: Runic Piranha Studios : Art of Andy Brase

Dark Knight: WIP + Details

2012-01-26T17:14:00.000-08:00

Here's some various WIP photos and ink details from my recent Dark Knight art. These were taken at various stages of penciling and inking.

The final full original ink version of this piece is posted here:
Dark Knight: Original Ink

Joker Penguin: WIP

Penguin: Pencil to Ink

DK: Ink detail

Two Face: Ink detail

Poison Ivy: Pencil

Gargoyle: WIP Ink

Ivy Skull: Ink detail

Poison Ivy: Ink

Beneath the Gargoyle: Pencil detail

Dark Knight: Pencil to Ink

Dark Knight : Black Hearts : New Year

2012-01-02T10:25:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year 2012 everyone!

Batman's heart has gone black. Here's my twist on some of the villains from the darkest shadows of Gotham;) As usual, this is all traditional ink line art (with a little color added on the sides)
I hope everyone has a good start to 2012!

Dark Knight : Black Hearts (LARGER version- click here)

Upcoming Art

2011-12-11T09:45:00.000-08:00

Upcoming previews;)

Dark Knight, Dark Sun +++ (New Books, Prints, Art)

2011-10-18T07:23:00.000-07:00

First up here's a small detail teaser for my new Dark Knight art. Check back for more on this soon!

Dark Knight: WIP pencil detail

I was in the bookstore a couple days ago and surprised to see there was a hard cover graphic novel printed of the "D&D: Dark Sun" comic for which I did cover art.
My cover art on this book is printed bigger and looks much better than it did on the comic. It is printed in a similar style to the D&D RPG books. The figures on the art are printed with a glossey finish, so they really pop.
The book is called "Dungeons & Dragons: Dark Sun: Ianto's Tomb" & published by IDW. Here's a couple pics of my cover & another cover I did is also printed inside the book.

DARK SUN HARDCOVER book:

Recently I got my comp copies for my George R.R. Martin book cover.
This is my first published cover for a novel (not graphic novel)
The art is also printed in my new artbook "Exorcism"

"Dragon de glace" Published by Actusf (French publisher)

ARTBOOK:
I'm doing small sketches for anyone who picks up a copy of my "Exorcism" artbook/ sketchbook before Halloween 2011.
The original doodles are on the inside back cover and each will be slightly unique. Due to time and numbers, I'm limiting myself to a sharpie Skullface doodle and not taking requests for characters.

For more details on my artbook/ sketchbook check here:
Exorcism: Art of Andy Brase- limited artbook/ sketchbook
These are limited and only available through me.
For more info on getting a copy, contact me at:
andybrase.art@gmail.com

Skullface doodles: (for my Artbook)

Here's a couple more pieces that are printed in my "Exorcism" book.
These ones are also available as limited art prints.
Both character illustrations are for my own project/world "Chaos Destiny"

Gatekeeper of the Dark V2 (updated 2011 version):

The Tongue Collector (Haunted version):

And to wrap this post up here's a WIP sketch from my sketchbook.
Another sketch of my Cudoviste creature.

Tentacles + Teeth: WIP sketch

Vampire + Medusa concept art (DC)

2011-09-30T12:07:00.000-07:00

A long while back, I worked on some character concept & toy designs for DC Direct. The project hasn't surfaced, though I was recently given permission to show my concept drawings for the project.
One of the designs I worked on for a Vampire concept was used in a new comic from DC called "FRANKENSTEIN, AGENT OF S.H.A.D.E."

The idea basically was to redesign some classic monster characters with some guidelines and direction that I was given from the awesome art director. We both have a passion for monsters, so I had a lot of ideas to sort through and seam together into a fitting design for each character drawing.

VAMPIRE:

BLOOD TANK (vampire back):

MEDUSA:

*Artbook/ Sketchbook Available! - more info here: Exorcism artbook

Dragonizor + Undead Army + Fallcon 2011

2011-09-19T09:38:00.000-07:00

This is a sketch I was commissioned to do at a convention. The commissioner asked me to draw whatever I was in the mood to do.
So here's "The Dragonizor", another creature design/concept from my "Chaos Destiny" universe:)

The Dragonizor:

Here's an updated version of an older ink drawing I did for an unpublished project. I wanted to add a simple spot color style to pop the bottom characters out a bit more, but not overpower the ink work.

