-p2eLJR6Nb3AAWRxg1oGp47ijT2Q7lsmhdlMCZ2biPOMOQlQPmBilO6I9rghQzQ02EEHx-Q87cvf1zmiqLqjnI6lmkKg/s1600/122314predawntrain.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji_yDEto5AFGeFyGPY5KdnQQv2pAGRhIq7kClTU82c2II_0fN-p2eLJR6Nb3AAWRxg1oGp47ijT2Q7lsmhdlMCZ2biPOMOQlQPmBilO6I9rghQzQ02EEHx-Q87cvf1zmiqLqjnI6lmkKg/s1600/122314predawntrain.png" height="154" width="320" /></a></div>
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About 2 hours later:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxgZD6aOkY1wfM7quJlhpeWtX3Hqz4QMSITgxcTRCQUeFgmjyuWl9Mn6qMPnqvsus0E2yuZ_bpuJ5P6OshuSpKbeHD88_KlLo9zdFLa2cvJRU6gEeo5uPFQaMX9fPa7AZGwAo-pf-YpE4/s1600/122314postdawntrain.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxgZD6aOkY1wfM7quJlhpeWtX3Hqz4QMSITgxcTRCQUeFgmjyuWl9Mn6qMPnqvsus0E2yuZ_bpuJ5P6OshuSpKbeHD88_KlLo9zdFLa2cvJRU6gEeo5uPFQaMX9fPa7AZGwAo-pf-YpE4/s1600/122314postdawntrain.png" height="154" width="320" /></a></div>
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Around 1pm:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzRs4RCY9807y5OOMiDfEC_zAwSYtyol1LEt-0H4CIMVtaSpqe75jkvMTInjGRY7O68VfO72W7dDWbh5yppQNvzAw7j5Z_48UuxKJ3LyojyjVmSgGmpJlX6u3vFvBI8kD4enwy4H8vn94/s1600/122314middaytrain.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzRs4RCY9807y5OOMiDfEC_zAwSYtyol1LEt-0H4CIMVtaSpqe75jkvMTInjGRY7O68VfO72W7dDWbh5yppQNvzAw7j5Z_48UuxKJ3LyojyjVmSgGmpJlX6u3vFvBI8kD4enwy4H8vn94/s1600/122314middaytrain.png" height="154" width="320" /></a></div>
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Around 5pm, cusp of sunset:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWCAmSgPSSO0hxkliEdf1LmPAkXF4pWot_Jg2W5RlRi7QM_xVDtUub9KdZuUtLA-qvR7qtiuy3hOX89I-pqyTgMkfW4kOeCMEDOPOUFzmBkBxPB0JnGKbGH5VvOeEFMtBQAuSRoP7It-M/s1600/122314sunsettrain.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWCAmSgPSSO0hxkliEdf1LmPAkXF4pWot_Jg2W5RlRi7QM_xVDtUub9KdZuUtLA-qvR7qtiuy3hOX89I-pqyTgMkfW4kOeCMEDOPOUFzmBkBxPB0JnGKbGH5VvOeEFMtBQAuSRoP7It-M/s1600/122314sunsettrain.png" height="154" width="320" /></a></div>
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I was happy to make use of some time that otherwise would have been a wash, and I hope you enjoy them. Happy Festivus, y'all!<br />
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David Lewis Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03426202390328885389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5955931206707077778.post-8298562856092406682014-12-23T08:00:00.000-07:002014-12-23T08:00:00.386-07:00Slumbering Ursine Dunes - cover sketch!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH0yZmJPPgzc4StWdWhZ5AeklqTF92c2EBSttqQP85TLhybJSO5Y5jvchKyRF2e01W7EDtxCxANkDVnxJZkpxUL2iROB-d18Vf21ZuIyqp9X1WIGaj-3c9i7e1GN3DIdhbJPAObJm5reI/s1600/SUD+cover+redesign+2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH0yZmJPPgzc4StWdWhZ5AeklqTF92c2EBSttqQP85TLhybJSO5Y5jvchKyRF2e01W7EDtxCxANkDVnxJZkpxUL2iROB-d18Vf21ZuIyqp9X1WIGaj-3c9i7e1GN3DIdhbJPAObJm5reI/s1600/SUD+cover+redesign+2.png" height="320" width="223" /></a></div>
Backdated sketch - approved pencils for the cover of <a href="http://rpg.drivethrustuff.com/product/140450/Slumbering-Ursine-Dunes-PDF">Slumbering Ursine Dunes</a>, published by the Hydra Co-op.David Lewis Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03426202390328885389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5955931206707077778.post-53430563531410441202014-12-22T11:30:00.001-07:002014-12-22T11:31:45.126-07:00Sketch-A-Day: 12/22/2014 - Hawk powerA quick hawk study done in Krita - 20 min, 1 layer.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGFWBo5e6Cz0vlUM3fPo9_Zeqo-FzdduzdQwl81H-go6Ws0Z5nvYRczyuIjNNm-8IFwVHRK7_J760ANvKeyVQdx1P8-P-XaCS7mM3wqhNk85XBOqJrbkSWqtG0YiTIUrlhPIYlrikzlEQ/s1600/hawk+study.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGFWBo5e6Cz0vlUM3fPo9_Zeqo-FzdduzdQwl81H-go6Ws0Z5nvYRczyuIjNNm-8IFwVHRK7_J760ANvKeyVQdx1P8-P-XaCS7mM3wqhNk85XBOqJrbkSWqtG0YiTIUrlhPIYlrikzlEQ/s1600/hawk+study.png" height="320" width="299" /></a></div>
<br />David Lewis Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03426202390328885389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5955931206707077778.post-19812775978672485872013-05-16T21:30:00.002-06:002013-05-16T21:30:31.154-06:00May Art Lottery Winner - Garth HoldenHowdy! It's been a bit since I last posted, owing mostly to a welcome increase in commissions for tabletop RPG publications. In case folks missed it on Google+, Canadian author Garth Holden won the May Art Lottery. His submission:<br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>"A friend of mine was born with a mutable soul. He is an Inuit man and it is<br />
not uncommon for the people of the north to be born with both a human and an<br />
