Hatching an Egg

I noticed a lack of landscape and fantasy work in the latest incarnation of my portfolio, so I've decided to hit a couple of birds with one stone, and start a fantasy landscape.
Went with a fairly simple idea: The broken shell of a dragon, already departed to do it's own thing, and what might go on around it.

Once again, I find that I have to force myself to work despite the distractions of the modern age. Setting some time aside at night and playing a podcast helps.

Started with the typical process. Value studies come first. (There is a second set, which I'm not sure is interesting enough to show, but I used it as well)

Next I loaded up photos I took with interesting colors, Googled some inspiration, and did color studies of a few of my favorite monochrome sketches, redrawing each rather than overlaying color so that it won't affect my choices and so that I might stumble on some happen accidents:

 Next I've taken an additional step I usually don't, and enlarged a few of my color studies, cleaning them up and adding more details, looking to tell more of a story.

I'm also trying to see if juggling multiple, unrelated projects helps me keep my momentum, so I've done some sci-fi gun silhouettes, with some quick shading thrown on top to give it more form. (need props in my portfolio, too)

Speed paint dump:

Back, as if nothing has changed

After more than 2 months in east Asia, I've come back home to live under the same roof as my parents.
Still without a job and feeling as far as ever from a career as a concept artist at a game studio.
There are interesting events coming up during Hanukkah, after which I will see if I can get a job working for a company that sets up trade events and conferences, in another attempt to avoid freelancing. Save money to travel again. Get into the green card lottery.

I had fun in Japan, and an even better time in Seoul, and I'll never forget it.
The GDC Eu and Gamescom combo is still the one event I can't miss, but G-Star in Busan comes in second, hopefully I can make it there and to Seoul again someday.

I need to get back into creating portfolio pieces, work through the disappointment I'm feeling right now.
I took over 1800 photos during my trip, and I'm adjusting the raw files, now that I have access to lightbox and more computing power. Until I go through all that and incoporate them as reference, textures, and color palettes, I'll continue with my speed paints:

The Update You Have All Been Waiting For

My flight to Dusseldorf leaves 6 am next Friday. I hope rocket fire from Gaza doesn't affect that.

I'll be going through Kiev, in both direction, hopefully the strife in that area doesn't affect me. Get what you paid for I guess?

From DUS I'll be taking the train to Cologne for my 3rd year as volunteer at GDC Europe. It's going to be great.

I also have my flight to Japan and South Korea in September all figured out as well. Maybe I'll get lucky enough to finally break into the game industry during my trip. Otherwise freelance will probably be my last option.

Printed out my portfolio; updated my website, taking into account some constructive critique I received; and noticed that I printed a slightly outdated file so I may go back and reprint it, if I feel it necessary and time allows.

Here's the final Silverhawks work:

Abandoned the Chroma Witch project after building it in vector

Somehow found the time to do a virtual plein air of a village in Croatia

And pumped out speed paints on a daily basis, off course. For some I have been using colors found on a "palette meme" on Tumblr. :)