Dragon Ball - Thirty Years

A simple piece I did to celebrate the thirtieth anniversary of Dragon Ball on November 20th. A changing of the guard of sorts between two versions of Son Goku - the most recent (as of 2014) Super Saiya-jin God Goku and the original.

Nothing has been more dear to me or more important in shaping who I am than Dragon Ball. It sounds silly to say that about something as trivial as a manga/anime. If you know me, you know that it's true. Dragon Ball has been a part of my life for decades and it continues to inspire and entertain me to this day.

Here's to another thirty years!

Station Zero Mega Post: Final+Process

Here is my piece for Light Grey Art Lab's Station Zero show opening tomorrow (July 19).

You can check out the rest pieces featured in the show here and buy prints here. Be sure to stop by for the opening tomorrow night from 7pm to 10pm. Directions to the gallery are here.

Below the cut are some details on my process/thinking for those who are interested.

I found a fantastic database of nearly every original Perry Rhodan cover to date. I've included the first four above, but you should check out more of them here.

Beyond the story itself, these original covers, along with the Perry Rhodan movie, serve as my main inspiration for my Station Zero illustration.

After playing around with a few different ideas, I decided to use the original cover's design (the bottom rectangle, and square corner logo) as a design template. I'm barely a passable graphic designer on my best days and this layout keeps the design simple, bold, and out of the way of the illustration.

I am an illustrator, or rather a drawer, by heart. Though this often requires me to where a graphic design hat, it isn't my interest or main skill set. There is a time and place for experimentation, but it isn't when performance is expected (like a gallery show). Unfortunately, I have made that mistake before. This time I am playing to my strengths.

Plus, I'm a sucker for squares/boxes and I think it would be a missed opportunity not to pay homage to these covers.

Perry Rhodan Reading Project

I finished reading my book for Light Grey Art Lab's Station Zero show about a month ago. I was going to do my own write-up, but found this great blog I will share instead.

The author is in the process of reading and dissecting each Perry Rhodan story, starting at the beginning. I found his reactions to be perfect. The blog is a great introduction if you're curious about the Perry Rhodan series.

Each write up is accompanied by the domestic (US) and original German cover art and includes a story summary and reflection. Below are links to the two stories included in the domestic (US) translation I read for Station Zero.

Enterprise Stardust and The Third Power

Be sure to check them out!

Perry Rhodan: Mission Stardust. The movie adaption of the book I was assigned for Light Grey Art Lab's #stationzero art show.

#stationzero features reimagined illustrations of retro science fiction book covers by various contemporary artists.Read press release for the original call for art here (note: the call is now over).

Stay tuned as I'll be posting my process and my thoughts on both the book and movie over the next month or so.

Back cover of my book for @lightgreyartlab #stationzero show.

Just finished reading my book for @lightgreyartlab #stationzero show.

Dragonball Panel Coolness #2 Spectacular composition on this one. The shattered dinosaur crest adds that extra "oomph" or as the English translator describes "BWAK" :p Bulma and the landscape below are detail-icing on the cake.

Dragonball Panel Coolness #001 I've been flipping through Dragonball volumes while doing some sketch cards and thought I'd toss up some awesome panels/pages every day or so, because I'm always looking for an excuse to revisit my favorite series Bulma's expression and the slight turn of the hand are masterfully subtle. Great example of Toriyama's range and skill beyond over the top humor/action.

Dragonball Sketch Card: Bulma #3 One of the more iconic Bulma outfits. Hilarity ensued.

Dragonball Sketch Card: Yamcha "Roga Fufu Ken!" Playing some more with grey tones. I left the pencil this time instead of inking the lines. I like the result better than the last card. I always liked Yamcha even if he sucked most of the time. His fight with Tenshinha at the 22nd Tenkaichi Budokai is still one of my favorite Dragonball moments. Great pre-"energy beams every second" fight.

The return of Dragonball sketch cards! Decided to get back into doing these exercises.

I experimented with some new pens. The grey tones don’t seem to like the black. I’m going to try something a little different next card.