animal spirit. People with mutable souls live hard lives, eventually<br />
transforming over the years from one state of being to the other --<br />
sometimes from animal to human, or from human to animal. My friend is a<br />
world class soap-stone carver and a brilliant man, as well as being a polar<br />
bear. That is the heart for my friend’s dilemma. Is he a man coaxing a<br />
polar bear out of the stone? Or, is he a bear laying a man’s spirit rest<br />
in the stone? All I can say is that this is a real world situation. My<br />
friend does not know if he is a man becoming a bear or a bear becoming a<br />
man. I’ve seen the bear rise up and take him over and I’ve seen the<br />
incredible forms he draws out of the stone. Most of my friend’s works are<br />
transformation pieces."</i><br />
<br />
Garth and I discussed the piece a bit more, and I came to a kind of movie poster image montage solution to his image. Here it is:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfxds1-DKX0uNMqZ5kJGeylb1_GAqmLLjiepe1lHSMol8AsboW3cnMANEnw95wy8Rv0VB_CbC6YvScEfW-wds9jN_oHjxNWnU9ZbSKumBuCbCpS7cpKB2ViUW7-KgrTPaaN8h942wXNK4/s1600/May+Art+Lottery+illo+for+web.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfxds1-DKX0uNMqZ5kJGeylb1_GAqmLLjiepe1lHSMol8AsboW3cnMANEnw95wy8Rv0VB_CbC6YvScEfW-wds9jN_oHjxNWnU9ZbSKumBuCbCpS7cpKB2ViUW7-KgrTPaaN8h942wXNK4/s1600/May+Art+Lottery+illo+for+web.png" height="320" width="207" /></a></div>
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I've been working away at improving my inking skills, and this was a successful opportunity to explore that vein of illustration a bit more. I hope folks enjoy viewing this piece as much as I enjoyed working with Garth to bring it to life.<br />
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If you have any ideas you'd like to bring to life in illustration, you can always submit to the Monthly Art Lottery. If you need illustrations executed for your awesome project or publication, feel free to contact me via the info on my profile page. Cheers!<br />
David Lewis Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03426202390328885389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5955931206707077778.post-8968107985028645202013-04-17T05:00:00.000-06:002013-04-17T05:00:15.101-06:00One Vile Pile at a Time, Petty Gods StyleThe Petty Gods project, as I'm sure most folks know by now, has BLOWN UP. Greg over at <a href="http://gorgonmilk.blogspot.com/">Gorgonmilk</a> shot some emergency adrenaline into the heart of what had been a dead/indefinitely forestalled collection of less than commonly worshiped deities from all sorts of OSR folks. <a href="http://gorgonmilk.blogspot.com/search/label/Petty%20Gods">You can get the full story here.</a><br />
<br />
I volunteered my scratching and markmaking, completing a total of four particularly foul or corrupt outer beings thus far with more on the way. My first two, the Twin Blasphemies Nug and Yeb, come from Lovecraft through a number of stories which harbor no physical description aside from 'they look like their mom, Shub-Niggurath.'<br />
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So I consulted the Mythos-corrupted scholar <a href="http://roguesandreavers.blogspot.com/">Robert Parker</a>, tended to his recommended reading (I call it 'research' to those who question my time management), listened to <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=CKEuVVAV7YI">Robert Price read</a> aloud <a href="https://sites.google.com/site/thisyellowmadness/">Joe Pulver Sr.</a>'s channeling of <a href="http://www.epberglund.com/RGttCM/nightscapes/NS07/ns7ps1.htm">"The Black Litany of Nug and Yeb,"</a> followed the faint scent of Mesoamerican mythology from the stories, and arrived at a mixture of Shubby and physical descriptions of the Black and Red versions of the Azteca god Tezcatlipoca (Black Tezcatlipoca and Xipe Totec, respectively).<br />
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Now keep in mind this was my personal path to crafting an image for the two, as the illustrious <a href="http://jamesmishlergames.blogspot.com/">James Mishler</a> is writing up the full descriptions for the two!<br />
