The Art of William Appledorn

Long dead Project. Revisited.

2012-01-26T20:31:00.000-08:00

Seeing if i can come up with anything worth putting in my portfolio, stumbled across this logo design for a restaurant that never got past the initial phases. Figured I'd have go at it since i had a perfectly good illustration of a chihuahua lying around. let me know what you think.

Band Poster Practice

2012-01-25T18:04:00.000-08:00

just for fun, a poster for my Dad's band gig in March.

Gallery's Up!

2012-01-24T20:58:00.001-08:00

well at least the caricature one, at the moment. check it out.
EDIT: CHECK OUT MY NEW ILLUSTRATION GALLERY TOO! --->

Whew...

2012-01-15T17:56:00.000-08:00

Well, that was certainly the most complicated illustration i have ever done, and i used to wonder why you'd use adjustment layers and masks in PS, HA!

A Trip to Mars

2012-01-13T19:10:00.000-08:00

While The new Film 'John Carter' looks kinda Meh, I have been enjoying the hell out of the original books the movie's based on. They're pretty simple reads but are packed with some great Adventure.

I've been interested in the stories ever since I read 'League of Extraordinary Gentlemen', Where John Carter makes a couple appearances in the first two books. Since the Trailer Premiered for the new feature film from Disney, you could say my interest was definitely Piqued.

Fortunately the first few books in the Barsoom Series are Freebies through amazon's Kindle app, and since i recently acquired a smartphone I took the opportunity to read them, an'd I'm certainly Glad i did. I Recently Finished 'A Princess of Mars' and I'm just getting into 'The Gods of Mars'. Really exciting setting, generic but Fun characters, and as i said, Tons of adventure.

As per usual, my interest in this particular bit of fiction has inspired some Illustration.While I am no Frank Frazetta, I hope i've Been able to Capture a little of what i find so fascinating about this series.

Here are some WIPs of what I'm working on, just the main figures for now. I'm Trying to get some full blown illustrations under my belt with backgrounds and everything, so this is a long process for me to get it right.

Self Portrait

2012-01-12T12:42:00.000-08:00

Just for fun, was getting tired of my last one on facebook. Stuck with mostly secondary colors on this just because.

Samurai Are awesome

2012-01-11T16:03:00.000-08:00

A little less Thinking

2012-01-10T18:58:00.000-08:00

I always mess my caricatures up when i start thinking about what i'm doing so i decided to just play around on this one. In most ways i like this one better than the first try

(original post)

Went and saw the English version of 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' a couple weeks back, and i've been thinking of doing a caricature of Rooney Mara, who plays the title character. ( is it just me or is it odd that both girls who played lisbeth have such weird names, Noomi and Rooney, idk)

so, here's a first sketch. i'm happy with the likeness but it doesn't really have that 'something' quite yet.

you might see a few more tries on here before the final.

Hey look at that. I finished a project!

2012-01-09T06:54:00.000-08:00

Finally, Im motivated to actually doing something. It feels great. got this finished up in the wee hours of the morning and I'm ready to tackle some caricatures that have been collecting dust waiting to be finished.

as always, let me know what you think.

My Dragonborn

2012-01-06T16:38:00.000-08:00

Oh what a surprise, a video game has eaten up all my spare time leaving me to neglect my art and my blog.

I was determined to post some sort of art on here and fortunately said video game, 'The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim', provided a much needed inspiration.

Behold the Dragonborn, The prophesised hero that Saved the land of Skyrim from the Dragon Menace and (what else) the end of the world. My version of the guy looks more menacing villain than he does hero, but he's still bad ass, and that's all that matters.

Anyway, hope you like it. tried some new Photoshop tricks for lighting, so let me know what you think.

Finals

2011-12-12T09:02:00.000-08:00

The last projects for my 3d classes

Exploded view

2011-11-15T08:58:00.000-08:00

Some color theory projects

2011-11-15T08:44:00.001-08:00

More 3D

2011-11-07T08:25:00.000-08:00

Fun With Forza 4

2011-11-05T20:44:00.000-07:00

Never before has any video game sapped my time as well as my artistic energy. Then along comes Forza Motorsport 4. I could spend hours driving amazing cars, as you would expect, but also spend hours noodling the fine details of a logo that will appear on my car's fender. Never has a game been better suited for a racing fan/ illustrator.I'm just starting to come to grips with what's possible in this games paint and decal section, but so far i have a few designs that i made from scratch, some inspired by my favorite motorsports, from games, and my own personal moving billboard. here they are, and i hope to have some other art up soon. stay tuned.

