What Time is It?

Click here to watch 'Peanut-butter-jelly-time34'

"Shuffling Out of Life"...

I didn't want to let go of the Johnny Cash video, but I think it's time to quiet the tribute a little. So, I've opted to replace it with a video by Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds, about that sweet little walk to the electric chair. It's kind of a look at what might go on in one's mind during such a walk, and it's filled with overtly religious overtones, which might all mingle in one's mind with the thought of imminent death and such. Funny that I chose this song, because Johnny Cash also covered this one, and it kicked much ass.
I haven't given you guys a good question to ponder for a long time, now, and I wish to continue to honor the 'running gag', so here it is--or rather, here they are:
You're on death row. Go ahead, make up a crime to get you there.

1. What would you have for your last meal?
2. What would you listen to for your last song?
3. What do you suppose you would be thinking while on the "dead man's walk"?

The ones who are guilty (not simply wrongly accused) may or may not deserve it (a debate for another time), but they are the ones being faced with these questions, and many take the opportunity to try and make peace with themselves with their choices. Anyone who thinks it is wrong to take all this for granted misunderstands my point. Part of "living life to the fullest" is not living every day like it was your last, because everything you did would be out of fear. I would much rather revel in the moment without worry of the next.

You Totally Rule.

I totally already know that.

The "Illusion of Depth"

I know, it's not one of my best, but the point of this exercise was to gain an understanding of depth by exaggerating the form--and yes, it's essentially supposed to look a little funky with the big feet little head and all...

Good Times

I recovered nicely from Saturday night. I was hung over and managing the brakefast area at the motel, but overall it wasn't too bad, I was just really tired. As you probably read in Karissa's post, I relented and let Karissa put up Christmas stuff. I think we're close enough to Turkey Day that I can stand seeing the Christmas setup.
I've been feeling kind of good this past weekend. I'm not sure I should be, I mean, we're still poor as shit, I have to learn perspective and draw from life during the next week and a half (in the slowly cooling weather no less), and ever since I put the "Hurt" video on my blog, I can't get it out of my head, and it keeps reminding me of the day Karissa told me about Johnny Cash dying.
But then I think, yeah, we're poor, but we're managing. Good perspective drawing is hard as fucking hell for me, but I'm still proud of the job I did on Jack, and I've gotten this far, so it can't be impossible--and I'll deal with the weather. And I'm glad on some level that I remind myself constantly of all those "days the music died", because people should remember legends even when they fall. Besides, the movie about him was good.
Besides all of that, a good time was had Saturday night. I watched Amber and Ben do what I hope to see them do on their wedding night (dancing you idiots). I think it's cool when two people can get into one thing like that, and make something like dancing actually look like fun. I'm lucky I can play, 'cause I can't dance for shit.
Also, Isabella came back Sunday, and it's always good to have her back. I don't think we can take leaving her for more than two days at a time. You get attached to that chubby little smile.
Anyway, I'm just feeling good about myself right now, so I thought everyone should know how awesome I am.
Go Vikes!

A Little Jack & a Little Johnny Goes a Long Way

That's right, I finished rendering Jack Nicholson. Rendered him helpless. Poor guy. I'm extremely happy with how his forehead turned out. And for the record, Janelle, this one has attained personal value to me, so I will be finding a place to hang him. I've always been a Nicholson fan, and he's got great character in his face--the main reason why I picked him--, so this was actually fun to draw. I hope that helps you understand a little better my differentiation between an "assignment" and a valued rendering. If you want to see the difference shading can make, just scroll down to the previous picture of him.

Everyone welcome Karissa to the dark side, but do it slowly. Remember she admitted not too long ago that she actually kind of likes SOME Tom Waits, as in minute doses. She used to hate him. Last night, we watched Down By Law, a Jim Jarmusch film with Tom Waits co-starring as a framed felon. It's an offbeat comedy, and Karissa and I loved it.

Tonight, we took the plunge and went to Walk the Line. I had some worries about the movie, because obviously, Joaquin Pheonix as Johnny Cash? But I'll be damned if he didn't pull it off. I'm sure you guys have heard that Joaquin sang those songs himself, and had to work to get his voice like Johnny's--his voice was a dead ringer. Plus his movements, his behavior, even his mouth (despite the hairlip) moved just like Johnny Cash. He totally made up for the butcher-acting job he did on The Village. Reese Witherspoon surprised me there, too. This movie is right up there with Ray and Great Balls of Fire.

Karissa was a little pissed because she now "likes some of his songs a little more." Little by little, I'm breaking her.

All in all, anyone who was wondering about whether to throw away $7.75 (that's right, another price hike for tickets), I say go for it. The movie kicked ass, Joaquin and Reese did awesome jobs portraying their characters, and it helps you understand how he became the "Man in Black."

Just try not to be like some of the 15 year-old girls that came to see Joaquin be "dreamy". I'm pretty sure I'd like to Kabong! them with the guitar.

More Feet...

These feet turneds out a little better, but I still need more work on them. I do like how the bottom one turned out, though, and my values for the one above it and to the right are kind of nice.

