Animorphs - Panel 3

Third panel!  Quickly put together, but I wanted to get it finished today!

Char Reed
________
char.reed@gmail.com
http://www.charrartist.com
http://charreed.blogspot.com

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Rare 2010 Calendar! I only have 11 left!

My tree kangaroo piece has been included in this 2010 calendar of Rare and exotic animals ranging from all over the world.

If you would like to order one, please email me: char.reed@gmail.com ! 

Thank you!
Char Reed
________
char.reed@gmail.com
http://www.charrartist.com
http://charreed.blogspot.com

See and download the full gallery on posterous

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First Animorphs comic Panel!

I've heard it said many times before, better to do something than just keep waiting til you are "perfect".  Well, time to make the leap into unknown territory and give comics a shot.  I don't know how far I'll go with it, but I'm taking it one panel at a time.  This month is NaNoWriMo for writers and there is an artist's equivalent, so I will be partaking in that bit.  I've only been planning this graphic novel project of mine oh... for 5 years or so, might as well get started, eh? 

I tried giving colouring a shot, but I couldn't get a system down for it, so linework it is for now!

Thanks for looking!
Char Reed
________
char.reed@gmail.com
http://www.charrartist.com
http://charreed.blogspot.com

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Self Portrait Day is Nov 1st! Here's mine:

I decided to play around with the brushes.  I don't think it really looks like me though... Oh well! That's why I practice :)

Char Reed
________
char.reed@gmail.com
http://www.charrartist.com
http://charreed.blogspot.com

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Self Portrait Day is Nov 1st! Here's mine:

I decided to play around with the brushes.  I don't think it really looks like me though... Oh well! That's why I practice :)

Char Reed
________
char.reed@gmail.com
http://www.charrartist.com
http://charreed.blogspot.com

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Happy Halloween aka "My Birthday" Everyone! I'm a quarter of a century old now!

I still like how everyone dresses up and gives me candy for my birthday!

HAVE A GREAT DAY! (Even if you don't celebrate my birthday!) ;)

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Fast via Illustration Friday

I decided to quickly do the first thing that came to mind- draw it fast and in a much more simple of a style than normal for me.  Everything pointing back to the theme- FAST!

Thanks for looking!
Char Reed
________
char.reed@gmail.com
http://www.charrartist.com
http://charreed.blogspot.com

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Untold Cards (c) Wandering Men by me! Check it out: http://www.untoldthegame.com/

I was really surprised by how much I liked working on the Flare Gun.  I love characters and creatures, but after some coaxing from a friend on how to find reference and an awesome Photoshop tip, I come to really like the process.  Wrap yourself up in the process and things can go really smooth and nice for you when doing commissions! 

Thanks for checking out my stuff!
Char Reed
________
char.reed@gmail.com
http://www.charrartist.com
http://charreed.blogspot.com

See and download the full gallery on posterous

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The Ultimate Art Post

First I wanted to share an AWESOME video of an oil painting I just saw. I don't know if people think I don't respect traditional work just because I can't do it (I move too often to have a studio any less portable than my Macbook), but trust me when I say I do. It's very skilled work and if I get the opportunity, I'd like to delve back into watercolours. I love them, most other artists hate them (making me like them even more) and I think I had a way with them, if I do say so myself. Probably very few out of anyone here would have seen any of my watercolours since I stopped working in them in 2006 or so. Here's the video:



Next I'd like to share a working technique I've discovered called The Pomodoro Technique. As quoted from the site:

Many of us probably fall into the trap that we find ourselves distracted by other things while working on a task that lasts longer than 30 minutes. The Pomodoro will slash these interruptions.

Want to give it a shot? Grab a kitchen timer, pencil, eraser and a sheet of paper before you get started. Apply the Pomodoro Technique by following these five steps:

1. Pick the task.
2. Set the timer to 25 minutes.
3. Do the task until the timer dings.
4. Take a short break.
5. Take a longer break for every four completed Pomodoros.

You won’t need to buy a timer if you use the free Focus Booster app, which applies the Pomodoro Technique with its built-in timers. You can try either the Adobe Air desktop or the web-based version.

I've tried the Focus Booster app and I love it. It really does help. I've moved from the Focus Booster to podcasts, staying my concentration for an hour (it helps me get into "the zone"). I still fall off the wagon cuz I keep AIM up so I can socialise a little during the day. It's only fair since I work from home and thus have no co-workers to socialise with. Speaking of podcasts, here are the ones I listen to:

• Art & Story
• Big Illustration Party Time
• Chris Oatley's Art Cast
• Escape from Illustration Island
• Freelance Radio
• Ninja Mountain
• W.I.P.

I dunno how many of those non-artists/freelancers would find useful, but they've all been immensely useful to me and I listen to them a lot (or am catching up with the backlog still, after 6 months). They all have various gems littered within, depending on the field you are most interested in. I'm interested in comics, fantasy/sci-fi illustration and freelancing in general, so they all apply to me. I'm diversified :D

That's the main thing I wanted to share with you all. I hope people gleam something from this post!

Rough character design sketch from my iPhone

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