Getting Fancy With the Spices

Warmups

2012-01-19T11:17:00.000-08:00

For those of you not following my Book of Mormon Comic Blog, now would be the time to subscribe. All my work and effort is being put into developing it and a large portion of my artwork the last year (and in years to come) will be exhibited there rather than on this blog.

And some morning warm-ups.

From the Dust - the Book of Mormon Graphic Novel

2011-09-23T18:06:00.000-07:00

For interested parties that aren't yet following my graphic novel blog, that's where you will find a lot of my recent posting. I apologize for the neglect here on Getting Fancy the last few months. If you're interested in providing feedback for the storyboard version of the first installment of the graphic novel, just let me know. It will be ready at the end of September. It currently 46 pages with 30 pages of additional material.

From the Dust tells a unique story of hope during the Bible's darkest hour--600 BCE.

The Hebrew Bible (known to Christians as the Old Testament) records that the Israelites--the same people Moses led across the Red Sea--had fallen into complete apostasy--they had become murderers, liars, adulterers, and worse, and their destruction had long been foretold. It is in this world of darkness that a wonderful family fights for goodness and refuses to give up on their society. But more than this--they refuse to give up on each other.

It is in this world of darkness that the story of the Book of Mormon begins--a story of pure, true love and the family-centered values that are at the heart of the Hebrew Bible, and the heart of all those who believe in it--Jew, Christian, and Muslim alike. We all have the Hebrew Bible as part of our canon. We are all Abrahamic religions.

If you enjoyed Dreamworks' The Prince of Egypt and it's story-centered, multi-faith approach to the Bible, you'll love From the Dust. It tells the story of the ancient origins of the Book of Mormon--without being preachy. It focuses on familial relationships and the things humanity has in common--not the little differences that divide us.

Here are some storyboards and a peek at what the finished comic/graphic novel will look like.

Dragons in From the Dust? See Jeremiah 51:34.

Want more info about From the Dust? Follow the blog at http://bookofmormoncomic.blogspot.com.

Kalidahs

2011-06-10T08:52:00.000-07:00

This is my last Wizard of Oz post. Frank Baum included a load of wonderful creatures in his novel, one of them being the Kalidahs, a chimeric mix of creatures rolled into one. Among other of my favorites were the armless hammer heads who's head popped off at lightning speeds and could bop you into oblivion.

I really love this story adaptation and hope to return to it someday. I feel it stays truer to the spirit of the original than any interpretation I've seen, but there are four or more coming out in Hollywood in the next few years and I'm sure some of them will be stellar.

The Journey to the Promised Land Begins

2011-05-28T15:58:00.000-07:00

Pack your bags and say goodbye to Jerusalem, because we're going to the promised land. Check out the blog and like it on Facebook. Gonna be a long journey but I think it will be fun...and ultimately worth it for all involved.

The comic book series will be perfect for Latter-day Saint families looking to provide wholesome and edifying entertainment for their children, as well as provide an excellent and non-intrusive way to share our beliefs about the Old and New Testaments with our friends and neighbors.

The Troupes of Oz

2011-05-22T02:59:00.000-07:00

The fallen circus world of Oz is filled with all kinds of vagabonds and runaways. Among them are many that didn't make it into MGM's classic movie. My version stays way truer to the original book while embellishing them, like the whole story, with the same inspiration that inspired Frank L. Baum: the circus!

I haven't written bios for all of them, but here is what I've got. This project is being closed so it is what it is.

Winged Monkeys - Primate Cannonballs

Their one-way ticket is controlled by the possessor of the Golden Cap.

Quadlings (Glinda/Red Top)

Four-armed fire-wielding clumsy oafs. You can always trust them to blow something up...accidentally.

Zey are German.

Freakshow (Emerald City/Green Top)

8’8”, 425 lbs. big enough for you? Or would you prefer to see the bearded lady?

Munckins (Wicked Witch of the East/Blue Top)

Living Tunisian architecture.

They are so in tune with each other they can finish each other’s sentences. Their collective brainy horsepower won't get you very far, though.

A change

2011-05-11T11:31:00.000-07:00

This is an asset from work that didn't make the cut due to some miscommunication, so I got permission to post on the blog. I've done hundreds of these things, and most are not very glamorous.

