Friday, September 25, 2015

Zombie Coven: Kris Kobzina + Etched Skull Statue


I met Kris Kobzina about a year and a half ago while visiting Cinema Makeup School in downtown Los Angeles. He teaches special effects makeup there part time, helping young artist hone their craft, when he's not working in his shop or on set doing special effects makeup on movies or television shows.  Kris is a fellow Chicago native, and a hell of a nice guy, so we quickly struck up a friendship.

I’d been planning a Kickstarter to launch Zombie Coven, my illustrated horror novel project.  I've always been a fan of resin kits, so I knew I wanted to do some kind of  sculpture as a reward tier for the KS.  I instantly thought of Kris because he such an awesome artist. www.kreativekontrolfx.com

We decided that Kris would do a life-size bust based on my "Etched Skull Zombie” painting that I did for Zombie Coven. He also did a smaller resin bust (about 8” x 8") of my "Rebirther" painting (which I'll tell you about in my next blog post).

Here's some WIP (work-in-progress) photos and the final result. Kris sculpted the bust in clay, made a mold, and cast it in resin. Then he painted it in movie make up maquette fashion, and it came out awesome. (Photos: Kris Kobzina, unless otherwise noted).

We're offering a limited of three hand-painted, life-size busts of "Etched Skull Zombie” in the Kickstarter.  We also have the "Rebirther” bust, either unpainted or painted by Kris, and a KS specially priced Kris Kobzina zombie/creature gelatin application workshop, limited to 8 students.

UPDATE:  I've closed the Kickstarter, but the statues are available in the BaxaArt.com Store: http://www.baxaart.com/BT_storefront.htm



copyright 2015 Thomas M. Baxa

Photo: Chet Zar

Here's a turnaround video of clay sculpture.  Go get a painted one at http://www.baxaart.com/BT_storefront.htm







 Photo: Mike Ferdie


  Photo: Mike Ferdie
  Photo: Mike Ferdie
 Photo: Mike Ferdie

Here's the WIP, so you can see Kris's process.  Pretty cool!







Kris Kobzina is a professional special FX make-up artist and FX instructor for several schools, with a career spanning 19 years.  Kris has worked for various FX shops and on set in Hollywood on such films/TV shows   "RED DRAGON", "PUNISHER",  "MIB 2", "SPIDERMAN", "X-FILES" and many more. Kris operates his own FX shop, Kreative Kontrol FX Prosthetic Studio were, in-between working on tv/film projects, he conducts professional F/X make-up workshops and one-on-one training.  www.kreativekontrolfx.com

Thursday, February 19, 2015

Blood Rituals: The Art of Tom Baxa 2015

I wanted to talk a little about the my art book Blood Rituals: The Art ofTom Baxa .  I can't believe it, but the book has been out for about 4 1/2 years now.  I did a Kickstarter to get the book printed and released, in 2010 and it was quite an involved experience with so many things to do to bring it to fruition.




The Kickstarter site launched in April of 2009, and I did my campaign in July of 2010.  So needless to say it was the early days of Kickstarter and there weren't a lot of people on it from the gaming community yet.  Backer incentive strategies like stretch goals and add-ons didn’t exist yet and there were no fulfillment or marketing companies specializing in KS at that time.  I’m sure there were a lot of people on there already, especially in publishing and other product areas, but I didn't have the wealth of examples to draw from that are available now on KS. So I was flying blind, but I totally saw the potential of using crowdfunding for my artistic endeavors. 

When I did the Kickstarter campaign video, I had the cover paining for the book about halfway painted, and (if I remember right) I had the book laid out for the most part.  I knew I wanted to do a brand-new painting just for the cover and I thought it be kind of fun to have a sexy babe with the demon (how could you go wrong right?) and some Blood!  This is the final cover painting in all its glory.


The way I personally work is that I spend a little time envisioning what I might want to put on the cover, then I just start sketching and see what plays out.  I seldom do a bunch of thumbnails or multiple sketches, because I usually enjoy what comes out the first time when I put pencil to paper. My sketches are line drawings that I mount down to a board and paint over.



