Monday, December 28, 2009

Fog, snow, rain, sun.

Notes for today.

1. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless mind really might be the best film of the decade.

2. The Smiths made awesome music, despite being obnoxious vegetarians.

3. I'm going back into all my old digital pics (old as in, this summer) and making them much better for my site before it's relaunched.

4. Life is good... Mostly. : )

Sunday, December 27, 2009

Website.

Website will be up pretty soon! Design work is done, just need to finish all the artwork...

Monday, December 21, 2009

Thumbs.

Thumbnail for new idea.



Bundle up. It's rather cold today.

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Monday, December 14, 2009

Fake plastic robot.



I'm nearly finished with this silly piece. Going to submit this to the Spectrum books even though I don't think I'll get accepted. But you never know...

On another note, I had a good weekend. It's been a while since I've had any sort of fun.

And on one final note, I suddenly have this urge to hitchhike across the country with my friend once he gets back from the Navy this spring. Good idea? Probably not. But life's too short to make sandwiches every day... so who knows what'll happen.

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Oil.

Planning a 3 by 4 foot oil painting for a new gallery exhibition that's opening in two months. I have the idea sketched out in my head, it's a very personal subject matter (much more so then anything I usually do) and I'm hoping to make this something special.

I'm going to update this blog periodically concerning the progress of it.

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Monday, December 7, 2009

lol

Your results:
You are Dr. Jack Shephard
You try to help people and do what is upright. You are very vigorous and people look to you for guidance.



Click here to take the Lost Personality Quiz

Saturday, December 5, 2009

36 hours. No sleep.

So last night I saw the band ENSIFERUM link play live up in Worcester Massachusetts. Despite the lack of sleep, the bruises, and aching ears, it was a great show.Today after a nine hour shift at work I finish this (or come close to it at least).




Also, website is in the process of being rebuilt from scratch. Check it out so far.

http://www.dbhorak.com

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Unreadable.


20 minutes into this. It'll make sense once it's done. Hopefully.

Saturday, November 28, 2009

Treehouse.



30 minute speedpaint while waiting for ma' coffee to cool down.

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Sunday, November 22, 2009

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Facelift.

My website needs one... again!

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Rondo.



Character design work in progress.

Monday, November 16, 2009

asdf



I liked this a lot better when I was drawing it in a dark room, then I take it into normal room light and it's all meh.

Sunday, November 15, 2009

For a minute there, I lost myself.



Back to me being me.

Quick layin.



Happier with the 15 minute version then I am the 150 minute one...

Work in progress.



Trying new technique.

Saturday, November 14, 2009

Sketch.




Need to do more gestural stuff.

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

2 hours.



Fastest thing I've ever painted. Not done yet though.

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

This looks nothing like my usual work.



...but I never knew how de-stressing it is to draw hot women. I'ma color this one day.

Saturday, November 7, 2009

Memories.



A long time ago, I almost finished this.

Friday, November 6, 2009

Thursday, November 5, 2009

Saturday, October 31, 2009

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Rest in peace.

Stephen Brown.

http://www.forumgallery.com/current_off1.php?id=49

Monday, October 19, 2009

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

A massive fork.

The biggest decisions I'll ever have to make in my life are approaching fast.

Saturday, October 10, 2009

One more.



This one is much better.

Quick doodle before work. Need to do more of these.

More human than human.

Why did I wait until so late in my life before finally watching Blade Runner? Fantastic movie.

Sunday, October 4, 2009

Hold down the window.

I'm gonna teach myself how to play guitar. Just to see if I can do it. :)

Saturday, October 3, 2009

In memory of Robert Greendale.

I remember during Freshman year having to do 10 gesture drawings for homework. I had no idea what this "gesture" thing really was. I thought, at the time, it was just a "sketchy" version of what was in front of me. While right in some ways, the point was I still lacked the knowledge of it's true importance, and proceed to draw what I thought it to bet: a sketchy version of what was in front of me.

I got a B- on the assignment...

I know a little better now... Gesture is the foundation for not just all fine art, but all visually appealing abstract shapes.





