Hello Peeps!

I have finally finished the WonderLand zombie cover!
The first concept I came up with wasn’t working for me any more, so I started doing a sketch in SketchBook Pro then I just ended up doing the whole thing in it.

Very different experience for me. I have ever done a final piece all digital. I’m not going to lie, I am really enjoying SketchBook Pro as a sketch program.

Once again I tried picking up Painter X and man it really doesn’t do it for me :S, The interface REALLY bugs me.  I think its the way you pick brushes. I unno ill try to give it a shot once again…

If anyone has any tips on using it let me know!

well enjoy!

Hello kind viewer!

How have you guys been?
Well it’s been a few weird weeks for me, getting all this work from left to right, not knowing were to start first, and also trying to learn a few new things like action script 3.

I have to tell you it isn’t an easy task for me to try to learn this. Being very visual it’s hard for me to get into this coding stuff. My brain works with pictures and not with letters, numbers and symbols. So it’s being a little bitch for me; but luckily for me Miss21 knows coding so she’s super!!!

In other news;
I’ll be doing 2 more tutorials in the upcoming weeks.
I’ve been get many requests on making brushes in Illustrator. So ill be doing a good detailed tutorial on how to do that. I will also be doing a more elaborate tutorial on how to make images using the pen tool.

If anyone would like to me to do any other tutorials plz e-mail me. I trying to come up with a list of tutorials that people would love to see done, So E-MAIL!

Be back soon!

So many people know where I stand when it comes to digital drawing/painting. If you don’t well I’ll tell you. I really don’t like drawing digitally. I know allot of people who do and I’m not hating. Why I dont like it…. well I just like the feeling having a piece of paper.  Drawing digitally, I really can’t walk away with anything.

I have tried a few different programs like Corel Painter and Adobe Photoshop. With Corel Painter, I like the different types of brushes Corel Painter has, but I don’t like the interface and the way you navigate.

Probably my biggest problem drawing digitally is that it just doesn’t feel like the real thing…

During one of my demos someone asked me if i sketch using any program, and I issued my problem of drawing on the computer, and someone recommend me to try out a product from Autodesk called Autodesk Sketchbook Pro. Autodesk is a great company. They are makers of the amazing programs like 3D MAX and AUTOCAD. So I tried the trial Autodesk Sketchbook Pro to see if they could change my mind.  I am always open to new things.

So I gave it a shot.

First impressions?
-Well the first time that I ran the program, really felt like I was drawing on paper.

The Good
- I like how the the art-board (the white page) takes over the screen.

- I don’t feel confined on a small box which I feel most of the time.

- Very nice interface; very simple, clean, and easy.  I think they took in consideration the screen being a big tool to sketch. All the tools are great, very customizable.

The Bad
-One thing that really started bugging me was about an hour after I started using it, you zoom in and out..  its great… you just need to use the space bar.  But I like having the option of using hot keys like in most programs: command + & command -(ctrl + and crt - on a pc) to zoom in and out. That’s partly the fact that I’m just so use to doing that in many other programs.

The Ugly
- Autodesk Sketchbook Pro is very limited on hot keys. Not having many hot key is a big no-no for me. Using hot keys enables you to work quicker.

 - Its limited on how many brushes it has. I know they’re trying to make it just a sketching tool but many people sketch differently.  Some use water colour others use pastels .

What i wish it had?
- More Hot keys

- Different types of art-board like Corel Painter

- More tools

Would you buy it and recommend it to people?
- I see myself using it from time to time.  If I’m traveling, doing a quick sketch for a client, do a few quick layouts, then I say yes.

- Do I recommend it?  Well every artist is different when it comes to this subject of drawing digitally.  I’d try the trial version of Autodesk Sketchbook Pro to see for yourself and see how it feels.

My rating of Autodesk Sketchbook Pro?
I give it 4 starts out of 5

If you would like to try out the trial they have a Mac and windows version that can be found here.

First sketch on Sketchbook Pro.

* small disclaimer I was not payed by Autodesk to do this review.

Happy valentines day!!! from Mr.Jay21
I want to wish everyone a super sexy valentines day!! especially Miss 21!!!

Hello all,

It was a great show last week, It was a small show but very good one. The piece I submitted was a little different from the usual stuff I do. It was inspired by a look from the 90’s.

A good friend came right off a plane from the Philippines and showed up at the show; With out any of us knowing. It was great! he showed up with very cool magazine for me from their. Lots of hot girls! and lots of BOBBIES!!!!

I had fun doing the sketch off. I got to do the “frankinfrog”.
I was clueless the first minute but I came up with something within the 3 mins and won the match. YAY!

Thank you for showing your support to all of us artists!
We need that kind of support sometimes to keep us making that great art everyone loves.

The top left one is the one I submitted.

Hello kiddies!