Undead Army : Black Ice

My next convention appearance will be at Fallcon in MN (Oct 15). I should still have copies of my new artbook/sketchbook "Exorcism" for that con. Plus various new Art Prints, etc.
Fallcon 2011 (more info here)

For those interested in my limited artbook/sketchbook, more info here:
Exorcism: Art of Andy Brase

Exorcism Artbook- Interior Pages

2011-08-22T08:20:00.000-07:00

Here's another interior page spread from my new limited artbook/sketchbook "Exorcism". Check the previous blog entry for more info or at this link:
Exorcism: Art of Andy Brase- limited artbook/ sketchbook

Send me a message if you are interested in more details about getting a copy:)

The Eyeball Collector page: (photo)

Exorcism : Art of Andy Brase (New Artbook)

2011-08-17T06:58:00.000-07:00

Available Now! I have copies of my new convention artbook.
This is the first sketchbook I've published through a printer and it turned out looking great!
For more info on getting a copy, contact me at:
andybrase.art@gmail.com

Exorcism
-new limited edition artbook/ sketchbook
-30 pages of my art, printed in full color
-includes art in various stages from pencil to ink to color

published by Runic Piranha Studios

Exorcism Cover:

Interior Page Spread:

Wizard Chicago Con 2011 + New Art Teaser

2011-06-01T07:13:00.000-07:00

I was invited to be a guest at Wizard Chicago Comic Con along with my wife Tamara (soon to be wife) who will also be showing her art. Tamara and I will be set up in artist alley for the whole show Aug 11-14. We will have new art prints and various other things that we are considering.

I'm planning a new convention art/sketchbook. Check back for more details as the show gets closer.
Here's a teaser for some newer art too.

Wizard Chicago Con 2011:
Main Webpage
Andy Guest Bio page
Tamara Guest Bio page

Teaser Pencil Detail:

Frost Dragon & The Girl + Rose + Spectrum 18

2011-05-17T06:34:00.000-07:00

I recently had my art licensed for a George R.R. Martin book cover.
The cover is for the French publisher ActuSF and due out around May 23 (in France) under the title "Dragon de glace". The art is a couple drawings I had done & reworked together for this project. I tried a coloring style that was fairly minimal and light, especially over the character drawing.

ActuSF website: www.editions-actusf.com/

Frost Dragon & The Girl:

Here's a drawing my fiancée Tamara and I did for our wedding.
Tamara did the pencil design, then I inked it and added some color.

The Rose:

Spectrum 18!
The artist list was posted recently. I'll again have art in this annual artbook, which is due to be published and released in Fall 2011.
Here's a link to the full artist list: Spectrum 18 artist list

The Tongue Collector +++

2011-02-26T02:58:00.001-08:00

Here's another character design drawing for my own project "Chaos Destiny". This creature was created to be the female counter-partner to another creature I created called "The Eyeball Collector"

Like the Eyeball Collector drawing, this just started as a doodle in my sketchbook. I got carried away with it, and tightened the details up like a finished piece. I created the background color and textures in photoshop with the idea of adding a creepy, alien atmosphere... an interesting setting I had in mind, but not overpowering the pencil drawing.

Here's a color version and some WIP photos I took of the sketch in various stages.

The Tongue Collector:
WIP photos:
Pencil Detail:

Here's another little drawing I did on V-day for my wicked kitty;)
Bee Heart:

Dark Sun #2 out today!

2011-02-09T03:06:00.000-08:00

Here's my cover art for Dark Sun #2. The comic is due out today (Feb 9) from IDW! This one was fairly rushed compared to the first cover I did for Dark Sun. There were some last minute changes requested in the basic composition, and the image had to be reworked in a hurry.
For this one, I skipped an ink version and jumped straight to a digital color final from my pencil. I finished this color version a couple hours before I left on an international flight.