(TOP IMAGE credit to THEMROCK - http://themrock.deviantart.com)
(MIDDLE IMAGE by KANDINSKY)

Realistic of not, all of these are built upon visually appealing abstract shapes. Despite being a realist myself (generally), if an image or structure is composed of bland, uninteresting shapes, it'll be a boring image though matter how well it's rendered. I never fully understood gesture until my senior year, and since fully grasping it I feel as if my whole education in the visual arts has come full circle. While I understand it fully, though, mastering it is a never ending process. However, it has helped tremendously with my abilities to draw from my head, and I think gesture is the single most important factor to consider when making up stuff from your imagination.

And beyond the visual arts, "gesture-like" aspects in good music and writing can be observed if you look at it the right way. All expressions of creativity share many many similarities... funny how that works.

I know this has been repeated a million times, but I still like typing up this type of stuff because it helps me reflect upon my own knowledge of a certain subject matter... and who knows, maybe somebody will even someting! I need a beer right now.

Friday, October 2, 2009

Remember a Day.

I've said this ten thousand times but I'll say it again, I love this time of year. There's something so tranquil about the autumn in New England. If there's one thing I'll miss about Hartford, this is it. There's something almost spiritual about hiking by myself up to the reservoir off of rout 44, sitting there for hours by myself with my sketchook and headphones. No worries, nobody to irritate me, just a full engulfment in atmosphere and nature.

One painting down, two to go. 12 more days to get these done... I'll make it. By the skin o' my teeth... but I'll make it.

Thursday, October 1, 2009

Cool.

http://www.connecticutcreative.com/art/doug-b-horak/

Great article that everyone should check out...!

In other news, today's my one week anniversary of starting work. Patiently awaiting my first paycheck... Also, figure drawing class is going swell. I uploaded some new drawings to my website. Check it out if you're bored.

http://www.dbhorak.com

Monday, September 28, 2009

What.

The human figure.

Though matter how many times I draw it, there's always something to learn. Capturing dynamic gesture while trying to follow the intricate rules of anatomy is, for lack of a better word, hard.

I need to scan/photograph all the stuff I've done this semester so far. Some of it I'm quite happy with.

This post was going to be long, informative, and deep, but I'm too tired to write anything of interest right now. Perhaps tomorrow.

Thursday, September 24, 2009

A wolf at the door.



I'm actually very happy with how this ended up coming out. Though, I'm very sick of Photoshop. 6 masonite panels now gesso'd , time to start painting...

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Also...

http://www.dbhorak.com

New stuff up. Much more stuff soon. Check out the new intro image, first piece I've been truly happy with in quite some time. :)

Godspeed.

I heard back from Dreamworks. This could be a good sign...

Saturday, September 19, 2009

Important discovery.

Drawing/painting realistically from your imagination is very very very difficult and frustrating. If only reference photos existed of all the wacky ideas in my head... then this would be a lot easier.

On a lighter note, this is how I spend my Saturday night. Somehow, it's also satisfying...

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Let's stay here for a while...

I love the autumn. If there's one thing about Connecticut I love, it's this time of year.

By the way, I just finished this logo design for the Conrad Highschool Hockey team. I like how it came out.


Monday, September 14, 2009

Motorcycle.

I learned to ride one a few weeks ago... now I want one. This spring I think I'll get one... maybe.

Saturday, September 12, 2009

Blender.

I just downloaded Blender, a freeware open source (I think) 3D modeling program. I have a little experience working in modeling programs but I want to refresh myself with it, and see if I can make some cool stuff. If I'm going to be going to grad school for computer animation, having foreknowledge of all the programs will only give me a head start anyways. :)

Besides that, I've landed a few random freelance illustration/design jobs which is pretty cool. I'd never want to try to make a living as a freelancer, but it's something that I'll always be doing regardless.

On one final note, the faculty show at the Hartford Art School opened last week, and it was fantastic as usual. Anyone in the Hartford area should check it out!

Friday, September 11, 2009

Sold out.

Should have seen that coming! Damn. Next time I'm buying tickets in advance.

The weather was supposed to be crappy tomorrow anyways, and the show will be up until mid October so I'll still go check it out... another time.

Tuesday, September 8, 2009


Oil.

About to whip out the oil paints again after a bit of a hiatus. Last summer I built this giant panel to paint something on which is still unused... gonna have to do something about that.

On another note, gonna be in NYC this weekend for the Spectrum show over at Society of Illustrators. Should be a good time, and a good chance to meet a lot of awesome people.

Monday, September 7, 2009

My ass is getting kicked by allergies...


