The art and musings of Arizona artist Jeff Curtis otherwise known and loved throughout the world as JEPHYR!
Copyright Notice
All images, photos, and video excluding advertising and google generated content, or unless otherwise labeled, areCopyright Jephyr (Jeff Curtis). All Rights Reserved.
These images are not in the public domain. Contact me for licensing terms and pricing.
Unauthorized or unlicensed use for all commercial and personal applications is prohibited.
As mentioned in my last post, I feel a recharged after taking some time off over the last couple of months from drawing / painting every day.
And since the governor of my state has relaxed his Covid-19 'stay at home order' - I've FINALLY been able to get out to do some drawing as well.
Today, I put the finishing touches on the pastel pencil attached below at a local coffee house — and it's felt good after several weeks to be looking at something besides my same ol' walls.
Not to say that I haven't been getting out at all.
In fact, since the first of the year I've been walking almost every day — and thankfully our governor declared that exercise was an 'essential' activity.
So I've been able to continue walking around my neighborhood and having a few 'social-distancing' appropriate conversations with other walkers — which as been really nice.
Still, it's been great to be able to go to a coffee houses or restaurants in just the last week or so — and sit and do some work outside mi casa for a change.
Anywho — I was looking for something to draw — and came across an old pastel pencil of the little birdy that I had started LONG ago — and decided to finally get around to finishing it today.
I used an awesome photo as a reference — so a big thank you to that photographer!
Pastel Pencil Birdy Photo Study - Copyright 2020 - Jephyr! - All Rights Reserved
Pastel Pencil Drawing And Its Original Sketch Concept
Today, I'll share a pastel pencil cartoon I did using a "new" sketchbook that is larger and has a paper with more tooth than the type I've been using for quite a while.
I'd actually purchased the large sketchbook years ago when I was taking art classes, but just hadn't ever used it before for some reason.
Jerry Employs The Ol' Footwedge - Copyright 2019 - Jephyr! - All Rights Reserved
^ ^ ^ After I sketched the original character concept for this one in my usual sketchbook, I decided I wanted to have more space to work in to add the background etc—so I dug around and found the larger sketchbook which is 14 x 17 inches.
My normsl "go-to" sketchbook has very smooth paper and is 11 x 14 inches—while this large one's paper is textured with way more "tooth."
I'm really happy I tried this one out because the paper works a lot better with the pastel pencils I use.
Below you'll find the original sketch—which I redrew in the larger sketchbook, colored, and added an appropriate golf course background.
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BTW—If you're a golfer you'll no doubt get this one's title:
"Jerry Employs The Ol' Footwedge."
If not, here's my brief explanation.
When
I was young my dad was an AVID golfer and I took it up just to be
around him. He used to tell me to use the "footwedge" when I was
learning—which meant moving the golf ball to a better position for your
next shot. It's not proper etiquette once you've learned the game—but I was a just a kid, ya know. ☺
Hope you're doing well today. I've had a great couple of days myself and am happy to be able to post some more new artwork.
Most of the images you'll find below are from my sketchbook—but one is a digital-piece I created for my Awesome-Stuff Blog.
Anywho—let's get to it.
: )
'Any Old Cats Down There?' - Copyright 2019 - Jephyr - All Rights Reserved
^ ^ ^ I'm kinda tired of all the "dark" artwork that people are doing these
days and admit that I'm as guilty as anyone of following that trend.
So I'm trying to change that in my own efforts recently and have been doing more
cartoony character designs—along with more complete figures and
backgrounds.
As I wrote in my last post—recently I've been praying again too as I start some of my new drawings—asking God to help me create some light-hearted images that reflect His Light—and did just that before beginning this one.
In the end—while it took some time to get to the final look of this timid little guy exploring a scary cave—once I did the background elements practically drew themselves.
: )
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BTW—the title of this sketch is based on a fantastic painting by professional illustrator Jeff Preston of Excalibur Studio, in Nashville, Tennessee.
His painting called—'Any Old Tramps Down There?'—caricatures Don Knotts from the movie, The Ghost And Mr Chicken, and I was more than a little inspired by his awesome piece as I drew this one.
: )
Painting: Jeff Preston - 'Any Old Tramps Down There?' (left) — with scenes from the movie 'The Ghost And Mr Chicken'
Also it turns out that in addition to being a celebrated illustrator and
award winning artist—he does Christian themed paintings as well.
Here's a video I found about Preston:
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'Chef Pierre' - Copyright 2019 - Jephyr - All Rights Reserved
^ ^ ^ It took me a while to get this drawing happening too.
I'd prayed about it just before beginning this as well—but sat and sketched and scribble and erased ideas for a LONG while.