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This is what came out:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie1hSLh-7_73ddPp9XvPY2hrMTRDjyWJTr4WY6szf7MmUDGvhXLv-r1Q5NO8MsJoDCDQ02579hTc5iI2yhzTPycT17ZHFHfQG5glRWAmSXw3sRGz9KxImHZHp_ILhi2-yzZ8euLpuACd0/s1600/Nug+and+Yeb+final+medium.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie1hSLh-7_73ddPp9XvPY2hrMTRDjyWJTr4WY6szf7MmUDGvhXLv-r1Q5NO8MsJoDCDQ02579hTc5iI2yhzTPycT17ZHFHfQG5glRWAmSXw3sRGz9KxImHZHp_ILhi2-yzZ8euLpuACd0/s1600/Nug+and+Yeb+final+medium.png" height="226" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I also completed The Beast of Unbidden Challenges, based on an excellent description from Nate, the creator of <a href="http://desolateshrine.blogspot.com/">A Desolate Shrine</a>. Here's the cutie:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq8xgC4eObvswyG4CO6Ifa1CDMwtSbO-49LLSUFFTN48bh8u1_4bbi-ECneO3ebvU2_hlMW_h9e_gnNlaKmyIlSiXAeXw0xe-gjc93kr_C6_41CLo14rkUb30JHY4EfW2PKiXdP9MXCtA/s1600/beast+unbidden+medium.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq8xgC4eObvswyG4CO6Ifa1CDMwtSbO-49LLSUFFTN48bh8u1_4bbi-ECneO3ebvU2_hlMW_h9e_gnNlaKmyIlSiXAeXw0xe-gjc93kr_C6_41CLo14rkUb30JHY4EfW2PKiXdP9MXCtA/s1600/beast+unbidden+medium.png" height="400" width="281" /></a></div>
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Following with the mad, lost god Qu'pan, developed by <a href="https://plus.google.com/106296176089379088273/about">Richard Iorio II</a>, who runs <a href="http://www.rogue-games.net/">Rogue Games (Colonial Gothic; Shadow, Sword & Spell).</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhepGAWGHhB6GQbHPjtyfqsagVh2R_XGStoKFmupWwtThgKUia5n2Dqr_Idlx_QzZvG8KzOGXpjdMY08rzTvTeFY7QRG5hDVXfWMI2dF6enUQpqUEOICoMgnFJIaQJIG9-PIccrm7g0bNY/s1600/Qupan+final+large.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhepGAWGHhB6GQbHPjtyfqsagVh2R_XGStoKFmupWwtThgKUia5n2Dqr_Idlx_QzZvG8KzOGXpjdMY08rzTvTeFY7QRG5hDVXfWMI2dF6enUQpqUEOICoMgnFJIaQJIG9-PIccrm7g0bNY/s1600/Qupan+final+large.png" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
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Full stats and descriptions for these godlings can be found in the forthcoming <i>Expanded Petty Gods</i> over at Gorgonmilk. Cheers!David Lewis Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03426202390328885389noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5955931206707077778.post-23513773931864152832013-04-15T05:00:00.000-06:002013-04-15T05:00:06.632-06:00April Art Lottery - Infected Beasts of HubrisMike Evans was the first person to submit an idea for the monthly art lottery when I started back at the end of January, and this month that very first entry was drawn!<br />
<br />
Mike runs a fantastic blog over at <a href="http://wrathofzombie.wordpress.com/">Wrath of Zombie</a>, and he is perpetually writing gaming material, ranging from system adaptations to original campaign worlds. One of those worlds of his, a grim and grimy sword & sorcery world called Hubris, has gleefully commandeered much of his attention. And it kicks ass.<br />
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Mike wanted a Tetsuo: Iron Man inspired plague beast fighting and infecting body guards. When I asked Mike to elaborate, he ended up mentioning The Thing as additional inspiration, and that's when I found the look for the beast. Here's the scene:<br />
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Ultimately this beast doesn't have quite as much metal on his body as Tetsuo, but the cancerous ick makes up for the missing industrial ugliness.Cheers Mike!<br />
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As always, feel free to keep submitting ideas! The next drawing goes down on the 5th of May.<br />
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<a href="http://ironimageindustries.blogspot.com/2013/01/monthly-painting-lottery-i-make-art-for.html">You can submit here. </a><br />
David Lewis Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03426202390328885389noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5955931206707077778.post-60195871214815244502013-03-15T20:42:00.000-06:002013-03-17T05:32:45.318-06:00Revised: DaVinci-punk Wins March Art Lottery!***So I got a wild hair going and decided to do some extra rendering on Brett's winning description, so after a long night, here's the revised version, followed by the original blog post. Cheers! - DLJ, 03/17/13 ***<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXTu4Af5uOmTHe-fRViY2I52Q1HndD1up6u5CPTF9WzuS2zBrSn9-Ka0d3jNh5boiRwmZx7_ZN3yQGh9V4cmC02FTL41I2LXW_GKuNv1x8wxdpSI-o4vuqSUPYXfK-TeboJep8Topc2oM/s1600/brett+art+contest+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXTu4Af5uOmTHe-fRViY2I52Q1HndD1up6u5CPTF9WzuS2zBrSn9-Ka0d3jNh5boiRwmZx7_ZN3yQGh9V4cmC02FTL41I2LXW_GKuNv1x8wxdpSI-o4vuqSUPYXfK-TeboJep8Topc2oM/s1600/brett+art+contest+2.jpg" height="320" width="263" /></a></div>
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Brett Slocum won the month of March, and his idea for the daVinci-punk genre read thus:<br />
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"Think of the outlandish costumes and scenery of the planetary romance
