Landon  R. Wilson   artist
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My Art & Illustration Resources Part 3 (Podcasts)

4/12/2016

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 So this is the last in my series of 3 posts about My Artist Resources. These are things I look, at use, watch and/or listen to that help me do the things I do. Check out Part 1 (YouTube) here and Part 2 (Tools an Software) here.
  • Sketch Zone Podcast - This my favorite podcast right now, regardless of being art-related or not.  The cast rotates from time to time but regularly includes the same 3 artists.  Charlie B Williams III, Jack Kasprzak, and the host, Carlos Gomez.  They are funny and informative at the same time and they always bring in interesting and varied guests each show. It reminds me a bit of hanging out with old friends and the rivalry or jokes you make with each other. Past guests include Will Terry and Jake Parker, both accomplished illustrators and YouTubers themselves.

  • Chris Oatley - Chris is the founder of the Oatley Academy, an online school focused on visual storytelling.  I suggest you go to his site in the included link, to see all he has to offer, as there is so much more than just the podcasts.  I’m interested in the ‘Escape From Art Jail’ but as far as I know it is a part of the premium subscription package and I'm not quite there yet!

  • The Animation Network - I love this podastt! It’s an amazing resource for information related to the animation industry. Kris Wimberly is an experienced animator working in Burbank, CA. Not only does he storyboard but he also is in the process of developing his own show with a different studio than where he works at during the day. Pretty cool, huh? He has had on Production Assistants, Storyboard Artists, Background Artists, even a network executive. ​
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Ben Carson Timelapse Video

3/28/2016

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I have embarked on a new project that has come about from this March of Robots event, I guess you would call it.  It's similar to Inktober, which I participated in last year during the month of October. You're supposed to draw 30 robots for each day of the month of March and then post them on social media with the hashtag #marchofrobots.

I realized very quickly that I would not be drawing 30 robots in 30 days so I changed the project to benefit me more. I figured having a few polished and colored robots as compared to 30 half-done, very hurried drawings or sketches would be better.

I think I'll probably have 10 or make that less than 10 finished illustrations by the end of this. With the current political climate right now there's just so much material so I decided to make robots of many of the politicians in the running for president of the United States.

Here is one of the first ones I did, Ben Carson. I started with Jeb Bush and got him just before he dropped out and same thing with Ben Carson. So far I'm learning a lot and definitely my digital workflow is improving and I think that equates to my style improving, too. It's nice to be able to fall back on a “style” rather than to think, should I do this in Watercolor, Oil, Digital, or Whatever?

I hope you enjoy it!

If you have any thoughts, let me know in the comments below. Is there someone you wish didn’t drop out? Is there someone you just hate? Or are you a passive observer at this point (that’s ME!)
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Click on the picture below to see the video on YouTube or watch the embedded video which is on the website (also below).
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Saturn Watercolor Speed Painting

3/14/2016

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Hey, Hey, Hey! Click on the link below to go to the YouTube video.

I decided to change it up a bit with my editing and make it somewhat informative, too. There are a few facts I learned while researching Saturn for the painting strewed throughout the video that I think you will find interesting.  Go ahead, check it out!
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8 Minute Drawing Challenge - F-22a Raptor

2/28/2016

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​The 8 minute drawing challenge.  Draw the same thing 6 times. First you have 4:00, then 2:00, 1:00, :30, :15, and :05. Watch me draw like a kindergartner! 

It's a bit out of focus, sorry, I'll try better next time!
Click the image below to see the video via the YouTube website.
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My Artist & Illustrator Resources for 2016 (pt. 2 - Tools & Software)

2/21/2016

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Hello to you! This is the second part of my Artist Resources list for 2016. Check out the first list HERE. It focuses on YouTube channels that I watch for inspiration and information. As for Part 2, these are all things I discovered and found extremely useful to my workflow.  Maybe you have other things you have found or maybe there is something I have forgotten, let me know in the comments!

  • Tablet Pro - If you have a Microsoft Surface or any Windows 10 touchscreen device (I have a Sony Vaio Flip laptop which has a digitizer for a pen stylus, the Microsoft Surface Pro Pen 3 and 4 both work with it) you NEED this software. Sometimes I set-up on my desk with my wireless keyboard and really get to work. MOST of the time, however, I am lazy. I always choose the path of least resistance i.e. whatever takes the least amount of effort. Normally, I would do nothing, but the convenience of digital art is that I don’t have to clean-up, or set-up and I can just lay on the couch and draw or paint whenever I feel like it! Or DON'T feel like it! IT’S AMAZING!

