Cosplay Critters Tee Shirt Designs - Available Soon!

I've been working on a series of illustrations that I call "Cosplay Critters."  Ferret Joe, my fuzzy character, loves pop culture and all things comics.  Towards that end, I've been drawing him as various superheroes and television characters.  Some time ago, I came up with the "Doctors of Galliferret" series (I have another Doctor to add), and I've become a big fan of Marvel's Cinematic Universe.  Here are a couple of simple designs, done in Illustrator, that will be white ink on a black shirt.  I hope you see something you like.  Order information coming soon.

 Above, you'll see Aunt May's favorite nephew in his extracurricular uniform. Your spider-sense will tingle when you see how nice this design looks on you!

 Next comes the new King of Wakanda.  Maybe the people of a highly advanced, yet secretive, society will mistake you for T'Challah when you wear this tee!

Finally, there are times when bright red, white, and blue just aren't the colors you're going for.  To keep a lower profile, wear the Captain's stealth suit inspired tee!

My Doctor!

No secret, David Tennant is my favorite Doctor.  Despite my sadness at losing Eccleston after a single season, I was won over by the end of  Tennant's first episode, even though he was unconscious during most of it.  His style was easy to relate to, with skinny pinstripe suits and Converse trainers and that wonderful trenchcoat.  He was charming and funny and just enough danger to make him riveting.  I didn't want him to go.

Oh, the scarf. Everybody knows the scarf.

The fourth Doctor was arguably the best known of the entire series.  Portrayed by Tom Baker, the Doctor displayed a goofy grin, an addiction to Jelly Baby candies, and a twelve foot long scarf.

The second Doctor from Galliferret

Rather than allowing the blog to go fallow again, I'm going to share more of my Doctor Who ferrets.  As with the previous post, there is a bigger picture planned for the group, but I'll share that a little further down the road.  In the meantime, here is the second Doctor, based on Patrick Troughton's appearance.

I had fun with this guy, but creating the plaid for his trousers was tedious.  I'm grateful that his original run was in black and white.  Maybe someday soon I'll learn how to make that repeating pattern as a swatch so the computer can do it for me.  I'm sure that's a thing. 

For those who like my sketches or have no idea on whom I based this illustration, here's my pencil doodle and the primary reference screenshot (copyright of BBC).  Yes, the photo is in color, but Troughton revived his role for several episodes during later years.

Swine and Roses?

Hi all.  At this point, you may well be wondering if I have given up on art and blogging altogether.  I'm happy to say that isn't the case, but I have not been nearly as prolific as I would wish.  For my most recent piece, it will come as a surprise to absolutely no one that I dove into the world of the Muppets once again.  In fact, I revisited a theme I explored in watercolor a few years back, but this time I gave Miss Piggy the spotlight to herself.  She sports the costume (and figure!) of Rose Tyler, companion of both the 9th and 10th incarnations of the Doctor, originally portrayed by Billie Piper, and is presented in front of the iconic TARDIS.  The painting, titled "BAD FROG," is a 16"X20" oil on canvas and gicle'e canvas prints are available in three standard sizes:
8"X10" - $35
11"X14" - $60
16"X20" - $100
Shipping is actual from the USPS, plus the cost of the mailing tube.  Other sizes can be accommodated, but may cost more.  The ORIGINAL PAINTING is currently available for $500 + shipping costs.  As always, email me at eric.sweetman(at)gmail.com if interested.

Muppetium Falcon Prints!

Announcing giclee prints of the Muppet/Star Wars mash up, "Muppetium Falcon!"  Printed on canvas, the 11" x 14" giclees accurately recreate the original look of the oil painting and sell for an amazingly low price of $40.  Other available sizes are 8" x 10" for $25 and the full size of the original art, 16" x 20", for $80.  As a special holiday deal, I offer both the 16" x 20" and the 8" x 10" for only $100 and free shipping in the USA on all orders. These specials will be valid through January 6th, 2013, so order soon.  Sorry, I cannot guarantee Christmas delivery.  Custom sizes are available.  Contact me for pricing at Eric.Sweetman@gmail.com.

Finished Painting and a Special Holiday Deal!

Once I started blocking in Piggy, I couldn't stop.  There's something about the white on white costume that I really like.  Instead of being easy with one color, it's a complex exercise of warms and cools.  The iPhone camera doesn't show it very well, but it looks interesting to me.  Still lots of work to do.

Eyes.  Kermit and Beaker needed eyes.  The cockpit also needed quite a bit more detail to make it look active.  I knew there would be no way, and no reason, for me to recreate every panel from the film set, but it still needed the little details.

In the final image, I made sure the Swine Trek was in space, all the random space was filled, and that the Empire would fall to this plucky crew.

So, that's it.  Finished in two days, oil on canvas, 16" x 20".  BUT, if you love the picture and want it for your very own, I have excellent news!  I am getting giclee prints made!  8" x 10" will be $25, 9" x 12" for $30, and $80 will get you the full sized 16" x 20".  As a special holiday deal, I'm offering both a 16" x 20" and a 8" x 10" for $100, plus FREE SHIPPING!  All interested parties please contact me at Eric.Sweetman@gmail.com.  Holiday deal good through January 6, 2013.

Pigs (and frogs and dogs and test subjects) in Space!

As promised, here are a couple of stages of sketching on the 16" X 20" canvas.  I start out with a regular pencil before going over the important lines with a black colored pencil.  The graphite tends to wash off the canvas when I apply the acrylic tone and what remains is so faint, I can't see what I drew, so the colored pencil keeps it visible.  It all gets covered up with oils anyway.

In the image above, I was free handing everything and the only reference picture other than the movie still was a photo my brother took of his Kermit photo puppet (yeah, he's got one).  It gave me a guide on which to base my lighting and color for the frog.  However, since I just started drawing, I didn't center my image very well.  I assumed that if I made it off center and at an angle, it would look cool and dramatic.  Not so much.

Further research (read: Google) helped tighten up Miss Piggy's head but I still had the composition issue.  Since I did not want to redraw everything,  I had to think of something that would help balance the picture.  Something outside the window?  Sure!  The Death Star?  No, this image is from The Empire Strikes Back.  Ooh!  How about a Star Destroyer?  Yeah, that'll work!  Except I ran into a friend at work (Hi, Christina!) who joked about Pigs in Space, triggering the idea of the USS Swine Trek.  Genius!

Later:  Painting