Wednesday, September 10, 2008

High School Confidential - The End...


Okay, I'll admit I've been fairly kind to myself with these posts. 
There are many dustier, more gruesome skeletons in the closet than these. Even so I'll be glad to get back to the new stuff. This one was a sample illustration for a manuscript written by my older brother Lee. I can't remember the title but I sort of recall that the bird can whistle through his beak like an ocarina.
Watercolor on textured board.

--Starchie

8 comments:

Oort said...

So did you have any consistent method of painting back then? I never really touched the stuff and I was hoping to find something a little more forgiving than what I've seen my friends using, and give it a try.

Vujovic said...

That ain't half bad for a highschool picture, Steve.

Have you reached the point of being happy with your artistic progression?

Starchie Spudnoggen said...

oort --
Did I have a consistant method? No - I had no consistancy at the time. I think watercolor was a good place to start. I could build it up slowly if I wanted. I think opaque paints are trickier to start painting with and require more confidence in balancing the tones. At some point you realize that painting is not coloring and that opens up a lot of new problems and possibilities.

vujovic --
Am I happy with my progression? I am. I feel like I'm still learning and I think the anxiousness that I still feel whenever I start a painting is a good thing. It means I haven't nailed any one way to solve the problem enough that I can too easily predict the outcome. I think I'm still reaching - a little at a time maybe - but enough to keep things interesting for myself.

Vujovic said...

Thanks for the reply. It's awesome to hear you're still skill-building. Knowing that someone who's gotten as big as you is still learning only proves what I was told as a kid- to never stop learning or else I won't make it.

Karim said...

The last two are good, though. This one especially...

Ciro Cangialosi said...

Hi i’m a young italian comic designer, every day i see your blog and your works… I love Sam e Max , i have buyed from Italy the last comic boock where there are all the adventures of Sam Max (very beautifull). Congratulation for all, you are my best ispiration for my comics and illustration, and you ahve create the concept for the game Monkey Island, MY FAVOURITE GAME… Yesterday also I have opened an blog site where there is any my works, if you want see you are ever welcome to my blog.. In my contact list I have added you and in your name i have wrote “il grande”, in inghish “the best” …
See you soon “grande”!!!
Ciro

ps sorry for my bad english :)

Unknown said...

Is great to have found your blog, mr. Purcell, your awesome art in games was always a great source of inspiration in my early years as artist, and I see I will keep learning from you in my next visits here!
Btw, those art samples from high school are far better than average, I would never show mines, you are brave, sir.
Ps. Do you mind if I link your blog in mine?

Leandro said...

I'm writing from Argentina, it's really cool to have found this blog. I love your work, Mr. Purcell.