    This being said, with Table Pro I can easily keep all of my Photoshop shortcuts on-screen where I need them, and work quickly and efficiently.

    Starbucks, here I come!  I love being able to work professionally anywhere I want to! It is fully customizable and if you do 3D work in Maya or wherever, they just updated it to help solve specific needs of 3D artists. The developers are really nice and responded to me personally on a number of occasions. 


    (Click HERE to see a short video of it in action)
  • ArtRage 4.5 - This came pre-installed on my laptop, although I had to upgrade a few times to the newest version. It was a nice preview of the possibilities of digital art for me. It is very intuitive, I had my niece and nephew drawing on it without my help in just a few minutes. It is good at replicating traditional art and I especially like to be able to have a finished illustration (in a sketchy style) in just a couple hours. (Ehhh… maybe more!) It also exports to Photoshop with layers so I can do a more “finished” illustration if I want to.

    It is perfect for whenever I get the itch to draw something right away.
  • Photoshop CC/Lightroom CC -

    It’s only $10 a month!

    Come on, man, how could you NOT at that price? I never really used Photoshop to “make” art. I fixed things up here and there but using the CS4 version of Photoshop never really suited me. Do I know of any specific tools or reasons why the CC version is better? No. I guess when you pay for something it kinda makes you want to use it. That brings me to my next artist resource.
  • Kyle Brushes - I bought the Megapack of Kyle Brushes for something like $15. It has literally changed how I make art. I really never understood how you could use Photoshop from beginning to end on an illustration until I got these brushes. It’s a bit overwhelming considering the Megapack comes with well over 100 brushes to choose from but it’s much easier than trying to make your own and spend hours fiddling with tiny adjustments here and there just to get 1 brush that barely does what I want it to. I have barely even touched the surface of what's capable with them!
  • Coolorus 2 Color Wheel - As I said before, I never found Photoshop to be very intuitive as a painting program and one of those reasons why is because of their Color Picker. The swatches are tiny and I hate the way the slider is. Coolorus is more like Corel Painter’s color picker. It is circular, (well, it's actually a triangle, but you know what I mean) and contains features like Gamut Lock which lets you limit your color palette easily by only having a certain part of the picker available to choose colors from.

    This has always been a problem for me in all digital painting programs.

    Painting traditionally you can easily limit your palette by mixing your colors yourself from just red, blue, and yellow.  (This takes time and is self-limiting as I would never want to mix a thousand different colors!) Also, once colors are mixed, you can just stick with those colors throughout the painting and even if you do mix new colors, some of the original color is usually mixed in, too. The Gamut Lock is a great tool to replicate this. It is also simpler to save colors, and has sliders to change the hue and value of the color you’ve already chosen.  This is a huge time-saver. Oh, and it has a Color History so if you like a color you used 10 minutes ago and forgot to save it, NOW it’s right there in front of you!
    (I do that ALL the time)


Well, that is about it for this list. Well. Almost.

Let me just quickly mention that I use the Microsoft Surface Pro Pen 3 and 4 Stylus for my digital drawings. The new nibs on the 4 are nice and I use the middle one most of the time (I think it is "H") and if I am painting loosely I may use the softest nib (B), which replicates that feeling a little bit better. The fact that it is also magnetic is nice because I can stick it on any of the various metal surfaces around my desk and find it quickly. I can't tell you how many times I went searching for the Pro 3 Stylus throughout the house... finding it under a pillow in my bed, down the crack in the couch, etc., etc.

Next time I will have my list of favorite artist podcasts. 
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My Art & Illustration Resources for 2016 (Pt. 1 - YouTube)