2011-05-10T12:07:00.000-07:00

The Wicked Witch of the West

A gluttonous hag that gave up on kindness long ago...shortly after her first ballet class.

Filthy, nasty, dirty, wicked. This sickened, over-stuffed gaucho violently abuses the Winkies to fill her bottomless pit. The mountainous leftovers rot where they lie, making her Yellow Top an amorous compost of liverwurst and sauerkraut casserole gone rank. The morbid irony is her demand for spotlessness--which her minions half-heartedly attempt in her presence, but instantly “respot” when her back is turned. The ignition switch for her anger flips and the cycle begins all over again. This witch has become one with her domain, so coated in muck that her true self is lost in the filth. But sometimes, very rarely, she can be seen dancing like a ballerina in private. Could it be her wickedness is only grime-deep?

Miss O'Riley

2011-05-09T12:53:00.000-07:00

Miss O'Riley

A beautiful Irish saint.

Miss O'Riley is too regal to marry. Too kind, too beautiful, too educated. She runs a local orphanage in Boston, and though she has a policy not to play favorites, one little girl and her black dog win her heart. Miss O'Riley's ultimate joy is to place this special girl in a family home...halfway across the continent.

Uncle Henry and Auntie Em

2011-05-07T12:15:00.001-07:00

A strong-willed, weathered plainswoman who has never had children.

Dorothy’s happy laughter causes Em to scream in fright when she first hears it. This gray woman is highly sensitive to her own lack of color. There are two generations--and half a continent of culture--between Dorothy and Em, and they both know it. Not only this, but Dorothy refuses to work, which is the one virtue that Em clings to and binds her family together. Will strong-willed Em and bull-headed Dorothy be able iron out their differences?

Henry

A powerful, if aging, man that is determined to be a good father.

One of the first American homesteaders, Henry knows virtually nothing else. He works hard and he loves his wife. Neither of which, however, will be enough to help Dorothy become a part of his family. He finds himself trying to learn to love--to change--in ways he never before considered.

New Hobby

2011-05-04T00:32:00.000-07:00

Works fried me, so I needed to do a personal piece. Although I am not ecstatic to be embarking on another long, hard project, I think that this one will be worth it.

The Collector

2011-05-03T22:33:00.000-07:00

This is the collector that comes a-calling after the death of Dorothy's parents. He plays a very minor role in the film. He's only in two shots and doesn't say anything.

Susanna and Teddy

2011-05-02T14:08:00.000-07:00

Theodore

A poor but dedicated husband and father.

A city boy with few advantages in life, Teddy at an early age knew he had little more to offer anyone than the clothes on his back. As such, he invested in himself: his courage, his personality, his humor. He overcame his shyness and won the affection of his dream girl, Susanna. Together they raise a special daughter who’s talent and ability intimidate them immensely. Nevertheless, he makes great sacrifices to provide food, shelter, and a high-quality, if not high-income, lifestyle for both of them.

Teddy works double shifts in the factories to pay increasing debt they have accrued in their first years of marriage. Eternally optimistic, he has dreams of one day working in a hotel.

Susanna

A young mother who lives life to the fullest--and teaches her daughter to also.

A sun hat and bare feet are the trademark of this young American mother. Beautiful since birth, Susanna could have married any man in the city, but she chose Teddy not for his big nose or freckled cheeks, but because he knew how to lead a rich, fulfilled life of memory-making. Her dream is to be a mother of five, and live out her life having fun with those she loves.

Mr. and Mrs. Tussels

2011-04-30T09:47:00.000-07:00

Mr. and Mrs. Tussels

A big softy and a small toughy.

The local police chief Mr. Tussels is friends with everyone near Boston Commons, his home turf. He keeps the streets safe, strong-arming crime out of town or into prison. He always thought of himself as tough until he finds himself knocking on the door of a neighborhood girl who has just lost her parents.

Mrs. Tussels, an accomplished seamstress, was acquaintances with Dorothy’s mother, Susanna.

Joey

2011-04-29T11:43:00.000-07:00

Joey, the Scarecrow

An imbecile with the occasional stroke of absolute brilliance.