...but I am FINALLY, after all these years, able to do character designs that don't completely suck. :)

Still a work in progress by the way. Oh, and no references used :) (not that references are a bad thing but there's something very satisfying about painting/drawing straight from your imagination)

Sunday, September 6, 2009

OH yeah!h

My website is up!

http://www.dbhorak.com

It's "done" but I still consider it a work in progress since I'm constantly tweaking it still. I'll get some new stuff posted soon.

Thursday, September 3, 2009

Georgia.

Right now I've set my moveout date to January 2010. I'd rather get settled well before school starts giving me the time to find a job, bring in some money and get everything together. By that point, I'd be fully ready for classes the following fall.

Obviously plans could change, but right now I'm pretty dead set on moving to Georgia. Only question is when.

While hunting on Craiglist...

...you realize all the good art jobs are in Cali. On the bright side though, there's far more jobs being offered then I would have expected.

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Airbrush = win.


I finally feel like I've gotten the hang of using the airbrush tool. By doing additional brushwork on upper layers, tweaking them, then merging down onto the main image it gives me much more control over the placement of my values. I'm finally understanding how all these artists were able to get such great skintone transitions... Anyways, the above image is a test of this new technique. No photo references used either. :)

One of my friends told me that I should airbrush cars. I'm starting to consider the idea more and more seriously.

Monday, August 31, 2009

Okami.

Haven't played any video games in a while (and by that I mean like almost a year) but I just started playing the game OKAMI and holy hell is it good. I'm a sucker for artsy games.

Friday, August 28, 2009

For the first time in my life...

So one of my best friends who I've known since 2nd grade just arrived in China to teach English as a 2nd language for a year. Today, pictures arrived on Facebook and I realized for the first time in my life... I'm jealous.

If I didn't know what I wanted to do with my life (like way too many college grads I know) I'd do the exact same thing. That or join the army like I originally considered. Right now though, I'm too focused on getting my art career off the ground, but I still can't help but think that maybe the whole art thing can wait a year or two... I'll see.

I should just wait until after grad school.

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Monday, August 24, 2009

Character designs.

Designing some more cartoony-style characters that could fit into a portfolio being sent to companies such as Dreamworks or Blue Sky. This is pretty fun!

Here goes.

I'm going to be completely honest in this post. I dunno what's beneficial about typing this (since I don't think anybody actually reads this blog) but it's satisfying to me to get it out, even if I feel like I'm talking to a wall.

Right now I'm not content with how my life has been going. I'm done with school (pretty much), living at home, working whatever job I can get to save up money. Most of what Hartford has to offer bores me at this point, and if I continue to live here, I don't see my life going anywhere special. Despite the fact that I'm still driven to keep making art, I can't help but feel depressed more often than not. I know exactly what I want to do in life however, so I guess that puts me ahead of a lot of the rest. Still, I'm not happy, and despite having several close friends, I still feel very alone here.

Right now I'm planning to get my MFA in computer animation down at SCAD. If I'm to get a job as an animator working full time at a company it'll give me the financial security that I seek, as well as potential health benefits and whatnot. I may not have complete creative freedom if I'm working for some company, but it's easily a sacrifice I'd make. One day I'm really going to need the money to support myself an even a family, and a job like that would provide both, and then some.

To look even further ahead...

Eventually I could leave my work and start my own company that freelances with other companies in the industry. It could consist of me and various friends in the art community, and would allow more creative freedom as well as a (still) consistent flow of income. I'll have much more real world experience under my belt so it would be easier then then it would now (with me still being a random dude just finishing college).

And to look even further ahead...

When I get old, I quit all that and just become a fine artist. Build my cabin in the woods and just paint :)

Anyways, I'm doing fine overall, but I'm just recognizing that I need a change in my life. Dumb as this sounds, I know that I have the potential for far greater things then I'm doing right now, and staying in CT is holding me back. I may move out even earlier then expected, possibly this winter. I'll see.

To anybody who actually read all that, thank you. Venting and getting stuff off your chest helps a lot. I know one day (soon) I'll be over this mild slump in life, and I thank my friends and all those who have been supportive for their help.

Peace out. :)

Sunday, August 23, 2009

Done.

I'm officially moving out of Connecticut this winter, and I cannot wait.

Saturday, August 22, 2009

Crash.


