Simple cartoon heads created on the computer

The computer is a great creative tool as well as being a lot of fun once you get used to working with it. Frequently I experiment to see what I can come up with. Here I have created a couple of cartoon heads using only the Line Tool and parts of a typeface.


I begin by doing some simple shapes with the Line Tool.


Then I add a couple of letter "O"s for the eyes and the hair. A large "O" which was cut in half was used for the lady's hair and a smaller "O" for the bun. Her eye is composed of a stretched "O" with lines added for the lashes.


Next I added the eyes and mouths, finishing them off.


Here is one color version, I could try several more very easily.


A change of expressions by altering the mouths and his eyebrow.


Another change of expression. Try this and see what you can come up with, it's great fun and will help you develop your computer skills.

Experimenting with line sketches

First I drew a very quick crude sketch of a figure with a Pentel pen. Don't worry about accuracy or perfection for experiments like these, just have fun.


I scanned my sketch into the computer, distorted the image and combined it with another image of the same sketch.


Here is another version of the combined images to which I added color shapes.


Still another version with colors added. This is a wonderful way to experiment with color on the computer. Even with a very rough sketch as I started out with you can create a number of interesting color images.

Some more color and design studies

The computer medium offers great experimental and learning possibilities. I frequently do a series of abstract color and design studies like these. They are quite easy and fun to produce. These studies can also be used as sketches or ideas for larger acrylic paintings. They were all done using the Photoshop Elements 2.0 program. You don't need the more expensive and complicated versions of Photoshop to create images like these.













I usually begin by just creating a flat color background, then I start by adding various shapes. Try it, you'll enjoy it.

Opening today at PORT 412

Today is the opening of my exhibition of paintings, sculpture and comic book cover parodies at PORT 412 restaurant in St. Joseph, Michigan. If you are in the area drop by. The exhibition will be up for a couple of months, so if you can't make it today, stop by at a later date and have a great lunch or dinner.

My versions of Mona Lisa ( Sorry, Leonardo )

When I first began doing art on the computer I created a series of images titled DIGITAL DREAMS that parodied the fine art world. These were limited edition prints that I exhibited in galleries and museums.Here are some images that feature the Mona Lisa.


I also adapted this image and the one below for my comic book cover parodies series.




Here is Leonardo sketching one of the del Giocondo sisters.


Leonardo and the Camera Obscura.


A fun version of Mona.


Max Ernst paints the Mona Lisa.


A version of the Mona Lisa that Dali might have painted.

More digital abstract figure studies

As I have mentioned in previous posts I did a series of abstract digital figure studies that a few people thought would be a good basis for paintings. I am considering doing just that, but won't literally copy these images, just use them as a launching point.


Some of these images, as the one above, are very abstract, creating very interesting designs.




I will probably start the series soon and will post some images as I progress. It could result in an exciting series of paintings.

Different color versions of an abstract figure

Here is another digital abstract figure study that I am thinking of using as a basis for a large acrylic on canvas painting.


Below are a few color variations that I experimented with. This is the beauty of doing studies on the computer. It took less than a half hour to do all of these color sketches. Accomplishing the same thing using traditional painting mediums would take hours to complete.









The image below is a negative of the preceeding image. This is done by pressing CONTROL and the "i" key. The computer is a very useful tool for creating color sketches.