A clown of the scariest sort, Joey’s idiocy is a top-notch comedy act that will leave you groaning for more. After learning to walk, this nitwit becomes the self-appointed translator extraordinaire for Tinny, the mouthless metal menace. These two compatriots provide Dorothy dimwitted defense against the sharper fangs of Oz. Indestructible straw-filled Joey cannot feel pain, and often finds himself dangling happily in the jaws of death. This scarecrow would give every gram of his whole-grain fiber to save Dorothy, because it was she that first saved him, and, quite literally, taught him everything he knows. What Joey's brain lacks in horsepower it makes up for with childlike optimism.

His dangling eyes and simplified, puppet-like design make Joey’s on-screen presence hilarious just to watch.

"Joey" is old circus lingo for "clown."

He tries not to move too much, but when he does it is with the finesse of a 1930s rubber hose animation.

Tinny, the Tin Woodsman

2011-04-27T13:53:00.001-07:00

Tinny, the Tin Woodsman

An obsessed metal trash can with an axe. Don’t let him wander unsupervised.

With innocent, Ewok-like curiosity Tinny scours Oz hoping to find his lost heart under a rock or in a birds nest--or--yes, scarily enough--even inside somebody else. He is endlessly curious about other creature’s hearts, but without a conscience of his own he doesn’t know when to stop “axing.” Only his friends can repress his habitual living autopsies of birds, butterflies, and anything that his ADD mind admires. These nearly-tragic moments provide endless opportunities for suspense, humor, and tenderness. It is a comedy of what “could” happen, but never does.

Tinny is melodramatic, not unlike a four-year-old. His lack of a mouth forces him to communicate in pantomime.

Larry

2011-04-25T08:49:00.000-07:00

Larry, the Cowardly Lion

A gentle giant who’s dream is to be in a musical.

A lover of raindrops and roses, this whiskered kitten is the flabbiest and gabbiest you’ve ever seen. Nothing pleases him more than bouncing his big body to the beat. A poet, a songwriter, a singer, a dancer--any father would be proud...except of course the King of the Forest. Although his parents have long since passed away, the legacy they left Larry was a tainted pysche--he’s so terrified of failure that he doesn’t even try. He longs for courage, and to scare people with his roar, but it seems hopeless. What he doesn't know is that his path to rule the kingdom may be less like the king’s, and more like “the King’s,” than he ever dreamed.

*"larry" is 19th century circus lingo for something that is broken.

The plan for this character, besides adding an incredible personality to the film, is to poke fun at MGM's classic Wizard of Oz. Think Lancelot's trapped prince from Monty Python mixed with Winnie the Pooh.

Bingum Bartolomew

2011-04-15T10:13:00.000-07:00

Until I figure out what to do with all of my Wizard of Oz work (which includes 20+ character designs, 70+ pages of script, and much more), here's a character from the film.

Bingum Bartolomew

The greatest showman on earth.
Representing the great circus men of American history, this highly moral, exceedingly dedicated showman will stop at nothing to bring the magic, mystery, and wonder of the world to the lives of its citizens. The tent is his home and his fellow performers his family. He invests enormous capital to ensure the circus maintains its integrity, safety, and trust for all involved: viewer, performer, and animal alike.

Artist Envy

2011-03-29T19:37:00.000-07:00

Just posting because I'm trying to justify my existence after having perused a bunch of Avalanche Software artists' blogs, including but not limited to Jason Kim, Tom Scholes, and Jon Diesta. I both love and hate all of them. :)

These are some characters from a story I'm developing. Each of you need to post more often. And Jon, I will look for your laptop on the black market.

Birthday Gifts

2011-02-20T10:50:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday to me! I got a number of presents, but as usual Caleb's was my favorite. He drew me as a lightning wizard and named me Mikern Thundarnos. I was hoping for something more unpronounceable but I was proud nonetheless.

I asked if I could someday redraw one of his many character designs in my own style, and he said "No way in HECK! You try to do that and I'll take you outside and give you a Southern-style WHOOPIN'!"

He's from Alabaman and I'm from Georgia and all Southerners know that ain't no drawin' worth no cans of whoop being broke ope.

Caleb also included some free advice as part of his gift. He prefaced it by saying, "This is the best advice I could ever give you."

He's probably not far off.

Thanks Caleb, for making it a great birthday. I wish more people in life were overflowing with this kind of untainted personality.

A Viking for my dragon to eat...

