CLE2 Skillz

Mixtapes & Promos

2011-07-29T08:52:00.000-07:00

the most recent mixtape I've worked on "Rapture ready 2"

Hard Work Pays Off

2011-06-06T09:59:00.000-07:00

So almost a year ago me and Joseph Krzemienski of The Fictory started work on a comic series that he came up with called Stabb Gunner. It started out as a team of 4, Joe as the writer, me as the penciller, Steve Becker on Inks, and Jeff McComsey doing the colors. How ever toward the forth page Steve and Jeff started to become a little too busy in they're own project called Fubar

which if you haven't checked out yet you should http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Fubar/Jeff-McComsey/e/9781934985212 . Anyway after that Joe and I decided to reinvision the Stabb Gunners style and look. Joe became the new inker and colorist and we started plugging away at new pages. Joe and I were very busy at the time as well so there would be weeks and months that went by where there were no pages produced, but finally after the long wait I'm proud to say that Stabb Gunner chapter 1 is finally complete.

Make sure you check it out here http://www.thefictorycomics.com/storyline/stabbgunner-1 . Joe and I are still steady bringing all the pages up to par before we take it to print for the Bmore Comicon, so look forward to updates.

Back with Big News

2011-04-18T11:10:00.000-07:00

So my first post in a little over a month. So much has happened within the last month, but the biggest of which is my new employment at Postage inc. http://www.postagevfx.com/2011/04/lancaster-based-postage-inc-furthers-it’s-capacity-to-produce-illustratedanimated-content-with-new-hire/. Its been a blast working with them for the last year or so and now that I'm employed it should be a blast for years to come. I was even featured in the news because of it.

Project 365 Week 2

2011-02-23T17:25:00.000-08:00

A pic a day for a year

February 16th- 22nd

Project 365 Week 1

2011-02-23T16:56:00.000-08:00

A picture a day for a year

Feburary 9th - 15th

Things I'm looking out for in 2011

2010-12-28T12:21:00.000-08:00

So we're nearing 2010's end. Great year. but I've got a few things I'm looking forward to in the new year. First and for most the new spin off series to avatar the last airbender, Avatar the Legend of Korra.

avatar is definitely my absolute favorite animated series they manage to hold on to the animation quality all through the series not to mention it has a great story. Next up the new Young Justice series I was a big fan of the old Teen Titan series and though this technically has nothing to do with that series or its creators I have no doubt it'll be great. If you haven't caught the early premiered first episode yet GET ON IT.

the last new animated series I'm looking forward to is Thundercats. Among the three this is the series I'm least excited for. Can't say I was a fan of the original series cuz I never watched it, but I have to say I'm digging the new design of Liono.

With all thats said I leave you with this. A line test for the upcoming Avatar Legend of Korra

So whats Been Up?

2010-12-23T20:51:00.000-08:00

Man where do I start? It's only been a month since my last but much has gone down. I'm excited to announce that Stabb Gunner issue 1 is nearing it's finish. not to mention that I've started work on 2 more comics. I'm still doing the mixtape thing and of course working on the animated short Atomic Robo Last Stop loving every moment of it. Anyway I'm you guys don't really want to hear me talk al day so here is a short animated clip that I recently inked from Atomic Robo Last Stop. enjoy

Make sure you guys check out the fictory's production blog here http://thefictory.com/

and check out the latest pages of Stabb Gunner and our other comics here http://thefictorycomics.com/

Character Concepts

2010-11-08T09:45:00.000-08:00

All I got for you today folks. Enjoy

Last Stop promo piece

2010-10-19T12:28:00.000-07:00

without further adieu I introduce to you the finished Atomic Robo Last stop promo piece. Enjoy

Hip Hop Influence

2010-10-09T17:59:00.000-07:00

Throughout the Years the Hip hop culture has always influenced my work, but I've always made it's influences subtle. My most recent commissions have forced me to make hip hop the more prominent influence and I gotta say I'm pretty proud of the way they each turned out.

Robo Promo part 1 and Animation

2010-09-24T20:57:00.000-07:00

Its a Twofer on the video front.

