Chapter 165 . New Prints, New Drawing Tablet, New Drawing & New Marvel Movie.

Good day folks,

It's been a while since I wrote here, but then and again, I have been busy...
So I guess, I have few things to say.
Let's start if you will.

First and foremost, after a nice break, I went back to drawing.
The thing is, when you stop drawing for a while, you forget how to draw. Or to be more precise, "I" forget how I use to draw, especially the technical level, the tricks, the method.
The good thing is, this comes back quite fast with practice, and then, it's like:
- "WOW, that's really how I did it? So much work!!!".
Truth is, that's in those situations that you find new ways, new tricks, new paths, a new way of looking at your own work in a certain way.

All of that bla bla bla to say that I sat back at my desk and I simply draw.
I wanted to do something simple, relatively simple, some drawing without any deep message, just a doodle, something that I'll enjoy, something that is not crushing, because, massive pieces always are.
I wanted to go for a portrait.
I like drawing portraits, it's very fulfilling for some reasons that I can't really explain, it just is.
The choice of the subject often depends on the picture I choose as a model.
Out of the great choice I had, I choose Laurent, my wife's sister husband if you're still following me.
The character is great, he carries an incredible positivity, and such a vivacity in life, it's good to see and a pleasure to experiment first hand.
And, I had the picture which came with the character.
So, I sat and drew.

Now, and I'll get back to it later, but my Wacom tablet was giving me some challenges.
In short, I couldn't draw straight lines across the screen, they would be wavy, and I would have to readjust them over and over.
A real pain, so darn frustrating!
In the end, a drawing that should have take me 2 to 4 hours ended up taking 10 hours...
But, the result was worth it, I believe I captured the character perfectly!
I'll get back to the tablet issue later, and how to fix the issue.
Here's the drawing:

Laurent

I should definitely keep on doing portraits like that, not only do I enjoy it, but it really fulfills me, and, I just love people when they are lovable.
The portraits make me love people, as I explore their visage during the process, bringing something oh so human, it touches me deeply.
Time to make myself happy!
-wink-
Something to keep in mind!


On a different subject, my dear wife reminds me often that, my drawings are made to be printed.
Well, she's right of course...
But this is something that is easy for me to forget, I draw those things, then I forget about them almost immediately. In fact, in my subconscious, when the drawing's done, the work is done.
But that's only partially true, the drawing is done when it resides on a piece of paper, hang on a wall, looked at by people.
So, and she had to work quite a lot to convince me, it's time to get stuff printed.
A step at the time, of course, but regularly, we will get some of my pieces printed, in different size and flavour. This, not only brings some more happiness to my life, but also will allow me to do some exhibits, as I will have something to show on a different support than a bloody computer.
There is nothing like having artwork in a material form, just like receiving a letter instead of an email.
After all, we are also grounded beings, we touch and smell and we relate to all of our senses....

We did 3 prints.
The first one is the poster I did, a while ago, of my wife Stephanie.
It's a poster/advertisement for a show in Japan. To add the Japan's feeling, I worked the entire piece keeping in mind a great Japanese master, Mr. Miyazaki.
The piece is quite large, 24x18, framed and already on a wall.
Here it is:

Stephanie in Japan

And here is another picture, just to place it in it's environment:

The Bathroom

Then, there was the print for Mr. Kyle McLachlan.
A while ago, I did a poster related to the character he played in the second season of Marvel Agent of SHIELD. My wife suggested I contacted him to show him the piece.
Turned out he answered and liked it quite a lot.

Answer from Kyle McLachlan

I offered a print, and he accepted.
So, the print is done, looks fabulous, and ready to be sent to him at the beginning of next week.

Myself and the print of Calvin Zabo aka Mr. Hyde

Third and last for now, there was a print that many people asked me for. But I was reluctant to do so, as, it was only a part of the bigger piece, which, I haven't worked on in a very long time...
Time will tell, as far as this is concerned.
Nevertheless, someone very dear to my heart asked me for a print recently, and I just couldn't resist.
I got it printed, and it looked rather good.
So, another gentleman, also very dear to my heart, did some huge favour for me and my family recently, and he had asked for this print as well, a hell of a long time ago.
Do I did...
I can hardly wait to give it to him, such a pleasure to offer what I do best, or one of the thing I do best in life.
-smile-

Myself and the print of the piece called We

And now, the bloody story of the bloody Wacom Tablet.
First, I have never been a huge fan of Wacom, not that their products are not of quality, they are, but their prices are nothing short than ridiculous.
I guess, when you have a monopoly for so many years, you get used to do whatever you want in your field of business, and are able to argument it properly and adequately.
My present Wacom had a drawing surface of 12"x8" or so, I had it for many years, and for the past year I had started to notice a lack of precision, going from slightly annoying to a real nightmare.
As I said earlier, when I had to draw in diagonale, which I do an insane amount of time, the straight line would become wavy, and there is simply no fix but to rework those line many many many time...
This is a real pain, because it brakes the flow of creativity, which, in itself is all that really matters.
I did my researches on the net, and I am not the only one with this issue.
And there is no fix.
Wacom would not answer any of those concerns, and so, it looked to me like a perfect time to make a new move.
Plus, Wacom are starting to not support some of their old tablet, and you have to partially run some application in 32 bits instead of 64 and it is another real pain.
Let's make it clear, I don't use a computer to be able to trouble shoot.
Once and for all, I use this medium because I enjoy it. And to enjoy it, it has to be working properly.
So, ciao Wacom, and hello Huion.
After some new researches, I choose to try the Huion W58:

Drawing Tablet Huion W58

The drawing surface is a tad smaller, 10"x6.5", but frankly, I don't believe I will notice a difference after a tad of practice. How much did I really use from the Wacom? That would be a very good question.
And, because there is almost always a "and", the price is more than affordable, the whole thing, shipping included for a mere $100.
I don't even want to look at the equivalent for a Wacom, but we would probably be looking at 4 to 6 times more expensive...
Did I mentioned that Wacom had ridiculous prices?!!

Tablet is ordered, and I will keep you updated of the use of it when I will have this lovely possibility!


And we, slowly but surely, arrive at the end of that post.
One more thing though, this week was my younger son's birthday.
He just turned 13. Don't even ask me how this is possible, life is simply incredible.
Even though, there is a party today, on the very day of his Bday, we had a small special day.
He didn't have to do his daily chores, -wink-, we cooked what he likes, and we went to see the new Marvel movie, Ant-Man.

Ant-Man

And again, it was great!
Very funny, entertaining, and I just love feeling like the kid I once was, again...
I like and admire the way they introduce their characters, the way they turn those comics book into movies.
I read some bad review, among some good ones, but I think people who are displeased are waiting for something that Marvel is not. How can you expect what is not?
This is a great big question that can be asked for many many movies and such, adaptations in general.
Also, I read a post online of someone who said that he went to see Ant-Man and he goes to see Marvel movie to see when they are going to screw it up, to mess it up. And, as per this gentleman, it's not for that time!
What a weird way of thinking did I think...

We had a great time!

Ant-Man Tickets

Us after seeing Ant-Man

Voila folks, I think that's enough for now, more to come soon, hopefully, have a great week end, and, may the Force be with you!

Sincerely

Serge
25th July 2015