Rusty Banana Forge

I’ve turned 29!

And as a SURPRISE for everyone on my birthday, I present this teaser illustration:

This illustration, a work-in-progress, is part of a collection I am currently doing for something, so far, only a handful of people know of.

My goal is to make a dozen or more works to feature in my very own solo exhibit of digital paintings in 2007. I mean, I’ve composed & recorded 13 of my own piano compositions, I may as well treat my illustrations to a similar blowout.

If you like to see more works like the one above and also works like Diana Dreaming ,Please, and Kapre in the Park, please anticipate and visit my exhibit this year! (And keep me accountable!!)

After the Komiks Congress… this will be something to look forward this May!

Groundbreakers is made up largely of members from Blitzworx. From what I gather there will be spaces for exhibitors… be they independent comic groups or retailers. More details will be available as the day for the event approaches. Stay tuned!

I was told to make art.

(This image was meant to be viewed at 50% monitor brightness)

There are many interpretations of the story of the Little Mermaid out there, and no doubt it will be difficult to push another one if it isn’t… art, as well as something different.

Disney’s done a cartoony one… so I wasn’t about to do that. Nonetheless, most of my stuff appears cartoony, or more suitable for comics than high art. It’s not surprising when as a kid my biggest artistic influence was tv & movie animation - with characters that are 3-dimensional and animation ready.

I resorted to using smaller eyes, taking off the (very innovative) seashell bra, and lastly going painterly on wood. Wood. Digital wood.

The illustration above is a study of the Sea Witch - inspired by many varieties of angler fish. The fish attached to her butt is the male of the species, but I suppose you didn’t want to know that.

Will the publisher be hooked with that sort of bait? Please wait expectantly for it, we’ll see if a children’s book like this can get published in the Philippines!

Aye mateys, summer vacation be almost here! And what be coming along with it pray tell? Why the 2007 Pixel Pintura Poster of course!

Sign up for the Digital Coloring or Digital Painting classes held here in Mandaluyong City! Please send me an email for more details on the schedules, curriculum, fees, and what you can expect to take home when you attend this one-of-a-kind workshop where I teach not just the tools but principles & theory behind light & color.

Recommend for ages 12 & up, with a strong stomach for art & technical concepts in the crow’s nest. Not for the faint of heART! Arrr!! ARRRR!!!

I’ve almost finished the Legend of the Mango Filipino children’s book. Shooting for a more graphic style for this one but maintaining a painted quality (soft pastels). It’s fun to be an illustrator!

Primordia is a upcoming series of cosmic proportions by John Fultz and illustrated by Roel Wielinga to be printed and distributed by Archaia Studio Press. So far I’ve only seen a few pages, but I’ve already colored all the covers. They are fantastic!

The first and largest children’s book publisher in the Philippines Adarna House has given me the opportunity to illustrate another book! While I can’t say much in line of details, the book will be part of Adarna’s line of Filipino Hero books. My deadline is the end of March for this one. It feels kinda tight. Sorry I can’t post any illustrations yet! (I only have thumbnails so far anyway, so…)

In the meantime you can already pick up a hardcover copy of Alex Sheikman’s ROBOTIKA - collecting 4 issues and several side stories of this out-of-this-world story at Comic Quest Megamall for Php1000.

I colored it! Much thanks go to Archaia Studio Press’ Aki Liao for stopping by the Philippines and heaving all those copies onto my hands.