The Nintendo Gallery (Captain Falcon)

       I had the opportunity to work on a piece for the upcoming SHM Charity Committee Nintendo Gallery. An online auction will take place when it premiers in April, and all proceeds go to the Morgan Autism Center. About 150 artists are participating in the gallery, all doing different characters from different Nintendo games in various mediums and styles. Pretty neat stuff.
       I was lucky enough to get Captain Falcon, as he's the one character I know from Nintendo because I always choose him for the few times I've played Super Smash Bros. You just can't beat the Falcon Punch! Well— you can— but whatever...

Here's my final piece of Captain Falcon drinking that Falcon Punch:

       It sure took me a while to get to this point. As a matter of fact I did this the night before my deadline.
Before that I had another idea that I was really not liking. It was the regular Captain Falcon, and I was trying to get him in a serious pose with flames and stuff. Needless to say it was very boring and dull. Then with some convincing and help from my friend Samia Khalaf, I scrapped the idea entirely, went home, ate a La Vics burrito, and began sketching out a cute little baby Captain Falcon.

My first sketch. 

Then I quickly refined the pose and concept in pen. 

I also did some quick tests to see what it would look like on tonal paper. 

I used 3 mediums for the final piece: colored pencil, pen, and white charcoal. 

And that was that! 

It's crazy what can happen sometimes when you talk to Samia Khalaf and you eat a La Vics burrito. 

A Sad Day

       Yesterday we lost a good man. Jules Jammal was a teacher, an animator, a Shrunkenheadman, a father, a husband, and a friend. He was the man who introduced me to Maya and the world of 3D animation and was a huge inspiration as to how I go about my animation today. I still remember the last conversation I had with him was a few months ago, where we talked about the craziness of being an SHM president, and he told me about his baby girl, Noelle. "She's starting to get an attitude," he laughed. He never ceased to smile or miss out on a handshake. Within a day of his passing you can see and feel the love we all had for this man, and the photos, messages, and articles continue to fly high with support.
       Jules passed away too soon, and I think the only thing I can do is say— from one Shrunkenheadman President to another— thank you for being an amazing friend and mentor. May you rest in peace and paradise.

Always fire it up. Always SHM.

 Images courtesy of Jeff Jackson.