Uncommon Ground

Graveyard is Not My Friend

2009-04-27T04:15:00.000-07:00

So a month or so working at Home Depot doing late-night stocking and freight has convinced me of one thing above all else: I am not nocturnal. Some people are and can work graveyard their whole lives, and I simply lack the required masochism to maintain that. Thank the Gods it is only a 90-day job. My biggest regret is that I sleep away my days and don't do anything, not even art. I am taking steps to change this, but it is slow going. Anyways, I must be off to bed.

A Few Setbacks

2009-03-26T23:05:00.000-07:00

Here I was, ready to begin posting my comic. Suddenly I came to a screeching halt: I had no webhosting. So, I ventured forth to find something suitable. I came across a highly rated site, only to accidentally end up signing up for 36 months. The page was not finished loading before I realized what happened so I hit 'stop' and aborted it there. Of course, I was charged the $120 or so anyway and have no site. Still waiting for my promised refund... Anyway, I tried comicgenesis.com, thinking that if it worked for Sarah Sawyer, (The Gods' Pack) then it could work for me. well, everything seemed workable at first, and then it stopped acknowledging my username and password. No matter how many times I try to renew/ refresh my account, it simply won't work. This is really bad for my morale. Well, I endeavor to persevere, and hopefully my labors will prove fruitful.

About Bloody Time

2009-03-12T17:56:00.000-07:00

I have been kicking round the idea of a webcomic for a very long time. I have done sketches, character personae, plot lines and all sorts of things but have not actually done anything about getting it started. That all changed recently. With the upcoming job I have lined up taking place in the graveyard shift, and my altered sleep schedule. I got bored and made the first few pages. I am currently looking for a webhost, and should have the comic up and running in not too long.

Go me.

Troll Bridge

2009-03-05T10:56:00.000-08:00

I have always enjoyed the juxtaposition of fantasy and reality. I am severely aware of the difference between the two, but occasionally I find myself wondering if there are places where the line blurs. This place I have created blurs that line, and although artificial, perhaps could be.

Leviathan Revisited

2009-02-26T15:06:00.001-08:00

As promised, I re-posted my Leviathan picture. I edited it and made it look more organic, maybe a bit less squishy.

Oh no, Not Another Learning Experience!

2009-02-26T15:01:00.000-08:00

So it looks like I may finally be able to find a job in a local graphics shop. The guy said on the message he left me, "I do all the graphics myself, but how are you at web design?" So I called him back and said "Terrible, I have no experience in it. But I will learn it as fast as possible." He said that it sounded great and to call him back when I could design web pages. SO I looked online and found out how to use MS FrontPage 2002 (what I have) and laid into it. I am now able to make decent looking web pages. Go me! Now all I need to do is learn to make them better. Maybe I should look into Dreamweaver...

Antimony

2009-02-24T21:37:00.000-08:00

This is a picture of Antimony Carver, the protagonist of the award-winning webcomic Gunnerkrigg Court. Those of you who have not read this comic should do so. It is simply the best one out there.

Vectors are tricky, but yield interesting results.

Gorgon

2009-02-23T12:40:00.000-08:00

This was a project that kept me busy for a bit. it was enjoyable. More so now that I see the result.

Chocolate Frog

2009-02-20T12:03:00.000-08:00

This was an exercise from the tutorial. The frog started out being green and froggy. This one was fun.

Leviathan

2009-02-20T12:00:00.000-08:00

Made this from scratch. I intend to go back and doctor it up later.

Photoshop Rocks

2009-02-20T11:55:00.000-08:00

Seriously, it does. I have taken this awesome tutorial that I discovered and learned so much that my head hurts. Not really, actually my head feels fine. But the fact remains that I could pontificate about the numerous virtues of layer masks that I was woefully ignorant of a fortnight ago. Anyway, the time has come to step up to the plate and take on real challenges in art. All I have to do is get my name out.

The Mighty Monquid

2009-02-03T20:22:00.000-08:00

The Residents' Official Board Of Technology (ROBOT) at Humboldt State University is one of the most awesome on-campus groups in history. Their mascot, seen here with his Wiimote, is the Monquid. Half monkey, half squid, half robot: he is the icon of everlasting awesomeness. This is my first real piece of digital art.

I Need to Get Out More

2009-02-03T20:16:00.000-08:00

I just found out the steps to take to ensure that someone other than me will ever read this post. Normally, one needs to leave the house to meet new people. It feels kind of funny and ironic to learn (or relearn) that I need to devote a few hours (or days, time will tell) to meet some other local artists or other like-minded people.

It is a pleasure to meet you.

Slow Going

2009-01-22T12:04:00.000-08:00

I have been juggling my time looking for work and practicing with the stylus. I feel as though I am relearning everything about drawing. Perhaps that isn't too far from the truth. I see that I am gradually getting better, but not as fast as I would like to. I keep learning little things, like using the pen tool to make outlines instead of the brush, but I am not finding anything that can make my work beautiful. I see these other artists that make outstandingly awesome works on a regular basis, and wonder, "Will I ever be able to do that?" All I can do is practice.

Learning Curve

2009-01-08T20:15:00.000-08:00

I am looking wherever I can to find good tips and info on how to draw with a stylus in Photoshop. So far it just seems to be a matter of practice, getting to know the stylus like a pencil or whatnot. So my latest training technique, when I get toward burnout on drawing, is to use the stylus as a mouse in video games, particularly when accuracy is an important factor. Time will tell if this works out, it should at least be fun.

Branching out

2009-01-07T18:38:00.000-08:00

I have created my own deviantART account, which I encourage you all to see. I, as always, am open and receptive to criticism and input on how to better my own work. If you see any qualities in my works that strike your fancy, please let me know via email. I do commissions.

I have a blog now

2009-01-05T11:42:00.001-08:00

My name is Jonathan Armes. You've never heard of me. I am an artist and an illustrator, and am expanding my horizons to the use of the internet to get my word out. I currently live in Modesto CA with my wife Megan. Hopefully, this blog will be the first step in making a name for my self in the art world.

Hope springs eternal.