Dark Sun #2: Color version

Dark Sun #2: Pencil version
I think IDW made a limited edition pencil version cover too.

Dark Santa & Frosty the Headless Snowman

2011-01-24T13:48:00.000-08:00

Here's a sketch I did over the holidays. I decided to tighten it up a little and add a background. I don't think I've done a sketch of Santa before, so here's my version. I hope everyone had a good start to the new year.

Dark Santa & Frosty the Headless Snowman:
Here's a couple details from it too!
Skulls Detail:

Demon Elf Detail:

Dark Sun #1 out today!

2011-01-12T06:07:00.000-08:00

D&D: Dark Sun #1 should be out today from IDW! I did one of the covers, and it looks like they also released a limited edition pencil version of my cover art. Here's a preview of the comic.
Dark Sun #1 PREVIEW- click here

I did the pencil, ink and color on this cover. (the ink version is in a previous blog post) There's also another killer cover for the comic by Wayne Reynolds.

Dark Sun #1- color version:

Sea Creature Sketch

2011-01-11T06:44:00.000-08:00

Here's a new sketch for the New Year... a vicious sea critter design I was messing around with. It's another creature drawing for my own project "Chaos Destiny"

Sea Creature sketch:

Pencil Detail:

Sandstorm Dragonfly (art)

2010-11-20T10:23:00.000-08:00

This dragonfly drawing is originally part of a scroll ink illustration I did for my sister's wedding. I added some digital color to the ink line art.

Sandstorm Dragonfly:

Spectrum 17 + Guest at I-CON (Nov 13)

2010-11-11T17:11:00.000-08:00

I just got my comp copy of the Spectrum 17 artbook in the mail yesterday. A really amazing collection of art, which will be in most bookstores soon!
It includes my Daredevil cover I did for Marvel.

Daredevil cover art: click here

Spectrum 17 cover: click here

This Saturday (Nov 13) I'll be a guest at I-CON, a comic convention in Des Moines , IA... actually Altoona, IA... I was just added last minute. I'll have PRINTS and you can see the cover art I've done for Dark Sun, Titans, Daredevil, etc.

Here's more info on I-CON:

I-CON page: click here

Daredevil WIP photo:

Dark Sun cover art!

2010-10-28T08:42:00.000-07:00

I've just been approved to post this:) Here's the ink version and a detail of my cover for IDW's new comic Dark Sun #1! (coming in Jan 2011) I also did a full color version, which will be coming soon, so keep an eye out.

Dark Sun is a dark, gritty fantasy world that was originally made famous by the paintings of Gerald Brom for the RPG books. (a spin off of D&D) I'm a big fan of the setting and I think this is my best fantasy art yet.

Here's some nice words from Brom on my Dark Sun art:
"Andy Brase's dynamic and dramatic imagery truly captures the spirit and savagery of Dark Sun." -Brom

This is out in the new "Previews", and due out in stores Jan 2011. So be sure to tell your comic shop to order the book! There is also a cool cover from Wayne Reynolds and interior art by Peter Bergting. On a related note, my good friend Tyler Walpole is providing regular covers for IDW's D&D comic.

Here's a link to IDW's Jan Previews:
IDW comics for Jan 2011

Dark Sun #1: Ink version

Ink Detail

Titans cover: Pencil to Ink

2010-10-15T08:37:00.000-07:00

Many people have been asking about the process for my art. I don't really have time right now for a full detailed tutorial. Though here are a few WIP scans and some notes.

First the rough sketch. This is were I nail down the composition. I'm mainly just concerned with shapes, figures, some of the lighting and overall ideas here. I don't worry about details in this stage and try to keep things loose. It's more experimenting and searching at this point.

After I create a comp, I'm happy with, it's on to penciling. I light box the original sketch to better paper (bristol board), so I have a clean start. In the case of the Titans cover I penciled it very tight, figuring out all the details of anatomy and lighting.

Pencil Detail:

The ink stage was just making everything solid and flow together. And here's the final inks, scanned straight off the drawing, without any computer coloring or altering.

