2010 Monster Month: Day 1 – The Dog Walker

As the swift cool breezes of fall waft through the amber leaves of the neighborhood trees, it delivers the delights and mischief of creatures strange and mysterious who venture out to taunt all good citizens like yourself. (Well, here in Los Angeles the temperatures hit 113°, so the leaves are amber from having been burned.)

Welcome to the return of MONSTER MONTH here on the Chad Frye • Illustration Guy blog! I have been busy like a mad scientist hunched over in his laboratory slinging pencils, ink, paint and pixels to terrorize and amuse you each day during this fine fall month of October. You will get to see a variety of approaches to the beasties as some are watercolor paintings, others fully rendered ink and Photoshop cartoons and illustrations, some pencil drawings, and others are simply doodles and sketches from my sketchbook.

To kick off the month, here is a piece I created with ink and Photoshop using myself as a model for the Wolfman that reminds you that while some things may go bump in the night, there may be other reasons why you would have to watch your step….

The Wolfman

Things That Go “BUMP” in October…

Last October was the first ever MONSTER MONTH on the Chad Frye • Illustration Guy blog. On each one of October’s 31 days, a new monster doodle, drawing or painting was unleashed on an unsuspecting public. (Click HERE if you’d like to revisit last year’s creatures!) So much great feedback came from everyone, and it was so much fun to do, that I am happy to announce the return of MONSTER MONTH!

Beginning this FRIDAY, October 1st, come visit the blog to see a new monster each day until the last day of MONSTER MONTH, October 31 (those of you who are astute will realize that happens to be Halloween). And feel free to leave some feedback on the posts if you like them!

Categories
Monsters

A Criminal Mind

…so to speak.

Last winter I had the opportunity to meet and chat with actor Joe Mantegna for a few minutes. I’ve always enjoyed him in various movies such as The Three Amigos , Baby’s Day Out, and one of my all-time favorites – Searching For Bobby Fischer. It was at that moment that I realized I had never seen his current TV show Criminal Minds.

Here in Los Angeles, Criminal Minds seems to run every night on the Ion Television channel, as well as periodically on A&E and CBS – sometimes all three at the same time! It’s ensemble cast works hard to capture the weekly criminal who can’t seem to play normal in society. As I was watching with my sketchbook in my lap, I started to doodle one of the show’s other headline stars, Thomas Gibson, who made himself known a few years back on the sit-com Dharma & Greg. While that was a comedy, somehow on Criminal Minds Thomas is continuously stoic in his demeanor, never cracking a smile. His uber-seriousness was something my pencil had to try to capture. I later finessed the drawing a bit at my desk adding color on the computer with these results….

Thomas Gibson with enough intensity in his gaze to crack open a walnut.
Thomas Gibson with enough intensity in his gaze to crack open a walnut.

One of these days, perhaps I’ll go back and sketch Joe Mantegna as well since he sort of got this whole ball rolling.

Gladys

You know what I think is a good time? If you said “going upholstery shopping” you would be wrong, and yet somehow I find myself compelled to write on this topic.

Just a little over a year ago, my folks moved from my childhood home in the suburbs of New Jersey to a home on the range in Delaware which most of my siblings and I descended upon last Christmas. For over thirty years we were used to the holiday sights, smells and activities that could be found in the shadow of New York City, and suddenly found ourselves in a cold, snowy plain with little activity to be viewed from the back porch of the new home. There are only so many games of Farkle, Uno and Skip-Bo to be played before a large family starts developing signs of cabin fever. What to do? What to do?

Well, if you were like us, I grabbed my plaid-lined jacket as everyone piled into the car one frigid white day and traveled an hour north to go UPHOLSTERY SHOPPING!!! Yippee doodle.

Yes, that’s right – thousands of bolts of cloth fabric greeted us at the store, all available for the astute decorator ready to deck their halls with plaids, fleur de lis, stripes and paisleys. My mother was on a mission to find material to recover her old dining room chairs to match the paint of her new dining room. My sister was on a mission to find something delightful to cover her nice old living room chair. I was on a mission to find a chair in the store on which I could retreat out of the way of their missions.

