Finalized inking style

I wanted to follow up on my previous blog entry showing sample inked pages for my book....so here's the style I've settled on! (Click to see larger)

I decided that in Paige's imagination NOT to use solid black, just sticking to greytones. And to use much more delicate outlines. And I'll be improving the font later of course.





2 inked pages down, 190 more to go!


Currently Listening: Midlake...The Courage of Others

400th Blog!

Yes, dear reader...this is my 400TH BLOG!

I initially started posting on Myspace (when Myspace was cool) in the summer of 2005 and it has averaged out to 1 blog every 4 days! Looking back at the very first entries I was surprised to read my own words...

"I get a lot of big ideas. My painting mural business was actually one, my solo trip to Eastern Europe was another, my painting-murals-in-schools-abroad-charity-idea is one of the many not yet realized. But recently I got one that I can't avoid: I want to publish a book. A published book of my sketchbook pages. So far there are over 600 pages... "

I grinned when I read this, because not only did I get to volunteer teaching abroad but NOW I'm making a book! Wow. After THAT specific entry is when I started posted my art, starting with this initial drawing:


Anyway, if you feel like taking a stroll down memory lane and looking through my super-old blog entries (Which show how much I've improved as an artist!) you can click here. On the left side of the screen there are "newer" and "older" buttons to navigate.


WILLIAMSBURG FASHION WEEKEND
I have some new photos to share from 2nd Skin...we painted models at Brooklyn's answer to fashion week: Williamsburg Fashion Weekend! Specifically those models in Arthur Arbit's line called King Gurvey. (He's the founder and coordinator of WFW) You can see more pics on Flickr.





UNICORN POSTER
I was just commissioned to make a poster for the set of a short film my friend Jason Wishnow is shooting out in LA...they needed a 1980s style unicorn poster, complete with airbrushed stars. I rarely do commissioned work, but for this I had to make an exception! (Click to see larger size) This was super fun to paint...


And I'd like to THANK those of you who have been reading my little blog from the start, it's been quite a journey we've had together!

Currently Listening: Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows (audiobook)...J.K. Rowling

New York Times

Hot off the presses!

I'm featured in the New York Times article Decorating the Night in Brooklyn concerning the Gemini & Scorpio party this past weekend. And I'm talking about...glitter and venereal diseases? Classy, Laura Lee. Classy.

"Early in the evening, Laura Lee Gulledge, a body painter, observed over her shoulder that “glitter is the herpes of the craft world,” as she blew red glitter on the arm of Naomi Ruth, 30, a poet who had moved into the space two weeks earlier..."

And I'm in a couple of the pictures accompanying the article! I was helping set up for the party earlier in the week, that's me in my Mom's big vintage hat...


How it ended up looking...isn't it magical?


To see the rest of the images in the slideshow click here, and then here is the full NYT article!

Currently Listening: Yeasayer...Odd Blood

Sample Paiges!

I've spent the past few days making sample pages for Page by Paige before I ink/ shade/ letter my final drawings...you know, since I'll be doing this for the next 4 months. (Click on the image to see a bigger size)

First I needed to figure out how to shade Paige's reality versus Paige's imaginary world since they're in two different styles. First I played around with a contrast between digital shading and pencil, which I didn't like...

I liked using ink washes instead. More depth, dreamier...

NEXT I did a couple pages from the first chapter that blend both Paige's worlds to see how they two styles look together...


FINALLY I did a couple more pages that were focused on depicting just one of Paige's worlds...and refined the speech bubbles and played with text...



It's been quite a humbling learning process, but as I keep seeing vast improvements (especially since my initial samples a year ago) I can't help but feel encouraged.

I know I need to make the font (made from my handwriting) thicker and easier to read, and I need to improve my drawings of hands, so besides that your feedback and constructive criticism would be greatly greatly appreciated! Please drop me a line.


Currently Reading: Ghost World by Daniel Clowes

Book update, pics from Vault of Golden Vapors

I finished drawing out "Page by Paige" in pencil! Hooray! Here's a picture that my art director Chad Beckerman took of me going through the drawings with my editor Maggie Lehrman in the Abrams office. Next I'll work on inking and shading all 190 pages...


Last night my alter-ego 2nd Skin did body painting at the Gemini & Scorpio event The Vault of Golden Vapors. Part Valentine's Day part Chinese New Year party, I decided to be painted as a tiger since we're ringing in the year of the tiger. Here are a few pictures, to see more check out our Flickr page. (Click to see large size)








And lastly, here's a link to the latest Outpost 51 Studio blog.

Currently Listening: Beach House...Teem Dream

New Interview/ Outpost 51/ Figure drawing

HOT OFF THE PRESSES!
I was just interviewed on Artsy Shark! It's a website for emerging artists that contains interviews with art buyers, educators, and successful artists who all share advice. Carolyn did a GREAT job, and she makes me sound like some art superhero! Make sure to check out the rest of the site, because it's really a great online resource.

Introducing...OUTPOST 51 STUDIO!
You might have heard me mention that I draw in a studio in Gowanus, and I'm pleased to announce we finally have an official name: Outpost 51! Here are a few pics of our logo, members, and building. And we now have an Outpost 51 Studio blog where we'll post news of what Reilly (comic artist), Sam (illustrator), Chris (painter), Paloma (costume designer), and I are up to.





FIGURE DRAWING
Speaking of my studio...one of my studiomates Chris Rywalt recently organized the first of what will be an ongoing series of figure drawing sessions in our building. (Contact me if interested in attending future sessions) With live models I always take the opportunity to loosen up, experiment with color, and just play around. Here's a few of my sketches made with marker, colored pencil, and ink. (Click to see full size)




Currently Listening: Stevie Wonder...The Definitive Collection