When I mix oil paints to do a painting I'll always do a little mini sketch like this just to get a sense of the colors and how they're relating to each other. 



Graphic design
To my surprise one of the things I had the most fun with was the graphic design of the book.  Whenever I start a new book, IP (intellectual property), or project I always start with the title and create a logo for it so that I can brand it across any kind of marketing efforts I apply.  Sometimes I draw my own logo,  but often it's not much more than finding a cool font and jazzing it up to make it into a logo.

I was fortunate to have had help from a professional graphic designer on Blood Rituals who help me lay out the book and get it ready for print. However I did have a tremendous amount of input on the graphics and the way the pages would look, especially on the chapter/section title pages.  Here's the section title page from the concept art section.  Each of these two page spreads had a little bit of creepy prose that I wrote on the left-hand page.  The prose related to the up-coming section and I always use the word “blood” somewhere in the pros and highlighted it using the same font as the book logo.  I also created the layout in imagery for the two page spreads.



Invoke the whispered ways, and
Call into being
Wretched creatures conceived from a
Fractured imagination.

Incantation
A baptism of Blood
An impure awakening.

Rise
Vile ones.

Feed.

Here's another page from the Wicked Fairies section.  I provided the designer with a bunch of textures and some examples and he did an excellent job of laying out the rest of the book, placing artwork over the background textures.


I also designed the back cover of the book.  This was quite fun because I got to play with some design elements and visual balancing of the page; and I also enjoyed working with fonts. 


Putting this book together was an amazing learning experience for me and I know it will serve me well in the future when I release my next book. Running the Kickstarter also was quite an experience and I learned a lot and I continue to learn from all the amazing artists and creators in our community who have been doing Kickstarters.

Blood Rituals: The Art ofTom Baxa is a 112 page, full-color art book with images that span my 25 year career. It's full of art from your favorite games like Dungeons & Dragons, Magic the Gathering,  World of Warcraft, Shadowrun, and more. There's also a few samples of my fiction in the book because at that time I knew I was going to be writing more in the future.  I’m actually working on an illustrated novel right now (more on that later).

Buy the book here: Blood Rituals:The Art of Tom Baxa

And here's a flip through video I created why flip through every page of the book and you can get a glimpse at all the awesome are inside that will likely make you want to run out and buy the book.



There's also an option for me to do an original sketch on the inside front page if you like.  Hope you've enjoyed this post about one of me labors of love :)    -- Tom




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Saturday, February 14, 2015

New Painting: Necromancer Raising a Demon

I mentioned in a previous post  that I was doing some work for a new game campaign setting for D&D and Pathfinder called Sigantium (click over for details and links).  Their Kickstarter funded and the book is coming along nicely.

I did a full page oil painting for the book of a creepy necromancer raising a demon up from hell.  I know, I know, necromancers raise the dead.  So that’s why I made the demon (newly) undead.  This necromancer is using a new skill from Sigantium called convokation, which is a magic that binds creatures to an object that they forge. 

Oils on masonite, 18” x 24”.  Anyone interest in purchasing the oil painting or prints can contact me at tbaxa@baxaart.com.

Enjoy, Tom



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Monday, November 10, 2014

BAXA creates art for Sigantium Kickstarter

Sigantium Campaign Setting - Kickstarter
I’m excited to announce that I’m contributing some art to a brand new campaign setting for D&D and Pathfinder.  The core product is a hardcover tome featuring new classes, races, feats, magic, creatures, demons and more!  Plus there is many cool reward tiers in the Kickstarter campaign.  Derek and the team have come up with some really great stuff. Sigantium Kickstarter Page

You create a Demon, Baxa paints it
There is a special BAXA rewards tier in the KS campaign where you get to design a Demon for the world and we will work together to create a full color illustration of your demon that will go in the game book complete with stat by the game designers!!!!