Thankfully, I had the foresight to bring along my sketchbook to draw in. Equally thankfully, the fabric store had the foresight to provide several comfortable chairs for husbands and sons to sit in. As I was making my imprint in a nice leather cushion with one part of me, another part of me was imprinting the blank pages of my sketchbook with doodles.

I soon was lost in the world of my imagination as my hand wielded the pencil about the pages, and then suddenly, there she was like a mirage calling to the thirsty desert traveller – GLADYS! She was a woman smiling, chatting, and enjoying her time tending to the needs of shoppers buying their last minute bolts of cloth to put under the tree. I’m not even sure that Gladys was her real name for she never revealed her real name to me – a true woman of mystery. But there stood this vixen in her cobalt blue sweatshirt and bobbed blonde hair with dark roots wearing a delightful pair of flower print pants with an elastic waistband. Not only was she beautiful, but she was practical. Oh glorious Gladys – where have you been all my life? It was at that moment that I knew I must draw her…

The coy and demure Gladys offering her siren call to unsuspecting holiday fabric shoppers.
The coy and demure Gladys offering her siren call to unsuspecting holiday fabric shoppers.

Then, just as unassuming as the day began, our time in the fabric store was at an end. I reluctantly closed my sketchbook and slowly walked to the door with a wistful look in my eye having an unfulfilled profession of love for Gladys. It’s just as well, though, as it never would have worked – she was clearly into flower prints, while I was into plaids.

Drawn & Quoted: Elephantastic

“When you have got an elephant by the hind legs and he is trying to run away, it’s best to let him run.”

– Abraham Lincoln (1809 – 1865)

elephant
The key, boys and girls, is to moisturize.

Feeling saggy? Feeling baggy? Perhaps you can relate to this sketch I whipped up last night. There was no rhyme or reason for it – just felt like drawing an elephant in the ol’ sketchbook, and happened to find a great elephant quote from Abraham Lincoln this morning. Though, I’m not quite sure what kind of experience Lincoln had with elephants – outside of the Republican party, that is.

The “LOST” Home Movie

The cast from Steve Czarnecki's entry in the Walt Disney Studio's employee LOST video contest held in May of 2010.
The cast from Steve Czarnecki’s entry in the Walt Disney Studio’s employee LOST video contest held in May of 2010. Click on image to enlarge it.

While most of my posts here on my blog have to do with my drawings and paintings, once in awhile I get to play in other genres of the creative arts. This past spring provided just such an opportunity through my good friend Steve Czarnecki when he called me to see if I’d lend him a hand with a video contest his employer was hosting. His employer was Disney, and they were asking their employees to submit 30 second homemade videos pertaining to the end of their hit television series LOST on ABC. Today, the final season of LOST is released on DVD, so I thought it was a good day to show some of my behind-the-scenes photos of the LOST Series Finalè Event Promo Shoot culminating in showing you the final winning video!

When Steve called me, I could hear the hesitation in his voice. “Hey Chad, um, I………want you to play ‘Hurley’ in my video.” “Why the hesitation?” I thought. Was it because I had won the lottery and then was abandoned on an uncharted island? Nope, haven’t done that. Perhaps because I say “Duuude” a lot? Nope, I don’t say that (much). Perhaps because he knew I had a collection of plaid shirts? Nah. Perhaps we’ll never know.

The backyard was literally littered with airplane parts for "LOST" atmosphere.
The backyard was literally littered with airplane parts for “LOST” atmosphere.
The director (at right) surveying his set.
The director (at left) surveying his set.
Some details could ruin your appetite.
Some details could ruin your appetite.