2011-02-17T09:41:00.001-08:00

A Caleb Edwards Drawing

2011-02-14T22:31:00.000-08:00

Probably my favorite person in the church I attend is a man who was (really) kicked in the head by a horse as a child. It causes him some physical discomfort, and mental challenges, but as a bonus he's been blessed with out-of-this-world creativity. And who doesn't need a little more creativity in their lives?

He came to me tonight and showed me a character for his newest story. I had to question him about some of the aspects of his drawing, and it has been annotated with his explanations.

I asked him to pleeeeeease bring me more drawings in the future so hopefully I will be able post some other characters.

A fate Weetch

2011-02-08T22:58:00.000-08:00

This weetch predicts peoples' fates. She's a character in my friend Matt's role-playing campaign. I still believe that traditional role-playing is one of the best exercises for the imagination. I don't do it much anymore, but when I look at my life a lot of the things I'm best originated in skills developed as a role-playing teenager. That and creative writing.

I'm tired. Off to bed.

Oh, and HAPPY BIRTHDAY MATT!!

2011-02-07T10:30:00.000-08:00

Just another sartorialist post. Practicing new techniques is all. Experimenting...

Roman Taxi Concept Art

2011-02-04T14:44:00.000-08:00

Here's some more Roman Taxi concept work. I did 44 of these since last Tuesday...so what, a week and a half? In all it was about two full weeks of work (hours-wise).

My favorite I think is the pimp wagon. I wanted it to be low-rider but alas, we had to concede to the tech team. These are being farmed overseas, hence the notations. Lots and lots of fun, but also a lots and lots of work.

2011-02-02T09:57:00.000-08:00

A dragon for my troll to ride...

2011-01-24T06:07:00.000-08:00

Wind-down sketch

2011-01-18T22:04:00.000-08:00

A troll for my elf to fight. :)

Naomi Klein: Addicted to risk | Video on TED.com

2011-01-17T16:02:00.000-08:00

Naomi Klein: Addicted to risk | Video on TED.com

This woman has her act together.

Wind-down Sketch

2011-01-17T01:06:00.000-08:00

I should draw more elves.

First Sale!

2011-01-16T11:59:00.000-08:00

A good friend, Ryan Schwanke, was looking through my site with his daughter Rosalyn and she liked this image. It's my first print that I can recall that I've made any money off of. Normally I do digital production work.

Been practicing.

2011-01-13T06:49:00.000-08:00

A character from the new project. His name is Mr. Giles. He's filled with unconventional wisdom and love. I have about 20 of these but unfortunately I can't post them here...yet.

Morning Warm-up

2010-12-29T05:09:00.000-08:00

Sartorialist

2010-12-28T06:46:00.000-08:00

My take on a recent Sartorialist post.

Another sneak peak.

2010-12-21T10:55:00.000-08:00

I'm not dead set on the style...but here's one of the characters.

Zombie Mosh

2010-12-19T17:57:00.000-08:00

I'm very proud to have helped create Zombie Mosh, Menue Corporation's newest Facebook game. It's in beta right now. It's very very unique and I love it! Click the pic to play. I did environments for the game. Characters by Chuck.

Full steam ahead!

2010-12-08T14:06:00.000-08:00

My next project is underway. A little bigger than than last one. Here's a color key.

The Storytelling Begins...

2010-11-18T04:05:00.000-08:00

View the storyboards here >>>

I have for a long time been moving towards storyboarding, and this is my first real attempt. Don't judge a book by its cover because it has nothing to do with Crime Scene Investigation.

While I make no claims to quality, it does come with the official Michael Mercer stamp of "Bet you haven't seen THIS before."

Crits welcomed.

Star Man Master of the Universe and his side kick Princess She-Ra

2010-11-12T09:46:00.000-08:00

I have always wondered how Star Wars would have been different if it had been truer to its original movie poster. What if Luke Skywalker had actually been more of a He-Man Conan barbarian instead of the sissy force-is-strong-with-this-one teenager? What if his light saber really was 100 ft tall?? And what if Princess Leia really COULD use a gun and she looked great zapping StormTroopers in her Chun-Li outfit and cape?

"Senator...my what long legs you have."
And while he's looking at Leia's legs she pulls out her blaster.
Ker-CHEW!
He falls flat his chest smoking.