Atomic Brobo

2010-09-23T12:42:00.000-07:00

Heres a little Robo fanart I did for fun in light of a funny conversation that was had during our Atomic Robo Last Stop production day last week. I introduce to you

Atomic BRobo

and just to wet your apatite heres a little preview sketch of the new Atomic Robo Last Stop promo which i'll be showing in my next post.

Comics, Movies, Life

2010-08-05T20:17:00.000-07:00

I know I know. It's been awhile. I hope I was missed, But anyway I'm back and I've got new developments. First off TheFictory comics has launched http://www.thefictorycomics.com/ five comics are up and running, and our very own Stabb Gunner is finally off to a good start http://www.thefictorycomics.com/storyline/stabbgunner-1. Check out the line art for the most recently released page that I've worked on

Pencils: Me

Inks: Steve Becker

Story: Joseph Krizemienski

Check out the website http://www.thefictorycomics.com/storyline/stabbgunner-1 for more and fully colored pages.

In other news... went to the movies a couple weeks back wit my buddies Jackie and Even and guess what we saw.. INCEPTION............................... <<< see those dots? it's because nothing needs to be said. I'm a couple weeks late, so chances are you've already heard the news. It's an amazing movie I mean I wouldn't hesitate to go and see it in theatres again, but I'll just wait for the dvd to come out.

Anyway Back to work for me. Been keeping busy with freelancing for the last month or so. I'll be trying to keep up with my blogging hobby, but til next time.

Stabb Fully Rendered

2010-06-15T12:51:00.000-07:00

Check out the new finished rendering of Stabb from the upcoming Stabb Gunner web comic.

Inking and shadow rendering by Steve Becker

Pencils and colors by me

Be sure to check out TheFictory comics Launching early July http://thefictory.com/

Character Developement

2010-05-22T11:32:00.000-07:00

Here are some rough Character sketches i've been working on TheFictory's StabGunner web comic

The Roxas Run Down

2010-05-19T13:50:00.000-07:00

Roxas' Rage Step By Step

First I drew my line art

Next I deleted my original paper background

I then colored Roxas in with flat colors which can be very quick or take very long depending on the character and the line art, this took about a half hour since I didn't draw this to be colored.

next I added shadows which probably took about a half hour to 45 mins including clean up.

Then darker shadows since he was still too light.

Next I started to think about what i wanted to happen in this scene so i extended the width of the canvas.

and then added a background color repping the sky.

Next I added an overwhelming background light

In this step I added shreds and debris of heartless from Kingdom Hearts basically make it look like he just destroyed some of them.

and last but not least I added a motion blur to enhance his movement.

hope you guys like the turn out

check out the full image here: http://CLE2.deviantart.com/art/Roxas-Rage-164607642

D.O.S.S.

2010-05-02T10:54:00.000-07:00

so I've been getting alot of feed back on this series and it's got me thinking about turning this into a real graphic novel (web comic first).I mean I have the story planned out already so why not? I was originally planning on turning my Desert Spirit series into a web comic first but since this is the more popular of the 2 I'll make a switch. all that said there is still another web comic I'm currently working on with some of TheFictory crew, so it'll be a little wait before I start work on this project

First Tattoo Design

2010-04-26T17:24:00.000-07:00

About 2 to 3 years ago I was commissioned to create a Tattoo design. 2 years later the tattoo is finally finished. Glad you like it "JustMeow"

Web Comics

2010-04-14T02:28:00.000-07:00

pencils: Courtland Ellis (me)

Inks: Steve Becker

So some of Thefictory crew (JOSEPH KRZEMIENSKI, STEVE BECKER) and I have finally started work on a web comic called "STABGUNNER" that should be hitting the net around june or so. we're in the script and character design stages but it's coming along very quickly. Along with that a popular web comic called "AMERICAN TERROR" written and drawn by Jeff McComsey will be making an appearance on the site.

for more info on the project we're already working on "Atomic Robo Last Stop" check out the new thefictory site http://thefictory.com/

Speed Painting Boom Boom

2010-04-02T08:48:00.000-07:00

only spent maybe 3 hours on this guy or girl but it turned out pretty great. check out the speed paintings.