The Sigantium creators ran a contest like this pre-launch.  Here’s the description and the Demon I painted.  You can have your demon come to life too!! [ Note: For some reason Chrome and Firefox render this illo super dark.  Please view in Internet Explorer or Safari ]




Nix-Grokaar Description:
Once a lower lieutenant to a more powerful demon, Nix-Grokaar, the Violate Wind, rose to his current rank after his master was destroyed during the last angelic crusade. He is a violent demon of thunder, sky monsters, and physical lust. He despises mortal affection and has crafted several cursed items designed to doom those in love.  He appears as a ten-foot-tall, bald, jet-black humanoid with large, ram-like horns, and serpentine eyes too bright to directly look at.   Two sets of peacock-colored, oily avian wings line his back, flanking a spine of jagged, protruding spurs. His canine teeth are bone-white, as is his saliva free tongue and mouth.  While he has the hands of a human, his feet are the three-toed claws of a hawk.  He wears a skirt of bird skulls and his favorite weapon, Shrike-scar, is a scourge fashioned from the vertebrae and talons of celestial eagles and rocs. -- Robert Gresham, Portland Oregon, contest winner 10/9/14

I’m also doing a full page oil painting of a fiendish necromancer type sorcerer raising a demon.  Here’s the sketch.


There is a lot of info on the Sigantium site and FacebookPage about the campaign setting, so check it out.  I hope you’ll contribute to the Kickstarter campaign to bring Sigantium to life! Sigantium Kickstarter Page
Tom




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BAXA in Chicago Gallery show Maleficium


My friend Anthony Kosar is hosting an awesome HORROR THEMED gallery show at his Kosart Effects Studios & Gallery located at 760 Burr Oak Drive, Westmont, IL 60559, in the west suburbs of Chicago.  All my Chicago peeps - go check out the show!

The opening is Saturday, Nov. 15th, 2014 from 3pm to 10pm.  There are tons of super talented artists showing their paintings and sculptures; and Anthony has some other cool stuff planned as well.  Take a look at the gallery page www.Kosartgallery.com for details.


You may recognize Anthony as being the season 4 winner of the movie make-up competition tv show FaceOff on the Syfy channel.  He's an amazing special effects make-up artist, sculptor, painter and instructor.  Be sure to look at all he has to offer at his studio / school website: www.KosartAtelier.com .

This is only the second gallery show I’ve ever participated in, so I’m very excited to be a part of Maleficium! Here's the three pieces I have in the show, all of which are for sale:  1.) Rot Mouth, 2.) Bloodjaw, and 3.) Bloodstone Alien.



 

Anthony will have his work on display as well as his student and Face Off Season 7 winner Dina Cimarusti.


Don't miss this chance to see a ton of very cool horror and monster art all in one place!
Tom






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BAXA at Nashville Grand Prix 2014


This has been a great month for me and MTG!  I'll be signing at the Nashville Grand Prix on Friday Oct. 31th - Sunday Nov. 2nd, 2014 at the Music City Center.  Here's the official site for the event.

I'm looking forward to seeing you there!  Tom

Friday, October 10, 2014

BAXA at Los Angeles GP 2014


Just a quick note today to let you all know that I'll be appearing at the Los Angeles Grand Prix on Friday Oct. 17th - Sunday Oct. 19th, 2014 at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

Since the show is in my town, I can bring larger paintings for you to check out.  I'll also have artist proofs, prints, sketches and playmats with me and I'll be up for signing and altering all your cards!

The event is put on by the wonderful Cascade Games and here's the official site for the event.

Come by and see me!  Tom

---------------------------------






“Get Work as a Fantasy Artist” ebook
Insider Strategies from an Industry Pro 

Do you want to MAKE MONEY as a Fantasy Illustrator?  If so, this ebook will change your life!   

“Get Work as a Fantasy Artist” reveals proven strategies that will laser focus your efforts in the right direction to help you get jobs!

Everything to Guide you to a Successful Art Career
·         How to build an effective portfolio
·         How to find fantasy art job opportunities
·         How to solicit companies
·         What Art Directors are looking for – and why they’ll hire YOU!
·         BONUSES if you act now!
·         And much, much more.

