Derby 4

Probably the last portrait of this model for a while. Rita is a dear friend and an amazing artist.  This portrait series was a grand learning experience.  Thanks for stopping by.

Derby 3

playing with some different line techniques.  It is always fun to play.

storm scars WIP 2

plugging away on this.

Storm Scars WIP session 1

Starting up another landscape type drawing.  This piece is inspired by a trip to Lobo Point State preserve in California after a strong wind storm.

Kirkstall Abbey Arch, completed

 Completed and I think I am happy with this one.  I have included some close ups for those who want to see how the linework and shading was created.  Thanks for stopping by. -db

Kirkstall Archway WIP session 4. A lot of progress

Good weekend of work. I have surpassed where I was prior to having to rework all the stones with black as a base. It's appears to be coming along as I envisioned it. thanks for stopping by. -db

Kirkstall Archway session 3. Major revisions

Ok, so sometimes learning means going back and correcting… that is what is going on now.  I originally attempted to have the shadows be solid black and then pull out the mid tones and highlights  with white line… which worked nicely. However I also attempted to combine that with lighter areas being left white and then darkening their mid tones with black line…. the two were incompatible. Probably too much black linework was needed to keep things consistent and flowing visually. Anyway, I have made the decision to make all stone work black in this drawing and then push all the lighter areas with white line.  Now it is coming together.

Kirkstall Abbey Arch WIP 2

Well, now the midtone lines have been added. Next comes starting to add darks to the midtones and feathering them out into the quartertones and highlights.  Thanks for stopping by.

Kirkstall Abbey Arch WIP1

Starting up a new large format drawing... Kirkstall Abbey Archway.  This is about the third sitting to get this far. Now the perspective should be correct and I can start laying in basic values.

The Dead... completed

it's done... a small piece, 6"x7.5" but I am happy with it.

The Dead WIP posting 2

Still working on this piece... Progression session 2. It's coming along. Thanks for stopping by. -db

the dead- WIP

working up one last dark piece for the autumn season... The Dead.  It was a challenge to mimic a burlap type texture convincingly but after a few test tries... I'm happy with the result so far. We will see how this goes as it progresses.  Thanks for stopping by. -db

I got a rock....

nothing serious... just a fun little parody doodle for the Halloween season.

skull drawing

I had to try to get at least one Halloween type drawing done before the end of the month.

Look at Frosty Go... Holiday Card Design 2016

Sometimes they just come out of dreams.  This one woke me up and i had to sketch it right then and there or else I would lose it in my sleep.  Glad I did that.

In the Bleak Mid Winter... Holiday Design 2016

Well, I'm calling this one done.  We shall see what some distance does to see if it makes the cut for this year's card. Thanks for stopping by.  -db

Bleak Midwinter WIP 2

Getting close to calling this drawing done... I have no idea what to do with it after the snow is done... I have tried a few colorings and no good solutions yet.  We shall see. Perhaps some time will reveal a solution.

another holiday card illustration: Sheep Work in Progress

So, I'm working up an additional holiday card illustration. This one is really squeaky tight. Sheep in snow... sort of a bleak midwinter vibe.  Still a long way to go, but here is what i have so far.  Thanks for stopping by.

Holiday Card 2016... maybe

I got started earlier this year than I have... perhaps ever. We shall see if I get an alternate or if this done and deliverable.  Thanks for stopping by. -db

Chair horse WIP 2, head section

Chair horse, still a long way to go, but I finally got back to working on this piece. It's a biggie for me, and I got a bit burned out on it for a while. Somehow I got reinspired. Hopefully it iwll last for quite a while.  Thanks for stopping by.

Eastern State Pathway selected as winner in Creative Quarterly #45, due out this winter

Eastern State Pathway has been selected as winner in Creative Quarterly Illustration #45... due out this winter. I am proud and honored that this piece has been selected.

Eastern State Pathway selected as winner in Creative Quarterly #45, due out this winter

Eastern State Pathway has been selected as winner in Creative Quarterly Illustration #45... due out this winter. I am proud and honored that this piece has been selected.

detail for The Well session1

Detail of a new piece I have started up... the well. Since I have been down and out with respiratory infection, it has been slow to no go on this piece or much of anything these last two weeks. Hopefully with antibiotics I'll be on the mend soon.  Thanks for stopping by. -db

marshall hat 2

Marshall Hat 2 complete, 6"x6" digital ink drawing. This one went surprisingly fast. Thanks so much for stopping by.

new small portrait. Marshall Hat 2 Session 1

As always, I start with a blueline block in for where things are and to get proportions and perspective in line. This usually takes 2 to 4 layers of various tightening up. Once that is done, then I will start blocking in solid blacks.

