Lionel Messi - A Caricature Study

Back by popular demand, Lionel Messi. The first manipulated caricature I did of Messi has been one of the most popular I have done to date. This man is definitely well loved all over the world. I've wanted to do another for a while but didn't have the right image to work with. I found this one which is not the best quality but was a good 3/4 head shot, so I decided to give it a go. This was totally experimental and fun work for me. I really took my time in the early stages with the direction I would take the exaggeration. It's not my best work but I feel like I learned from it and that's what these non-commissioned images are all about. It's all a learning experience.

I am also just now starting to experiment with digital painting from scratch but I need instruction and direction. I don't want to develop any bad habits. I do intend on taking formal caricature lessons from Jason Seiler but I want to get the basics down and get comfortable drawing and painting again digitally before I do. So, look forward to seeing some changes in my style, hopefully for the better as I incorporate more and more paining into my manipulations and start producing some more "traditional" painted caricatures in the very near future. I have received such a positive response though from my current methods and style that I will continue with this, not changing anything drastic anytime soon. These changes will come gradually and subtly as I learn and like I've in the past, I'll just let it lead me where ever it leads me and develop into what ever it's going to develop into naturally. It's the only way I know how to learn. I'm mainly just looking to broaden my horizons and diversify my skills as I learn caricature illustration which I love so much. Check out some of the sick ball handling skills by Messi in this short video clip below. Good things to come so stay tuned folks!!

Lionel Messi Source Image:

Lionel Messi in action!

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Cliff Roth - Digital Artist - Caricature Trade

Tonight I'm posting the finished caricature of friend and digital artist Cliff Roth, AKA +Cliff Roth on Google+. He does some amazing speed-painting hangouts there. Here's his speed painting web site: Plustastic.com. Cliff and I are trading caricatures of each other and we both keep getting bogged down in other work and have procrastinated. Well, I couldn't have him beat me, so I bot his done this weekend. I'm going to add mine to my growing collection of art by friends of mine from all over the world. I met Cliff in person at the New York City HIRL 2012, +NCYHIRL. "Hangout in real life" to those of you who aren't familiar with the term. It was great to be able to meet so many of my Google+ friends there. The source image below is a cropped version of a shot taken on the Brooklyn Bridge after a Photo-walk by New York Photographer Boris Gorelik, AKA +Boris Gorelik on Google+. You can also find him on GoBoris.com. Boris is the one popping out of the trash can to shoot a picture. Boris ALWAYS gets his shot, no matter where he has to put himself to get it, so that's why I used him there. Both of these guys are talented artists super nice, so if you're on G+ you'll want to circle them for sure. 

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Joe Lieberman - Serving It Up

I decided to go with something simple for the completed Joe Lieberman caricature. I was thinking about doing a complex two person situational manipulation but I decided I need to just stick with some basic images so I can get the practice in on exaggeration when I'm not doing commissioned work. So this was just a practice piece and what was most important to me is the exaggeration and detail in the face. The really crazy stuff will come after I get more confident with caricatures. You'll notice that there is quite a bit more detail that the source image. There was a lot of high resolution dodging, burning and painting in the end stages. The final piece was 12 inches tall at 300 DPI. The original source image is below.

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Joe Lieberman Caricature Work in Progress - WIP

Tonight I'm posting a manipulated caricature work in progress, (WIP) of Senator Joe Lieberman. I like this image of Lieberman with that "I'm not impressed" expression on his face, so I thought I would experiment with him. The source image below is not the best quality. I had to do quite a bit of enhancement to get some detail in his face. This caricature is in a rough state and subject to quite a bit of change although I'm not totally unpleased with the exaggeration. I have no idea yet what I'm going to do with this but I think it has potential. I would like to do a full situational manipulation with another politician. I'll have to put some thought into it.

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California 90420 is Here! ...in Theaters 4/20/12

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

CALIFORNIA, 90420 Marijuana Documentary offering an in-depth look inside Oaksterdam University, “Weed College,” Opens on 4/20/12.

 Oaksterdam University Was Recently Raided by Federal Agents

Each year, marijuana enthusiasts and activists around the country gather to celebrate 4/20 as a holiday.  This year, a new documentary entitled CALIFORNIA, 90420 will be released on 4/20/12 in over 50 theaters nationwide, making it one the widest theatrical releases ever for a marijuana-related documentary.  

