Alina Nova - Space Bounty Hunter "Preview"

Alina Nova - Space Bounty Hunter

 I'm working on a new Science Fiction themed painting that will ultimately be set forth on my Portfolios in my Book Illustrations section. I have a ways to go yet and this one will take me quite a bit of time but it's for my Portfolio and I want to display my abilities of strength in detail and of quality because that's the way I like to do it.
 I have named her, the Character, "Alina Nova", I don't know I like the sound of it. "Alina" just sounds like a great heroine first name and "Nova", well I borrowed that one from the 1968 film "Planet of the Apes", in that film their's a female actress named Caroline Munro and she plays the role of... that's right, you guessed it, "Nova".

 I really love those films, they are Classics, you now? And I grew up watching them. So that name fits I thought as an homage, why not? Anyway here is a preview of the work so far. It is shown in small size screenshots but you will have a chance to see it in very large detail when it is finished.
 I gathered a culmination of ideas and references from various favorite TV shows, films, etc. Picked a few characteristics out here and there and started piecing it together before I started painting. I like to gather as much reference as I can first before begin my projects.

Now there's plenty more to be done yet so it will look a little different. A lot better. I might change some things?

 Here's the first preview;

Some screenshots of the reference images I'm using. And I'm not copying from them slavishly but merely taking some traits I like and adding a bit of my flavor to the painting as a whole.

Here are those reference images.

This one is what got me sparked in the first place, great art, I'm not sure of whether or not it's a good read or not? Because I haven't read it yet. Looks interesting enough, I love these TPB's kind of novels in the Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror categories.

Next up is "The Pose" I chose. I changed it slightly different though but again just adding my own flavor. And all of these that you see here are the same size I'm using for reference.

I was trolling around on Google images and found this face though I'm not sure who it is? Whether she is a Model or Actress?

which I'm not sure if this look will stick? I might go with this one instead? Just the face.

Because I am infatuated with Caroline M. Well what guy in his right mind isn't?

And so far here is a close up shot of some detail of her waist section showing off her Blaster holster, utility belt, buckle and pocket zipper. Now keep in mind these are just roughs so far and soon I will start to add the details in and it will come together nicely.

Stay tuned for another "somewhat"...LoL exciting adventure of Alina Nova! The Space Bounty Hunter!

When? I don't know? In a couple of days maybe. See you then.

to be continued...

ICv2 - Mad Monster Mash Art of David Hartman

ICv2 - Mad Monster Mash Art of David Hartman

Please, can anyone help me find this book? I would like to get it but so far all I have been able to scarf up is one on amazon for almost $400! Now there ain't no way I'm gonna pay that man. So if you have one in any condition or have seen one please tip a brutha and let me know? Because I would do the same for you. Thanks.

Wheeeeeew! I know I've been away for far too long, right?! Well tonight I'd like to share a book that I've been buried in for the past week.  It's about a very talented artist that you should all know and his name is Basil Gogos. You ever wondered who was painting the covers of Famous Monsters of Filmland? CREEPY? EERIE? SPACEMAN? WILDEST WESTURNS? and THE SPIRIT? Well now you know. The book is titled and rightfully so, "Famous Monster Movie Art of Basil Gogos"
And here is a picture of it here...

God I love this book, If you get a chance grab one because they are going so fast and the prices are skyrocketing! I was fortunate to pick one up for under $30.
It is loaded with awesome photos of his works and tells a lot about him and his life. Interesting book and not only for the Monster Movie Aficionado but for anyone. It's introduced by Rob Zombie which happens to be one of my favorite bands and his movies are great.
 Anyway I am inspired by Basil hugely and I find myself wanting to paint with a plethora of colors saturating the canvas with contrasting tones each time I paint.
 Could it be because I'm reading his books a little too much lately and I'm dreaming in technicolor as a result? Maybe?

 Hi, everyone! Welcome to MerchAtttacks! I usually blog from my Facebook page but for now on I decided to announce and run things from this Blog instead since it being my main page for my new brand enterprise n' all. Please gimme love people and let me know what you think, I need your feedback. I'm beginning from page one so... stick around cause we're going to kick things up a bit.
  I'm really excited about what's to come in the following months. MerchAttacks is my Store Brand name for selling merch that spewed from my fiendish thoughts inside this dungeonish cage I call a head.

 And... what exactly is MerchAttacks all about you ask? I'm glad you did. As I move forward in this competitive and highly personal gratifying venture as an artist & designer I am constantly looking for that, "Wow! Hey look, that actually looks really kool" moments in life. You know, one of those "Eureka!" moments.
 Well, to get back on track I have two blogs one for my art & design studio, "Which I am currently running without a name" and the other my store brand name which is obvious, "MerchAttacks!" she is solely there as an outlet for selling my art I create, sending art to printers, and finally stocking the cyber shelves in my stores online and hopefully it all will perpetually happen in that order again and again.

 While I do plan on making revenue, I have no intentions or delusions of grandeur of striking it rich I simply would like to make fantastic things for myself and for you to wear, hang on your walls, etc.
 That being said I don't plan to charge outrageous prices and i plan on documenting it all here on MerchAttacks! I want to keep you in-the-know constantly by showing you what I'm up to.

 The emphasis or influences that drive my creative madness is: pop culture, pulp fiction, horror, sci-fi & fantasy, cartoons, comics, kustom kulture, lowbrow, exploitation, B-movies, grindhouse, basically MOVIE oriented themes because movies are a huge inspiration and motivator for me.
 I freelance from a small studio that has help from family and a few friends from time to time with big ambitions of creating clothing, paintings, accessaries, anything kustom made for myself and the world to enjoy.

 I've got a lot of posting to do since I've got an overloaded hard drive that's chock full of stuff saved over the years and new things I'm constantly adding to it. I also want to post sketches, inks, colors, and final versions of ideas, designs, and other things so if you can please let me know what you think I'd appreciate it.
 So... for starters it's time to smack this post up with some of my new logo designs, banners, and business card ideas I have brewin'. Here's one I've been playin' with and I just finished it today

I kinda' like it better than the first one I had up, here's a shot of it here

Probably reminds you of a few science fiction movies you may have seen, right? Good... that's what I was shooting for. A lot of what I do is inspired by movies and not just sci-fi all genres fuel my fire. Well that's it for now, more tomorrow.

Stay tuned for updates of the next design I'm working on. This will be the very first one to grace this page since I just started it. Also I'm going to be showing how I made it so I'll post some pics of the process too. Oh btw this blog, "Merch Attacks!" is the main website, "the mothership so to speak" where anything and everything you will see in the future gets sent to this online store. MERCH ATTACKS!

I had these printed a while back in January of 2012 by MerchSpin, they're located in FL, are very receptive, plus do a kick ass job on the print quality, check 'em out if you are going to have something printed soon. I started and finished with the designs in December 2011 so they are fairly new. 
Stick around, see works in process, show off some really awesome threads, and help spread the word!