Beat 'Em Tender Hooligan

Howdy, Friends!  Sorry for the long hiatus since my last post--by my count it's been just over 7 months!  But the break was necessary since my personal life experienced some major changes.  I left a job I had been at for 4+ years, a job that I loved, working with people I adore.  That was ridiculously difficult, albeit necessary.  Then I started a new job and finally bought myself a much needed new(ish) car.  Then I got into an accident with aforementioned new(ish) car...  Fortunately it's all fixed up by now.  And the most recent life change?  Finally moved out a new apartment of my own!  HUGE deal for me!

Admittedly it's still pretty difficult finding much free time for myself, especially when I'm still settling into it all, but my league is heading into it's post-season (and subsequent off-season) soon enough.  And I'm crossing my fingers that it'll mean I'll get more artwork done! But enough about the personal mumbo jumbo that interests no one.  Time for the drawing!

The next feature is Beat 'Em Tender Hooligan!

Not only is Hooligan a rock star jammer, but she's also a lot of fun to draw. Her photos always have this dynamic composition to them, not only due to the wonderful photographic prowess of Steve Jurkovic, but also due to her amazing speed and agility...so I fear that I haven't done her justice with this pose. However, I needed the drawing to fill a taller/narrow space in the bout poster so I couldn't let her pose spread too horizontally.

Those who know (and inevitably love) Hooli know that she has a very distinct style.  She loves Halloween, horror movies, has a taste for the macabre and a flair for the gothic.  So it was important that I acknowledged it, even subtly.

The first thing I did was copy her distinct make-up style.

Though she has been known to go for full-on face paint at times, there are often times where her makeup is left to clean, simple lines and colors (black around the eyes + purple lipstick) that offer a dramatic look without appearing much too fussy or busy. 

They're obviously not real leather--
a body's gotta breathe and a
jammer's gotta juke afterall!
But they look super slick!

Then there are her shiny, leather shorts, one of the most signature pieces of her boutfit. She also tends to wear bold leggings/tights or socks that really stand out among all the black.

Morrigan Aensland and
her purple batty tights

Some of you might have noticed the reference already, but I based the design of Hooli's tights on Morrigan, the succubus (and arguably the most popular character) from the Darkstalkers video game franchise.  As both are ass-kicking, buxom, femme-fatales with a penchant for the dark, it was hard not to see a connection between the two.    

And in case you wanted to take a peak at the completed bout poster she was on...

 

Side note: I wish I could have used some of those dynamic photos I mentioned before in green corners, but corners being what they are, the space was extremely limiting.  All the other, better photos would have crucial parts cropped or blocked by text, or just plain wouldn't fit the space properly.  Eh well.  

Hope you guys liked!  And hope I can get back to posting at least semi-regularly.  Fingers crossed!

Eleventh Hour

If you know me, you know that my life has more or less been non-stop crazy since...well, always.  So it's much too easy to fall behind on updating this blog.  But I'm here with a post for you now, and that's what matters!

And for what it's worth, there's still plenty more derby drawings that I need to upload.  So let's get to it, shall we?  I give you Eleventh Hour!

#11 - Eleventh Hour
Jammer for The DuPage Derby Dames

Eleventh Hour is one of the most nimble skaters in our entire league.  As she has a background in artistic skating, it really shouldn't come as any surprise.  Time and time again we've all been left in awe at her precise footwork and calm demeanor in the face of track-side chaos.  She practically floats because she makes it all look so very effortless!  I can only imagine just how much better a skater I would be if I could even absorb half her skill.

Here's just a simple little detail shot showing the soft, warm shadows on her skin and the play of light on her hair.   

And here's a little look at the full poster that she graced!

More updates coming soon!  Also coming soon: COMMISSION INFO!!!  :D