novels and movies of the 19-Teens and the 1920s as seen through the lens
of daVinci's Florence. This setting is what I call daVinci-punk, and it
basically asks the question, 'What if the genius of daVinci met a
magical artisan equal to his talents, and then Galileo showed them his
telescope?' They of course make a space ship."<br />
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So I put some mages inside the Duomo of Florence, imagined that a considerable volume of gearing would be necessary to prop up all the parts of the rocketship, and decided to send a young court-sanctioned explorer out to visit the Moon.<br />
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Hope you dig it, keep submitting new ideas - yours could be drawn next!<br />
<br />David Lewis Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03426202390328885389noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5955931206707077778.post-37392770369080535112013-02-15T13:20:00.000-07:002013-02-15T13:20:50.288-07:00February Art Lottery Winner!Amidst all the recent commissions at which I've been scratching away, I finished up the first winning image from the art lottery. <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/113743148824119331120" target="_blank">+Mike Davison</a> 's request won the first round, so congrats man! Here's the pic:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTJkpsuxgPKHPIajZo22NjNSM_nxPG73oPCHAGmS4rF1OcbpSL4HoC00t_1bYxJVnuHHQHv3mqDcqmv8UfoESxKuxMKnYTP4TsHBsGkoCFAgb4ZeLybgPJ68vrAgc9qzmGRfELIT4v33o/s1600/art+contest+1+final+chaos+marine.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTJkpsuxgPKHPIajZo22NjNSM_nxPG73oPCHAGmS4rF1OcbpSL4HoC00t_1bYxJVnuHHQHv3mqDcqmv8UfoESxKuxMKnYTP4TsHBsGkoCFAgb4ZeLybgPJ68vrAgc9qzmGRfELIT4v33o/s1600/art+contest+1+final+chaos+marine.png" height="245" title="Solitary Plague Marine" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Best treehouse EVER!"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Mike had requested a Chaos Marine with mutations boarding a space hulk - and in all fairness I spent almost as much time lost on the <a href="http://warhammer40k.wikia.com/wiki/Warhammer_40k_Wiki">Warhammer 40k Wiki</a> as I did actual painting, which added to the fun. I chose to approximate a Plague Marine, because I often make a joyous noise unto the Plague Lord anyhow. It was a natural fit. <br />
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Don't forget to keep your submissions coming! All submissions that don't get drawn will stay in the lottery for next month, so no need to repeat yourself. Anything that pops into your head, go for it! The submission button is below, and thanks again!<br />
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<br />David Lewis Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03426202390328885389noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5955931206707077778.post-72755480361260113082013-01-16T23:27:00.004-07:002013-01-16T23:27:59.041-07:00Monthly Painting Lottery! (I make art for you for free.)Its simple: I want to <i>kick out some jams!</i> and make some artwork for folks in the gaming community on G+ and beyond, and I figured a monthly assignment for myself would be a realistic goal.<br />
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All you have to do to for a chance for some free artwork from yours truly is to click the <b>Kontactr</b> <b>Button</b> at the bottom of this post, fill in the form with your info and a description of what you want me to digitally draw or paint, and your submission will be numbered and entered into a new lottery each month. Here's the lowdown:<br />
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<ul>
<li><b>On the 5th of every month</b> I will run a random selector and announce the winner on G+ and this blog. </li>
</ul>
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<li><b>I will spend 5 to 8 hours on every piece</b> and do my best to meet the specs in your description. </li>
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<li><b>I will email you your artwork in advance of posting </b>and discussing it on this blog, which will happen by no later than the 20th of the month. </li>
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<li><b>If there's time</b>, I might be able to make some minor changes at your suggestion. <b>If time is short</b> and I can't make changes, please don't beat me. I am a fragile kitten and bruise easily.</li>
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<li><b>You can submit as often as you like</b>, but keep it cool. Try not to flood me with piles of submissions, as I will grumble loudly and burp acid.</li>
