Showing posts with label victoria. Show all posts
Showing posts with label victoria. Show all posts

Tuesday, August 11, 2015

Chapter 170 . New Illustration - Gabin


I always find it challenging to draw kids, the younger the most challenging.
I think it's the expressions that are so difficult to catch...
It sounds right to say so...

Anyhow, recently, as I said in my previous post, I drew my niece Amber, she's 8, and that wasn't too bad.

This time, it's my wife's nephew, he is 3.5 years old.
And, it wasn't that difficult either...

I am pretty sure that the new tablet has a great deal to do with that ease I have been drawing with recently!
I love my new tablet, smaller but stronger, and such a smooth feeling, such a pleasure to draw with it!
- smile -

Here is the new illustration:
Gabin

I don't know for how long I am going to keep drawing portraits, but for the time being, it is truly a real pleasure, so, we'll see... Even though, I am starting to seriously miss the comic book, so, there will be something to do there... Maybe an illustration about the Youth of the main character, we'll see, as I already said...
- smile again -

In the meantime, I have been working quite a lot on my new website, among the other things of life, and this is going good! In fact, it is almost completed, one last little section and it'll be ready!
I also have to get those comics printed, and then, it's business time!!!!
Stay tuned, I'll keep you updated.
Here are some images of certain pages of the site:
Home Page

Buy The Comic Book Page

Buy The Posters Page

New Blog Page

Portfolio Page

and

The About Page - Terms & Conditions


OK, I guess that's all for today, just a little post to keep you informed!
Take care of yourself, and have a great time!

Sincerely,

Serge
11th August 2015

Monday, August 10, 2015

Chapter 169 . Two New Illustrations & Few More Thoughts on the New Tablet


Productive, I have been...

Is it due to a great source of inspiration, a new step in my life, a new fluidity or the new tablet acquisition?
I would say, a little of all of that.
- smile -

Fact is, I have been drawing, among other things, every day, and, as always, it pays!!!!

I'm into drawing portraits.
Just little doodles, sketches, nothing too advanced, but the point is to grab the personality of the models...
Always...

And, I am trying to represent images that I would have not done, not that long ago.
And by this, I mean represent people as they are, show a piece of life, so to speak.
I am into reality those days, therefore, I'll take a little break from super heroes, crazy images, and imagination at it's best.
Instead, as I have already stated, I want to show the reality, what truth I see in people.
And so, I do simple portraits.

Note that I have also put colouring aside, for a while that is, and went back to black and white illustrations.

So, this said, here is the first one of the two new drawings:
Amber, my little niece, with her lovely smile:
Amber

Simple, I'm trying to be simple.
An attitude, a smile that defines the model, this is what I am presently interested by!

The second illustration is of a good friend of mine, someone inspiring, my friend Christèle:
Christèle

Smooth and peaceful, the lady and her thoughts!
What else can be said?

Yes, I believe I will do more portraits, until I reach the next step, the next plateau...

One thing I would like to add, is a note regarding my new tablet, the Huion 610Pro.
Since I have acquired it, I am able to draw faster.
I guess that's normal. Still, it's impressive!
It does exactly what I ask it to do, no more, no less.
The precision of the pen is fantastic, and it allows a flow I couldn't achieve with my old Wacom.
One thing I noticed is that, the tablet is not as fluid when I use Photoshop.
But being that I use Illustrator 97% of the time, it is more than fine with me!
So, unless you are a PS fan, I would highly recommend it, and if you are a PS fan, do some researches, dig a little more and take the appropriate decision!

On a side note, another one, Website is happening and growing fast, I have few more sections to complete, get the comic printed and sell it to the world!
It's a time of change, and I embrasse it!
Change is good, especially if you feel you are going places.
And I believe I am.

So, more news to come soon, new illustrations I hope and all that sweet jazz.