90420 focuses on the rapidly open and growing marijuana trade in the State of California, which is setting precedent for the rest of the nation. The film explores the burgeoning ‘above ground’ industry through the eyes of four, 20-something characters whose real lives are caught up in the changing green landscape. This groundbreaking feature documentary is directed by Dean Shull, one of the guys that brought you the hit comedy, WAITING…

The release of CALIFORNIA 90420 could not be timelier, and not just because of the upcoming annual national celebration day of marijuana on April 20th. The film follows faculty and students at California’s Oaksterdam University, the nation’s first college to prepare students for careers in the ever changing marijuana industry and the epicenter of legalization efforts in California. Last Monday, federal agents from the DEA and IRS raided Oaksterdam University as well as the home of Oaksterdam University Founder, Richard Lee. Although medical marijuana is legal in California, it is still prohibited under federal law, leaving Oaksterdam in a precarious legal limbo. 

With Oaksterdam University now the subject of intense media scrutiny, CALIFORNIA 90420 offers viewers a unique, unfiltered perspective into what really takes place behind the doors of the school.  Following last week’s raid, Richard Lee announced his intention to step down as the leader of Oaksterdam University and pass the pipe to Dale Sky Jones, the current Executive Chancellor of Oaksterdam University. 

A share of proceeds from the opening weekend box office will be donated to Oaksterdam University, in order to help ensure the school’s continued survival. CALIFORNIA 90420 will open on April 20, 2012, in select cities in California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Kentucky, Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nebraska, Nevada, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Texas, Virginia and Washington.

CALIFORNIA 90420 is a New Coast Productions Film directed by Dean Shull (Waiting) and produced and written by Dean Shull, Steve Roberts and Colin Goldman. The film features Dale Sky Jones and Oaksterdam co-founders Richard Lee and Jeff Jones.  

For more information on CALIFORNIA 90420, including a complete list of theaters showing the film, please visit: www.90420.com.  

Press Contacts:

John Murphy, MURPHY PR, (212) 414-0408, jmurphy@murphypr.com 

Russ Posternak, MURPHY PR, (212) 414-0408, assistant@murphypr.com

Movie Trailer

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Jon Stewart Work In Progress (WIP)

This is a manipulated caricature of Jon Stewart of The Daily Show. It's a work in progress, (WIP) in a pretty rough state at this point. I was just messing around with it this morning. I'm not sure where it's going yet. I often do several of these and set them aside until The time is right. Just not feeling it today. I also picked this image because it is straight on and not much expression which is more of a challenge. Not every image I get is perfect for a caricature so I need practice working with less. You'll probably see him in a more finished state soon. I'll see how it goes. I've been real busy lately with some jobs and interviews that weren't so glamorous or fun for that matter and it has taken a lot of my time. My blog posts have suffered as a result but I'm trying to get back into the swing and cranking out practice work. The jobs are great but I really love experimenting and learning. More to come real soon. I have a few cool images lined up for the coming weeks. On to the next experiment. Someone just suggested Joe Lieberman so I may give him a go this afternoon.

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SportsChat.TV with Host Brooke Brown

Everyone knows I'm a lover of art but I also enjoy my sports. If you love sports and love talking sports of any kind, you are going to love this feature. But it's not just for sports fans, it's also for the athletes themselves. Fans and Athletes can hangout together using Google Plus Hangout Technology and discuss the current topic, whether it be a particular sport, a team, an athlete or even fitness.

Tonight I'm featuring an awesome new site called SportsChat.TV along with the CEO, Owner and Host of SportsChat.TV's weekly broadcasts, Brooke Brown AKA +Brooke Brown at Google+ You can also find a business page on Google+ called +SportsChat.TV which is the live broadcast headquarters for the show. Brooke is also a good friend of mine and is doing a great job with this new site. If you're a member of Google+, you'll definitely want to circle Brooke and the business page at the links mentioned above as well as requesting to be added to the Sports Circle that Brooke curates both from her personal and business pages. You can access her web site by clicking on the link above as well as either of the two graphics. Brooke has also provided us with an episode of the show below called Golf / The Masters.

My name is Brooke Brown, and I have been passionate about sports since I was about three years old. Makes sense that after getting my Bachelors of Arts in Communication from the University of Arizona, I would hope to pursue a career in media relations or broadcasting. Thus, when I was introduced to the hangout technology on Google+, and an idea to create something, this site was born. SportsChat.TV aims to bring fans and athletes together via uncensored conversation in a live broadcast hangout setting which can accommodate up to nine people. With the innovative technology utilized here, we are able to break down geographical barriers present as well as the communication barriers conventional television and radio have also inadvertently put into place over the years. Times have changed but so have we.  Come join us in a Google+ Hangout via +SportsChat.TV. You can also find an archive of sports shows on my YouTube Channel. We would love to have you. Please also connect with us on our new Facebook page, Twitter, and Google+. Hope to see you there!

"Golf / The Masters" from SportsChat.TV's YouTube Channel

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