I have a lot of old art from throughout the years that I’ve never posted. As someone who’s not chronically online, I just haven’t habitualized good posting habits yet. This blog is probably a great a place as any for posting up old art and writing about it. In a way, it shouldn’t be too dissimilar from posting my work up on a site like Tumblr or Deviantart. Except I’ll have full control of my presentation.
For this first set, I’ll be focusing on works featuring our boy, our protagonist, Jake Fox. Presented in order chronologically from newest to oldest.
Jake Fox, Burning Internally
Pencil and Marker on Canvas Paper, 2018
For this sketch, I wanted to forego any consistency in Jake’s design in favor of exploring his emotional presence or state-of-mind. By the time of this sketch, I’d finally decided to make Jake a smaller character compared to the other cast. Jake might not be the tallest person in the room, but he can still give off an imposing feeling.
The goal was to capture how it can feel like to be around Jake at certain times. He’s a person that can exude strength and power, though he may not be the strongest or most powerful. We get a glimpse into his emotional state with this piece. For complicated reasons, Jake doesn’t show negative emotions outwardly. Here we see what that might look like on the inside.
I drew this on a scrap of Canson Artist Series Canva paper with Staedtler Mars Lumograph HB graphite pencil, at the cash register where I worked. The little splash of color I did using Faber Castell PITT Artist Pen.
Young Jake in Motion, Catching His Balance
Pencil on Scrap Paper, 2017
A sketch of Jake getting knocked off balance and scrambling to regain his footing. I wanted to experiment with different ways of capturing motion without the use of action lines or movement through space. Beginning with a basic pose, I tried to imagine how he might have moved (or will move) his body in an attempt to regain his fighting composure. Drawing this, I pictured something similar to Leonardo Da Vinci’s Vitruvian Man.
I’ll definitely revisit this one in the future.
Unfinished Watercolor Sketch (of Jake)
Watercolor, 2017
In this watercolor sketch, I had already begun experimenting with Jake’s general appearance. I wanted to deviate from the proportions of classic shonen protagonists, who are often tall and slim. Instead, I wanted to lean towards making him a character who was short and stocky. But unlike some characters of his stature, I want him to own his appearance and have immense confidence in himself. However, Jake is still very young in this drawing. At this age, his proportions aren’t too far removed from how I might draw other children his age.
I drew this on a scrap of watercolor paper and painted it using Dr. Ph. Martin’s Radiant Concentrated watercolors. I love the way these colors pop off the page and definitely want to ink and touch this up digitally in the future.
Marker Study with Jake’s Hand and Flame
Markers on Rendr Paper, 2014
I wasn’t going for anything spectacular with this sketch. A simple portrait that I could use to practice a new medium. The lighting is wonky and it doesn’t really make sense. However, I’m really proud of how that hand came out in the end.
This was purely an exercise in using a new medium. My only prior experience with art markers came from using Crayola or Prismacolor Markers. Before this, I never played around with Copic Brand Markers. I was going for something with a Manga-esque look using as few colors I could manage. They’re expensive markers after all! The paper used was a line or marker papers called Rendr: No Show Thru Paper by Crescent. While it did indeed live up to its name of not letting the marker show thru to the back, I didn’t really like how the markers took to its surface. Blending was difficult and the colors didn’t look right on it.
Jake and His Familiars
Watercolor and Ink, 2013
Originally, I planned on Jake meeting with and signing summoning pacts with certain familiars as he got older. It was an idea that was very reminiscent of certain manga that I was into reading at the time. Later on, I decided to give that aspect of his character to Garnet instead.
I created this piece as a “bookplate” for a book called “Orbyss Beta” that I put together for my graduating portfolio at The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale. Inked using Microns, colored with Prang watercolors, with a gel pen for finishing touches. Later printed onto matte watercolor stock that I then glued into the first page of the book.
Jake Fox and Mallow the Goblin
Pen and Ink, Digitally Colored, 2012
An early drawing of Jake with his first summoning companion, Mallow. Jake’s physique here isn’t one I could imagine drawing him in anymore. He’s so tall and lanky in this drawing. You can’t deny his origins as a stereotypical shonen protagonist though. As for Mallow, I’m not even trying to hide the fact that he’s very clearly based on Super Mario. However, his outfit here is based on the one from the 1993 Super Mario Bros movie. My favorite film of all time.
This was my first time experimenting with flat colors. The goal was to create a piece in a style inspired by some of Katsuya Terada’s older Legend of Zelda illustrations. To that end, I’m not sure that I succeeded, but at least I can say for certain that I’m proud of how this drawing turned out.
I drew this traditionally in my sketchbook using pen and ink; and then, colored it digitally in Manga Studio.
Thanks for taking the time to look at some of this old art of mine!
Admittedly, this format of 5 works in a single post was a little daunting to put together. In the future, I’ll probably limit the number of works in one post. Depending on the work, I can focus on things like describing the process for a piece. Truthfully, I could even just keep things short and sweet while having a steady stream of content to show you guys over time. Either way, this was a fun post to write up and I look forward to doing more of them.
Thanks for browsing~