So, I took a break and when I came back to it with a clear head—I began to "see" our chef friend in my scribbles and became more happy with this sketch as I went along.
--------------------------
BTW—while I worked on this one—I was sitting in a restaurant after a meal and it sparked several conversations with my waitress and people around me.
One woman asked, "Which Chef is that?"
I tapped my forehead and said, "The one up here," and she and her companions laughed.
: )
'Baddy' - Copyright 2019 - Jephyr - All Rights Reserved
^ ^ ^ In the last few days I went looking for a copyright free image to use as an illustration for a post about some stupid criminals for my AwesomeStuff blog:
I found a cool looking cartoon criminal dood I wanted to use—and went snooping around the site to find the usage rights info.
I looked around for a bit—and began to feel frustrated that I couldn't find it.
Suddenly I thought—wait a dern second, Betsy—I'm a dang artiste' and can make my own!
: )
Quicker than you can say 'Bob's yer uncle'—I had digitally painted the baddy above.
This image also makes the first time I used "color flatting" for the greyscale values—and extensively "locking transparent pixels" on those layers—and I'm looking forward to doing a lot more of that with future digital paintings.
It really speeds up the process, for sure.
'TWEET' - Copyright 2019 - Jephyr - All Rights Reserved
^ ^ ^ Just a silly cartoony boid I enjoyed creating after another quick prayer.
The late Disney "story-board" artist and children's book author and illustrator Bill Peet is one of my influences—and I looked to his illustrations from his charming auto-biography for inspiration for some of the background elements in this one.
'The One That Got Away' - Copyright 2019 - Jephyr - All Rights Reserved
^ ^ ^ This one was a lot of fun to create—but a royal pain too—because it took a long time to work everything out in it.
Also it may seem a little "dark"—but once you spot the little guy in the fishing boat to the left—you may see some of the humor in it as well.
So another year is drawing to a close. Unbelievable!
I hope you have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year—and that you are surrounded by people who love ya!
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I just finished scanning some of my latest character concepts from my sketchbook and wanted to share them here with you.
They're in no particular order from the last month or so.
I-Rodney - Copyright 2018 - Jephyr - All Rights Reserved
^ ^ ^ I went to a Pizza joint one afternoon for a bite and had fun sketching this after a slice.
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As I've written here before—I use a scribble method to start a LOT of my drawings.
That means I just lightly scribble random squiggles on the page—erase some lines—add a few more until I start to "see" a face or shape jump out at me.
I try not to guide too much whatever happens during that initial process—and I'm often surprised and entertained by the characters that emerge.
Cliff - Copyright 2018 - Jephyr - All Rights Reserved
^ ^ ^ Early one morning—I went out to a Greasy Spoon that's open 24 hours to have some breakfast and sketch afterwards.
I had the place to myself for a while—but after eating—when I started to sketch—the tables around me started to fill up with "regulars."
Even though "Cliff" looks like he's not one of the good guys—he sparked an enjoyable conversation with a couple seated near me.
Prince Nadda - Copyright 2018 - Jephyr - All Rights Reserved
^ ^ ^ Of course this sketch started out as a just scribble one morning at a coffee shop—and this alien/other-worldly guy, with the regal, far-away look in his eyes "appeared" on the page.
I wanted to put him in some kind of background—and his expression combined with some left-over lines from my original scribbles led me to put him on that throne.
Even though this Prince Nadda looks a bit scary—I like his "look" and had fun creating him.
(PS: Nada in Spanish means nothing)
Arnold Horse-Neigh-Grrr - Copyright 2018 - Jephyr - All Rights Reserved
^ ^ ^ I'm working on a digital painting with a horse featured in it.
Although that one looks more realistic—I drew this horse caricature one day after I'd put in some time working on that painting.
Later—after I added this SUPER muscular body—I decided to call him: Arnold Horse-Neigh-Grrr—after the former Gov-ah-nate-ah of Cal-ee-forn-yah.
: )
Billy - Der Vunder Bison - Copyright 2018 - Jephyr - All Rights Reserved
^ ^ ^ If you've ever read history about the early US west—you'll know MASSIVE herds Buffalo filled the plains—but in a short period of time they were almost completely wiped out.
Billy - Der Vunder Bison's forlorn look might be a result of looking for romance—but not being able to find a Lady Love.
: )
Liz - Copyright 2018 - Jephyr - All Rights Reserved
^ ^ ^ When I lived in L.A. I saw elderly women in Hollywood who looked like they'd moved there when they were young in hopes of becoming a movie star—but time and opportunity had passed them by—yet they still clung on to the youthful "look" and styles of those long gone days.