New laptop and T-shirt designs

2010-03-30T11:11:00.000-07:00

I finally got my laptop back and it's like new. new keyboard, new screen and everything. On another not that means i'm back in action. Lately I've been working on some t-shirt designs and characters. I have a few done but some I'm doing the colors on right now check'em out.

TheFictory Podcasts with N3RDcast

2010-03-12T05:34:00.000-08:00

Get to kno the whole crew n see whats going on with the Atomic Robo short. I get an honorable mention too. check it out... Podcast

Channeling Youtube

2010-03-09T16:47:00.000-08:00

Finally started uploading videos to my youtube channel check it out

for more just subscribe to my channel http://www.youtube.com/user/cle2

Atomic Robo animated short Sneak Peak

2010-03-04T17:03:00.000-08:00

Hey Check out the latest clip I've worked on for the Atomic Robo Animated short http://thefictory.com/blog/2010/02/288/. I only did the colors on Robo for this scene but the one who really brought this scene to life was our composer the boss Joe. Enjoy

Sequential's are fun

2010-02-26T14:08:00.000-08:00

So lately I've been practicing comic layouts partially inspired by my earlier post showing artist Lesean thomas doing his thing on some comic book panels. I'm thinking about starting my own web comic. I already have tons of stories, but beyond that i have at least 3 refined to the point that i'd be comfortable making a comic with them. but here are some sketches I've produced.

something Inspiring

2010-02-23T20:27:00.000-08:00

SummerCity Storyboard Preview

2010-02-10T10:51:00.001-08:00

a preview for my animated short

Lesean Thomas Essentials 2

2010-02-04T14:51:00.000-08:00

some more from lesean thomas

TheFictory

2010-02-02T18:03:00.000-08:00

Incase I haven't mentioned in a previous Journal entry I've recently Started Interning at an animation studio called TheFictory. It's the best Internship I ever had hands down. Right now we in the middle of makin the official Atomic Robo(http://robot6.comicbookresources.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/atomic-robo.jpg) animated short. They've got me and the other intern Steven doing a decent amount of the animation. I also got the chance to Illustrate the first promo art piece for the series
I'm pretty proud of how it turned out. but anyway for more info you can check out our website http://thefictory.com/blog/ the blogs updated every week at the most so expect to see new updates on our progress.

Art previews

2010-01-24T07:20:00.000-08:00

Here are some things I've been working on.

pretty soon I'll get the ok to show you guys what I've been working on in the Animation studio. Til then juss check out http://thefictory.com/blog/ be sure to check my pic in the crew section :D

Some How to Essentials

2010-01-13T15:48:00.000-08:00

by my fav male artist Lesean thomas

Story Boards

2010-01-01T17:07:00.000-08:00

Here are some of the story boards for my original animated short

Career Progress and Gettin It Kraken

2009-12-27T11:47:00.000-08:00

Back again for a new update! Alot has happened in the last month most notable being that I've finally landed an internship at an animation studio called Postage vfx/ TheFictory sister companies. Technically I work for TheFictory which is all animation while postage is more commercial motion graphics. so far they've had me working concept art, Promotional art and design work for their latest short animation film Atomic-Robo and I'm loving every step of the way. I'm finally doing what I've always wanted since I was a kid and though it may not be permanent, I'm glad I'm finally making Progress.

In other News heres a colored piece that I've been working on for awhile. I really pushed myself on it so i hope it was worth the time i put in. hope you enjoy the process.

Animation test

2009-11-14T10:18:00.000-08:00

Told you guys I'd Upload some updates. so here they are check the links to see some animation tests.