2/3/2016

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  • Jake Parker - The creator of Inktober, World Art-Drop Day,  partner in SVS online art school, and freelance illustrator.  He has inspired me in many ways, such as drawing more using Inktober as a motivational tool.  I have explored my storytelling side as well, through the Inktober event, creating my own story (AND FINISHING IT!) through that month.  If you need to know what goes into a successful Kickstarter project, he’s your man, too.  Check out his Kickstarter playlist here.​ 
  • Will Terry - Partner in SVS online school, children’s book illustrator, and YouTube Creator. Will’s channel is filled with specific information that will help you be a better illustrator. It is inspirational and he collaborates with Jake Parker every once in awhile, too.  There is a great series if you wanted to know what it takes to be an artist at a comic con.  Check that out here.  How much did the table cost? He tells you.  How much did each print cost? .20 each… Somewhere in that range anyways, when you get 21,000 prints! Yeah, don’t quote me on that either but you get the point… He reveals ALL!  
  • Will Terrell - Illustrator, YouTube Creator, and NOW animator.  Will Terrell, not to be confused with Will Terry. He has an awesome channel that really hits a key in your heart.  He reveals all of his insecurities to the viewer and is pretty much as real as it gets.  I love his contagious personality (and laugh). Watching him struggle onto his path towards an animation career in Burbank, CA, is a truly inspiring and riveting story.  Here is one of my favorite People Sketching videos of his. His "People Sketches" are just plain crazy good.
  • Baylee Jae - Animator, Illustrator, and Youtube Creator.  If you want to know what it takes to become a successful YouTube artist, this is the channel to check out.  I’ve picked up a number of tips and tricks since subscribing to her channel.  She has a nice system for shipping out prints and knows where to get the cheapest shipping materials.  She also has an interesting Vlog channel if you want to know what it's like NOT to have a 9-5!  Check that out here.  (ULINE to name one place.  They have clear bags for prints, shipping tubes and boxes, chipboard for backing the prints, etc.)
  • Roberto Blake - Graphic Designer, Marketer and Entrepreneur.  Are you looking for technical details, specs on computers and accessories to help your digital world?  This is the place to go.  I was confused as to how to store all of these new picture and video files I’ve been creating since I’ve consistently been making YouTube videos (I've actually been more consistent recording footage... I'm still lacking in the making videos area!)  I found the answers on Roberto’s channel.  His workflow is amazing and his prolificness is inspiring.  He makes a video every day of the week.  Here is his schedule pulled straight from his channel:
    • Mondays- Graphic Design, Design Education, Logo Design, Web Design
    • Tuesdays- Tech, App Reviews, Unboxing Videos, Software, Demos, Buying Guides
    • Wednesdays- Photography, DSLR Video, Camera Gear, Video Editing, Photo Editing,
    • Thursdays- Adobe Tutorial Videos: Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, Premiere Pro, Audition
    • Fridays- YouTuber Videos: How to Grow Your YouTube Channel, Video Marketing
    • Saturdays- Small Business and Social Media
    • Sundays- Game of Thrones Reviews: GoT Episode & Character Reviews, Vlogs, TV & Movie Reviews.
Kevin Cross - Comic book artist and freelance illustrator.  Kevin’s channel provides real insight into what the day to day life of a full-time artist looks like.  He is a punk rocker, too. You can check out his new Vlog channel here, entitled Middle Age Punk.  He tells the story of what it takes to turn down paying clients to start your passion projects.  His series 100 Days of Making Comics is an interesting tool he uses to push past burnout, clients, and life to try and find a way to spend 30 minutes each day on his own personal project. It’s something I would like to strive to do; nothing I’ve done, but man that idea sounds real good in my head.  
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Earth Watercolor + Digital Speed Painting

1/25/2016

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So I have a new schedule for the new year. I will be doing a dedicated blog post bi-weekly and I will be posting YouTube videos bi-weekly. They will alternate the weeks and this should help me to transition into doing more videos which I think people respond well to. (I know I do!) 

This week I have uploaded a video on the process of making the Earth illustration I did late last year. 

Here is the description on YouTube:

​"I painted this planet called Earth in watercolor. It has been my home for the past... ummm... 32 years now.  It's beautiful.  Check out this watercolor and digital mix illustration.  I used Winsor & Newton Artist Grade Watercolors (some white Gouache), Photoshop CC, and Artrage 4 to complete it."

Let me know if you have any comments or questions about the new schedule. 

Click here to go to the video!



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Why I Want The Walking Dead To Be True.

1/17/2016

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What is it with our fascination with apocalyptic scenarios? Maybe it's just me, but when I sit down and watch The Walking Dead I'm so enthralled, so enchanted that I can't stop putting myself into that scenario hours after the episode has ended. (Click here if you don't know anything about the zombie-filled TV series based on the graphic novel created by Robert Kirkman. Click here to see a behind-the-scenes clip of the making of the ultimate-zombie slaying Hyundai Elantra.)

