Happy Halloween

This is an illustration I did for Topps a couple of years back. It was part of the Hollywood Zombies collection. Let's be safe out there people.

McSorley's

Here is an attempt to paint up a sketch I did previously. To see the original sketch lick HERE. I've abandoned this and I'm starting it again for reasons I'm too pained to type. I'll post my final version at some point soon (I have to do it first).Happy Friday people.

The Guns Of Sapinero

I picked up the book that I painted the cover for yesterday and could hardly recognize my painting. This is the case quite often these days but here is the book cover and my painting, you tell me. Feel free to say you like the the final version, I really would like your honest opinion. I can take it.

Pete's Tavern

This is a drawing of a drawing. I'm still working on the book and in an effort to keep the images consistent I redrew this sketch with color. To see the original click HERE.

Almost Didn't Make It

After two and a half years this is the first time I almost forgot to blog. I have missed 8 days but never by being forgetful. No excuses, like the one this guy is giving to his boss, just thought I had then realized I hadn't. Rainy day so no chance to go outdoors but plenty I could have sketched indoors, blah blah blah, I'm boring myself.

School Bus Meeting

Back to Red Hook this morning where I came across this scene. I was told I was trespassing which I kind of knew because I was inside the park against a wall where I thought I would go unnoticed. I managed to finish before I was spotted though. I couldn't resist all that yellow.

Sunday Late

I'm just squeezing this one in, we went upstate to a flea market where I was sure to do a drawing of some sort. Didn't happen. Here instead is a rather pretty face, an illustration I did for my client in England, a true English rose.

Two Dudes

This is from my subway sketch book, I would call both of these incomplete on account of the subjects getting off the train before I was finished with them(the nerve). In any event it's Sketch of the day.

Bedford and Lincoln

It looks like rain today so I'm glad I got a chance to get a drawing done this morning. This is Crown Heights, Brooklyn. Quick and simple.

Another Warm Day

Yes it is another warm day so off went I to Red Hook again, I was just about to draw the sloop "Clearwater" that was in the background of the Tram drawing but it sailed off. Here instead is a view of some old industrial cargo dock or some such. Red Hook is full of surprises.

Up On The Roof

We are having what might be the last good day as far as weather goes so I went up on the roof this morning to see what I could see.

Red Hook

This is at the back of Fairways grocery store. I've been going to Red Hook a lot lately because it gives me something to do on alternate side of the street parking days. Turning necessity into virtue, that's what I'm all about these days.

Stripped

As I was drawing this dismantled bike a bus driver stopped and yelled out the window that if I had been by 3 weeks earlier I could have drawn the whole bike. It's chained to the post and I'm sure the owner will be by at some point to claim the rest.

Rainy Weekend

It's a rainy weekend in New York so I wasn't able to go out drawing as I'd hoped, this is what I looked like coming home from the bar last night. Actually it's another old book cover probably about 18 years ago or such.

Bill

Bill is a friend to the masses, he likes you, do you like him?

Vazac's

One of the many things to love about Vazac's is the horse she bar, it affords a view such as this. Spying on drinkers from one side of the bar through the beer pumps. No wonder this place has been used by so many film crews.

Peter McManus Cafe

This is my friend BRI with a pint of Bass at McManus. I give both Bri and Bass my full endorsement.

The One That Got Away

This drawing was coming along quite well until she got off at Nevin St. Nevin St has always been unlucky for me.

The Gingerman

70 BEERS ON TAP! I wouldn't lie to you about such important matters and indeed I know you have faith in me where beer is concerned. The Gingerman on 36th St in Manhattan although I cant remember the cross streets(70 beers on tap). Does anybody out there know of any establishment that can boast so many draft ales?

Old Farm House

This is an old empty farm house in upstate New York. I drew this on Saturday morning while my wife was poking around inside.

This Is The One

Ladies and Gentlemen, this is the final version of the portrait I was working on last week, scroll down to see the earlier versions if care to. Not only did this one get meet with approval but I was also able to see the original drawing. All's well that ends well.

Glasses

I couldn't stop looking at these crazy sun glasses so a drawing was the next logical step. She might look a little odd but she did look a little odd. I look a little odd.

Red Hook

I'm spending quite some time in Red Hook, Brooklyn at the moment, it's a great place to draw. Ti's right on the water and there is a great deal of industrial mayhem to get stuck into. This will be a series(I've said that before) I mean it this time.

Ear Inn

Not the first time I've drawn this place and it won't be the last. We are starting to feel the chill a little in New York so soon I'll be reduced to drawing inside the bars, not out. Ah well.

Maciej Barwinski

I know this guys name because he noticed I was drawing him and gave me his card so I could E-mail him a copy of the drawing. That's about the best reaction you could hope for because I had no idea he noticed me and he only gave me his card as he was getting of the train. Thanks Maciej.

Motor

I drew this car yesterday and posted it on Urban Sketchers where the fine folks there were able to tell me it was a Karmen Ghia. I love to draw cars but don't know much about the makes or models but how could I resist this little beauty.

A Second Attempt

I felt like I had to have another go at this one, it has a little more definition and contrast. I'm just a little happier to send this off to the client. Any thoughts?

Portrait of a Lady

This is a drawing I did on Friday for a commission for Columbia University, I got so far with it and decided it was looking too flat. I'm doing another one today which I'll post tomorrow, lets see if I can liven it up a bit.

Dude

Oh yes he is. This guy was asleep with his eyes open.

Killers Of Cimarron

This is it. I've heard nothing from the AD so I think we are good. Right now I'm working on the "B" version of the cover which was the one I preferred so maybe I'll do the step by step on that one too.

Killers Of Cimarron

Here are the next two stages of the painting, I'm just fleshing it out at this point. The art director wanted a dramatic sky and I had to make sure that the sky would support the light on the figure. I'm using 6 different photographs for reference so it's important to try to marry them all up so to speak. Tomorrow I'll post the finished painting (subject to the art directors approval of course).