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<li><b>I promise not to share your contact info </b>with anyone, EVER, and also forever pinky swear not to send spammy things to your inbox.</li>
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<li>If your subject line says, "<b>MAKE ART, MENDICANT!!!</b>" I will love you deeply. </li>
</ul>
Thanks guys! Spread the word and submit away!<br />
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David Lewis Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03426202390328885389noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5955931206707077778.post-3444472878382973662013-01-13T15:59:00.001-07:002013-01-13T15:59:30.842-07:00Them there lines and funny figures.Its been a bit since I last posted, so I figured this ought to feature some quality eye candy and a bit of insight. I've been rendering some of the final line art for characters in Arcane Knights, and thought I would share a bit of that as well as some process show & tell. The first pic details two playable female characters up on one sheet:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkUfJ_uucgBl3PYrhR-Ayc8I4ZmPGh6h6U6vwvVed1qXAypjsrsNyR_kDtZT0f-Mz14KfLzu02cZaIcH87_2pC_e4WNl015WP5Ib3O4Rm5XcC7_jAHL57WkMKyTqUTnANCszoEziOieOo/s1600/alice+and+lily.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkUfJ_uucgBl3PYrhR-Ayc8I4ZmPGh6h6U6vwvVed1qXAypjsrsNyR_kDtZT0f-Mz14KfLzu02cZaIcH87_2pC_e4WNl015WP5Ib3O4Rm5XcC7_jAHL57WkMKyTqUTnANCszoEziOieOo/s1600/alice+and+lily.png" height="247" width="320" /></a></div>
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They read well at a distance, and when magnified display quite a bit of detail. This deviates from the painterly style I usually post here, but the process of creating line art for the characters requires me to be explicit with my designs, which aids the 3D artists when they set out to render one of these characters. When painting I can imply detail with a few quick values and let the viewer's eye fill in the rest. Since this is a bit different situation, I thought I would show the process with another playable character from the game, Winton (he's a bomb-chucking wizard).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZc9hnsGKEAQYhI4YXa3K41_DEGLJe-zi2AzOxBPahiGV4bB3aeWlPtrGx39QIdTS4k5CwxaTN1TI06sB0A8VG6RcZ4b2FP4AyUB0g0PIpqtSnUstUqlZ4iHbKTDMY_L3WsWFAliDf4gI/s1600/winton+line+art.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZc9hnsGKEAQYhI4YXa3K41_DEGLJe-zi2AzOxBPahiGV4bB3aeWlPtrGx39QIdTS4k5CwxaTN1TI06sB0A8VG6RcZ4b2FP4AyUB0g0PIpqtSnUstUqlZ4iHbKTDMY_L3WsWFAliDf4gI/s1600/winton+line+art.png" height="320" width="231" /></a></div>
He comes off pretty sassy. Again, he reads from a distance. Here's a close-up:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhe-p5WWrXaJzYVDeLn9RrWtb_781cb4lU2GlLrP0vo0WG_22j_-SNtWbz2BuHsv749JDDNlZSliv-TsgAzFE0mb9CAZxBo4srB_lRp6M1oLCvVLev72GNrz-EqAhhkqGQZsGP_kk-M20/s1600/winton+close+up.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhe-p5WWrXaJzYVDeLn9RrWtb_781cb4lU2GlLrP0vo0WG_22j_-SNtWbz2BuHsv749JDDNlZSliv-TsgAzFE0mb9CAZxBo4srB_lRp6M1oLCvVLev72GNrz-EqAhhkqGQZsGP_kk-M20/s1600/winton+close+up.png" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
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I used two brushes with identical dynamics, only one painted black and the other erased. This is a first generation line drawing, meaning that I didn't do a rough sketch and then trace over, but instead drew roughly and messy and continued to draw and erase, draws and erase. This kept the rough, gestural marks in the linework, which tends to keep things a bit more dynamic and alive. In pretty much any art program you can toggle between two brushes like this with hot keys, and its a method exclusively available to the digital medium (just try it with a pencil, wise guy).<br />
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After the line work is done, on a layer below, I paint in a 50% greyscale mask to begin toning, like so:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkDK1MizvPD9tL_ZxBuY_xrDFtuEsXtzmYkxzNkylK4L2NgMEf1oDw5FEhfIIA4UHCyA8UJbHjBAkD6ORhV_U5Pl5HW8uDadfylqC6k1Sch5xY9GvlysSrpOnB1CKMDwckHIGMaoe7REg/s1600/winston+mask+only.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkDK1MizvPD9tL_ZxBuY_xrDFtuEsXtzmYkxzNkylK4L2NgMEf1oDw5FEhfIIA4UHCyA8UJbHjBAkD6ORhV_U5Pl5HW8uDadfylqC6k1Sch5xY9GvlysSrpOnB1CKMDwckHIGMaoe7REg/s1600/winston+mask+only.png" height="320" width="243" /></a></div>
I do this so that I can use layer modes to paint more values and eventually color into the character. Again, this is a feature common to the majority of painting programs, and you'll see it in everything from concept art to comic books to industrial design. I've found on more than one occasion that if this silhouette doesn't read well, it means I need to fix the drawing before proceeding.<br />