Kiddo

2011-10-18T20:35:00.001-07:00

They want Caricatures, Give them Caricatures!

2011-10-18T06:55:00.000-07:00

some sketches from the past week or so.

More 3D Design

2011-10-08T08:18:00.001-07:00

'Drive' Final

2011-09-27T05:36:00.000-07:00

Now in 3D!

2011-09-19T11:28:00.000-07:00

our first micro project in my 3D design class, using cinema 4D.

'Drive' sketch

2011-09-18T17:00:00.000-07:00

Went to see 'DRIVE' the other day, it's pretty much 'Transporter' but done well. A GREAT movie, an action film that is more along the lines of 'Bullit' and 'French connection' than it's modern day peers like, well, 'Transporter' or 'Fast and Furious'. Also, i was surprised how much i liked the 80's-ish synth-pop soundtrack.

anyway, been sketching for the last day or so, until i finally figured out Ryan Gosling makes for a much more interesting caricature in profile, so i came up with this.

Walter White final

2011-09-15T19:14:00.000-07:00

did this one in illustrator for a change

Guitar heroes sketch pt. 2

2011-09-08T19:27:00.000-07:00

so here we got; Larry Carlton (from his Ridiculous album cover portrait), Pete Townsend( of The Who), and Andy Summers (of The Police).

let me know what you think. again, not too familiar with two of these guys, so am i on the right track?

Walter White sketch.

2011-09-08T16:14:00.001-07:00

By far the Best show on TV right now is Breaking Bad, and this season is really winding up the tension nicely for a hopefully awesome finale. I was surprised i hadn't done any caricatures of the cast over the years, so i decided to knock one out. here's Bryan Cranston as the Main Character Walter White.

Hooray, I finished something...

2011-09-06T13:01:00.001-07:00

Well, the first of many, anyway.

let me know what you think... or not.

More Game of Thrones fan art, The Night's Watch.

2011-08-31T20:34:00.000-07:00

So yeah, this project's been stewing for a while and i finally kicked myself in the ass to get it started. It's similar in it's goal as my starwars caricatures from a couple years ago, but i wanted to do some group images and focus on making complete compositions, instead of one off busts, sort of inspired by the MAD movie spoof splash pages.

I'll be doing a few more of these and will try to cover all the main characters of the first book/season . As for this one, colors will be coming soon.

let me know what you think, even if you have no idea what this is a picture of,lol.

Guitar heroes sketch pt. 1

2011-08-26T18:50:00.000-07:00

One of my Dad's band-mates was impressed with the drummer caricature did a while back, and requested one of some of his favorite guitarists. so, here are the first four sketches to start this off.

pictured: David Gilmour of Pink Floyd, Eddie Van Halen, Jeff Beck, and Jimmy Page.

pretty happy with 'em so far, though i will have to tweak Gilmour and Van Halen before i'm 100% happy.

let me know what you think.

Wilfred Final

2011-08-17T19:31:00.001-07:00

Man's Best friend

2011-08-16T16:38:00.000-07:00

A little sketch of the stars of the US version of 'Wilfred'.

Kuwabatake Sanjuro

2011-08-13T07:35:00.001-07:00

Quick Sketch of Toshiro Mifune as he appears in 'Yojimbo'. Finally got around to seeing it.

i may or may not have a finished version of this up soon.

Portraits

2011-08-05T13:15:00.001-07:00

Done

2011-07-31T14:54:00.001-07:00

Nose to the grindstone

2011-07-30T19:03:00.000-07:00

Alright, here's another new sketch, Comedian Louis CK. His comedy is a bit of an acquired taste. I first heard of him from Opie and Anthony, on who's show he was a regular guest until he got uber famous. I think he's brilliant, and his show, for lack of a better word, shows that off really well. I just watched the latest episode and the opening sequence had me crying from laughing so hard! anyways, if you haven't checked is show or his standup out, i encourage you to take a look.

oh yeah, and here's the sketch. painting coming soon (i hope)

Holy S**t, a new post

2011-07-25T03:58:00.001-07:00

something quick, A Caricature of Singer Florence Welch. More new stuff to come...hopefully.

