the cetaceanist

the cetaceanist, originally uploaded by paul heaston.

Since I haven't posted much this month (though I do have new sketches on the way, I promise) I thought I'd go way back and show some very early sketchbook work. This drawing was done 17 years ago today. I'm sure I copied the pose from a comic book somewhere, but the character is an original creation by yours truly. "The Cetaceanist" was a marine biologist and crime-fighter with various whale-derived superpowers. One of these days I'll get around to finishing the comic book I started about him. Also of note here: I no longer put little loops in my 2s.

More from my Italy Sketchbook

Since I've haven't done a lot of new drawings lately, I thought I'd dip some more into some older sketchbooks. My Italy semester was a great experience in terms of developing a sketching ethic and a kind of discipline that I've more or less stuck to since. Here's where it all started.

What making art looks like

...according to my sketchbook. In Italy in 2007, when I really began sketching in earnest, I drew whatever was available to me. A good deal of what was available to me were the Montana State students who accompanied me during my semester abroad. In between teaching and critiquing I ended up drawing each and every one of them at least once, and many several times. They were all also making art at the time, so my sketchbook became a record of their process and mine.

l to r (I think): Grant, Katie, Regina, Megan, Sara, Brent, Chelsea, Hana, Mel (on the fence), Elisa (nearly invisible), Tiffany (ponytail), Dan, Sarah, Rikka (standing), and Jeff

Morgan

Brent

Elisa

Mel

Chelsea

Jeff

Elisa again

Dan

self-portrait