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After that I start adding lights and darks, like so:<br />
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At this point, the drawing provides more than enough information for a 3D artist to build the character. All the details have been designed and clearly drawn and all the volumes have been indicated. I also added some toothy background texture to sell the drawing to interested parties. He can also be colored any which way with overlay or multiply layers, keeping everything nice and non-destructive. Word!<br />
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I intend to share some more info on the creation of digital art using Linux based software soon.<br />
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Also, I'm always available for commissions for a wide variety of subjects and media, so drop me a line and let's make some sweet art! Thanks!<br />
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David Lewis Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03426202390328885389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5955931206707077778.post-28988209128068478402012-11-23T21:40:00.001-07:002012-11-23T21:42:49.787-07:00Notes from the Book of Work-DoodlesSketchbooks save minds. A quick dash in the sketchbook can help keep you sharp on days that you can't devote a lot of time to finished pieces. Its also a great opportunity to work out some design problems, wrestle with difficult subjects, and prepare for executing fully-informed larger pieces.<br />
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Sketchbooks defy sacredness. Sketchbooks should be foul, nasty, scribbled/painted-in, bloody, imperfect spaces where your job is to experiment and screw up as much as possible. No blank sheet deserves the deference given to a blank canvas. A good tip for breaking ones' habit of fearing the blank page of the sketchbook: draw only in pen for a month, working as quickly as you can, and do it every day for that month. This will help you grow comfortable with screwing up, building the confidence to roll with mistakes. Ink may be unforgiving in its permanence, but your design mind will find ways around even the worst screw-ups if you let it.<br />
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I thought I would post a few sketchbook drawings here with the hope that other folks making art in the gaming world would be willing to share some highlights of theirs as well.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX2otSAbivRkowmyPSxdJk3vwN7VN4kxuWggZ3_z7XelJ2LmZZ0EC9hVh2P3qBeAQl6qYvjMAXO4cFcYnDLPoP1cKvHo0aYRqY8DiipxvOTz87MaDNW_L4V9qCn9kfcFw26tlXET8X5Y0/s1600/beastmaster.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX2otSAbivRkowmyPSxdJk3vwN7VN4kxuWggZ3_z7XelJ2LmZZ0EC9hVh2P3qBeAQl6qYvjMAXO4cFcYnDLPoP1cKvHo0aYRqY8DiipxvOTz87MaDNW_L4V9qCn9kfcFw26tlXET8X5Y0/s1600/beastmaster.png" height="242" width="320" /></a></div>
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This is a sketch I made on some downtime at work for Robert Parker's adaptation of the <a href="http://roguesandreavers.blogspot.com/2012/11/the-beast-master-ll-class.html">Beastmaster class</a> for his game world, Krul. The following sketch came from the shape of my boss's nose, and from there I imagined a space-faring religious zealot. I think the vacant/reverent look captures the idea pretty well for a sketchbook entry.<br />
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Also, I like to throw in some acid-tinged idea collages together with some watercolor and ink, like this:<br />
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I like bug people - here's a digital mash-up of three bug dudes from the sketchbook that I drew in the same afternoon using a Pilot V-5, a white China Marker, and some saliva:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Mj3Jlgvi-N_klwb2RoeCgIlcIyrxefwoEh3wdXA4uk0KIAIPg8iK-hynoTIUWBC9xff0fTtTsq1fd9umaKb0GomfvjLd1Glg-IEiOkOhWuhTDp9ucFJZUoHuZBJK-bcudd1sLVaUlnc/s1600/bugpeople.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Mj3Jlgvi-N_klwb2RoeCgIlcIyrxefwoEh3wdXA4uk0KIAIPg8iK-hynoTIUWBC9xff0fTtTsq1fd9umaKb0GomfvjLd1Glg-IEiOkOhWuhTDp9ucFJZUoHuZBJK-bcudd1sLVaUlnc/s1600/bugpeople.png" height="196" width="320" /></a></div>
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I also like to keep it pastoral, in this case using the same tools as with the bug people:<br />