Or for Luke:

Obiwan: "A more elegant weapon from a more civilized age." //Obiwan hands Luke the light saber.
Luke: "RAAAAAAAAAAARRR!!!!!!" //Luke cuts Obiwan in half. He raises the carcass above his head and screams while the sky turns yellow-green, his muscles bulge, and his clothes are ripped into shreds and blown away by the Tatooine wind.

"Crom lives!"

MIA

2010-11-10T09:37:00.000-08:00

This little guy I did awhile ago but he didn't make it to the blog for some reason. I guess because the image lacks any sort of spatial cues you would have no way of knowing that he was small...I was thinking of what some of the guys at the gym might look like if they were a dragon...but when you think about it, a dragon should have a larger upper body, right? I mean, what would you do with legs anyway if you could fly?

More characters

2010-11-09T08:57:00.000-08:00

We greet this woman after another night of regret. I have always been greatly disappointed by women that have a gift of physical beauty and then sacrifice real love and real relationships for nights of pleasure and "fun," often retreating into alcohol or drugs to aid them in this quest. I am even more disappointed in the men that entice women to be this way, or that scheme to get the physical pleasures they desire, or that lack self control in their relationships (or don't see the psychological and emotional need for it). Unlike some, I do not believe sex or money are symbols of manhood but I believe genuine Christlike love is.

Sneak Peak of Upcoming Attractions

2010-11-08T09:08:00.000-08:00

Just FYI I haven't abandoned rewriting the Wizard of Oz, or working on it...I just keep most of it secreto. This, however, is a sneak peak. I'm still investigating how to tackle the enormous amount of work I have dedicated myself to, but my philosophy is "steady as she goes." Ten or twenty years from now I will have a written, designed, and storyboarded film to make!

Wind-down sketch

2010-11-07T23:50:00.000-08:00

Returned to my fantasy roots tonight. I studied horses from life for a couple of days and I think I will do it some more after I memorize more of the anatomy. I don't really feel like I know what's going on but I had fun and that's all I was going for tonight. Later.

Gives a new meaning to spaghetti western.

2010-11-06T10:53:00.000-07:00

Wind-down sketch

2010-10-27T02:03:00.000-07:00

I have recently been volunteering at a shelter for troubled youth and it makes me feel like this.

V

2010-10-27T00:25:00.000-07:00

"What flavor would you like? I have lightning, death, and horror."
"I have a special application process if you want to be a truly terrrrrific ice cream eater."

The drawing didn't turn out as well as I would have liked on this one, but when you only have 1.5 hours to pull one of these together--from beginning to end--you win some and you lose some.

Another one of my personal favorites

2010-10-25T08:58:00.000-07:00

Goda the pastry deliverer

2010-10-23T10:37:00.000-07:00

"Dough, of dough nut? There is no Thai."

Splato

2010-10-16T13:24:00.001-07:00

Splato's Volcan family perished at Pompeii. It stresses him out a lot.

Nose Goblin

2010-10-15T20:11:00.000-07:00

My brother's friend Ryan likes to tell his little girl stories about nose goblins that will catch your finger if you stick it up there long enough. They are like mountain climbers and cave dwellers at the same time. He wanted me to draw one and here it is!

Evening wind-down sketch

2010-10-15T08:48:00.000-07:00

Last night I was doodling and drew a new version of The Little Mermaid. It's inspired by one of Glen Keane's sketches. My Ursula ended up looking more like Izma, but hey, it was my first sketch.

Spice Merchants

2010-10-15T08:00:00.000-07:00

These characters were written like they were drug lords (and addicts) and I loved it. They go around giving away free samples to get people addicted and then of course bleed them dry from money. But they've gotten a little hooked in the process, and sooner or later it will take its toll, but for now, happy day!

Dumbdillius the Deaf

2010-10-14T09:42:00.000-07:00

"What's that sonny?? You think I'm gray? Speak up I can't hear you!"

Your eyes do not deceive you

2010-10-14T01:34:00.000-07:00

You are really looking at a paraplegic R2D2 and a C3P0 midriff.

The Rowdy Ramblers

2010-10-13T10:17:00.000-07:00

Three brothers now a wrestling/gladiator team: Arty Ar Ar, the Woooooooolly Mammoth, and Hercules.

Grumpus the Grey

2010-10-12T21:09:00.000-07:00

I did a lot of parodies of big films. How this fits into ancient Rome I'm not really sure. But it's going in.