Running test

Running Test by ~CLE2 on deviant ART

Sitting test

Sitting Test by ~CLE2 on deviant ART

Graphic design vs Illustration vs Animation

2009-11-09T06:34:00.000-08:00

So... I know I've kinda went into the subject of Graphic Design vs Illustration before. but now I'm going to bring a new subject into the mix. ANIMATION.. Kind of a new slash old passion of mine. For as long as I can remember animation was always what I wanted to pursue as a career. I was always the kid in the back of the class making flip books out of my marble notebook. I always wanted it to be my cartoons that you saw saturday morning on fox kids (fox box) or WB (CW). Well... that dream died when I came to my school, because animation just wasn't something that they offered, but they did still offer illustration so I started to pursue just that been working toward that. But recently as I've entered my senior year focus has been on finding an internship to work at for school credit. Problem is that all the internships the school helps you to get are graphic design,unfortunately as to date illustration jobs are hard to come by. but luckily I managed to find the one hookup with an Illustration internship and not only is it an illustration internship it's an animation studio. so i goto the studio to meet meet the guys that work there and instantly the passion that i once had for animation returns. Long story short the meeting went well, as of now I don't work there still waiting for word, But onto the main point of my blog. I've decided to start on a year long short story animation project for my portfolio. so far I've finished the script and some character sketches. i wont fill you guys in on the story yet, but i will keep Ya'll posted on updates. so ummmm stay tuned!

Pencil vs. Tablet

2009-08-17T08:39:00.000-07:00

So I've been getting better and better at using my tablet lately, and I'm loving it and the turn outs, but it feels like I'm neglecting my pencil skills. It's slowly becoming like the step child. It's been over a month since i've really drawn or sketched in pencil. the tablet is just so convenient no need to have a scanner or to fix line work levels or anything, I't just made straight on the computer. But even so there's a life about pencil art that i love more and i feel like if i stray away from it too long I'm gonna loose it, so I think that i'm gonna take a little break from doing tablet line art. I'm not quitting just tryna keep all my medium skill sets up to par. Anyway Check out my latest pieces done by tablet.

http://cle2.deviantart.com/gallery/

LAZY is one in a MILL....S

2009-07-30T15:29:00.000-07:00

LAZYMILLS!!!!!!

aka Shauna Mills. Remember way back when i posted that blog about Lesean Thomas being my favorite comic artist to date???...... No?.. well of course not lol, but anyway i think I'm gonna have to make that a tie. This is Shawna Mills she's like my female equivalent to Lesean Thomas Her Style is out of this world, I've never seen anyone work magic like her, I might be able to bite a little of Leseans Style but i can't seem to touch hers. Lately I've found myself constantly going to her deviant art page for inspiration. her work is always so creative in unique and like nothing i've seen b4 I would show u some of her work, but i'm kinda thinking... would that...be.... some kind of... copyright issue??? hmmm..... ooooh crap!!! that slipped out I...
hooooo!!! i didn't mean to do that at all hehehe. Anyway this is one of the people i look up to in the art industry. i'm very picky i don't just look for skill. skill is pretty abundant. but Creativity and imagination is not. It's something that only a few people have an abundance of. hopefully some day i can be one one of those people that others look up to. I know i'll try my best to get there.

Lazymills website: http://lazymills.com/
Lazymills Deviantart: http://lazymills1986.deviantart.com/

SKETCH SKETCH SKETCH!

2009-07-03T10:51:00.000-07:00

Whoa! Ain't posted in over a month, but I got a important message to kickoff the july month. SKETCH.............(hold up I'll let you take it in).......................... If you're trying to be an Illustrator (this goes for graphic designers too somewhat) you need to sketch your ass off SKETCH in the morning, SKETCH in the afternoon, SKETCH in the evening and through the midnight hours( thats where you'll get the best ones) sketch till your hands hurt. I hate it when I meet a fellow art student and they say they want to be illustrators and do comics and concept art, and then when u look at their free time they don't do anything to work toward that goal. They don't draw or sketch. be lucky if u find them touching a pencil and a paper at the same time. Hey I'm not saying don't live your life or don't have fun cause I like to have fun too, but don't you think that if u want art as a career that it should be a part of your life even outside of school. Competition is stiff out there I've seen it and I'm not sure if I'm anywhere near ready. sure I've made a foot print in the market working for a place like Food & Wine magazine so early, but that is such a small step in the direction that i want to take. I'm trying to sketch everyday this summer to improve my composition and timing. Did u know that a Disney animator can sketch a full body character in just 30 seconds? I dunno about u other art students out there but... I can't do that, but I do have an idea of how i can get to that skill level and I'm working toward it. So once again if you're looking to be an Illustrator SKETCH SKETCH SKETCH! it's one of the best things if not the best you can do to up your game.