To finish, just a little image from a car show we went, the wife and I, admire yesterday in Oak Bay, beautiful lines, perfection at it's best!
Car Exhibit in Oak Bay - Victoria BC

This said, I am going to wish you a good week, and we'll talk soon.

Sincerely,

Serge
August 10th 2015

Wednesday, August 5, 2015

Chapter 168 . New Drawing, New Tablet & Soon to Come, New Website!


So much things to say, going to explain...
- smile -

Today, it's about the new, which, I believe, is a good sign. It, among other things, means that I keep on moving in life, keep on learning, and keep on keeping myself to my toes!
All of that are very, very good news!

So, if you will, let's start.
I will open the subject officially by a new drawing, a new portrait.
This is François, my awesome brother in law, or if you prefer, the brother of my sweet wife.
François

I must admit, I personally enjoy drawing portraits that way a great deal!
It is not easy to explain. First of all, it's fairly simple, because I practise a lot for the past 19 years, and because it's inside me. The drawing comes from the inside.
Really, it's a delight to do!
I like the fact that it express, to me again, the character perfectly, and gives a kind of attitude, which, I also like a great deal!
All of that to say that, I will probably do more portraits shortly.
Stay tuned!


But, one might say, how is that even possible?!
In your previous post, you said that your tablet had issues, and you were not able to use it anymore...
Well, would I answer, that is all true!
But, I had also mentioned that I ordered a new tablet!
Well, it came in the mail yesterday...

I can resist, quite easily, to open it immediately, I enjoy waiting for a while, a way to choose the perfect moment to open my present, as, this is to me, a real present, it means so darn much!
It's my primary tool, as far as drawing is concerned!
So, after few minutes, the pressing from my wife being too heavy to handle, I open the package, and saw that lovely box:
Huion 610Pro

When this is done, there's no point to wait longer to open it.
And so, her is the tablet:
Huion 610 Pro

Lovely!
So much nicer than my "old" Wacom tablet!
Then, during the day, I tried it, and here are my findings, especially the comparisons with the Wacom:
THE PROS:

  • The tablet is way more adapted for digital drawing.
  • The quality, believe or not, is nothing comparable. it is of higher quality without an inch of a doubt!
  • The price is not comparable either! This is affordable!
  • The quality of the drawing is multiplied by 10 I'd say.
  • The accuracy as well.
  • The size, even quite smaller than the Wacom does not create any challenges, it is perfect!
  • The look makes you want to eat it!
  • The way it holds itself on the desk is a real improvement.
  • The pen is nicer to keep in hand, and way lighter, which, to me, is a big plus!
  • As for it's accuracy, it's simply not comparable. (Remember that my Wacom was years old tough).
  • The functions are real and customizable.
THE CONS:

  • This is a tough one. One could say that it is easier to draw on a larger tablet as was the Wacom, but to me, regardless of the size of the Wacom, I always ended up using a smaller space that what was possible. I guess that's just the way I draw...
  • Now, this is a tad annoying at first: Wacom allows you to choose and define your drawing area just like you want it. It's called the "tracking" of the tablet. With Huion, you simply can't do that, it's the full surface or nothing. This forces the artist to center the part is working on to the center of the screen on the computer. It annoyed me at first, but I found out, quite fast, that it is actually better to draw. It allowed me to focus better and be way faster to produce the piece.
Now, remember that this is only the first drawing I do with that new tablet, my new baby, and that I might add some thoughts regarding it's usage in a near future...
Again, stay tuned!
Last, her is how it looks all set on my desk:
Huion Tablet all Set to be Used