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Some sketches demand more time, some only a few minutes. Every one of these has mistakes throughout, but the sketches still come out all right, and more often than not I end up learning something or plotting a better way to draw something in the future. If you have some pieces to share from your sketchbook or happen to know someone who does, let me know! Dig.David Lewis Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03426202390328885389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5955931206707077778.post-41257481590584379622012-10-15T13:08:00.001-06:002012-10-15T13:08:23.011-06:00Open Source Solutions and a Couple TutorialsAll hail! I've been working hard lately on a number of freelance projects as well as making headway for the <a href="http://letscreateagame.com/">Arcane Knights</a> video game. All my output for these projects is executed in open source software, and I am but one of a growing crowd of artists choosing this path as opposed to using proprietary programs. I would like to speak briefly about my work flow for a typical project and what would be analogs in the proprietary world.<br />
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For most illustrations I start out by using <a href="http://mypaint.intilinux.com/">MyPaint</a>, which is somewhat equivalent to Autodesk's Sketchbook Pro or Corel's Painter. For a lot of digital artists, the process begins and ends with Photoshop, which is an admittedly badass program, but I prefer MyPaint for its highly flexible brush engine and <b>infinite canvas</b>. It supports decent layer functions, outputs to a growing variety of formats (.png - solid and alpha, .jpg, .tiff, .bmp, and the powerful .ora), and eliminates distractions from the task at hand - creating. The hotkey system is a cinch, customizable, and can be assigned to buttons on your Wacom tablet or a number of supported off-brand tablets. Needless to say, I rely on this smooth program as my primary.<br />
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For image editing, I will bounce my paintings into the <a href="http://www.gimp.org/">GIMP</a>. Thousands of folks have posted useful blog entries about various flavors of the GIMP in the past, so I don't intend to speak too much here. Its the Photoshop equivalent in the open source world, and it stands out more and more as newer versions of P-shop slowly remove various functionalities that were once assumed to be universal and basic components. Moreover, you can <a href="http://registry.gimp.org/taxonomy/term/797">download a plug-in for GIMP</a> to support the .ora format native to MyPaint, which is HUGE in terms of manipulating heavily layered paintings generated in other open source programs in a standardized format.<br />
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Third, I use <a href="http://inkscape.org/">Inkscape</a> for my vector work. Tracing raster images, building clean and/or complex layouts and logos, or designing and outputting web graphics are the key tasks for which I deploy Inkscape the most. It has a little way to go before it catches up to Adobe Illustrator, but it supports layers, swatches, channels, tight node editing, and so forth - and it plays well with tablets to boot. You can output to darn near any file type imaginable, including a lot that I've never heard of, and I've had considerable success importing .ill files from Illustrator!<br />
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If you have any suggestions or ideas on 2D work flow in open source software, feel free to email me or comment below. Meanwhile, I've assembled a two-part tutorial on Youtube detailing some speed painting and rendering techniques, please check them out! Audio was recorded using <a href="http://audacity.sourceforge.net/">Audacity</a> and video was recorded using <a href="http://recordmydesktop.sourceforge.net/about.php">RecordMyDesktop</a> and edited with <a href="http://www.openshotvideo.com/">OpenShot</a>. Cheers!<br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y23VPGkiarA&feature=g-upl"><br /></a>
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y23VPGkiarA&feature=g-upl">Speed Painting Demo - Part 1</a><br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6YQt6f_V4w&feature=g-upl">Speed Painting Demo - Part 2</a>David Lewis Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03426202390328885389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5955931206707077778.post-27744286977312569652012-09-10T17:17:00.000-06:002012-09-10T17:18:49.321-06:00Like So Many Monks Ablaze . . . As a long-time participant in and recent refugee from the rock scene here in the Northwest, I sit in a unique position to be able to make artwork for a number of my friends' various musical projects. Of particular interest here in Missoula is the band Monks On Fire. They won the local college radio show competition and as a result get free recording time to finish up their second 7". I am working on completing the album art for both recordings as well as a number of other, more hushed projects for these gnarly dudes, but for now I would like to showcase the poster and sticker art I've made for them in the last couple of months.