Steve’s shoot took place all day on a beautiful Saturday. My call time was early in the morning when my speaking part would be filmed. When I arrived, you could see that Steve pulled out all the stops. He had borrowed airplane parts from a salvage yard and had strewn them across his backyard. He had borrowed costumes (I – ahem – brought my own wardrobe), had made props, fog machines, a quality camera, and folks who knew how to use them! This was going to be quite a production!

Not only was the set looking mighty fine – Steve had arranged for some other surprises as well. The reason for my early call time was so that I could work with Daniel Roebuck who actually played Dr. Leslie Arzt on the actual show. Danny was a good sport about coming out and reprising his character for Steve’s short film. Without giving it away, his involvement really made the contest entry sparkle!

Daniel Roebuck (on the right) known for his various roles from "Matlock", "The Fugitive" and many other shows and movies.
Daniel Roebuck (on the right) known for his various roles from “Matlock”, “The Fugitive” and many other shows and movies.
Director of Photography Josh Turchetta shooting a scene with Steve Czarnecki, Daniel Roebuck, and another friend.
Director of Photography Josh Turchetta shooting a scene with Steve Czarnecki, Daniel Roebuck, and another friend playing a Dharma Initiative worker.
Dr. Leslie Arzt (Daniel Roebuck) and Hugo 'Hurley' Reyes (Chad Frye) with a bucket of Mr. Cluck's Chicken.
Dr. Leslie Arzt (Daniel Roebuck) and Hugo ‘Hurley’ Reyes (Chad Frye) with a bucket of Mr. Cluck’s Chicken.

After our morning shoot, I was able to take off for a couple of hours while the guys worked on some special effects shots, then I came back for the party scene. And what a scene! Other folks imitating characters from the show were there, along with three more performers who had small parts on the actual LOST show. Instead of babbling on about it here, I’ll let the pictures tell the story….

Inside the house, Steve Czarnecki is seen here directing his cast on how they should act when a steady cam will roam around them.
Inside the house, Steve Czarnecki is seen here directing his cast on how they should act when a steady cam will roam around them.
Many details were a part of the set such as food items with Dharma Initiative labels, and this drawing of "LOST" producers Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse with a polar bear.
Many details were a part of the set such as food items with Dharma Initiative labels, and this drawing of “LOST” producers Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse with a polar bear.
Sterling Beaumon who played the young Ben Linus on "LOST" was a part of the contest shoot.
Sterling Beaumon who played the young Ben Linus on “LOST” was a part of the contest shoot.
Yes, we even had Dharma Initiative scientists.
Yes, we even had Dharma Initiative scientists – some with battle damage!
Even the real Nadia (Sayid's doomed love on "LOST") came out to play with us - Andrea Gabriel.
The real Nadia (Sayid’s doomed love on “LOST”) came out to play with us – Andrea Gabriel. And no, that’s not my real hair, though I do think that is Andrea’s real hair.

We even had Walt's dog in our shoot. I had charge of him in some shots. He was very easy to control since I was holding that bucket of chicken all the time. That's also his real hair.
We even had Walt’s dog in our shoot. I had charge of him in some shots. He was very easy to control since I was holding that bucket of chicken all the time. That’s also his real hair.

 

Erin Cottrell, known for her role of Missie LaHaye in movie adaptations of Janette Oke books.
Erin Cottrell, known for her role of Missie LaHaye in movie adaptations of Janette Oke books.

Our fearless director, Steve Czarnecki, who should be smiling. He won an iPad for all his efforts.

Our fearless director's daughter, Lindalee Czarnecki.
Our fearless director’s daughter, Lindalee Czarnecki.
Neil Hopkins, who played "Liam Pace", Charlie's brother and co-founder of the band "Driveshaft".
Neil Hopkins, who played “Liam Pace”, Charlie’s brother and co-founder of the band “Driveshaft”.
And our final parting shot of my friend Doug Engalla on the left, our version of John Locke, and then yours truly.
And our final parting shot of my friend Doug Engalla on the left, our version of John Locke, and then yours truly.