Obsess much?

2011-05-18T16:51:00.000-07:00

So, a few weeks back a new show premiered on HBO called 'Game of Thrones', named after the first book of an epic fantasy series that it is based on, 'A song of ice and fire'. Like a week before the first episode, i had never heard of these books, and had only seen like one teaser for the show.

Fast forward to today, and I've read all four books, itching to start the fifth, due out in a month or so, and have watched every episode so far (loudly critiquing everything i think they got wrong, of course). I am utterly obsessed with this story!

I seem to do this a lot. i latch on to stories and wring them out for all their worth. same thing happened with lord of the rings when that came out, or Watchmen, The Tudors, more recently the Sherlock Holmes mysteries or the Mass effect video game series. I'm a sucker for a good story, but i hate endings. As soon as i finish one i feel i have to find another. fortunately in this case, neither are the book series nor the show anywhere near done.

anyway, here's a little caricature of Sean Bean as Eddard Stark, as main a character as this story has.

What I've been up to

2011-05-17T19:20:00.001-07:00

here's a hang tag design and a self promotional pop up mailer design

two brand identity campaign concepts, neither were chosen by the client :(

an exercise in sitemapping, i liked the final product tho

a conceptual gatefold brochure, for F1 obviously. choice of subject matter was up to us, and i was tired of self promos.

and my portrait work from the semester, well the good ones anyway.

and of course All logos are trademarks of their respective companies and the Formula one copy and images are copyright to their respective owners.

NOW BACK TO THE FUN STUFF! ;)

Time flys... when you're neck deep in schoolwork.

2011-04-27T18:58:00.000-07:00

here's a little something just for fun, and for the sake of posting something.

New portrait

2011-04-13T09:13:00.000-07:00

from class last friday

Logo Design

2011-04-02T18:43:00.000-07:00

Latest School Project, done for a local Community development organization.

David Duchovny

2011-03-31T04:30:00.000-07:00

I watch a lot of shows, but Californication has still got to be my favorite.

William H. Macy

2011-03-30T16:50:00.001-07:00

Showtime's new series 'Shameless' is over, and will, not surprisingly, be back next year. I love how Macy's character Frank is just a total dirtbag. He's great!

Damn Video Games

2011-03-23T20:28:00.000-07:00

Right now, I'm hooked on Shogun 2. spent all afternoon conquering 16th century Japan.

Before that it was Mass Effect 2, before that it was Assassin's creed 2, F1 2010, Black ops, the list goes on and on...

too many good games not enough time for art.

Done and Done

2011-03-20T10:13:00.000-07:00

I don't think i'll be drawing Anne hathaway again any time soon...

First try. Done.

2011-03-18T17:05:00.000-07:00

i say first try, hoping there will be others. I'm probably being too optimistic. lol

Anne Hathaway Sucks.

2011-03-17T19:51:00.000-07:00

well... as a caricature subject, that is.
When i saw she was the latest e-caricatures contest subject, i figured she'd be fun to draw. At a glance she seems to have an easy face to caricature. Indeed, for some that may be true. However, her visage has become the bane of my existence for the last week. it's a riddle i feel almost incapable of solving, a nut i can't seem to crack. this project was even making me think i had lost my touch. It became a blancing act, as usual i guess, trying to fit her oversize features into a small head, and every time a stretched it just a little, i lost the likeness totally. i couldn't get a break. tonight i may have stumbled onto something i can shape into a final piece.

ok. done bitching, here's some art. brace yourselves. here's a look into my torturous process.
started out just getting something down, anything... i refined this idea into the sketch in my earlier post.

then i took a closer look at structure and how the parts fit together, because when i didn't fit them together realistically it looked weird.

tried to exaggerate the brows to more of an extreme. fail.

how bout the smile. nope.

really, that was all just to make this last one look better. i decided to play with the features in a more 3d perspective, perhaps that would get me somewhere. i think it did. let me know what you think.

Still Painting (w/ varying degrees of success)

2011-03-14T11:09:00.000-07:00

some stuff from portrait class

and a couple from deviantart stock photos, this time from medusestock and VampireSybelle-Stock

Hathaway sketch...