Where My Wild Things At?

2009-05-24T15:34:00.000-07:00

Have you guys seen this trailer yet?

Ok ok! so I've never actually read any of the children's books for "Where The Wild Things Are". but after one look at the first few scenes in the trailer I instantly recognized the characters. I don't know the story behind the books at all and the trailer doesn't help much with that either, but it looks so amazing that I don't even care.... ok i do know that it's about a boy who goes into this fantasy world when he goes to sleep, but thats about it. Anyway I was so inspired by the trailer that i decided to do a fan art of it. it's not finished yet, but I'll post the updates as i continue painting it.

Just Sketchin a little here and there

2009-05-03T07:20:00.000-07:00

Since school started it's become constantly harder and harder to find time to draw for my self unfortunately most of my work gets done on a the train on my 2 hour commute from school every day. Thats where i get my practice in, because by the time i get home my artistic inspiration is wiped from it's continuos use at school, so all i want to do at home is chill. but schools almost over now got 2 more weeks, I'm already wrapping up my final projects. but in the mean time i do have some sketch for ya'll to see. Enjoy!

Illustration vs. Graphic Design

2009-05-01T05:19:00.000-07:00

CLE2 a Graphic Designer? Maybe. when i first came to my school 3 years back My portfolio was reviewed by the president. in my portfolio was nothing but illustrations and a sketchbook. He went through all of my work and noted everything he liked and disliked and at the end he told me that i was going to end up a graphic designer by my junior year which is when we are allowed to pic a major. I thought to myself tsss he's crazy, i know what i want to be i'm sticking with illustration. 3 years later here i am a junior and the irony is that I did pic graphic design as my major......(yup take it in)... I do love Graphic Design but lets be real now I'm always gonna be an Illustrator first. The reason why i chose graphic design is more for work and money then for preference. there is simply more work out there for graphic designers. Don't think i sold out though there is another reason that i choose graphic design as a major. Over the last 3 year one thing that i've learned is that there truly isn't an Illustration vs. Graphic Design. they both are a part of each other. One thing that every great Illustrator has is good page design (DESIGN!!!!) the better the design of the page the better the illustration will be received. The point I'm getting to is that this is just another chance for me to improve my illustration skills. check me out on www.illesigns.deviantart.com and www.cle2.deviantart.com

WOOOoo Freakin WhOOOoo!

2009-04-04T15:01:00.000-07:00

I Finally got myself a Wacom Tablet an i'm lovin it. sure it's only a 4 by 5 but wateve. u gotta walk B4 you run.... u also gotta crawl b4 u walk but thats another story lol. but yea here some things i been workin on

Who Inspires Me

2009-03-11T09:34:00.000-07:00

LESEAN THOMAS!!!!!!

My favorite artist til this date is lesean thomas. He is the main inspiration in my art. What about him? everything!! his style his life his background the whole thing. he comes from the same background as me in NYC he's self taught like myself. just everything about what he's accomplished just tells me it's possible. and yes i kno I'll never be lesean thomas. thats fine with me i'd rather make my own identity. But it's nice to have someone to look up to.

The Beauty of Beast

2009-03-10T14:38:00.000-07:00

So awhile back i came across a fanart of the beast from "Beauty and the Beast" done by David Grier BEAST PIC. I thought to myself holy WAT!!! thats an amazing coloring job. from that point on he became one of my favorite coloring artists on DA. It's inspired me to do a fanart of Beast myself and if anything my goal was to do just as good a job on it as david grier. well.. i ended up quitting halfway through the coloring process I didn't have the patience for it at the time since I work without a wacom tablet. well 6 months later i decided to come back to the project with new eyes and inspiration, and 2 days later i finished.

Inking Practice

2009-02-22T11:13:00.000-08:00

so this is a pic i did a minute ago like back in the summer. i figured i show how i go about makin the magic happen u kno. this actually isn't the final peace that i'm workin on. as the title says this is juss Practice.

this is the final piece after some photoshop work