Titans Cover art

2010-10-06T13:34:00.000-07:00

Here's a recent drawing DC commissioned me to do for a stock cover art image. It's a team of villains, I believe, led by Deathstroke. The guy in the middle/right side has tattoos that come to life.

I didn't use any photo refs on this drawing, though the female character is modeled after my fiancee, Tamara;)

Note to art collectors, the original art will be going up for sale.

Titans: Red Ink Version

Titans: Ink Detail

New Interview- English & Spanish versions

2010-07-31T16:17:00.000-07:00

I recently did an interview that was translated into Spanish.
Here's the SPANISH version: Interview in Spanish

Here's the ENGLISH version: Interview in English

Note: on question 7, there was a mix up in translation and my answer is to a slightly different question

Under Dead Ice- sketch

2010-07-23T02:30:00.000-07:00

Here's a recent little sketch I was messing around with on a piece of scrap paper. It just started as a few head doodles. Then I connected them into a little scene from my concept project "Chaos Destiny"

Under Dead Ice:

Cudoviste creature sketches

2010-05-12T07:48:00.001-07:00

Here's my second Cudoviste sketch and creature design.
Like the first one (posted below it) this just started as a creature doodle and I got a little carried away with it.
The creature's name was inspired by my trip to Croatia and means "monster".
This drawing & creature will be another one for my own project "Chaos Destiny"

Cudoviste II sketch:

Cudoviste I sketch & detail: (from photo)

Licensing my art

2010-05-12T07:38:00.000-07:00

I have many drawings that are available for licensing.
Including art from my own project "Chaos Destiny"
If you are a company interested in using my art on a product feel free to e-mail me about your project.
Please only serious inquiries... there are fees and contracts to be discussed when licensing my art.

If you are a fan of my art and would like to see my art on a product like a T-shirt, poster etc. please feel free to leave a comment with your interests!

Here's one example of an image available for licensing:

Undead with Claws

Tamara in Red

2010-05-12T07:13:00.000-07:00

For friends I haven't had a chance to tell yet, I got engaged:)
Here's a photo I took and arranged of my lovely fiancee, Tamara. I adjusted the lighting & added some atmosphere.

Tamara is also a fantasy and fashion illustrator/designer just finishing her masters degree. The corset in the pic was designed by her and below I posted a recent ink drawing she did.

Tamara in Red

Mistress of Screams by Tamara Peklic
more art here: Tamara's art

C2E2- Chicago Convention

2010-04-09T13:27:00.000-07:00

I'll be in artist alley at the huge C2E2 convention next weekend in Chicago. I'll be sharing a table with fellow artist Tyler Walpole.
April 16-18
www.c2e2.com

Here's a new WIP photo:

Spectrum 17 list announced

2010-03-23T16:51:00.000-07:00

The artist list for Spectrum 17 was posted!
I'll have art in the new Spectrum artbook
which will be published in Fall 2010.
It looks to be another great artbook, here's the link:

Spectrum 17 artist list

Daredevil cover

2010-03-19T18:51:00.000-07:00

Here's a cover drawing I did for Marvel Comics a while back.
The piece was bought as a stock cover and it was discussed that
it would be printed black & white with red on the "DD" logo.
Which is how I feel this illustration would look best in print.

I don't have any more info as to when or what comic issue
it will be published on though. Actually, if anyone sees it in print or news of what issue it'll be printed on, please let me know:)

Daredevil: Ink version and Ink detail

The Victorian series

2010-01-16T12:19:00.000-08:00

I hope everyone has had a good start to 2010. I'll post some more older works up for now.
Here's my series of Victorian ink drawings.
They were done for the company Penny Farthing Press. The first 2 were used as pinups in the back of a trade paperback.
The 3rd Victorian drawing (top one posted) never made it to print in a comic... It was accepted to one of the Spectrum books though & I thought it was the strongest of the 3 drawings.

