One Hour Quarantine Chill

Many of you have probably seen my YouTube channel where I've shared a number of my artwork process videos, but finally we've come to a small milestone.  ONE HOUR SKETCHBOOK AND CHILL.  :-D  I'm not one to be on camera often, I've done some artist struggle videos but I'm mostly speaking on a subject to which I feel passionate about (being artsy) lol!   But I've never just... shot the $*#! on camera.  It was not very natural to me!

There was a learning curve to talking to myself (on camera) so I think I muttered "Umm" and "Like" about a million times :-O  Hahaha.  I edited as much of them as I could out, but many are still there for your viewing pleasure, perhaps it would be a fun drinking game! ☺️  So in keeping with being myself and overcoming the very real fear of...that, here's a video where we can talk, chill out, and oh yeah, do a little bit of drawing!

New Studio!

Not sure I knew just how many times I'd have to set-up and take my down my studio in my life time, but here we are with a new one!

My new flat is awesome, small, but packed with everything I need, including all my ART SUPPLIES!  It's still a bit of a mess but it's workable.  And workable is the important part!  A creative must always find the time to make time for creative practices.  I've managed to throw a few things outside my studio into the mix.

Artist Dates, a concept born from The Artist's Way, is one way I've managed to keep the spark alive.  Nurturing the artist/child within by exposing it to fun creative environments, buying cheap fun art supplies or stationery, is the key to a successful date.  PLAY is the keyword.  I've also managed to a few of my friends in on the deal.

Finding time to spend with friends can be hard, but sharing my creative time with them and having painting sessions is one great way of getting some work in and inspiring others.  I find that my friends are always interested in what I do in the studio, and just where the magic happens.  It can be easy to forget when we're studying and improving, that other people do not spend such time on creativity.  This is one big reason I promote it to everyone.  It flexes different muscles, it fires a different set of pistons within the brain, and studies prove that it is beneficial to any and everyone!

With this thought in mind I've started a series of videos where I discuss the struggles of an artist, and hope to shed some light on the subject. Inspiration perhaps. Everyone needs a creative outlet, but there are mountains between us and our colorful endeavors.   One thing I hope to do is simply document my journey, tips I've stumbled on, and ways to make creativity part of your life.   It's not all glitter bombs and flash in the art world.  Trekking the hard trails and climbing the steep cliffs is daunting, but it can be done.  I intend to show its possible.

Epic Watercolor Paint Haul

I decided to film an unboxing video of my recent purchase from Daniel Smith Watercolors.  I've been using them since my college painting classes.  My friend Andre Williams (@artofandre) and I have been obsessed with them ever since.   We pulled our resources and created this massive paint haul, and now I'm sharing my selections with you!

This was a fun video to do, and share, and in future videos I'll be doing some swatching of the colors, so look out for that!

Thanks to Andre for sponsoring this video! :-D  He's a dear friend and you should go follow him on social media!

If you're looking or some watercolor or art supplies for you own, please consider using my personal affiliate links that support this blog, my videos, and art content!
Utrecht Art Supplies
Dick Blick Art Supplies

#INKTOBER #WITCHTOBER

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Witches Brew - Ink, Paper - ©JohnnyPerez 2017

Every year I am inspired to create during the month of October because that is when Inktober happens!  Artists from around the world hashtag their work to practice, engage, and inspire using ink as the main medium.

This year I chose witches as my theme.  All sorts of witches.  I'm listing my creations this month in my Etsy shop.  In celebration of Halloween, I am offering 40% for email subscribers!  I hope you enjoy, and have a safe candy eating, horror movie watching, costume dressing day!

Etsy Shop Link!

Fantasy Faces: Labyrinth!

I don't really know when the first time I saw Labyrinth was. It released in 1986 and I was 4 years old at the time, but it must've been some years later when our family could afford a VCR that I was able to watch it.  For some reason I remember thinking these movies had always existed and that my mom must've grown up on them, because she spoke as if she knew what was happening.  I can only assume she pre-screened the movies before showing them to me and MAYBE she saw them in the theater.

All I really know is that since I did see it, it's stayed with me, along with many fantasy movies at the time.  They are part of what made me want to be an artist, why I was reluctant but excited to play D&D in college, and why for many years I was in my own bubble of magic and glitter.  There are few movies that are cut from this cloth, and I can't imagine them not being burned into my psyche.

Ludo (detail) ©Johnny Perez

Fantasy Faces Painted in Watercolor...cont'd

Studio Ghibli fantasy faces set by Johnny Perez

Thanks for sticking around and checking out my progress on this project!  In case you missed it I have a video playlist you can watch of all the faces I've painted so far.  I'll keep adding to this playlist as they're done till I get 31 total!

In the last post I gave you some of the work in progress photos from face #s 12-18 I think.  So here are some photos up to #23.  This includes the last Studio Ghibli face: Yubaba, and The Dark Crystal faces of Skeksis, Podling, Aughra, and Kira!