A Note on Song Selection and a Quick Reminder

I'm not going to say much, Is is sitting with me, and there's no telling when she'll decide to "help".
I talked to Kevin a little bit about some of the songs in the list and how playable they are. I think a big thing we need to think about when picking songs is how hard parts of it might be. Are there heavily layered tracks that might not sound as good with only two guitars? How much improvisation can we do with the chord progression of a song (i.e. Glycerine has been done with just Gavin & a guitar, we can improve it and make it doable with a three-piece band, a lot of songs aren't that easy).
Also how hard is the solo? And how much will it take away from the song if we cut it out (take the solos out of ANY song played by Slash and see what's left).
I know we want to be able to just go in and play, but we're not professionals. We do have to take the time to learn some of this stuff, and we have to take even more time to able to play it together to the degree that it sounds like we're all playing the same song.
There were some good songs on there, though, and I would like to try some of them out.
Anyway, don't forget Amadon, let us know if 11/25 will work for you. If it won't I won't have to worry about bringing my stuff. If it does work, make sure you get the babysitter thing worked out.

Not So Good At Feet...

There's my feet.
I debated posting assignment I didn't do as well in, but then I realized that I shouldn't be such a pussy about and post my stuff good or bad. Even if I botch an assignment, I'm learning something from it, and unfortunately for you guys, I'm proud of that.

These Dirty Hands...

I've just finished my assignments for Figure Drawing--I've finally conquered hands!!

Dueling Jacks (One Not RENDERED Helpless Yet)

It's obviously not finished yet. Most of my grid lines are gone, and I realized as I've been working on it, that it fells like I'm drawing 2 pics simultaneously. So I decided to start rendering what's in the magnifying glass first.

Will There Be a Practice?

Good question. Because I think I asked for song ideas, but I haven't received any comments, so hmmm...maybe I forgot...Nope, they're down a few posts, but they're there. Gee I wonder when I might get a response as to whether we're going to have a practice or not? Goodness knows, I've put out a date, and goodness knows I have asked for ideas for songs to work with, I've done that. Well I know, I'll just ask again! Kevin, Amadon, if you would be so kind, would you guys think about any songs you might want to play, and post them in my comments? Amadon, if you would be so kind, let me know first off if the Friday right after Thanksgiving, 11/25, would be a good date for you to play, and second, if it works, please figure out your babysitting situation ASAP so you don't end up struggling to find one that Friday.

Like I said before, if you don't think it's a good day for playing, it's okay to postpone. It's not like we have to do it every time Karissa & I come up, but I just like to know so I know whether or not to make room for my guitar stuff.
Anyways, I look forward to seeing what you two come up with!

Finished Dimebag Hand

Dimebag Darrell Figure

http://www.toymangler.com/


Long story short: I was looking for grasped hands to draw for my Figure Drawing assignment, and thought a shot of Dimebag playing would be perfect. While I was looking I came upon this site.
These people not only made a figure of Dime, they made it almost 20" tall and with hair (though it should be messed up more) Even his fingers are well-crafted. Sorry, I just thought this was a pretty cool tribute, so I had to post it.

A New Assignment

My next assignment for Analysis of Form:
To draw from a photograph, using grids. To do this, we had to select a photo from a list, which we will have to draw a grid over and turn upside down to draw. Not very surprisingly, I picked Jack.




I haven't heard much back yet about the practice. I'm sure Kevin's schedule will coincide, but we still don't know how Amadon's will, nor whether he will be able to find a babysitter for that Friday. I never did get the tablature for Heart of Thorns from Amadon (Bastard!), but I did manage to get a basic idea of how it goes, at least so I could get it on Guitar Pro. I'm still working on ideas for the chorus, even a little revision of lyrics, which I'll have to run by Amadon.
I e-mailed Puerto Rican last week about jamming, and he works overnight that Friday. I don't know yet, maybe we can get together with him during the day, though I don't know he works his sleep schedule.
I would like to make a request for Amadon and Kevin, though. That means that April & Josie are going to have to get them and make them read this. What I was thinking is that maybe you guys could think of a couple of covers (preferably at least somewhat within our abilities) you would like to do, and post them in my comments. Think about how hard solos or drums might be, too, because I don't like have to cut entire parts out of songs just because we can't play them.

Oh, and if anybody watches Adult Swim, I would recommend watching Boondocks. It's a cartoon based on a comic strip, and after seeing the first episode, I am really surprised that Cartoon Network has agreed to take on the show. You might really like it, you might think it's just another political cartoon, you might be offended by the old black guy in the first episode singing "Watch out for them new niggas over there" to a bunch of rich white folks, or the boss's son demanding a little kid to shoot him to show how good his flak jacket is.
Just watch the fucking cartoon.

Easy on the Eyes

Just thought I'd throw in an update on my classes. This week, it's all about the face. This has been one of the most fun modules I've had to work on yet. After this it will be hands and feet, two things I hate doing, so I'm living it up right now.
Basically, we had to draw eyes, noses, ears and mouths, and then do a full portrait rendering of a friend--live. The live part sucks, but if I can find a photo with good lighting, then I can just do that for now.
I wasn't very impressed with my noses and ears, because I did them in graphite, which I feel I've moved on from. I did the eyes and mouths in charcoal, and they look much better in comparison. I bet you can't guess which mouth or eye belongs to which celebrity or other well-known figure...


By the way, the video is by Strapping Young Lad (ironic, since their lead singer has a horseshoe bald spot), called "Love?" The video is very obviously based on Evil Dead, which is most of the reason I posted it. But main riff is awesome, too.

Different mouths... 

They all belong to celebrities or historical figures...