I think my sketch of Liz comes from that place in my mind.
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The next two drawing are the last I'll share today—and don't really have a story attached to them.
Otto - Copyright 2018 - Jephyr - All Rights Reserved
Harv - Copyright 2018 - Jephyr - All Rights Reserved
I have tons of new work to show and am looking forward to posting some of that soon.
I also just updated my website's "Digital Art Links" — so you can easily see a lot of my digital paintings there as well as links to other media I work with.
Today — I'll share a new digital painting* I've been working on.
I posted the original idea I had for it LONG ago (2013) which I'll include under the final image here.
As you'll see if you compare the two — the main difference is that the character in the final piece "lost his wings." ; )
Anyway I put the final touches on it today.
I'm calling this one: "Da Boid."
: )
(click on the images to see them larger)
Da Boid - Copyright 2018 - Jephyr - All Rights Reserved
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And here's the original sketch.
I used a photo "filter" on the scan which gave it the grainy-swirly lines and look — and incorporated that into the digital painting.
Da Boid (original sketch with filter) - Copyright 2018 - Jephyr - All Rights Reserved
Thanks for stopping by! See you again soon!
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See other Jephyr! digital paintings—as well as links to other artwork at jephyr.com.
------------------------------------ * Painting digitally using a computer is much like painting or drawing in the "real-world" using oil, acrylic, charcoal, graphite, etc.
It requires computer painting software and a tablet interface — and those tools imitate paint, brushes, charcoal sticks, pens, pencils and so on.
I use the Wacom Intuos Tablet Interface which I've had for years and LOVE it!! ~
One advantage of using a computer is that there are no brushes to clean, no pastel or charcoal dust, no solvents or dangerous fumes etc — and revisions and edits are easy to make.
Another big advantage is that after the initial cost of the computer, software, and tablet — there are no paints, brushes, pens, paper, canvases, and so on, to buy.
I still love working with all kinds of media though — and am working at completing an oil painting right now.
Thought I'd share a new group of pencil sketches from my sketchbook
Theophilous - Copyright - 2017 - Jephyr - All Rights Reserved
^ ^ ^ I originally created the good looking dood above one night while drawing with a friend.
I really liked his look and the next day went to put some finishing touches on him and blewy'd my coffee all over the page.
: )
Since I liked his design so much I decided to just re-draw him all clean and purty-like above.
Here's a look at the coffee stained version. : P
Theophilous (Coffee Blewy) - Copyright - 2017 - Jephyr - All Rights Reserved
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Until I rejoined the Concept Art Forum I hadn't been doing many figures—just mostly wacky portraits of original characters—and also people and animals.
Someone pointed that out on CA—and so I've gotten to work doing more figures.
Bonesman - Copyright - 2017 - Jephyr - All Rights Reserved
^ ^ ^ I drew this long and lean dood one day and as I was finishing him up I added the bone in his hand—and then the words across the top.
This doesn't happen often—but suddenly a back-story filled my mind: He was an ordinary guy in the post diluvian world. One day he happened upon some LARGE humanoid bones that he thought either belonged to an alien, demigod or nephilim.
The story will eventually reveal that the bones are indeed from ALL three—but I don't want to give away all those details just yet.
When he picked up a bone he discovered that it was infused with powers that allowed him super-human strength, the ability to fly—and magically to transport himself across vast distances in a moment—among others.
In essence—he becomes a superhero through possessing and handling them.
The bones—which he kept and hid away—also give him long life—and so he found himself outliving many generations until he finds himself in the present day.
(I also like the "Bonesman" connection to the secret society—Skull and Bones—that so many of our politicians and business shakers belong to)
I wanted to post this story here—both to share it—but also remind myself about it so I won't forget my ideas so far.
In addition I want to lay claim to it before anyone else thinks of it—and this serves as my first copyright notice about the "Bonesman" tale.
"Timmy" - Copyright - 2017 - Jephyr - All Rights Reserved
^ ^ ^ I finished this big ole brute last year—but don't think I've ever posted this final version—so will with this group of sketches.
His name is "Timmy." : )
"Giddyup" - Copyright - 2017 - Jephyr - All Rights Reserved
^ ^ ^ The sketch above started out LONG ago too. I liked the original idea but was unhappy with some of it.
So I decided to re-draw it and just finished the pic above in the last day or so.
Originally it had a "cowboy, bull-rider" type guy on the back—and as I thought about it one day—the image of a beautiful woman riding it and having the time of her life—popped into my head.
It definitely "lightened" the mood of the pic and I'm pretty happy over-all with the way this one turned out.
