Sketch 100: Vito Corleone!

Sketch 099: More Nude Sketching

I did some sketching tonight from some photos I found on Deviantart. Check out Cate's gallery at http://bennusdaughter.deviantart.com/

Sketch 098: Some Villain Doodles

I've created many superheroes in the last two years. But I barely have any villains.
So for tonight's sketch I drew a few sinister looking bad guys.

Some more than others.

Lion-O and Cheetara (colored)

I wasn't totally happy with the job I did on this drawing. Particularly in the size difference in the two figures. But the color (I think) adds much more to it.

I hope to do more Thundercats commissions in the future. Cheetara is dead sexy!

Sketch 097: More Gestures

Sketch 096: Some Gesture Drawings

Sketch 095: Spartacus!

Sketch 094: Duke of Darkness

Another sketch of the Duke of Darkness, one of the Golden Age characters that captured my attention a while back. I plan on re-imagining his further in the future, perhaps with a better name.

Sketch 093: Purveyor!

Spent a little extra time on tonight's sketch to practice on the Chris Samnee style. For better or for worse.

Purveyor (c) 2010 Greg Mooradian All Rights Reserved

Gremlin Commission

This is John McLaren's Gremlin. Creepy looking little guy!

It's been a very productive last few days, both on commissions and on my personal projects (the Revenger Webcomic and the Sovereign 5 page sequential installment for the Arcadia Collective Anthology).

Stay tuned for further updates.

The Gremlin (c) 2010 John McLaren All Rights Reserved.

Sketch 092: Gaia from HBO's "Rome"

Sketch 091: Xena/Lucretia teaser

No time for a sketch tonight. I'm too busy working on a project that's coming due very soon. But here's a segment of a commission I'm working on featuring Xena: Warrior Princess, and Lucretia, wife of Batiatus, from the tv show "Spartacus: Blood and Sand." Both of these characters have been played by Lucy Lawless. Thus the appeal.

Sketch 090: Joseph Fiennes

More Google Images fishing. I was looking or a man's face to draw, and I saw Joseph Fiennes as William Shakespeare and decided to go with it.

Sketch 089: Magna!

This is Magna. She's essentially a female version of the Golden Age character Magno the Magnetic Man. She'll be popping up in the Revenger webcomic very soon.

Magna (c) 2010 Michael Powell

The Sketch Blog and the Main Blog Are Now One!

I made the decision to integrate my sketch blog into my main art blog. It just makes things simpler. I used to post 6-7 times a week to this site, but once I started the sketch blog I've had to divide my time.

I'm up to about 88 sketches, and I'll continue the numbering on this blog.

To see the archives go to http://michaelpowellsketchblog.blogspot.com

Here's a few samples of what I've done lately. Just some drawings done from photographs I've found on Google Image Search.

-Mike

Dark Chun Li and Bison (colored)

Just a quick posting of what I've finished today.

Gotta run. Lots of other pieces to work on...

Characters (c)2010 Capcom

Star Girl Lingerie Shoot

Two consectutive days of blog posts. I can't remember the last time that happened (unless you count my daily sketch blog, but those drawings don't take long at all, so I'm wont to include them).

I also can't remember the last time I had to censor a drawing. Ever so often a buyer wants something that's a bit revealing, so in an effort to keep my audience's eyes from melting from their sockets at the sight of female nipples I've blocked out the necessary areas.

Enjoy.

Note: This Star Girl is at least 18. Or at least that's what she told me, officer!

Toteboy Commission!

Meet Toteman. He and some other characters in his universe can be found at
http://www.totemansworld.com

This character was actually created by the buyer's 13-year-old son. In case you're wondering, the super-sized right arm is part of the character's design.

Toteboy (c) 2010 John McLaren

Tex Hex/Judge JB (colors)

Just two more left to color after this one. Then I'll mail the entire batch off to the buyer and start the new batch.

Just a reminder to those waiting on commissions in the mail: the majority of them have been sent out, and I only have one left (that's you, Jim :), and that will be mailed tomorrow.

I think I've finally found the perfect backing board for the art. Not that I've had a lot of trouble in the past, but over the last three-or-so years there have been a few postal workers, both Canadian and domestic, who have been careless with the way they've handled a few packages.

That's not bad, I suppose, but I'd like every piece of art to be in great shape upon arrival 100 % of the time.

On another note, it's not too late to order a commission or three! Just go to my Ebay listing at this link:

http://shop.ebay.com/placidocaruso/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=


Thanks!

Lotor and Allura (Colors)

I meant to post this days ago. It's part of the "animation" batch I've been working on since August.

Coming up next, the colors for Tex Hex and Judge JB!

Lion-O and Cheetara from Thundercats

It's simply amazing how a Thunderan female can arch her back like that! If any earth woman is capable of such a feat I'd love to meet her!

Ah, Thundercats. One of my favorite shows growing up. These days if I try to watch it the dialogue makes me cringe. But the same can be said with most (if not all) of those 80s cartoons. Great memories, though.

