allen draws

This is just a quick update, and will hopefully have others coming soon with more art!

I just want to announce that we have decided to start our web comic: The Knights of New (KON), this coming spring.  We have several ideas to explore and to work out more details.  We also want to start the comic out with enough in the bag.  We will do a big push on this at that time.  More on all of this will be coming soon...

I do have some other exciting news, which has to do with being a guest speaker/teacher for a class or two at a local community college here in Oklahoma City.   OCCC has a class on Basic Animation Principles and a 2d Animation class using Flash.  I have been invited to come and possibly speak and show some art on these classes.  I look forward to doing this, hopefully more than once.    Will post up some pics from this event.

More on the way...

-AG

Well, a quick update for today, but trying to get back on track.  Still have a couple of pending projects and then new upcoming projects along with the comic for this new year.   Speaking of the comic, we had some delays, dealing with certain issues, but it should be up very soon. 

I did this graphic design, mainly it was different elements I used and played around with, based off the addicting game Batman Arkham City.   It is a good game with cool characters, art and such, but it is rough in violence and language.  I am a big fan of Batman so I thought of doing a little tribute, especially to his code of not to kill.  They play on this idea in the new game.  I didn't spend a whole lot of time on this, just extra time I had on the ol' computer.

More updates with more artwork coming soon!

-AG

Well its a new year, and I believe a new start for many things this year.  Above is one of many projects I am eager to get started on and showcasing by this year.  This sketch was done at, well you could say the office of the new studio I am working with, Brute Squad Studios.   I am excited on what we will be able to do this year, as long as all goes well, of course. 

It's also the start of our online comic The Knights of New from Brute Squad Studios, which should debut by the end of this week.  We have a lot in store for this comic, and hopefully you all will enjoy the coming stories and artwork.  We do have a lot of plans for this year that includes trips and hopefully a convention or two.

As for any more personal projects, I do have a few and hopefully will have time to persue them.  When the time comes, I will explain more on those.  I do have some goals of doing more portraits and characters this year.  Hopefully 1 new portrait a month, can be doable, but will see how my schedule will work out.  Also, I will finally get some animation going and will post it here on the site.  This will be personal short bits, or exercises and such, which should help me with bigger projects.

I do have a couple of projects that will be completed soon, so look for more artwork here on the site.
Speaking of the website, I have added more icons and quick links to the comic, websites and more in the side bar.

Looking forward to a great year!

-AG

Well as we approach the end of 2011, I have this update which is overdue, but as the title says, I have had good and bad days here of late.  So let's start off with the good first.

I had a wonderful Christmas and I am truly blest with family and good friends.  I am grateful for my wife and all that she has done for me.  I also have to admit, that I am grateful for my job, that I do from 8-5 through the week.  I would love to draw all the time, but I am glad that I get to do Graphic Design at CSI and have been doing that now for almost 7 years.

Now for a much needed update on artwork.  Above are 3 different types of portraits/ caricatures I completed in the last several days.  Now, I would list 2 of these to be a success, one of which I think didn't quite meet the expectations, will get into that later.

As for the online comic "KoN", it is going well, but we had to postpone the launch date because of certain issues, but I will address that in the "bad" section.  I wanted to list the comic as things going good, because we have great ideas and we are set to really have this take off in 2012.  Definitely looking forward to this.

Now for the bad, well let's just say in the month of December a lot happened that was unexpected, but then again most bad things are.  Toward the first part of December I became very sick, to the point where I had to go to several doctors and the ER.  Although I had many tests done on me, everything came back as normal.  One would think that could be good news, which I am pleased to a point, but would like to know why I got so sick.  It has to do with my stomach and I am scheduled to see a specialist this week, so hopefully I can get some answers.

So, of course being sick for a little over a week, put me behind in everything.  That is why the comic has been delayed till January 2012.  As I mentioned before, the last drawing above was a project that suffered from some of these things and is why I claim it did not meet the expectations.  I had this project for some time, but with the wedding and honeymoon and just getting settled in, I knew my time was going to be limited on this.  So, being sick I was unable to do anything, and lost valuable time to work on this project.  I just wish I could have experimented more on this, but it is what it is...and its done.  I also in this time period lost my car.  It was faithful for 11 years, but that week, it passed on.  Of course that made things difficult being stuck with one car between me and my wife, but I have something to drive now, which is good, borrowed from the family.  Last but not least, just yesterday my glasses broke on me.  Which I am due for an upgrade in vision and my glasses as well.  

Overall, life is full of good and bad things, and it matters most on how you deal with it and move on.  My problems are mine and really insignificant compared to others and to the big picture, but I thought it would show some insight on my life and drawing, and thats what this blog is all about.

I do hope you all have a good new year and should have more posts coming soon!
-AG

I am excited to announce a new online comic KoN (Knights of New), that I am doing with my good friend Michael, will start this coming Monday, December 5th.  This has been in the works for awhile with a company that Michael and I are starting called Brute Squad Studios.  We are starting off with several new comics a week, and then will go with a one a day comic starting in the new year.  That will be a challenge, but should be fun.

Yes, the Flash project I have posted about will be another project we are working on as well.  Hoping to have some of this project started by the first of the year, as well.

I do have two custom portraits I am working on, both due before Christmas.  One is a special project that involves some colored pencils, which is something I have not done in awhile.  Will have this and another pencil portrait done, hopefully soon.

Will post up the artwork here.

I will leave you with a taste of a character that we have discarded for now...who knows, he might be able to make it back in.

-AG

Well had a wonderful wedding and honeymoon!  Now enjoying the holiday with my wife and family. Hope you all have a great Thanksgiving and truly be thankful for what you have.  I thank God for everything.

Here is the portrait drawing with the signatures from the wedding, this was a photo taken, so some of the names are cut off.  Going to frame it and hang it in our home.

Well this weekend and next week, I will kick it into gear and get busy on much to do.  Several portraits along with the upcoming online comic and hopefully some animated bits all coming real soon.

-AG

Well, today is the day!  My wedding day and I am ready.  The last several weeks or months, I should say, have been so busy preparing for this day.  I want to thank all my friends, family and everyone involved for the help and time you have all put in.  I can't say thank you enough...

This is my piece I have made for the wedding.  This is a project that I have been planning for some time, but didn't get to finish it till yesterday.  This is a quick portrait of us that I wanted to do so that we can frame and have in our home.  The idea is to have this at the wedding for all who come to sign their name, and maybe a short message around the drawing.   I think that would be a nice memory and something we can have for a long time.

So if you are coming to my wedding, please sign it!  (:

Well this post, might be my last for a week or so, since we are leaving for our honeymoon tomorrow.  I might be able to post here and there, we shall see.

Thanks again!

-AG

This is a custom Panda illustration for my friend Daniel Huff.   I believe he will take this and create a funny magic card with this illustration.   Will post up the final look of the card when I get it.

-AG

Coolness Update:
Well, finally got a new 27" iMac at work.  Man this is sweet!  Now, to get one at my home...but I am thinking that will be a difficult task.

-AG

Just a quick update of some doodles I did recently.  This project is still in the works, but its a slow process till the end of this year.  I hope to showcase some test animation by the first of the new year.  More finished artwork on the way!

-AG