2011-03-07T19:09:00.000-08:00

after a page of total worthlessness, i came up with this li'l sketch. there are some promising parts of it. will try to push this one a little further.

Not really my cup of tea...

2011-03-07T11:47:00.001-08:00

a couple paintings for my mom

creating mood with color

2011-03-05T05:49:00.001-08:00

a little project for class today.

Kinetic Type project

2011-03-01T07:20:00.000-08:00

my first attempt at animating anything, rather awful considering the design and typography, but i'm proud of it.

Holmes Final

2011-02-27T17:49:00.000-08:00

trying to work out of my comfort zone with the color palette, pretty pleased with how it came out.

let me know what ya think

ALSO;
>I HAVE 5 24x8.5 PRINTS OF MY 'LEGENDARY ROCK DRUMMERS' CARICATURE PAINTING AVAILABLE. CONTACT ME IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN PURCHASING ONE(OR MORE). JUST $35.00

Ah, There we go!

2011-02-26T18:58:00.000-08:00

finally came up with something i want to try to finish

Drummer project final

2011-02-23T19:45:00.001-08:00

i guess if you're interested, pictured from left to right; Ginger Baker, Bill Bruford, John Bonham, Keith Moon, Charlie Watts, Mitch Mitchell and Ringo Starr.

figure painting

2011-02-22T05:35:00.000-08:00

once again, ref by mjranum-stock on deviantart.

Drummer project progress

2011-02-20T17:19:00.000-08:00

You know when you get to a certain point in a project and you realize that you totally underestimated the amount of work said project actually involved, i think I've gotten to that point.

Doing a caricature of a famous person i've never heard of is never fun, especially when it's a chore to find proper reference, especially when you have to do 7 in a row.

this has been the biggest caricature project that i've undertaken ever. I've struggled through multiple likenesses, procrastinated my ass off and fiddled about with the composition endlessly. however, i think all these things can only improve my skills and make me not only a better caricaturist, but better artist.

i may be taking such an optimistic view of things because i'm also at a point where i can see the light at the end of the tunnel. I have it all set compositionaly, i have likenesses that I'm pleased with for all 7 guys and all i have to do now is finish it off.

so, here it is, hopefully i won't procrastinate any longer, and my dad can put it on his wall soon.

More paint sketching

2011-02-19T05:48:00.000-08:00

it appears i have a lot more images of women on my hard drive to paint from than men.

oil on canvas board 5x7
(they were calling me a whiskey painter at class yesterday for using such li'l canvases)

Take II

2011-02-18T20:31:00.000-08:00

another try, without reference this time. just going for the general impressions i get.
been watching the show on dvd to get a better sense of him.

Jeremy Brett

2011-02-17T19:07:00.000-08:00

...as Sherlock Holmes of course.

this is the first time in a long while i have been spurred to action by one of the many online caricature contests there seem to be now, the latest subject on e-caricatures is Mr Holmes in any one of his film incarnations. As i've already caricatured Robert downey jr. and benedict cumberbatch, that left only one that i had actually seen before.

So, here is my first attempt. there is plenty i'm not satisfied with, but i feel it's on the right track.

Practice, Practice, Practice...

2011-02-16T08:57:00.000-08:00

trying some new things technique-wise for portraits. trying some hands(which went better than expected), doing a b+w study, and doing a quick one not worrying about any detail(my eyes hurt after so much squinting)

first two come from deviantart, by mjranum_stock and coi_stock respectively. the last one's from an old hegre-art set i think.

let me know what you think.

Rossum Final

2011-02-12T14:51:00.000-08:00

Me me me...

2011-02-09T14:21:00.000-08:00

been in a bit of an artistic rut for a while, trying to break out of it, just a quick self portrait from today. i;m looking at it now and all i can think is, "i really need to measure more". my portraits are always a little...off.

i'll try to finish my emmy rossum caricature and at least start a new one (probably of Jeremy Brett) by the end of the week.

later

Yesterday's portrait painting

2011-01-29T06:56:00.000-08:00

new one, from yesterday. i like the composition, but i think i ended up overworking it a bit.