Yubaba from Spirited Away in watercolor by Johnny Perez

I asked in the previous post to vote on the last set of 4 faces, or give me something better! I'm leaning toward Lord of the Rings, but Game of Thrones would be a hot topic.  So I'll still be taking your suggestions in the comments, so let me know!

Now on to some art photos from the studio!

31 Days of Watercolor | Fantasy Faces

Blick Art Materials announced a daily watercolor art challenge for the month of July, and I had to jump on board!  I like daily challenges because they force me to keep with art making when life gets in the way.  I may lag behind a day or two but I'm quick to catch up and keep playing.

There was no specific theme so I decided I would do fantasy faces.  I'm looking into classic fairy tales, and spinning some other familiar concepts.  I'm hoping to end up with a wide range color and ideas for future paintings.  To make it simple I'm keeping these small.  On top of that I have to fight the daylight for attention, since I don't like to use my regular desk lamps, but I will if I have too.

Chalchiutlicue | Aztec Goddess of the Sea

Chalchiutlicue - Watercolor, Ink - 9 in x 6 in - Johnny Perez

What happens when you dive into the rabbit's hole?  You discover a massive fountain of potential inspiration perhaps?  I've been into mythology since I can remember going to the library, I mean its the closest thing to fantasy in the real world.  Ancient cultures sacrificed lives for these beings, and whatever your beliefs, the pantheon of gods in any religion was as real as night and day.

That being said, I had only ever paid attention to the Greek pantheon because that was the only book our small library had.  The internet was *gasp* not a thing in my grade school years.  But lets face it, I feel robbed.  I mean I knew of ancient cultures but where was the WEALTH of stories and information that seemed to be in abundance in the Greek mythos.  I was neck-deep in Xena: The Warrior Princess, and even comic books made reference to these gods.  That was all fine and well, but here I am thirthy-*ahem* years old and I'm just now learning of my own cultural roots!

Which brings me to my painting of Chalchiutlicue.  I've had an affinity for water since forever, and mermaids rank top of the list of favorite things to illustrate.  In recent years I've heard many references to African gods, more specificially Orishas.  I'm not near as educated in cultures of the world as I'd like, but it seemed odd to me that I'd hear this word so often in everyday conversations and in popular media.  Yes I love black culture including music and television, so this could be why.   But even when I was listening to Spanish music all day long and trying to practice my Spanish by watching novelas on Univision, I never heard any reference to anything other than Catholicism or namely La Virgen.   Of course I come to expect this from the deeply rooted seed of religion in Mexican culture.  Maybe its because I didn't grow up in Mexico, but even then, there's a passing knowledge of the pantheon, but there's no reference in popular media or entertainment.  I don't know, am I not really paying attention?

Going Home Home for Memorial Day

I traveled to my hometown to visit my family and do a little celebrating of Memorial Day.  I don't celebrate it regularly, but its hard not to when you're with family and surroundings you used to know.  Of course I took the beaux out to see the local cemetery.  Not surprised to see quite a few confederate flags there in a small row of small graves.  I'm from a small town!  The cemetery was big and full of 100s of tombstones and these (possibly racists and/or misguided) were only a small part.

Speaking of small, I found out yesterday that where I grew up is considered a ghost town!  I thought it was pretty cool. I lived in this small town called Odell for many years off and on.  I visited there a couple of years ago to get pictures of the old houses I used to live in, but they were all gone, except for two.  I lived in about 7 houses in the area and the 2 that remain are still inhabited, so I didn't wanna look like a weirdo in their front yard.  Anyway, a ghost town indeed!

I enjoyed living there as a kid, playing with the neighborhood kids and running the streets with hardly a car in sight all day.  Then we would run up to the local grocery store, Cooper Grocery run by Leoda, a little old lady who'd lived out there for years.  She looked perpetually grumpy, and the store was always warm, but we loved it.  The store has been made into something of a museum since her passing, and next door the old Post Office is now a small recording studio with a stage outside.  I heard they do "Odell Days" art and music festival, but I haven't heard if it still continues. 

Its funny to think there are parts of Vernon I have never seen, but going to explore it as an adult has proved fun on many occasions.  Things are changing here and there and some things never do.

What Various Pens I Use for Art Making

My lineup of pens

Pens can be something of a guilty pleasure for me.  Especially GellyRoll pens because they come in so many colors and versions like metallic and glitter.  I paint more than I draw so the necessity of all the pens I have is what makes me feel guilty.  This somewhat prompted me to practice my drawing skills and make some art with them.

Recently I made some very colorful small drawings on dark slate grey cardstock that is perfect for the bright colors to be shown off.  I sold more than a few of these so I'd say it was a success.  Here are a few of them!

Artist Life Series | Episode 002 | A Sampler

This one's a modge podge, a tit for tat, some bric-a-brac, a sampling if you will, of a day in this artist's life.  And a bit of my artist boyfriend's life.  I'd be content to stay in and play video games all day between art-making, but it I have to say that recording this series gives me some other things to look forward to and share.   There's nothing all that glamorous about an artist's life, perhaps not in the beginning, or middle.  It's just a lot of work and staying afloat and just trying to live.