The Victorian III

Ink Detail from Vic III

The Victorian II

The Victorian I

December Monster

2009-12-09T17:37:00.000-08:00

Just got the first really heavy snow of the year.
In the spirit of winter, here's an older creature illo of a Snow Beast.
This is another drawing and concept design for my own world/project.
I'm posting the pencil, ink and stylized color versions.
I'm also posting some WIP photos from the recent Eyeball Collector concept drawing I did. I got a lot of messages on that one and thought I'd show more of the process.

click images to see larger

Snow Beast: pencil, ink, color versions

The Eyeball Collector: WIP photos

Skull Dweller- concept sketch

2009-12-02T05:44:00.000-08:00

Here's a little sketch I did over thanksgiving... I wasn't in the mood to sketch a turkey:)
This critter uses a skull as it's shell.
It's another creature design for my "Chaos Destiny" world.

Skull Dweller : concept sketch (click to see larger)

The Eyeball Collector II- concept sketch

2009-11-23T11:54:00.000-08:00

Here's a pencil sketch... it started as a warm-up doodle, though I got a little carried away with it.
It's a creature design for my own project "Chaos Destiny".

The Eyeball Collector II : concept sketch (click to see larger)

Werewolf art- new scan

2009-11-08T21:21:00.000-08:00

Here's a new scan of a werewolf drawing I did back when I was doing lots of RPG book art.

I remember inking most of this drawing outside on a bright sunny day. I just sat down at a table next to the pool at my apartment complex to work on it. My apartment was a small studio room and driving me crazy sometimes being holed up in it drawing all day and night. The pencil version I remember being fairly loose and I didn't know if the drawing would turn out really all that good.
I don't usually ink a drawing outside so this one was a bit different. I ended up being pretty happy with it and still think it's not too bad.

click image for full drawing:

Limited Convention sketchbooks

2009-11-01T19:47:00.000-08:00

I have a very limited number of my convention sketchbook/artbooks left. If you are interested in ordering one, here is some info.
For price and shipping info message me at chaosdestiny@mybluelight.com
There are 2 different ones:

Convention artbook 2009
-Limited con style sketchbook
-8.5" x 11" size pages
-31 pages of art
-includes pencil and ink versions of several pieces and many sketches and concept drawings
Here is the cover and a page:
Sevora (green version): This art is from my own project Chaos Destiny.

Dark Skulls sketch page: creature & concept sketches for Chaos Destiny

Shadows of Ink: Art of Andy Brase : A Small Collection
-Limited con style sketchbook
-8.5" x 5.5" size pages
-14 pages of art
-includes ink versions of several drawings, a couple sketches and an interview
Here is a photo of this book. The cover art is my drawing "Black Tears"

Spectrum opening in NYC

2009-10-31T18:57:00.000-07:00

Back in September I took a trip to New York City to go to the Spectrum Exhibition opening reception which was on Sept. 11th. That was my first time in NYC and having work in a gallery show there too. My Crimson Devil drawing was picked to be in the show. I was one of the few artists with ink work to be included, though a number of my favorite contemporary painters had works in the show. It was great to see so much stunning art up close and meet a few artists.

The hotel I stayed in was near Times Square. So during the day on Sept. 11th I e-mailed an editor I'm working with at DC to see if I could stop by. He said sure, so I grabbed my portfolio and walked through the rain a few blocks to the DC offices. It turned out to be a great visit ... I got a chance to meet my editor and he gave me a tour of DC.

Here's a few photos from the trip- click images to see them larger.

Crimson Devil framed art: Here's a few pics of the framed art before it was shipped off to NYC. The Crimson Devil drawing was originally done for the small press comic company Ape Entertainment. The piece has yet to be published on the original project, though may at some point be printed there. I'll also post the ink version of the original art.

Sunrise: I took off for NYC early on Sept 10th and took a few pics of the sunrising from the airplane. Something I don't see everyday... from an airplane I mean.

Times Square: It was great to see all those buildings lit up at night, so I took a bunch of pics.

Spectrum Show: Here's a few pics from the show @ The Museum of American Illustration... I didn't get a chance to take many pics at the show. My art piece was hanging next to a huge Kull painting by Justin Sweet.

Winsor McCay art: A great pen & ink illustration that was in the permanent collection at the museum.