"Kharztan" - Copyright - 2017 - Jephyr - All Rights Reserved
^ ^ ^ So in spite of what I said about portraits above—I still love creating them.
I noticed this older one from last fall in my sketchbook recently—and just put some final touches on him so I could share him today.
It just occurred to me too—that he and many other characters I've created could wind up in the Bonesman" story.
"The Meeting" - Copyright - 2017 - Jephyr - All Rights Reserved
^ ^ ^ I'm not completely satisfied with the one above—but there are some elements about it I liked—so I'll go ahead and share it.
As I wrote in my last post here—I'm trying to infuse my art with "story"—so that looking at a single image will evoke the viewer to see more than just the picture itself.
If you've seen much of my other work—you'll know I also try to put a bit a humor in many images—and for me this does both.
Thought I'd share one of those recent images—a photo study of an Eagle that I started yesterday and finished today.
Although I've used pastel sticks before—the pastel pencils have proved to be a bit more challenging to use. In fact, I used some of my regular pastel sticks to
finish this piece off—in part because I was finding it very difficult to
get the whites "bright" enough.
I've been sketching a lot recently and having a good time doing it.
Also—this election season is causing my mind to turn on all things political.
So I thought I'd take a stab at some cartooning that pokes fun at all the corruption and scandals that are plaguing Hillary Clinton's White House bid.
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Between the Veritas Project tapes which revealed Hillary's campaign is behind the bullying and violence against Trump supporters—to the landslide of WikiLeak's email showing the depths of the Democrat National Commitee's efforts to subvert the presidential election—and Hillary's corruption with the Clinton Foundation—all while making insane illegal and unethical profits while the United States Secretary of State—there's plenty to take aim at.
"Meanwhile At The DNC" - Pencil - Copyright 2016 - Jephyr!
Exposed by email and audio and video tape—Hillary and the people surrounding her are mostly coming across like a bunch of ignoramus and incompetent traitors to the American people.
This
is fortunate for the American people—because they've left such an
obvious trail of deceit and destruction—that only the very ill-informed
or desperately partisan would vote for this vile woman.
Yet
the media keeps broadcasting their fraudulent polls showing Hillary
with a decided advantage over Trump—aided by their daily lie filled news
reports.
No wonder people are beginning to believe that the elections in this country are rigged.
It's
quite shameless to now hear Hillary and her campaign accusing Trump of
negative treatment of women—and then remember her attacks against Bill's
many victims—that she called them Bimbos and set out to destroy their
reputations.
So much for her claims of being for women. : P
Not
to even mention her legal defense of a pedophile who raped a 12 year
old girl—and a subsequent audio tape of Hillary laughing about it.
Unfortunately there are still too many people duped by her and the complicitous media.
"The only reason they'd bring Sanders back in — is if Hillary can't hack it. " — Chad
"Hillary Can't Hack It" - pencil - Copyright 2016 - Jephyr!
This last cartoon is the "half" mentioned in this blog post's title.
Only the caption is politically related—and the drawing is just one of the super exaggerated figures I like to draw.
So—what about the caption?:
While my artist friend Chad and I were hanging out one day sketching and talking life—our conversation drifted to politics and the election as it often does.
At that time it had just come out that the Hillary's DNC had subverted their primary with Bernie Sanders.
Hillary had also been having ongoing health crises—one after the other.
Coughing fits, balance problems, and finally her near collapse on 9-11—Benghazi anniversary karma some say.
After discussing her most recent choking / coughing spell that left her unable to speak—I wondered aloud about whether or not the DNC would bring back Bernie to run in her place if it became more obvious her health was making her unable to hold office.
That's when Chad innocently offered the line above.
I laughed my head off—and in spite of him protesting that he hadn't intended to make a pun—I told him it was going to be documented in my sketchbook.
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Anywho—that'll do it for today.
Thanks for stopping by and have a great day—and may God help us—this election is critical to the future of this country!
I've been sketching a lot more recently and have felt some creative energies brewing that definitely makes it all a lot more enjoyable.
I'll do another sketchbook dump or two again soon—but wanted to share a pencil sketch / portrait of a friend that I just finished (and you'll find below).
My friend, fellow artist Chad Swanson (aka Valen), had shown me a photo of himself—and I loved the stern look he'd given in the pic—which is generally out of character for him—but he was playing the part of a "protective uncle" in it.
: )
You can see additional photos of him smiling (and as a very sick man) in a blog post I wrote about him nearly dying in 2015:
Anywho—I axed Chad if I could take a stab at a creating a portrait of him using the photo—and he agreed and sent me a copy.
