Sonic the Hedgehog!

Sonic the Hedgehog was so great. The sense of speed is actually kind of soothing as you fluidly fly through the maze-like levels.  So much fun.
When I got to coloring on this one, I couldn't decide if I wanted to go with a more muted, limited palette or something closer to the actual game.  I ended up working on both simultaneously, figuring I'd eventually like one better.  But I still like both. So there you go.

Here's the more muted one.

'Starring Sonic and Miles 'Tails' Prower'

This is the game inspired one.

'Starring Sonic and Miles 'Tails' Prower' (Blue Alternate)

And here are some process sketches and things.
This is the initial thumbnail I decided to go with.

The ink drawing, warts and all.  This was a combination of Microns and a crow quill pen.

And a greyscale rendering to figure out the values before going into color.

And in other news, my Sixpoint 'Beer is Culture' entry made the top three!  You can check it out here. That means it will be printed on coasters and distributed to bars that serve Sixpoint. Super cool. Thanks to everyone who voted and helped out!!

And last but not least, there's free shipping in my Society6 store until May 12! There are prints, phone cases and other fun things available (*Offer excludes Framed Art Prints, Stretched Canvases and Throw Pillows with insert).  Follow the link here for the free shipping.

Alrighty, sorry for being so long winded. Cheers guys!

The Final Countdown!

Sixpoint Brewery's 'Beer is Culture' contest is drawing to a close, with voting ending tonight.
You can vote on my entry here on Facebook - just 'like' the photo.  The top three finalists get their designs printed on coasters, which is super sweet.  Every vote counts and gets my eternal gratitude. Thanks guys!
Cheers!

Moon Rocks and Some Other Things

I doodled a little doodle of an astronaut being really excited about a moon rock, while an alien at his lunar lander in the background.  It made me laugh, so I decided to flesh it out.  It's the little things in life, am I right?

"Houston, look - a Moon Rock!"

Here's the original doodle.

Fun Fact - I drew this guy a really stupid head in the final drawing.  He looked like a ten year old. So I drew him a new one, and with a little Photoshop surgery, problem solved!  I gave him a new arm while I was at it.

See - ten year old.

And the new head. Ta da!

A little more adult. Just a little.

In other news, I recently did a fun little Q&A with the wonderful people over at Sixpoint Brewery about my piece for their Beer is Culture competition and art in general.  You can read it here.

And you can still vote on on the piece by 'liking' the image on Facebook here. Voting ends on May 7.  Every vote counts!

That's all I got for now.  Cheers!

New Shop!

Hey guys!  I've set up a new online store at Society6.  There are some pieces up now, all available as prints in multiple sizes.  A couple are also available as iPhone cases and laptop skins.  You can check it out here - http://society6.com/TimProbert.  And there's now a handy new link on the blog's sidebar.
I'm also hoping to begin using my long dormant Etsy shop for originals and limited edition signed prints sometime in the future.

And here's a funny bear! He's so short!

Charbroil

Another G.I. Joe.
This one is Charbroil, resident flamethrowing expert.  He is also an avid gardener and often wins the blue ribbon for largest pumpkin at his local country fair.

Hockey!

Here's a piece in honor of the New York Islanders clinching a playoff spot.  It's also a tribute to NHL '95 on Sega - my favorite sports game of all time, as well as the extinct Hartford Whalers.

Here's the original drawing, done with Microns on cold press watercolor paper.

And some zoomed in details.

Sgt. Slaughter

Professional wrestler turned semi-professional G.I. Joe.  Sgt. Slaughter is also an avid reader of Walt Whitman and whipping people into shape.

Cheers!!

I submitted an entry to Sixpoint Brewery's 'Beer is Culture' contest.  A couple of cultured creatures enjoying some finely brewed beverages.  You can vote for it by 'Liking' the picture on Sixpoint's facebook page here. 

Snake Eyes Savors a Sandwich

Snake Eyes may be a world class super ninja, but he is also a connoisseur of fine sandwiches.  If only he could take off that mask...

"Snake Eyes Savors a Sandwich"

Here's a picture of the Snake Eyes figure I had, from the frighteningly detailed G. I. Joe wiki. Apparently it's the fourth version, from 1991.  Who knew?

And I didn't put a picture of Topside in the last post, so here he is.

Topside Feeling Introspective

The first in the G. I. Joe series.  This one is Topside, lost in thought, possibly about his family farm back in Indiana.

"Topside Feeling Introspective"

Side note - I got a nice little write up on the Illustration Friday blog.  Cool stuff.  You can check it out here.