Life Size Cthulhu (well, almost)
... and we're back!
In other mythos news, I have received a really fun commission. It's a painting of Cthulhu, but with some interesting differences from my previous renditions. For starters, it's in color, I have only approached Cthulhu in color once before. This time, though, the "client" (client is a bit of a cold term, I find, he's a really nice guy)would like Cthulhu to be bright red! As I am getting accustomed to using a bit more artistic license to Lovecraft's creations, this seemed like an interesting departure. Seeing that octopi turn reddish when they are upset, it made even more sense. Rather than the more serene rendering I am known for, this one uses a more dynamic pose. Here is the sketch:
In front of Cthulhu you might make out the hintings of a fishing vessel, which helps give a sense of scale. The original idea was to paint this 16 x 20", though upon seeing the sketch my friend wanted it to be bigger... a lot bigger! I broke out my abacus, and we landed on 36 x 42"... and on canvas. Seeing that most of my illustrations are designed to fit on my tiny scanner, this is an exciting departure to say the least. I hadn't hand stretched a canvas since art school, and I for got how satisfying it can be to get it right and drum-tight. Not only that, but being able to use my whole arm to make big sweeps with big brushed is an entirely different experience. A guy could get used to this!
Here are a few in-progress snapshots:
To remove the intimidating element of a pristine-white gessoed canvas, I toned it with a deep purple color, which I thought would work well for some shadows in the red skin. Then, I started blocking in the shapes with some greens. Though it was done with paint, this was more like drawing at this stage:
Here I have thrown in some more color to get a sense of what it will start to look like:
Pushing and pulling of shadows and highlights. Texture added to Big C, and the sky details get attention:
Aaaand, more work on the sky:
Sufficed to say, I am thrilled to have this opportunity and am thoroughly enjoying the new challenge and variety.
Though I am not the first to talk about it, I simply can't not comment about the recent passing of E Gary Gygax, co-creator of Dungeons & Dragons. D&D was a big part of my youth (and adulthood as well), it gave me a great outlet for my imagination and helped me finely hone it, proving to be quite valuable in my artistic pursuits. The slightly archaic nature of the first edition books boosted my vocabulary at a young age, and the map skills always came in hand (I was thinking of this often during the Europe trip). Beyond the scope of the game, I started to realize how the game has given me other great connections in life. Many of my long lasting friends were first introduced into my life because of the common interest. I probably would not have been exposed to H.P. Lovecraft, as I learned of him through the Call of Cthulhu RPG. I might not have even gone to art school in Providence, nor would I be working in the same field (at least in the same way, should RPGs still managed to emerge in another form). One highlight of my career so far was the opportunity to illustrate an article written by Gary himself. Without him, I wouldn't know any of you, and I wouldn't have this blog! My life would have been very very different without Mr. Gygax's contribution, and I know countless others can say the same. For that I am extremely grateful!
~Paul
In other mythos news, I have received a really fun commission. It's a painting of Cthulhu, but with some interesting differences from my previous renditions. For starters, it's in color, I have only approached Cthulhu in color once before. This time, though, the "client" (client is a bit of a cold term, I find, he's a really nice guy)would like Cthulhu to be bright red! As I am getting accustomed to using a bit more artistic license to Lovecraft's creations, this seemed like an interesting departure. Seeing that octopi turn reddish when they are upset, it made even more sense. Rather than the more serene rendering I am known for, this one uses a more dynamic pose. Here is the sketch:
In front of Cthulhu you might make out the hintings of a fishing vessel, which helps give a sense of scale. The original idea was to paint this 16 x 20", though upon seeing the sketch my friend wanted it to be bigger... a lot bigger! I broke out my abacus, and we landed on 36 x 42"... and on canvas. Seeing that most of my illustrations are designed to fit on my tiny scanner, this is an exciting departure to say the least. I hadn't hand stretched a canvas since art school, and I for got how satisfying it can be to get it right and drum-tight. Not only that, but being able to use my whole arm to make big sweeps with big brushed is an entirely different experience. A guy could get used to this!
Here are a few in-progress snapshots:
To remove the intimidating element of a pristine-white gessoed canvas, I toned it with a deep purple color, which I thought would work well for some shadows in the red skin. Then, I started blocking in the shapes with some greens. Though it was done with paint, this was more like drawing at this stage:
Here I have thrown in some more color to get a sense of what it will start to look like:
Pushing and pulling of shadows and highlights. Texture added to Big C, and the sky details get attention:
Aaaand, more work on the sky:
Sufficed to say, I am thrilled to have this opportunity and am thoroughly enjoying the new challenge and variety.
Though I am not the first to talk about it, I simply can't not comment about the recent passing of E Gary Gygax, co-creator of Dungeons & Dragons. D&D was a big part of my youth (and adulthood as well), it gave me a great outlet for my imagination and helped me finely hone it, proving to be quite valuable in my artistic pursuits. The slightly archaic nature of the first edition books boosted my vocabulary at a young age, and the map skills always came in hand (I was thinking of this often during the Europe trip). Beyond the scope of the game, I started to realize how the game has given me other great connections in life. Many of my long lasting friends were first introduced into my life because of the common interest. I probably would not have been exposed to H.P. Lovecraft, as I learned of him through the Call of Cthulhu RPG. I might not have even gone to art school in Providence, nor would I be working in the same field (at least in the same way, should RPGs still managed to emerge in another form). One highlight of my career so far was the opportunity to illustrate an article written by Gary himself. Without him, I wouldn't know any of you, and I wouldn't have this blog! My life would have been very very different without Mr. Gygax's contribution, and I know countless others can say the same. For that I am extremely grateful!
~Paul
Red ones..., ah you know the rest.
I think you are spoiling us with two updates at once.
Keep us posted!
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Spoiling?
I think I know what you mean about the comic book cover comment, it is dramatic and storytelling- often desirable qualities for a cover to make potential buyers to pick it up off the shelves. There is a chance I could get a publisher to use this on a cover, which would be nice.
I'd be happy to do a purple one... interested??
~Paul
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Only if I can pay you in slightly used bricks.
When I hit the multi-million dollar lottery, I'll build a chapel and I'll put you down for the ceiling.
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Wow! I like the way you're using unusual colours on the sky and sea- it's not just as if Cthulhu has appeared in the normal world, but as if he's warping the whole world around him.
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James, you took the thoughts right out of my brain! That's exactly what I've been shooting for, Cthulhu's presence is unraveling reality as the elements attempt to adapt. This also allows for a far more expressive palette that helps convey the emotion of the scene far more than a 'realistic' one may.
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GAH! 'e's 'uge.
And oh yeah, do I need to say it? ... Love the sky.
Cheers!
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I'm happy to share the various steps that I guess I've taken for granted for some time. Not that I am not having a lot of fun with it, mind you.
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Wow, I really look forward to seeing that finished. You need to photograph it from a bit of a distance so you can get an idea of scale.
Rock on Paul.
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Hello Matt!
A photo for scale is most certainly in the works. When this is finished (expected in the not-so-distant future), I will have a skilled friend take a nice photo of it in hopes that I can release a print of it. Then, I will hand deliver the art to the kind soul that commissioned the painting, and I hope to get a photo of the two of us with the artwork.
~Paul
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