We're getting there.
Next step, a New Website, or should I simply say, a website!
I haven't had a website dedicated to my work in a long time! In fact, I convinced myself that I didn't need one. But again, that was just myself convincing myself.
So, after much thinking and talking with my better half, I realized that if I wanted to sell my posters, and the comic book, I would, eventually, need a proper website, with the option to buy online directly.
So, it's been 1 week I have been working on it, and it is almost ready.
I dislike that type of work.
Not that I am not good at it, I just don't get the pleasure I get while drawing. Normal one could say, but designing website and such are very similar to drawing, you create a space, the way you want it, the best way you want it. The main difference is that, there's a lots of "goofing" around, trying to adjust this and that, and, frankly, I feel too old to do that.
- smile -
But what must be done, must be done. And so I did.
The site would allow for purchase of the posters, the comic book, and, why not, hire myself to draw what you actually want, a freelance service so to speak.
It will also have a blog, which I will dedicate for my work only.
I will keep this existing one, but this one is more personal, not something where I would send my clients, even though...
Anyway, all of this said, the site should be up and running, I'd say, within a week.
Once and for all, stay tuned folks!!!!
New Website Preview
Here is a fast preview of the look I wanted to give to this new site, simple and clear!


OK, we're getting to the end of that post, there is one more thing I would like to add.
- smile -
A while ago, I had been in touch with Mr. Kyle MacLachlan, an actor I always found brilliant.
I did a poster for one of the character he played in Marvels Agent of SHIELD, Mr. Calvin Zabo aka Mister Hyde.
I contacted him, and offered a printed copy of the poster, which he gladly accepted.
Then, I got busy and it took me, frankly, quite a while to make this happen.
But, after getting the poster printed, which looked great, - smile -, I finally sent it today to the address he gave me, in California.
I truly hope he's going like it, but again, we'll see.
Myself on my way to the post office


Okay, this time it's all for today.
As I can feel the need to draw, I should be back soon, but who knows what life prepares for us.

Have a great day folks.

Sincerely,

Serge
05th August 2015

Thursday, July 30, 2015

Chapter 167 . An Evening in a Life


It's hot...

The fan is working almost 24/7, and it's hot the same...
Most people think that it's always cold in Canada, but it ain't. In fact, it's bloody hot in the summer, except here, close to the ocean, continental weather, which allows the islander to have a warm but not heat wave type of summer.
But, once every few years, it's hot...
Don't get me wrong, I don't mind a bit. I come from a place where it's scorching hot, so, summer for me has to be hot to be a real summer.
I'm certainly not complaining, but barely stating the facts.
-smile-

Nevertheless, it's hot...

My fiancé is playing some music which is supposed to keep us cool...
She's in full activity mood, organizing her workshop, discovering forgotten old friends...
And I'm sweating...

The good news is, it should be cooler in the evening, as soon as the sun sets, the breeze and humidity from the Ocean bringing down the temperature to a more enjoyable level.
It's the perfect time to do anything you have to do outside.
In our case, it goes from getting grocery to having our daily evening walk.
One day we go to see the ocean in Oak Bay, another one we climb the Fairfield Bluff to admire the sunset. Another one, we go to Dallas road, and chill while the light fades...
Yesterday, we went to The Bluff.

We arrived, this time, quite before the sun disappeared behind the hills.
The light was gold, the heat not too bad.
Steph Climbing Up the Bluff - Fairfield - Victoria BC

The sky as blue as it could, not a cloud in sight.
Victoria BC

The horizon was bathed in a sort of peachy/pink colour, with the blue of the sky and the reflection of the ocean, once again, it was magical!
I had never seen the mountains from the States that clearly, you could spot details, little houses, life...
And the majestic mountains, immuables, they seemed eternals...

On the opposite side, the Sun:
Sunset - Victoria BC

The lines of the hills, clear and blurry, waited like they had done so many times before.

We sat.
Let the last warmth of the day paint our bodies red and gold.
Listened to the sound of the city, right below.

Slowly at first, the colours started to change:
Victoria - BC

A white almost full moon showed up, the contrast in between the land and the ocean, and those purples who started to appear.
We became very relax, I felt like being part of it all.
We smiled.
Stephanie

The Sun, on it's last legs, was still giving as much heat and light that he could, but the gold was becoming older with every minute passing by.
Us - Victoria BC

The colours kept on changing.
Sunset - Victoria BC

The contrasts increased.
Sunset - Victoria BC

The different levels of mountains, each of them with a very specific shade of blue or purple, changing every second now, we're getting close to the last light of the day...