Get an edge over your competition!  Click the link and claim your future as a freelance fantasy art professional!





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BaxaArt.com, Baxa, Tom Baxa, Thomas M. Baxa, Blood Rituals: The Art of Tom Baxa, BAA, BaxaArt Academy, Dark Sun, Wizards of the Coast, Magic the Gathering, mtg, Dungeons & Dragons, Get work as a Fantasy Artist, Make money as a fantasy artist, jobs for artists, fantasy artist, artist jobs, fantasy artists, artists jobs, illustration jobs, freelance artist, illustrator jobs, elance, How to freelance, Get work, Getting work, Fantasy art jobs, breaking in as a fantasy artist, freelance fantasy artist, professional artist

Wednesday, April 30, 2014

BAXA at GP Minneapolis - Official Playmat

Midwesterners Unite!  Anyone going out to the Magic: The Gathering Grand Prix Minneapolis, Minnesota?  I’ll be there Friday May 9th – Sunday May 11th signing cards and showing my art.  I’m originally from the Chicago area, but I’ve never been to Minnesota, so I’m looking forward to it!

The event has extensive hours, but I’ll be signing Friday: 4 pm - 8pm; Saturday: 10 am - 8pm and Sunday: 10 am - 6pm.  The Wizards of the Coast website lists all the cards artists have done, so you can check my list Baxa Magic Cards and pull some cards for me to sign for you!

The event is put on by Legion Events and you can get all the details at their website: http://legionevents.com/gpmsp2014/ .  There’s even a little interview of yours truly.


Timber Werewolf Playmat

I did the art for the event’s official playmat.  The first 750 players that register get one free!  Legion Events wanted me to incorporate something about the event location in the theme of the painting and I put a call out to my Facebook friends to get some ideas.  Got a lot of wacky ones, I must say.  Vikings (their football team) had already been done (drat). 

Wolves came up a lot, so I thought of doing a timber wolf werewolf and an American Indian feeling shaman.  Had to have lotsa trees and of course, a big lake!  Here’s the sketch, color comp and finished painting.

 
http://www.baxaart.com/BuriedTreasure_Store/playmats/playmats_thumbs.htm





 
For those of you who can’t make the event, I have prints for sale of the Timber Werewolf painting on my Playmats+ Prints page .
 
See you at the event!  Tom

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

BAXA at Monsterpalooza Con 2014



This weekend I’ll be appearing at Monsterpalooza 2014.  MP is an awesome con centered around movie make-up effects.  There are tons of artists of all kinds, including movie make-up creators showcasing their sculpting work, live make-up demos, toys, products, model kits, and more.

The show is at the Burbank Marriot Hotel right by the Burbank California airport on Friday March 28th- Sunday March 30th.  The Marriot has a medium sized convention hall inside and is easy to get to with lotsa parking.  Details at Monsterpalooza 2014 .

I have a table (table #77) in the main room and I’ll be bringing some new art, prints, animal skulls, and other merch for sale!  It’s also the debut of the series of all four KissMonster paintings above.  I’ll also have copies of my artbook Blood Rituals: the Art of Tom Baxa on hand for you to check out.

I did Son of Monsterpalooza last October and it was a blast: http://baxaart.blogspot.com/2013/12/son-of-monsterpalooza-post-mortem.html

Hope to see you at the show!  Tom

 
 
 

“Get Work as a Fantasy Artist” ebook
Insider Strategies from an Industry Pro 

Do you want to MAKE MONEY as a Fantasy Illustrator?  If so, this ebook will change your life!   

“Get Work as a Fantasy Artist” reveals proven strategies that will laser focus your efforts in the right direction to help you get jobs!

 
Everything to Guide you to a Successful Art Career
·         How to build an effective portfolio
·         How to find fantasy art job opportunities
·         How to solicit companies
·         What Art Directors are looking for – and why they’ll hire YOU!
·         BONUSES if you act now!
·         And much, much more.