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieKJs3jrz5cY9C6DUMMcMxpxJdhLX_DypZ1U8uSUu33pITlb2sBi_0uo-ftOd62kePcy6_te2u73nvnxT6gbYsPRYD3tViTs8aBzyFXKVWTZj3FBwmjPfojepXHQHsrYsmkPryx_P-608/s1600/Monks+on+Fire+show+flyer.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieKJs3jrz5cY9C6DUMMcMxpxJdhLX_DypZ1U8uSUu33pITlb2sBi_0uo-ftOd62kePcy6_te2u73nvnxT6gbYsPRYD3tViTs8aBzyFXKVWTZj3FBwmjPfojepXHQHsrYsmkPryx_P-608/s320/Monks+on+Fire+show+flyer.png" width="178" /></a></div>
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Being the first poster I made for the Monks, this was a blast to design as well as an enjoyable bit of exploratory illustration. Prog rock's longstanding love affair with fantasy art made this an obvious match, and the Monks' bombastic drummer, Dylan, who commissioned the art, pretty much let me have free reign. After constructing the basic scene I used a little force perspective (read: took liberty) to get the assassin leaping down from the ceiling. I don't always use warm colors up front and cool receding, as it sometimes doesn't make sense depending on environment, but I felt the reds and purples put the assassin right where he needed to be when I squinted my eyes. I also kept the drafting lines a little loose, allowing some of my 'inking' to show - a practice I rarely use in digital paintings, but one which seems to function well for simplifying figurative work.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyRpuK0SGai8ccPgJHdNWOwhB_6Kqetoju-naX198Q2Rpn62z3lWpZh2xju9clqaBF5eKGH-Ji5xh-bwG5gKMm9inW71-aozGyz_PH4YLJrpEceVJ1QVU4aKgE6TTvZze2j7bfXGPb_i4/s1600/mof+modality+flyer+art.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyRpuK0SGai8ccPgJHdNWOwhB_6Kqetoju-naX198Q2Rpn62z3lWpZh2xju9clqaBF5eKGH-Ji5xh-bwG5gKMm9inW71-aozGyz_PH4YLJrpEceVJ1QVU4aKgE6TTvZze2j7bfXGPb_i4/s320/mof+modality+flyer+art.png" width="208" /></a></div>
This piece was done for the end of August, when MOF played with another proggy, keyboard-laden post-rockish band called <a href="http://modality.bandcamp.com/">Modality </a>(they kill it, three times over). The idea was to contrast the Monks theme with technofuturism. The result was a meditating colossus of fiberoptic cables, laser beams, and (of course) a human skull. I kept the base painting abstract, with patches of light to hint at searchlights in the night sky. Also, the ink lines were made most prominent, gestural, and simple. I dig pursuing a cartoonish feel now and again, and Dylan appreciated it as well.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP2Hgj5aHTSpF_bXd9bF0UOoScf6NRS1hybzctNwheVc3lIXQY_6Rr7JRY4hKOlHQCfU8bUxuXzN28WsS-eEOjEl9AJFT9RGXtLg3sRVGrSd6sF3hdSmE5PgJ-3o06aHXE-DYEvoGsqBU/s1600/MOF+sticker+with+white+bkg.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="147" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP2Hgj5aHTSpF_bXd9bF0UOoScf6NRS1hybzctNwheVc3lIXQY_6Rr7JRY4hKOlHQCfU8bUxuXzN28WsS-eEOjEl9AJFT9RGXtLg3sRVGrSd6sF3hdSmE5PgJ-3o06aHXE-DYEvoGsqBU/s320/MOF+sticker+with+white+bkg.png" width="320" /></a></div>
I love drawing predators. I love drawing women. And I always enjoy the opportunity to render in black and white. This piece speaks for itself and will make for a wonderful sticker when they get back from the printer. I can't wait to put one on my laptop!<br />
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Monks On Fire have an upcoming show with a band called Reptillian Shapeshifter, so this image practically drew itself. Hazy atmospheric lighting, mountain lake background, and the dead tree add up to complete the intended menace of the lizard man's assault. I backed off the linework for this one, keeping a bit of the pencil work but mostly rendering with softer paint strokes using the round brush.<br />
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There are more Monks On Fire pieces scheduled to post this month, but before that I will post some about Arcane Knights and talk about process for the Zoetic Moon paintings for <a href="http://roguesandreavers.blogspot.com/2012/09/its-coming.html">The Savage World of Krül</a>, which were recently displayed over at <a href="http://roguesandreavers.blogspot.com/">Rogues and Reavers</a>. Thanks!<br />
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<br />David Lewis Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03426202390328885389noreply@blogger.com0