Personal Fave

2010-10-10T21:33:00.000-07:00

This potter doesn't have much going for her at first glance--she's poor, not very attractive, and isn't very talented in her chosen profession. But it's her PASSION that makes you envy her when you meet her. You know she's in love with her art, in love with her husband, and in love with life--even though it hasn't given her much and she probably will never amount to much in the world's eyes. Yet she knows exactly who she is and is not only content, but happy and excited about it. I've met some individuals like this and they humble me completely--they definitely have figured something out about life that I am still working on.

Gotta love angry women

2010-10-09T14:18:00.000-07:00

This one was just fun so I decided to post it. Nothing makes me happier than a short, angry, bra-less protestor.

Yes, that's a special edition machine gun egging chicken.

2010-10-08T14:20:00.000-07:00

I mean, what would you do if it was shooting out eggs that fast?? And by the way she's calling a taxi with her foot.

Even drawing it was a hassle...

2010-10-07T08:40:00.001-07:00

Tamers

2010-10-01T08:31:00.000-07:00

You get three guesses, but hopefully you only need one.

A snobby rich woman

2010-09-30T09:41:00.000-07:00

This woman has very few reasons to be as puffed up as she is. She is crabby and ornery most of the time because her husband doesn't pay any attention to her--and hasn't, for years. She forces her servants to keep the place spic and span. She's never been sure of herself and it's only the wealth of her husband that has given her any sense of self-worth, and if it were to disappear she would be dropped to the lowest of the low. Nevertheless, her redeeming value is an inner desire to have the children her husband never allowed. She's been forced into abortions all her life--and it's the reason for her tragic weight.

Assassins

2010-09-29T18:35:00.000-07:00

Assassins and ninjas always get hammered for being so cliche so I tried to spice these guys up. And one's a woman!!

The Sisters of Fate

2010-09-29T18:29:00.001-07:00

Hi there! Karen wanted me to post more and with 100+ designs and racking up I guess that's a viable option.

Bad Day

2010-09-12T22:21:00.000-07:00

Somebody had a bad day. I, however, have been having great days doing 100+ character designs for a social networking company based in Atlanta. Look for Roman Taxi on Facebook soon.

I have also moved back to Utah (working remote for now). I had to keep quiet about it because I surprised my girlfriend. Sorry to friends out there who haven't heard from me on the blogosphere...I will be commenting on your new stuff soon just been busy lately. If you follow my blog and I don't follow yours (you'd know cause I'll send you comment now and then) just post the blog in the comments and I'll add it to my list.

Mike out.

Environment Ideas

2010-08-05T11:57:00.000-07:00

Maria Mercer's advice...

2010-07-10T12:18:00.000-07:00

So if anyone needs a good art critique my sister nails it every time and can tell you everything you need to do to improve the image. It's really quite amazing. Her advice and 15 minutes of work revealed this image...if you flip it back and forth with the previous image you can see the improvement.

Homecoming

2010-07-08T11:58:00.001-07:00

Here's my next step in the sci-fi journey I've embarked on. This is an original work. Still has issues but my control is slowly improving.

Sparthmulation Dos

2010-07-07T13:04:00.000-07:00

Yet another. This was less of an emulation and more of a master copy for educational purposes. Compare to this image Sparth published on his blog. Hopefully this study will help me to master this style more quickly and efficiently.

Vehicle Model Sheets

2010-07-05T20:08:00.000-07:00

The next step of the vehicles project for Hi-Rez studios. Eventually they've got to hire me...

Grave Robber

2010-07-01T22:38:00.000-07:00

If my grave ever gets robbed, I want it done by this guy!

Sparthmulation

2010-07-01T17:56:00.000-07:00

This is an image in the style of Sparth, or Nicolas Bouvier. A little more successful than past attempts.

Shameless Emulation

2010-06-19T20:09:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite artists is David Colman. There's a blend of technical knowledge, bravado, and good taste in his artwork that makes him, I feel, one of the best. He recently posted a buffalo sketch which I emulated today as my warm-up. What's crazy is he's only a year older than me, but the quality gap between us is pretty astounding. I'm getting there!

Vehicle Thumbnails

2010-06-16T23:46:00.000-07:00

Just some recent vehicle thumbs. Just trying to see how fast I can do a full-fledged thumb with colors, concept (yah each thumb has an idea behind it), and character-based design. It's based on the character classes of Hi-Rez Studios Global Agenda.