I had a lot of fun doing this sketch—working on it over several days —and just put the finishing touches on it. Oh—and the banner across the top is Hebrew for Proverbs. Hope you enjoy taking a look. : )
I used to go out to coffee houses and restaurants all the time and get out my sketchbook and pencils...and DRAW MAN, DRAW!!
It was a lot of fun...and as as I've written about before...it was a great "door-opener" to conversations and encounters with people who ventured over to see what I was working on.
I haven't done that at all recently...in part, because I'm trying to save money...but I really miss it.
And as importantly...it kept me sketching ALL the time...at certain times through the years...I was out draw'ring almost every day...and I think it was really helping my creativity and drafting skills!
So...I REALLY need to find places I can go hang out in now...to sketch...without having to spend any of the green stuff!!
: p
I plan to start digitally painting a lot more of my sketches too.
Man! So much to do...so little time!!! : /
: )
Anywhoodle...I'll post some sketches today...that I've been meaning to upload for a while.
"Who Did This" - Copyright 2016 - Jephyr!
^^^ I don't know exactly why...but I've got a thing for Rhinoceroses.
Last year I went to the Phoenix zoo with a friend...and later found myself standing alone at the Rhino enclosure at the zoo...literally only a few feet away from one of the HUGE creatures.
I told her how beautiful she was...and although I can't be positive...I think she enjoyed my presence (even though she hasn't written back yet).
"Like...Man...." - Copyright 2016 - Jephyr!
^^^ I forget what this sketch started out as...but I struggled and struggled to create something I liked.
One afternoon I erased everything on the page...and the old hippie guy above finally made an appearance!
: )
"Joy To The World" - Copyright 2016 - Jephyr!
Our little elf friend above began life as a scribble sketch...which is the way MANY of my sketches begin.
As I've mentioned before...I scribble on the page...and erase and scribble a bit more...until I see shapes that "lead" me into creating my characters.
One day, I scribbled a bit and at last saw this guys sad mouth and chin...and then that big ol' nose and his forelorn eyes above it.
But as I scribbled...I also saw the circles around his neck.
What were they...I wondered? (Yup...I actually did)
I figured I could always erase them as I worked...but still they remained...determined to become part of the final image.
As I finished that sour little face...I added the cap...and had my "a-ha" moment.
He was a sad, overworked, little Christmas elf. (already hard at work LONG before Christmas!!!)
And so the circles became Christmas ball decorations...and all was well with the world!
I've finally found some time...just before school starts again...to go through my sketchbook from last year and scan some sketches.
I'll post a few today...and say a word or two about them as well.
Let's get started with this guy:
Sadly, during the first half of 2012...I'd let some loser "critic" get in my head and hadn't been drawing as much as I usually do.
I know I shouldn't let that happen...but have been reminding myself we all do this from time to time.
From reading many biographies of well regarded and famous artists...I know they also allowed these pathetic "chiggers" of humanity get under their skin on occasion too.
So...I figured I had a lot of good company...finally brushed it off...and got back to drawing.
I sketched this guy sometime early last fall.
I felt very stiff and rusty...but it was good to start drawing on a regular basis again!!
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As you can see ^^^^ I still haven't gotten these hulking brutes outa my system. I hope to put them to good use in a graphic novel that's germinatin' in my mind. (see my December 29,2012 post about it)
This time our brute, "Grak", has discovered a life-form...but was a bit too rough with the poor little guy.
Reminds me of my childhood days as an amateur entomologist...and the carnage of insect carcases left in the wake behind me.
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Around Halloween of 2012...this guy just mysteriously appeared in my sketchbook! :)
But seriously...I'd just bought a book on caricature by Mad Magazine's Tom Richmond...and was inspired by the way he draws wacky teeth on some of his characters.
So...with that...and Halloween in the air...I done draw'ed me this guy! :)
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I'm working on my stretching my "imagination"...something I feel I always need to think about when it comes to my artwork.
This horse came outa my pencil one day last fall as I just let the drawing "happen".
The thumbnail sketches of the warrior were some ideas for poses I had in mind for illustrating the Bible reference to "put on the whole armor of God". (Ephesians 6:10-17)
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Speaking of trying to stretch my imagination...I'll share this final sketch.
Last summer I was sitting in a restaurant and noticing how many of us Americans have gotten fat.
I was also thinking about how many chemicals are added to our foods and all the genetic manipulation of our food crops, chicken and cattle etc.
This sketch of a fat astronaut with three legs was the result.
I call it: "NASA / McDonald's / Monsanto 2018 Mission To Mars" :)
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Well...that'll do it for today...hopefully I can post more of my sketchbook scans soon.
