Enjoy:

Click here to view the embedded video.

By the way, we are seeking artists interested in being considered for the November 4th ART SLAM live event. Learn more here>

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Are you someone that feels like you “used to draw” or “used to paint” and that you don’t have the gift anymore? POPPYCOCK! God doesn’t take the gift that He’s imparted within you back:

“For God’s gifts and His call are irrevocable. (He never withdraws them when once they are given,
and He does not change His mind about those to whom He gives His grace or to whom He sends His call.)”
Romans 11:29 (Amplified Bible)

So here’s another example of what I do to keep the gift sharp and to keep it from getting rusty. I call this one “The Tough Guy” (crank your speakers up!):

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With his permission,

“Hi all,

I’ve been an illustrator for some time now. I’ve also been teaching the digital arts as well. I enjoy both, and my track record so far has been between teaching and creating art.

Times have generally been hard in the Philippines, where I’m from, and I am considering investing time and money into stocks and real estate. My teaching and illustrating here, in my experience so far, just doesn’t bring in enough to properly support a family of my own. Just myself. (I’m 32 already).

There’s one voice that tells me that I would be “selling out”/”burying my talent” if I went into stocks & real estate and that my
finances can simply get better through more marketing and improving the quality of my work.

There’s another that believes that I may be idolizing my reputation as an artist and that I should instead exercise wiser stewardship with the money God’s given to me through the various investment instruments. (I am neither in debt nor spending needlessly.)

Any advice would be great!

Thanks.”

Share your advice with Joel, and also check out the work that he referred to at his websites:
Learn Digital Coloring& Painting:
PixelPintura.com

The Secret Life of Joel Chua:
Blog.JoelChua.com

Joel’s Bebechicks:
BeBeChicks.com

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 This workshop will document:

• How to start a seemingly big project using common downtime.
• The challenges I had transitioning from pencil sketch to color.
• How to use constructive criticism from fellow artists to guide your progress.
• How to use principles from the real world to create environments in the fantasy ream.
• How Christian visual artists don’t have to only create religious themes.

 This actually originated as a simple sketch while sitting on the couch during ‘family time”. This is an example of how you can use common, every day downtime to keep your skills sharp and create (see my brief video on that concept here).
The character is a composite of my 3 daughters. Moriah, my youngest,  actually posed for it while her sisters Azsa and Anisa both inspired the hair, stature and facial expression.

1. I started with a basic thumbnail sketch to establish the character’s pose. This actually set the stage for ideas for the surrounding environment as well.

"Soldier-Girl" Thumbnail Sketch

2. The thumbnail sketch leads the way for the full-sized, more detailed pencil drawing of the character. (By the way, you may recognize the pencil drawing from our upcoming book “The Artist and Designer’s Book of Tips”. Yes, it will be released this summer!)

"Soldier-Girl" Pencil Drawing

Part 2 tomorrow, with pictures of my color scheme choices and the challenges it took for me to get it right!

Here is a picture of all three of my inspirations in one shot:

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"Forgiven" by Thomas Blackshear

I was pleasantly surprised to see that Thomas Blackshear, one of my favorite artists, was interviewed by author J. Scott McElroy in his book “Finding Divine Inspiration”. Scott asks the artist “How does God work with you in your creative process?”

Now if you don’t recognize Blackshear by name, I’m sure you’ve seen his work if you’ve been anywhere near a Christian bookstore within the past few years. One of his most famous paintings, “Forgiven”, touches the spirit of many that view it, even to the point where some have fallen to their knees in tears.

Thomas Blackshear

Scott’s interview with Blackshear addresses that. Without giving it all away, so that you can see for yourself, here’s a brief overview:

Willing to Wait:

Blackshear describes how part of his process is going to God in prayer, asking that God would reveal to him the vision of the work he is suppose to create and to wait on it to come. He has learned to be patient and wait until God reveals the image rather than getting ahead of God and creating something “pretty” that doesn’t accomplish anything.

Neutrality:

Scott’s interview with Blackshear also discusses that although he may have his own ideas about the next project, Blackshear allows those ideas to take a backseat to the ideas revealed to him by God.

Fasting and Praying:

"Watchers In The Night" by Thomas Blackshear

I don’t think that God meant for us to play “guessing games” when it comes to hearing His voice. I believe that He’s always speaking, but we have a lot of noise drowning out what he was saying. Blackshear uses the time during  fasts to shut out distractions as he waits to sense what God wants to create through him.

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