This is the work in progress of my pastel I’m calling" Age of Zuul". This is for anyone interested in how I’m doing the portrait. There is a process I use and will show it on the thread. Before work is to begin, you need to conjure up some ideas in your head. Once you have the basic idea,you start gathering resources( film stills, photos, etc.).I wanted Zuul posed in front of the terror dog statues. Had to take pics directly from the dvd via the TV. Here’s the under drawing.
This can be the longest part, erasing editing, moving things around to get the composition right, plus capturing the likeness. The next few photos show the next stage of building up the shadows, then the highlights. You have to be very careful blending. Smooth is great, but do it too much and it gets a gray muddiness. This part is exciting because it goes from quite ugly to pretty as you add in the highlights.
now it’s starting to look better…
More to follow..pastels can go quickly, but this is a large piece..most I do are 9x 12, this is about 18 x 24 and will feature a full detailed background- of what I’m not sure yet…
Comments, questions or feedback is great. If you have any ideas about backgrounds, let me know!
Really nice Unicorn. I love working with colored pencils (although I don’t have near your skill set).
I did a speed drawing (on youtube) where I fell exactly in the trap of much too smoothing and muddy grays.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oVHAHaKgO4w
Can’t wait to see how your pictures develops.
where do i sign up to order a print 
thx for the compliments guys…never thought about doing prints…I suppose it’s possible. I just wanted to make something cool to be considered for the calendar!
I’ve done a bit more work on the face, will post tomorrow hopefully. I was thinking it would be interesting to have one of the gargoyle statues partially crumbling, perhaps even revealing a glowing red eye like in the movie.
Do it dude the red eye would be epic!!! I really dig your work man you are amazing!! I would love to see other artwork that you have done! I just posted a pic of Ray I did in pencil in the fan art section if you want to check it out!
blocked in the hair, worked the face a bit more. I’m taking out the right side gargoyle because it didn’t fit comfortably in that space. Thinking I’ll add one of the obelisks close up on the right, and have a few on the the left side in the far background… Considering some sort of mist below the gargoyle, and even putting Zuul’s hand on the statue itself. I’m afraid the she’s starting to look as though she is riding atop the gargoyle! not what I’m wanting. I think I will have the crumbling statue/glowing eyeball thing, but keep it subtle.
I cannot believe how great it looks, well actually i can. its amazing 
Awesome awesome awesome my friend!! Good call with the obelisk it would definitely spice up things. Can’t wait for the finished product, you have my vote for your work to come out in the calendar!!
thx guys, you’re too nice! It’s just gettin started! there are still a few things even in her face I need to do b4 I’m happy with that part. Another thing to consider is the body..the picture I took is only of the head and shoulders. Also how far down to let the neck line drape?..hmmm -what ever shall I do?
ok, worked on the face and hair, started the terror dog statue. Her eyes are needing a bit more work. The glowing eye and cracks are looking good so far. You can see the obelisk to the right. the picture will have probably a coolish blue violet background, with some bright blue glancing off the top of most of the objects and zuul. may or may not put more architectural elements on the left…could get crouded, unless they are simple silouettes.
This is coming along nicely. It’s gonna look good.
I really hope this is going to be a single whole page on AJ’s calendar!
oh wow E.U, that looks amazing! i can just hear her say “the destructooor”
just out of interest, would you do a commission piece?
Enchanted, that’s amazing work. Can’t wait to see more (hurry up) 
You inspired me to do a new speed painting:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4oFcvBzC0A
Different subject matter; I’ll try for a GB speed paint on the next go round.
-KCG
How do you layer all that pastel without using fixative? Doesn’t it just eventually slide around on you like charcoal?
Nick a tron, yes I do commission work but so far only for people I know from work. I charge 175. I’ve only done 3 so far, so it’s not like I’m mr big shot or anything!
Donkeypunch- I start with harder pastels and as I layer them I press them into the paper either with my finger or use a styrofoam peanut (lol)..that keeps them firmly attached to the paper. I put in the super darks and super lights with softer pastels at the end..as long as its not knocked around too much, it stays together. quick note, on just B&W pics, I will use fixative. usually aquanet hairspray, I don’t buy the expensive spray from the art store.
Right on, I use aquanet also. I just haven’t really worked a whole lot with pastel, but charcoal starts to erase itself if you try to layer too much, especially vine charcoal, so I’m constantly having to spray my shit down.
yeah, I agree with your fixative use on charcoal, that’s about all you can do. I don’t use much charcoal because I look like chimney sweep from Mary Poppins by the time I’m thru. Can’t wait to get back to work on Zuul monday- I work on it at school..planned on playing lots of call of duty this weekend..but the baby had other plans…
Now Donkey punch, do you plan on doing a little something-something for the calendar?
Maybe, I have finals and work next week, so we shall see
FYI i think AJ said he wanted stuff turned in by the 15th of december