Sometimes girls can be dangerous

I found these drawings while organizing art I created in class over the past couple of years. I drew them in April 2012 the month before I started the blog. They were faintly sketched so I finished them with a stronger line and here we are.

Still another girl head doodle

Further exploration along this theme from an idea I had the other day...

Yet another girl head doodle

Here's the latest image along the thematic line of what I've been sketching lately...

Different versions of Crash

One of the things that makes Crash Bandicoot an interesting character is in the varying ways in which his design can be altered. It's one of the unanticipated aspects of his look that has fostered different approaches to his appearance and something I like to experiment with on occasion.

Here's an example. I sketched these concepts last evening for some drawing practice. I used a straight ahead drawing method I call free form which utilizes a non-erasable medium such as a simple ball point pen. This is what I came up with...

Another girl head doodle

Following along the theme of my last post here's something I sketched this evening while in the company of a friend. Blue pencil and black line ball point pen on 11" x 17" paper. This is good practice on several levels. Glad to have a little time cleared out for coming up with some art. Hope you enjoy it and are perhaps creatively inspired.

Girl head doodles

Thank you everyone for all your visits to my blog. There is hardly a time of day when someone isn't accessing a page somewhere. I'm grateful for the attention you're giving my art. I ended 2014 and started 2015 with these doodles that I got into. The first with a few students and the second while hanging out with a friend. They were both initiated with blue pencil and finished with black ball point pen. I like the idea of using hair as an element for graphics and I may follow up with the theme in days ahead. I hope you have a fun and positive year to look forward to.

Merry Christmas 2014

I figure the many Crash Bandicoot fans who frequent my blog would appreciate this. I hope everyone has a special Christmas spent with those you love...

Three Crash drawings disappeared through the US Mail

Hello everyone. Thanks as always for frequenting my blog. I really appreciate the healthy traffic it gets even though I haven't posted in a while. Here's the latest.

On November 6, 2014 I mailed three Crash Bandicoot drawings that I created in 2012. These drawings were original art. I posted them a couple years ago and archived them afterwards. A regular visitor to my blog and a devoted Crash fan, I made arrangements with Matt in the UK to conduct a second Ebay auction. Last year Matt auctioned a set of Crash and Spyro prints for the benefit of the Worthing Boys Club in West Sussex. It was very successful. Since then plans were made to hold another auction and that's what these drawings were to be used for. Only this time it was going to be an auction for the benefit of both the Worthing Boys Club and also The Animation Academy in Burbank California.

I sent the package with these drawings to the UK through the main post office in Burbank. Priority Mail International. The last tracking entry date listed by the US Postal Service was November 7 2014 from the main terminal in LA bound for England. Since then it's gone off the radar. 

I contacted the USPS and an investigation was initiated. I don't have much faith in it as this is the second time in about a year that something of value I sent through them disappeared. I've learned my lesson and will never use them again for anything like this. The US Postal Service used to be the gold standard in mail delivery. Not any more as far as I'm concerned. 

This has been a troubling experience for me. Not only in losing three valuable original works of art, but also as far as my feelings about what's happening in America. 

Fortunately I made digital copies of the drawings at a resolution high enough for printing. They don't replace the originals but at least there's a record of the images. Here they are below without my personal signature which was on the originals...

The drawings were on 12 field Ingram animation paper. The paper that the major studios use. They were quality sketches but alas, what can I say other than I'm bummed about it.

I'd like to know if there's an interest in conducting an auction with these prints instead. I can sign a copy of each and use them in place of the originals. Just one copy of each signed by yours truly.

Your comments are welcome.

Charles Zembillas

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PS - Edited on March 7 2015 - The drawings finally made it to the UK after spending 6 months in Brazil. The first of 3 auctions of the original drawings has started on eBay and will continue through March 15 2015. 

Click here to access Auction #1

Werewolf boy - Class doodle

Sometimes a sketch takes a direction of its own. While meandering an idea for a werewolf type creature the initial doodle wound up as an exploration of patterns and texture as well as design. This is from a session of drawing with my class the other night.

Cute girl - Class demo

Hi everyone! Yes I'm still kicking. Hope you're doing well. Got a chance to create the other night. Came up with this while drawing with students in class.