I got up and stranded on the tip of the Bluff.
Around me, pure beauty was in action.
I marvelled to the simplicity of it, with an incomprehensible complexity...
I thought one had to be crazy to even attempt to reproduce what I could see.
Then, I looked at my fiancé and smiled again:
Stephanie - Victoria BC

She looked at me and got up.
We looked around one last time.
Sunset - Victoria BC

The sun disappeared, and the humidity kicked in almost immediately.
Even without the help of the direct sun, the sky will continue to have some astonishing colours for quite a while.
We climbed down, and started to walk home.
Played in the kids park, looked and commented on people's garden, talked philosophy a little, and enjoyed the breeze.

Right before our arrival, the sky had turned dark blue and yellow and pink, and purple.
I stopped, wondering how this could be possible, then remembered that I never understood this kind of things.
Sunset - Victoria BC

Finally, we arrived home, it was starting to get cool.
Inside, it was 33 degrees celsius.

Serge
30th of June 2015

Wednesday, July 29, 2015

Chapter 166 . Skies & Water in the City I Live In


Where is the inspiration coming from?
...

Is it our surrounding?
All of it?

Without a doubt, the answer is:
-" The surrounding is part of it."

I find myself, more and more inspired by my surrounding, physical and metaphysical.
The place I live in has a "powerful nature", and by this, I mean the nature has an amazing power towards all and everything.
It is omnipresent, it is everywhere, from the little flowers by the side of the road, to the great and immuable ocean.

Yes, that's it, skies and water!
I live on an island.
Water surrounds us all.
It's not easy to leave, nor to come.
It's an island.

The good part of it, one of them at least, is that we get to see a lots of water, especially that I live in a port, at the edge of the southern part of Vancouver Island.

The summer creates amazing colours in the sky when the sun rush to disappear, and the ocean, its water, makes marvels at reflecting those skies and colours.

Maybe inspiration comes from there, in a great deal, maybe...

Here's a sunset from The Bluff on Fairfield, some kind of hidden place, not a popular one yet.
No water here, but the sky, the city and my wife facing the sun:
From The Fairfield Bluff - Victoria BC

Then, we go to the opposite direction, where the sun sets in our back, Haynes Park in Oak Bay:
Haynes Park - Oak Bay - Victoria BC

The calm of those images is real, it exists.
And that is the real beauty of this place, and, like many other places, the place makes the people, the moods...

Yes, we have to be honest and recognize it, some of us are indeed lucky...
Yes, we are lucky to have made the decisions we have made.

Have a great day folks,

Sincerely,

Serge Foglio
July 29th 2015

Tuesday, March 31, 2015

Chapter 160 . Project & New Illustration


I have been busy...
An unexpected project came up, with a very tight deadline, and so, I put my head down and did it.
Ther is very little I can say about it, nor can I really show anything, as, it is for a competition and the deadline is not over yet.
But anyhow, in short, a friend of mine, Erika, contacted me and asked me if I would be interested in doing a series of illustration for a video about Asthma and Allergies.
I jumped on the occasion, she provided all the narrative, and I drew the illustrations.
Then, I put them together in a video, with original music, and Erika's voice, et voila!
This was a fair amount of drawings, and hope to be able to see them, as well as the video soon!
I'll keep you updated...

Meanwhile, during the project, I was drawing a good 6 to 8 hours per day, which, is exhausting.
I needed something else to balance.
So, as soon as the project was close to be completed, I starting a drawing of my sweet heart I had in mind for a while now.

So, here it is, the portrait and the poster I did with it, and, this one is not for sale.
- smile -
Stephanie . The Youth


And:
Stephanie Poster



Voila folks, that's all for now.
Have a good sunny and rainy day.

Cheers

Serge
31st March 2015