Perhaps later there's some glamour, but I'm definitely not there yet!  See my previous post about answering questions from an artist.  Anyway the main idea here is to give you a slice of life.  Yes I like to art it up, but I also like to watch TV, and go to graveyards.. eehh well accompany my man to graveyards (he's one of those gothics) lol.  It makes me a bit nervous to be honest, but there's something there besides the spookiness and threat of a Victorian haunting.

And I threw in a bit of Food Network to boot! Check it out.  And oh! If you have some good recipes or copies of restaurant recipes let me know!  I'm a foodie too. :D

Watercolor Mermaid Painting in Time Lapse Video

I want to be...where the people are.. I mean fishes are...
I love mermaids!  The Little Mermaid has been a staple of my existence for longer than I can remember.  I grew up first seeing the Live Action video on VHS from Shelley Duvall's Fairytale Theatre.  In it, the original storyline is used from the Hans Christian Anderson book where the mermaid dies in the end because she'd rather not have to kill the prince to return home when he falls in love with another girl.  SO SAD!  I was delighted to have a happy ending when Disney's came out, but I can't deny the effect the original had on me.

Anyway, MerMay is going around so I thought it would be a good time to put out a new time lapse video of me painting a mermaid in blue and green watercolors. For highlights and pearls I used GellyRoll's gel ink pen.  Enjoy!

Buddha Board Mini | Drawing Meditation Exercise

One of the many relaxing things I do as an artist, is to practice the fundamentals.  Drawing facial features, usually eyes.  Drawing hands, and random faces, or maybe just doodles.  One of the best tools I've found for practicing brushstrokes is the Buddha Board!

I have the mini version right now, I can't wait to get the bigger regular version that comes with a reservoir and stand.  But this works for now especially for travel.  The board has a special material that accepts water and drys quickly, so that it creates and mimics the ink brush on rice paper.  Its like creating magical fading scrolls.  I wish I knew how to write kanji :-/

But for now, the brushstrokes look very realistic to real ink, and I don't waste any paper while I'm drawing over and over!  This is my second video, check out my first one here!  Have a look at the Buddha Board Mini in action below and quick time-lapse for your convenience!

It's DAISO! Shopping at the Japanese Dollar Store!

My first visit to Daiso was so much fun!  I had heard that they had some cheap art supplies to boot.   I'd heard so many good things, I had to make the trip north to Plano to see what the fuss was about for myself.   It was a stormy day, but there was plenty of sunshine on the inside!  Haha.  There was loungy Japanese music playing, the place was so clean, and there were so many chachkies for all the rooms in your house!

Anyway check out the video below to see some footage of the inside, and then what I came home with.   Did I mention the majority of it was $1.50?!?  This place can't be beat!

Artist Vlog Series: Episode 001

Ok I'm taking the plunge into Vlogging, YIKES!  Its way out of my comfort zone, but I can't deny that it will be great talking practice, and all the cool kids are doing it!  I just really want to make it easier for new fans and current fans to connect with me on a personal level, since I've been out of the convention scene, and I'm not quite yet ready to jump into a public scene again just yet.   So here you go, me in all my awkwardness, please enjoy.  Vlog Episode 001.

Watercolor demo

http://youtu.be/Azv-SBFLl_4

Here's the latest video on Optic Opera Inc's  YouTube channel. It's a demo in my sketchbook with watercolor. 

I actually talk in this video which is weird because I don't really like my voice, but I wanted to talk about my process and tools to those that might be curious. Personally I am a fan of the "just watch me paint" type of video. Part of this may come from my innate introversion. But that's a tale for another time. 

I'm also trying to make music for my videos with garage band. It's rough stuff! So if you hear something funny or crazy that's probably why. 

Please like and share with your friends and colleagues. I'll try to post every week, and things should be getting more advanced once I get in the groove of video making. 

Thanks!!

Sketchy Eye Demo

http://youtu.be/JHTq0QVZ10E

Here's a quick tutorial on drawing eyes, with lashes for days! This is a sketchy eye done Micron pen 02. Then shaded with Faber Castell brush pen in cold grey and warm grey. 

In case you didn't know my best friend and partner in art, Andre Williams, we started an art coop type business called Optic Opera Inc.  The name is a play on a few things. Chiefly the fact that I love the color Opera Pink in my work and that our work is often inspired by music. It's also a nod to opera as an art form in that our work is beautiful music for the eyes. Optic for "Visual" as in "visual art", no-brainer there. 

We have pretty much all the social media outlets covered. But we are starting to post demo videos on our YouTube channel.  Http://www.youtube.com/opticoperainc 

Promo video I

Here's a promotional video I did for Optic Opera Inc, a company I co-founded.

http://youtu.be/U4Sv1czcdmo 

Sketch. Paint. Video!: Eye

Here's another sketching and paint speed video of an eye.  I always seem to draw a lot of eyes, I think they are just my go-to doodle.  Enjoy.

Sketch. Paint. 2: Lips

Here's another video I did real quick of some lips from sketch to paint! Mute if you don't like the music, it was just too quiet for me!