Best bot heads of 2024

My favorite robot sketches from 2024, think my next book will likely be Vol 2 of my sketchbook series, this time on robot heads.

Space Baroque Venrusi Forest 3

A sister piece to Venrusi Forest 2, this is kind of the reverse shot looking the other way, maybe a few hours closer to sunset. Playing more with a painterly style, really trying to push the color complexity in this one. 

PDF Bundle

For those of you who're interested in my 4 digital books in a bundle, added a package deal, you save almost $15 if you buy the set. Check it out here: https://artofsoulburn.gumroad.com/l/kufndh Maybe a good Christmas treat for yourself :)

Bot Heads

I live near Seattle, and the whole region got hit was a major storm last week, half a million people without power for days. Only upside for me was more time to sketch, but lets not do that again, 4 days without power or heat in the house was not fun. 

Thumbnailing Tutorial

For students learning concept art, this lesson discusses the purpose of thumbnailing, the different techniques you can use (silhouette, line, 3d, color and photos), and under what situation a certain kind of sketch might be more appropriate. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDEOUteE9g0

Venrusi Homeworld

Got super inspired by the stylized brushstrokes of the film "The Wild Robot", and so decided to do a brushy painting in my Space Baroque Universe. This shows a view of the Venrusi's lush forests, along with a monk enjoying a moment on the hill.

Color Sketches

Think it’s time to revive throwbackthursday. Here’s a bunch of color thumbnails I’ve made over the years, many of which led to more realistic paintings, but step 1 is always to try and capture the color / light / composition with as few distracting details as possible

Simple Compositions

Going back to those simplified environments, can I create compelling compositions from just a few fundamental shapes and strokes? Tons of fun to try!

Drink 'N Draw Doodles

Robot head doodle from last Saturday's Drink 'N Draw with the Workshop Academy in Seattle.

Final Online Sale

This is it, the final time copies of the Megastructures book (2nd printing) will be available for sale online (may do a third printing one day, but it will likely be several years). So if you want one, head over to my webstore and get it now! https://artofsoulburn.gumroad.com/

Drink N Draw

The Workshop Academy's Drink'nDraw in the Seattle area. As algorithms tweak our behavior online, & AI bots become indistinguishable from real users, we need to focus more on meaningful in-person community. I recommend, artists, find a local group you can connect with regularly! Thanks Josh for setting these up!

Starship Hulls PDF

For those of you who would love a copy of Starship Hulls book, but the international shipping is too high, or you just prefer digital, the pdf copy is now available for purchase from my gumroad store 

https://artofsoulburn.gumroad.com/l/ndqh 

LBX Sketches

Robot head doodles from Lightbox Expo. Usually have way more time to draw these between talking to people, but this LBX was just crowded beyond belief, so only had time to draw a couple the whole weekend.

Lightbox Expo 2024 done!

Had a great time at Lightbox Expo 2024, met so many great people, sold out of all the books I brought to the show, and now I am exhausted with a half working voice and hope to get some serious rest after tonight. Thanks to everyone who came by to say hi!

Lightbox Expo 2024

Final con of the year. And will have a bunch of copies of the Megastructure book + Bonus book for sale. If you're in the Los Angeles area this friday-sunday, come by and say hi!

All Megastructure Books Shipped!

Great news! The books arrived at the distributor, and as of yesterday have all shipped to customers! I'm so happy Megastructures was popular enough to warrant a second printing. Once the dust settles, I'll put any leftovers up on my store, and will notify people here

Landscape

Something a little more painterly, but still focusing on keeping it simple.

Eden Habitat 2

I know, I know, my goal this week was to paint more SIMPLE composition thumbnails. I'm not sure this one counts, the shapes are simple but there are sooo many of them :) Inspired by James Gilleard, Robh Ruppel and Syd Mead

 

Emerald City

Think I'm going to have some fun this week with simplified / stylized environment thumbnails. How much detail and depth can I create with simple shapes?

Security Robot

Seems this has been a kinda robot themed week, so I'll finish it out with a new rough painting of a security robot of some sort

Ship Jumper Robot Heads

A set of Giant Robot head design variations at various stages of completion for my Ship Jumper IP.

Doodles

Robot head doodles from saturday night's Drink 'n Draw with the Workshop Academy in Seattle

Concept Art Association's Gallery Show

Had the honor of getting some artwork in the Concept Art Association's Gallery Show in Seattle. The art is up for a month, so if you're in the area, here's the info: https://www.conceptartassociation.com/gallery-show-members24 A really good mix of concept art in terms of style and student vs professionals.

Crab Leg Bot

A quick robot doodle, love me the crab legged mechs.

Megastructure Postcards

With the impending arrival of the Megastructure books, I've started making the postcards for one of the Kickstarter reward tiers, each one hand written and unique. Should start mailing them in the next couple of weeks.

Rose City Comicon Sketches

Did a bunch of sketching at the Rose City Comicon this weekend, here's a couple of robot heads. 

Rose City Comicon 2024 complete!

Great time at this year's Rose City Comicon in Portland Oregon, met some cool people, sold some prints and books, and now it's time for some serious sleep :)

Rose City Comicon 2024 This Weekend

Just a reminder I have a table at this year's Rose City Comicon where I'll be selling and signing my spaceship sketchbook and megastructure fine art prints (no megastructure books, they won't arrive in time). Portland OR area this weekend? Come on by and say hi!

Course For The Workshop Academy

In collaboration with The Workshop Academy, I'm teaching a 6 class zoom workshop on creating Art Bibles. By the end of the course, each student will have their own art bible based on their own fictional world. Check it out, and happy to answer questions https://www.theworkshopacademy.net/

The Boat Has Left For New York!

Great news folk, the boat with the megastructures books has left the port. For those interested, follow this link to watch the cargo ship make it's journey to the USA, you can see where it's currently located here: https://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/details/ships/shipid:6779119/mmsi:563141200/imo:9789972/vessel:YM_TRUST

It should arrive in New York City by Oct 3rd. Then approx a week to get through customs. And then it'll be brought by truck to the distribution center in New Jersey which is only a few miles south. So if all goes well, your books will be in the mail mid to late October.

Looking forward to getting you the books!

Shipping Process

Some pics of the Megastructure / Starship Hulls book shipping process. Hope to see them on the boat very soon, then after a 1 month trip across the ocean, customer shipping will start!

Testudo Lead Ship 12 MK2 3D Print

A 3D print of one of my spaceship designs for the Testudo schmup game. Printed by my buddy Nathan using Stereolithography. The ship is approx 16cm long.