It's been a while, but I've just released a new video where I show you the progress of drawing the book cover art for my third novel, Reckless Endeavor. In the video I also share a few tips for making art full-time. I look forward to hearing your thoughts and questions for future videos. Check it out at https://youtu.be/SfelBzuutRs?feature=shared
As I have been really, really searching my soul lately and asking God to iron out the many kinks and wrinkles in my life, I've been tested with a few challenges. This is not uncommon when asking for character improvement. Creating this video was one of these challenges. Some of my YouTube subscribers have been asking if I could shoot from an overhead position which I was not equipped to do. I fooled around with a few different setups, all of which involved putting my camera (and sometimes my head) in unsafe situations. I finally rigged something up involving a plastic multi-drawer shelf, a tripod, and a five pound workout weight. Once I was moderately certain it wouldn't all come crashing down, I shot about 7 hours of video during the coloring process of this Umbreon drawing.
Now so far, none of this was an out-of-the-ordinary struggle. My patience was tested when I moved on to the editing stage. I have been using Corel VideoStudio Pro X4 for a few years now and learned it pretty well. Unfortunately I had a fatal crash with my last computer just before Thanksgiving and had to replace it. The new computer operates on Windows 10 and being very limited in my understanding and abilities when it comes to computers (I've just never really cared much for tech) I couldn't transfer the editing software to the new computer. I contacted Corel who told me not only was Pro X4 obsolete, but even if they did have a link to download it, the software wouldn't work on Windows 10. Instead, they said I should purchase VideoStudio Pro 2018 for $79.99. I don't generate any income from my YouTube channel so that was not really an option. As a full time artist, I have to allocate funds where I can make them back. A quick Google search for "best free video editing software" sent me to TechRadar.com where I read about LightWorks. I downloaded the free version and got to work stumbling my way through trial and lots of error, as well as searching YouTube for tutorials on this alien program.
After a 5-6 hours day of learning the software enough to get this video edited, I exported the first draft only to have my still images and audio playable. It took another hour to figure out how to get the video to export with the other tracks. While watching the second exported draft I had audio issues. Somehow a minute of white noise had been added between the three different songs I had in the same audio track. My blood pressure was getting too high for the day so I called it quits and tried again in the morning. After some tedious manual clipping of each song to get the audio tracks to play seamlessly, I finally got a third draft that was ready to publish, but then found out that I can only export in 720p with the free version of LightWorks. If I want to export in high quality HD I need to pay $24.99 per month, $179.99 per year, or $437.99 outright. This after thinking $79.99 was out of budget!
Character does not improve without testing the spirit. Smooth seas don't make skilled sailors. I don't regret this experience. I finished the video, not because I wanted to, but because over 9,200 of you have subscribed to my YouTube channel and have been asking for more content. I truly am doing this for you. If you are one of the people who have been enjoying my video posts over the years, thank you! I would love to purchase the $79.99 version of Corel VideoStudio 2018 (the software I've been using the longest) so that I can give you the highest quality content with the most creative editing in the shortest amount of time. If you want this, please consider chipping in by clicking the PayPal Donate button below. You don't even need a PayPal account. Whatever you want to give is appreciated. All donations will go toward the purchase of Corel VideoStudio 2018. Any funds received over $79.99 will be held for future upgrade downloads or used for art studio materials.
Here's the next episode of time-lapse illustrations from my YouTube channel. This one is the second in my Old Salt series. It's colored pencil and acrylic on 5"x5" wood. Enjoy!
With the making of this video I was reminded of why I prefer traditional forms of art over digital. The reason is that I do not have the Midas touch when it comes to technology. I ended up scrapping an entire day's worth of editing due to audio track issues and four failed uploads to my YouTube channel. However, after editing the entire video from scratch a second time and posting a fifth upload we have success! Enjoy the video, subscribe to my YouTube channel, and please leave a comment to let me know what you think.
One half of the June 28th Mystery Monsters are colored! I recorded the 6th of 12 being made and posted it on my YouTube channel in time-lapse. This is a little more than four hours of coloring condensed into just over 6 minutes.
This and eleven other original monster drawings will be released on June 28th, 2013. See this post for more details.
The video game fanatic in me has been itching to be part of an art exhibit focused on the same and the time has finally come. I have created two new pieces in the new media-combo I've been pursuing lately. Each piece is colored pencil and acrylic paint on wood and will be debuted by FNDTN Gallery on opening night. "PRESS START" is a group show featuring artwork by local (Maryland area) and national artists inspired by video games. The show will run from Friday, May 10th, to Saturday, May 25th, with an opening reception for the event on May 10th at 7PM. More info at http://www.fndtnarts.com/events/press-start-opening/
It's been a while since I've made a time-lapse video, so I thought since I've been working on wood a lot lately, it would be a good time to make a post on my Youtube Channel. Enjoy!
After scratching away and hustling my art for months and months, then budgeting with my wife for family needs, I finally procured an HD video camera so I can get back into vlogging, shooting art for time-lapse, and other neat video experiences to share even more art with you. Above you will see the very first time-lapse video shot with this new camera. I am still working out logistics with lighting, angles, and editing, as well as needing to pick up a large capacity, high speed SD card, but those things will pan out in time. Please enjoy the video which shows the making of Mystery Drawing 009 and feel free to post your comments. Thank you!
I finally made a time-lapse video of drawing. This was my first crack at it, so I hope to improve the lighting and video quality for future videos. Any comments or suggestions are welcome. Enjoy!
A few months ago I began offering Mystery Drawings which are spontaneous illustrations created when they are ordered. Quite a few of you have dared to participate, without knowing what you would get. Thank you!
Now, to spice things up a little bit, if you order a Mystery Drawing between now and tomorrow at midnight (East Coast Time) you will get an original drawing for just $25 AND the creation of the drawing will be filmed and posted to my YouTube Channel. You will be able to watch the entire drawing being made, played back in time-lapse fashion.
Your drawing could be anything from monsters to coffee girls, space kids to robotic trees. No requests, please. This project is intended to be completely spontaneous!
If you would like to participate in this event, make sure you have placed your order before July 15th at midnight (EST) at BigCartel. Let's do this!
I shot this footage of The Gallery Underground while we were getting set up for the 3rd Friday Chili Cook-Off on February 19, 2010. Gallery openings are 1st Fridays from 6-10pm and 3rd Fridays from 6-9pm. I am available for private showings anytime by appointment. Email art@bryandrinkscoffee.com or call 970-420-0308 to schedule an appointment.