Georgia

2010-06-16T01:05:00.000-07:00

Miss Sorenson came to visit me in Georgia and here's a little evidence of her stay. The trip was all I could have hoped for and more. The only stars that didn't align was our timing on seeing a rolling Georgian thunderstorm, but rest assured it will happen on the next trip!

CTN Expo

2010-06-07T23:10:00.000-07:00

Hey Randall Sly at Character Design Blog just talked about the CTN Expo in late November. I'm going to this and am looking for interested parties that want to share a hotel room for the two nights (around $250 for the two nights). I am ok with sharing a one bedroom with up to 10 people (did it once at a convention and it's not that bad as long as there's enough floor space to sleep...not that that happens much at these things.) I will be booking my room within the month so get back to me soon.

Transport Landing

2010-06-03T00:21:00.000-07:00

Some people are wary about posting less than professional work but I figure if I'm less than professional then there's no reason to hide. Who knows? Maybe it will help someone down the road.

Perspective drawings normally kick my butt but this one turned out...alright. I have had to untrain my mind from what perspective books teach is "perspective," however. If I figure it out in the next little bit I'll organize my thoughts and post it, but just go to Rad Sechrist's how to blog for a primer. The main thing is to think about it in terms of principles rather than mathematics.

Birds

2010-06-01T10:50:00.000-07:00

More weight-lifting. This session was 3 hours.

Ye Olde Sketchbook...

2010-05-31T23:11:00.000-07:00

Just weightlifting. Trying to figure out the whole digital drawing dilio. Digital sketchbook stuff is always fun.

Ocean spray

2010-05-30T23:15:00.000-07:00

This image inspired by an upcoming vacation to Savannah, Georgia.

Spring and Ms. Sorenson

2010-05-30T21:47:00.000-07:00

This image was inspired by the wonderful Karen Sorenson and her joyful artwork. Please check out this image of hers below--yah--amazing.

It might be yellow...

2010-05-26T22:58:00.001-07:00

Yah see if you can guess what color this is...

Cold

2010-05-26T22:33:00.000-07:00

It's hot in Georgia but still I'm cold tonight...

Traditional Animation

2010-05-24T07:41:00.000-07:00

Back in December-January I was working on a few traditional animations. This is Phil from Hercules. Sorry, no audio track!

An Animation of Phil from Michael Mercer on Vimeo.

The Beautiful Jillaine

2010-05-22T17:06:00.000-07:00

From time to time I'm asked to pick up my camera and push buttons. I've been doing photography for Jillaine Chaston for a few years now, and a gig back in March had her performing for the Chocolate Extravaganza--a charity auction (Jillaine worked for free and paid her band at her expense) where rich people get together and have fun paying exorbitant prices on relatively normal items to help hospitalized children.

Jillaine's family basically adopted me, and I've always felt like they were my home away from home. If you ever get the chance to see her, take it! Not too long from now her ticket prices will go way up! You can catch her in the Provo/SLC area during the school year, or you can listen to her amazing voice at www.jillaine.com. But take it from me, you gotta hear her live!

And now for something new...

2010-05-17T19:18:00.000-07:00

Expanding the repertoire. Hi-Rez Studios is located about 30 minutes from my house so there might be more of this in the future. For friends out there who are interested I think I've decided to settle in Georgia near the family. And there's nothing like waking up to the songbirds of the South!

Pangea: United We Divide

2010-05-07T21:27:00.000-07:00

So I have this idea for a story. Tribes of cavemen roamed Pangea with early, wacky dinosaurs and other flukes of nature. The tribes hated each other, and could be united by only one thing: their common hatred. Each tribe chooses its champion and the champions are given the task of finding a way to divide the landmass so the tribes can live in peace.

Here's a conceptual image for characters of a particular tribe...the one that becomes South America.

Ecorche - or filleted man (and yes filleted is spelled correctly)

2010-05-07T18:25:00.000-07:00

The French like to make things difficult on Americans by incorporating their cuisine into art. Ecorche means to filet (or skin, or remove the bones, as in fish, lots of translations apparently) and so when you do a study like this you are really just prepping for cooking. Eww.