This outfit Lion-O is wearing is actually from the comic that was put out a few years back. I'm certainly glad they updated it. Looking back, the old one just looked wrong in so many ways. And the exposed midriff? C'mon!

Cheetara's outfit is based on a slave outfit worn by Wiley-Kit in Mum-Ra's temple (again, from the comic).

Skeletor and Teela (colored)

I'm almost done coloring the batch that this commission came from. Then I'll be starting on a new batch, including some really hilarious character pairings! Stay tuned for those in the next couple of months.

Characters (c) 2010 Filmation, Inc.

Sovereign Preview Page and A Few Plugs

I noticed that I had posted this Sovereign preview page everywhere but here.

The first two issues of the Arcadia Comics Anthology are now available for purchase on Indy Planet.com. Just go to this link to order yours today:

http://www.indyplanet.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=3332

I'm really excited to be a part of this project. It's much easier to get published material out there since I'm part of the "collective." The one-man operation of putting out a 22 page comic book would take months on my own. Now I'm only responsible for five pages every two months (though I intend to put out considerably more as time progresses).

You can visit our blog at http://arcadiacollective.blogspot.com where you'll find some "useful links" in the margin that will take you directly to our individual pages.

You can keep up with Arcadia Comics Collective news and updates by following us on Twitter at

http://twitter.com/arcadia_comics

I've started posting on a regular basis any character sketches or preview panels put out by my cohorts or myself.

We're on Facebook as well, if that's more your style. Just go to http://www.facebook.com/people/Arcadia-Comics/100000496762529#!/profile.php?id=100000496762529

And lastly, my webcomic, "Revenger", has recently gotten back on track. With any luck there won't be anymore delays (or at least very few).

You can check it out the most recent strip at

http://www.drunkduck.com/Revenger/

or you can start at the beginning by going to

http://www.drunkduck.com/Revenger/index.php?p=654185

Thanks!
-Mike Powell

She-Hulk Vampi-Style!

The buyer of this commission wanted She-Hulk in a "Vampirella-inspired" suit. I think I accomodated him.

Just a reminder, for those who missed my tweet a few days ago, the second issue of the Arcadia Comics Anthology (featuring my character, Sovereign) is now available through Indy Planet. Just go to this link and get yours today!

http://www.indyplanet.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=3332


She-Hulk (c) 2010 Marvel Entertainment, Inc.

Centaur Commission

I finished this commission last week but just haven't gotten around to posting it (like a few others).

This is my most recent and most successful attempt at a centaur. Nothing fancy, just a simple horse/woman composite.

The face was based on photo reference sent to me by a buyer. It's a decent likeness, but I think I could have done better. She was happy with it, though.

Commission: Ahsoka Tano (Gesundheight!)

For someone who doesn't consider himself a Star Wars fan, I've drawn my share of Star Wars commissions in the past.

Here's Ahsoka Tano (hope I'm spelling that correctly). I now virtually nothing about this character. Maybe one day I'll read up on her.

Ahsoka Tano (c) 2010 Lucasfilm, Ltd.

The Incredibles At Home

I loved the Incredibles movie. I wish they'd make a sequel. I can't think of any excuse why they wouldn't. Obviously it did very well.

In this commission Bob and Helen Parr have had their powers switched somehow, and this scene captures a scene from their homelife.

Incredibles (c) 2010 Pixar Co.

Matt Trakker and Vanessa Warfield (colored)

Another commission from the backlog colored.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Octo-Pirate Commission

This is the companion piece to the pirate mermaid
commission I posted about two weeks ago. I think it came out ok.

For those of you following Revenger I regret that I've had to put it on hold for a few daysso I can catch up on commissions and finish up my five page story for the Arcadia Anthology.

I'm almost on track, so Revenger should be back in just a few days.

She-Ra and Teela, Harem Girls

This drawing was commissioned by a buyer who saw the She-Ra/Hordak piece on Deviantart. He tells me that She-Ra was actually a member of Horde in her younger days. I never would have imagined.

I'm still trucking along on commissions, the webcomic (which will be late this week, I regret), and the final two pages of my contribution to the Arcadia Anthology. It's been hectic, but I can feel the pressure starting to fade.

Lady Death/Purgatori Colored

Over the next two weeks or so I'll be back-tracking a little bit and coloring a few commissions I've done for a certain buyer.
I don't know why, but I just wasn't in a coloring mindset for a while, but I'm over it now.

I've been hard at work on chapter 2 of Sovereign for the Arcadia Comics Anthology, so for the next few days I'll be squeezing in
commissions where I can. I'll post some preview panels later on.

90s Rogue!

The buyer of this commission didn't specify the 90s Rogue, but I went out on a limb since I've never been asked to draw any other version of the character.

I've started using a thinner pen for faces at the suggestion of a different customer, and I'm liking the result.

More tomorrow.

