TENG Inspiration: John Watkiss

Definitely check out his blog and website!!

All works on this post copyright Disney

Inspiration - Gang Peng

So glad to know that my friend Gang Peng started a blog. Beautiful work!!!

TENG Inspiration

Below you'll notice 4 posts of some truly amazing work for Disney's "The Emperor's New Groove". Included in this set are the works of Paul Felix, Loic Rastout, Robh Ruppel, and Kevin Nelson respectively. These artists are some of the best in the biz!! The Groove is probably one of my favorite movies, both for story and for beautiful production design. For those who want to study great art direction and styling, check out this movie. And if you don't have it, I strongly suggest buying the Special Edition. It's packed with alot of visual development, including a great gallery filled with character designs, concepts, layouts and much more)!!

Inspiration TENG: Paul Felix

Yep, these are some mouth-dropping beauties! Love the scope and detail of these sketches. Paul is just damn good!!!

Inspiration TENG: Loic Rastout

Simply beautiful. Wish Loic had a blog!!

Inspiration TENG: Robh Ruppel

Ah, the amazingly, uber-talented Robh Ruppel. Robh's truly amazing and inspirational. He recently art directed "Meet the Robinsons" and he's posted some of the film's artwork at his blog at Broadview Graphics. Also check out his website.
(All images on this post copyright Disney)

Inspiration TENG: Kevin Nelson

Probably one of the best designers I've come across is Kevin Nelson. I really love his work. His drawings are so fluid, at times very simple, yet they're strong compositinally and really convey a sense of whimsy. I wish he had a blog or website, but for now the only place to see these and more are on the Special Edition DVD of "The Emperor's New Groove". Kevin's also done visual design work for "Fantasia 2000", and most recently, "Meet the Robinsons". Beautiful, beautiful work!
(All images on this post copyright Disney)

Que Wow !!!!!

Marjo Zoo
AlaykssBook
Sophie Griotto
Tweek Hed
Samuel Casal
Wavedog
Anne Liselk
Alpine Rescue
Leif Peng's Amazing Archive of Vintage Illustrations
Paperskin
Ilustrato
Color of Moment
Sterling Hundley
Do It For the Fat Lady
Son of Erek
Stott Art
Beaux Paint
Kalvachev
Forrest Card
Bruno Werneck
Bruce Glidewell
Tim Heitz
Lumeih
Benjamin Trobat
Instant Doodles
Optic Boost
Pouch Junior
LouisT
DayOp
Bruno Dequier
Marnette
The Amazing Arash Tirgari
Richerand-Yoyo
The Incredible Carlos Nine

Blog Beauties!!!

More love coming at you ...

Celeste Moreno
Kyle Neswald
Bruce Zick
Joe Olivares
UnPopular Hero
Miguel Robledo
James Burks
Twisted Tales Art
Leo Braz
Brent Gordon
Chris Dicker
Polyminthe
Zebe Blog
Xriffault
Patrick Mate
Victoria Ying
Worthy Lake
Stephen Daggitt
Carlton Branch
Eric Poulton
Joseph Sapulich
Flash Bunny
Big Daddy Animation
TerraPeer
Mortal Toil
When 2 Fold Em
Sculptor 01
Bionic Socks
Shane Zalvin
Red Dot Blog
Nate In A Box
Eugenia Nobati
Tuesday Drawings
Francesco Francavilla
Hypnotik Eye
Opdebeeck
DanBobThompson
Denis Goulet
Elephant Art
Kenney Ng
Agnes Fouquart
Bok's Place
Ross Dearsley
Adam Brock Bank
Torsten Schrank
Custom Character Designs
Art of Spaniard

Class of the Titans

I've posted this before, but I'm always happy to post again the artwork for Class of the Titans, produced by Studio B Productions in Vancouver, CANADA and directed by my good friend Brad Goodchild. Brad's a great director and designer and is the brave chap who gave me my first break in the business when he gave me a chance to board for PepperAnn way back in 1998 (yep, it's all Brad's fault!!).

Anyway, check out the great work he and the talented folks are doing for the show. Also check out Jeremy Tin's blog. He's the character designer for the show and his designs are amazing! Beautiful work Brad, and I hope we get to work again!!!!!

Inspiration: Mike Mattesi

One of the great things I've experience lately is meeting and working with Mike Mattesi. He's the founder of the Entertainment Art Academy and the author and artist of Force and Reportage (available through the school). He's a great designer as well as a great teacher. Rock on Mike!!!

Maui Wowie....

More beautiful blogs from around the world...

MelMade
GoGiland
White Koi Studio
Puga Vida
Simone Altimani
Abraham 100
Sandrorasan
The Great Uwe
AWD-SFC
Peter Moehrle
Lucinamatta
Manuele Fior
Hethesrodawa
Mithc Lanai
Goobeetsa
Duedi
Warren Paylado
Igallo
AnimatedLife
10000 Bad Drawings
MaisComment
RjohhB
88SA
Fred Et Martin
Peter Callesen
The Gross Uncle
ChausettenLaine
Ray Returns
Useless75
SkribbleMonkey
Andrea Blasich
Peter Popken
Rose-A-Petits-Pois
RiotInk
500 Toons
LailArt
Vincent Batignole
Daniela Raisig
Pouch Junior
Alexandre Thomas
Atelierico
Paul Bertier
Phil Factor 5
Benjamin Huen
Mais-Pourquoa
Led Poison
Lumeih
Art of Matthew Long
I Will Destroy You
Sash Arsenic
Mike Barth
Richard Gaines
MC Templetons
Design and Concepts

WizardCon 2007

I almost forgot that this weekend, WizardCon comes to Los Angeles! If you're in town, drop in and check out all the amazing things to see. More more information, visit their website.