Friday's Portrait class

2011-01-24T18:47:00.000-08:00

Emmy Rossum Sketch

2011-01-23T18:49:00.000-08:00

Been watching all the new shows on Showtime this season, while Californication is as good as always and Episodes is often very funny, Shameless is the real standout. No surprise that an acclaimed British show converted for the US is successful(Ironically enough this is the plot of Episodes), but i'm really digging it.

here's a Sketch of one of the stars, Emmy Rossum, who plays Fiona.

Sargent Caricature

2011-01-20T14:31:00.001-08:00

Edit: Final Posted
there's a few things i might change, but for the most part it's done

Mitch Mitchell

2011-01-18T15:44:00.000-08:00

now on to the easy ones...

Back into the deep end...

2011-01-18T03:59:00.000-08:00

Got some new oils the other day, decided once again to get into them. i feel i have a better handle on how to use them after all the practice w/ acrylics. God, what a fucking hassle, but they look soooo great.

here's a quick study from some deviantart stock, courtesy of mjranum_stock.

Ginger Baker

2011-01-17T15:08:00.000-08:00

that's two...

Keith moon

2011-01-16T06:24:00.001-08:00

one down, 4 to go

Olivia Munn WIP

2011-01-14T18:15:00.001-08:00

EDIT (final posted)
Man, it seems harder and harder to come up with celebrities to caricature. Here's a new one that I've finally started getting somewhere with. It's Olivia Munn, TV personality and actress. I tried to caricature her some time ago, but it didn't go anywhere, figured i'd give'er another try since she's once again kinda relevant, what with a new show coming out. This time i really struggled to get going, but I'm happy where it's headed so far.

let me know what you think.

Rooster

2011-01-11T17:41:00.000-08:00

Sherlock Final

2011-01-06T18:48:00.001-08:00

Busy, busy, busy... goodbye 2010.

2010-12-31T18:31:00.000-08:00

I feel a bit overwhelmed with all kinds of art projects at the moment, and with so much occupying my time i find it harder to keep my blog updated. I can't complain, I'm usually wallowing around in boredom, hoping for inspiration to fall in my lap, it's good to have my mind occupied with art, keeps me sharp, excited.

I suppose it's only fitting as my last post of the year to reflect a bit...

This past year I've drifted away from digital art and caricatures quite a bit. Due to school, my traditional fine art pursuits are taking up more and more time, and i really enjoy the challenge of something new.

I'm really, really enjoying filling in the gaps in my art education. You would have been hard pressed to find me voluntarily reading my math textbook while at UC, but i find myself searching out more and more things to read and learn to make myself a better artist. The exercises and projects that, in any other subject, i would have considered a chore, i search out and complete with a zeal that surprises even me. I feel silly for saying it, but I'm excited just talking about it.

My caricature projects have taken an obvious back seat to my attempts to get a handle on painting and working from life, both portrait and figure. However, when i go back to my caricatures it's a whole new beast now. It's like i was walking in the dark before and I've finally found the light switch. With some actual art education under my belt i feel i can competently make the right decisions in my art. Sure, some of my caricatures were quite nice, but i feel like i was just getting lucky. It excites me to think of what i will do with my caricature art in the new year, and i hope it excites you too. However much fun I've been having, this blog is for the reader as well and i feel an obligation to provide something. That's a constant motivation for me.

I can certainly see the trend, not so many comments on my traditional artwork, and less and less on my caricatures. I will Try to take a more active roll in the blogosphere in the new year. I miss the interactions with my peers here on the internet and the real-time feedback and critique available, but it's a give and take and i feel guilty for not keeping a closer eye on the work of my internet acquaintances and sharing my thoughts.

Well, now that I've said that, you were probably hoping for some art. I have a couple caricature projects on the drawing board at the moment.

My Sherlock piece is coming along slowly but surely,

I also have some sketches from a personal project for my Dad to share.

He's a Drummer and he wanted some caricatures of legendary rock drummers for the wall of his drum room, so here are the prelims.

Have a good new year's celebration everyone.
I'm enjoying mine drawing, wooo!

See you next year

redhead

2010-12-22T11:23:00.000-08:00

from a photo, can't recall the source...