Eastern State Pen; The Path, Colored Edition

A colored edition for those like things a little extra murky.
Thanks for stopping by.

Eanstern State Pen; The Path, B/W

Eastern State Pen, The Path B/W -Size 20"x20"

Digital ink drawing... one tiny stroke at a time.  The Black and white edition.

toned paper wolf sketch

A toned paper demo I did today for a younger student of mine.  45 minutes

playing around with some software

Playing around with ClipStudio, formerly MangaStudio. The drawing and inking engine in it is really really nice to work with.

Derby 1 chosen to be in 3x3 Illustration Annual #13

Derby 1 has been selected for the Illustration Annual 3x3 #13.  I am proud and honored to again be a part of this international competition.

Eastern State Pen Session 4

Plugging away. Not much else to say other than lots and lots of tiny little lines. Hopefully within three or four weeks, we can call this done.

Eastern State Pen WIP session 3

So it's coming along.  Some sessions show more results than others... tiny little lines dancing in my head.  thanks for stopping by.

Eastern State Pen Walkway Session 2

Slowly scratching away. This one will make me proud when it's done, but right now, it's just building up calluses on my drawing hand.  Thanks for stopping by

Eastern State walk 1

I needed a shake up on subject material.  Three years ago I got the opportunity to tour Eastern State Penitentiary.  I took tones of reference images so that one day I could work up some cityscape pieces from this historic and eerie place.  I finally have started up my first.

Three Heads

Three Heads:  digital ink drawing, size 8.25" x 6".  The first of the digital portrait series to contain a background.

Chair Horse Step 1

The biggest of the digital ink drawings to date.  Chair horse will be 32"x 30" when complete. I have the blueline pretty much completed and have started working in solid blacks.  I will probably work in small pieces as I pick at this beast for quite a while.

is there crying in art?

There may not be any crying in baseball, but when it comes to drawing/painting/ sculpting.... there is crying, there is cursing, and there are even a few throw down on the floor kicking and screaming tantrums.

The Black Hat

The third in the small portrait series.  6"x6".  Rita is an inspiring model to say the least. She is such a talented and creative individual, she makes me strive to reach a bit farther on each piece I do.

Friend Hat

The second of a small series of digital ink drawing portraits. I am thinking that these will also follow a square format but will hopefully all be the same size of six inches square.  We shall see if that path is one I can stay on for six to eight total smaller portraits. Thanks as always for stopping by.

flight helmet

Flight Helmet;  Digital Ink, 6"x6"
The first of some smaller pieces. A months work on larger works, now turn into one week.

Marshall Hat

This was a drawing that was originally started during the summer of 2015, but for one reason or another, I had such difficulties with that I abandoned it until I had a better solution.  After two other portraits of the same model, I was able to confidently go back and finish this piece.  It has been a year, and I have met the goal of completing the original set of portraits.  I don't believe this will be the end of this project.  It may morph into something else whether experimenting with different media, or different subject matter... who knows.  Thanks for stopping by.

Marshall Hat
Digital Ink
Size 16.5" x 16.5"

Braids Complete

The piece is done.  I will need a bit of time to look at it with fresh eyes. I am glad to call this one completed.

Braids... Still going, but now showing some results.

Finally showing some results after locking myself in the studio for the weekend. Hopefully in a week or two I can get this thing completed.  Sheesh what a long road.

Braids.... still at it due to the flu

I've been down with the flu for about a week and a half now.  Finally got the strength back and cough reduced enough to work on this piece again.  The piece is starting to move now that the head dress is filling in and taking shape.  Wow, what a job this one has turned out to be.  Thanks for stopping by.

Braids... WIP, still plugging away, slowly

slowly working away on this.  Haven't applied much to it recently that shows.  Usually these pieces don't show a lot of results then all come together in a few hours.  Thanks for stopping by.

siobhan fahey drawing

It's been quite a long time since I did a scribble drawing. Recently I rediscovered an infatuated with siobhan fahey from the 80s band Shakespeare's Sister and Bananarama. Her eyes and smile have entranced me since I first saw her a long long time ago. It was good to work this up.

I have an up to date website again.

After falling behind on my digital presence, I once again have an up to date website.

http://www.dougbell-drawing.com/


head on over and see what I've been missing for the last few months.

I hope the day treats you well and thanks for stopping by.
-db

Braids WIP session three

not much work to show this week.  That's the way it goes for a while... just have to remember to keep working towards the finished drawing.