Get an edge over your competition!  Click the link and claim your future as a freelance fantasy art professional!





Tags:

BaxaArt.com, Baxa, Tom Baxa, Thomas M. Baxa, Blood Rituals: The Art of Tom Baxa, BAA, BaxaArt Academy, Dark Sun, Wizards of the Coast, Magic the Gathering, mtg, Dungeons & Dragons, Get work as a Fantasy Artist, Make money as a fantasy artist, jobs for artists, fantasy artist, artist jobs, fantasy artists, artists jobs, illustration jobs, freelance artist, illustrator jobs, elance, How to freelance, Get work, Getting work, Fantasy art jobs, breaking in as a fantasy artist, freelance fantasy artist, professional artist

.

Thursday, February 20, 2014

Randy Gallegos: Oil Painting Demonstration, "Alieis"


Today I have a special treat for you.  My good friend and fellow fantasy artist Randy Gallegos has offered to share some of his wisdom on the BaxaArt Blog.  Randy has done art for Magic: the Gathering, Dungeons and Dragons, novel covers, and so much more.  He has 20+ years under his belt and has a lot to offer artists at all stages of their careers.  I follow his excellent blog and am proud to have Randy as a contributor to my ebook Get Work as a Fantasy Artist and part of the BaxaArt Academy bullpen! 



Studio Visit!

Have you ever visited a professional artist's studio? If you have, were you allowed to watch them work? How does it just happen that the artwork gets made? It doesn't. Whenever you see amazing art online or in-person, you are missing a broader context: the struggle, the hours, the mistakes, the decisions made usually in private, never seen.

For this reason, demonstration videos are extremely valuable. To the extent that you are able to afford them, I'd recommend every artist make a regular habit of purchasing and having a library of demos. Get a hard drive just for the purpose, even. I know many artists who just pop on Netflix while they work. But your work hours are "free" hours, in terms of being able to soak in information, even passively. Rather than suck down entire television series while you work, toss on one of your demo videos and work alongside it playing. They aren't usually easy to watch and soak in all in one sitting, so instead over time, more passively, allow the information to hit you while you work and watch the video on more than one occasion.

So now I'm offering my own
Randy Gallegos: Oil Painting Demonstration, "Alieis" : a 2.5 hour, HD demonstration of me working on a 4x6 foot painting, in oils. That alone is something different among many of the demos I've seen. With 20 years of freelance experience, all of them spent primarily painting, I'm confident that I've made enough mistakes along the way and worked through them to be able to produce a video worth watching.

 
https://gumroad.com/l/gallegos



I hope you'll take advantage of many of the resources available through Baxa Art Academy. When I was starting in my career, there just weren't this many resources available. When I was in college, if you wanted a painting video, it was on VHS cassette, available via mail order, and expensive. But right now, you can download this video while you work or sleep, for as little as $1. One. Dollar. If you think hanging out with me for a couple of hours and watching me paint is worth more than one track on iTunes, then pitch in a bit more. But really, I've set this so that people like yourself can benefit.

Reality Check:

Some perspective: A power-school like SVA in NY (2013-14) is $16k per semester, for say 15 units. That comes down to about 70 cents per minute. My recommended price for this video is $19.99, or the cost of half an hour in a class at SVA. I guarantee you'll get more out of that $19.99 through my video than 30 minutes of one course at SVA. At the very least, for the minimum of $1, I guarantee you'll learn more than during the first 90 seconds after class officially starts and people are still taking their winter coats off and you've been charged $1.

I want you to hold that number in your head: $40/hr. As you consider resources like those presented here at Baxa Art Academy, think about your college experience (if you've had some) and what you really actually learned in any given 60 minutes. Cumulatively you'll get a lot, but you'll pay a ton for it. The resources you can get here and elsewhere--whether they augment or replace a power-school is up to you--are usually going to be a better value.

Click this link to pick up my
Randy Gallegos: Oil Painting Demonstration, "Alieis" .

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