Just finished this, although I'll probably go back into it later tomorrow.
By the way, does anyone actually read my blog? I feel like whenever I type into here it's as if I'm speaking to the wall. I'll still update regardless, but I'm just curious...

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Burn.







I'm quite happy with how this came out. Although I feel like I'm jocking a certain style a little too closely... but who cares. Everybody jocks everybody else. Especially in the art world.

On a side note, Agalloch is the single gloomiest, most depressing band I've ever had the chance to listen to, but I can't help but love them. They, perhaps more then any other band, inspire me artistically.

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Oops.

My last post was made to the wrong blog. I feel like an ass.

Monday, August 10, 2009

Thursday, August 6, 2009

Insomnia.

I hate insomnia. So tired, but can't fall asleep.









I'm happy with this because it conveys movement, and has life to it. I have a thing for broken down, atmospheric, desolate places (obvious to anyone who knows my work) but at the same time I need a portfolio that also has lively stuff in it. Of course I'll try to keep the same type of atmosphere as the rest of my stuff. :)

O

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Run to the hills. Run far away.

Beautiful day yesterday, went cliff jumping for like the 10th time this summer. Finally did the infamous 100 foot "running man"... and I'm still alive to talk about it.











Done with this (I think anyways).

Monday, August 3, 2009

Texturing.

Lately I've been a huge fan of using texture overlays in Photoshop. I used to be against this practice because I felt as if it were "cheating" by taking a photograph and using it to add detail instead of painting it yourself... but then I realized how AWESOME the results can be!





This is still a work in progress! If anybody actually checks my blog please crit this :)

Also, I'm planning on entering a show run by a friend of mine who graduated last year. I'll post more details on that soon, but it should be fun.

Saturday, August 1, 2009

Drip drop.

August is already here... Something about the end of summer atmosphere in Connecticut is so tranquil. I may hate Hartford but I'll always love New England.

I'm still making artwork. I plan on redoing my three Sicily paintings from scratch. Two of them I was "happy" with but I feel like they could have been better had I had more time to work on them. Just for kicks, I'll update this blog with the progress.

Also, for the record...

Monday, July 27, 2009

It's storming out.

I buy a scanner off of Craigslist only to find out that there's no power cord in the box.

fml

On a better note, I picked up this AWESOME POSTER in the garbage of some house nearby!


Sunday, July 26, 2009

...

Is there anybody out there?

Saturday, July 25, 2009

Gesture.

Creating abstract shapes that have an appealing gesture will come out as good art.
Drawing anatomically correct figures with no regard to gesture will look boring.
Creating an anatomically correct figure with high regard to abstract gesture will give you something like this...




















I write this to reflect upon what I've learned and observed as a post-graduate. My education is done. Only I can teach myself now...



By the way I think I'm gonna move to Europe (or Asia) for a year. This time, I'm half serious.

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Cliff Jumping and other adventures.

I have several art projects in mind. One of them includes finally tackling this 3 by 4 foot piece of masonite nailed to wood that I've had for over a year now. Thumbnails are underway.

I need direction still. Something more specific then what I have. So long as I can stay motivated, I know I'll find it eventually.

Also, I love going cliff jumping. It's one of the few times where I feel truly free, as cheesy as that sounds.

Monday, July 20, 2009

On a note unrelated to art...

I love the show Lost so much. :)

I'm re-watching all 5 seasons and I just finished the first.

Saturday, July 18, 2009

All and all it's just another brick in the wall.

I have a connect at Dreamworks. I'm going to try to get a job there come September. Honestly, I do not think it'll happen, but it's something to strive towards.

New work by the way. Will probably render this further.


Thursday, July 16, 2009

On yet another note...

I shall bring content to this blog!

Quick news, http://www.dbhorak.com is now mine, as well as a nice hosting plan. I'll have my website up as soon as I can figure out how to upload from Dreamweaver. I'm a COMPLETE noob at web design, but I'll figure it out.

Lately I've been doing a lot of sketching, both traditionally and digitally. Finished a few digital pieces but need to do more with my oil paint. Here's a piece from last week, which in my opinion is my best environmental pic I've ever made.
I've got down a pretty solid technique on how to execute this style of environment (relying mostly on simple atmospheric perspective) but it works well for me. That and I've been having a lot of fun using texture overlays (but still wanna maintain that painterly feel in areas).

Next post I'm gonna talk about gesture! Hooray.