So I’ve lived with the “magical” iPad for about a week or so now, and I have to say I like it a lot…for what it is. As I stated in my previous post on the topic, the iPad is predominantly for consuming media, not creating it. However, after looking into it a little more closely, I’ve discovered that maybe the iPad is a bit more useful than I thought.
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Thanks for checking out the very first episode of my new web show-
The CDowd Art-A-Palooza!
I’ll be drawing live on my new Ustream channel a couple of times a week (as time allows), and posting the occassional video highlights right here on the ol’ blog. Follow me on Twitter and Facebook for immediate updates on when I’ll be broadcasting.
In this episode, I introduce myself, go over how I draw lines, and do a little sketching in Illustrator. Notice how the words don’t match my mouth like in old kung fu movies. I’ll figure this all out soon, but for now please enjoy the low rent nonsense!
I’ll be debuting TWO brand new digital prints at the CCBC Catonsville Art Gallery on Monday, April 26th through May 21, 2010 as part of the CCBC/ADIM Transfer Student Show. Along with the two new pieces, I’ll have a number of other pieces on display as well, most never before shown offline.
This is a big show for me and the other artists involved. I’d love for you all to come out and see the work in person. I’ll be in attendance for the the official reception on Friday, May 14th from 5-8pm. It’s open to the public so come out, support local artists, and get some culture. Great for date night with your sweetie!
April 26 through May 21, 2010: Works by selected Art, Design and Interactive Media transfer students. Reception: May 14 from 5 to 8 pm.
Click the thumbnails to the left to see two of the pieces I’ll be showing.
Apple’s iPad is a fun new toy for sure. Magical? Well I wouldn’t go that far(sorry Steve Jobs), but it does have a great interface. The screen resolution is amazing. Images are crisp, and the colors are fantastic. The keyboard is a little funny, but I’m typing this article on an iPad right now, so I can tell you it works fine. Expect lots of fingerprints, but I haven’t found them to be too distracting, yet.
What I find most interesting about the iPad isn’t the cool factor of being an Apple-ite(read fanboy), but the actual interface of the touchscreen computer, and the opportunity for interactive illustration in an industry that has been hurt by the demise of print. Is the iPad a device that we artists can use to create art? Frankly, no. The iPad is a new way to deliver your creations to an audience. It is very much a product meant for media consumption, and not for creation. But, as proven by the simply awesome Marvel Comics app, consumption on the iPad is great! Again, the screen resolution is fantastic, and the art looks even better than it does on the newsstand. The iPad offers us artists one more advantage that we didn’t have before, and that’s the chance to let the user actually interact with the art itself.
I am very happy to announce the official launch of my new online store! I’ll be offering T-Shirts, Posters, Art Prints, Hats, Shoes, and anything else I can think of to shove down your throats! The first few items are available right now, so get to clicking and buy some great original stuff that’s not available anywhere else. Thank you all for the continued support. Without all of you, none of this would be possible.
~Charlie
You’ve gotta be pretty brave to face this fella everyday! This is a self portrait I did in 2009, and have gone on to use in promotional material since. Lots of staring into the mirror and sketching went into this one. Drawn and painted free hand in Adobe Illustrator via Wacom tablet. Click the thumbnail to enlarge.
From this little guy’s perspective, he’s just having a light snack.
This piece was done in regular graphite pencil on watercolor paper. I also used mechanical pencils for some of the finer details. Click the image to enlarge.
Some of my work is currently on display at the CCBC Art Gallery in Catonsville, MD. My work, including this piece to the left, is being shown along with many other very talented students and emerging local artists. The gallery “closing” (instead of the usual opening) will be held on Saturday, February 20th from 3pm-5pm. The show has been extended due to the unprecedented snowstorms in the Baltimore area, aka Snowmageddon, and will be torn down the following week, so get out and support these uber-talented folks while you still have the chance!
One of my favorite books ever has to be Lord of the Flies. A story of the animalistic nature of Man, and how little it would take for us as a species to devolve into tribalism in the face of societal tragedy. After being snowed in here in the mid-Atlantic region for about a week, I can relate! While a severe case of cabin fever may not equate to complete and total isolation ala LotF, it is about as close as I’m likely to come, and that’s fine with me.
This piece was inspired by the Lord of the Flies, and the now iconic pig head. I did this one in Illustrator CS4 via the blob brush for the ink outlines, and the pencil tool for the finer cross hatching. I’ve only recently really sunk my teeth into the blob brush, but I am definitely liking the results thus far. Of course, practice makes perfect, so let me go and draw something else now.
As always, click the image to enlarge.
Happy New Year! I am finally finished with a much needed redesign of my site. Take a look around and let me know what you think. I hope to have much more newness coming this year. I am hereby declaring 2010 the year of ME! So beware!
Thanks to all who continue to show support. You guys rule.
C
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CDowd: Art, Illustration & Design is hosted and maintained by Charles Dowd Designs.