She-Ra and Hordak In Color

All right, I admit it. I'm not the most high tech colorist out there.
One of these days I'm going to invest in some copic markers. In the meantime it's strictly colored pencils for those buyers who want colored commissions.

Incidentally the buyer of this drawing was perfectly happy with it. That's all that counts.

90s Catwoman!

I've always loved this costume design (which I believe is attributed to Jim Balent), though it's fallen out of favor in the last decade in favor of the Darwyn Cooke designed modern version with the goggles.

Madam Masque!

I sometimes think I'm taking on too many projects. Then I stop and remember that Hey! I love to draw! Although I feel the pressure sometimes, it truly never feels like work.

Here are some of the things I have cooking on the artistic stove as we speak:

About twenty commissions (that'll keep me busy for the next three weeks or so).
Two interview questionaires.
A five page Sovereign contribution to the Arcadia Comics Anthology.
A weekly webstrip.
A daily sketch blog (http://michaelpowellsketchblog.blogspot.com)

So needless to say, this blog has been updated a little less frequently than before. Not because I'm not completing commissions fast enough, but because I don't have the times sometimes to put the art up and write something. I don't like to just post a drawing with no text. That's what the sketchblog is for.

Anway, to those of you who visit this site on a regular basis, feel free to leave a comment. But whether you do or not, it doesn't matter.
I appreciate you checking out my work all the same.

Take care,

-Mike

Madam Masque (c) 2010 Marvel Entertainment, Inc.

She-Ra and Hordak

I used to watch the She-Ra cartoon as a child, and I remember liking it. But if I had to choose between She-Ra and He-Man I'd go with He-Man.

But if I had to choose between He-Man and Visionaries I'd go with Visionaries.

And if I had to choose between Visionaries and Thundercats I'd go with Thundercats.

And if I had to choose between Thundercats and Transformers...

Well...

It's Transformers hands down!

Enchantress #2

Lots to work on over the next few days, so I hope to have closer to daily updates in the coming week.

Enjoy this Enchantress commission.

Enchantress (c) 2010 Marvel Entertainment, Inc.

Green Arrow!

I did some more experimenting with shadows in this commission, and thing I'm getting a little better with each drawing. I still have a long way to go, though.

I had a little trouble aligning the two segments on my standard-size printer, in case you're wondering why the arrow and bow string seem off in the center.

Green Arrow (c) 2010 D.C. Entertainment, Inc.

Pirate Mermaid!

I spent way too much time on this thing, but it was a great subject, and I'm happy with the end result.

Lady Blackhawk!

Lady Blackhawk doesn't usually fly, but in the continuity in which this commission takes place she does!

Lady Blackhawk (c) 2010 D.C. Entertainment, Inc.

Doctor Doom!

It should be evident from this Doctor Doom commission that I'm getting a little braver with the shadows (for better or for worse).

And if you happened to see the rough pencils for his piece (on Twitter) then you'll notice that I had a change of thought and changed my Kirby Krackle to Byrne Brush strokes (done with a marker). Sorry, but I just had such a tough time pulling off all those dots!

Tex Hex and Judge JB

This is a companion piece to the Bravestarr/Judge JB commission I did a few months ago. Now I have that damned Bravestarr opening in my head again!

Characters (c) 2010 Their Owner.

The Enchantress

This commission features the sometimes good, sometimes wicked, always sexy, Amora, the Enchantress, from Marvel's Thor. The buyer wanted me to omit the face dressing she usually wears, but even so, the design of her leggings gives her identity away.

Enchantress (c) 2010 Marvel Entertainment, Inc.

Power Girl Recreation

No, it's not a mistake. This is a recreation of a Power Girl commission I back in November. The buyer loved the original so much that he wanted his own. He's happy, so I'm happy.

Power Girl (c) 2010 D.C. Entertainment, Inc.

Christie M from Tekken

This is Christie Monteiro from Tekken. That's about all I know about her.

I plan on adding some pencil tones to this because it could really benefit from it.

Look for that in the next few days.

Christie M and Tekken (c) 2010 Who Knows

Lara Croft Loses Her Shirt

This is just another simple Lara Croft commission. Believe it or not, this was the first time I've ever drawn a woman removing her shirt. There will most assuredly be others in the future!

Star WOMAN and Dagger: Victims of Medusa!

This is another "Victims of Medusa" commission, this time featuring Marvel's Dagger (from Cloak and Dagger)and DC's Star, or Star Girl. Actually, she's 18 in this drawing (needless to say), so let's just call her Star WOMAN.

I inked the majority of this with a brush, except for a few details. I'm always on the lookout for the perfect inking tool. This brush worked well. It's definitely work practicing with it more.

Characters (c) 2009 Their respective owners

Webcomic Preview: Revenger and the Bat!

Here's another preview panel from the Halcyon Comics Presents webcomic I'm working on.

In this panel we have Revenger (that's the name I settled on) being taken for a ride by his high-flying criminal nemesis, the Bat!

I almost have enough done to start lettering and posting, so stay tuned for future updates.

-Mike