The Wickedly Talented Kristen Lester

I just finished a year gig at Starz Animation and one of the best things I experienced was working with top, talented people. One of them being Kristen Lester. She is one of the best designers and coolest people in the industry and she's wicked at drawing caricatures. I'm sure in 5 years she'll be one of the hottest young art directors in town!! Check out her blog.

WonderCon '07

For those in the Bay Area and points anywhere near SanFran, The WonderCon starts this weekend in downtown San Francisco. My booth buddies from Cons before Jose Lopez and Patrick Morgan will be at Artist's Alley selling their books. Unfortunately I won't be able to attend due to my work schedule, but definitely drop by and say hello and tell them John sent ya.

Other buddies who will attend are:

Stephen Silver
David Colman
Louie del Carmen
Hard 8 Crew
Bobby Chiu
Alberto Ruiz.
Ronnie del Carmen and Enrico Casarosa will be at Stuart Ng's Booth to sign their latest book.

I'm really bummed I can't make it this year, but I hope to attend APE next month. Have fun brothers and smoke a cigar for me!!

Inspiration: The Amazing Phil Dimitriades

Here is the work of my good bud Phil Dimitriades. Not only is he a great artist but he is also an incredible modeler!!! His sets scream cinematic mastery! I love how he explores lighting to set the tone of each piece. His work makes me want to learn more Maya. Truly beautiful my friend. For more amazing work, check out his blog.

Sam Michlap Lecture at EAA

Just want to let folks know that my bud and artist extraordinaire Sam Michlap will be hosting a workshop titled "Film Design" at the Entertainment Art Academy in Glendale on Sunday, March 4 from 11AM - 2PM. Sam will discuss the mechanics of film design as well as his approaches toward production design.

Sam will discuss his ideas about the use of composition and the power of dramatic lighting and color to help tell the right story and emotion. Demos will include digital painting, markers and traditional paint. Sam is one of the best in the industry, and his workshop will be very informative if not inspirational. Definitely not to be missed! For more information, visit the Entertainment Art Academy or call their office at 888-824-2456.

Blogs O'Plenty ... Que wow!!!

Yeah, more awesome blogs from around the world. Here is a very LONG list (was holding back for awhile). Enjoy!!

Boutain
Paco Caballero
Mr.Kone
Stolle Art
Art of J Wood
Studio Flint
Betteo
Rusting Miller
How to Make Plum Sauce
OdderNod
PickTHall Sketches
Celia Calle
Ben Mauro
Freever Sketch
Popiette
Nicolas Arts
Doug Blot
Skiatch
Jessica Plummer
Israel Sanchez
Michael Halford
Dagriz
Anthony Ermio
Cebox Pad
M Posis
Go Do Fredox
Jamie MacD
Richard Vanderwende
Verabee
Art of Branislav Perkovic
Doodle Vision
Pat Boutin
Capitulo Treinta y Tres
Urijevi
Andrew and David
Scott C
Mermuse Sketchbook
Cooked Art
Cesare Asaro
Docos Art
Nigelli
Evs Place
Estuviste Cerca
Eric Vanic
EJ Roy
Luminaut
R Parpan
Francis Vallejo
Bedford Falls Sentinel
Sketch Blaargh
De Tripas
Minus Back
Alex Pelayo
Tavolo Di Sordinato
Touch Skies Chronicles
Kelvin Nguyen
Ron Velasco
Pasquale Venanzio
BlackWing Sketch
Jiasaer
Flip Studios
Der Bloggy
Cristiano Spadavedlia
Kactiguy
Rich Tuzon
Mike Boldt
Mookau 13
Kai the Samurai
Cowshell
CP Luv
Verns Cartoons
Brigette B
En Worrel
Leo Matsuda
Adrian Molina

And I'll be postin' some art next week. And on a personal note, want to give my brother and sister, Steve and Pauline a big congratulation on the birth of my new nephew, Santiago. My niece Xochitl now as a lil bro to guide and teach. Love you guys so much! Ahh, life is good!!!! Have a great weekend.

Monday Highs ...

Another list of amazing work!

Olivier Adam
Luc Desmarchelier
Gialuc
Maize Kid
John T. Quinn III
Ms. Stef Choi
July Films
SixMoreVodka
Wicked Bad Ass Studios
Walleyes World
Kambodia Hotel
Zaruhigalstian
Montserrat
Reyes y Poetas
Beuville Tribute Page (Inspirational!)
Javier Olivares
Tropical Toxic
Miguel Robledo
Perico Rodriguez
Be4Be4
Leorios
Calirezo
Robabeem
Cristian Bernardini
Sketchpaints
David Sourwine
Lissa BT
Rob Bursey
Animation Blogspot (Check it out!)
Michael Dedrick
The Amazing Martin Wittig
The Genius of Donnachada Daly
The Ever Delightful Eliot Cowan
The Awesome Mr. David Colman (Check out his New Book!)