World of Chaos Destiny

2009-10-31T08:05:00.000-07:00

This is my own project that is set in a dark world I created. It is a vision I have had and developed for quite some time. This is an illustrative project intended to be published as an concept artbook eventually. I work on this when I can and have 30-40 finished ink illustrations already with more to come.

I have posted a few sketch pages from the "Chaos Destiny Sketchbook" on the right side of this blog page. These are images from my world though the eyes of the main character Athan Cyprus. Athan keeps a sketchbook/ journal that he obsessively records his thoughts and observations in. Click the images to read his thoughts on the sketches.
I have also posted one of the main character illustrations of Athan Cyprus. (above the sketch pages)

Here is another sketch of Athan.

Here is the "Sawed-off Disintegrator" sketch page and a WIP photo.

Kull TPB

2009-10-29T08:54:00.000-07:00

The Kull TPB that collects the series (Kull #1-6) was released from Dark Horse.
It turned out pretty good with strong interior art by Will Conrad and a nice story by Arvid Nelson based on "The Shadow Kingdom" by the Kull creator Robert E. Howard.
The Kull cover art that I did for #1-3 were printed inside as chapter headers. They printed a little darker than on the comic covers though still look good and are free of logo designs.
The TPB has a bonus sketchbook section in the back which includes some extras from Conrad and a pencil version of my Kull #2 cover. These were great additions to the book! The TPB has a new cover by Paul Renaud.
Kull TPB @ Dark Horse- click here

A minor disappointment was that my cover art for Kull # 2 was not updated for the TPB. The original cover was colored over my pencil work. I later went back on my own time and did a fully inked and more detailed version of the drawing. Which looks much better and would have been more consistant with my other covers.
Anyway its just something I think could have helped the book look a bit stronger. I might be a little bit of a picky ass though.

Here's my covers for Kull # 1 and #3

I was surprised to see my original Kull concept design printed next to the title page in the book. This was the original idea and direction I had wanted to go with my Kull cover art... a little darker and more gritty but still different looking than Conan. I thought this design would be more visually appealing on covers and was closer to my natural instincts of how to draw Kull. Here's that sketch.

Here's another early concept sketch that was scrapped all together... he was a bit too bulky here to be Kull. (This sketch is not in the TPB)

Here's some WIP shots of the Kull #1 cover... none of these pics are in the TPB, so I thought I'd show them here.
My rough sketch for the cover was pretty messy. On this sketch Kull holds the sword pointing out. This was changed, so the barcode wouldn't cover it up and I'm very glad my editor noticed that at this early stage.

WIP pencil + some details: This cover drawing was the first piece done for Kull and was to be a sort of initial concept guide as well.

Kull's hair had to be change a little from this... it was too puffed up. The face was drawn without any photo refs... like many of the comic characters I do.

The visual design I created for the monster on this cover was used in the interior art of the first issue.

Here's a WIP ink scan

I also colored my art on this cover and was playing with the idea of a blue skinned monster.

Introduction

2009-10-26T07:52:00.001-07:00

I decided to start up a blog. Partly to have a space to collect links to my art and various related things on the web. I don't have an official webpage and this is a little easier to set up. I have a myspace blog and a facebook page already and a few other web galleries of my art.

If you're new to my art here's a few illos below and there's a short bio at the bottom of the blog. Here's a link to a post I made on conceptart.org that has a bunch of my art too:
Andy's art on Concept art- click here

Some of my art - click images for bigger pics

The Throne- The pencil version of this art was used on the Kull #2 cover art for Dark Horse. This ink version I did on my own time and wasn't used in the project. I just felt the drawing was too strong to not do an ink version.

Hellboy: Egyptian Ruins- This is one of a couple Hellboy private commissions I've done. Hellboy is one of my favorite comic books, so I went all out on the 2 commissions I did. The drawings have never been used on an official project, though I did get compliments from Dark Horse & Mike Mignola on the art.

Scale the Tower- This one is a personal drawing and creature design I did for my own project call "Chaos Destiny" The project is set in a dark world I'm designing. It is a vision I have had for quite some time. It is an illustrative project intended to be published as an concept artbook eventually. I work on this when I can and have 30-40 finished illustrations already with more to come.