As I mentioned above, Steve Czarnecki did win the grand prize in the studio contest for his work. You can watch the video below. My only complaint is that with all the great stuff and talent at our disposal – the video is too short. But contest rules are contest rules, so 30 seconds it is! (Complete with voiceover at the end by Bill Rogers, the official announcer of Disneyland!)

It’s Gettin’ Hot in Here

While I know that it has been really hot across the United States these past few months, Southern California has had one of the most mild, beautiful summers in all the years I’ve lived here – until this week. This has been a sweltering week in Los Angeles, so of course, as that great leader of jurisprudence known as “Murphy” would have it, my air conditioning ceased to condition my air.

In sitting here waiting for the arrival of the repair men, I was thumbing through my sketchbook and came across this polar bear sketch drawn earlier this year. Even though he came from my own pencil, I couldn’t help but wonder if his smug little expression was coming from the fact that he was enjoying crisp, cool temperatures while I most definitely was not. He just stood there mocking me.

A polar bear enjoying the cool degrees of his summer. Either that or he's listening to Barry Manilow. Hard to tell, really.
A polar bear enjoying the cool degrees of his summer. Either that or he’s listening to Barry Manilow. Hard to tell, really.

So, now the repair men have come and performed their patriotic duty. My air is working just in time to keep the paint from peeling off the walls, and I’m standing in front of my vent with a satisfied stance not unlike my fuzzy friend above.

Play Ball!!

Over the course of what feels like a very short career despite having been a member of the full-time creative field for 16 years, have drawn in many styles to please many clients. That is what a freelance illustrator/cartoonist does. You always bring a little of yourself to the table, but if somebody needs Yogi Bear, they don’t want him to look like Mickey Mouse. You need to work cohesively with the other players. I get that.

Over the past number of years, the animation business has adopted the philosophy that if an artist’s portfolio does not look like their product, the artist must not be able to draw their characters. And if they think there is a glimmer of hope in the pencil wielder, the studio will require a remunerationless drawing test that usually is a good week’s worth of work. In essence, they make the artists try out for the team.

Perhaps these ideas came along because artists would lie on their resumès, or maybe it’s because hiring is usually handled by human resource agents that don’t truly understand the drawing process. I don’t say this as a slam on them by any means. With budgets being slashed, with many animation jobs leaving our borders, and with a local workforce greater than the amount of available jobs, companies want to know if you can draw what they need. I just wonder why, when a resumè has legitimate claims of having drawn things as diverse as characters for Disney, Pixar, Warner Bros., Hanna Barbera, Mercer Mayer, Fisher-Price, and superheroes that one would assume that artist cannot draw new things? Just last year I was turned down for a job with the stated reason that they didn’t think I could draw their characters.

So, that being said, when I apply for a new job in animation, I try to find out a little of the style of a show and see if I can quickly add some drawings to my portfolio that would key the bosses to the fact that I can draw their characters. They need to know that I can play ball with them.

The following is an example of just that. You’ll notice that this baseball boy is not exactly like the style of my other personal work here on the blog. He was created as a part of my portfolio customized for a job application earlier this year. Started as a rough sketch in my sketchbook, he then became an inked drawing with some color added in Photoshop for good measure. I didn’t get that job, but I did have fun trying to broaden my horizons a bit.

This baseball boy is a rough sketch taken directly from the pages of my sketchbook.
This baseball boy is a rough sketch taken directly from the pages of my sketchbook.
And here's a more finished look at the sketch. Click on the image to see it larger!
And here’s a more finished look at the sketch. Click on the image to see it larger!

Ironically, despite what I wrote above, I didn’t have to “try out” for a character design position I currently hold. Based on the reputation of my past work, I am grateful to be helping bring Zhu Zhu Pets toys to life in the animated realm. Sometimes the resumè and a good pitch from colleagues alone can help get the game play going. Then you have to step up to the plate and prove you deserve to be swinging the bat.

PLAY BALL!