Can't stop painting

2010-12-17T06:20:00.000-08:00

yet another study from a deviant-art stock photo, this time courtesy of Majesticstock

Velasquez studies

2010-12-16T07:51:00.000-08:00

a couple of exercises from my last two days of painting class for the semester.

Sherlock sketch

2010-12-15T18:24:00.001-08:00

So i watched the new imported Sherlock show when it aired here a few weeks back, and thought it was great. i intended to do a caricature, but never really got around to it. i had some time tonight so i sketched something up. i may have discovered why my colleagues from overseas chose to only caricature the Star, Benedict Cumberbatch. Martin freeman, who plays Watson, i found, is nigh impossible to caricature.

so, you can obviously see which of these was rather spontaneous and quick and which was labored over continuously just from my linework. i think i got something that is passable at least, but i'll have to do something more convincing on the final if i want him to hold up against the other caricature.

let me know what you think.

A few more...

2010-12-12T15:39:00.001-08:00

the last of my paintings from this semester, yet another self portrait and a couple pieces from portrait class.

s'more Paintings

2010-12-09T18:57:00.001-08:00

a couple of studies from photos, courtesy of 'lockstock and idnurse41 on deviantart, respectively.

and a couple from last weeks portrait painting class

The Bad... Redux

2010-12-06T15:57:00.000-08:00

Bored Final

2010-11-15T07:35:00.001-08:00

Bored to death

2010-11-07T17:17:00.000-08:00

that was refreshing, getting to scratch the caricature itch a little. a sketch of the three main characters in HBO's series 'bored to death'

Blue feathers w/study

2010-11-05T12:04:00.000-07:00

another school project.
reference images courtesy of AmethystDreams1987 on deviantart.

And now for something completely different...

2010-11-01T15:52:00.001-07:00

just a little photoshop photo montage for class. practice with the masks and making use of adjustment layers.

i'll have some more paintings up soon, and maybe even some new car

Big Schoolwork dump Pt. III (Portrait painting)

2010-10-26T13:15:00.000-07:00

Big Schoolwork dump Pt. II (Painting)

2010-10-26T13:11:00.000-07:00

reference for the last image courtesy of *NikxStock on Deviantart

Big Schoolwork dump Pt. I (figure drawing)

2010-10-26T13:04:00.000-07:00

Fett Final

2010-10-05T07:28:00.001-07:00

Portrait class

2010-10-05T06:35:00.000-07:00

a couple of pieces from my portrait painting class, my painting from last friday's model and my homework assignment "vincent", an exercise in learning the basic planes of the human face and the subtle value shifts. hope ya dig em.

A little school project

2010-10-03T20:45:00.001-07:00

Last one, i promise... for a while at least.

2010-09-28T11:07:00.001-07:00

another self caricature. just refining my painting technique. i'll try to paint some other stuff/people for my subsequent projects.

acrylic 16x20

New school work

2010-09-17T13:36:00.000-07:00

Something from today's portrait painting class...

and some pages from my first life drawing session last night...

Yep, another self portrait.

2010-09-15T15:16:00.000-07:00

i know it's been a while when even my parents start commenting that i haven't posted in a while.

sooo, here's the latest, a new self portrait from painting II.

i'll probably have some more school projects up soon,so keep and eye open for some figure drawing, portrait sketches and paintings, and some graphic design illustrations.

Painting II

2010-09-03T04:54:00.000-07:00

back to it, just a quick still life study for now.

experiencing some technical difficulties...

2010-08-27T20:20:00.000-07:00

Getting a little artistic block at the moment, cant come up with an idea that inspires me to pick up the pencil and draw, and when i do it seems to always come out disappointing.

soooo, i will be back shortly with what will most certainly be some marvelous artwork, but in the meantime here's another self portrait.

Potter final

2010-08-21T08:12:00.001-07:00

Harry potter

2010-08-20T05:32:00.000-07:00

Just a sketch

Forgot about these

2010-08-19T09:23:00.000-07:00

this was my final project in my Illustrator class, designing a 12 month calendar. i chose to do a 'art through time' theme, with caricatures of some of my favorite artists.

Emily Haines

2010-08-18T17:06:00.000-07:00

Ville Valo

2010-08-11T16:53:00.000-07:00

Ville Valo, front man of Finnish rock band HIM. Quick sketch out o' the sketchbook that i fixed up all nice in photoshop.