Is it the fact that I would never have any more bills to pay? I mean that's really, REALLY tempting. Oh, just the mere glimpse of the thought that my student loans could be absolved... no more monthly credit card bill. Mortgage. What mortgage? I see, I take, it's mine. Give me a McMansion in some sleepy suburb where I can hide out for a few months, maybe more. I could do some hunting. I've never shot a [real] gun before but don't let that stop my fantasy. 

If I remember correctly, though, I am a pretty damn good shot. At least, I was when I was ten. In the snow-laden woods with my friend Travis and his new Christmas present. Does shooting a 1996 Chevy Blazer through 50 yards of woods after an hour of coming up empty-handed mean I'm a good shot? Well, if it does than I'm pretty sure I'd still be alive if I was in The Walking Dead. I'm resilient anyways. And I can run pretty well through the woods. The owner of that Chevy slammed on the brakes and Travis and I just took off as quickly as we could!

Sorry Chevy-owner, we do stupid things when we're kids.

I guess as some sort of cosmic-karma, a couple years ago I was minding my own business in my driveway and I felt the sting of a bee-bee shot to the leg. I looked over and saw the neighbor's kid (and friends) try to cram through the back patio door all at the same time. I stormed over there and gave them a piece of my mind but resisted ratting them out to their parents. Life is funny that way sometimes.

Well... I'm a lot older and a little fatter... maybe I'd do better in some sort of nuclear bomb scenario. That seems reasonable. No guns needed there right? I can meditate. I'm pretty sure I could hang out in some bomb shelter for years on end if need be. Hell, I'm an artist. I make stuff. That'll keep me busy. 

But then I don't get to kill anybody, do I? Maybe that's why The Walking Dead is so omnipresent in my mind. I mean sometimes, my phone AND my computer don't do exactly what I want IMMEDIATELY and I tap on the keyboard/screen aggressively and successively, in the hopes that maybe it didn't know my oily finger was giving it a command.  IT SHOULD KNOW. IT SHOULD WORK.  There's a moment, sometime after I've tapped 100 times... it's at that moment, when I realize it's just not gonna work, that I start rapping my finger on it harder and harder.

That's the moment that I really wish I was in The Walking Dead and I could just plow my fist through a walker's skull like it's puddy. 

Maybe that should come with all computers. A zombie. Yeah, that'd be nice.


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Alternatively, I could just set up a punching bag next to my computer so I can start working on my technique before the zombie apocalypse comes. 'Cause when shit hits the fan, I wanna be ready.

And if that doesn't work... I have long legs.
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Manx Cat Chasing Tail (Happy New Year)

12/31/2015

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Merry Christmas.

Happy New Year.

Here is a cat video I made for you.  Enjoy!
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​It is the FIRST video I ever made. It is a video of my Manx cat chasing it's short, stub tail. It was just practice for me to help figure out the Sony Movie Studio software that my laptop came with before I edited my first art video. I didn't intend on releasing it but.... here you go!

I made this this summer but I somehow lost all of the audio in the original file and who knows what else. So I basically remade it over the past two days. It's amazing how it took me ten hours to make a one minute video! I have so much more to learn about editing videos... 
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Inktober Speed Draw Videos On YouTube

11/29/2015

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I did thirty-one ink drawings for the month of October. Or Inktober, as it has been made famous by illustrator Jake Parker. Thank you by the way! It's been a lot of fun and a great motivational tool to create something awesome. 

It's amazing how quickly the weeks go by. I have a post on The Walking Dead in the works, but for now I'll just leave you with these video clips of me drawing and talking, in case you haven't seen them before. I still have 3 more Inktober videos to complete, so stay tuned for those.

I've also updated my website a bit. (It's been an ongoing process for the past few months.) I've added my Instagram feed so if you don't have Instagram you can check it out here and see all of the Inktober drawings as well as some short timelapse watercolors plus other random goodies!

Click on the pictures below to see the videos on YouTube. (The first picture will bring you to the first video in the series. I didn't do a custom thumbnail for that one so I just used the generic Inktober logo here.) Subscribe to my channel if you want, too!
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    Landon R. Wilson

    Welcome to my blog.

    This is where I share some of the behind-the-scenes stuff that is involved in making my art. 


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