Just want to let you guys know that I will be part of art show this weekend. This show is something I haven’t done before.  All the artist in the show had to create a piece of art using and old record sleeve. The rule is the piece has to have something from the old record. Also after, there will be a sketch-off.  People have 3 mins to draw something random that will be shouted out by the attendees at the art show. This is something I love doing.  So if your around the neighborhood drop by! here is their link.
Address:
The Labyrinth book store
386 Bloor Street West
(2 blocks west from Spadina Subway Sttion)

Hello everyone,
Just wanted to tell all you guys and gals that I’m doing a workshop this week. This Workshop will be about my step by step on creating some of the things I do using Illustrator. This work shop will be on Wednesday and Thursday from 6:15 to 8:30( not sure when it will really end).
If your would like to see me do this please shoot me an e-mail and I can see if I can squeeze you in.

The address is:
The art centre
725 Bathurst Street,
Toronto, Onario,
M5S 2R5

See you there!!

Hello guys a gals!

Exciting news, My best friend Mr.Dan who is a comic writer/inker has a great story he’s been writing about zombies. It’s super cool. So he’s asked me to do the next cover. A double page spread!!! I haven’t been this excited for a long time.
So I tried to do something a little different from the other artists who has done the covers. I wanted to emphasize the zombies rather that the main characters.
Dan told me “It would be cool seeing allot of zombies in a city…” so ideas sparked and I came up with this!
Zombies walking to come to eat your brains!!!!

Heres the sketch and the pen version. the coloured version will come soon!

In other news, Dan is writing a new story, and yes you’ve guessed it Mr.Jay21 will be drawing this short story. The story will about zombies. I know, I know… Dan has a thing for zombies. Here’s one of the first sketches for the story. I’ll let u know as it unfolds!

Will be back soon.

p.s if your wondering why its flipped; Well its because the cover is the opposite way.

Hello my fellow readers!
Its been a while… yes I know! sorry! Now I can finally breath! wheeewww. I’ve been a busy bee working on alot of client work and also a few of my personal things as well. What personal things you may ask??  Well, I’ve been doing alot of painting.  Yes, I’m trying to get my new years resolution in order.  So I’ll be posting up some pics soon.

Also these 2 weeks are gonna be great for me cuz my mom has finally come down to visit me!  For those who are saying peeef… so who cares!  Well it does matter cuz I haven’t seen her in almost 3 years! So this week is been going great!  Alot of mums cooking! Ohh how I do miss it!!!  Its been from cookies to muffins to Portuguese food! sooooo good! even Miss 21 is loving it! yes I’m getting fat!

Ohh how I Love my mommy! hahaha well yea just wanted to get that out!

over and out!

Hello and welcome to the Jay21 show, and ill be your host Mr. Jay21!

Well how does everyone like the new look for the blog? sexy no? ha ha ha!
I hope you like it.  I sure do.  As you can see I’m getting all ready for 2008.

It’s been a good year.  Lots  of ups and downs like every year, but ending this shows me the direction which I’ll heading for the New Year.

For one good note my mom will be coming to the island of Canada for 2 weeks.
I haven’t seen her in about 3 years. I bet your thinking how he did it. Well the way me and my mom have always done it was if you want to do something you really love you sacrifice things to get what you want… and yes that was one my sacrifices.  I’ve been trying to prosper in what I do and love doing.  Art.

I’ve been blessed by having very influential people inspire me and guide me to the right direction. cough. cough. Ulf. Bien. cough. cough.

So you’re probably asking… “So Mr. Jay21 what are your new years resolutions for 2008?”, the way I approach it every year is see what goals I wanna set for myself so I can see my work further and make myself happier.

I have 3 goals for 2008. What you may ask??… well amazing reader I shall tell you.

1-More gallery stuff -
My goal is to try to do more gallery stuff to showcase my art but not only in the island of Canada but taking a boat and travelling the seas in showcasing my art to as many different islands I can.

2- Try make my own business prosper -
Oh yes making the dollars/euros. with out that people cant do much. So hopefully 2008 gives me many great clients… so I can do many types of interesting projects… so i can explore new areas… and yes to try to maintain myself in this world we live in…

3-Potty train Harley!
Yes, yes, I know my little fuzz ball hasn’t learned to do that pooping and peeing is outside!
I’ve been trying since I got her, but the damm dog is too much like me!  Very pig headed… hey wait a min she does have a pig nose. I Hope in 2008, I’ll have better luck and I can teach her to do her lil business outside rather than in my living room or kitchen.

I hope 2007 was a good year for you and everyone. I hope you enjoyed the ride for 2007 here at Mr Jay21’s blog. I wish each and everyone much joy and success in 2008.

And don’ you worry you’ll have some new and cool things for 2008. I have a few new cards I’ll be playing for 08…

P.S -  don’ t forget to get really drunk on New Years; As long as you don’t drink and drive its all good!.
Much Love! Happy New year!