On a side note, this is not the best exercise to learn to draw. I think this is a great exercise after you've learned the basics of construction...my drawings for a long time have suffered from too much knowledge and not enough basic construction.

Carpentero

2010-05-07T08:04:00.000-07:00

This guy's a carpenter. I thought of a new style I wanted to try and here it is! Kind of a mixture of everything, really, but I felt it turned out.

Recent Sketch

2010-05-03T05:52:00.000-07:00

Just doodling.

Environment Reel

2010-03-30T09:48:00.000-07:00

Hey all,
So I've decided to go the world building route. Looks like there's more job opportunities there than anywhere at the moment, so I figured it would be wise as a career.

Michael Mercer's Environment Showreel Mar 2010 from Michael Mercer on Vimeo.

The portfolio blog moved to http://michaelmercerenvironment.blogspot.com.

And here's a few of the new things I've been working on...got several more on the way!!

PS - if you visit my environment portfolio, you'll get to see some of my textures for Pajama Gladiator I did back in 2007 as a sophomore...unfortunately not all of them made it into the film as there were some props that just got discarded, and I lost the files a long time ago. I'm not sure anyone but the director and producer knows I did these textures because there was no one on campus that summer. Have a great day! Best of luck to everyone in their job hunts!

Witch

2010-03-29T16:13:00.000-07:00

Here's a witch painting from my last semester of school...

Demons

2010-03-24T04:39:00.000-07:00

And to keep my blog from being too girly from that last post here are some very quick black and white beat boards I did for a local guy awhile back. While they may look like they could be sequential they all represented different scenes.

Disney Princesses

2010-03-24T04:32:00.000-07:00

So I'm a follower of the Avalanche Software Blog. Last fall there was a series of Disney Princesses they painted, and I did this one just to see if I could. They have recently revived the princess theme but I think with a bit of a twist, so I figured I'd post my painting, too.

Redneck Scrabble

2010-03-20T23:20:00.000-07:00

So my friends and I invented redneck scrabble. Anything flies as long as you can justify it in redneck dialect. Here are the definitions for the above game.

smouh-- a country in the south Pacific. Also a way to ask for more food

hagl - what you do at the farmer's market

muode - what cows do all night long

bfo - the US was better bfo the civil war. bfo this game started we were also smarter

baiarhs - they live in the woods and try to eat you

grisiie - pots and hair both get this way with time

imixsit - you didn't mix it, I did

mastr - your mastr cylinder helps control your brakes

moov - your cars used to be able to do this before you got them

tasd - your friend Jethro got tasd last weekend by the police

hounny - the woman you love

od - you od your father money before you made it rich in the boiled peanut business

dunnit - when you don't have to do something again

It's a cooking blog again

2010-03-14T01:26:00.000-08:00

Hey everybody. I changed the blog back to getting fancy. Finicky me. It just didn't feel right.

This painting started on my iphone. Touched it up a little in photoshop. It was something different and I went with it. Paintings where I have no idea what's going on and I have to make up the rules on the fly are my favorite.

New Label!

2010-02-12T00:54:00.000-08:00

Hey all! I just consolidated my other blog, "Art History as it Should Be" into this one. This means you can take a look at my artwork from my childhood (about age 10) up until the time I got to BYU (age 23) just by clicking the "Childhood Artwork" label. I apologize if not all the pictures are functional...

URL Change

2010-02-12T00:39:00.000-08:00

Just a side note if anyone has problems with subscriptions it's because I changed the URL of the site (and the title of the blog). This blog is no longer a blog about cooking, but is instead called "The Sketch Hunter" (see quote at top of homepage for explanation...)

This change reflects a better understanding of life and my place in it.

Walmart Shoppers

2010-02-11T23:29:00.001-08:00

Look for these guys on your next visit to Walmart.

My new favorite blog

2010-02-06T00:21:00.000-08:00

http://parkablogs.com/

Sorry to all you guys with great blogs. This one's better.

Master Copies and Emulations

2010-01-18T23:44:00.001-08:00

If anyone's curious about my method of study, which no one has really inquired about yet, but I'm going to share anyway, is I find the "Master Copy" and "Emulation" one of the fastest and best means of learning art.

1. Copy a master. In this example I copied Dan Lee.

2. Emulate the style.

Both images done by me, the bottom is the copy, from Ratatouille.